DORSU Center for Futures Thinking and Regenerative Development

25/08/2026

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | 𝐌𝐇𝐑𝐖𝐒 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩

Day 1 of the MHRWS Stakeholders’ Planning Workshop on the MHRWS Enforcement and Restoration Plan is underway at the DOrSU Graduate School Library.

As part of the workshop’s futures-oriented discussions, Dr. Ricksterlie Verzosa, the Director for Center for Futures Thinking and Regenerative Development presented the Preferred Futures and Strategic Directions, or VGMO (Vision, Goals, Mission, and Objectives) for the MHRWS Enforcement and Restoration Plan.

The discussion invites stakeholders to look beyond the present and collectively shape a preferred future for the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS), translating shared aspirations into strategic directions for enforcement, protection, and restoration.

The two-day workshop, held on August 25–26, 2026, is conducted in partnership with the MHRWS Protected Area Management Office (MHRWS-PAMO) and brings together key stakeholders from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), and the Local Government Units of Mati City, San Isidro, and Governor Generoso, alongside other partners and representatives.

From shared visions to strategic action, the workshop puts Futures Thinking into practice for the protection and regeneration of one of Davao Oriental’s most important natural heritage areas.

18/08/2026

𝙁𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙧𝙮𝙣𝙖 𝙥𝙞𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙖𝙚: 𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗻. 𝗣𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝘆𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗼

The Center for Futures Thinking and Regenerative Development (CFTRD) recognizes the publication of a newly described beetle species, 𝘍𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘺𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘢𝘦 Medina & Dagpin (2026), discovered in the high-elevation forests of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor and named in honor of Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” S. Cayetano. The species name recognizes Sen. Cayetano’s contribution to the establishment of DOrSU’s CFTRD, which supports research, innovation, and extension initiatives grounded in futures thinking and regenerative development.

The study, “Catalog of the genus 𝘍𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘺𝘯𝘢 Breuning, 1961 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the Philippines with description of a new species from Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor,” was authored by Lourenz Kate I. Dagpin, Daven Jayson D. Agbas, Graden G. Obrial, Jhonnel P. Villegas, Mark Aljen D. Binocal, and Milton Norman D. Medina of DOrSU’s Tropical Genomics and Invertebrate Research Laboratory–University Research Complex (URESCOM) and CFTRD. The paper was published in the international taxonomic journal Zootaxa, Volume 5869, Issue 1, pages 139–149.

Read the full paper here: https://tinyurl.com/u4e6xyvw

30/07/2026

07/05/2026

Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) continues to gain global recognition through innovation-driven and regenerative initiatives anchored by the Center for Futures Thinking and Regenerative Development (CFTRD).

In the 2026 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), DOrSU secured placements in five categories, highlighted by its remarkable 15th global ranking in C2 – Interdisciplinary, Convergent, and Integrated Research through the project “Macro- and Micro-Plastic Pollution (M2P2) in Marine Ecosystem and Fisheries in South-Eastern Mindanao.”*

Among these recognitions, two categories strongly reflect the vision, direction, and continuing initiatives of CFTRD:

✨ B1 – Visionary Leadership (35th place)
through “Hiraya ng Silangang Davao” — a transformative initiative advancing institutional capacity-building toward the establishment of a Center for Futures Thinking and Regenerative Development. The initiative promotes anticipatory governance, regenerative development, and futures literacy as pathways for resilient and innovation-oriented higher education.

✨ B8 – University Brand and Reputation (93rd place)
through “Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) – Building a Regenerative Futures University through Futures Thinking and Regenerative Development.” This recognition affirms DOrSU’s emerging identity as a regenerative futures university that integrates sustainability, systems thinking, interdisciplinary research, and community responsiveness into its institutional direction.

The university was likewise recognized in:

▪️ B6 – Infrastructure and Technologies (93rd place) for its Sustainable Smart Campus Initiative supporting transformative and technology-enabled education;

▪️ C5 – Social Impact through Knowledge Transfer (89th place) for strengthening community-based coastal resource management through technology and skills transfer in Mayo Bay and adjacent ecosystems.

These recognitions demonstrate how CFTRD’s framework on Futures Thinking and Regenerative Development is increasingly shaping DOrSU’s research, leadership, innovation, and community engagement initiatives toward global relevance and local impact.

30/04/2026

New 𝑲𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒏 Policy Brief now out!

