Newsletter

3rd PSSN Scientific Convention held at UP Visayas Cebu College

Last May 1-3, 2003 the Philippine Society for the Study of Nature, Inc. (PSSN) rolled off its 3rd annual scientific convention at the Audio-Visual Room of the UP Visayas Cebu College, Cebu City. Dr. Milagrosa M. Goss, professor and head of the Plant Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, CAS-UPLB keynoted the opening program. Five other plenary speakers were also invited to present papers on various aspects of nature and the environment.

Fifty two (52) papers were presented during the 2-day scientific sessions and 14 for poster viewing. A total of 69 participants from various places of the country attended. Also, 39 new members and eight life members were added this year bringing the total membership of PSSN to 332.

For the first time, all oral papers vied for three Best Papers and the winners were: “Reproductive biology and gonad development of the male and female seahorse Hippocampus barbouri Jordan & Richardson 1908” by Edna P. Oconer et al, 1st place with P1,500; “Evaluation of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) and other sapindaceous fruits of the Philippines” by Rachel C. Sotto et al, 2nd place with P1,000; and “Analysis of the degradation of the Ifugao rice terraces: the case of Kiangan and Banaue” by Romeo A. Gomez Jr., 3rd place with P500. The winning posters were “Preliminary survey of Matnor Inagawan, Puerto Princesa City as potential ecotourism site,” by Romeo R. Lerom, 1st place with P1,500; “Human-environment interaction at the altitudinal zones of Mt. Mayon National Park by Inocencio E. Buot Jr. et al, 2nd place with P1,000; and “Assessment of the species biodiversity of basidiomycetous fungi, insects, and orchids in the midmontane forest of Mt. Apo, Mindanao” by Gay Charlotte Q. Biadnes and Naomi G. Tangonan, 3rd place with P500 cash prize. Certificates of merit were also given to the winners.

Other awardees (for distinguished leadership) were former PSSN presidents Prof. Zenaida G. Baoanan and Dr. Inocencio E. Buot Jr.; meanwhile, Drs. Cayetano C. Pomares and Olga M. Nuñeza of the University of Southern Mindanao and MSU-Institute of Technology, respectively, received special awards for having presented the most number of scientific papers in the above convention.

Mr. Ricardo T. Bagarinao receiving a plaque of appreciation in behalf of the Bahaykubo Research Team for hosting the society’s website.	Dr. Naomi G. Tangonan (middle), PSSN president (2002-2003), launched the first book of the society entitled “Biodiversity Conservation and Ecotourism: Subjects, Theories, and External Pressures.” Standing from left to right are some of the contributors for this book: Dr. Nenita Tapay, Mrs. Avil Baluyot, Mr. Ricardo T. Bagarinao, and Dr. Inocencio E. Buot, Jr.

On the third day, a field tour was arranged to Mananga watershed and other landmarks of Cebu City.

The immediate past PSSN officers (2002-2003) were Naomi G. Tangonan, president; Ricardo T. Bagarinao, vice president; Jane B. Tranquilan, secretary; Nancita F. Puntawe, treasurer; Romeo A. Gomez Jr., auditor; Jesusa D. Ortuoste, PIO; and board of directors were Rogelio L. Padit, Emerson V. Barcellano, Inocencio E. Buot Jr. Roderick C. Quintos, and Zenaida G. Baoanan.

In the election held during the convention, the following are the new set of officers and board of directors for 2003-2004: Ricardo T. Bagarinao, president; Ramon M. Docto, vice president; Jesusa D. Ortuoste, secretary; Nancita F. Puntawe, treasurer; Jane B. Tranquilan, auditor; Arsenia A. Casauay, PIO; Arlen Ancheta, business manager; and board of directors are Inocencio E. Buot Jr., Romeo A. Gomez Jr., Rachel C. Sotto, Olga M. Nuneza, Cayetano C. Pomares, Reynaldo S. Callano, Edna P. Oconer, Arlene G. Sampang, and Naomi G. Tangonan (ex-officio).

Sponsors who provided logistic support to the 3rd PSSN scientific convention were the following http://www.bahaykuboresearch.net (website for Filipino scientists and researchers), UP Visayas Cebu College, and Monsanto Philippines, Inc. It will be noted that PSSN may be accessed through http://pssn.bahaykuboresearch.net.