November 2022 BUzette

PRESIDENT’S OUTBOX

UPLBFI taps BU to take part in project to build resilient LGU

Thismonth, Bicol University, the premiere state university in the region, will once again submit its programs for accreditation as proof of our commitment to achieve academic excellence.

Our decision to embark on this online review process is a testament to our fervent desire to ensure quality assurance in all areas of our operations, cognizant that passing the standards, and being awarded the accreditation status by no less than the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP) Inc., a highly reputable accrediting agency in the country.

As your President, I commend your indomitable spirit to take on the challenge of submitting your programs amid the pandemic. This is proof of your commitment to ensure that BU’s programs remain responsive and relevant in today’s world.

As Bicol University sets its sights on the future, we vow to sustain our gains, and create more milestones as we focus on improving our academic programs along these key 10 areas—faculty, curriculum and instruction, support to students, research, extension and community involvement, library, physical plant and facilities, laboratories, and administration—in our vision to become a “world-class university producing change agents for social transformation and development.”

Thank you very much, and let’s keep going, for together, we can accomplish more!

In its objective to build a resilient local government unit (LGU) and communities in the province of Albay, the University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation Incorporated (UPLBFI), established partnership with Bicol University, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing, on implementing the project, “Resilience-building and Future-proofing Strategies in a Multistressed Scenario in the Province of Albay, Philippines.”

Through UPLBFI’s Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management (IdSC-INREM), the university, along with a number of partner LGUs in Albay and other stakeholders, will co-learn and codevelop crucial strategies to build LGU and community resilience as well as put these into practice for futureproofing strategies for climate change and development in the project area.

By providing the community with the skills it needs to deal with the negative effects of a disaster, this project will enhance the level of awareness of the community on the dangers and implications of all hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities. This collaboration will result in the development and

execution of a comprehensive national and local disaster preparation policies, strategies, and systems, as well as an increase in institutional capacity; improving the relationship between the key players and stakeholders.

The Province of Albay was chosen because of the “adaptedness” of its programs through good practices earning a “Global LGU Model for Climate Change Adaptation in 2008. The province suffered billions of pesos in damages to agriculture and infrastructures, caused by the consecutive typhoons from October to November 2022 which triggered lahar flows and flash floods. In addition, the province was also in a tight position due to the risk of the COVID-19 pandemic in the same year.

The project will be implemented specifically in the Quinali A Watershed which mainly includes the portions of the Municipalities of Camalig, Guinobatan, Libon, Oas, Polangui, and the City of Ligao, thus providing maps of vulnerabilities and risk of the province based on different scenarios.

The project is led by Dr. Juan M. Pulhin and realized through the support of the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research.

groove to BU HATAW; IPESR wins back-back-back in BU olympics

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BS Meteorology benchmarks 4 related agencies, institutitons

BUCS sends rep to international conference in physics

ThePhysics Department of the College of Science has once again represented Bicol University as they took part in the 2022 International Conference on Advanced Functional Materials and Nanotechnology (ICAFMN) & 24th Samahang Pisika ng Visayas at Mindanao (SPVM) National Physics Conference held at Tagbilaran City, Bohol on October 27 to 29, 2022.

Jointly organized by Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, SPVM, and Holy Name

University, Bohol, the conference gathered physicists from overseas and the Philippines to present research outcomes in their various fields of expertise. The event also served as a forum for lively discussion involving physics researchers, specialists, instructors, and students from around the country as well as some overseas scientists.

The three-day conference was composed of plenary and parallel sessions as well as poster presentation. Prof. Jason P. Punay

was one of the presenters in the parallel sessions under the Theoretical, Computational, and Applied Physics category with his research on “Cloud properties of heavy rainfall during Amihan and Habagat over Bicol region.”

The BUCS delegation was led by Prof. Karen P. Conda-Botin, Physics Department Chair, together with Prof. Jason P. Punay, Prof. Marierose D. Jasareno, Prof. Jerome A. Azul, Prof. John Ruel L. Locaba, and Erwin N. Bañares, Science Research Assistant.

