Behind The Science Podcast
Behind The Science Podcast takes you beyond the published pages of research papers into the real stories of discovery. Each episode reveals the dedication, sleepless nights, and setbacks behind scientific work. Hosted by Paul Caesar M. Flores, DSc, new episodes are released every Thursday at 7:00 PM.
Episodes
Ep145 - Challenges and progress of Lapu-lapu farming in Asia
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Cirilo Ybañez Jr. about his review of grouper (lapu-lapu) aquaculture in Asia. Groupers are prized as luxury seafood, and high market demand has driven the growth of grouper farming across the region. The review draws on 153 published studies from 1989 to 2023. It recorded 48 grouper species used in aquaculture in Asia, plus 16 hybrids (offspring of crosses betwee
Ep144 - Indigenous perspectives on conserving the Philippine Brown Deer
In this episode, we talk with Mr. Jhonnel Villegas about his study examining the conservation of the Philippine brown deer (Rusa marianna Desmarest, 1822) in Davao Oriental with a focus on the perspectives and traditions of the Mandaya Indigenous people. The deer, considered sacred and a cultural symbol, faces declining populations due to poverty-driven hunting and deforestation. Through interview
Ep143 - Lava Dome Growth and Collapse of the 2023 Mayon Volcano Eruption
In this episode, we talk with Mr. Aris Paolo Castro, an instructor at the National Institute of Geological Sciences, UP Diliman, about his study tracking how Mayon Volcano's lava dome grew and collapsed during its 2023 eruption. Using free satellite images from Landsat and Sentinel-2, the study tracked Mayon's summit from August 2022 to December 2023 and identified five phases where the do
Ep142 - Regional Risks and Policy Responses to Fall Armyworm Invasion in Davao Region
In this episode, we talk with Mr. Karl Fritze S. Sampiano, an entomologist and faculty member at Davao Oriental State University, about his study on the risks and policy responses needed for the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) invasion in the Davao Region. First detected in the Philippines in 2019, this invasive pest — native to the Americas and capable of flying up to 100 kilometers in a si
Ep141 - Fishery status of mangrove clams in Davao Region
In this episode, we talk with Mr. Michael Jeriel Bersaldo, a marine biology instructor at SPAMAST, about his study on the fishery status of imbao, the mangrove clam that's one of the most sought-after shellfish in Davao region. A 2010 assessment had found the fishery over-exploited, leading to a policy regulating the size of clams that gleaners are allowed to harvest. Using transect and quadra
Ep140 - Diploma for Sale: Diploma Mills in Higher Education in the Philippines
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Karol Mark Yee, Executive Director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), about the growing problem of diploma mills in Philippine higher education — schools that hand out real-looking diplomas without delivering real education. Dr. Yee explains that the Philippines is especially exposed because it has one of the largest higher education sy
Ep139 - Meteorological Research by Jesuit Priests in the Philippines (1860s–1940s)
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Kerby Alvarez, a historian at the Department of History, University of the Philippines Diliman, about his study tracing the history of Philippine meteorology. Long before PAGASA existed, the Observatorio Meteorológico de Manila (OMM) — founded by Jesuit priests in 1865 — and its successor, the Philippine Weather Bureau (PWB) spent nearly a century turning typhoons
Ep138 - Is the Philippines Ready for Nuclear Energy?
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Carlo Arcilla, a geologist and former director of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences, about whether the Philippines is ready for nuclear energy. He explains why the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents people associate with nuclear energy are not likely to happen Bataan. He also addresses the geologic
Ep137 - Counterfactual analysis of the impact of Project NOAH on disaster risk reduction
In this episode, we talk with Mr. Jude Vito Custodio Agapito about his study on whether Project NOAH, the Philippine government's flagship disaster risk reduction program, actually saved lives. Using counterfactual analysis of hazard data from 1986 to 2024, the study compares fatalities and damages before and after operations research was embedded into the government's Pre-Disaster Risk As
Ep136 - Coat of arms, logos, and seals
In this episode, we talk with Ms. Eulah Araullo, Creative Lead at Canva and one of the Philippines' top educational content creators (@eulahexplains), about the design principles behind coats of arms, logos, and seals. We discuss the distinction between these three symbols, and how colonial history continues to shape Philippine seals today.
