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We introduce our peer-reviewed scientific journal under a new name: Laksambuhay, The UPLB Journal of Natural History, with the official short name (instead of an abbreviation) Laksambuhay.
It continues from the UPLB Museum Publications in Natural History, which the UPLB Museum of Natural History has been publishing occasionally since 1998. It maintains the special focus on systematics/ taxonomy, ecology, evolution and biogeography as well as the purpose, which are to promote the mission and vision of the UPLB Museum of Natural History and to foster understanding, discussion and appreciation among scientists, researchers, students, conservationists and other members of the academe on the abovementioned fields and other related research interests.
The adoption of the new name, however, highlights our heightened desire to become more visible to the increasing number of followers and comrades in the biodiversity sciences and the basic integrative biological disciplines, as well as to be more relevant and responsive to the changing times and social and natural environments.
Thus, the name “laksambuhay” coined from the Tagalog words laksa meaning abundant, numerous or multitude (although originally literally referring to ten thousand) and buhay meaning life, refers to the megadiverse nature of our country, the Philippines, which is home to a huge number of plant, animal and microbial species known nowhere else but in this part of the world.
On a more regular basis, the journal will publish scientific papers that provide perspectives on natural history and tropical biodiversity as well as information and research outputs that will aid researchers on better taxonomic identification and systematics.
Laksambuhay, is believed to have been coined by environmental advocates in the 90s and at least to our knowledge, one of our former colleagues, Mr. Danilo S. Balete. Through this, we also pay homage to them and to UPLB’s heroes of biodiversity, and pledge that we will keep the torch of the science of systematics burning.
Editorial Board
Editorial Board
Accepted appointment for January 2026 to December 2028
Dr. Rafe Brown, Curator-in-charge, Herpetology Division, KU Biodiversity Institute and Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas (rafe@ku.edu)
Dr. Thierry Bourgoin, Institut Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité; UMR 7205 (CNRS, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes and Université des Antilles)
Dr. Hans Klompen, Emeritus Professor of Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, and Emeritus Director, Ohio State University Acarology Collection of the Museum of Biological Diversity (klompen.1@osu.edu)
Dr. Arvin C. Diesmos, Academician, National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines and Director of the Biodiversity Information Management Department, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (arvin.diesmos@gmail.com)
Dr. Virginia C. Cuevas, Professor Emeritus, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines (vccuevas@up.edu.ph)
Dr. Edwino S. Fernando, Professor Emeritus, Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines (esfernando@up.edu.ph)
Dr. Ireneo L. Lit, Jr., Retired Professor, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines (illit@up.edu.ph)
Dr. Pastor L. Malabrigo, Jr., Professor, Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines (plmalabrigo@up.edu.ph)
Dr. Remil L. Galay, Professor, Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines (rlgalay@up.edu.ph)
Dr. Anna Pauline O. de Guia, Professor, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines (aodeguia@up.edu.ph)
Dr. Phillip A. Alviola, Professor, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines (paalviola@up.edu.ph)
Dr. Juan Carlos T. Gonzalez, Professor, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines (jtgonzalez@up.edu.ph)
Dr. Marian P. De Leon (ex-officio member), Director, UPLB Museum of Natural History, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines (mpdeleon1@up.edu.ph)
Managing Team
Managing Team
Dr. Juan Carlos T. Gonzalez, Editor-in-Chief
Professor, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
and Curator for Birds, UPLB Museum of Natural History
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Dr. Phillip A. Alviola, Associate Editor
Professor, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
and Curator for Birds, UPLB Museum of Natural History
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Florante A. Cruz, Managing Editor
UPLB Museum of Natural History
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Venus Nadine J. Abacahin, Editorial Assistant
UPLB Museum of Natural History
University of the Philippines Los Baños
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