Editor-in-Chief Dr. Renelyn E. Bautista Associate Editor Gladys S. Serafica Circulation Manager Rica Mae B. Barnedo Photographer Cherry Grace H. Calisin

News Writer Arnold C. Noda Graphic & Layout Artist Joshua Isaiah M. Codorniz

Contributors Erwin N. Bañares, Karen P. Conda-Botin, Ryan A. Rodriguez, Jocelyn E. Serrano, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers - Bicol University Student Chapter, Bicol University - University Student Council Editorial Consultants Dr. Amelia A. Dorosan & Dr. Reina O. Habalo Overall Consultant/Publisher Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas

A Platform for Progress - Physics Dept. delegates during the opening of the 2022 International Conference on Advanced Functional Materials and Nanotechnology & 24th Samahang Pisika ng Visayas at Mindanao National Physics Conference held at Tagbilaran City, Bohol on October 27 to 29, 2022.

BS Meteorology benchmarks 4 related agencies, institutions

Inorder to enhance the Bicol University BS Meteorology curriculum and further strengthen linkages with other SUCs and meteorology-related agencies, the BU College of Science - Physics Department faculty members and staff conducted a benchmarking activity at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Rizal Technological University (RTU), PAGASA Central Office, and Manila Observatory, last August 1 to 6, 2022.

The BU delegation was led by Prof. Karen P. Conda-Botin, Physics Department Chair, along with Prof. Jo-Ann M. Cordovilla, Prof. Marierose D. Jasareno, Prof. Jerome A. Azul, Prof. John Ruel L. Locaba, and Erwin N. Bañares, Science Research Assistant.

CLSU shares best practices

The CLSU BS Meteorology program uses a number of

facilities, including the Radio Broadcasting room where their students conduct practicum on broadcast meteorology and the Department of Information Technology computer laboratory building where BS Meteorology students have their computational meteorology subjects. On the first day of the benchmarking activity, BU delegates were given a tour of these facilities.

To streamline the BS Meteorology curriculum across the SUCs, the present CLSU curriculum was also compared to the current BU BS Meteorology program. As a result, both parties shared their best practices in the areas of instruction and research.

BU to deploy Meteorology students for OJT at PAGASA Central Office

The BU delegates resumed their benchmarking activities

at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to establish ties for the on-thejob (OJT) training of the BS Meteorology students, as well as to consider visiting professors and lecturers to share their expertise in the meteorology subjects, research, and extension collaborations.

Although there is already an existing Memorandum of Agreement between BU and PAGASA Central Office, through its South Luzon office, this only allows students to spend their internship at the field offices in the Bicol region. With the benchmarking, the department looked at the prospect of placing the students in the central office for the upcoming third-year batch that would enroll in a practicum in the succeeding midyear.

Streamlining Science - BU College of Science - Physics Department faculty members and staff meetwith the Central Luzon State University faculty, discussing the streamlining of the BS Meteorology curriculum.

BUeños groove to BU HATAW;

IPESR wins back-to-back in BU Olympics

After two years of virtual hataws, BU HATAW made its comeback that kickstarted the 53rd BU Olympics at the BU-PGA Sports Complex, on October 26, 2022.

Bannering the theme “BUeñong Atleta Tungo sa Isang Handa at Makabagong Panahon,” BUeños from all around the campus, colleges, and institutes of the university gathered onsite for the first time at the Peñaranda Park, Legazpi City, to parade their academic units and support the studentathletes competing in the different sports events. The BU officials, deans, directors, and the teaching and non-teaching personnel of the university were also present to participate in the annual activity.

Despite the light rainfalls, the march to the BU-PGA Sports Complex continued. The venue was jampacked with visitors, spectators, and students across the university. Different colors splashed the sports complex representing each academic unit and office. After all the participants from the campuses, colleges, and institutes arrived, the opening program proper commenced.

Organized by the Institute of Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation (IPESR), through the leadership of its Director, Prof. Carina L. Sales, prominent guests and visitors were also present to witness the BU HATAW. Freshmen and Sophomore BUeños for the dance number were already in place at the sports complex oval while holding a prop made out of blue metallic foil shaped into a pompom.

To invoke aid, protection, and inspiration in the conduct of the activities, Dr. Reina O. Habalo, Chief of the Presidential Management Staff, led an invocation followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and BU Hymn, sang by Mariel Rose T. Reyes, an IPESR student.

