Super Typhoon Ragasa: The Philippines on the Frontline of Climate Change

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The Philippines has long carried the weight of the world’s most powerful storms, but Super Typhoon Ragasa has pushed the nation into yet another chapter of climate-induced devastation. What unfolded in late September 2025 was not just a natural disaster—it was a chilling testament to how human-caused climate change is rewriting the country’s weather reality.

A Storm Like No Other

Between September 20 and 21, Ragasa underwent extreme rapid intensification, strengthening by 137 kilometers per hour (85 mph) in barely 24 hours. By the time it reached its peak, the monster storm was packing sustained winds of 266 kph (165 mph)—making it the most powerful storm in the world this year.

According to climate scientists, the conditions that allowed Ragasa to explode in power were not ordinary. Sea surface temperatures in the Philippine Sea were 0.7 to 1.1°C above normal, providing a supercharged fuel source. Climate Central’s Climate Shift Index (CSI) analysis found that these unusually warm waters were 10 to 40 times more likely because of human-caused climate change.

Dr. Daniel Gilford, meteorologist and climate scientist, explained:

“Super Typhoon Ragasa intensified over waters made hotter by human-caused climate change. These exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures increased the chances that Ragasa would rapidly intensify — and it did, becoming the most powerful typhoon this year.”

When Ragasa Struck Home

On September 22, Ragasa roared into the Philippines, slamming Panuitan Island in the north. Its winds ripped roofs off houses, roads were cut off by landslides, and coastal villages were left underwater. At least three Filipinos were killed, and thousands more were forced to flee their homes.

For families already living on the edge, the typhoon was devastating. Farmers watched their crops vanish in a matter of hours, while fisherfolk saw their boats destroyed—their only means of livelihood gone. Mountain communities were left isolated as landslides blocked vital access roads.

It is a cruel reality for a nation ranked among the most disaster-prone in the world: every storm season brings not just rain and wind, but the haunting fear of another tragedy.

A Nation Bearing the Brunt

The Philippines has always been a frontline state in the battle against climate change. But Ragasa is a painful reminder that the fight is no longer about prevention—it is about survival.

Infrastructure remains fragile, with many homes built from light materials that cannot withstand super typhoon winds.

Communities lack resources for full recovery before the next storm hits.

Lives are repeatedly upended, with displacement, hunger, and poverty deepening after every disaster.

And yet, the science makes it clear: storms like Ragasa are not just acts of God. They are intensified by human choices—by decades of unchecked carbon emissions, deforestation, and reliance on fossil fuels.

Global Problem, Local Consequences

The Philippines may contribute less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is among the countries that suffer most. Ragasa’s fury is part of a wider pattern:

In August, Japan and South Korea baked in record-breaking heat, made five times more likely by climate change.

In the United States, wildfires and heatwaves pushed temperatures up to 30°F above normal, affecting millions.

Across the Atlantic, Hurricane Erin reached Category 5 strength, fueled by abnormally warm ocean waters.

These global events prove one thing: the crisis is shared, but the burden is not equal. Nations like the Philippines are paying the heaviest price for a warming world they did little to create.

Turning Grief into Action

The story of Ragasa should not end with its destruction. It should be a rallying cry for stronger climate action—both at home and abroad.

At the local level, the Philippines must strengthen disaster preparedness, enforce resilient building codes, and invest in renewable energy.

At the global stage, wealthier nations must be held accountable for financing climate adaptation and paying into the loss-and-damage fund agreed upon in international climate talks.

For Filipinos, the question is no longer whether the storms will come—it is how strong they will be, and how ready the country will be when they do.

Super Typhoon Ragasa was more than a weather event; it was a warning. And if the world does not act decisively, the Philippines will continue to live under the shadow of storms it did not summon but must endure.

From Invisible Discoveries to Public Good: Mainstreaming Science Through Solutions Journalism

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Much of the world’s science never reaches the public eye. Countless discoveries remain buried in journals, behind paywalls, or lost in technical jargon—while the challenges of climate change, health inequity, and technological disruption demand urgent, accessible communication. As journalists, we have the responsibility not only to expose problems but to amplify the responses and solutions that science offers.

This proposal argues that science journalism must evolve from a reactive model—reporting crises, scandals, or breakthroughs in isolation—to a proactive model that frames science as part of the solution ecosystem. By combining investigative rigor with solutions journalism, we can help societies bridge knowledge gaps, counter misinformation, and inspire action.

Key Questions

What happens to science that remains invisible to the public, and how do we bring it into the mainstream conversation?

How can journalists highlight not just the “what” of scientific discovery but also the “so what” and “now what”?

How can solutions-oriented science journalism empower policymakers, communities, and ordinary citizens to act on knowledge rather than be overwhelmed by problems?

Proposed Contribution

I propose to deliver a 30-minute session (talk + interactive discussion) that explores practical frameworks and strategies for making science solutions journalism impactful in a fragmented world. This includes:

Case Studies: Stories from Asia and beyond where science reporting shifted from problem-centric to solution-centric framing (e.g., renewable energy innovations in rural communities, low-cost health diagnostics, and AI in disaster resilience).

