link august-sept 13 - University of the Philippines Los Baños

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Monthly community newsletter of the University of the Philippines Los Baños
August-September 2013
UPLB should become
‘‘value creators’’says
Arizona U prof
“What happens at UP should not stay at UP.” With these
words, Dr. Jose L. Cuello, University of Arizona (UA) professor
and UPLB alumni, set the tone for his seminar “Acting Locally
and Partnering Globally: Remaking UPLB’s Excellence in
the Knowledge-Based Global Economy of the 21st Century”
hosted by the University on Aug. 7 at the College of Arts and
Sciences lecture hall.
According to Cuello, it is UP’s mission to help “illuminate
the way” for a nation facing significant economic challenges
in a globalized world – “a world without walls.” UP and its
role in its next 100 years is crucial in the development of a
self-governing nation, he said.
Cuello, a Professor of Agriculture and Biosystems
Engineering and the Director of the Global Institute for
Strategic Agriculture in Dry Lands (GISAD) in the UA, was
in town to grace Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz’s invitation to
give a lecture in UPLB. Chancellor Cruz is an alumnus of
the UA, having obtained his PhD in Watershed Management
there in 1990.
Cuello opened his lecture by discussing globalization
and the emergence of 21st century globally integrated
enterprises as two transformational forces that are changing
the world and society.
Chancellor Cruz hands over a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Cuello, his
fellow Arizona University alumni, for sharing his global and progressive
insight to the UPLB community (Photo by JLR Roble)
The globally integrated enterprise is a term used to
denote a company that fashions its strategy, its management,
and its operations in pursuit of a new goal: the integration of
production and value delivery worldwide.
What this means, Cuello said, is that unlike traditional
businesses whose operations are based in their home
countries, globally integrated enterprises can locate functions
anywhere in the world, based on the right cost, skills, and
environment.
‘Arizona’, page 6
UPLB hosts Jiggy Manicad TV Lecture
UPLB hosted the second leg of
the Jiggy Manicad TV Lecture Series
on Aug. 30, at the D.L. Umali Hall.
The event featured talks by Manicad,
UPLB alumnus and one of the most
distinguished broadcast journalists in
the Philippines today; Marnie Manicad,
TV and film director and producer and
Jiggy’s spouse; and Maricar Cinco,
Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter and a
UPLB graduate as well.
Dr. Enrique L. Tolentino, Jr.,
Vi c e C h a n c e l l o r f o r C o m m u n i t y
Affairs gave the opening remarks and
introduced Manicad to the audience,
which was composed of more than
Jiggy Manicad
300 Development Communication
and Communication Arts students as
well as high school students from the
municipality of Los Baños. Dr. Tolentino
underscored the importance of media
and media practitioners as agents of
change and partners in nation building.
He also commended Jiggy for his
initiative in public service using media.
Jiggy, an AB Communication Arts
graduate, told the audience that the
Jiggy Manicad TV Lectures series was
born from his own personal advocacy
and as a way of serving the public. He
explained that it was conceptualized to
‘UPLB’, page 6
NEWS
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ICOPED-CDA STARRRCDC conduct the
review and updated the PCMTDP 2011-2016
The Cooperative Development
Authority Calamba Extension Office
(CDA-Calamba Extension Office)
in collaboration with the Institute of
Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise
Development (ICOPED) and the
Southern Tagalog Regional Cooperative
Development Council (STARCDC)
conducted the review and updating of
the Philippine Cooperative MediumTerm Development Plan (PCMTDP)
2011-2016 on Aug. 6 at the ICOPED
Auditorium, UPLB, College, Laguna.
A total of 41 participants from
Region 4 attended the review, which
included representatives from the
CDA, ICOPED, Department of Interior
and Local Government Region 4A
(DILG-4A), Department of Trade and
Industry, Region 4A (DTI-4A), Primary
Cooperatives, different cooperative
unions and federations, Provincial
Cooperative Development Offices
(PCDOs), and Provincial Cooperative
Development Councils (PCDCs).
Hon. Rico B. Geron, AGAP Partylist
Representative and Chairperson of
STARCDC gave a solidarity message.
