Rolly on wildlife conservation

Rolly

What are the objectives of your organization?
Haribon takes the lead in caring for nature with the people (and) for the people. Its philosophy ”Protecting Nature, Preserving Life“ essentially summarizes its objectives.

How is your organization financially supported?
As far as I know, the foundation is operating with 95% of its fund coming from a number of sources, both in the Philippines and abroad. Any given project can last for 2-5 years depending on the project donor. For example, the project that Arnel* and I are currently doing is funded by the Golden Forest project. This started in 2005 and will end in 2010 with 5% of the fund coming from the sustainability department of the foundation and support from the European Commission. [Editorial note: *Arnel Almazan (RATBOO ’95) is a Forester in the Conservation Science Research Department of the Haribon Foundation].

Rolly in one of the Haribon Foundation research sites

What is you role in your organization? What is your current job? Please describe the work you are doing?
I am working as a biologist/forester in the organization. I am part of the team who sometimes do the wildlife survey (for birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians). Sometimes po kasi may kanya-kanyang expertise ang mga tao dito, like some would specialize only in birds or mammals but very few biologists specialize in reptiles and amphibians. But, as part of the team, we are all involved in other project areas of the organization.

Can you describe a typical day at work?
Office work includes writing of field reports, meetings, sometimes attending interviews with the media. But the bulk of our work is mostly in field research.

How long have you been in your current job?
I started working with the organization in May 2007 and became a contractual employee last September.

How do you find your current job?
Exciting, challenging, difficult but fulfilling especially when we are doing the field research.

What do you find satisfying in your job?
A lot of travel, since many of the project sites of the foundation is all over the country. I love to travel, discovering new places and meeting new people and being close to nature most of the time.

Rolly is shown above doing field research in Mindoro, Philippines.

Did you find the degree (or academic background) you obtained from UPLB helpful? Is being a member of the UP Varrons useful? In what way?
Yes, of course, I find my degree useful in dealing with my work-related activities. Although I admit not all of the subjects that I took became useful to me. I only specialized in subjects that I enjoyed doing in college like dendrology and plant taxonomy and all of my major subjects in Wildlife.

Are you involved in other activities aside from work and family?
None at this time

Can you describe one thing that you are passionate about?
Being a part of the conservation / environmental movement . . . and working as a Wildlife biologist. With the limited knowledge that I have, I would really want to study further.

What advice can you give for those Varrons who are thinking of going into the same career area?
If they are considering doing conservation work for the environment in the Philippines, they should be aware that it is not an easy task. Oftentimes, the movement is attacked by critics and lack of funding is always a problem. My advice is to find their niche where they can enjoy the work and do their best.