Laguna harbors the first ever recorded swamp eel fossil in the world

Today I Learned: PH Geologists Found the First-Ever Global Record of a Swamp Eel Fossil

Christa I. De La Cruz 
Esquire Philippines
24 January 2024

"The fossil nobody wants," said Allan Gil Fernando of the National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines Diliman.

The piece of rock was initially discarded and ignored by a student during fieldwork at the fish fossil locality site in Antipolo, Rizal, in 2013. The fossil specimen isn't complete, after all. However, the geologist, being the self-admitted hoarder that he is, stored it in his office without knowing its identity and significance. More than 10 years later, the specimen in question was identified to be the first-ever global record of a swamp eel fossil.

Freshwater Fossils Found in Pleistocene Laguna Formation

The research, "Fossil fish assemblage of the Laguna Formation, Philippines: unveiling the uniqueness of Pleistocene freshwater ecosystems in Southeast Asia," was published in the Swiss Journal of Paleontology in January 2025. It was a collaborative effort among Filipino scientists from the National Museum of the Philippines' Geology and Paleontology Division (Abigael Castro and Jaan Ruy Conrad Nogot), University of the Philippines Diliman's National Institute of Geological Sciences (Allan Gil Fernando) as well as the School of Archaeology (Clarence Magtoto), and Mines and Geoscience Bureau (Kevin Garas). Tomas Prikryl, the lead researcher, is from the Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Sciences; Dominique Mediodia and Chien-Hsiang Lin from Taiwan joined them. The group attempted to make great strides in Philippine and Southeast Asian paleoichthyology (the study of prehistoric fish).

"The fossil record in the Philippines, particularly concerning fish, is notably sparse. [... This limited evidence has provided only fragmented insights into the past biodiversity and evolutionary history of the region’s freshwater ecosystems. The absence of freshwater fossil records leaves a significant gap in our understanding of how this ecosystem has changed over time, especially in response to climatic and geological events," Prikryl et al. wrote.

Their objective was to document a collection of freshwater fish fossils from the Pleistocene Laguna Formation in Antipolo, Rizal Province. This included a total of 14 articulated and semi-articulated specimens, which were deposited at the National Institute of Geological Sciences - University of the Philippines and at the National Museum of the Philippines.

Living specimens were compared to the fish fossil specimens, and their physical features—from length to dorsal profile—were documented. We'll not go into the specifics, but the scientists went as far as recognizing the prehistoric fish's jaws and measuring the skull. These are important not only in identifying the species, but also in studying the environment of their habitat, which in this case was the Laguna Lake.

"The fish fossil assemblage of the Pleistocene Laguna Formation is predominantly composed of the families Dorosomatidae, a Gobiidae vel Oxudercidae, and Synbranchidae. These fossils represent the first records of freshwater fish in the Philippines and the first discovery of these taxa in the tropical West Pacific region. Notably, this study also provides the first-ever record of a synbranchid fossil globally," the researchers concluded.

What This Means for Philippine Ecosystems

Aside from establishing several firsts, this discovery represented the first systematic study of freshwater fish fossils in the Philippines and provided valuable data that can be used to compare with modern ecosystems.

First, it provided solid evidence that the distribution of Herklotsichthys (a genus of herrings found mostly in Southeast Asia and Australia, with one species each in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the western Indian Ocean) was prehistorically restricted in the Indo-Pacific region.

Second, the presence of dorosomatid fish fossils in the lake suggests a habitat transition from marine to freshwater in the Pleistocene period. This is similar to Taal Lake, where fish species adapted from brackish to freshwater. The presence of demersal swamp eels and gobioid fishes also suggests that the Pleistocene Laguna Lake once had a silty and muddy bottom.

Third, the gobioid fossil from the Pleistocene showed their adaptability through all those periods in history. Up to 89 species of Gobiidae have been recorded in the Philippines, with 20 of them endemic (or found only in the country).

Fourth, the identification of the Pleistocene synbranchid fossil suggested that the swamp eel has an Indo-Pacific origin.

"These newly discovered freshwater fish fossils from the Pleistocene Laguna Formation in the Philippines not only provided evidence of their presence in the West Pacific region but also offered new insights into the origin and historical geographic distribution of these taxa," they said.

6 Philippine universities in world rankings

6 Philippine universities in world rankings

Neil Jayson Servallos 
The Philippine Star 
January 24, 2025

MANILA, Philippines — Six Philippine universities earned spots in Times Higher Education (THE)’s World University Rankings by Subject, missing only one out of 11 disciplines rated this year.