Ep135 - Serving the Community as a Doctor to the Barrio
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Roy Joshua Gerona about the Doctors To The Barrio (DTTB) Program, what a day in rural healthcare actually looks like, the challenges of serving underserved communities, and why he chose this path.
Ep134 - There are 5 species of Lagundi in the Philippines
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Renerio Gentallan Jr. about his study on the taxonomic identity of "lagundi", a group of medicinal shrubs long confused with one another due to decades of conflicting nomenclatural revisions. Despite lagundi-based products generating hundreds of millions of pesos in sales in the Philippines, the exact species being used and studied has remained ambiguous
Ep133 - Flood and landslide susceptibility mapping in Mati, Davao Oriental
In this episode, we talk with Mr. Ramil Ramos about his study on flood and landslide susceptibility mapping in the City of Mati, Davao Oriental. Using a GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis integrated with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (MCDA-AHP), the study generated hazard susceptibility maps and examined how urban expansion from 2017 to 2024 has increasingly encroached into high-risk zo
Ep132 - Bakit tumatagal ang mga pasyente sa ospital?
We talk with Dr. John Jefferson Besa and Dr. Ella Mae Masamayor about their study on prolonged hospital stays among internal medicine patients admitted at the Philippine General Hospital. By reviewing the medical records of 386 patients admitted in 2019, prolonged length of stay was found in almost a fifth of emergency admissions and a quarter of elective admissions. They also discussed the factor
Ep131 - Memorizing the virtual world
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Nicko Caluya about his study on whether the size of the overlay field of view (OFOV) in head-mounted displays affects a person's ability to memorize spatial locations. OFOV refers to the small window through which virtual objects are visible in optical see-through AR headsets, and narrower OFOVs are often criticized as a limitation of the technology. Using a s
Ep130 - May formula ba sa pagpapatawa?
In this episode, we talk with Victor Anastacio, stand-up comedian and host of the podcast Intellectwalwal, about whether there's a formula for making people laugh. A former banker who left the corporate world to pursue comedy full-time with Comedy Manila, Victor shares his perspective on what makes comedy work, drawing from his years on stage and behind the mic.
Ep129 - Learning Intramuros' history with augmented reality
In this episode, we talk with Nicko R. Caluya about his study on the design of Igpaw: Intramuros, a smartphone- and tablet-based augmented reality game that teaches Philippine history through an adventure game format set in the walled city of Intramuros, Manila.📚Reference: Rodrigo, M. M. T., Caluya, N. R., Diy, W. D. A., & Vidal, E. C. E., Jr. (2015). Igpaw: Intramuros — Design of an augmented
Ep128 - Pervasive stunting among children under five in Negros
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Janine Patricia G. Robredo about her thesis on stunting among children under five in nutrition aid-recipient communities in the Philippines.
Ep127 - Predicting the scores of university entrance examinees
In this episode, we talk with Diether C. Montejo about his study on predicting how university entrants perform in the State University Aptitude and Scholarship Test (SUAST) — the college admission exam of Davao Oriental State University. Despite a 54% passing rate over a five-year period, non-passers continued to be accepted due to policy changes, raising questions about what factors actually dete
Ep126 - Life outside PhD, pagbabanda sa Taiwan
In this episode, we talk with Mr. John Fungo about his journey in science, PhD research in Taiwan, and life outside the laboratory.PS. Hindi pala nag save ang video recording kaya audio episode muna tayo.