Ms. Celia L. Atienza, the President of
the League of Cooperative Development
Officers of the Philippines also shared
about the progress of cooperatives
development in the country.
Among the policy directions
reviewed were: 1) Strengthening and
enhancing delivery mechanism of the
Cooperative Development Authority;
2) Providing an enabling environment
for the strengthening and development
of cooperatives; 3) Ensuring local and
global competiveness of cooperatives;
4) Promoting cooperativism as a vehicle
for social transformation for people,
planet, prosperity, and peace; and 5)
Massive expansion of cooperative
membership.
The target cooperative
membership by 2016 is 20 million.
As of December 2012, CDA reported
11.6 million cooperative members and
137 CDA-accredited training service
providers. On Awards, Recognition and
Incentives Program or Gawad Parangal,
CDA had presented national awards
to 12 cooperatives, one Provincial
Cooperative Development Office, and
one cooperative leader.
Also recognized were the regional
winners, which included 27 cooperatives,
13 cooperative leaders, and 12 Local
Government Units-Cooperative
Development Office (LGU-CDO) from
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Starting this year, information
about the program is being disseminated.
The Federations and Unions that will
be nominated as Most Outstanding
Cooperatives are being identified by
the CDA Extension Offices nationwide.
During the review, the 3-point
cooperative agenda that include:
1) mainstreaming membership in
cooperatives; 2) human resource
development; and 3) awards, recognition,
and incentives were also presented
and discussed. The same review was
conducted nationwide by the different
CDA regional offices. (AB Peria)
2F, Room 208, A.G.
Samonte Hall
Telefax: 536-3604
Region 4 participants and representatives participate in the review and updating of the Philippine Cooperative Medium-Term Development Plan for 20112016. (Photo courtesy of ICOPED)
The UPLB Link is published monthly. To submit contributions, please email articles and photos (jpeg format, 300 dpi) to [email protected] and opaa_
[email protected]
Editor-in-Chief: SERLIE BARROGA-JAMIAS • Associate/Managing Editor: MERVIN JOHN C. DE ROMA • Writers: KRISTINE E. ARAGUAS, JOSEPHINE M.
BO, MERVIN JOHN C. DE ROMA • Contributors: LEONARD BRYAN ELENTO, JANINE GAMIL, ARRON LUCIUS B. HERBON, JEYNETH ANN R. MARIANO,
ISABELITA C. MENDOZA, AILEEN B. PERIA, CHRISTIAN T. RIEZA • Photos: KARL C. CADAPAN, JOSEPH LYDIO R. ROBLE III • Layout: RAY ANGELO
P. NASINO • Circulation: MARISSA D. BORROMEO, AVELINO B. PALIVINO
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UPLB joins 10th Pista ng
Kapaligiran celebration
The Los Baños municipality,
together with the Los Baños Science
Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI)
celebrated the 10th Pista ng Kapaligiran
last Sept. 7 at the Los Baños Municipal
covered court.
Pista ng Kapaligiran or Nature
Festival is an annual event enacted on
Aug. 16, 2004 by virtue of Ordinance
No. 2004-363.
The Ordinance of Pista ng
Kapaligiran states the need for the
participation of business establishments
in practicing ecological solid waste
management; public and private schools
in teaching students how to segregate
wastes; and religious denominations in
explaining the importance of taking care
of the environment.
This year ’s celebration with
the theme, “Linisin ang Kapaligiran,
Kalinga Inang Kalikasan, Kalamidad
ay Paghandaan,” featured various
speakers from the Los Baños local
government, ASEAN Regional Centre
for Biodiversity Conservation (ACB),
and UPLB.
Chancellor Rex Victor O. Cruz,
one of the guest speakers of the
event, underscored the significance of
enacting laws and policies to safeguard
the environment. “Ang pagpapatupad
ng batas ukol sa kapaligiran ay susi
sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan at
kapaligiran. Isang mahalagang ambag
natin bilang mamamayan ay pagsunod
sa batas,” Chancellor Cruz said. He
stressed that the solidarity of the
stakeholders in the community is the
key to success.
