While the others are enjoying the Christmas vacation, Jann Canlas, the technical and media specialist of the group, is already starting the editing process of our documentary film. As what others tell, the editing process is the easiest and most enjoyable part of a docufilm. With this, we trust our technical specialist wholeheartedly. After all the shootings that we have done, we give this moment now to Mr. Jann Canlas. He said he is the one accountable for this part thus, we will provide him the necessary support and whatever he needs to come up with the excellent component of the editing process.

A special interview at Ark Avilon Zoo

We conducted our last interview with Sir Noel Rafael, supervisor of the Ark Avilon Zoo which is located few steps away from Tiendesitas. Though we had to spend our Christmas vacation early, we still have to finish our interviews. The interview with Sir Noel was very informative. We were also amazed by how the zoo protects the animals they have and how they uniquely displays the zoo to the public. Sir Rafael also made mention of the different programs they have in the zoo particularly about their breeding program. Like in the interview in the Manila Ocean Park, we also felt this gratitude of having the Ark Avilon Zoo in our country. We are also permitted to take pictures and videos of the different animals they have from the time when they open the place to the public. We also had this great opportunity to spend time with Jenny, the very beautiful Orangutan in the zoo. Even Louise had the chance to have a picture with her. After that, we decided to go home and spend the vacation.

A remarkable interview at the Manila Ocean Park

The group met at the Manila Ocean Park at 2 PM to come up with the 3 PM interview. Celine, Louise, and I waited for Jann, our group mate, before we start the interview. But when Sir Jappy Lim arrived, he suggested starting with the interview. He asked us first about our college and the project we were doing. He then asked for the list of questions that we would like to get answers for. Our group was very much prepared with interesting questions regarding Aquatic biodiversity and with that, we assume that he’ll be also prepared with his answers. In our surprise, he was able to answer our questions directly to the point. Though the interview lasted for almost an hour, we did not feel the boredom for his answers were very astounding. Every time he talks about the Manila Ocean Park, its purposes, projects, and development regarding aquatic biodiversity, we suddenly felt glad that the Philippines have this institution to help and protect the marine creatures. When we are done with the interview, we were permitted to come into the Oceanarium to take photos and videos of the different marine tanks they have. From there, we saw the different marine species that the institution has been protecting from the time when they have opened it to the public. We enjoyed the beautiful sceneries inside and took pictures. We also shot there some of the clips that we will include in the film. After an hour inside the Oceanarium, we already decided to go home.

Interview at DENR

After our class, we went to the biodiversity department of the DENR and conducted an interview with Mr. Arnold Tagtag regarding the natural resources in our country particularly about the Philippine forestry and natural resources. The interview was not quite long for we reminded Mr. Tagtag that we only have few yet important questions to ask. Mr. Tagtag was ready enough to answer all our questions. The interview also went pretty well.

TREES

by Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)*

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a
tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing
breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to
pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon
whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made
by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

* Columbia College, Class of 1908; Vice President of the
Philolexian Society.

Interview at Bantay Kalikasan

We arrived in Bantay Kalikasan, in front of the ELJ Tower, at exactly 2:30 in the afternoon. We made sure that we arrive there on time so as to not disapppoint the expert we're gonna interview. Though our scheduled interview was 4 PM, we patiently waited for Mr. Val Mendoza. When he arrived, we got nervous and at the same time, got extremely excited for it was our very first formal interview. The discussion went well and we were glad about that. Mr. Mendoza is a good answerer to our questions and for that, we admired him a lot.

Biodiversity defined

"variation of life at all levels of biological organization..."



" measure of the relative diversity among organisms present in different ecosystems..."



"totality of genes, species, and ecosystems of a region..."

Journey in the La Mesa Eco Park

Our group, together with the Global Warming and Climate Change group of IA9, went to the La Mesa Eco Park and conducted random interviews on people regarding biodiversity. We asked them what are their views regarding our natural resources and how they can help conserve our environment. We had asked many visitors of the eco park be it an old man, a boy, a high school student, an ordinary laborer, and foreigners. Through this, the group can have a point of comparison on their views regarding our biodiversity. We have also seen the cleanliness and tranquility in the eco park. Meanwhile, we have taken some pictures and videos in the very beautiful sceneries and definitely, we have really enjoyed the place.

These awesome photos in the La Mesa Eco Park were taken by your very own IA9 Biodiversity group.

The First Scenes

The group started to shoot the first scenes of the documentary film last December 2, 2008 at the UST Botanical Garden. We presented the introduction of our documentary film which was prepared by our very own, Louise Ann Limjoco. Since this was our first day of shooting, we still do not know how to show the needed projections. Mike Joseph Ong, our classmate, helped us by being the temporary cameraman for us to be able to come up with our very first scenes. Right away, we have prepared the locations, shootings, and even the expert interviews to be conducted definitely outside the school campus.

The Beginning

On the 19th of November 2008, our group officially started the preparations needed for the documentary film. We gathered the necessary tools such as video cameras, microphones, digital cameras, and other gadgets to be able to start up with the docufilm. After we got our assigned roles and topics, our next step was to fill in the key concepts to be discussed in our documentary film by having researches of all those essential topics. From this comprehensive research, we were able make both the outline and the script. After our classes, we made sure that we can always have a short meeting in the UST Central Library to discuss our plans particularly about the interviews the group shall conduct. Everyday, we made sure that the group shall have an accomplishment every now and then.