The University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University (DLSU), University of Santo Tomas, Mapua University and Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) earned spots in all subjects except Law.

Under Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, only UP and DLSU earned rankings and shared spots for each subject at the 601+ and 801+ brackets, respectively.

Both universities were also the only institutions that earned rankings in the Medicine and Health subject, with UP emerging at the top locally at the 501-600 spot.

UP was the lone school to be ranked within the Life Sciences at the 801-1000 bracket.

Mapua emerged as the top Philippine school in Computer Science and Engineering, ranking within the 801-1000 and 1001-1250 brackets, respectively. Under the same subjects, UP and DLSU shared the No. 2 spot.

DLSU was the top Philippine university in Education studies at the 401-500 spot, followed by UP and UST at the 501-600 bracket. DLSU also topped the ranking among local universities in Psychology at the 401-500 spot, followed by Ateneo at 501-600.

Under Physical Sciences, only UST did not receive a ranking. Mapua and MSU-IIT earned rankings within the 801-1000 bracket, followed by UP, Ateneo and DLSU at the 1001+ bracket.

UP, Ateneo and DLSU landed on the same spots globally in Social Sciences at the 801-1000 bracket.

The rankings were based on key indicators submitted by each university during the academic year 2022, THE said.

Key indicators included research quality, industry, international outlook, research environment and teaching.

‘UP Best performing’

Most Filipinos perceive the University of the Philippines as the “best university” in the country, a survey conducted by the OCTA Research group showed.

The survey, conducted from Nov. 10 to 16, found that 71 percent of the respondents perceiving UP as the best university in the Philippines.

Some 15 percent selected DLSU, while 14 percent chose Ateneo de Manila.

The respondents were asked to select among the three universities or provide a different answer.

Less than one percent chose “others,” the survey results showed.

Based on the poll, UP was perceived as the “best performing” university in the country across all geographic areas and socio-economic indicators.

OCTA, whose founders include several UP professors, said it released the survey results to UP as a public service.

The survey was non-commissioned and had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent. – Janvic Mateo

Fil-Am sworn in as history's youngest mayor in Pinole, California

Fil-Am mayor makes history as youngest elected official in Pinole, California

Story by Jun Nucum

Inquirer.net

23 January 2025

PINOLE, Calif. – Filipino American leader Cameron Sasai has officially been sworn into office as the mayor of Pinole in Contra Costa County, Calif.

Sasai, who became the City’s first Fil-Am councilmember in 2022, now sets a new record as both the first Fil-Am and the youngest mayor in the City’s 120-year history.

In his inaugural address at the Pinole Valley Performing Arts Theater, Mayor Sasai said his priorities include police reform and accountability, affordable housing, environmental justice and economic development.

“We pushed hard for progress our first two years in office, and as your mayor, I’m going to work tirelessly to keep that progress going,” he said.

“This is a new season for Pinole – we will focus our energy towards issues of substance like racial justice, improving police community relations, revitalizing our downtowns. These are all issues that I intend to take action on as mayor.”

Sasai said he takes pride in his heritage and will ensure that Pinole continues to be a safe place, where rights are protected and diversity is celebrated.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who administered Sasai’s oath of office on Jan. 19, expressed appreciation for “our continued partnership to lift up our most marginalized communities and help make California a place where all can thrive.”

“There’s a relentless pursuit and commitment to do better – to be better, to fight for justice, to not accept the unacceptable, to deliver solutions, to lift up people, to be on the front edge on all issues, making a difference for the people—and that spirit lives in Mayor Sasai,” Bonta said.

“It’s who he is. It’s how he fights, it’s how he rolls.”

Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer congratulated Sasai and said he was looking forward to working with the mayor in enhancing cultural ties and fostering economic relations between the Philippines and the US.

In an Instagram post, the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) celebrated Sasai’s inauguration as “a proud moment for our community, filling us with hope and excitement for the positive and meaningful change Cameron will bring to Pinole.”

Fr. Geoffrey Baraan of St. Joseph Church in Pinole described the inauguration as “a monumental achievement, not only for Mayor Sasai but also for the entire Filipino community.”

“His success will inspire many Filipinos to pursue meaningful roles in public service and offer hope to young people, particularly from ethnic communities, that they too can achieve greatness. This is a moment of great pride and inspiration for us all,” Fr. Baraan said.

Sasai represents the City of Pinole on the WestCAT Board of Directors and the West Contra Costa Transportation Commission.

He graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a degree in Political Science–Public Service. He currently works for LEAD Filipino as public policy and advocacy coordinator and serves as vice chair for the Endorsements Committee of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County.

