THE Department of Science and Technology’s National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) honored outstanding Filipino scientists, technologists and researchers, including TV weatherman Nathaniel A. Cruz, more popularly known as Mang Tani, during the 82nd NRCP General Membership Assembly and Scientific Conference held on March 11 at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The 2014 NRCP Achievement Award is bestowed on individuals in various fields of basic and applied sciences, including social science and humanities, for their pioneering efforts and sterling contributions to community development and to the advancement of their field of specialization. As Mang Tani, Cruz has captured the attention of TV viewers with his effective method of weather reporting, allowing the general public to clearly understand scientific and technical information and disaster-preparedness tips on typhoons.
He is also engaged in various activities in relation to climate change, climatology, vulnerability assessment and applied meteorology, which have helped enrich the field and further improve practitioners’ knowledge and skills.
Some of his research-based recommendations have been adopted and used by both the government and the private sectors in their program designs for disaster preparedness and mitigation.
A former chief weather forecaster of the DOST-The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Cruz is now an active member-researcher of NRCP’s Division of Earth and Space Sciences.
Cruz was joined by 10 other scientists and researchers in the roster of honorees for the NRCP Achievement Award. They are Belinda V. de Castro for her studies on shadow education in the Philippines; Roberto B. Corcino for his publications in local and international journals, as well as his contributions to math education and development; Cynthia I. Valencia for her promotion of good clinical practice in the country; Judilynn N. Solidum for her outstanding research on dengue management,
Teresita H. Borromeo for her contribution to crop/plant genetic resources and gene bank management; Allan N. Soriano for his sterling works on thermodynamic characterization of novel carbon dioxide capture solvents; Maria Ela L. Atienza for her outstanding performance in her undergraduate and graduate degrees; Percival F. Almoro for his research works and contributions in holography and optical metrology; Gerardo C. Janairo for his breakthrough in organic synthesis; and Carmencita D. Mateo for her accomplishments in animal nutrition and health.