FUNGI, often overshadowed by bacteria in microbiology, may hold answers to some of the country’s most pressing challenges in agriculture, healthcare, and the environment, according to Thomasian microbiologists.
New Thomasian officers of the Mycological Society of the Philippines (MSP) hope to shed light on fungi’s essential yet often disregarded role in sustaining ecosystems and fostering medical advancements.
While bacteria often dominate discussions in microbiology, fungi — including mushrooms, lichens, and yeasts — play equally vital roles. The study of fungi, known as mycology, opens possibilities for food security, medicine, and climate action.
Fungi enrich soil, assist in bioremediation, and sequester carbon dioxide in the ground.
Asst. Prof. Jaycee Paguirigan, a College of Science faculty member specializing in lichens, said fungi produce secondary metabolites — compounds not essential to their survival but potentially crucial in medicine.
“When it comes to health, these fungi are actually considered untapped sources of secondary metabolites,” Paguirigan said. “Ibig sabihin, hindi natin sila masyadong pinapansin, pero they actually contain a lot of secondary metabolites that could be used to inhibit some multidrug-resistant microorganisms.”
Some metabolites, he added, have shown promise in studies about cancer and other serious illnesses. But with only a handful of Filipino experts in the field, research progress remains slow.
Paguirigan stressed the need to train more experts in fungi research.
“Hindi natin binibigyan ng pansin ’yong fungi, when in fact, ang laki-laki ng part nila in our environment, in everything,” Paguirigan said.
At the same time, fungi also present dangers as crop pathogens, with the rise of antifungal resistance posing a growing concern for scientists worldwide.
Unlike antibiotics, which are closely regulated, fungicides remain easily available in farm stores and even on online marketplaces.
Jeane Dela Cruz of the Department of Biological Sciences, who examines soil fungi and their agricultural impact, warned that this easy access accelerates resistance.
“Kapag kasi sinabi nating antimicrobial resistance, ang focus is mostly on bacteria,” she said. “Wala masyadong pumapansin sa fungi, so that’s where we enter.”
“You can buy from Lazada, from Shopee, everywhere you can get the fungicides. ‘Yong effect niya sa fungicide is the same effect that we have with bacteria, so they can also develop antifungal resistance,” she added, cautioning that unchecked crop infections could eventually endanger food supply.
In June, Dela Cruz and Paguirigan were elected Mycology Society of the Philippines (MSP) vice president and board member, respectively.
MSP advocates for the inclusion of fungi in biodiversity considerations and seeks to grow the number of researchers in mycology by supporting undergraduate and graduate studies.
“Hopefully, makadagdag kami sa pool ng mycologists na maga-guide ‘yong students sa research nila sa mycology,” Dela Cruz said.
Other Thomasian academic staff elected were Asst. Prof. Enrico Cabutaje as public relations officer and Asst. Prof. Sittie Macabago and Prof. Thomas Edison Dela Cruz as board members.
Founded in 1999, the Mycological Society of the Philippines seeks to expand fungi research, mentor aspiring scientists, and enhance public understanding of mycology nationwide.
The society elected its new officers during the 26th MSP Annual Scientific Meeting and Symposium, held June 4-5 at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. With reports from Frenchshield Shayne G. Delovieres and Marielle F. Pesa