Techniques: How to translate technical research into narratives that resonate with audiences—while maintaining accuracy.

Challenges: Navigating misinformation, political polarization, and public distrust in science.

Recommendations: A roadmap for journalists, researchers, and communicators to collaborate in making science not just visible but actionable.

Why This Matters

In a world fragmented by misinformation, ideological divides, and uneven access to resources, science journalism has the power to act as a bridge. By shifting focus toward solutions, journalists can illuminate pathways forward, give hope, and foster trust between science and society.

This contribution aligns with SJAI’s 2025 theme by offering both conceptual frameworks and practical tools to elevate the visibility and relevance of science in public discourse.

Opening (2–3 minutes)

Good morning everyone.

Let me begin with a question:

What happens to science that remains invisible?

When discoveries stay locked in journals, hidden behind paywalls, or buried in jargon, the public never sees them. Policymakers never act on them. Communities never benefit from them. And in that silence, something else grows: misinformation, distrust, and missed opportunities for change.

This is the paradox we live in today. We are in the most scientifically advanced era of human history—yet much of that science is invisible to the people who need it most.

Section 1: The Problem of Invisible Science (5 minutes)

Let’s be honest: traditional science journalism often focuses on either crisis or breakthrough. We write about melting ice caps, viral outbreaks, corruption in public health spending—or we celebrate a Nobel Prize discovery or a rocket launch.

But what about the research that falls in between?

The quiet progress of scientists developing low-cost diagnostics in small labs.

The community-driven projects turning plastic waste into construction material.

The climate scientists working with farmers to improve local food resilience.

These stories are not invisible because they lack value. They’re invisible because they don’t fit neatly into our problem-obsessed news cycle.

And invisibility has consequences:

It widens the knowledge gap between scientists and the public.

It gives more room for misinformation to thrive.

It reinforces the narrative that science is distant, elitist, and irrelevant to daily life.

Section 2: A Shift Toward Solutions (7 minutes)

But here’s the good news: journalism doesn’t have to be a mirror of problems. It can be a window to solutions.

Solutions journalism asks:

Not just “What’s wrong?” but also “What’s working?”

Not just “Who’s to blame?” but also “Who’s responding, and how?”

Let me share three examples:

Renewable Energy in Rural Asia

Instead of covering only the energy crisis, journalists highlighted how microgrids powered by solar energy were transforming rural communities. That coverage attracted policymakers’ attention—and funding followed.

Affordable Diagnostics in Public Health

In India and the Philippines, journalists who reported on low-cost tuberculosis and diabetes test kits didn’t stop at describing the disease burden. They emphasized how these innovations were saving lives in resource-poor settings. That reporting influenced NGOs and hospitals to adopt the solutions faster.

AI in Disaster Resilience

After typhoons and earthquakes, most stories focus on devastation. But when coverage highlights how artificial intelligence helps forecast risks and save communities, it shifts the narrative from despair to preparedness.

In all three cases, journalism didn’t just inform. It inspired action.

Section 3: Tools and Techniques (5 minutes)

So, how do we make science solutions journalism work in practice?

Here are three techniques I’ve found effective:

Translate without Diluting

Strip away the jargon, but never sacrifice accuracy. Instead of saying “CRISPR-based gene-editing diagnostics,” say “a genetic test that can spot disease faster and cheaper than current hospital methods.”

Frame Around Impact

Every story should answer not just what is happening, but why it matters now. Who benefits? How scalable is this solution? What obstacles remain?

Include Community Voices

Science stories often privilege the lab coat. But real trust builds when we also hear from the farmer, the patient, the student who experiences the impact of innovation firsthand.

Section 4: Challenges and Opportunities (5 minutes)

Of course, this is not easy work.

We battle misinformation spreading faster than any peer-reviewed study.

We face political polarization, where science gets weaponized.

And often, scientists themselves are wary of speaking to journalists, fearing misrepresentation.

But within these challenges lies opportunity. Every fragmented conversation is a chance for us to rebuild trust. Every invisible discovery is a chance for us to make it visible—relevant, engaging, and actionable.

Section 5: Call to Action (3 minutes)

So I return to the question: What happens to science that remains invisible?

It gets forgotten. It gets misused. Or worse, it never reaches the people who could have benefited from it.

But when we bring science out of the shadows—when we report not just the problems, but the responses—journalism becomes more than a record. It becomes a catalyst.

As journalists, communicators, and researchers, we are not just storytellers. We are bridge-builders. We connect discovery to society. We turn knowledge into action. And in a fragmented world, that may be the most powerful role we can play.

Closing (2 minutes)

Thank you. I look forward to hearing your thoughts—and learning how together we can make invisible science visible, not just for headlines, but for humanity.

Timing: This script runs about 25 minutes, leaving 15 minutes for Q&A, perfectly matching the 40-minute session format.

