Research

As the national university, we champion and support innovative research that addresses the country’s most pressing challenges.

23 Oct 2025

Gay and bisexual teachers in rural schools need clear policies that protect LGBT educators

This research explored the experiences of gay and bisexual teachers working in rural schools in the Philippines. It involved interviews...

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22 Oct 2025

Fishing communities in Taliptip, Bulakan face risks from natural hazards and the New Manila International Airport project

The New Manila International Airport (NMIA), currently under construction in Taliptip, Bulakan along the shores of Manila Bay, is intended...

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21 Oct 2025

Advanced optical correlation and interferometry techniques can enhance our understanding of earthquake hazards

In the Philippines, studying earthquakes usually involves using techniques like interferometry, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), waveform modeling, and field...

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17 Oct 2025

Researchers build a portable, low-cost reflectance sensor for crop health monitoring

Precision agriculture is improving agricultural processes. Various sensors have been developed, such as spectral reflectance and transmittance sensors, multispectral canopy...

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16 Oct 2025

There is a deep connection between a person’s belief and the evidence that supports it

This paper presents a way to define and test whether someone is justified in holding a belief, using an example...

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15 Oct 2025

Neurosurgery residents outperform ChatGPT in answering board examination-like questions

Large language models such as ChatGPT have been used in different fields of medical education. This study aimed to review...

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13 Oct 2025

Those who start smoking at a younger age are likely to become more frequent and heavier smokers later in life

Understanding the relationship between age at smoking initiation and later smoking intensity is crucial for assessing future health consequences of...

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08 Oct 2025

Study finds significant gaps in menstrual hygiene management across six global cities, including Manila

The study “Exploring the Availability and Accessibility of Menstrual Friendly Public Toilets (MFPTs) in Urban Spaces” examines public toilet facilities...

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24 Sep 2025

Supplements can enhance the textural and nutritional qualities of rice

This study looked at how adding supplements like rapeseed oil, dried wasabi powder, and dried chili pepper powder changes the...

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23 Sep 2025

Economic reasons are a significant factor why microentrepreneurs remain in flood-prone areas

The number of establishments (89% of the total establishments in the Philippines) and people employed by micro enterprises makes it...

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04 Sep 2025

What does queerness mean to a young Filipino student in another Southeast Asian country? A novel’s chapter explores it.

In the chapter “New Boy”, Pau, a Filipino exchange student from Tagum City, attends classes in photography and Thai arts...

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03 Sep 2025

In the Philippines, we share a long-standing connection with pigs both archaeologically and culturally

Pigs play a very significant role in our society. They are not only seen as a food source but also...

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Research

The Abaknon, an indigenous group in Capul Island, possesses unique traditional knowledge and practices that have enabled them to adapt to local environmental conditions over generations. One of the small islands in the Philippines, Capul in Northern Samar is prone to storm surges and coastal erosion from climate and weather disturbances. This research highlights the critical role of indigenous knowledge systems in sustaining communities, particularly those in remote areas.

Soil and water were identified as the most critical resources, as the Abaknon’s livelihood activities largely depend on them. Although farmers do not conduct formal soil testing, they have developed an indigenous soil classification system. Laboratory analysis of soil samples collected from three sites in the barangay—processed and analyzed at the Soils Laboratory of the Agricultural Systems Institute, College of Agriculture and Food Science, UP Los Baños—validated the locals’ classification system, indicating its reliability and sustainability.

The climate change adaptation practices of the Abaknon in Barangay Oson reflect both coping and long-term adaptation strategies. Key indicators include the diversity of main food sources, integration of livestock species, diversification of agricultural income sources, sectoral emigration, and reduced time spent on farming and fishing activities. The resourcefulness of the residents has enabled them to cope with and adapt to the challenges posed by the seasonality of farming and fishing. Overall, the sustainability levels of these indicators range from good to excellent.

Understanding and preserving this knowledge can help maintain cultural heritage and provide valuable insights for climate resilience. The research underscores how local communities, such as the Abaknon, are using their traditional knowledge to adapt to the impacts of climate change. These practices could involve weather prediction, sustainable agriculture, disaster preparedness, or water management techniques. Assessing how these practices function in the context of modern climate challenges helps to identify strategies that could be scaled or replicated in other communities.

This research helps evaluate the effectiveness of the Abaknon’s local knowledge in terms of maintaining ecological balance, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods. By examining the sustainability of these traditional systems, the research can guide policymaking in areas such as natural resource management, eco-tourism, and agricultural practices.

Authors: Anna Gale C. Vallez (Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Lucille Elna P. de Guzman (Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Jessica D. Villanueva-Peyraube (School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Rico C. Ancog (School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños) and Annalissa L. Aquino (Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Read the full paper: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390447026_Sustainability_Assessment_of_the_Local_Knowledge_Systems_and_Climate_Change_Adaptation_of_the_Abaknon_in_Capul_Island_Northern_Samar_Philippines