Figure 1. Students were assigned to examine different sections of the outcrops along the west bank of Madlum River.
The Geology 132 Paleontology class of Dr. Alyssa Peleo-Alampay went on fieldwork in San Miguel, Bulacan on November 21, 2025. The students examined fossils still preserved in the sedimentary rocks of Tartaro Formation, which is dated as Late Miocene to Pliocene (~11.6 to 2.6 million years old). The fossil specimens collected from mudstones along the banks of the Madlum River consisted of gastropods, bivalves, bryozoans and this year, barnacles.
This annual fieldwork is an essential component of the Geology 132 Paleontology class. Students actually see, usually for the first time, how ancient life in the form of fossils which they study in the classroom, are naturally found in outcrops. This enhances their skills in recognizing and identifying fossils as well as the proper handling and collection of the fossil specimens.
Figure 2. Dr. Alyssa Peleo-Alampay discussing the outcrop with the students.
Figure 3. Group photo of the class with the Joeven Calvelo, NIGS University Research Associate and Dr. Peleo-Alampay.