The University of the Philippines System, the University of the Philippines Los Baños and the UP Los Baños Museum of Natural History joins the nation in commemorating the 500 years of the first circumnavigation of the world and the victory of Lalu-Lapu and his troops in the Battle of Mactan. UP is holding a year-long commemoration with the theme “Gahum sa Buut: Tindig at Pamana ng Bayan” as the University’s contribution to the nation’s quincentennial celebration.

The UPLB Museum of Natural History gladly informs the public today, coinciding with the start of the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines, its lineup of special webinars which will be part of the local commemorations in UP Los Banos commencing on May 17, 2021. 

"We are inviting everyone to participate in this special webinar series which revolves around our own concept of "Limang Siglo ng Pilipinas" and theme of "Balik tanaw: Kasaysayan at Kalikasan," announced Dr. Marian P. De Leon, museum director. 

The Museum is full steam ahead in preparing commemorative activities in line with the National Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines (NQC) which will officially start on 27 April 2021, the 500th anniversary of the Victory at Mactan. The NQC also highlights the 500th anniversary of the Philippine part in the first circumnavigation of the world.

In 1522, the Spanish expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan "completed the first circumnavigation of the world and empirically proved that the Earth was indeed round. The said achievement of the expedition advanced our understanding of our home planet vis-à-vis the development of science and technology." (nqc.gov.ph)

In simple ceremonies with biosafety protocols held last 22 March 2021 at the MNH Building, the directorship of the Museum was formally turned over by Dr. Juan Carlos T. Gonzalez, curator for birds and past director to Dr. Marian P. De Leon, a curator for microbes.

Dr. De Leon, University Researcher II and curator of the Microbial Culture Collection was selected by Chancellor Jose DV. Camacho, Jr. to serve as the museum's 12th director starting 15 March 2021. Gonzalez served the Museum for two terms and is passing the baton to De Leon to "successfully fulfill the Museum's mission and goals."

The UPLB Museum of Natural History is glad to announce that it will be participating in an upcoming research collaboration which will be conducted in Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines with funding from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

According to Prof. Phillip A. Alviola, curator for bats and other small mammals at the Museum, the JST has just approved the funding of five proposals submitted by scientists as a response to the call for non-medical research as countermeasures for COVID-19 under the e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP).

The search for the new Director of the UPLB Museum of Natural History is now ongoing! The Search Committee is now inviting stakeholders to nominate potential candidates for the position.

Who may nominate?

• Personnel of the unit
• Curators, students and other stakeholders of the unit
• Alumni of the unit