Ep125 - Sonar mapping of groundwater discharge in coastal areas
In this episode, we talk with Mary Rose P. Gabuyo about her study on using low-cost fish finders — the kind used for recreational sport fishing — to detect and map submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in coastal waters. SGD refers to all direct discharge of subsurface fluids across the seafloor, including fresh groundwater, recirculated seawater, and gases like CO₂ and methane. Despite its ecolog
Ep124 - Reconstructing 13,000 years of sea ice extent in the Canadian Arctic
In this episode, we talk with Madeleine Santos about her study on how sea ice in the Canadian Arctic has changed over the past 13,000 years and what it tells us about where the Arctic is headed. By analyzing lipid biomarkers — chemical compounds preserved in seafloor sediments that serve as fingerprints of past environmental conditions — from two sediment cores collected from the Beaufort Sea, the
Ep123 - Possible existence of gas hydrates in Manila Trench
In this episode, we talk with Elisha Jane M. Maglalang about her study on the possible occurrence of gas hydrates in offshore western Luzon — the first of its kind in the Philippines. Gas hydrates are ice-like substances that trap methane gas within their molecular structure and form naturally on the seafloor under high pressure and low temperature. They are of significant interest both as a pote
Ep122 - Viruses in the Arctic Ocean
In this episode, we talk with Alyzza Calayag about her study on the diversity, seasonality, and global distribution of viruses in the Arctic Ocean. Viruses play critical roles in ocean ecosystems but very little is known about viral communities in polar waters. Using water samples collected monthly for four years, the study identified 5,662 viral groups, found that viral abundance is 8-fold higher
Ep121 - Landslide prediction using machine learning
In this episode, we talk with Ms. Jamila B. Abuda about her study on using machine learning to predict when landslides are likely to occur along a mountain highway in Benguet, Philippines. Being able to predict when landslides will happen is critical for early warning systems. The study tested five machine learning algorithms using only rainfall data and documented landslide events, and found that
Lec3 - Rapid mangrove colonization due to high sedimentation from a flood control project
Reuploading this lecture about the rapid mangrove colonization in Iloilo City because of high sedimentation from a flood control project. I also shared how this study developed from a class project to 2 publications.📚References: [1] Flores, P. C. M., & Siringan, F. P. (2020). Shoreline change in response to the construction of a flood canal in Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines. IEEE India Geoscie
Ep120 - Using computer vision to identify pollen for doubled haploid breeding
In this episode, we talk with John Albert M. Caraan about his study on Sporesight — an AI-powered computer vision tool that can automatically identify pollen developmental stages in eggplant in real time. Knowing the exact developmental stage of pollen is critical in doubled haploid technology, where microspores at the right stage are cultured in vitro to rapidly produce purebred plant lines. 📚Ref
Ep119 - How can scientists become better science communicators
In this episode, we are joined by Mikael Angelo Francisco — an award-winning science journalist, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of FlipScience.ph, host of the Ask Theory Podcast, and a leading voice in Philippine science media — for an in-depth conversation on the evolving landscape of science communication in the Philippines. We discussed the strategic value of podcasting, the common errors s
Ep118 - Philippine Climate Types Based on Rainfall and Temperature
Dr. Lyndon Olaguera discusses their study challenging the existing four-type Philippine climate classification by incorporating temperature alongside rainfall data from 1979 to 2015.📚Reference: Olaguera LMP, Badua EK, Llorin AGA, Cruz FAT, Villarin JRT, Manalo JA, Villafuerte MQ II, Matsumoto J. 2025. Rainfall and temperature-based Philippine climate zones using Self-Organizing Maps. Scientific On
Ep117 - Women's roles in Philippine agriculture
To cap off our March episode and celebrate Women’s Month, Ms. Gemmalyn Trespalacio shares their study examining women’s roles in Philippine agriculture in the context of climate change through a meta-synthesis using a gender analysis framework.🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Institute, The Philippine Agricultural Scientist,
Ep116 - Fisheries Resources in the Babuyan Channel
Dr. Angel Encarnacion discusses their study assessing the fisheries resources of the Babuyan Channel in Northern Philippines, uncovering fluctuating fish production trends and high fishing pressure on commercially important species like shortfin scad, mahi-mahi, and largehead hairtail from 2009 to 2013.📚Reference: Calicdan MA, Gumiran E, Encarnacion AB, Ayson JP. 2018. Assessment of fisheries reso
Ep115 - Occurrence and stability of veterinary antibiotics in Pampanga River Basin
