Mabuhay Nederlanders

08/12/2025

06/11/2025

With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is a true beach lover’s paradise! 🏝️

We’ve rounded up some of the top island hopping and beach destinations — start planning your trip now at www.guidetothephilippines.ph 🇵🇭

Stay tuned for more must-visit spots! 😍

25/09/2025

02/07/2025

LOOK: PHILIPPINES NAMED GLOBAL HOT SPOT FOR SOFT CORALS IN WPS, BENHAM RISE

The Philippines’ West Philippine Sea (WPS) and Benham Rise have emerged as world centers of soft coral diversity, reinforcing the country’s status as a marine biodiversity hot spot, a groundbreaking international study revealed.

Led by Dr. Catherine McFadden and published in Nature Scientific Reports, the study analyzed over 4,000 samples through DNA barcoding. Philippine scientist Jue Lalas, a coauthor, shared that samples from Kalayaan Island Group, Palawan, Pangasinan, Puerto Galera, and Benham Bank collected between 2019 and 2021 were key contributors to the discovery.

“Our results show that the Philippines is a global center for zooxanthellate soft coral diversity, alongside the Western Indian Ocean,” said Lalas. Unlike hard corals, soft corals are sponge-like organisms vital as habitats and potential sources of medicines. Yet, they remain understudied, with fewer than 10 Filipino researchers currently focusing on them.

The findings highlight the urgent need to protect WPS and Benham Bank as critical centers of marine life, Lalas stressed, adding that continued exploration could unlock economic and medical breakthroughs.

Source: Inquirer
Photo courtesy: cttro

02/07/2025

LOOK: WEST PH SEA, BENHAM BANK AMONG WORLD’S RICHEST SOFT CORAL HOTSPOTS — STUDY

Soft corals in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and Benham Bank are among the richest and most diverse globally, according to a new international study published in Nature Scientific Reports.

Using DNA barcoding on over 4,400 samples, researchers found these Philippine waters rival global biodiversity centers in soft coral species richness and unique species — confirming the Philippines’ vital role as a marine biodiversity hotspot.

UP Marine Science Institute scientists collected local samples from areas like the Kalayaan Island Group, Palawan, Pangasinan, Puerto Galera, and Benham Bank.

The findings add urgency to protecting the WPS and Benham Bank, which face threats from illegal fishing, climate change, and potential deep-sea mining.

“This study shows we still have much to uncover about the Philippines’ incredible marine life — and highlights why these areas must be safeguarded,” said Dr. Jue Lalas, one of the Filipino co-authors.

28/06/2025

26/06/2025

19/06/2025