by John Nicolas Olitin (Isochore)
Diliman, Quezon City | Last
January 31, 2020, the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), together with the DNA
Analysis Lab (DAL) of the Natural Sciences Research Institute (NSRI) hosted the
1st PGC Fora Series: The Story of the Filipinos Through the Genomics
Lens. The event, held at the Institute of Biology Auditorium in UP Diliman, featured
researchers from various fields: archaeology,
anthropology, human and animal genetics, and ethics as well as members of the
Interagency Committee on Ethics in Research on Culture and Research Involving
Indigenous Peoples.
Among
the speakers were GeneSoc alumni, Jae Joseph Russell B. Rodriguez, MSc (Ribozymes)
and honorary member, Maria Corazon A. De Ungria, PhD.
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| Dr. Ian Fontanilla (right) awarding the certificate of appreciation to Mr. Jae Rodriguez (left) |
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| Dr. Ian Fontanilla awarding the certificate of appreciation to Dr. Corazon de Ungria |
Take
a look at the complete roster of speaker-researchers here.
The
event was formally started with the welcoming message by Dr. Ian Kendrich C.
Fontanilla, the director of both the Institute of Biology at UP Diliman, as well
as the Program on Biodiversity, Ethnicity and Forensics of PGC. Followed by the
opening remarks of UPD ex-chancellor Michael L. Tan.
The
highlight of the forum were the studies which were held during the morning session, regarding the genomics and
archaeological history of the Filipinos that seeks to uncover the ancestry and
origins of the Filipino people. The researchers conducted their respective
studies in different places all over the Philippines, from the Callao Cave up
north in Cagayan to the Sulu Islands bridging the Philippines to Brunei, all with
the goal of understanding the evolutionary history of Filipinos.
But aside from these, during the afternoon session, the issue of Ethical Research in Indigenous Peoples and Cultural studies was also tackled. In a panel discussion composed of representatives from major institutions such as the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB), the National Museum of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
Additionally, Eva Maria C. Cutiongco-Dela Paz, MD presented her study entitled "Precision Medicine for Filipinos and the Need for a Reference Sequence" also during the afternoon session.
But aside from these, during the afternoon session, the issue of Ethical Research in Indigenous Peoples and Cultural studies was also tackled. In a panel discussion composed of representatives from major institutions such as the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB), the National Museum of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
Additionally, Eva Maria C. Cutiongco-Dela Paz, MD presented her study entitled "Precision Medicine for Filipinos and the Need for a Reference Sequence" also during the afternoon session.
The
closing remarks were given by Dr. Cynthia P. Saloma, the executive director of
PGC. She also facilitated the awarding of certificates to the speakers.
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| Awarding of certificates by PGC Executive Director Dr. Cynthia P. Saloma (L-R) to fora speakers: Norman King, BA, Ms. Edlyn B. Jimenez, MIRB, Dr. Mary Jane A. Bolunia, Dr. Eva Cutiongco-de la Paz, Atty. Gibran B. Abubakar, Mr. Frederick C. Delfin, MSc, and Ms. Fatima M. Alvarez Castillo, MA with Dr. Cora A. De Ungria (speaker and fora organizer) |
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"To tell the story of the Filipinos is to unravel the narrative of
each group and to follow the "story plot" as far back as possible in
our eagerness to know our origins. In the process, we are able to better
appreciate how all these make up the one story that we all share as a nation."
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