Research

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

07 Jul 2023

UP Manila

Pilgrimage can help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety

Research by psychologists and other mental health professionals tries to identify effective ways to manage and prevent emotional turbulence, including...

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07 Jul 2023

UP Visayas

A study of Chavacano shows how linguistic prestige evolves with changes in society

Chavacano is the lone Spanish-based creole in Asia and is spoken in different parts of the Philippine archipelago. Among the...

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07 Jul 2023

UP Los Baños

The sentiments of political actors on social media are “carefully manufactured” and affect our sense of nationalism

The sentiments peddled by political actors on social media are not coincidental. Rather, they are carefully manufactured texts that convey...

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07 Jul 2023

UP Los Baños

How do Filipino writers represent the experiences of young non-Western readers of science fiction?

Despite the popularity of young adult literature and speculative fiction locally and globally, there is not a lot of critical...

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07 Jul 2023

UP Diliman

What is the optimal position of trees that maximizes walking on urban sidewalks?

Trees can improve the walkability of urban outdoor spaces. Hence, studies have been conducted to examine and elucidate the relationship...

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07 Jul 2023

UP Diliman

Calle Crisologo in Vigan is a lived space and Thirdspace for the people who engage with it every day

Christoph Brumann and David Berliner, in their book World Heritage on the Ground: Ethnographic
Perspectives (2016), ask what World Heritage (WH)...

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07 Jul 2023

UP Diliman

The propagandists struggled with homesickness while in exile

Traditional historiographies such as historian John Schumacher’s seminal work on the Propaganda Movement have portrayed the propagandists as larger-than-life individuals...

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10 May 2023

The Provincial Chinese and the Progress of Iloilo Textile in Nineteenth-Century Philippines

Textiles played a significant role in Philippine economic history. In this study, archival materials and records have shown that the...

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10 May 2023

Feeling like a philosopher of education: A collective response to Jackson’s ‘The smiling philosopher’

The article “Feeling like a philosopher of education: A collective response to Jackson’s ‘The smiling philosopher” (2022) aimed at responding...

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10 May 2023

Protective effects of sugarcane phenolic extract against lipid oxidative damages in raw ground pork and beef during refrigerated storage conditions

Sugarcane phenolic extract is a by-product of the sugar refining process that is rich in phenolic compounds
with strong antioxidant properties....

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Research

The genus Rafflesia, which includes the world’s largest flowers, has aroused curiosity among scientists for centuries and features prominently in local culture across Southeast Asia. The plant has long been used in ethnobotanical medicine and, more recently, as a source of revenue from ecotourism. But despite its acclaim, Rafflesia remains poorly understood in many respects. Taxonomy is disputed, new species are described each year, and the plant has proven recalcitrant to cultivation. This has hindered conservation, and most of the 42 known species are now severely threatened, yet only one is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is estimated that 60% of Rafflesia species face a severe risk of extinction (equivalent to Critically Endangered [CR]). Moreover, it is predicted that at least 67% of known habitats fall outside protected areas, exacerbating their vulnerability. Alarmingly, recent observations suggest taxa are still being eradicated before they are even known to science. The researchers present recent scientific discoveries and probable extinctions and highlight case studies of conservation success, with a focus on the role of local people. They propose a multi- pronged conservation approach combining strengthened taxonomy, ex situ propagation, ecotourism, and an extension of protected areas. The authors suggest action devolved to local communities and awareness campaigns linked to social media networks will be crucial outside of protected jurisdictions. Finally, they propose to establish Rafflesia as a new icon for plant conservation in the Asian tropics. A combined approach might just save some of the world’s most remarkable flowers, most of which are now on the brink of being lost.

Significance

The paper emphasizes the critical need for urgent conservation measures to safeguard the world’s largest flowers, the Rafflesia genus, as the majority of its 42 known species teeter on the brink of extinction. With the Philippines as the center of Rafflesia diversity, hosting 15 known species, it serves as an important area for future research focus. The study highlights the need for a holistic conservation approach, encompassing habitat preservation and the empowerment of local community action groups, while advocating for Rafflesia as a potential emblem for conservation endeavors in the Asian tropics. Furthermore, the paper provides essential data on the provisional conservation status of all species, including factors like geographic range (e.g., EOO and AOO), which should serve as crucial input for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, rectifying the current underrepresentation of Rafflesiaceae. In essence, the paper sheds light on the precarious plight of Rafflesia species, urging immediate action for their protection and underscoring the significance of habitat preservation, community engagement, and the recognition of Rafflesia as a symbol of conservation. Its findings have the potential to significantly enrich ongoing conservation efforts and offer invaluable insights for the IUCN Red List.

Read the full paper: https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ppp3.10431