Mr. Gerardo Ilagan investigated the presence and fate of seven veterinary antibiotics, namely, amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin G, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, sulfamethazine, and sulfamethoxazole in the surface waters of the Upper Pampanga River and its tributaries in Nueva Ecija. 📚Reference: Ilagan G, Dimzon IK, Guidote Jr. A. 2026. Occurrence and stability of veterinary antibiotics in Uppe
Ep114 - Measuring CO2 efflux in Philippine mangroves
Mr. Sean Manalo shares a low-cost method to measure the carbon dioxide efflux in Philippine mangrove forests.📚Reference: Manalo SP, Salmo SI. 2025. Exploring the potential of low-cost portable CO2 meter in the assessment of soil CO2 efflux in Philippine mangroves. SciEnggJ. 18(2):347–355.🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Insti
Ep113 - Urban Heat Island Effect
Dr. John Manalo discussed their study on how urbanization has driven temperature changes across the Philippines from 1951 to 2018 using 34 meteorological stations.📚Reference: Manalo JA, Matsumoto J, Takahashi HG, Villafuerte MQ, Olaguera LMP, Ren G, Cinco TA. 2022. The effect of urbanization on temperature indices in the Philippines. International Journal of Climatology. 42(2):850–867.🤝Behind The
Ep112 - The land is sinking: Ground deformation after the 2013 Bohol earthquake
Engr. Angela Bauzon discusses her Master's thesis on ground deformation in Bohol following the devastating 2013 Mw 7.2 earthquake. Her study analyzes post-earthquake land movement along the coastal areas of Loon and Maribojoc using Sentinel-1 satellite imagery and remote sensing techniques like shoreline change analysis and persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar📚Referenc
Lec2 - Manila Trench tsunami scenarios
Reuploading this old lecture I made...Numerical modeling of tsunamis from the Manila Trench provides startling insights into the many countries and people who would be affected by such a catastrophic event. This video explains the modeling results and demonstrates just how devastating the effects of a powerful tsunami from the Manila Trench could be.📚References: Megawati K, Shaw F, Sieh K, Huang Z
Ep111 - Local community participation in coastal resource management of Palaui Island
In this episode, Dr. Ballad discussed her study on Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (PIPLS) where she explores how ecotourism serves as an alternative livelihood for local communities and how it influences their participation in coastal resource management. 📚Reference: Ballad E, Morooka Y, Shinbo T. 2021. Impact of ecotourism on local community's participation in coastal resource
Lec1 - This island in Lumaniag, Batangas was formed by storms
Reuploading this old lecture I made...Tsunami or typhoon? Which one built the mysterious island off the coast of Lumaniag village in Batangas? That's the question researchers from UP Diliman set out to answer.In this episode, we dive into how researchers from UP Diliman solved this coastal detective story. By combining field measurements, uranium-thorium dating of coral boulders, historical ty
Ep110 - Urban planning with AI
What does a livable city really look like and who gets to decide? In this episode, Enzo Campomanes explains how he developed AI models called "AI-voters" trained on satellite imagery and community input to map urban livability. 📚Reference: Campomanes V, F., Abascal, A., Oliveira, L.T. et al. Whose city is it? Mapping perceived urban livability with citizen-guided AI. npj Urban Sustain 6,
Ep109 - Fungi as natural pest control
How can a fungus help control one of the Philippines’ most destructive crop pests? In this episode of Behind the Science Podcast, Marcela M. Navasero and Melissa P. Montecalvo of UPLB’s National Crop Protection Center share how Metarhizium rileyi is being studied as a biological control agent against fall armyworm, along with the real-world challenges of turning lab research into sustainable pest
Ep108 - Prioritizing disaster response using social media posts
I talked with Engr. Raymond Lagria about his study on classifying and ranking social media posts to prioritize disaster response.📚Reference: Lagria, R., et. al. “A Text Mining Framework for the Classification and Prioritization of Disaster-Related Tweets for Disaster Response”. Philippine Engineering Journal 2022 Vol. 43, No.: 65-88🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Ea
Ep107 - Improving rice seed quality using organic fertilizers
I talked with Ms. Cielo Luz C. Mondejar about practical, low-cost ways to improve rice seed quality using organic fertilizers.📚Reference: Mondejar CL. 2025. Comparative Effects of Organic-Based Seed Treatments on Seed Viability and Vigor of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties. The Philippine Agricultural Scientist. 108(4):305–312.🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth S
Ep106 - Quantum violation of free-fall motion
What happens when you drop 2 quantum particles of different sizes at the same time?📚Reference: Flores PCM, Galapon EA. 2019. Quantum free-fall motion and quantum violation of the weak equivalence principle. Physical Review A. 99(4). 🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Institute, The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, The Philip
Ep105 - 2 years of Behind The Science Podcast
Kwento ko lang paano ito nagsimula hanggang sa kung ano na ito ngayon.
