Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. – John 11:25-26
MACRINA Acenas Tamayo-Zafaralla, second of four offspring of Roman Tamayo and Corazon Acenas of Alaminos City, Pangasinan died at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila on July 23, 2025. She was 79.
A doctor of environmental science, she taught for 45 years at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, a public research university primarily located in Los Baños and Bay in Laguna, until she retired in 2015.
An alumna of the UPLB where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and UP Diliman where she was awarded a doctorate in environmental science before she joined the academe.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Paul Blanco Zafaralla of Pinili, Ilocos Norte, former chairman of the UPLB Department of Humanities and UP art critic in residence, their children Cherry Lyn, Manolito, Karen, Eijalin, four children-in-law, and six grandchildren.
Zafaralla, born in Alaminos City on Nov. 11, 1945, is the cousin-in-law of Honor Blanco Cabie, Opinion Editor of Manila Standard.
One of her children, Karen, sketched their mother as “a pillar of strength during difficult moments” who helped them turn to prayers if they sensed danger in whatever path they were on.
Fellow academics at the UPLB described Zafaralla as a hardworking professor of environmental science who helped institute “the rehabilitation and restoration of the country’s dying lakes, creeks and rivers.”
One said she was interested in elevating the livelihood of small fishermen and used her classroom “to transfer her knowledge of science to her students.”
At home and abroad, she read scientific papers and was given recognitions and awards.
Her life was filled with involvement in religious activities,while she introduced the technology called the Aquatic Macrophyte Biosorption System (AMBS) which could be used to help restore fish populations in creeks and rivers.
AMBS is a low-cost, phytoremediation system that utilizes aquatic plants and readily available materials like bamboo to improve water quality and create a more suitable habitat for fish. That restores fishes in creeks and rivers,
The weekend wake was held at the Diocesan Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Barangay Batong Malake in UPLB where Mass was also celebrated. Interment will be at the DSSTCJ on Sunday, July 27, at 1.00 p.m.
