Planetary Pulse: Southeast Asian Journalists to Converge in Malaysia for Groundbreaking Climate and Health Reporting Workshop

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

This coming September, in the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur, a powerful wave of purpose-driven storytelling is set to rise. The Capacity Development and Training Workshop Series for Media Professionals: Intergovernmental Processes and Planetary Health will bring together some of the most passionate and promising journalists from across South and Southeast Asia for two days of transformative learning, collaboration, and empowerment.

Organized by the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, the Global Climate and Health Alliance, Health Care Without Harm – Southeast Asia, and Monash University Malaysia, the workshop aims to equip media professionals with the tools, insights, and cross-disciplinary knowledge needed to report more effectively on the critical intersection between intergovernmental policy processes and planetary health.

A Rare Opportunity to Bridge Journalism and Global Policy

As the world teeters on the edge of climate catastrophe and health crises grow more frequent and complex, this workshop could not come at a more critical time. Media professionals are being called upon not just to inform—but to inspire action, foster understanding, and translate complexity into clarity.

Over the course of September 3 and 4, selected participants will engage in:

Interactive Sessions with leading experts on planetary health and climate negotiations

A high-impact simulation exercise that mirrors real-world reporting challenges on global policy

Networking opportunities with fellow journalists, environmental scientists, and decision-makers across the ASEAN region

The aim: to build journalistic capacity that can make sense of complex intergovernmental discussions, uncover the human stories behind them, and report with depth, accuracy, and ethical clarity.

Beyond the Workshop: Building a Community of Change-Makers

But this isn’t just about skill-building—it’s about movement-building. Participants will join a Community of Practice that continues long after the workshop ends. Through this network, they will:

Share stories, resources, and lessons learned

Collaborate on cross-border reporting initiatives

Support each other in tackling the challenges of covering climate and health

With the rise of misinformation, political greenwashing, and science skepticism, truthful, informed journalism is more important than ever. This workshop positions journalists as key players in the planetary health movement—amplifying voices from the most climate-vulnerable regions of the world.

Who Can Join?

The workshop is open to journalists from South and Southeast Asia, with special priority given to those from the ten ASEAN Member States. Applicants must demonstrate a clear interest in health or environmental reporting.

Those selected will receive full financial support, including:

Roundtrip airfare

Accommodation for September 2–4

Meals throughout the program

The Stakes Are High—And So Is the Potential for Impact

Planetary health is no longer just a niche topic for scientists and policymakers—it’s a survival issue that touches every family, every community, and every future. This upcoming workshop will empower journalists not just to report the crisis, but to catalyze change through the power of the written word and digital storytelling.

As the world watches, the storytellers of Southeast Asia will gather—not just to learn, but to lead.

For updates and insights from the frontline of sustainability, health, and climate justice, follow Ross Flores Del Rosario, the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, as he champions journalism with purpose.

Revolution from the Lab: UP Scientists Unlock Affordable Future for Terahertz Technology

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In an astonishing scientific breakthrough that may soon revolutionize how we see, communicate, and diagnose, scientists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) have defied expectations—and scientific limitations—to engineer a radically new semiconductor structure. This innovation, which could dramatically lower the cost of terahertz (THz) devices, holds promise for life-changing applications from high-speed wireless communication to advanced medical imaging.

And it didn’t come easy. It took 11 years of relentless research, grit, and Filipino ingenuity.

Cracking the Code of Terahertz Barriers

The race toward practical THz-Time Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS)—a technology that harnesses the electromagnetic spectrum between microwaves and infrared light—has long faced two stubborn challenges: cost and complexity. THz devices require high-performance materials that are notoriously expensive and hard to manufacture. But Dr. Cyril Salang of the UPD-CS Materials Science and Engineering Program, together with a powerhouse team of physicists and engineers, has turned the tide.

In collaboration with Dr. Arnel Salvador, Dr. Armando Somintac, and Dr. Elmer Estacio of the UPD-CS National Institute of Physics, as well as Dr. Joselito Muldera of RIKEN in Japan, Dr. Salang and her team have engineered a semiconductor design unlike any other.