Ep104 - What If Super Typhoons Rolly and Odette Occurred Under Past and Future Climate
In this episode, I talked with Dr. Rafaela Jane Delfino about her research on how climate change influences super typhoons in the Philippines. Using high-resolution climate models, her study examines how Super Typhoons Goni (2020) and Rai (2021) respond to past and future climate conditions.📚Reference: Delfino RJP, Bagtasa G. 2025. Response of super typhoons Goni (2020) and Rai (2021) to past and
Ep103 - Splitting light beams using a metal-dielectric interface for precision optics
I talked with Dr. Cherrie May Olaya, a postdoctoral researcher at the RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics in Japan. She explains her work on how light behaves at metal surfaces, focusing on a phenomenon known as the photonic spin Hall effect. Using surface plasmon resonance, her study demonstrates a new way to directly measure tiny light shifts that are usually difficult to detect. We discuss why
Ep102 - Bakit dumadami ang mga water hyacinth?
Dr. Mary Joy Abit shares their research that examines how nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations can influence the growth of water hyacinths.📚Reference: Abit MJ, Pilar RF, Ramirez AH. 2025. Influence of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Rates on the Growth of Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes Mart.). The Philippine Agricultural Scientist. 108(1):7–12.🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Ma
Ep101 - Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Forecasting in the Philippines using AI
Dr. Gerry Bagtasa shares their study on developing an AI-based model for forecasting tropical cyclone rainfall in the Philippines using historical data from 1951 to 2015 to train the model.📚Reference: Mesias CG, Bagtasa G. 2025. AI‐Based Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Forecasting in the Philippines Using Machine Learning. Meteorological Applications. 32(4). 🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to
Ep100 - Developing a Microfluidic Platform for Cell Encapsulation in Alginate Hydrogel Microparticles
In this episode, I talk with Ms. Alexandra Hulog about a new microfluidic method that creates uniform alginate microbeads for cell encapsulation. Traditional batch emulsion techniques often produce beads of uneven sizes, which affects how much medicine, nutrients, or cells each bead can carry. Their microfluidic platform solves this problem by controlling droplet size during formation, resulting i
Ep99 - Threats to small pelagic fisheries and milkfish aquaculture in the Philippines over the next 30 years
Dr. Edison Macusi discusses the most pressing issues facing the small pelagic fisheries and milkfish aquaculture industries in the Philippines over the next 30 years, and the solutions to these problems.📚Reference: Macusi ED, Nallos IM, Santos MD, Geronimo RC. 2025. Climate and Non-climate Related Hazards in Small Pelagic Fisheries and Milkfish Aquaculture: Expert Opinion Survey in the Philippines
Ep98 - Chasing Super Typhoon Uwan
Mr. Marco Ibañez shares what it takes to become a storm chaser for the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and his experience chasing Super Typhoon Uwan.📚 Check out Marco's research papers: [1] Ibañez MP, Pura AG, Sajulga RA, David SJ. 2023. Raindrop Size Distribution (RSD) Characteristics during the Southwest Monsoon Period in Western Luzon, Philippin
Ep97 - First successful production of adult corals derived from cryopreserved larvae
I talked with Dr. Arah Narida about a breakthrough in coral conservation. Their team achieved the world's first successful production of adult corals grown from cryopreserved larvae.📚Reference: Arah Narida, Tsai S-Y, Hsieh W-C, Wen Z, Wang L-H, Huang Cc, Lin C. 2023. First successful production of adult corals derived from cryopreserved larvae. Frontiers in Marine Science. 10.🤝Behind The Scie
Ep96 - Insect resistance in traditional corn: First report of cross-pollination with BT corn in the Philippines
I talked with Ms. Angelyn Marmeto about her study on the genetic interaction between BT corn and traditional maize varieties in the Philippines. Their team discovered the first evidence of natural cross-pollination, where insect-resistant traits from genetically modified corn were transferred to a native variety known as Silangan. We discuss how this gene flow happened, what it means for insect re
Ep95 - Tracking 30 years of land cover change in Albay and its effects on flooding
