As 2025 draws to a close, the Rushurgent Working Group (RWG) celebrates the achievements, resilience, and continued commitment of its members to advancing geoscience research, education, and collaboration. This quarter was marked by outstanding presentations, international conference participation, new publications, and meaningful community events.
RWG Excellence at the 20th NIGS Research Symposium
Several RWG members received the Outstanding Student Presenter Award (OSPA) during the 20th NIGS Research Symposium held on October 23–24, 2025 at the NIGS Audio Visual Room. Mr. Glenn Vallespin and the Geology 170 Zamboanga Camp were recognized as Outstanding Oral Presentation awardees, whereas Ms. Mary Julia Elizaga and Mr. Nathaniel Angue were recognized as among the Outstanding Poster Presentation awardees. These achievements reflect RWG’s dedication to nurturing innovative research and supporting young scientists who continue to push the boundaries of geoscience knowledge.
RWG awardees during the 2025 NIGS Research Symposium with NIGS Director Dr. Noelynna T. Ramos and NIGSCON organizers, Deputy Director for R&D Dr. Gabriel Theophilus Valera and Associate Dean for R&D and former NIGS DDRD Dr. Betchaida D. Payot.
RWG at the Asia Africa Mineral and Geothermal Resources Conference 2025 and CINEST 2025 Symposium
RWG participated in the Asia Africa Mineral and Geothermal Resources Conference 2025 (AA 2025) held in Miyazaki, Japan from November 22 to 25, 2025. The delegation included Dr. Jillian Aira Gabo-Ratio, graduate students Mr. Mark Sumaden and Mr. Kirk Justin Ramos, and Mr. Mark Joshua Novero of Kyushu University. A three-day field excursion in southern Kyushu followed, strengthening international collaboration among researchers working on mineral and geothermal resources across Asia and Africa.
Dr. Gabo-Ratio, Mr. Ramos, and Mr. Sumaden presented their work at the International Symposium on Earth Science and Technology 2025 (CINEST 2025) held at Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan on November 27 to 28, 2025. The symposium received 147 submissions, from which only six were selected for the Best Paper awards. The study by Mr. Ramos and Dr. Gabo-Ratio on the Bonanza-Sandy Vein System in the Masara Gold District was recognized with the Best Conference Paper Award.
RWG researchers during AA and CINEST 2025 in Japan
RWG’s Newly Conferred and Renewed UP Scientists
RWG celebrates the dedication and scientific leadership of its members who were recognized in this year’s UP Scientific Productivity System awards. Dr. Carla Dimalanta, Dr. Decibel Faustino-Eslava, Dr. Jillian Aira Gabo-Ratio and Dr. Noelynna Ramos were conferred the UP Scientist III rank, while Dr. Leo Armada received the UP Scientist I rank. This well-deserved recognition highlights their outstanding contributions to research and their continued leadership in advancing scientific excellence at the University and beyond.
Newly conferred and renewed UP Scientists from RWG
Dr. Dimalanta Leads Technical Writing Seminar-Workshop
On December 9, 2025, Dr. Carla B. Dimalanta served as Resource Speaker for the Technical Writing Seminar-Workshop held at the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Central Office in Quezon City. With nearly 300 online participants and 20 on-site attendees, she shared practical strategies to improve clarity, organization, and overall effectiveness in the preparation of technical reports.
Dr. Dimalanta speaking during the Technical Writing Seminar-Workshop at the MGB Central Office
New Publications This Quarter
RWG celebrates several new peer-reviewed publications by its members:
Dimalanta, C.B., Pasco, J.A., Ausejo, J.M., Armada, L.T., Manalo, P.C. & Yumul, G.P.Jr. (2025). Regional geology of the Bangui Formation: Insights offered by sedimentary geochemistry into the early evolution of an island arc. Geoscience Letters, 12, 51.
Novero, M. J., Sangalang, K. J., Gabo-Ratio, J. A. S., Dimalanta, C. B., Payot, B. D., Jabagat, K., & Lee, Y. H. (2025). Arc polarity reversal in North Luzon preserved in the Oligocene-Miocene clastic units in southwestern Mountain Province, Philippines: insights from trace element geochemistry, microfossil ages, and zircon U-Pb dating. Geoscience Letters, 12, 69.
Valera, G. T. V., Payot, B. D., Kawakami, T., Sakata, S., Niki, S., & Hirata, T. (2025). From spreading to subduction: Timelines of induced subduction zones recorded in the Central Palawan Ophiolite. Lithos, 108346.
Yumul, G. P. Jr., Gabo-Ratio, J. A., Jumawan, F. T., Pacyaya, J. B. S., Dimalanta, C. B., & Armada, L. T. (2025). Cagayan Valley Basin, North Luzon, Philippines: Subduction, rotation and rift product? Geoscience Letters, 12, 58.
RWG Year-End Gathering
To cap off 2025, RWG held its annual Christmas Gathering last December 3 at the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences. Both current members and RWG alumni and friends joined the celebration, strengthening bonds, sharing stories, and looking back on the year’s accomplishments.
RWG current members and alumni during their annual Christmas Party
Looking Ahead
As we usher in a new year, RWG remains committed to fostering research excellence, supporting scientific growth, and building meaningful collaborations. We look forward to new milestones, new discoveries, and new opportunities to advance geoscience research in 2026.