Complex agroforestry systems that mimic local forest structure, so-called 'analogs', are assumed to be of specific value to rural people as well as the environment. The objective of this study was to document and evaluate the utilization of plant resources by Philippine lowland farmers to identify native species suitable for integration in such a system. The interviewed farmers maintain a comprehensive ethnobotanical knowledge. They reported using 122 plant species for 77 purposes. Eighty species have medicinal value, 35 provide food, and 32 serve other uses. About 64% of the identified species are Philippine natives. The life form composition of these species is dominated by trees but also includes herbs, lianas, and graminoids, thus providing the structural elements required in analog systems.

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To improve the production of high-level human resources that can spearhead efforts to attain national development, many countries, including the Philippines, have provided scholarship grants to interested professionals for them to pursue advanced degrees. This study aimed to find out graduate students' perceived contribution of scholarship grants to their academic success. We gathered data through a survey of 46 scholars who pursued graduate studies at the Visayas State University. To supplement the survey data, we conducted a focus group discussion with seven scholars who were not among the survey respondents. Results showed that participants considered their scholarship grants as contributors to their academic success. These grants motivated them to perform well academically and finish their respective degrees within the time allotted for their study. The scholarship grants provided funds for their school and living expenses, thus encouraging them to complete their degrees on time. Since their scholarships facilitated their completion of graduate degrees, they said it also contributed to their career development. Their scholarship also enabled them to improve their knowledge and skills, opened better career opportunities, and boost their selfconfidence to apply for jobs with higher compensation. They also considered their scholarship as a plus factor in their job applications.

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals are microscopic mineralized particles found in over 215 plant families of plants. In this study, the occurrence and variation of CaOx crystals in 15 different species of commonly used medicinal plants were investigated. Information on the type and other characteristics of CaOx crystals present in medicinal plants is important considering the potential health risks posed by these crystals to humans and other animals, aside from the fact that crystal characteristics are also valuable in the taxonomic identification of plant taxa. Results showed that eight of the 15 species, namely; Abelmoschus esculentus, Acalypha indica, Amaranthus viridis, Basella alba, Bixa orellana, Codiaeum variegatum, Ipomoea batatas, and Jatropha podagrica produced druses. Only four species formed raphides and these were Bougainvillea spectabilis, Cordyline fruticosa, Impatiens balsamina, and Rhoeo spathacea, although styloids were also observed in Cordyline fruticosa. Prismatic crystals and crystal sands were the least common, the former produced only in Chorchorus olitorius and Senna alata, and the latter only in Solanum melongena. The raphides of B. spectabilis were the longest at 175.81µm while the druses of B. orellana were the smallest having a mean diameter of 16.72µm. In terms of density, C. olitorius and S. alata had the highest number of crystals per unit leaf area.

Calcium oxalate crystals are common constituents of plant tissues and are believed to play a role in protection against herbivory, calcium regulation and even heavy metal sequestration. In this study, calcium oxalate crystals in leaves of Colocasia esculenta were studied in order to elucidate the biomineralization process of these inorganic components in response to herbivory and different water regimes. Different crystal types occurring in the leaves of C. esculenta were identified, described and quantified in terms of density and distribution. Two general types of calcium oxalate crystals were found, namely: the raphides and druses. The raphides were of two types, the defensive and non- defensive, and both occurred as bundles of elongated crystals enclosed in specialized cells called idioblasts. Druses were spherical conglomerate crystals extensively distributed throughout the leaf. Although degree of herbivory did not significantly affect overall density of calcium oxalate crystals, there was a highly significant interaction effect between herbivory and crystal type. With increasing degree of herbivory from 10% to 30%, the density of druses and non-defensive raphides decreased significantly but that of the defensive type increased. Water availability had a highly significant effect on overall crystal density. Interaction effect between water regime and crystal type was also highly significant. Density of druses significantly increased under waterlogged than non-waterlogged conditions while those of the defensive and non-defensive raphides were unaffected.