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Chocolates are always present in everyone’s gift list in the Philippines throughout the Christmas and Valentines seasons because of their symbolism and attachment to special affection and love. And the cacao beans are the only source for chocolates. This is why Cacao has been dubbed as the Tree of Love.

The majority of the cacao beans and chocolates are produced in Mindanao island. According to the Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap 2021-2025, the Davao region contributes 78% of the national cacao production having 7,257.85 metric tons (MT) planted in 19,975 hectares of land in 2020. In 2021, Republic Act No. 11547 declared Davao City as the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines while the whole Davao Region, composed of Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro, as the Cacao Capital.

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ILOILO CITY – Abalone may not be as popular as mussel (or tahong) and oyster (talaba), but it is the most expensive shellfish in the country, commanding a price range of 300-600 pesos per kg locally and USD 12-120 per kg in international markets. With its great potential as one of the possible torchbearers of the Philippine economy, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) included it as one of the focus rural industries (in addition to cacao and cassava) of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Targeting the Appropriate Technological Maturity of Rural Industries under the Special Concerns Program.

Headed by Acd. Roel R. Suralta, the TWG spearheaded the conduct of a focus group discussion (FGD) on the best practices, constraints, and opportunities in the adoption of appropriate technologies for the abalone industry on 25 June 2024 in Iloilo City, a City of Gastronomy under UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network.

As shared by the FGD participants, the abalone industry requires more research on the technology for hatchery, nursery, and grow-out culture to determine its suitability to local conditions. It was also emphasized that in-depth studies be done on the feeding process, apart from probiotics, formulated diets mixed with gulaman, preference for flaky feeds, and diatoms, to ensure the adaptability of the industry across the region. Additionally, it is preferred to feed on red seaweeds (Gracilariopsis bailinae). However, the continuous supply of these seaweeds is one of the limiting factors in the abalone industry.

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The Philippine Science Heritage Center (PSHC), under the management of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), is set to hold Salinlahi Guro ng Siyensiya (SGS) in Palo, Leyte tomorrow, July 23, 2024.

Salinlahi Guro ng Siyensiya is a seminar-workshop for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teachers aiming to equip them with the latest information about science-related matters. This seminar-workshop specifically invites Filipino scientists as resource speakers, recognizing their influence and expertise in helping STEM teachers enhance student learning in science and technology.

For this year’s SGS, the PSHC focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the theme “Empowering Educators by Enhancing Teaching using Generative AI Tools”. Dr. Elmer-Rico E. Mojica, a Professor of Analytical Chemistry from Pace University, New York, serves as a resource speaker and joins the workshop via online.

The PSHC intends to talk about the understanding of the fundamentals of generative AI and its applications in education, utilizing generative AI tools to create interactive and engaging teaching materials, integrating AI-generated content into science curricula effectively, and identifying and addressing challenges and ethical considerations associated with using AI in education.

Twenty (20) out of sixty-six (66) STEM teachers nominated by their respective schools from provinces across Region VIII were thoroughly selected to participate in this workshop.The PSHC has conducted SGS programs in various institutions over the past years, addressing issues valuable to teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. (Jessa Beriones/NAST PHL).

The Philippine Science Heritage Center is a science center mandated by the Republic Act No. 9107 to be the main repository of the country’s contributions, achievements, and accomplishments in the field of science and technology.

For more information about the Philippine Science Heritage Center (PSHC), you may visit the website at http://pshc.nast.dost.gov.ph and social media accounts through Facebook: @pshc2013, and YouTube and Instagram: @nast.salinlahi