A Science Case Study

I. Introduction

Batangas, a province in the Philippines most commonly known for it being one of most the popular tourist destinations near Metro Manila. It is widely known for its many beaches and resorts where one could definitely find time to unwind and to enjoy the water through swimming, snorkeling, diving, and other activities. Another reason for it being a great tourist attraction is because here lays the Taal Volcano, a decade volcano whose crater is a lake.

Aside from it being a tourist destination, Batangas is also a popular seaport and trade center. It is most popular for its silk and cotton fabrics, as well as coconut oil. It is also well known for its industries like pineapple, and bangus, and most especially in making balisong.

Lian is one of the municipalities of Batangas. It is not that popularly known for tourists since it is one of the municipalities that have the least numbers of baranggays in the area. Sitio Matuod is located here, wherein the Br. Alfred Shields FSC Marine Biological Station is located.

The Br. Alfred Shields FSC Marine Biological Station is the marine laboratory of De La Salle University-Manila. It is located in Sitio Matuod, Lian, Batangas near Talim Bay and also near Mt. Tikbalang. Most of undergraduate and graduate thesis and researches of the university are done in the station. Dr. Wilfredo Licuanan is the current director of the Station.

The Station has basic laboratory and field facilities. These include SCUBA diving gears, tanks, and compressors as well as snorkels and masks; a small outrigger boat, a dry laboratory, reference collections of common marine organisms, computers and various communications and video equipment. Basic housing facilities for faculty and students are also available including two 10-bed dormitory rooms, and a small kitchen. Freshwater supply is provided from a deep well and a generator is available