MMPH Members Win First Place in Research e-Poster Competition, Highlighting Mangroves of Torrijos, Marinduque

Sampaloc, Metro Manila – Three members of Mangrove Matters PH (MMPH) bagged first place with their Mangrove Diversity Study in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Science Thesis e-Poster Competition under the Environmental Biology: Classical Taxonomy, Biodiversity, and Environmental Science category, held last March 28, 2025, at the UST Medicine Auditorium. 

Awarding Ceremony for Thesis Poster Competition at UST Medicine Building

MMPH members Charles Joseph O. Nicolas, Bernard John Prodenciado, and Paolo Miguel I. Alpay, guided by their thesis adviser Genea Nichole Cortez, the Science Communication Head of MMPH, studied the mangrove composition in four distinct mangrove forest habitats within Barangays Kay Duke and Malinao of Torrijos, Marinduque with their thesis titled, “Mangrove Diversity Assessment in Selected Barangays in Torrijos, Marinduque, Philippines.”

Congratulatory Facebook Post from the UST Department of Biological Sciences

Their study showed that in every zonation, there is a distinct mangrove species composition that can be found in a mangrove forest habitat. The resulting data showed that Rhizophoraceae was the most dominant family, particularly in fringe mangrove forest habitats. This emphasizes correct mangrove species planting practices in relation to their proper zonation. 

From Left to Right: Nicolas, Cortez, and Prodenciado at the UST Medicine Building for the Awarding

Month of Firsts Among Many

March marked a remarkable month for mangrove conservation as the group was also part of the organizing team of the First National Mangrove Youth Summit (1NMYS), which served as a platform for young environmental advocates to create an impactful network emphasizing mangrove conservation in the country. The summit was held last March 24-25, at the Ramsar site Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP).

From left to right: Nicolas, Alpay, Cortez, and Prodenciado at the First National Mangrove Youth Summit at Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park

By being part of the secretariat team and liaison officers at the 1NMYS, the group gained valuable experience in event management and advocacy, while simultaneously demonstrating the importance of student involvement in real-world environmental efforts. Combining scientific research with hands-on advocacy provides a more efficient method of conserving ecosystems, particularly mangrove ecosystems. 

From left to right: Prodenciado, Cortez, Nicolas, and Alpay at the First National Mangrove Youth Summit at Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park

From raising awareness through educational campaigns, organizations, scientific studies, and visually scientific posters to participating in impactful events like the 1NMYS, every effort counts in the ongoing work to conserve and restore mangrove ecosystems in the Philippines.