| Leticia Espiritu Afuang | |
| Image Upright: | 1 |
| Fields: | Herpetology, Conservation, Ecology, Biodiversity |
| Workplaces: | University of the Philippines Los Baños, UPLB Museum of Natural History, Central Luzon State University |
| Alma Mater: | University of the Philippines Los Baños (PhD Environmental Science), University of the Philippines Los Baños (MS Zoology),University of the Philippines Diliman (BS Zoology) |
| Known For: | Conserving and Investigating the Distribution of Herpetofauna Across the Philippines |
Leticia "Letty" E. Afuang is a Filipina biologist and wildlife conservationist currently working as a professor under the Animal Biology Division of the Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB),[1] located in the Philippine province of Laguna.[2] She is also one of the main curators for the Zoological and Wildlife Collection at the UPLB Museum of Natural History.[3] While known as the "Snake Lady," her research as a herpetologist also focuses on other reptiles, amphibians and a wide array of herpetofauna across the Philippine islands. As an advocate for environmental sustainability, she has founded multiple organizations such as the Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation and the Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines.
Having grown up on a farm in the province of Isabela,[4] Afuang was fond of animals from a young age. While attending La Salette High School,[5] Afuang's interest in animals, especially amphibians, began to further develop in biology class. She frequently preserved lizard, worm and insect specimens to study after class.
While completing her bachelor's degree in zoology in 1979 from the University of the Philippines Diliman, she gradually shifted her focus to invertebrates. Continuing her interests in biodiversity, she received her master's degree in zoology in 1985 from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Afuang initially attempted to apply to UP Diliman for her master's degree, but was late during the admissions cycle and was accepted into UP Los Baños instead. She then came to appreciate UP Los Baños and the provincial environment presented there. From the same university, Afuang earned her PhD in environmental science 18 years later, in 2003. By then, she was an expert in planning, developing and managing protected areas with regards to wildlife biology and herpetology.
Shortly after earning her BS in zoology, Afuang began her temporary teaching career at Central Luzon State University (CLSU) located in the province of Nueva Ecija. After teaching for only one semester, she was granted a scholarship to pursue graduate school. After earning her MS in Zoology, she would often bring her CLSU students to UPLB for summer trainings in wildlife sciences. In 1989, Afuang was elected to serve as the chairperson of the Department of Biological Sciences at CLSU. After two years, she resigned from CLSU and began teaching continued her career as faculty member, researcher and extensionist at UPLB. Since 1992, she has collaborated with the regional office of the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) and various non-governmental organizations to instruct Teacher's Training about the conservation of biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Currently, she juggles being a biology professor at UPLB, museum curator for UPLB Museum of Natural History, research scientist and environmental activist.
Continuing to advocate for sustainability, she became one of the founding members of the Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (MBCF), Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines (BCSP, but formally known as the Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines), Polillo Island Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, and Herpwatch Philippines.[6] Afuang has previously served as founding president, but is now the vice president of MBCF. From 2001-2002, she was also the project manager of the National Biodiversity Conservation Priority Setting Program. This program has provided the foundation for a variety of conservation funding initiatives. Currently, she is the chairperson of the Program Management Committee on MS in Wildlife Studies and the vice chair of the Reptiles and Amphibians Technical Working Group subcommittee for the Philippine Red List of Threatened Committee for Wild Fauna as appointed by the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Afuang is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species specialist group for the Philippine amphibians and reptiles.
Afuang's interest in snakes and other herpetofauna heavily influenced her fieldwork as a researcher. Afuang began most of her research during her PhD years, which included identifying, classifying and assessing herpetofauna distributions on Mindoro Island. She later investigated a variety of amphibians and reptiles with regards to updating threatened species lists and taxonomy. Her field work spans across the Philippine landscape including Marinduque Island, Luzon Island, Calayan Island, Balesin Island, Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, Calamianes Islands-Busuanga, and the Caraballo Mountain Range.[7]
Afuang was granted the Outstanding Extentionist Award for her duty as a diligent and hardworking professor/curator at UPLB in 2012. She was then featured under the UPLB Outstanding Personnel list on the UPLB Office of Alumni Relations Website.[13] On the same year, she was also recognized as Outstanding Alumnus by the School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM).
Afuang was also the co-author of several editions of Sourcebooks, such as the "Mindoro Treasures", which serves as a teaching guide for environmental awareness. "Mindoro Treasures" has won two awards including the Quill Award in 2019[14] and an Asia-Pacific Stevie Award for innovation in the non-profit/NGO category in 2020.[15]
The organizations that Afuang co-founded (MBCFI and BCSP) have also been recognized. Notable MBCFI awards include the Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines in 2017,[16] and a Certificate of Recognition from the Department of Education - Calapan Division. In addition, BCSP has been hosting the annual Philippine Biodiversity Symposium since 1992.[17] During these symposiums, local and international wildlife biologists discuss recent research developments about Philippine biodiversity conservation efforts.
Afuang also features as a co-host on the YouTube channel "Kwentong Likas Yaman Clips". Her episodes are titled "Kwentong Likas Yaman nina Doc JD at Doc Letty", and she and her co-host features guests who discuss various environmental issues, personal stories, ongoing conservation efforts and other relevant issues on environment ethics and values. Additionally, she is a frequent scientific guest on popular Philippine TV shows such as "Born to be Wild", "Kapuso Mo Jessica Sojo", "Brigada Syete", and other radio shows.
With retirement in the near future, one of Afuang's greatest achievements during her career was increasing students' interests in herpetology and drawing more attention to environmental issues. The course and research in Herpetology at UPLB, after being inactive for 3 years, was revived by Afuang herself. By inviting distinguished guest lecturers such as Angel Alcala and other faculty to co-teach, Afuang gradually reignited the curiosity for herpetology. Afuang has a deep passion for amphibians and reptiles, and despite being accidentally envenomated by a viper during field work in 2002, some twenty years ago, her unrelenting enthusiasm for herps, particularly snakes is clearly reflected throughout her work. In addition to promoting wildlife education, her focus in identifying priority areas for conservation in the Philippines has been foundational to the Philippine ecosystem. Overall, being a mentor to the future generation of biologists and scientists who are establishing themselves as good herpetologists, gives Afuang great fulfillment for her contribution to science and society.