To enhance the capacity of seaweed farmers in Caramoan, Camarines Sur, the Partido State University (ParSU) College of Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems (Caramoan Campus), in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI), spearheaded a comprehensive three-day workshop titled: "Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems through Algae: A Futures Thinking and PhycoPRO Initiative on Seaweed Farming." This was held from September 11-13, 2024, in Brgy. Haponan, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, aimed to transfer technical knowledge and skills related to seaweed farming, production, and enterprise development while introducing innovative strategies to improve the sustainability of local seaweed farming practices.

Over 35 seaweed farmers from barangay Haponan attended the workshop. It commenced with welcome remarks from key officials, including ParSU's Vice President for Research, Extension, and Knowledge Management, Dr. Raul G. Bradecina; and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Michael A. Clores; as well as Hon. Alma L. Ruiz, Barangay Captain of barangay Haponan.

 Dr. Bradecina emphasized the critical role seaweed farmers play in food security and as vital contributors to the local economy. Dr. Clores outlined the importance of the initiative, linking it to ParSU's Futures Thinking Program and its collaborative PhycoPRO research project with UP-MSI.

The workshop featured a panel of experts from UP-MSI, including Dr. Michael Y. Roleda, and members of the Algal Ecophysiology Lab (AlgAE) consisting of Ms. Lourie Ann R. Hinaloc, Ms. Shienna Gonzaga, John Rey L. Gacura, Mr. Ronel T. Aguilar. Mr. Emmanuel M. Mendoza, Mr. Bienson Narvate, and a representative from UP Visayas, Mx. Eljenmer L. Sindo.

Dr. Roleda spearheaded the lectures on the opening day on integrated Marine Protected Areas (iMPAs) and regenerative seaweed farming, emphasizing the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems. Lectures on biology, ecology, and reproduction of eucheumatoid seaweeds were delivered by Mr. Navarte, focusing on the three major groups of seaweeds: green (Chlorophyta), red (Rhodophyta), and brown (Ochrophyta).

Participants also gained insights about seaweed diseases, pests, optimal farming locations, and the critical need for coastal zonation as resource speakers shared best practices on planting, monitoring, handling, and transportation from other seaweed-producing countries. Following the lectures, seaweed farmers participated in group workshops to share their knowledge and identify suitable farming locations based on their experiences and the issues resulting from seasonal changes.

On the second day, the team visited two seaweed farms in Sitio Balibagan, Haponan, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, where seaweed farming in a mangrove area and open sea locations is currently practiced. Discussions on improved seaweed farming techniques, harvesting, drying, and storage protocols were conducted after returning to the site. Dr. Roleda also led a session on nursery management, highlighting past lessons from the seaweed industry to guide future developments.

On the final day, Dr. Bradecina delivered a lecture on the potential of seaweed farms as ecotourism sites and emphasized the importance of establishing cooperatives to access funding and grants. He presented case studies where seaweed farms doubled as successful ecotourism destinations, illustrating their dual economic potential.

Hon. Ruiz expressed gratitude to ParSU for selecting Haponan as a beneficiary and partner in marine conservation efforts. She highlighted the significance of the workshop in revitalizing seaweed farming in the community, enabling farmers to apply new knowledge and skills for improved productivity.

The extension activity concluded with distributing farming supplies and materials to participants. Dr. Clores reiterated that the distributed supplies were more than just materials; they represented a means for the community to shape its desired future in seaweed farming. He emphasized the university's commitment to fostering a sustainable and prosperous future for local seaweed farmers, the community, and the nation.

The event, which hopes to increase seaweed production volume and income to seaweed farmers, thereby contributing to poverty and hunger alleviation, rural enterprise development, and tourism in Caramoan, Camarines Sur, is in line with the goals of the Futures Thinking Program and Initiatives of the University, which is to "promote sustainable behaviors among people, with these desired behaviors strategically integrated with science, culture, education, technology and the arts through capacity building."

Article by: Eunice M. Sentelices

As part of its commitment to internationalization and growing collaborative efforts, Partido State University co-sponsored and participated in  the Global Indigeneity Conference 2024 held at the Banaue Grand View Hotel, Banaue, Ifugao last August 22-25, 2024. The said conference aims to contribute to the global dialogue on indigenous issues, sharing insights on challenges, experiences, and best practices with scholars from across the globe.

Dr. Stephen B. Acabado from the University of California Los Angeles-Center for South East Asian Studies, supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, Wenner-Gren Foundation, Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMo), Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology, Mindanao State University - General Santos City, Ifugao State University, Pangasinan Polytechnic College, and Sorsogon State University, collaborated as co-sponsors with Partido State University during the aforementioned conference.

Participating in the event from ParSU were Dr. Arnel Zarcedo, the university's President, Prof. Patricia Candelaria, the Director of Research, Leih Anne Odoño, Board Secretary V & Director of International Affairs, Raymond Estrada from the CED Faculty, and Karen Eyre Moshie Artiaga, the Director of Museo de Isarog.

