Aiming for the Apex: UP GeoSoc holds 9th NGC

by Aris Paolo Castro

In line with its goal to bring the geosciences to the people, the University of the Philippines Geological Society (UP GeoSoc) conducted its flagship event, the 9th National Geologic Congress (NGC), last April 2, 8, and 23, 2022. With the theme, “Aiming for the Apex”, the 9th installment of the annual event focused on the natural hazards in the Philippines, disaster preparedness, and skills and tools that the geosciences offer to understand hazards better and prepare for them in advance. Given the circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, all events were conducted through an online platform for the second consecutive year.

The series of webinars, namely the Earth Science Teachers’ Webinar (ESTW), High School Students’ Webinar (HSW), and Geology Students’ Forum (GSF) amassed a combined total of 1,257 registered participants, and over 6,000 FB livestream viewers.

First up is the ESTW with the theme “Drop, Cover, and Learn: Geological Hazards, Disaster Readiness, and Risk Reduction in the Philippines” which was conducted last April 2. The one-day webinar equipped Earth Science teachers around the country with the necessary skills and tools that they can apply when teaching natural hazards in their classes. Speakers from various fields of geoscience shared their expertise on geohazards as well as softwares and websites used in studying and teaching these. Among the speakers were Dr. Likha Minimo, Assistant Professor at the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS), for Geological Hazards and Examples in the Philippines, Ms. Mabelline Cahulogan, Supervising Science Research Specialist at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and Head of the Geomatics and Hazards Assessment Service Section at the same institute, for Hazard Hunter and its Uses in the Classroom, and Mr. Julius Pasco, Instructor and MS student at NIGS, for Google Earth for Teaching Earth Science.

Next in line is HSW which raised the awareness of high school students on the country’s hazardscape and demonstrated Geologic Information Systems (GIS) applications young aspiring students can explore to help prepare for natural hazards during the webinar “Shake, Rattle, and Roll: A Geolo(GIS)t Workshop on Hazard Sensing” last April 8. Geoscientists from different institutes provided insights on the different geohazards in the Philippines context and ways on how to prepare for them: Mr. Jeffrey Perez, Supervising Science Research Specialist at PHIVOLCS, for Geologic Hazards in the Philippines, Mr. Bernard Punzalan II, Informations & Science Relations Officer of the Public Information Unit at the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), for Hydrometeorological Hazards in the Philippines, and Mr. Alec Benjamin Ramirez, Instructor and MS student at NIGS, for GIS Workshop.

Lastly, geology students across the country gathered for the GSF online forum “Verging the Summit: Emerging Stronger From the Pandemic Through Geosciences” last April 23. Experts from different fields provided insights on the state of geosciences in the Philippines, two years since the start of the global pandemic. Professionals who graced the online forum include Dr. Noelynna Ramos, Officer-in-Charge at NIGS and head of the Geomorphology & Active Tectonics Research (GEAR) laboratory at the same institution, for Geohazards: Earthquakes and Tsunamis, Ms. Rosanele Romero, Senior Basin Researcher at S&P Global Commodity Insights, for Geology in the Petroleum Industry, Atty. Marissa Cerezo, Assistant Director of the Renewable Energy Management Bureau at the Department of Energy (DOE), for Geology and Renewable Energy, Ms. Kathleen Ann Ferrer, licensed geologist, for Hydrogeology, Ms. Maria Gracia Padrique, MS student and Teaching Associate at NIGS, for Geology and Machine Learning, and Engr. Donna Mae Longga, Senior Science Research Specialist in the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), for Policy Developments in the Mining Industry. Ms. Regina Martha Lumongsod, a recent MS graduate at NIGS, served as moderator for the online forum.

For the second consecutive year, the Dignayan sa Infographic, pagyamanin sa Wikang Atin (DIWA) replaces GeoQuiz. The infographics contest aims to promote dissemination of geoscience information through the use of Philippine Languages. Submission of entries ended last April 25 and these were posted in the organization’s official Facebook page where the audience could react to their most liked infographics.

After intensive screening, winners of the contest were announced last July 2. Janyz Aira Cantrell and Matthew Felimon Caisip from Philippine Science High School — Central Luzon Campus, impressed the judges the most, winning first place. Coming in second place is the tandem of Ranz Mikolai Gaupo and Isaiah Salalila. Completing the top 3 is Humphrey Soriano from Quezon City Science High School. Winners received a cash prize of Php 5000, Php 3500, and Php 2500, respectively. Additionally, the top 3 most liked infographics were rewarded with Php 1500 each. The following were the most liked infographics: Queenie Colyn Ablog and Krysammaine Calizo, from Aringay National High School, Rexine Roxas and Samara Sangalang, from Philippine Science High School — Central Luzon Campus, and Humphrey Soriano from Quezon City Science High School. Mr. John Peter Himor, science writer, and Ms. Jesley Mei Dycoco, instructor at NIGS, served as judges for the contest.

Organizing the 9th NGC were Danella Trina Callosa and Dominique Anne Operania, Overall Co-Heads; Joshua Godwin Cuevas, Secretariat; Phoebe Cates Torres, Logistics and Technicals Head; Paula Mae Jatulan, ESTW Head; Aris Paolo Castro, HSW Head; Mark Sumaden, GSF Head; Angela Nicole Masongsong, DIWA Head; April Szyan Joy Tumpalan, Marketing Head; and John Patrick Caytiles, Creatives Head.

The event would also not have been possible without the following sponsors: Cordillera Exploration Co. Inc., Energy Development Corporation, Philex Mining Corporation, PHILSAGA Mining Corporation, Cozy’Zola, Jellyfish Education Philippines, Mask On PH, Motivo, Great Taste, Swiss Miss, FranchiseManila, STEM ENGINE, YAMAN Philippines, Carthal Manila, IKOT.PH, RANK MAGAZINE, Adamson University Mining Engineering and Geology Students’ Association, Association of Geology Students — USeP, CSU Association of Mining Engineering Students, Geological Organization of Partido State University, Geology Students Society of NORSU, Philippine Association of Geology Students — SEG Student Chapter, Philippine Society of Mining Engineers — Bicol University Student Chapter, Ateneo Psyche, CSU Biology Majors Organization, Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines Inc. Bicol University Student Chapter, Honor Society of Mapúa, UP Badminton Association in Diliman, UP DOST Scholars’ Association and UP Variates.