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ALYSSA PELEO-ALAMPAY, GEO-STORYTELLER

Much of the information of the article on pre-historic Philippines was gathered from the National Museum and from Ms. Alyssa Peleo-Alampay. Ms. Alampay is married to Gigo Alampay, who is a lawyer, and mother to Katria who is 9 years old and Micah who is turning 7 soon. Her children also love nature and especially love to collect rocks whenever they go out. Her son likes dinosaurs too and is interested in volcanoes, earthquakes and trains. Ms. Peleo-Alampay is also a paleontologist (pa-le-yon-to-lo-jist).

Magozine: What is a paleontologist?

Ms. Peleo-Alampay: A paleontologist is a scientist who studies fossils. These are the remains of plants and animals that have been buried in the earth for a very, very long period of time. We use fossils to tell us the ages of rocks so that we are able to tell the story of the earth even up to billions of years ago.

Magozine: Why did you choose to be a paleontologist?

Ms. Peleo-Alampay: I decided to be a paleontologist even before I entered college. I was fascinated by the natural sciences and loved the outdoors as a child. Geology seemed a good way of mixing all my science interests. I have never regretted that decision and am truly happy and fulfilled with the career path I have chosen.

Magozine: Are there many paleontologists in the Philippines?

Ms. Peleo-Alampay: Yes, lots! There are many kinds of paleontologists. We all specialize or study particular fossils. Some may specialize in big fossils such as dinosaur bones while some like myself choose to study microfossils or fossils that can be seen only with the use of a microscope. The ones I study are called coccolithphores or calcareous nannofossils which are tiny plant plankton living on the ocean surface.

Magozine: If your specialty are microfossils, how did you find the Stegodon bones?

Ms. Peleo-Alampay: The Stegodon bones were accidentally found by a classmate of mine while we were doing field work for a class. Our German professor, Dr. Walter Schoell was the one who recognized the molar as that of an elephant. Dr. Matias' and my research on the Stegodon began from this discovery.

Magozine: What advise can you give future scientists?

Ms. Peleo-Alampay: If you want to be a paleontologist or any kind of scientist someday, you have to keep on reading. The books may not only be on science but about anything in general. You have to love reading because that's the best way to learn about your surroundings and your world. Mot many things are turned into videos or TV programs or written on the Internet, so books and other reading materials are still the best way to learn. Reading will also help you find out what you want to do when you grow up and open your eyes to all the beauty that nature has to offer us whether in rocks, flowers, mountains or animals. Whether you want to be a scientist or not, I think that we should also all love our environment and help to make it better.

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Short Story Not Available in this issue.
Personality Activities
Not Available in this issue. Authors Book Review
In This Issue:
Paulino's Theory
or What may have happened to the dinosaurs

ESSAY

WERE THERE DINOSAURS IN THE PHILIPPINES?
ESSAY

WALK THE DINOSAUR!
ACTIVITY

A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST: MUSEUM OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE
PLACE

Dinosaur Sites
PLACE

DINO SORE
(or The Tyrannosaurus Rex Who Wanted to Shudder)

SHORT STORY

ALYSSA PELEO-ALAMPAY, GEO-STORYTELLER
PERSONALITY

Interview with
GATO BORRERO

PERSONALITY

Book Reviews


Authors and Illustrators


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