Meet the Daluhay Team
Paul David Watts, Dr. Sc.
President
Paul was born in Toronto, Canada with his primary influence being his father who introduced Paul to both the out of doors and the concept of working cross-cultural. Through his two mothers, Paul learned to look after himself and how to succeed at his endeavors. He attended the University of Guelph and obtained a BSc. in Wildlife Biology. He then met up with the great Norwegian scientist, Nils Are Øritsland and went north to Churchill on Hudson Bay to study polar bears. After completing his doctorate on polar bear energetics through the University of Oslo in Norway, Paul worked at starting the Institute of Arctic Ecophysiology. This effort evolved into an Ethnoecology Program through the University of Manitoba with a focus on involving indigenous leaders as co-instructors. After almost three decades focused on Northern Canada, in 2004 Paul decided to expand his lifelong interest in volunteering to work on international development. Accepted by Volunteer Services Overseas to work in the Philippines, Paul met Marivic while training at the University of British Columbia.
Marivic G. Pajaro, PhD
Executive Director
Marivic’s career began as a natural sciences instructor at the Emilio Aguinaldo College in Manila and at the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology in Mindanao then worked as a Research Assistant at the UP-Marine Science Institute and then moved to Haribon Foundation to supervise various marine and terrestrial ecosystem-based projects. She then pursued her doctoral degree on Resource Management and Environmental Studies at the University of British Columbia and upon coming back to the Philippines, headed the Aurora Marine Research and Development Institute. Central to her work is a focus upon synergizing around two concepts: firstly, recognizing the significant and facilitating the role of local people in resource management and secondly, actualizing the importance of scaling up the ecological approach for sustainability. Given the well documented needs associated with small-scale fisherfolk, farmers and indigenous peoples communities in the Philippines, she is currently focused on advancing the “ridge to reef “ approach by nurturing ecological and social networks, provision of supplemental livelihoods, para-professional trainings and other capacity building initiatives of local stakeholders.
Mary Shan Faye B. Alejos
Natural Resource Management Specialist
Shan earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology in the University of the Philippines-Baguio where she found her passion for both community development and environmental conservation. Her first surfing wave helped her discover her affinity with the ocean that soon made her go for the “big move” from the city to Baler, Aurora where she started as a volunteer in Daluhay.
Her work with the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation (MERF), Daluhay and other stakeholders began in 2016 and initiated a Bioregional network across the 10 provinces of the North Philippine Sea. She continues to work with Indigenous and Artisanal groups across the bioregion through a ridge to reef approach in biodiversity conservation through versatile roles in Daluhay including but not limited to research, marketing and communications and sustainable livelihood.
For. Marilyn F. Dela Torre
Forest Management Specialist
Marilyn is a member of the Dumagat Tribe from the coastal settlement in Dibut, San Luis, Aurora. With indigenous roots and a heart close to the forests, she has been determined to help empower marginal sectors of the community and conserve natural resources. She started off as a volunteer in Daluhay as she pursued her degree and earned a license in Forestry before landing a position as a Research Assistant. She extends technical assistance in nursery establishment and rainforestation, forest resource inventories and community and project development. Currently, she is one of the Rainforest Trust Conservation Fellows working with the indigenous communities of Dumagat and Alta in protecting the Philippine Eagle within their ancestral domains.
Ria L. Esteves
Community Development Officer
Ria is a member of the Agta tribe of Dumaguipo Settlement, Casiguran, Aurora. From a young age, she already showed motivation in the promotion of unity in her tribe and upholding their rights. Working tirelessly to promote the conservation of their culture and their Ancestral Domain, she has almost a decade of experience in community organization and development serving her fellow Agtas. She was the president of the IP Organization Sulong Ipagtanggol Karapatan Katutubo (SIKAP-KA). She has been recognized for her leadership in the community and has been featured in CNN Philippines for her work. She is currently the Community Development Officer for Daluhay, her role vital in bridging Daluhay and the Agta community.
Daniel B. Amores
Admin and Finance Officer
Daniel finished his degree in Business Administration in Mount Carmel College, Baler. However, outside his business degree, he has years of experience working in the non-profit sector. He was a Catechist coordinator for different public schools in Baler and also served for the Earth ministry for a church in the municipality. He was also a former convenor for a campaign to bring awareness on the importance of faith, family, and the environment to the local communities of Aurora.
Daniel brings together his experience of working with different communities to Daluhay as a Community Development Assistant with a focus on the Agta communities of Northern Aurora towards the establishment of their Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas and territories (ICCA).