UP Marine Science Institute

08/09/2026

WATCH: At the UPMSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory, July “Mother of Giant Clams” Curiano, Jr. teaches Gerald Anderson, Pauline Amelinckx, Argel Saycon, and Gifer Fernandez about giant clam ecology and MSI’s giant clam restocking program. At the same time, Bolinao’s fisherfolk organizations work hand-in-hand with BML to secure the future of their sea cucumber population.

🌊 Pusong Bayani Episode 3 is out now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFzXu4uKKWc

To support BML's Adopt-A-Clam Program, email giantclams(at)msi.upd.edu.ph, or fill out this form: https://forms.gle/LPxcz7KSApwXgcpv6

Naglakbay sina Gerald Anderson, Pauline Amelinckx, Argel Saycon, at...

05/09/2026

The roundtable on science diplomacy in the Sulu-Sulawesi-Timor region is part of the first transnational marine scientific cooperation and confidence-building initiative of its kind in the region. Read more: https://msi.upd.edu.ph/advancing-science-diplomacy-in-sulu-sulawesi-timor-region/

This discussion is part of an upcoming project led by the UP Marine Science Institute and the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc., with support from the Australia in The Philippines and in partnership with the UP IMLOS - Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, the UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management’s Science Diplomacy Program, and Foreign Service Institute, Philippines - FSI Philippines.

For more information on the project, follow the Microbial Oceanography Laboratory.

04/09/2026

We wish a belated happy birthday to Dr. Gil Jacinto, one of the first Filipino chemical oceanographers and former Director of the UP Marine Science Institute from 1999-2006.

Dr. Jacinto is a pioneer in the study of marine pollution, his research examined how land-based pollution can result in hypoxia, eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, an increase in trace metals, and ultimately, declining ecosystem health.

His expertise was critical to the Writ of Mandamus that compels the rehabilitation of Manila Bay, the early expeditions to the West Philippine Sea, and more recent expeditions to the Philippine Rise. After his retirement as a professor, Dr. Jacinto continued to serve as part of the Scientific Advisory Body for the UNESCO IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific. He is still recognized today as one of the Asia-Pacific region's foremost experts in ocean science.

Having been a steady, guiding hand at the Institute since our early days as the Marine Sciences Center, he has paved the way for our continued work in the field of chemical oceanography. Belated happy birthday, Sir Gil!

02/09/2026

The marine scientist approached the AI expert with what seemed a simple idea: capture what is happening underwater, then teach a machine to analyze fish species.

[UP MSI Professor Dr. Laura] David and [UP Diliman Chair of Artificial Intelligence Program Dr. Prospero] Naval’s efforts spawned Fish-i, a semi-automated fish census system that combines an underwater camera rig with AI-powered image analysis. It can identify fish and generate measurements of their size, population density, species distribution and biomass. Unlike conventional underwater visual censuses, Fish-i was designed to allow divers with minimal training [in fish visual census] to collect high-quality data more efficiently.

Read IPOPHL’s latest feature: https://www.ipophil.gov.ph/news/from-ocean-science-to-computer-vision-the-meeting-of-minds-behind-fish-i/

From an ocean science challenge to a patented AI-powered solution, Fish-i shows what can happen when disciplines come together.

Meet the minds behind this award-winning innovation and discover how marine science, computer vision, and intellectual property helped turn a research idea into technology with global potential.

Read the full Wagi sa Yamang Isip feature here: https://tinyurl.com/43kvypkb

31/08/2026

Sa pagtatapos ng ating pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika, binibigyang-pansin natin ang dalawang peptide na ipinangalan sa mga salitang Filipino!

Narito ang… 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻! Mga peptide na nakuha mula sa venom ng mga cone snail.

Ang Conantokin ay isang peptide na nagmula sa lason ng 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘢 (na nagbunga ng Conantokin-T) at 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘶𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘴 (na nagbunga ng Conantokin-G), na nagdudulot ng tila pagkaantok at pagtulog sa mga biktima nito. Ang pangalang conantokin ay pinagsamang “conotoxin” (tumutukoy sa mga lason mula sa cone snail) at “antokin”.