Finland looks into PH for talent attraction

Finland looks to Philippines for talent attraction

Story by Louella Desiderio
Philstar Global
20 January 2025

MANILA, Philippines — Finland is actively encouraging Filipino workers to consider employment opportunities in the European country, citing the Philippines as one of its focus countries for talent attraction.

Laura Lindeman, senior director and head of Work in Finland, told reporters the Philippines, along with Vietnam, India and Brazil, has been identified by the Finnish government as one of the focus countries for cooperation in talent attraction and recruitment.

Work in Finland is a unit of Business Finland, an organization for financing innovation and promoting trade, travel and investment. It is under Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

As part of efforts to attract Filipino workers, Lindeman said Work in Finland joined the delegation of stakeholders led by Finland’s Minister of Employment Arto Satonen that visited the Philippines from Jan.16 to 18.

“Finland really sees the Philippines as a very interesting market,” Lindeman said, noting that the Philippines has a long history of sending people outside the country for work.

She said the Philippines also has good systems in place to facilitate recruitment.

“Finnish recruitment companies have already recruited from the Philippines for more than 10 years. So now we are trying to help on a national level so that they can find reliable partners here because of course, it’s a huge market if you want to open up here,” she said.

She said Filipinos are also well-known, liked and appreciated in the Finnish labor market.

In addition, she said Finland recognizes the skills potential of the Filipino workforce and those in the three other focus countries.

“There are good education institutions in these countries that provide the kind of skills and talent that Finland needs. And then, of course, I think in all of these countries, there is some kind of cultural match,” she said.

She said Finland sees potential for Filipino workers and specialists in the technology, health and industrial sectors.

Data from Work in Finland showed there are 878 job opportunities open for English-speaking professionals.

As of 2023, there were 12,770 Filipino workers employed across various sectors in Finland, mostly in the health, technology, service and industrial sectors.

“Finland is an equal society with exceptional work-life balance. Our high-quality companies offer vast opportunities for professional development and education,” Lindeman said.

To learn more about working and living conditions in Finland, Filipino talents can visit www.workinfinland.com.

PH to maintain lead in economic growth 2025

Philippines poised to be Southeast Asia’s second fastest-growing economy in 2025

Philippines maintains strong momentum as Southeast Asia’s economic powerhouse, overcoming global challenges with resilience and robust growth.

Daily Tribune
19 January 2025

The Philippines is set to maintain its position as one of Southeast Asia’s top-performing economies, with the World Bank forecasting a 6.1% GDP growth in 2025. This follows an estimated 5.9% growth in 2024, according to the recently released January 2025 Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report.

Outpacing Regional Peers

The country’s robust economic expansion places it as the second fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia, trailing only Vietnam, which is expected to grow by 6.6% this year. The Philippines also outpaces its regional peers, including Cambodia (5.5%), Indonesia (5.1%), and Malaysia (4.5%). The World Bank’s projection aligns with the Philippine government’s growth target of 6–8% for 2025.

From January to September 2024, the Philippine economy recorded an average growth of 5.8%, driven by resilient domestic consumption, which the report credits to a strong labor market and relatively low inflation. These factors are expected to sustain momentum in 2025.

Sustained Regional Demand

The World Bank noted that growth across the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region would be supported by solid domestic demand, despite global headwinds. The report states, “Private consumption is set to remain firm, supported by low inflation and robust labor market conditions that will bolster household incomes.”

However, risks remain for the Philippines and the region, including global trade tensions, weaker-than-expected growth in major economies like China, and climate-related disasters.

Looking Ahead

For 2026, the World Bank projects the Philippines to grow by 6%, maintaining its position as a regional leader in economic expansion. Vietnam is again forecast to take the lead with a 6.3% growth rate. Meanwhile, other economies in Southeast Asia, such as Cambodia (5.5%), Indonesia (5.1%), and Thailand (2.7%), are expected to trail behind.

Balancing Growth and Risks

Despite optimistic forecasts, the report highlights the need for continued vigilance against global and domestic risks. The Philippines, like other emerging economies, faces challenges such as trade policy uncertainties, the impacts of climate change, and geopolitical tensions that may dampen growth prospects.

The World Bank emphasized the importance of decisive policy actions to safeguard growth and maintain resilience. This includes investments in infrastructure, human capital development, and measures to strengthen financial stability.

As the Philippines continues to navigate the global economic landscape, its ability to sustain strong growth and address emerging challenges will be critical in ensuring long-term prosperity.

(Sources: World Bank Group Global Economic Prospects Report January 2025, GEP Jan 2025 GDP Growth Data)