TOFIL Laureates Unite: Climate Smart SVD’s Convergence of Peace, Resiliency, and Sustainability

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


In the heart of the Philippines, two remarkable The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Laureates, Fr. Benigno Beltran, SVD, and Sci. Dpl. Glenn Banaguas, have forged a partnership that epitomizes the harmonious blend of faith and science. This partnership blossomed within the sacred halls of the Christ the King Mission Seminary in Quezon City. Their collaborative initiative, “Climate Smart SVD: Convergence of Peace, Resiliency, and Sustainability,” is a testament to their shared vision of a world where ecological stewardship is integral to spiritual practice and scientific endeavor.

The partnership between Fr. Beltran and Sci. Dpl. Banaguas began with a shared concern for the environment and the well-being of future generations. Their initiative, “Climate Smart SVD,” aims to integrate scientific knowledge with spiritual values to create resilient communities that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change. This program highlights the significance of peace, resiliency, and sustainability to address societal concerns.

Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice and the flourishing of creation. Fr. Beltran’s theological perspective emphasizes the intrinsic value of all life forms and the moral imperative to protect them. This ethos resonates with Sci. Dpl. Banaguas’ advocacy for science-based policy solutions that prioritize human dignity and ecological balance.

Resiliency is at the core of “Climate Smart SVD.” The initiative seeks to empower communities to adapt to climate variability and recover from environmental shocks. Fr. Beltran’s grassroots approach to community organizing complements Sci. Dpl. Banaguas’ expertise in environmental and energy management systems, creating a holistic strategy for sustainable development.

Sustainability is the long-term goal of “Climate Smart SVD.” The collaboration between Fr. Beltran and Sci. Dpl. Banaguas underscores the importance of sustainable practices that meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. Through education, advocacy, and action, they aim to instill a culture of sustainability that transcends religious and scientific boundaries.

Fr. Benigno Beltran, SVD expressed his gratitude: “Amidst the chaos of existence, we find our purpose in connection. Sci. Dpl. Glenn Banaguas, you are a beacon—a constellation of kindness and compassion. Together, we navigate the vast expanse of uncertainty, stitching hope into the fabric of time. Our hands, weathered by storms, reach across divides, bridging hearts. For every seed we plant of love ripples outward, touching lives we may never know. And as the sun sets on our shared endeavors, may it cast shadows that dance with legacy.”

Sci. Dpl. Glenn Banaguas said: "Celebrating the fusion of intellect and compassion, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Fr. Ben Beltran, SVD. Our partnership, a symphony of science and service, resonates with purpose. Together, we compose a score of resilience, harmony, and hope—a testament to the transformative power of collaboration. Fr. Ben Beltran, you are the compass that steers our ship through tempests of doubt. Your wisdom, a lighthouse on rocky shores, illuminates our path. And as we sail toward horizons unknown, we carry the torch of service, passing it from hand to hand, generation to generation.”

“Our partnership is more than ink on paper; it is the ink of legacy, the quill of impact. We are not just collaborators; we are custodians of a shared dream—a world where science dances with compassion, where equations yield solutions, and where the rhythm of progress echoes in the hearts of those we serve,” Banaguas added.

The “Climate Smart SVD” initiative has already made significant strides in promoting environmental consciousness within the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and beyond. It has sparked dialogues on ecological issues, inspired community-led conservation projects, and influenced policy-making at various levels.

The partnership of Fr. Beltran and Sci. Dpl. Banaguas serves as a beacon of hope in a world grappling with environmental crises. Their work reminds us that when faith and science converge towards a common good, the potential for positive change is boundless. “Climate Smart SVD” is not just a program; it’s a movement towards a future where peace, resiliency, and sustainability are the cornerstones of our collective journey on this planet.

Fr. Benigno P. Beltran, SVD, a Filipino Catholic priest, educator, author, and social activist, has dedicated his life to uplifting marginalized communities through education and environmental advocacy. Ordained in 1973, he worked with scavengers in Manila’s Smokey Mountain garbage dump from 1978 to 2008. Beyond traditional ministry, he engaged in community organizing to mitigate climate change effects. His commitment extends to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Fr. Beltran holds a Doctorate in Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome (1985) and served as a Scholar-in-Residence at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He is an honoree of The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award.