Samantala, ang Contulakin ay isang peptide mula sa lason ng 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘶𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘴 (na nagbunga ng Contulakin-G), na nagdudulot naman ng pagbagal ng kilos o pananamlay sa mga biktima nito. Ang pangalang contulakin ay pinagsamang “conotoxin” at “tulak”.

Ang pagkatuklas sa dalawang peptide na ito ay bunga ng pananaliksik ng mga Pilipino at banyagang siyentista sa pangunguna nina National Scientist Lourdes J. Cruz ng UP MSI at Dr. Baldomero Olivera ng University of Utah. Nakatuon ang kanilang pag-aaral sa composition, structure, at bioactivity ng mga venom peptide na matatagpuan sa mga cone snail sa dagat. Kasalukuyang pinag-aaralan ang dalawang peptide na ito para sa kanilang potensyal na gamit sa medisina, partikular na sa pain management at iba pang kondisyong neurological.

Ang pagpapangalan sa Conantokin at Contulakin ay isang pagkilala hindi lamang sa pananaliksik ng ating mga karagatan, kundi pati na rin ng wikang Filipino—na nagtatampok ng ating ambag sa pandaigdigang larangan ng pananaliksik. Maligayang Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa!

Magbasa pa ukol sa Conantokin dito: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9258(19)39285-3
Magbasa pa ukol sa Contulakin dito: https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.274.20.13752

27/08/2026

This August, we commemorate the birth month of the late Dr. Ronald Villanueva, former faculty of the UP Marine Science Institute.

Dr. Villanueva studied coral reproduction, transplantation, and mass larval reseeding with the goal of transforming degraded environments into healthy ecosystems that could support vibrant, undersea life. He was the head of the Coral Reef Restoration Laboratory and was primarily based in Bolinao, where he focused on Scleractinian or hard corals and their role as foundational reef-builders. Beyond conservation, he also studied how giant clams and sea snails interacted with corals and how they promoted each other's growth. Earlier in his career, his studies focused on seaweed culture and utilization, with particular emphasis on phycocolloid chemistry.

Fondly remembered as a humble colleague and generous mentor, his legacy lives on in the continued dedication of the UP Marine Science Institute and the UPMSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory towards coral restoration. Maraming salamat sa lahat, Sir Ronald!

Watch a short video by Dr. Villanueva on his work: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbj6rMLqd9Y

26/08/2026

From 02–07 August 2026, UP MSI’s Physical Oceanography and Observation Laboratory (POOL), led by Dr. Charina Lyn A. Repollo, joined thousands of scientists at the 23rd Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) Annual Meeting in Fukuoka, Japan.

AOGS is one of the Asia-Pacific region’s major geoscience gatherings, bringing together researchers from across Asia, Oceania, and beyond to share discoveries, build collaborations, and advance our understanding of a changing planet.

At AOGS2026, UP MSI showcased Philippine ocean research on marine heatwaves, coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea, and Kuroshio–Philippine shelf interactions.

Dr. Repollo delivered an oral presentation on “Marine Heatwaves in the Philippines: Implications to Select Coral Reefs in the West Philippine Sea,” highlighting the importance of understanding extreme ocean warming and its implications for vulnerable Philippine marine ecosystems.

Her students also shared their research through poster presentations:

Edmund Dolera — “𝘒𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘰 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩-𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘺𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘺𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘔𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨”
Stephen Luces — “𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴: 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴, 𝘋𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴”

Beyond sharing scientific results, AOGS2026 provided a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and grow as part of the international scientific community.

Through its participation, UP MSI continues to advance research addressing the marine science challenges of the Asia-Oceania region, strengthen the visibility of Philippine marine research, and bring local scientific perspectives to the global scientific community.

Caption by: Physical Oceanography and Observation Laboratory
Individual credits indicated in each photo

20/08/2026

Corals experiencing extreme stress, such as high temperatures caused by either El Niño or climate change, respond by expelling their zooxanthellae—microbial photosynthetic symbionts that give them energy and color—in a phenomenon known as coral bleaching. Photosymbionts are crucial for coral survival and it is important to understand how they contribute to the resilience of certain corals against climate change.