I talked with Mr. Gifford Jay Agudo about his study on land cover change and flood exposure in Quinali A Watershed, Albay. Using satellite remote sensing and flood modeling, his research tracks three decades of landscape transformation — from the loss of forests and brushlands to the rapid expansion of croplands and urban areas. The results reveal that urban growth is encroaching into flood-prone
Ep94 - Bioinformatics meets agriculture: Searching fungal DNA for genes behind fruit scabs
Scab diseases make fruits like mango, citrus, and sweet potato unappealing and unmarketable, but what if we could decode the fungus behind them down to its DNA? In this episode of Behind The Science Podcast, Dr. Leilani Sumabat-Dacones talked about her team’s discovery of the genes that make the fungus Elsinoë such an effective plant pathogen. Using bioinformatics, they analyzed fungal genomes to
Ep93 - How can the Philippine Eagle help us understand the expansion of the universe
Dr. Reginald Bernardo shares how his recent study uses the hunting behavior of the Philippine Eagle as inspiration for optimizing cosmological models that describe the expansion of the universe. 📚Reference: Bernardo RC, Enriquez EA, Mendoza R, Reyes R, Velasco AC. 2025. Nature-inspired optimization, the Philippine Eagle, and cosmological parameter estimation. Astronomy and Computing. 54:101026. 🤝B
Ep92 - Gentleman's Agreement management strategy for aramang in Aparri, Cagayan: is it effective?
Dr. Evelyn Ame evaluates how the Gentleman’s Agreement — an informal management agreement among fishers — is holding up in practice for managing the stocks of aramang in Aparri, Cagayan. Using catch data, gear analysis, and participatory appraisal, Dr. Ame reveals that fishing mortality rates are much higher than natural mortality, and the current exploitation level (E = 0.66) already exceeds sust
Ep91 - Fortifying rice with vitamin A
In this episode, I talked with Prof. Floirendo Flores about his research on fortifying rice with vitamin A. His study looked at how β-carotene can be better preserved and released using β-cyclodextrin microencapsulation. By testing different methods, the research shows how rice can be made more nutritious. This study also received the NAST PHL Outstanding Scientific Paper Award. Prof. Flores also
Ep90 - The correct fish hook size for sustainable longline fishing
In this episode, I talked with Dr. Angelo Macario about his study on how fishhook size affects catch variation, size selectivity, and bycatch in bottom-set longline fisheries targeting nemipterid fishes in the Philippines. His research shows that the choice of hook size plays a crucial role in determining the sustainability of fish stocks and the livelihood of small-scale fishers. Angelo also shar
Ep89 - Strengthening disaster readiness in Metro Manila through simulation drills
In this episode of Behind the Science Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Carlos Primero Gundran to talk about disaster preparedness and response in the Philippines. He shares insights on the role of simulation training in preparing agencies for emergencies, the challenges of limited resources, and overlapping mandates. Drawing from his background in emergency medicine, Dr. Gundran highlights practical s
Ep88 - Detecting diseases using egg whites and powdered milk
In this episode, I talked with Dr. Edjohn Aaron Macauyag about his research on developing a low-cost technique to synthesize Bst DNA polymerase —an enzyme for detecting diseases like COVID-19— and reducing costs by over 90% using home ingredients like egg whites and powdered milk.📚Reference: San Pedro VM, Cañas VA, Garcia JR, Lopez C, Zulueta M, Macauyag EA. 2025. A low-cost production method for
Ep87 - Spawning ground at risk - Overfishing of espada in Babuyan Channel
In this episode of Behind the Science Podcast, we talk with Dr. Melanie Villarao about her study “Reproductive Biology and Population Dynamics of Largehead Hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus, 1758) in Babuyan Channel, Philippines.” They analyzed nearly 2,600 specimens of T. lepturus to determine sex ratio, fecundity, spawning seasonality, length at first maturity, and key population parameters
Ep86 - Sustainable management of rice straws
In this episode of Behind the Science Podcast, we talked with Dr. Maria Victoria M. Sumagang about her study, “A P-graph Approach for Planning Sustainable Rice Straw Management Networks”, which received the 2025 Outstanding Scientific Paper Award by the National Academy of Science and Technology. The Philippines generates over 15 million tons of rice straw annually, much of which is still burned i
Ep85 - A theoretical framework to discriminate chiral molecules
