WHO IS ANGEL ALCALA?

Angel Alcala is a scientist from the Philippines who has spent over 30 years studying the natural world. He
was born in 1929 and grew up in a coastal village in the Philippines. As part of his long career, Dr. Alcala
studied at Silliman University in the Philippines and Stanford University in the USA. After his graduate
studies, he returned to the Philippines and even worked as president of Silliman University. He currently
serves as a Trustee and Professor Emeritus at Silliman University.
WHAT ARE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ANGEL ALCALA?
His studies on and advocacy of marine no-take zones led to a national policy and program that established
no-take marine protective areas which has resulted in more than a thousand of such marine no-take zones
in the country and has become a model of coastal resource management and conservation adopted by
many countries. No-take marine reserves allows the build-up of marine biodiversity including fishery
species as well as export of adult fish to areas (outside of MPAs) used as fishing areas, thereby enhancing
fish yields of fishers.

He spent his professional life as an academic leader,an institution builder, and a public administrator.He
was appointed as president of the Silliman University,here he helped institutionalize scientific research on
marine biology and marine conservation. Dr. Alcala was appointed to two important positions in the Fidel
V. Ramos Cabinet; he served as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from
1992 to 1995 and later as Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education from 1995 to 1999, with
probity, integrity, and transparency.

National Scientist Alcala is credited for his original and significant publications that are remarkably
substantive on both ecological and taxonomic aspects. He has provided strong support to his colleagues
and peers and has served as a role model among young scientists in support of their scientific and
technological researches.

WHAT MADE HIM PURSUE A CAREER IN SCIENCE?

Angel's father worked as a fish farmer, so Dr. Alcala was introduced to fish at a young age. This was when
his interest and passion for environmental science, especially marine biology, began. When he wasn’t
helping his father Angel would spend most of his time with his brothers catching crabs, shellfish, and shrimps
which would then be served as their meals at home. Fostering a love for the marine life surrounding him wasn’t
hard. Having spent a lot of time near the coral reefs and shallow waters, it is evident how the beauty of the sea
captured the heart of Angel.