Sci. Dpl. Glenn Banaguas, a world-renowned science diplomat, has been bestowed with the prestigious UN Sasakawa Awards for his contributions to Disaster Risk Reduction. His esteemed fellowships extend to the United Kingdom’s The Royal Society of Arts and Switzerland’s Geneva Centre for Security Policy, reflecting his global influence. He has demonstrated exemplary leadership in chairing the United States-ASEAN Science and Technology Fellows and the ASEAN Science Diplomats. In his role as a climate diplomat for the European Union-Asia Expert Panel for Climate Diplomacy and Environmental Security, he has made significant strides in addressing environmental challenges. His commendations include the Asia Leaders award for Sustainability Leadership, the Lee Kuan Yew senior fellowship in Public Service, The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Laureate for Environment Conservation and Science Diplomacy, and a distinguished position among the Top 100 Asian Scientists in Sustainability.

Water for peace

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Impasug-ong, Bukidnon—If you search the internet for Sitio Gabunan, one of the seven subdivisions in Barangay Dumalaguing, news about insurgencies and conflict will appear. After all, a top rebel commander met his demise on this site during a clash with the military in 2021. Years later, the government declared the area insurgent-free, but its remote location and years of fighting have caused isolation and limited access to essential social services.

One of the problems is the need for more access to water. While a level III water system (individual house connections) operates, only 50% of the 29 Higaonon tribal households can tap from the source. Dry seasons mean reduced supply, while intense rains cause murky and dirty water.

“We have to walk one kilometer to collect water that we could have otherwise used to tend our crops,” Mario Dante, sitio leader and head of Gabunan Farmers Association, said.

Dante and barangay chairman Francis Pasco sought assistance from the local government of Impasug-ong. With the LGU’s help, they connected with the Kauyagan Savers Multipurpose Cooperative (KSMPC). Subsequently, Sitio Gabunan received KSMPC’s Water Access for Transformation, Empowerment, and Resilience (WATER).

Under this project, created with support from the Peace and Equity Foundation and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, KSMPC will facilitate the construction of a new level III water system this year to provide uninterrupted access for all 29 households of Sitio Gabunan.

The initiative, along with the Impasug-ong Crops Development Project, a crop consolidation project by KSMPC, is expected to improve the lives of the Higaonons in Sitio Gabunan.

On March 20, 2024, tribal leaders performed the "Pamuhat" ritual, offering food and wine to "Magbabaya” (Higaonon’s supreme creator) as part of the inauguration of the water system. Free from the terror of war, residents envision a brighter future with hope and optimism.

The Peace and Equity Foundation aspires to drive positive change in poor Filipino household communities by investing in social enterprises that will provide them with viable livelihood and better access to basic services. We work with partners who share this vision by developing models and best practices that will steer social enterprises to scale up. Founded in October 2001, our Foundation is the steward of an endowment fund and registered as a non-stock, non-profit organization based in Quezon City, Philippines.

Novel Explanation for Long-Standing Neutron Lifetime Problem Proposed by UP Nuclear Physicist

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Atoms are both a wave and a particle, similar to water waves (which are waves) that give rise to water droplets (which are particles) (Photo credit: Zhang Kaiyv on Unsplash)

Neutrons, when plucked from the nucleus of atoms, become unstable and decay after some time. Physicists know that these unstable neutrons die after about 14 minutes, but they cannot pinpoint the exact seconds in which the neutrons last, even as today’s experiments are at their most precise.

This problem, known as the neutron lifetime anomaly, arises because two different but equally rigorous experimental methods – the beam method and the bottle method – produce different results. A popular reason is that some undiscovered phenomenon might be at play.

But Dr. Denny Lane Sombillo of the UP Diliman College of Science National Institute of Physics (UPD-CS NIP) thinks the explanation may lie in how time behaves at a quantum level. “If this [theory] is correct,” he said, “we don’t need to modify the known physics and simply focus on the nature of time in quantum mechanics.”