Ms. Artiaga, the Director of MDI, also served as a panelist on the discussion titled Empowering Futures: Cultivating Indigenous Education Curricula. The panel brought together educators, indigenous figures, academics, and policymakers to discuss the design and execution of curricula that incorporate indigenous wisdom, languages, and teaching methods. During the session, she delivered a thought-provoking presentation entitled: "From Field to Museum Programs: Plants, People, and Digital Conservation”. Her presentation centered on the strategies employed by a regional university museum to establish enduring initiatives and activities that seamlessly merge intricate scientific findings.

During the community visit in Kiangan, Ifugao, ParSU reiterated its dedication to UCLA as a significant global collaborator by revalidating their Memorandum of Understanding at the conference. Dr. Zarcedo highlighted that the partnership would facilitate exchanges across different disciplines to bolster research, outreach initiatives, and teaching endeavors focused on tackling issues such as climate change, food sustainability, and cultural enhancement.

From July 16 to 23, 2024, a diverse group of participants comprised of senior high school students, college students, faculty members, and researchers from across the Bicol region attended the second installment of the Marine Conservation and Restoration Summer Camp at the Partido State University College of Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems (Caramoan Campus).

The week-long activity included lectures, workshops, and educational field demonstrations on mangroves, corals, fishes, seaweeds, and seagrasses ecosystems designed to give participants pivotal knowledge and skills on biodiversity assessment. The hands-on learning approach during the camp allowed the participants to actively engage with the subject matter.  A culminating activity where participants presented their collected data was also conducted as part of the week-long camp activity.

Resource speakers were Mr.  Jaspher R. Nieves, MSc, and Ms.  Divina P. Chica who covered lectures on mangroves; Mr. Raul B. Burce, MSc, and Mr. Ronnel A. Dioneda, Jr.on corals and fishes; Mr. Eljenmer L. Sindo, RFP highlighted the topic on seaweeds while Dr. Michael A. Clores discussed about seagrasses. They also facilitated the workshops and fieldwork activities during the camp. The lecture provided the participants with basic concepts related to each ecosystem and the workshops allowed them to have an overview of the biodiversity assessment unique to each of the ecosystems. Moreover, the educational fieldwork demonstrations in Tabgon, Paniman, and Guijalo — all in Caramoan, Camarines Sur — allowed the participants to collect data, which they presented during the data presentation. Mr. Cyrus Job Dela Cruz, MSc; Mr.  Reyland Alegroso, RFP, and Mr. Diomerl Edward B. Baldo, MSc, were invited to provide feedback and critique the presentation.

These activities align with the Futures Thinking programs and initiatives of the college and the University for Sustainable Marine Ecosystems allowing the participants to discern an overview of the probable and possible futures of these ecosystems and the preferred futures they want. At the end of the activity, a strong call for action was emphasized, underlining the urgent need for the conservation, protection, and management of these vital ecosystems.

Article by Eljenmer L. Sindo, photos by Bryan V. Barillo

Partido State University (ParSU) has joined with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for the Bicol Archaeological Project (BAP) Field Season 2024, to strengthen international collaboration and student engagement.  The Bicol Archaeological Project is a collaborative initiative involving University of California, Los Angeles, the Archdiocese of Caceres, Partido State University, and Local Government Units in Camarines Sur.

The BAP season 2024 ran for 5 weeks from June 26 to July 22, 2024, and included six field sites in the Bicol region: Barangay Binanuahan, Lagonoy; Barangay Binanwaanan, Pili; Binanuahan, Caramoan; Binanuaanan Grande and Binanuaanan Pequeño, Calabanga; and Barangay Binanuahan, Pilar, Sorsogon.

Headed by its Principal Investigator, Dr. Stephen Acabado; Field Supervisor, Earl John Hernandez and the crew for this year's field season, ParSU Faculty member and Museo de Isarog- Director, Karen Eyre Moshie O. Artiaga; ParSU students, Alyssa Jane Celso, Eloizah Reigne Competente, Philip Herrero, Laica Belleza; University of the Philippines- Baguio student, Nica Jean Tanzo; UCLA-graduate, Aidan Choi and, UCLA PhD candidate, Yen Chun Wang.

Under an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UCLA, ParSU faculty and students are being trained in multidisciplinary research methodologies. The ParSU faculty and students that participated in the project had the opportunity to look at the technologies used in research such as Geographic Information System (GIS) and other remote sensing methods. Their involvement underscores the MOU's commitment to providing comprehensive research training and fostering international academic collaboration aligning to the university’s mission.

As the field season progresses, the collaborative efforts of ParSU, UCLA, and their partners are expected to yield further studies and foster a deeper understanding of Bicol's historical and cultural legacy. The BAP Field Season 2024 promises to be a transformative experience for all involved, paving the way for future collaborations and advancements in the field of archaeology.