𝐌𝐭. 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤: 𝐀 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞–𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲–𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

By Art Benjie C. Bulaong, Rotchie M. Ravelo, Mark Anthony L. Lawani, Lovella Fe M. Tacder, Roy G. Ponce, Giovanne M. Tampus, Bernadette Jumawan-Nanual, Elsa May Delima-Baron, Helina Jean P. D**a, Jhonnel P. Villegas, & Ricksterlie C. Verzosa

This policy brief advances the designation of Mt. Mayo Range as an ASEAN Heritage Park, highlighting its exceptional biodiversity, critical watershed functions, and strong local policy foundation within the Mt. Kampalili–Puting Bato Key Biodiversity Area.

It calls for immediate, coordinated institutional action—anchored on co-management with the Mandaya Indigenous Peoples and aligned with regional frameworks—to translate existing scientific and legal readiness into globally recognized conservation status.

📋 Download the article here: https://tinyurl.com/Katigaman-1-s2026

15/04/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐨!

We warmly welcome and extend our heartfelt congratulations to 𝗗𝗿. 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗦. 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗼 on her new designation as the Vice President of the Research, Innovation, and Extension (RIE) Division! 🎉

Her exemplary leadership, dedication to advancing research, and passion for meaningful community engagement make her a truly deserving leader in this role. We are confident that under her guidance, the RIE Division will continue to flourish.

We are honored to have her serve in this new capacity and look forward to the achievements and milestones ahead. Wishing her great success as she begins this exciting journey!

14/04/2026

Happy Birthday and Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Dr. Jimenez!

Happy Birthday and Happy Retirement Day, Dr. Lea A. Jimenez — the Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension (RIE) Division!

Today, we celebrate not only your special day but also your remarkable years of dedication, leadership, and service. Your passion for research, innovation, and extension has inspired many and created a lasting impact on the institution and the communities you have served.

As you begin this new chapter of retirement, may it bring you happiness, good health, and more time to enjoy the things you love most. Your legacy will continue to guide and motivate us.

Happy Birthday and Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Dr. Jimenez!

09/04/2026

The DOrSU – Center for Futures Thinking and Regenerative Development (CFTRD) proudly congratulates our resident futurists, Dr. Roy G. Ponce and Assoc. Prof. Jhonnel P. Villegas, for the international recognition of their scholarly work.

Their paper, “Beyond Sustainability: Positioning Regenerative Futures in a Philippine State University,” has been cited in the book chapter “Ecological Integrity: A Beguiling but Ultimately Problematic Challenge for Ecological University” authored by Ronald Barnett and Nicola Kemp. This chapter is included in the Handbook of Ecological Civilization: Concept, Philosophy, and Pedagogy, published by Springer Nature.

This citation reflects the growing global relevance of their work and highlights DOrSU’s contribution to advancing regenerative futures and ecological thought in higher education.





[Layout: NB Angel & KL Tipudan, BSIT interns]

09/04/2026

| 𝗗𝗢𝗿𝗦𝗨, 𝗟𝗚𝗨 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗗𝗜𝗣 𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻
​
Through its Center for Gender and Development, Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU), in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Tarragona, secured 3rd Place in the 2026 DIP Lab Policy Hackathon: Polisiya, Pasya, Siyensya, held on April 7–8, 2026, in Davao City.
​
The winning proponents were Dr. Helina Jean P. D**a, Dr. Ricksterlie C. Verzosa, Mark Aljen D. Binocal, and Mark Anthony Lawani, who competed under the theme “Invisible Hands: Family Labor and Gender Gaps in the AANR Sector.”
​
The event was jointly organized by the Development Innovations and Policy Laboratory of UPLB College of Public Affairs and Development, GAD Lab in AANR of UP Mindanao, and the Mindanao Development Authority.

08/04/2026

The Center for Futures Thinking and Regenerative Development (CFTRD) congratulates Mr. Jerd Dela M. Gente, Mr. Diether C. Montejo, Ms. Vanessa E. Asaias-Yncierto, Dr. Roy G. Ponce, and Assoc. Prof. Jhonnel P. Villegas on the publication of their research article!

📘 "Sustainable Event Tourism: Perceived Socio-Economic Impacts of Mindanao Inter-University Games in Southeastern Philippines"
Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education (2026)
DOI: 10.2478/dcse-2026-0006

The study highlights strong community support for the MASTS Games, driven by social, economic, and image-related benefits, while also emphasizing the need to manage social costs for sustainable event tourism.

Congratulations on this meaningful contribution!

[Scan the QR code to read the full paper.]

Layout: N Angel & KL Tipudan | IT interns