Atty. Roberto Oliva, Executive
Director of the ACB, pointed out the
need to help the municipal government
in its effort to protect the environment.
“Sense of ownership in environmental
projects should be instilled in the minds
of the young people of Los Baños as
they will be the next leaders of this town,”
Atty. Oliva emphasized.
Los Baños Mayor Caesar Perez,
on the other hand, emphasized the
importance of proper waste disposal
and encouraged the public to help
the municipal government in its
environmental projects.
The Pista ng Kapaligiran was
participated in by various public and
private elementary schools, high school
and college students and teachers,
commercial establishment owners,
government employees, and other Los
Baños citizens. (J Gamil with report from BJ
Mariano)
PHOTO NEWS:
Mt. Makiling named ASEAN Heritage Park. Dr. Dana Katakusuma (5th from L), Minister for
Economy and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Environment, Indonesia, awarded the plaque
signifying the declaration of the MMFR as an ASEAN Heritage Park to Chancellor Rex Victor O.
Cruz (6th from R) on Oct. 3 at UP Los Baños. Full story in the UPLB Horizon Oct. 2013 special
issue. (Photo by JLR Roble)
UPLB organizes
relief operations
for Los Baños and
Bay flood victims
UPLB, through the Office of
the Vice Chancellor for Community
Affairs (OVCCA), organized a relief
operation in the municipalities of
Los Baños and Bay, which were
severely affected by Typhoon
Maring. The outreach was
conducted in coordination with
the University Student Council
and the Municipal Social Welfare
and Development offices of both
municipalities.
Faculty members and
other UPLB units such as the UP
Rural High School, Land Grant
Management Office (LGMO),
College of Agriculture, Internal
Control Office, OVCA, University
Health Service, and OVCCA
responded to the call for donations
and contributions for the flood
victims.
C h a n c e l l o r R e x Vi c t o r
O. Cruz, through the UPLB
Foundation, Inc. donated, among
others, Php 20,000 to purchase
goods like rice, canned goods,
noodles and coffee. These were
packed and distributed by the
USC members and other volunteer
organizations. The Baker Hall
served as the centralized venue
for packing the relief goods for
distribution to those affected.
The individually packed relief
goods were directly distributed
to the area, with transportation
assistance from the LGMO. Other
relief items were channelled
through the MSWD of MLB and
Bay, Laguna for further distribution.
According to the USC Oplan
Sagip report, the beneficiaries
in Los Banos by barangay and
number of households were as
follows: Bambang, 83; Baybayin
20; Bayog 62; Mayondon 208;
Tadlac 63; San Antonio 65; and
Malinta 69. In Bay, there were
300 and 158 beneficiaries from
the barangays Dila and Tagumpay,
respectively. (IC Mendoza)
4
NEWS
UPLB holds forum on Pork Barrel
“Tayong lahat ay nandito dahil
Pilipino tayo at may pakialam tayo sa
ating lipunan.”
UPLB University Student Council
Chairperson Arthur Kent Holt, pointed
this out in his opening remarks during
the forum, WHAT THE PORK: A Forum
on the Pork Barrel System, held on
Sept. 16 at the DL Umali Hall.
The speakers in the forum
included ANAKBAYAN Southern
Tagalog representative Mark Adrian
Ng and UP Student Regent Hon. Krista
Melgarejo.
Ng talked about what the pork
barrel system is all about, how it
developed, and how corruption is
possible through this system. He also
discussed the Presidential pork, how
it was different from the past porks,
and the possible disadvantages if it is
maintained.
College of Economics and
Management Professor Rolando Bello
and Vice Chancellor for Academic
Affairs Dr. Oscar Zamora served as
reactors to Ng’s talk.
Dr. Zamora said that he was
against pork barrel and declared that the
system is anti-development. He told the
students that they are the stakeholders
and so they must be vigilant.
On the other hand, Prof. Bello
focused on the importance of people’s
SAKBAYAN Chair Alon Velasquez (center with
microphone) leading the Pork Barrel Dance.