VP for Administration and Finance, Atty. Joseph L. Bartolata, made the introduction and acknowledgment of the special guests and support of the BU officials, deans, directors, and students. Afterward, a cheering squad number was performed by the BU Magayon Dance Troupe. A message of support was then delivered by one of the invited guests, Hon. Carlwyn Baldo, Mayor of the Municipality of Daraga.

Salceda promises 300M for new BU buildings

In celebration of his 61st birthday and in conjunction with the 53rd BU Olympics, Albay 2nd District Representative Cong. Joey S. Salceda declared his continued support to the university promising 50 million each for the new building of

the Polangui Campus (PC), IPESR, College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), College of Dentistry, College of Medicine (CM), and College of Science (CS), totaling to 300 million.

BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, thereafter, held a cake for the congressman as the crowd sang him a happy birthday song. Salceda has been an avid supporter spreading “constant kindness” to the projects of BU may it be in terms of infrastructure or events spearheaded by the university.

The program continued with the presentation of delegations from the different academic units participating for this year’s BU Olympics. The deans, directors, and representatives of the various colleges, campuses, and institutes of the university were given a chance to present their unit and inspire the student-athletes with a brief message.

The BU Olympics athlete then takes the Athlete’s Oath led by Lovely Joy D. Codovilla, a student-athlete from IPESR, followed by the momentous lighting of the Olympics Friendship Flame participated by the IPESR faculty members with Prof. Jo-ann Grecia. They jogged at the sports complex track while passing the torch of flame that ignited the Olympics Friendship Flame.

Further, the dynamic BU President also delivered his message expressing his excitement and full support of the onsite BU HATAW and BU Olympics.

“Tonight, we gather for the first time as one, big Bicol University family after more than two years here at the Sports Complex… Daing makakadaog sa pamilyang BU-rugkos asin BU-runyog,” he said.

The spectators online and onsite then witnessed the much-anticipated BU HATAW where approximately 8,000 BUeños jived into the retro-modern music. The color blue waves and movement in the oval left the audience in awe every time a sync dance routine was executed. Some IPESR instructors also joined the performance leading the students in a small platform at the front center of the oval. The performance lasted for 15 minutes and the energy of the performers was still at peak.

The opening program concluded with a marvelous fireworks display while Mariel Rose Reyes sang “Fireworks” by Katy Perry.

The opening program concluded with a marvelous fireworks display while Mariel Rose Reyes sang “Fireworks” by Katy Perry.

IPESR proves title of ‘Home of the Champions’

After more than five days of various sports competitions, IPESR dominated the scoreboard with 1,114 points leading almost 800 points against Polangui Campus (PC) landing 1st Runner-Up with 316 points followed by the College of Engineering (CENG) as 2nd Runner-Up with 286 points. The College of Science also earned its place as 3rd Runner-Up with 221 points.

The Home of the Champions asserted dominance in almost every sports event, both in men’s and women’s categories. Based on the scoreboard, PC and CENG barely made it against IPESR.

The following are the current ranking per college based on highest-to-lowest points earned: College of Business, Economics, and Management (CBEM), College of Industrial Technology (CIT), Institute of Design and Architecture (IDeA), College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), College of Nursing (CN), College of Education (CE), Gubat Campus (GC), College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), Tabaco Campus (TC), College of Arts and Letters (CAL), and the Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance and Development (JMRIGD).

MMBU crowns new title holders

As part of the university’s annual tradition, the search for the Mr. and Ms. BU was newly crowned during the coronation night at the Albay Astrodome, on November 5, 2022. This year’s Mr. BU is Joseph Cedric Duano, a pioneer candidate from

the College of Medicine, and Ms. BU Rhianne Macy Zapata from CSSP. The pair was also awarded the Ambassador and Ambassadress of Ms. K Events, Mr. and Ms. GlobeOne, Mr. and Ms. SMART, Mr. and Ms. AGRI Partylist, Mr. and Ms. Congeniality, and People’s Choice Award.

Duano was also named Mr. Powermax and TAYO Inc., Mr. Converge, and Man of the Press, while his counterpart, Ms. BU, Zapata won Ms. Talent, Best in Swimwear, Best in Long Gown, and Best in Ramp.