John Bennedick Quijano, Jake Ivan Baquiran, Dr. Cecilia Conaco, and Dr. Patrick Cabaitan worked with Dr. Madeleine van Oppen from the University of Melbourne and Dr. Peter Harrison of Southern Cross University to study corals and their photosymbionts. A combination of heat stress tests and photosymbiont profiling by ITS2 metabarcoding were conducted on three acroporid species commonly found in the Bolinao-Anda Reef Complex: 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘢, 𝘈. 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢, and 𝘈. 𝘤𝘧. 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘴. Although the three species showed different levels of heat tolerance, they were all associated with strains of the zooxanthellae, 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘶𝘮.

The photosymbiont genus 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘶𝘮 is usually associated with more heat sensitive corals in the Indo-West Pacific. However, 𝘊. 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘶𝘮 occurs in the warmer waters such as in the Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. The prevalence of 𝘊. 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘶𝘮 strains in acroporids of the Bolinao-Anda Reef Complex suggests that they are well-adapted to the thermal regime of the area. Whether these strains are connected to the improved survival rates of acroporid corals in Bolinao during recent bleaching events remains to be determined.

Climate resilience is a complex trait, one that is not determined by photosymbiont species alone. Future research on photosymbiont performance, host traits, and environmental conditions are needed to obtain holistic insights into coral bleaching responses across the Coral Triangle.

This study was funded by DOST PCAARRD and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-026-02923-x

20/08/2026

DEADLINE TODAY: National Survey on Ocean Literacy

Despite how much we depend on the ocean, stories about the ocean make up less than 3% of Philippine media coverage.

On behalf of the regional initiative “Ocean Literacy for Journalists in Southeast Asia – Empower Media for Ocean Sustainability (2025–2027)", UP MSI is inviting 🌊 marine scientists, research institutions, and science communicators 🌊 to answer the linked survey.

This national scoping assessment by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO aims to examine the state of ocean literacy among Filipino journalists and the broader community of practice that supports journalism. The results will guide the development of tailored tools, partnerships, and capacity-building programs for the Philippine media sector.

Access the survey through the QR code or this link ✍️ https://forms.gle/gx3bi4wrBSrkWsiE9 until August 20, 2026.

Contact oceanliteracyph(at)gmail.com for any questions or further details. Materials provided by the "Ocean Literacy for Journalists in Southeast Asia – Empower Media for Ocean Sustainability (2025–2027)" initiative.

18/08/2026

Kia ora! 🇳🇿 UP MSI proudly joined the 16th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in Auckland, New Zealand, held from July 19–24, 2026. The symposium brought together more than 2,100 participants from 90 countries, uniting the global coral reef community for a week of science, collaboration, and connection.

The MSI delegation was led by faculty members Dr. Mike Atrigenio, Dr. Patrick Cabaitan, Dr. Maria Vanessa Baria-Rodriguez, and Dr. Cecilia Conaco. Over 30 alumni, students, and researchers from the Ocean Color and Coastal Oceanography Laboratory, Marine Molecular Biology Laboratory, Interactions of Marine Bionts and Benthic Ecosystems Laboratory, and Coral Reef Ecology Laboratory, as well as from the ACIAR Coral Restoration Governance Project through MERF, were among the UP MSI delegates.

Oral and poster presentations by the UP MSI delegates covered timely topics, ranging from innovations to facilitate coral reef recovery amidst global environmental change, to the role of communities as coral reef stewards. Guided by the theme, “Working Together to Ensure a Future for Coral Reefs,” their presentations showcased interdisciplinary approaches, technological interventions, and emerging research that can help shape the future of reef conservation and management.

Through UP MSI’s participation, together with the other Filipino delegates, Philippine marine science research and perspectives were shared and celebrated on the global stage, highlighting the continued contributions of Filipino researchers to coral reef science and conservation. Padayon, Mandaragat!