(Photo courtesy of CT Rieza and ALB Herbon)
awareness about political issues and the
truth behind them. He talked about the
Public Choice Theory, wherein politicians
maximize self-interest so they can be
re-elected. “Kahit anong korupsyon
ay dapat tutukan. Ang corruption ay
anti-poor at anti-development,” Bello
pointed out.
Before the reactions, Alon
Velasquez, the Chairperson of the
Samahan ng Kabataan Para sa Bayan
(SAKBAYAN) led the audience to the
Pork Barrel dance craze. The dance
was based on the choreography of the
UP Repertory Company.
Afterwards, Student Regent
Melgarejo tackled the Proposed UP
Budget for 2014 and its relation to the
pork barrel controversy. She pointed
out the possible disadvantages of
the proposed Roadmap for Higher
Public Education Reform. Further,
she discussed the implications of
the budget cut such as no additional
buildings, shortage of equipment, and
insufficient funds for rising operation
cost, personnel promotion, contractual
regularization, and other benefits.
UP Baguio USC Councilor Rey
Andrew Villafuerte, UP Diliman USC
Vice Chairperson Jules Guiang, and
USC Chairperson Holt served as
reactors to Hon. Melgarejo’s talk.
Vi l l a f u e r t e p u s h e d f o r t h e
removal of any form of pork and for
the rechannelling of such funds for
higher state subsidy for education. He
also talked about the ratification of the
Freedom of Information Bill (FOI).
Guiang focused on the the other
kind of pork: good pork. Accoring to him,
good pork provides funds for the benefit
of State Universities and Colleges
(SUCs).
Holt spoke about the UPLB USC’s
manifesto of unity against the Pork
Barrel System, the budget cut in SUCs,
and the immediate passage of the FOI
Bill entitled “In Firm Resolve: Asserting
What is due to the People”.
The speakers and the reactors
then signed a manifesto for the abolition
of the pork barrel.This was followed by
an open forum.
The event was sponsored by the
UPLB USC, the UPLB Graduate School
Student Council, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas
Laban sa Baboy, UPLB Perspective,
and Kabataan Partylist Southern
Tagalog. This was in partnership with
the UP Baguio Student Council, all
UPLB College Student Councils, UPLB
Alliance of Varsitarian Organizations,
BUKLOD-UP, SAKBAYAN, Kapatirang
Pitong Lawa sa UPLB, and UPLB
Mathematical Sciences Society. (CT Rieza
and ALB Herbon)
NEWS
5
Japanese Ambassador inaugurates
Japanese Garden at UPLB
Intermittent rains did not dampen
the enthusiasm of people, including
the Japanese Ambassador to the
Philippines, His Excellency Toshinao
Urabe, to be present at the inauguration
of the Japanese Garden in UPLB on
Sept. 24.
The Japanese Garden or the
Nihon Koen, with the Torii as the
centerpiece, was inaugurated by UPLB
Chancellor Rex Victor O. Cruz with
Ambassador Urabe as the guest of
honor. Located between the Thai
Pavilion and the International House, the
landmark symbolizes Philippine-Japan
friendship between Filipino scholars and
universities in Japan.
In a symposium that followed at
the Southeast Asian Region Center
for Graduate Study and Research in
Agriculture (SEARCA), Ambassador
Urabe said in the Filipino dialect that
Japan and the Philippines are not
only geographically close but share
similarities in culture and values.
“We practice Bayanihan or helping
one another, and we both value freedom,
democracy, human rights, and the rule
of law,” he said. He cited how Japanese
companies such as Toyota, Uniqlo,
Murata, Bandai, Fujifilm, and Brother
have invested in the Philippines. Further,
he explained how his country had been
supporting Mindanao and the Mindanao
peace cooperation.
“Balikbayan,” was how Dr. Jose V.
Camacho, dean of the UPLB Graduate
School described Ambassador Urabe.
The young Urabe grew up in the house
of first Philippine President Emilio
Aguinaldo in Santa Ana, Manila. His
late father Toshio Urabe then headed
Japan’s liaison office in Manila from
1954 until 1956 before becoming
ambassador to the Philippines from
1969 to 1974. In 2011, now Ambassador
Urabe came back to the Philippines to
develop strategic partnership between
the two countries.
Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr., director
of SEARCA, said that the “mutually
beneficial ties of Japan and the
Philippines involved academic and
faculty exchange, with Japan supporting
scholarship and human resource
development, and collaborative
research and development projects.
These collaborations have benefited the
country, UP, UPLB, SEARCA, and many
other academic and scientific institutions
throughout Southeast Asia.”
Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera, UP
System Vice President for Public Affairs,
remarked that it is “heartwarming that
Japan and the Philippines are now on
common ground on other issues such as
threats to territorial boundaries, in which
they are ready to help each other.”
Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr.,
UPLB Vice Chancellor for Planning
and Development and president of
the UPLB Philippine Association of
Japanese Government Scholars,
Incorporated-Southern Luzon Chapter
(PHILAJAMES-SLC) from 2006 to 2007,
gave a brief history of the organization.
PHILAJAMES planned and funded the
garden with the support of UPLB, private
donors, and Japanese friends.
The symposium on JapanPhilippine Strategic Partnership
that followed the inauguration at the
SEARCA was co-sponsored by the
PHILAJAMES-SLC, the UPLB Graduate
School, and SEARCA. The UPRHS
Filipiniana Dance Troupe performed
during the symposium. The symposium
was closed by Prof. Liza C. Carascal,
UPRHS Principal and PHILAJAMESSLC President from 2011-2012. (Kristine
Araguas with reports from UPLB Graduate School
program write up and Business Mirror: http://www.
businessmirror.com.ph/index.php.en/features/
envoys-expats/16359-japanese-envoy-is-abalikbayan-at-heart.)
Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera, UP Vice President for Public Affairs, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe, and UPLB Chancellor Rex
Victor O. Cruz lead the distinguished guests and former officers of the Philippine Association of Japanese Government Scholars, Incorporated Southern
Luzon Chapter (PHILAJAMES-SLC) in inaugurating the Nihon Koen Japanese garden in UPLB. (Photo by JLR Roble)
6
NEWS
UPLB hosts Jiggy Manicad TV Lecture
from p. 1
give high school and college students
the chance to learn and interact with
experts and practitioners in the field,
who will share their own experiences,
for free. The workshops covered news,
documentary, and film production.
Marnie Manicad talked about
film production and TV documentaries.
She is known for directing the indie
film “Dance of the Steel Bars” and for
producing the National Geographic
documentary, “Inside Malacañang.”
Cinco gave tips and pointers about the
print media and broadsheets in particular.
Jiggy, for his part, shared some of his
experiences in GMA as part of the news
and public affairs team and gave practical
tips in reporting and news production.
The event was sponsored by the
Office of the Chancellor and coordinated
by the Office of Public Relations. (MJC
de Roma)
Marnie Manicad gives tips and pointers in TV and film
production to the audience, notably on how to properly
frame a story for documentaries. (Photo by JLR Roble)
UPLB should become “value creators“ says Arizona U prof...
This approach, he stressed,
is made possible due to the rise of
globalization, and the breaking down of
many of the barriers that hamper crossborder commerce.
“The Philippines stands to
benefit from the globally integrated
enterprises. We have the necessary R
and D technology and talents. UPLB is a
constant source of such talents,” Cuello
pointed out.
He also argued that the University
needs to acknowledge the distinction
between “knowledge experts” and
“value creators.” While acknowledging
the capacities and expertise of UPLB
faculty, researchers, and students,
he encouraged them to never stop at
becoming just knowledge experts but
rather strive to transform into knowledge
and value creators.
“This is very important since we
are now in a society where economy is
dominated and defined by knowledge.
Universities, notably research
universities, are the starting points in the
line in the modern production system,”
Cuello explained.
Dr. Cuello explained that UPLB
should help develop an “innovation
ecosystem,” a system that stresses how
the flow of technology and information
among people, enterprises, and
institutions is key to an innovative
process. This is exemplified by the
Silicon Valley in the United States, he
said.