Dr. Sombillo’s theory involves a separate problem called the quantum time of arrival (QTOA) problem. His theory is built upon the works of Dr. Eric Galapon of UPD-CS NIP. By employing Einstein’s concept of causality in Dr. Galapon’s work, Dr. Sombillo provides an intuitive picture of the quantum time of arrival problem, one that can be used to explain other mysteries such as the neutron lifetime anomaly.


Time of Arrival in Classical vs. Quantum Mechanics

In classical mechanics, a car traveling at 40 kilometers per hour will arrive at the destination 40 kilometers away in exactly one hour. So long as the speed of the car and the distance to the destination do not change, we can be sure that the car’s time of arrival will always be one hour.

A different story emerges in quantum mechanics. An atom traveling at some speed will reach its destination – say, a detector – after some time. However, a weird quirk of an atom is that we can prepare its exact position or exact speed, but not both at the same time. That is, we can prepare it with an exact speed, but we cannot set how far away it is from the detector, and vice-versa. As a result, we cannot be sure of the atom’s time of arrival; we can only know the probability of it arriving after a certain time.

This feature called the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, owes its weirdness to the duality of atoms as both a wave and a particle. Naturally, atoms are clouds of probabilities with no definite properties, much like the ambiguity of a wave. When measured or prepared, however, atoms instantaneously acquire exact properties, much like the distinctness of a particle.

Dr. Galapon's theory on QTOA posits that right after the atom is prepared, it collapses into a specific type of wave. After some time, this wave will evolve and turn into a particle. This process is aptly named the Galapon collapse mechanism (GCM).


Employing Causality

However, Dr. Sombillo noticed that the theory allows for a situation where the atom instantaneously arrives at the detector. That is, the atom can “teleport” to the detector, rendering no time to travel, which is physically impossible. This also violates the concept of causality, which states that one event (a cause) must first happen before another event (an effect).

“You can think of causality as the proper ordering of events,” Dr. Sombillo explained. In the traveling atom, for example, the proper order of events would be that the atom must be prepared first (a cause) before appearing at the detector (an effect). That is, the atom should not be detected by the detector if it has not yet been prepared.

Dr. Galapon’s theory allows for the reversed ordering of events where the detection of the atom precedes its preparation. “Intuitively, this reversed ordering should not be in the theory, but it is not easy to identify this loophole using mathematics alone,” Dr. Sombillo said. “One needs to evaluate the physical implications of the formalism.”

By employing causality, Dr. Sombillo and his collaborator, Dr. Neris Sombillo of Ateneo de Manila University, were able to fix the issue. “We found that the instantaneous arrival time can be removed if we impose causality in the formulation of the time of arrival operator theory,” he said. “Even if we remove the causality-violating part, the quantum correction to time remains.” Their improved formulations can now be used to explain physical phenomena such as the neutron lifetime anomaly.


Neutron Lifetime Anomaly

When an unstable neutron dies, it changes into a proton, emitting an electron and antineutrino. But exactly how long before this process happens is still unknown. The beam experiment suggests that the unstable neutron lasts an average of 14 minutes and 48 seconds, while the bottle experiment suggests 14 minutes and 39 seconds – a nine-second difference.

Dr. Sombillo believes that the difference comes from how the neutrons are initially prepared, which would have affected their lifetime. Just like in the quantum time of arrival problem where the atom’s particle-like state affects how it will evolve into a wave, the neutron's initial state affects how it will decay.

The beam and bottle experiment, he theorizes, sets the neutrons with dissimilar quantum characteristics. Plugging these values into his equations on quantum time of arrival would result in different neutron lifetimes, accounting for the discrepancy in the experiments.

Now published in Physics Letters A, their paper is the first to merge causality and the quantum time of arrival problem, as well as use it to explain the neutron lifetime anomaly. “Our work is the only proposal that presents the anomaly as a quantum correction to a time observable,” Dr. Sombillo said. “The paper laid the foundation for future work on the neutron lifetime anomaly using the theory of quantum arrival.”

While their work is still at its preliminary stage, he said that they intend to pursue a more thorough investigation of the quantum time theory in the future. Before transitioning as a nuclear physicist, Dr. Sombillo was part of the quantum time operator research group of UPD-CS NIP. He later learned about the neutron lifetime anomaly and how it might relate to the quantum time of arrival problem after his transition.



By Harvey Sapigao