In this episode, I talked with my twin brother Dr. Philip Flores about his research on developing a method to discriminate chiral molecules by shining a laser to the molecule and measuring the ejected electron's spin.📚Reference: Flores, P. C. M., Carlström, S., Patchkovskii, S., Ivanov, M., Mujica, V., Ordonez, A. F., & Smirnova, O. (2025). Enantiosensitive locking of photoelectron spin and ca
Ep84 - Measuring earthquake impact on the construction sector
This episode of Behind The Science Podcast features Engr. Harold Aquino and his research on quantifying the impacts of earthquake disasters on the building construction sector using a SARIMA-based counterfactual analysis. 📚Reference: Aquino DHM, Domingo N, Atapattu C. 2025. Evaluating the impacts of earthquake disasters on the building construction sector: a SARIMA-based counterfactual analysis. I
Ep83 - Regulatory challenges in coral restoration application in the Philippines
In this episode, we talk with Mr. Erlo Matorres about the realities of coral reef restoration in the Philippines. We discussed the challenges practitioners face, such as the limited understanding of the guidelines and necessary permits before implementing a restoration project.📚Reference: Matorres DE, Fabinyi M, Horigue V, Novilla CT, Baria-Rodriguez MV. 2024. Institutional dimensions of coral ree
Ep82 - Challenges and opportunities for sustainable mining in the Philippines
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Justine Domingo about the pressing need to balance the Philippines’ rich mineral potential with the protection of its ecosystems in the context of climate change and natural hazards. The episode explores critical environmental research challenges in the mining sector, including the lack of baseline data and the limitations of current monitoring frameworks. We hig
Ep81 - How to publish your research | The Philippine Journal of Fisheries
In this episode, Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos shares his journey as a fisheries scientist, the importance of scientific publishing, how to publish in The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, and the challenges faced by local journals in reaching global recognition.📚How to publish in The Philippine Journal of Fisheries: ► https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/tpjf/🤝Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine
Ep80 - Store your rabbit meat within 4 hours from slaughtering
How long can rabbit meat stay safe without refrigeration? 🐇In this episode of Behind the Science Podcast, we talk with Ms. Marielle Vergara about the changes in the bacterial load, pH, color, and other quality parameters of rabbit meat over time without refrigeration. The study determined how long the rabbit meat can be exposed to ambient conditions from the time of slaughtering until it is sold i
Ep79 - Creating a Philippine earthquake catalog from the Spanish records
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Leonila Bautista about her study that estimated the epicenters and magnitudes of 485 earthquakes that occurred in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period by analyzing more than 6,000 historical accounts.📚Reference: Bautista, M. L. P., & Oike, K. (2000). Estimation of the magnitudes and epicenters of Philippine historical earthquakes. Tectonophysics,
Ep78 - Prehistoric earthquakes recorded by shoreline changes in Lingayen Gulf
Mr. Zenon Richard Mateo explains how earthquakes from the Philippine Fault shaped the shoreline of Lingayen Gulf during the past 2,400 years.📚Reference: Mateo, Z. R. P., & Siringan, F. P. (2007). Tectonic control of high-frequency Holocene delta switching and fluvial migration in Lingayen Gulf bayhead, northwestern Philippines. Journal of Coastal Research, 23(1), 182-194.🤝Behind The Scienc
Ep77 - How probiotics could help reduce methane emissions from carabaos
In this episode, Mr. Christian Lualhati talked about his research on methane emissions from carabaos and how probiotics can play a key role in improving ruminant nutrition and reducing environmental impact.📚Reference: Lualhati, C. V., Managa, K. R. D., Castillo, C. I., Llantada, P. L. T., & Del Barrio, A. N. (2025). Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibi
Ep76 - Synthesizing cyanobacteria inspired molecules for anticancer research
In this episode, we explore marine natural products with Dr. Lilibeth Salvador-Reyes, a professor from UP Diliman. She shares insights into her research on cyanobacterial-inspired peptides, which are small molecules derived from cyanobacteria that could have biomedical applications.📚Reference: Casanova, J.R., Villaraza, A.J.L., & Salvador-Reyes, L.A. (18 March 2024). Synthesis and biological e
Ep75 - How will climate change affect the flood risk of Carigara, Leyte?
