Project Lawud

09/04/2026

Over two remarkable days in Singapore, Project Lawud had the privilege of participating in the World Wildlife Day Regional Youth Symposium on 28–29 March 2026 hosted by NParks.

On the first day, the symposium opened space for important conversations on wildlife trade, wildlife health, and wildlife conservation, especially through discussions under Wild Deals, Viral Consequences and Human-Wildlife Interfaces. These conversations showed how conservation is never separate from people, policy, disease, and the many decisions that shape the future of wildlife.

On the second day, Project Lawud joined the Saltwater Stories: Marine Ecology in Singapore workshop by NParks, where participants learned about coral restoration, marine conservation initiatives, genetic research involving hawksbill sea turtles, disease detection, and the challenges posed by illegal marine wildlife trade. It was a strong reminder that protecting marine ecosystems requires both science and stewardship.

That same afternoon, Project Lawud presented its conservation and research work on dugongs in the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) during the Youth Showcase, with special emphasis on drone research and an interactive quiz game for participants. The booth also shared the conservation work of the Protected Area Management Office of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape on dugongs and SBPS, through the materials they generously provided, including their merch calendar, planner, and the Balud magazine.

Project Lawud’s participation reflected the heart of the symposium theme: the intersections among wildlife trade, wildlife health, and wildlife conservation. Dugong conservation is not only about protecting a vulnerable keystone species. It is also about understanding habitats, listening to communities, supporting research, and building stronger connections between conservation practice and the people who share space with wildlife.

Small milestones matter, and opportunities like this remind us that youth-led conservation work, rooted in collaboration and community, has a meaningful place in shaping the future of marine biodiversity.

03/04/2026

28/03/2026

🌊🐬 Project Lawud at the World Wildlife Day 2026 Regional Youth Symposium hosted by NParks in Singapore! 🐬🌊

We’re thrilled to be part of this year’s celebration with the theme: Exploring Intersections among Wildlife Trade, Wildlife Health, and Wildlife Conservation.

Come visit us at Booth 5 to learn how we’re protecting the Philippine dugongs in the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS)!💙

🎁 MERCH GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🎁
Thanks to our generous sponsor and government partner, the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape, we are giving away:
• 📘 3 winners: Planner + Calendar + Balud magazine
• 📆 7 winners: Planner + Calendar

📍 Where: Booth 5 – Project Lawud
🕐 When: Shift 1, 1:25 PM

How to Join the Quiz:

Head to Booth 5 at 1:25 PM
Register via the QR code or link: https://tinyurl.com/94pr4ya2
Join the Mentimeter quiz and answer questions about the panel discussions, Project Lawud, dugongs, and their habitats.
Pro tip: Review our materials here: https://tinyurl.com/y4cnurwt

💡 Why does this matter?
The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), through PAMO-SBPS, plays a crucial role in dugong conservation in Sarangani Bay. As the governing body of the protected seascape, they implement management strategies, enforce wildlife protection laws, and foster partnerships that allow research and youth-led conservation, like Project Lawud, to thrive. Their support helps ensure that the "sea cows" of Sarangani Bay have a safe and healthy home. 🛡️🌏

Come join us, have fun, test your knowledge, and win some awesome prizes! Let’s celebrate wildlife and learn how we can protect our oceans together. 💙



DENR Soccsksargen

22/03/2026

To , thank you for equipping, inspiring, and reminding us that we are not alone in this fight. We carry your lessons home to Sarangani Bay, where the dugongs and the communities that protect them are waiting.

We are also deeply grateful to and for believing in our mission and championing the conservation of the dugongs in our bay.

10/03/2026

Thank you so much, DENR Soccsksargen, for this opportunity! 💙

08/03/2026

✈️ Project Lawud is heading to Malaysia! 🇲🇾

The five of us—Diofel, Honeylyn, Patrick, Christian Dave, and Lance—are officially on our way to join for an intensive training on dugong research and conservation! 🐋✨ A huge thank you to and for supporting this journey.

Over the next few days, we’ll be diving deep into a mix of theory and hands-on field work, including:
🛩️ Drone operations for surveys and behavioural identification
🎧 Bioacoustics—learning the basics of dugong sounds
🗺️ Reconnaissance & habitat assessment (seagrass, feeding trails, and… p**p ID! 💩)
📊 Data management—QA/QC, coding, and GIS mapping
📸 Photo-ID for dolphins
🌱 ByRA sessions for spatial data management

…and so much more. From the classroom to the field (and even a breakfast run in Mersing!), we’re ready to absorb everything and bring it back to Sarangani Bay. Let’s go, Team Lawud! 💪🌊

08/03/2026

You don’t have to wait to grow up to protect the sea.

On March 7, 2026, Tara sa Lago 2026 brought together Project Lawud, Brgy. Lago, and SK Lago to empower Mindanao’s youth to become the next generation of marine conservation leaders.

Throughout the activity, participants learned about Philippine dugongs, whales, and dolphins, as well as the tropical coastal ecosystems of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape including mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. They also applied the Situation Model from the Conservation Standards, building on our training with CoalitionWILD.

To end the day, participants joined a guided walk to the Lago Marine Protected Area, where they explored different mangrove species and learned about the important role these ecosystems play in keeping our dugongs healthy and protect our coasts against climate change.

Proudly supported by DENR-XII, the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape-Protected Area Management Office, The Iris Project, The Global Fund for Children, and the Society for Marine Mammalogy, this initiative is rooted in a simple belief: when young people are connected to their coast, their community, and their purpose, they can become powerful champions for the ocean.

This is what hope can look like: local, collective, and led by the next generation.