Hoping for a back-to-back win from last year, CAL contenders Joshua Onsay and Thiara Marie San Pablo were both crowned as Mr. and Ms. BU 1st Runner-Ups. They also received the Mr. and Ms. Proxy Hotel corporate award.

Onsay was awarded as Best in Formal wear for the male category. San Pablo, on the other hand, was proclaimed Ms. Converge ICT Solutions and the Cong. Joey Sarte Salceda Choice Award, wherein she also received ₱50,000 cash award along with IPESR candidate John Laurence Miranda. She also won the Best in Production Number and Ms. Photogenic.

Meanwhile, CN candidate Kahji Dane Mark Gimoro and Charlene Boholano, a JMRIGD pioneer candidate for the pageant, were both hailed as Mr. and Ms. BU 2nd RunnerUps. Additionally, Boholano received the Ms. Powermax and TAYO Inc. and the Darling of the Press titles.

Lastly, the Mr. and Ms. BU 3rd Runner-Ups were claimed by Aldrin Abion, another pioneer candidate of JMRIGD, and Rani Lachmi Dado of IDeA. Abion was also awarded as Best in Production Number.

Furthermore, Alvin John Chavez, a strong candidate from CENG, grabbed the Mr. Anytime Fitness, Mr. Photogenic, Best in Swimwear, and Best in Ramp titles. Ms. IPESR Jessaiah Mae Baldesco was also given the Ms. Anytime Fitness and Ms. Blanche awards while Mr. TC candidate Francie Galeza was named Mr. Blanche and Mr. CIT Ryan Benito Niño Almojuela Masagca as Mr. Talent.

The new title holders will be representing the university in various regional and national state university pageants.

BUCS ComSci, IT dept. goes benchmarking

To increase the knowledge and innovate the delivery of undergraduate and graduate under the information technology programs, the Computer Science and Information Technology Department (CSIT), along with the College of Science (CS) administration and personnel conducted a benchmarking activity in selected top private and government HEIs in the country on October 10 to 14, 2022.

The activity aimed to determine the capabilities, innovations, and learning styles and explore the best practices of HEIs offering new programs both in undergraduate and graduate levels (i.e., cyber security, data/

business analytics), Master in Information Technology (MIT), and Doctor in Information Technology (DIT) programs.

The delegation was led by their Dean, Prof. Jocelyn E. Serrano, Associate Dean, Dr. Rommel Evan J. Paje, who is a faculty member of the CSIT department and Prof. Ryan A. Rodriguez head of the CS department. Other faculty members who joined the team were Dr. Benedicto B. Balilo Jr., Director, Publication and Knowledge Management Division, Dr. Jayvee Christopher N. Vibar, Prof. Felix Penetrante, Prof. Laarni D. Pancho, Agnes R. Caro, Unit Supply Officer, Marlyn R. Pantoja, Unit Budget Officer and Jaycee N. Molar,

Unit BAC secretary.

The institutions were the benchmarking was conducted are Mapua University in Makati, Cavite State University (CSU) in Indang Cavite, Bulacan State University (BulSU), Holy Angel University (HAU), Tarlac State University (TSU), Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP-QC), FAITH Colleges, and Batangas State University (BSU).

The activity was productive as it opened with commitment and collaboration in research and technology innovation. Another milestone that Bicol University may consider is exploring membership to the Seoul Accord for global recognition of computing and IT-related programs.

Making Strides - BUCS CSIT department benchmark selected top private and government HEIs in the country on October 10 to 14, 2022 to determine the capabilities, innovations, and learning styles and explore the best practices of HEIs offering new programs both in undergraduate and graduate levels (i.e., cyber security, data/business analytics), Master in Information Technology , and Doctor in Information Technology programs.

Metereology Benchmarks | P3

Before drafting a new MOA for this new agreement, the policy of BU regarding adjunct faculty, as well as thesis advising or co-advisors needs to be clarified first. The BU delegation also met with the board members of the Philippine Meteorological Society (PMS) in preparation for the extension activity that is set to start in November 2022.

Manila Observatory to accept BU Meteorology interns

An active partnership for OJT deployment was also discussed with the Manila Observatory during the benchmarking. A MOA will be draft to formalize the agreement. Aside from establishing affiliation, the BU delegation was also shown the observatory’s sophisticated equipment for weather, remote

sensing, and air quality, including meeting the different laboratory heads and officers.

