No Evidence of Low Genetic Diversity Despite High Levels of Inbreeding and Poor Genetic Connectivity Among Tetrastigma loheri (Vitaceae) Populations in Remaining Forest Areas in Cebu, Philippines

Abstract— Little is known about the effects of habitat fragmentation on the patterns of genetic diversity and genetic connectivity of species in the remaining tropical forests of Southeast Asia. This is particularly evident in Cebu, a Philippine island that has a long history of deforestation and has lost nearly all of its forest cover. To begin filling this gap, data from 13 microsatellite loci developed for Tetrastigma loheri (Vitaceae), a common vine species in Philippine forests, were used to study patterns of genetic diversity and genetic connectivity for the four largest of the remaining forest areas in Cebu. Evidence of relatively high levels of inbreeding was found in all four areas, despite no evidence of low genetic diversity. The four areas are genetically differentiated, suggesting low genetic connectivity. The presence of inbreeding and low genetic connectivity in a commonly encountered species such as T. loheri in Cebu suggests that the impact of habitat fragmentation is likely greater on rare plant species with more restricted distributions in Cebu. Conservation recommendations for the remaining forest areas in Cebu include the establishment of steppingstone corridors between nearby areas to improve the movement of pollinators and seed dispersers among them.

The experience of intercultural communication between Russian refugees and Filipinos on Tubabao Island, 1948-1951

The article examines the history of Russian immigrants on the Philippine Island of Tubabao, where they fled from China in 1948 to avoid repatriation to the USSR. The refugees lived on the island for four years, a period the local population remembers as Tiempo Russo. The authors goal was to examine how Filipinos saw the Russians by interviewing older islanders who had had direct contacts with the emigrants. The survey focused on three topics: 1) Fears of the Russians when they arrived on the island; 2) Formal and informal social means of communication between natives and Russians; 3) The level of respondents' trust in Russian refugees. The interviews revealed that the large number of refugees (6,000) who arrived on the island initially aroused apprehension among the local population. However, the Russians good behavior, friendliness and openness eventually dispelled all fears. The Russians and the islanders developed stable links as they bartered products and carried out leisure activities together, among others. At the same time, the islanders were introduced to Russian everyday culture: playing the piano, watching movies, drinking alcohol (coconut wine). In general, the local population saw their temporary positive effects. They made an impression as open, friendly, hospitable people, who loved to drink and treat others very well.

Begonia benitotanii (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae) a new species endemic to the Philippine island of Bucas Grande

In 2011 and later in a 2018 field survey, an unknown Begonia species allied to taxa in section Petermannia was found in Bucas Grande Island. After thorough studies of the living plant, literature, and herbarium specimens we name the new species Begonia benitotanii, to honor Dr. Benito C. Tan, the internationally known Filipino muscologist. In 2011, there were two populations observed, each of about 300 individuals in a 100 m area. During recent fieldwork, one population was found decimated while the other was reduced to just about 50 individuals. The site is being converted into coconut, banana, and rice plantations. The area is not currently protected under the country’s National Integrated Protected Areas System by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. According to the IUCN red list categories and criteria, B. benitotanii is hereby proposed to be placed under the Critically Endangered (CR) category.

Additional records and new species of Hydraena Kugelann, 1794 (Insecta: Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) from Balabac and Palawan, Philippines

Three new species of the genus Hydraena Kugelann, 1794 of the Philippine Island of Palawan are described in detail, namely H. angelitofelipepunoi sp. n., H. buschietanni sp. n., and H. perpusilla sp. n., along with faunistic records of further species of the genus from previously unexplored areas of Balabac and Palawan. The genital characters of the new species are illustrated by digital line drawings. Photographs of their habitus and type localities are provided. The habitat conditions of their collection sites are assessed and implications of the usefulness of Hydraena species as monitoring organisms for the conservation of vulnerable habitats are briefly discussed. An updated checklist of the Hydraena of Greater Palawan is provided which now comprises 15 described species, of which 13 are endemic to this intra-Philippine island complex.

