TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Samar State University’s (SSU) Science Research Specialist (SRS) Ms. Christine Capidos gave a plenary lecture at the 2025 Regional Health Research Symposium (RHRS) held yesterday, December 1, 2025, at Summit Hotel, Tacloban City. The event carried the theme “One Health for All: Igniting Transdisciplinary Solutions for a Healthier Eastern Visayas.”
Ms. Capidos delivered the plenary topic, “From Sea to Society: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Jellyfish Awareness and Risk Management in Eastern Visayas,” that emphasized the urgent need to recognize jellyfish-related incidents as a public health concern in marine-dependent regions.
In her presentation, Ms. Capidos highlighted that while the Philippines sits at the heart of global marine biodiversity, this geographic advantage also exposes the country to silent but deadly marine hazards. She stressed the increasing presence of the highly venomous box jellyfish Chironex yamaguchii in Eastern Visayas, a threat that continues to be overlooked despite its serious implications on tourism, coastal livelihoods, and community safety.
“These creatures are not just a nuisance; their stings represent a serious, overlooked public health risk,” she stressed, urging lawmakers, local government units, and relevant sectors to acknowledge the issue and respond with urgency. She noted that jellyfish stings, if unmanaged, can lead to severe injury or fatality yet the topic remains a low priority in public safety agendas.
Ms. Capidos presented a Solution Framework anchored on three key components:
- Ecology & Mitigation: Understanding jellyfish presence and implementing non-lethal prevention strategies;
- Health & Response: Ensuring effective medical reaction to stings to reduce mortality and morbidity;
- Education & Community: Promoting long-term resilience through knowledge-sharing and behavioral change.
Her session contributed to the broader objectives of the symposium, which convened health researchers, scientists, and policymakers committed to progressing collaborative solutions for a healthier and more resilient Eastern Visayas.
Alongside Capidos, Dr. Noel Espallardo, Dean of the Samar Island Institute of Medicine (SIIM), also presented at the symposium where he delivered a plenary session on “Harnessing Transdisciplinary Approaches for Health Systems Strengthening.”
The RHRS 2025 runs until today, December 2, where the second day features presentations and research posters for competition.