Pan-Asia Risk Reduction (PARR) Fellowship Program

The Manila Observatory (MO), represented by Ms. Ma. Antonia Loyzaga, Executive Director, Dr. Gemma Narisma, Associate Director for Research and Head of the Regional Climate Systems program, and Ms. Jessica Dator-Bercilla, participated in the culminating activity of the Pan-Asia Risk Reduction (PARR) Fellowship...

Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR)

Ms. Ma. Antonia Loyzaga, Executive Director of the Manila Observatory (MO), and Dr. Celine Vicente, Head of the Geomatics for Environment and Development program, participated in the recently conducted Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) in Sendai, Japan, from 14...

Understanding Palawan as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

The Manila Observatory participated in a study which examined the impact of mining activities on the UNESCO Palawan Biosphere Reserve. Maps using remote sensing and geographic information systems (RS-GIS) have been generated, which includes Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN), biodiversity, mining, other related...

Analyzing The Vulnerability of the Philippine Rice Terraces Towards Resilience and Better Adaptive capacity to the Potential Impacts of Climate Change

The Ifugao Rice Terraces have long been a source of national pride and identity for every Filipino. For over two thousand years it has withstood both the effects of time and weather. But recent decades have brought urbanization closer to once isolated areas...

Baseline Research of the 10-year National Space Science and Technology Applications (SSTA) Masterplan

In 2012 and through the DOST-PCIEERD, the Committee on Space Technology Applications (COSTA) foresaw the need to develop a 10-Year National STA Masterplan for the Philippines. The Space Science and Technology Applications (SSTA) Baseline Research Project was then conceived in 2013 in order...

Practical Application of the Earth Remote Sensing Technologies to Solve Social and Economic Challenges Workshop

Last 25-26 March 2015, Ms. Ma. Flordeliza P. Del Castillo of the Geomatics for Environment and Development program attended the Practical Application of the Earth Remote Sensing Technologies to Solve Social and Economic Challenges Workshop held in Moscow, Russia. This workshop delivered lectures...

Open path Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometer (DOAS)

Funded through the Department of Science and Technology-PCASTRD grant (2008-present), the Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometer (DOAS) an instrument under development with the Air Quality Dynamics group. DOAS is used for measuring air pollution concentration. DOAS transmits ultraviolet light through the atmosphere, with the...

Sidereal Time: How to measure time by looking at the stars

A. What is Sidereal Time? In his book, Light Cavalry, Fr. Horacio de la Costa, SJ described Manila Observatory’s time-keeping service in the 1930’s–a service which dates even before the year 1900: The government supplies the Observatory with personnel, equipment, and special telegraphic...

Partnerships for Disaster and Climate Resilience: Prepare, Adapt and Transform

The proliferation of public and private sector initiatives and activities – shows that there is increased attention being given to building disaster and climate resilience in the Philippines. The private sector, in particular, has become increasingly involved in initiatives to make businesses more...