His silver hair and well-toned skin hardly reveal his age of 86 years. In fact, listening to him talk in his usual passionate and thickly accented manner, one may even imagine him to be a few decades younger. Speaking about the sea and explaining the intricacies of the ecosystem beneath it is part of National Scientist Angel Alcala’s daily route of delivering his talks extemporaneously. During a youth camp in Siaton town, Negros Oriental province, on April 28, he posed a challenge to the young audience: It’s now your turn to protect the environment.

Grafe, N. V., & Acedo, C. (2015, August 1). At 86, still a marine biodiversity champion. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A9.