Disaster Risks of the Seven Filipino-Spanish Churches of the Diocese of Maasin, Philippines | Disaster Risks ng Pitong Pilipino-Espanyol na Simbahan ng Diyosesis ng Maasin sa Pilipinas

In the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maasin, on the island of Leyte, Philippines, there remain today seven Filipino-Spanish churches that are made of stone, mortar and wood, ranging from almost four centuries to more than a century old. The Island of Leyte, as home to 22 active and dormant volcanoes, as exposed to the atmospheric disturbances from the Pacific Ocean, and as bisected by the Philippine Fault Line, is more at risk to extreme natural hazards than an average Philippine island. By looking at the interplay between the resistance/vulnerability of these churches on one hand, and the natural hazards threatening these churches on the other hand, this paper proffers mitigating recommendations to the primary stakeholders with the purview of increasing the resilience of these same churches. The data on the resistance/vulnerability of the said churches were gathered through rapid survey, while the data on natural hazards were gathered through existing hazard maps and web applications. The methodology laid out by this paper can be a useful initial step for the conservation of heritage structures in developing societies. Sa Katoliko Romanong Diyosesis ng Maasin sa isla ng Leyte sa Pilipinas, kasalukuyang may pitong Pilipino-Espanyol na simbahang gawa sa bato, mortar, at kahoy na halos isa hanggang apat na siglo nang umiiral. Ang Isla ng Leyte ay tahanan ng 22 na aktibo at dormanteng bulkan na nakalantad sa mga atmosperikong alburuto mula sa Karagatang Pasipiko at nahahati pa sa ilalim ng fault line ng Pilipinas. Ilan lamang sa dahilan kung bakit maituturing na risk sa matitinding likas na panganib kumpara sa karaniwang isla sa Pilipinas. Kapag titingnan ang pagkikipagtalaban ng resistance/bulnerabilidad, kaakibat ang mga likas na inaasahang panganib (natural hazards) ng mga simbahan, mahalaga para sa papel na ito na magbigay ng mga rekomendasyon sa mga pangunahing stakeholder na makakabawas ng masamang epekto datapwat magpapalawak pa ng katatagan ng mga natukoy na simbahan. Sa pamamagitan ng rapid survey, kinalap ang mga datos hinggil sa resistance/bulnerabilidad ng mga simbahan, samantalang nilikom ang datos sa mga likas na inaasahang panganib sa pamamagitan ng mga umiiral na hazard maps at web applications. Maaaring maging kapaki-pakinabang ang metodolohiyang ginamit ng papel upang magsilbing inisyal na hakbang sa konserbasyon ng mga estrukturang pamana sa mga umuunlad pa lamang na lipunan.

On a collection of freshwater and estuarine crabs (Crustacea: Brachyura) from Mindanao Island, the Philippines

The brachyuran fauna of the large southern Philippine island of Mindanao is poorly known, with only a few freshwater and estuarine crab species described or recorded in the last 30 years. Renewed interest in crab biodiversity has led to recent, small-scale surveys (2016–2019) of freshwater and estuarine habitats in various localities in Mindanao, which have yielded a good diversity of brachyuran crabs. As a result, a total of 26 species of brachyuran crab, representing 6 families (Hymenosomatidae, Oziidae, Gecarcinidae, Sesarmidae, Varunidae, and Ocypodidae), are reported here. Of these, 15 species are new records for the main island of Mindanao, 6 of which are also new records for the Philippines. Remarks on the taxonomy, distribution, and natural history of these species are also provided.

MORO - A DESTABILIZING FACTOR IN THE PHILIPPINES: ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

The article is devoted to the problem of the Moro - Moslem minority in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. The author provides a brief historical overview of the internal conflict between the Philippine government and Moslem separatists and analyzes the latest attempt by the state to resolve this conflict through the formation of the Bangsamoro autonomy (BAARM).