By Mia Rose B. Vergara

Faculty and students of the Life Science Department of the CPU College of Arts and Sciences at Guintubdan, La Carlota City.

Six professors from the Department of Life Sciences faculty, including Dr. Stella G. Fernandez, CAS Dean, went on a field trip together with a total of 110 second-year and third-year students, in line with their General Ecology and Systematics subjects, last Nov. 25-27, 2022 at Negros Occidental.

The trip consists of three days and two nights, visiting and enjoying places, including the El Toro Zoo at the Municipality of La Castellana, Century Tree at Canlaon City, and Guintubdan Pavilion of La Carlota City.

The students and faculty members set out early from Iloilo to go across the island, and when the ship arrived at the port, the group made their way to the first destination, El Toro Zoo.

The cohort made a short stop at La Carlota City to meet the mayor as per courtesy of holding the field trip for three days at the Guintubdan pavilion. The city Mayor, Dr. Rex R. Jalando-on, warmly welcomed the Life Sciences Department and showed his generosity.

After the meeting, the group went straight to the zoo at La Castellana, where various animals and unique species vary in size ranging from a small scorpion of a few centimeters to as large as the alligator, which appeared to be five times the human size, are found.

The students took lots of pictures with snakes, skinks, birds, and more, and after exploring the zoo, the group embarked on a path toward Canlaon City to visit the famous and enormous Century Tree.

The group drove back to Sitio Guintubdan, La Carlota City, the site for the field trip proper, known for its freezing climate and relaxing nature, including waterfalls, springs, and numerous trees and flowers.

Despite the arduous slope of the mountain, the students managed to do the task safely and enjoyably with their classmates.

Lastly, as CAS Dean Dr. Stella G. Fernandez iterated during the trip, new experiences, knowledge, and unforgettable memories to be thankful for were gained through this event.