Years ago, before typhoon Ondoy inundated Metro Manila, I visited the Jesuit Manila Observatory building with the UNESCO Marine Science sub-committee. I was struck by its detailed charting of the floods that occur regularly in the 16 cities and municipalities of Metro Manila. With such a valuable source of data, why were 11 million Metro Manila residents not forewarned and well prepared to adjust to the worst consequences of Philippine typhoons by a unified network of government agencies? Thus, I sought to understand better how this historical observatory works.
Then I met Jesuit priest, physicist, Rev. Father Victor Badillo, now retired. From 1967 to 2008, Fr. Victor worked in the Observatory, where he focused on the Ionosphere Department from 1990 to 2004. Here he narrates the history of the Jesuit observatory:
1865 – Providing typhoon warning for Philippine ships
In 1865, Manila merchants asked the Ateneo to provide typhoon warnings for the safety of their ships. A group was spun off the Ateneo to be the Manila Observatory.
It provided typhoon warnings, and then went into the systematic observation of the weather, earthquakes, volcanoes, gravity, and geomagnetism. In 1884, the Spanish government recognized MO as the official institution for weather forecasting.
In 1885, MO began its time service and in 1899, astronomical studies, all these areas in the interest of research and service. In 1898, the American government took over the Philippines. It established MO as the Philippine Weather Bureau in 1901. This was the arrangement until the Philippines became independent in 1946. For almost half a century, the Observatory actively participated in international expositions and scientific studies.
Its unfortunate destruction by the Japanese war
The Japanese occupied the Philippines in 1942 and the work of MO stopped. In 1945, Manila was destroyed, and MO with it. It was bad enough for buildings and instruments to go up in smoke. These could be replaced, but gone were irreplaceable records, collected with sweat and much time from diaries of private, public and church records, newspapers, from oral recollections by individuals now dead. The Philippines, independent in 1946, decided to have a government run Weather Bureau. In later years, this was called PAGASA.
In 1951, MO resumed operation in Baguio, initially confining its research to seismology, geomagnetism, and the study of ionosphere. It immediately telegraphed needed seismic data to Honolulu, which received similar data from countries bordering the Pacific. This office then decided if a tsunami warning was to be issued. At the bedside of Fr. Doucette was an alarm that went off when an earthquake was detected. He jumped off the bed to get the needed seismic parameter. Started too was solar research, the study of the sun, the source of all energy. Sammy Dicang, a native of Baguio, had the rare distinction of photographing the sun and analyzing the sunspot for 30 years. The sun is constantly changing. What goes on in the sun affects us.
The International Geophysical Year (IGY) was launched in 1957. Data was needed from all over the world about almost everything on the earth. MO contributed to this effort.
1963 – Training future Filipino scientists at Loyola Heights
In 1963, MO transferred to the Loyola Heights campus of the Ateneo de Manila University, where it continued its seismic, geomagnetic and radio physics research while expanding into solar physics as well. MO started the geomagnetic station in Davao. The magnetic equator passed from Davao to Palawan. Data at this location is vital.
At the campus of the Ateneo University, MO performed a new function. It provided teachers and directors of theses for graduate work in physics. This would train future Filipino scientists. One need not go abroad for these.
The Environmental Research Division was started, which became independent as Environmental Studies for Social Concern (ESSC). It devotes itself to the study of local communities and their role in the conservation of their forests.
Located in Manila, MO could team up with other organizations to share insights and ideals. A case is COWS (National Committee on Warning System), with members from media, the military, PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, Civil Defense, DOST. It was active in the founding of private science societies, like Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas, the Philippine Astronomical Society and similar.
Notable publications are: Fr. Aglue’s “The Cyclones of Far East”; Fr. Jose Corona’s “The Climate of Weather in the Philippines 1903/1918” in Census of the Philippines Vol. 1, 291-474 (1920); Fr. William Repetti’s “Catalogue of Philippine Earthquakes 1589-1899”, Bull Seism Soc Am 36 (1946) 133-322. It survived the burning of MO because Pablo Guzman, first Filipino Jesuit member of MO buried the manuscript. Fr. Algue and Fr. Clos, “Atlas of the Philippines” and the two volume “El Archipelago Filipino,” which would be better called “Philippine Encyclopedia of Science.” It was published by the US government.
The Ignatian commitment to scientific culture
In a period characterized by a growing concern for the environment and sustainable development, the 1990s, offered new challenges to the institute. In this context, the institute envisions itself to be more responsive and provocative in new and pressing issues by pursuing scientific research and development work. It will ensure that its research outputs are of highest quality and are translated into materials that are relevant to the emerging needs of the global environment.
Inspired by Ignatian spirituality, the Manila Observatory is committed to a scientific culture for sustainable development of the Philippines in its regional and global context through research excellence in environmental and pre-disaster science particularly in the areas of atmospheric studies, solid earth dynamics and instrumentation.
To achieve this, MO dedicates itself to: 1) Conduct continuing scientific research, 2) Form future scientists, 3) Network with allied groups, 4) Engaged in information, education, communication efforts, 5) Collect and manage special research materials, 6) Build the capability of local communities, focusing on the urban environment, 7) Advocate key policies needing scientific inputs.
In the midst of constant change, MO has not changed in the pursuit of serving the country through science.
(Next week: MO Guide for Filipinos to Adjust to Climate Change)
Erratum: Sara Soliven de Guzman, Philippine STAR “As a Matter of Fact” columnist, graduated from Loyola Marymount University, L.A., not Marymount College.