Paleontological Society of the Philippines (PaleoSoc)

About the Society

The Paleontological Society of the Philippines is a non-profit, professional organization, first established in 1998. The Society is committed to promote paleontology as a science, develop branches of paleontology in the Philippines and promote fellowship among the members of the Society. The Society welcomes members who have a degree in Geology, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Marine Science, Anthropology, and Archaeology or equivalent degrees engaged in the study of fossils, those who are engaged in basic or applied paleontological work or research, or undergraduate students who have taken a paleontology course.

During its early years, the members of the Society were involved in the establishment of the Biostratigraphy part of the Stratigraphic Code of the Philippines. Among its activities were regular talks on paleontology and geology for the members and the public. Fieldtrips to paleontologically significant sites around the Philippines were also planned.
After a long hiatus, the Society is now being re-established for paleontologists and enthusiasts around the Philippines to meet once more and open new collaborations advancing the field of paleontology in the country.

Elected Officers (for 2019-2021)

Dr. Priscilla J. Miliante-Matias (center) with new officers of the Paleontological Society of the Philippines (L-R): Dr. Allan Gil Fernando, Dr. Leopoldo de Silva, Dr. Alyssa Peleo-Alampay, Mr. Raymond Ancog, Dr. Maybellyn Zepeda, and Dr. Yolanda Maac-Aguilar

NEWS

PRC 2019 OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL IN GEOLOGY: DR. MARIETTA DE LEON

Dr. De Leon (center) receiving her award from members of the Professional Regulation Commission at the Fiesta Pavillion, Manila Hotel last June 20, 2019.

On June 20, 2019, the Professional Regulation Commission held the 2019 Outstanding Professional Awards at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel. This event gives recognition to the outstanding professionals who showed excellence in their respective fields. Dr. Marietta M. De Leon, one of the pioneer members of the Paleontological Society of the Philippines, was awarded as the Outstanding Professional in the field of Geology. She is the first female geologist to receive such an award after its establishment in 1997. Dr. Marietta M. De Leon obtained her Ph.D. in Geology with a specialization on Micropaleontology Biostratigraphy from the National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines.
Full Article on the 2019 Outstanding Professional Awards here.

RELAUNCH OF THE PALEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES (PALEOSOC) AND TRIBUTE TO DR. PRISCILLA J. MILITANTE-MATIAS

The Paleontological Society of the Philippines (PaleoSoc) was established in 1998 in an effort to bring together the paleontologists working in the academe, industry, and government entities. The Society was founded to promote paleontology as a science, develop branches of paleontology, and promote fellowship among the members. The first set of officers was inducted on April 1999 in Balay Kalinaw, UP Diliman by Mr. Danilo M. Yanga, Dean of the College of Science. Dr. Priscilla J. Militante-Matias , UP NIGS Professor , was sworn in as the Society’s first president.

In celebration of the Society’s 20th founding anniversary, the members gathered to plan the relaunch of PaleoSoc which is to coincide with the 90th birthday of Dr. Priscilla J. Militante-Matias. PaleoSoc’s founding President. Dr. Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay was elected as the interim President, facilitating the revision of the Society’s by-laws, as well as in the planning of activities leading to the PaleoSoc relaunch.

The relaunch of the Society and tribute to Dr. Militante-Matias was held last March 25, 2019 at UP NIGS. To start the celebration, the National Institute of Geological Sciences – University of the Philippines Geology Alumni Association (NIGS-UPGAA) Geology Museum was opened to allow guests and students to visit the Institute’s collections. The PaleoSoc relaunch formally started in the afternoon with a series of talks on paleontology and related fields by invited speakers from the University of the Philippines and the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP). Dr. Jonathan A. Anticamara of UP Institute of Biology discussed the status of coral reef diversity in the Philippines and the importance of coral systematics for effective conservation. Mr. Jose Dominick S. Guballa of UP NIGs talked about brachiopods from Bolinao (Pangasinan) and Leyte. Ms. Abigael L. Castro of the Geology Division of NMP and UP NIGS reported the invertebrate macrofossil assemblages in Lian, Batangas, and Ms. Marian C. Reyes of the Archaeology Division of NMP and UP Archaeological Studies Program gave an interesting talk regarding the butchered rhinoceros remains and stone tools in Kalinga, which is considered the oldest evidence of early human presence in the Philippines. Posters of ongoing paleontological research by undergraduate and graduate students of UP NIGS and Adamson University were also displayed outside of the NIGS AVR.

Dr. Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay led the short program in honor of Dr. Militante-Matias for dedicating much of her professional life to geology and paleontology. After giving a heartfelt and anecdote-filled response, Dr. Militante-Matias officiated the oath-taking of the new set of officers who will lead the society in achieving its goal in promoting paleontology in the country: Dr. Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay (UP NIGS), Dr. Yolanda Maac-Aguilar (MGB), Dr. Leopoldo P. de Silva, Jr. (UP NIGS), Dr. Maybellyn A. Zepeda (MGB), Dr. Allan Gil S. Fernando (UP NIGS), Mr. Raymond Thaddeus C. Ancog (MGB), and Mr. Jaan Ruy Conrad P. Nogot (NMP).
Congratulations to the Paleontological Society of the Philippines and its new set of officers!!!