“Partnership among the academia,
private sectors, and government must be
pursued and strengthened. We should
look into establishing partnerships with
the Municipality of Cabuyao and the
cities of Calamba and Santa Rosa.
UPLB should be the lead institution in
the academic sector,” he said.
Dr. Cuelo graduated from UPLB
in 1984 with a BS in Agricultural
Engineering, cum laude. After teaching
in the University from 1984 to 1988, he
went on to earn two MS degrees, one in
Agricultural and Biological Engineering
and another in Plant Physiology from
the Pennsylvania State University. He
earned his PhD in Agricultural and
Biological Engineering with minor in
Chemical Engineering from the same
university in 1994.
from p. 1
He conducted his postdoctoral
research at the NASA John F. Kennedy
Space Center as a US National
Research Council postdoctoral
Research Associate. In 1995, he started
teaching at the University of Arizona as
an assistant professor and rose from the
ranks to become a full professor in 2009.
An acknowledged expert in both
engineering and biology, Cuello has
designed, constructed, and operated
varied types of engineered agricultural or
biological systems including innovative
and patented products.
In the past 10 years, Cuello has
focused on economical scale-up and
system integration of algae production
for nutraceuticals, biofuels, animal
feeds and other bioproducts. He has
also served as consultant for numerous
companies globally. Recently, he coauthored the report Sustainability of
Algal Biofuels in the United States,
which was published by the US National
Academies.
He is a member of three US
professional societies: the US Honor
Society of Agriculture, the US Honor
Society of Agricultural and Biological
Engineering, and the US National Honor
Society of Engineering. (MJC de Roma)
NEWS
7
CFNR, PTFCF sign scholarship grant
The UPLB-College of Forestry
and Natural Resources (CFNR)
and the Philippine Tropical Forest
Conservation Foundation (PTFCF), Inc.
formalized partnership with the signing
of an agreement that involves a grant
worth PhP 100,000 for the conduct of
practicum by selected undergraduate
BS Forestry students, effective April
2013 to April 2014.
The signing of grant agreement
was held on September 4, 2013 at the
PTFCF office in Makati City, Philippines.
Signatories included CFNR-AA
President For. Leo R. Ballesfin, PTFCF
Executive Director Jose Andres A.
Canivel, and CFNR Dean Juan M.
Pulhin.
The grant provides funds to eight
deserving students to enable them
to complete their practicum. These
students are Matthew Malabanan,
Gio Zaragosa, Frances Sarah Lucas,
Dennis Montoya, Lloyd Patrick Legaspi,
Katrina Ching, Imma Czarina Apolinar,
and Enrico Replan.
Signatories of the CFNR-PTFCF grant agreement (L-R seated) include For. Leo Ballesfin, Dir.
Jose Andres Canivel, and CFNR Dean Juan Pulhin. The event was witnessed by (L-R) CFNRAA
Treasurer For. Alicia Calderon, CFNR Associate Dean Edwin Combalicer, CFNR College Secretary
Mutya M. Manalo, and PTFCF staff For. Joan Abes. (Photo courtesy of CFNR)
Prof. Simbulan facilitates UPLB discussion
on admissions
Prof. Roland Simbulan, former
Faculty Regent, presided over the
discussion of the Study Group on
Admissions with UPLB faculty, REPs,
administrative staff, and student
representatives on Sept. 2 at the
Prof. Roland Simbulan
Operations Room, Abelardo G. Samonte
Hall.
He was joined by Chancellor Rex
Victor O. Cruz who provided insights
on the current situation in UPLB, and
Dr. Oscar Zamora, Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs, who provided data on
student admissions.
The objective of the gathering
was to obtain pertinent data on student
admissions, constraints, challenges,
and best practices from the units of
the University through consultation
meetings, fora, and interviews.
According to Dr. Zamora, retention
of students is a serious problem that
needs to be addressed by the University.
The UPLB students are increasingly
coming from Region IV-A and NCR,
thus there is also a need to reach out
to students in Visayas and Mindanao,
he said.