In this episode, we talk with Engr. Isaac Besarra about his study on flood risk in Carigara, Leyte under future climate change scenarios RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5.📚Reference: Besarra, I., Opdyke, A., Mendoza, J.E., Delmendo, P.A., Santiago, J., Evangelista, D.J., Lagmay, A.M.F.A., 2025. The Cost of Flooding on Housing Under Climate Change in the Philippines: Examining Projected Damage at the Local Scale
Ep74 - Init ng panahon, pwede bang sanhi ng brain aneurysm?
Can hot weather really cause brain aneurysms? In this episode, neurosurgeon Dr. Juan Silvestre Pascual discusses his study on the meteorological factors affecting aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the Philippines.📚Reference: Pascual JSG, Khu KO, Brillante EB, Te JT, Racoma BB, Ignacio KD, Legaspi GD. Meteorological Factors Affecting Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in the Philippines. Philip
Ep73 - Biodiversity and aquaculture potential of ulang in Cairawan River, Antique
Dr. Nia Santos shares how she used both genetics and morphology to identify the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium spp.) in Cairawan River Antique. With 11 species identified, the highest number of species reported from a single river, this study highlights the ecological value of Philippine rivers and their potential for sustainable fisheries.📚Reference: Santos MNM, Wowor D, Ikeda M, Padilla PI and
Ep72 - Inside the Macolod Corridor: Where is the Magma Coming From?
In this episode, chemical volcanologist John Michael Ausejo breaks down his study on primitive arc lavas from the Macolod Corridor. By analyzing the geochemical and mineralogical composition of igneous rocks, he traces the melt generation and magma storage conditions of primitive arc lavas in the Macolod Corridor 42 km beneath the Earth’s surface.⌛ Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Makulod Corrido
Ep71 - Can you exercise during pregnancy?
Is it safe to exercise while pregnant? In this episode, Dr. Clarissa Velayo shares the results from her clinical study on the effects of Sheng Zhen Gong, a traditional low-intensity exercise, on the wellbeing of both mother and child.⌛Chapters00:46 Podcast Introduction and Partners04:02 Dr. Clarissa Velayo's Journey into Medicine14:09 Review of Dr. Velayo's Study on Sheng Zhen Gong16:36 Un
Ep70 - Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Found in Native Chickens
Are native chickens really antibiotic-free? In this episode, microbiologist Dr. Rina Opulencia breaks down her research on multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria found in healthy Philippine native chickens. Her team sequenced bacterial genomes and discovered antibiotic resistance genes in Philippine native chickens, which raises important questions about farm hygiene and food safety. Learn how resista
Ep69 - A new grading system to measure the health of coral reefs
Marine biologist Dr. Wilfredo Licuanan explains his team’s groundbreaking work in developing a new scale to assess coral reefs. The new letter-grade scale replaces the outdated standards and helps scientists, policymakers, and citizen scientists better understand reef health. This research has already influenced national guidelines and could reshape how we protect our reefs. #CoralReefsPH #MarineS
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