Dr. Laureta cited for his book on Panay seashells

The winning book of Dr. Laureta

Dr. Liberato V.Laureta, faculty member of the University of the Philippines Visayas’ Institute of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, received the prestigious Gintong Aklat Award, Natural Sciences category, for his book “Compendium of the Economically Important Seashells in Panay, Philippines,” published in 2008 by the UP Press.

The book contains a compilation of colored photographs and illustrations of economically important seashells found in Panay Island.

Local, English and scientific names, habitat, and distribution of these seashells are also included in the compilation.

Dr. Laureta is the Project Leader of a Department of Agriculture-funded project entitled “The Development of Hatchery Techniques for the Oriental Angel Wing, Pholas orientalis, Gmelin (1971).”

The Oriental Angel Wing, or diwal (as locally called), is an economically important bivalve in Panay Island sought after for its sweet and succulent meat.

Twelve finalists and nine winners were chosen from among 268 entries this year.

The awarding was held on September 15, 2010 at the SM Convention Center, Mall of Asia during the Manila International Book Fair.

The Gintong Aklat Award, established in 1981, recognizes excellence in book design, writing, and editing. It is organized by the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP) and the National Book Development Board.

(source of information: Soledad S. Garibay)