Their weapon? A deliberately mismatched buffer layer—a move that most scientists would consider risky, if not outright unworkable.

The Beauty in Mismatch

In the high-precision world of semiconductors, alignment is everything. Each layer of material must fit like a glove over the other—matching in atomic structure, or what scientists call “lattice constant.” Any misalignment often leads to faulty performance or device failure.

But this team intentionally used materials with mismatched lattices—specifically, layering p-type indium arsenide (p-InAs) over an intricate architecture that includes a superlattice, a GaAs buffer, and finally a cost-efficient gallium antimonide (n-GaSb) substrate.

The result? A resilient and reliable THz emitter that not only works—but works impressively well.

Using the Riber 32P Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) equipment, they grew their multilayered invention atom by atom, like building a microscopic city with near-perfect alignment through expert engineering. The addition of a growth-interrupted region and an alternating superlattice stabilized the entire structure, even with the lattice mismatch.

When tested with lasers commonly used in THz research—including a 0.80 μm and a more affordable 1.55 μm fiber laser—the new structure delivered performance on par with, and in some cases better than, traditional materials. That 1.55 μm compatibility is particularly exciting: it's a mainstream, budget-friendly option, making the technology more viable for mass adoption.

From Patent to Possibility

It’s a journey that began in 2013 with a simple idea, led to a 2015 paper, and finally culminated in a national patent granted in 2024. A decade-long wait—fueled by perseverance, visionary leadership, and the backing of the UP Diliman Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD).

“Receiving a national patent means that the originality of our work is recognized. It encourages me to do further innovation,” shared Dr. Salang.

With the patent in hand, the team is poised to enter deeper into the terahertz industry, potentially placing Filipino science at the heart of a global tech revolution.

Beyond the Lab: A Glimpse into the Future

Terahertz waves are already known to hold transformative potential in fields like:

Medical Diagnostics – enabling real-time, non-invasive imaging without the risks of ionizing radiation

Security Scanning – detecting concealed weapons or hazardous materials

Pharmaceutical Quality Control – analyzing chemical compositions with ultra-precision

High-speed 6G Wireless Communication – offering bandwidths hundreds of times faster than current technologies

But these applications have remained largely in the realm of expensive prototypes and lab-scale trials. The UPD-CS breakthrough could push them into real-world deployment—fast.

Pride of the Philippines, Hope for the World

This landmark invention is more than a technological feat—it is a statement. That Filipino scientists are not just contributors, but trailblazers in the world of frontier science.

From the bustling academic corridors of UP Diliman to the high-tech labs of RIKEN in Japan, this collaboration proves what can happen when talent meets determination, and when innovation is supported by belief.

As the world looks toward the terahertz future, it may well be riding on a beam built in the Philippines.

Wazzup Pilipinas salutes the scientific minds changing our world—one layer at a time.

Get Ready to Grow with Rooty!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The wait is over! Prepare to be captivated as we proudly unveil the official face of Umalohokan Fest 2025 – the one and only Rooty!

Rooty isn't just a mascot; Rooty is the vibrant, cheerful, and deeply rooted embodiment of our Green Environmental Advocacy theme. With a heart full of hope and leaves brimming with life, Rooty represents the boundless potential of nature and our collective commitment to nurturing a sustainable future for the Philippines.

Just like the strong, resilient trees that purify our air and enrich our soil, Rooty stands tall as a symbol of growth, community, and the vital connection we share with our environment. Rooty's friendly smile and outstretched branches invite everyone to join hands in protecting our planet, inspiring us all to take action, big or small, for a greener tomorrow.

This December, as we gather for Umalohokan Fest 2025, let Rooty be our guide and our inspiration. Let's embrace Rooty's spirit of environmental stewardship and work together to cultivate a legacy of care for our precious home.

Welcome, Rooty! Let the advocacy begin!