The Manila Observatory suggested that the university can act as a “node” which means that they will deploy automated weather stations (AWS) in the Bicol Region, and BU will be in-charge of maintaining the equipment in exchange for the datasets from the AWS. Two separate MOA/MOU is expected to be crafted for this partnership.

RTU introduces BS Astronomy to BU delegates

Known as the first in the country to offer a BS Astronomy with a concentration in Meteorology, the Rizal Technological University (RTU) shared their best practices on student monitoring, research, and extension

to the existing curriculum of BU Meteorology program.

The delegation also toured around the campus and the different laboratories and offices where they met the faculty members of the Astronomy Department. Future partnerships were also discussed for the student and faculty exchange program, OJT deployment, and research collaborations.

Overall, the benchmarking activity is expected to forge six MOAs/MOUs with the agencies and institutions visited. This also allowed the physics department to streamline the BS Meteorology program for the next curriculum review in preparation for the submission of the certificate of program compliance (COPC).

CAF tech wins national invention tilt

Ateamof five inventors from the Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) was declared grand winner of the Alfredo M. Yao Intellectual Property (AMY IP) Awards 2022, Collegiate Level, on October 11.

With their invention-research “Organic Animal Feed Pellet,” Engr. Andrew Cabiles, Ms. Karla Mae B. Cornelio, Engr. Nancy M. Espartinez, Engr. Jeremiah G. Magallanes, and Engr. Cindy R. Meneses bested other entries and won Php. 100,000 cash prize.

The main components of the researchers’ Organic Animal Feed Pellets were agricultural wastes such as pili pulp, coconut meal, azolla, and madre de agua. Global health and food security are being threatened by these materials, which are abundant and not

usually considered or used as resources in the agricultural sector.

But there are many opportunities to transform these agricultural wastes into a range of profitable, inventive, and helpful goods (agro-waste valorization). Using this approach, they created value-added products (organic animal feed pellets) from materials that were previ ously regarded as agricultural waste or underutilized agricultural resources.

By using the valuable resources found locally and reducing reliance on external inputs, this would also provide farmers and other stakeholders in the feed business with an extra source of revenue including increased community-level feed security.

The five CAF inventors were formally awarded during the 48th Philippine Business Conference and Expo at the at the Manila Hotel, Pasay City last October 19.

The AMY IP Awards are given to Filipino-owned intellectual properties that have contributed to economic growth and social awareness or have the capacity to do so. A candidate might be a single person or a group of people. It was introduced in 2009 by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). Since then, it has helped technologies that have won praise with their development and commercialization.

CENG wins overall champion in regional civil engineering summit

The College of Engineering students in the Civil Engineering department brought home several honors as they were declared the overall champion of this year’s Regional Civil Engineering Students Summit (RCESS) held at the Ateneo de Naga University, from November 25 to 27, 2022. Through the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers – Bicol University Student Chapter (PICE – BUSC), the university delegates competed against 13 other state universities and colleges across the region and bagged five gold, five silver, and 2 bronze medals

in the various academic, sports, and special events categories.

The team won two gold medals for the Table Tennis Men Singles and Table Tennis Mixed Doubles categories coached by Engr. Oliver Padua. Three gold medals were also acquired in the Rube Goldberg Machine Design competition, Battle of the Bands, and the Vlog competition. Meanwhile, five silver medals were achieved in the KadangKadang, Amazing Race, Gimmick Parade, Bridge Building Competition, and Badminton Mixed Doubles category.

Bronze awards were awarded in the Tug of War and Patintero categories. The university delegation was led by the PICE – BUSC President Sean Andrei Parao. In their Facebook page, the student organization wrote that despite the hardships, they’ve proven that BU is truly a home of champions.

“The team filled with pride went to Naga City, Camarines Sur to raise the flag and show the future Bicolano Civil Engineers the feistiness of BUeños and prove that PICE-BU is always ready to break the boundaries and go through the limits.”

Eyes on the Prize - Bicol University College of Engineering bag numerous awards in the Regional Civil Engineering Students Summit (RCESS) held at the Ateneo de Naga University, from Nobvember 25 to 27, 2022.