The issue as to whether the UPCAT
should be retained or modified came up
during the discussion. Alternatives such
as developing ladderized courses and
mobilizing alumni and students to reach
out to remote provinces to recruit the
brightest students were also forwarded.
Prof. Simbulan underscored the
need of the University to maintain its
pro-poor bias, so as to be true to its role
as a public service university.
The Study Group on Admissions
was formed under Administrative Order
No.PAEP 13-70 dated July 22, 2013.
Its main mandate is to review the UP
admissions policy and process to
develop evidence-based options for
implementing the democratic access
provision stipulated in Section 9 of
the UP Charter of 2008 (Republic Act
No.9500). In addition, the UP Strategic
Plan 2011-2017 calls for an initiative to
rationalize the UP admission system and
policy. (MJC de Roma)
8
Students
flock to SyenSaya 2013
wins
Despite the heavy downpour,
hundreds of students from different
schools in Laguna lined up outside
of the EB Copeland Gymnasium on
July 31 to visit the province’s version
of the Department of Science and
Technology’s (DOST) National Science
a n d Te c h n o l o g y We e k , d u b b e d
"SyenSaya 2013. Organized by the Los
Baños Science Community Foundation
Inc. (LBSCFI), SyenSaya 2013 also
adopted this year’s National Science
and Technology Week’s theme, “S&T
toward a smarter science community.”
The celebration was marked by
the opening of an exhibit of research
efforts and projects of LBSCFI member
institutions. These included robots for
land use, photography, and surveillance
purposes from IteraRobota, Inc.; a
portable physics laboratory concept
from UPLB’s Institute of Mathematical
Sciences and Physics; various soaps,
cleaners, and other products from UPLB
Biotech; a sample Automated Weather
Station; and research findings on best
practices for disaster risk reduction and
management.
One of the most popular exhibits
was the corn kernel remover from the
Agricultural Mechanization Development
Program of the Institute of Agricultural
Engineering at UPLB. Even elementary
school kids gathered around to see how
a simple cylindrical metallic tool can
remove kernels from the corn cob with
ease. In another exhibit showcasing
native fruits, students were asked to sing
a version of the folk song “Bahay Kubo”
using the edited lyrics featuring our very
own native fruits, including balimbing
(star fruit), durian, and mangosteen. The
students participated enthusiastically
and won some loot from the booth.
“Let’s stimulate the culture of
science and research not only
among our researchers but
also upon the young minds of
our students”
- Rex Victor O. Cruz
Chancellor
SyenSaya 2013, celebrated from
July 31 to Aug. 2, also features a
technology forum and an award for the
outstanding research project of the year.
Last year’s recipient of the Outstanding
Research and Development Project is
UPLB’s research on the prevalence of
American Foulbrood Disease of Honey
Bee.
“Ang mga activities na ito ay
naglalayong lalong mapalakas at
mapasigla ang pagtutulungan ng mga
ahensiyang kasapi at gayundin upang
maging daan ang mga programang Los
Baños Science Community Foundation
na mag-i-stimulate ng sense ang culture
of science and research not only sa mga
scientists but also the young minds of
our students,” said UPLB Chancellor
and LSCFI president Dr. Rex Victor
Cruz.
Chancellor Cruz also said that
the main goal of SyenSaya 2013 is to
encourage students to pursue a career
in the sciences for it is what the country
needs for economic development. This
activity has been LBSCFI’s annual
tradition for six years now.
Also present during the opening of
the program was DOST Undersecretary
Carol Yorobe, who delivered a speech
on behalf of DOST Secretary Mario
Montejo.
Established in 1984, LBSCFI is
composed of 23 member: public and
private agencies promoting science
including the Philippine Rice Research
Institute, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity,
Trace College, Laguna Water District,
UPLB, and DOST’s PCAARRD or
the Philippine Council for Agriculture,
Aquatic and Natural Resources
Research and Development. (Originally
published in GMA News Online, 05 August 2013)
High school and elementary students alike
gamely took part in the interactive events
featured in the Syensaya 2013 exhibits.
(Photos by KC Cadapan)