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The Philippine land mass is moving towards mainland Asia at approximately seven centimeter per year, latest geophysics researches conducted reveal.

      This development was disclosed publicly for the first time by Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano P. Yumul Jr. during the 2009 Earth Sciences International Conference at the Heritage Hotel August 27.

      But the calculated convergence of the archipelago to continental Asia won’t happen soon.  “In 50 million years, the Philippines will be reconnected to mainland Asia because of the tectonic movements,” explains Usec Yumul, a leading Filipino authority in geology.

      Although it’s been scientifically verified Yumul emphasized that the observed land mass change is scarcely felt, if at all.

      “You know, in geophysics movements are being measured in millimeters. But when this happens, we’ll no longer need a visa going to China,” Yumul said.

      Manifestations of such tectonic movements include an old railroad that’s found submerged in the sea off Cavite province south of Metro Manila, while a very old artesian well in Mindoro island was also discovered buried into the sea.  These indicate the Philippine archipelago’s slow shift westward.

“These scenarios,” Yumul points out, “corroborate our researches on tectonic movement since nobody would put neither a railroad nor a well into the sea.”

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Nanotechnology is gaining a lot of attention because of its expanding potential applications. The Department of Science and Technology has taken notice and drew a roadmap to shepherd this post-industrial technology in the country through its attached agency, the Philippine Council for Advance Science and Technology Research and Development.

The roadmap outlines a focused research and development in exploring and exploiting high impact and life enhancing benefits of nanotechnology.

“The present roadmap is actually a product of collective effort from various sectors reflecting different perspectives that could guide us in priority settings especially now that our funds are limited. We have to prioritize the projects that will be funded under the nanotech program,” PCASTRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora explained.

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A logo design contest with a top prize of P50,000 kicked off preparations for this year’s National Biotechnology Week celebration, the Department of Science and Technology announced.

      The logo should symbolize the theme “Bioteknolohiya para sa Kalikasan, Kalusugan, Kagandahan, Kabuhayan, at Kaunlaran” (Biotechnology for nature, health, beauty, livelihood, and progress).

      The contest is open to all Filipinos - individuals or groups, whose design(s) must not have been submitted in any other contests, and depict the benefits of biotechnology. Each entry should be accompanied with written interpretation in 350 words or shorter. 

     Participants may send as many entries as possible in colored JPEG format, and around 5.5 x 5.5 inches in size through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., which should include the participant’s name, complete mailing address, other contact details, and scanned copy of identification cards with picture. Deadline of entries is 5PM on August 31, 2009.

     Entries will be judged based on overall visual impact (40%), interpretation and relevance to biotechnology (30%), and originality and creativity (30%). The winner will be notified through mail and awarding rite is on November 23, 2009 in time for the 5th NBW opening ceremony at the Nido-Fortified Science Discovery Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

      The winning logo becomes the property of NBW organizers, which will have the sole right for its use.

      President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo institutionalized NBW through Presidential Proclamation No. 1414 issued November 9, 2007, which set the annual NBW celebration every last week of November. The proclamation supports Pres. Arroyo’s recognition of the various potentials and applications of biotechnology in agriculture, environment, health, industry and economy.

      The contest is sponsored by DOST’s Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development, the focal agency of the 2009 NBW and DOST’s arm in coordinating researches in advanced S&T fields. 

      For more information, please contact Chitho Feliciano at telefax nos. 925-9211 or 929-6011 loc. 273, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Framelia V. Anonas, S&T Media Service)

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Department of Science and Technology Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro wears her advocacy especially during proud moments when the close-knit science community stirs up from its undeserved staid reputation. Alabastro was sunny in a silk gown topped with plaid, hand-woven silk bolero dyed with talisay leaves and young coconut husk at the recent National Science and Technology Week opening rites held at the Manila Hotel.

The outfit’s fabric was hand-woven from breeds of Philippine silkworm varieties. Silk throwing or plying and twisting along with dye extraction were also done using technologies developed by experts at DOST’s Philippine Textile Research Institute. Dyes extracted from talisay leaves were used for the black warp and weft, and young coconut husk for the pink weft.

PTRI developed the fabrics jointly with De La Cruz House of Piña, and New York-based designer Anthony Cruz Legarda. JC Sasoy, a runner up at the Young Designers’ Competition held early this year, designed the outfit.

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