Dr. Quirino Sugon of the Upper Atmosphere Dynamics program participated in the Workshop on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Data Application to Low Lattitude Ionospheric Research in Trieste, Italy from 6 – 17 May 2013. The workshop was organized by the International Center...
Started in March 2014 and ending on February 2016, Dr. James Simpas, Head of the AQD, designed a locally-made sampler for particulate pollution. The pneumatics portion of the project are being fabricated and will be tested on the following year. This sampler is...
Since 2003, the Air Quality Dynamics program of the Manila Observatory has been monitoring fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during New Year’s Eve over multiple sites in Metro Manila. PM2.5 refers to particles with diameters of 2.5 microns or smaller. The particles, which can...
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...
QUICK SUMMARY Tropical cyclone track and intensity Hagupit moves towards the vicinity of Marinduque, Batangas and Oriental Mindoro (consensus in multi-agency forecast tracks). There are differences in the model forecast on when Hagupit will exit land into the West Philippine Sea. Weakening in...
In the wake of last year’s Typhoon Haiyan which devastated the Philippines, a forum entitled “Readiness and Resilience: Lessons Learned One Year After Typhoon Haiyan” was held last 20 November 2014 to discuss lessons learned and ways to address disaster preparedness and build...
The partial eclipse (at moonrise) and the start of the total eclipse was not visible because of the hazy horizon and low clouds. Into the middle of the total eclipse (around 6:45PM), something was peeping out of the thick clouds, which we thought...
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...
From their vantage point at Manila Observatory, scientists have monitored changes in temperature and rainfall that have altered life in the Philippines. But they also have watched changes due to human actions—land-use, building, and development decisions that have made people more vulnerable to...
Filipino scientist Dr. Faye Cruz of the Regional Climate Systems Research Program of the Manila Observatory won best poster award at the recent International Conference on Regional Climate (CORDEX 2013) held in Brussels, Belgium. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the European...
In August 2012, Metro Manila and its environs experienced the effect of an enhanced Southwest monsoon season (locally known as habagat) which brought continuous heavy rains over a few days. Many called the disaster a “disaster with no name” as there was no associated tropical cyclone activity that was responsible...
There are three Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) stations deployed in the Philippines. Manila Observatory hosts the one in Quezon City, El Nido Airport houses the station in El Nido, and Notre Dame of Marbel University maintains the unit in Koronadal City. The data...
A toolkit for Local Government Units, “Alternative Pathways to Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction” was launched in 2012. The toolkit consists of a 12-step process for local governments to mainstream climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (CCA-DRR). It includes methods...
Scientists from the Manila Observatory helped train local government units and communities in the science and framework behind disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (DRR-CCA). The trainings took place in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte and at the Climate Change Academy in...
Air quality monitoring around Metro Manila in (1) National Printing Office along EDSA, (2) Philippine General Hospital along Taft Avenue, and (3) Metro Manila Development Authority Tapayan Pumping Station in Taytay, Rizal began in December 2012, as part of the 1 year monitoring ...
This collaboration between the Manila Observatory and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is one of the activities within the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) project at IRRI. IRRI pursues a comprehensive research agenda on climate change...
The Seven SouthEast Asian Studies (7-SEAS) Palawan Aerosol Observation in 2012 was a continuation of the first mission in 2011. It was a one month field measurement campaign that included sites at the shore of Balabac Island in Palawan and the Tubbataha Reef...
Metro Weather is a public-private partnership that has established a network of 30 automated weather stations (AWS) in Metro Manila. This network will provide free and near real-time weather data that can be used to prepare for severe weather conditions such as tropical...
Makati City and the Manila Observatory take on climate change and disaster risk management together as the city’s weather monitoring station project was formally launched in Barangay San Lorenzo by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, city officials and barangay kagawads. Manila Observatory’s...
In partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Ateneo School of Government, the Manila Observatory used station observations from the province of Nueva Ecija to identify local temperature and rainfall trends for the agriculture sector. This study showed that there...