Four UP Diliman Scholars Triumph at 13th ASTHRDP Graduate Scholars’ Conference

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Science is not just about theories written on chalkboards or formulas etched into notebooks—it is the force that powers nations forward, the foundation of resilience, and the hope of a brighter tomorrow. This was the spirit that radiated at the 13th Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP) Graduate Scholars’ Conference, held on September 18–19, 2025, in Cagayan de Oro City. And at the heart of this celebration of intellect and innovation, four young minds from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) rose to distinction, earning Best Presentation Awards and proving once again that Filipino scholars are capable of world-class breakthroughs.

The prestigious gathering, hosted by Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and co-chaired by Central Luzon State University (CLSU), brought together more than 200 of the country’s brightest graduate scholars, scientists, and project leaders. With the theme “Advancing Climate Action and Environmental Stewardship for the Well-being of Every Filipino,” the two-day conference became both a battleground of ideas and a sanctuary for collaboration, where the nation’s most promising researchers shared cutting-edge work across critical fields of science and technology.

The Four Bright Lights of UP Diliman

Among 21 UP Diliman scholars who participated, four emerged as awardees, taking home not just certificates and cash prizes but also the pride of representing the country’s premier state university with brilliance and purpose.

Marsden Badlisan (MS Physics) captured the Best Oral Presentation in Physical Sciences with his groundbreaking research on the “Electrically Controlled Goos-Hänchen Shift of a Light Beam due to a ZnO-GaAs Structure.” His work promises exciting applications in optics and photonics, showcasing how Filipino research can influence global scientific conversations.

Nicole Joy Datu (PhD Mathematics) earned the Best Oral Presentation in Mathematical and Computational Science for her dissertation on “On Strongly Φ-Reversible Elements of the Symplectic Group.” Her victory was not just a triumph of mathematics but also an inspiration to young women aspiring to excel in fields too often seen as the preserve of the few. “Growing up, I was told math was only for the naturally talented,” she reflected, “but I’ve learned that hard work and the right support can take you just as far.”

Miguel Revilla (PhD Meteorology) brought home the Best Oral Presentation in Environmental Sciences for his timely and vital dissertation, “Spatio-temporal and Surface-level Analysis of Tropical Cyclones Maintaining or Intensifying in the Philippines.” His research offers crucial insights that may shape the country’s disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Wendell Manuel (MS Materials Science and Engineering) secured the Best Poster Presentation in Physical Sciences with his innovative study on “Tuned FeO/Fe3O4 Nanoparticles and Superclusters for Enhanced Magnetic Hyperthermia.” “Our study shows how small (nano) things can potentially make a big impact,” he remarked, a powerful reminder of how science turns the invisible into the revolutionary.

Each awardee credited the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and the ASTHRDP program for enabling their research. More than scholarships, these initiatives are lifelines that allow Filipino scholars to transform ideas into discoveries with real-world impact.

A Gathering of Minds and a Call to Action

The conference was more than a showcase of academic excellence—it was a clarion call to use science as a tool for change. In his keynote address, DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. urged scholars to take research beyond laboratories and bring science-informed solutions directly to communities. Plenary lectures delivered by experts such as Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, S.J. of Ateneo de Manila University, Dr. Ronilo Jose Flores of UP Los Baños, Dr. Laura David of UP Diliman, and Dr. Hernando Bacosa of MSU-IIT reinforced the urgent role of science in addressing climate change and environmental challenges.

The event also celebrated the human side of scholarship: the opening performance by the MSU-IIT OCTAVA Choral Society, the fellowship dinner that brimmed with camaraderie, and the spoken word performances by scholars all underscored that behind every data set and experiment lies a Filipino with a dream—to uplift lives and transform society.

Science as Nation-Building

The ASTHRDP, implemented by DOST-SEI in collaboration with the National Science Consortium of 11 universities, is designed to accelerate the production of high-level scientists and researchers in priority fields. By supporting graduate students in science and technology, it strengthens the country’s competitiveness and fuels innovation. For the Philippines, these scholars represent more than academic achievement—they are the torchbearers of progress, pushing boundaries in physics, mathematics, meteorology, and materials science.

For UP Diliman’s College of Science, this recognition is both a triumph and a responsibility: to continue nurturing minds that will lead the country toward resilience, sustainability, and innovation. As Dean Dr. Cynthia Saloma, who led the UPD delegation, emphasized, these victories are milestones that prove how Filipino science can change lives.

In the end, the story of Badlisan, Datu, Revilla, and Manuel is not just about winning best presentation awards. It is about the power of education, the importance of support, and the unyielding spirit of young Filipinos who dare to dream bigger than themselves. It is about science not as an abstract pursuit, but as a lifeline for a nation standing at the crossroads of climate change, technological advancement, and social transformation.

Their victories remind us that every breakthrough—whether in beams of light, theorems of math, patterns of storms, or clusters of nanoparticles—brings the Philippines one step closer to a future where knowledge is not just preserved but lived, shared, and used to uplift the lives of every Filipino.