Derek Tumala's Digital Biomes Visualize Philippine Climate Crisis Through Decolonial Ecology

Derek Tumala developed a web application in 2022 called Porensiko ng Klimang Tropikal (Tropical Climate Forensics), which showcases seven digital biomes that illustrate environmental vulnerability in the Philippines: INIT (hot), BAGYO (typhoon), TUBIG (water), OBSERBATORYO, KOMUNIDAD (community), GUBAT (forest), and BULKAN (volcano). He collaborated with scientists from the Manila Observatory, utilizing meteorological data and climate predictions. The TUBIG biome includes an audiovisual poem by Maria Rocío Cardoso Arias, titled 'Uncertain Sea Without Horizon' (2021). Tumala, who founded STEAM/Projects in 2016 and received his BFA from the University of Santo Tomas in 2006, aims to challenge Global North climate narratives. He will debut a new installation at Art Fair Philippines in February and has been chosen by Marv Recinto for Future Greats 2024.