UPLB Horizon Graduation 2017 issue

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2017-02

April-June 2017

Sen. Richard Gordon is UPLB commencement speaker

Sen. Gordon

Hon. Richard “Dick” J. Gordon, senator of the Republic of the Philippines, is the guest speaker at the 45th Commencement Exercises of UPLB on June 24, 4:00 PM, at the DL Umali Freedom Park.

A total of 2,454 students will receive their certificate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees during the ceremonies.

Senator Gordon was elected to the 17th Congress in 2016 and had also served a six-year term as a senator from 2004-2010, during the 13th and 14th Congress. He is an alumnus of UP Diliman who obtained his Bachelor of Laws in 1976.

He had authored a number of important pieces of legislation

some of which are: the Automated Election Law; Tourism Act; creation of three economic zones – the Poro Point Freeport in La Union, Freeport Area of Bataan, and Camp John Hay in Baguio City; National Disaster Risk Reduction Law; Veterans Benefits; and Free Patent Law. Prior to becoming a legislator, Senator Gordon had served as mayor of Olongapo City (1980-1986; 19881993), during which he transformed the city into a “model city” in terms of cleanliness and discipline. As founding chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (1992-1998), he led the transformation of the former US Naval Base to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone that created hundreds of thousands jobs and generated billions of investments.

As secretary of tourism (2001-2004),

he introduced the slogan “WOW Philippines” that invited international tourists to the country.

In 2004, he became the chairman and chief executive officer of the Philippine Red Cross. His longterm commitment to the humanitarian organization is reflected in his Red Cross honors, such as the Aurora Aragon Quezon Peace Award (1991) and the Japanese Red Cross Gold Humanitarian Award (2008).

He is also a recipient of important awards, such as the Ten Outstanding Young Men (1982), the Outstanding Filipino (1996), and Asiaweek’s Twenty Great Asians of the Future (1995). In UP, he was named Most Distinguished Alumnus in 1997, the highest award given by the UP Alumni Association.

(Mark Jayson E. Gloria, with information from www.senate.gov.ph)

PCC chair Arsenio Balisacan is GS hooding ceremony speaker

Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, chairman of the newly created Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and professor at the UP School of Economics (UPSE) is the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the Hooding Ceremony and Recognition Program of the Graduate School on June 23, 6:00 PM, at the DL Umali Freedom Park.

A total of 323 students will receive their graduate degrees; 61 of whom will receive the academic regalia signifying the completion of their PhD. Top MS and PhD students will also be given recognition during the program.

Dr. Balisacan is an expert on poverty, food security, and agricultural and rural development in Asia. As PCC chairman, he is at the helm of the office that is mandated to promote economic efficiency and ensure a fair and healthy market competition in the country.

He earned his MS Agricultural Economics in UPLB in 1982 and his PhD Economics from the University of Hawaii in 1985. He was dean of UPSE (2010-2012) prior to becoming the secretary of socio-economic planning and director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (2012-2016).

University educators are top MS, PhD graduates

Two university faculty members have walked their talk on academic excellence as they emerged as UPLB’s top graduates in the masters and doctorate levels for this year.

They are Michael Vincent O. Laurio, MS Chemical Engineering and Sazon

an instructor at the UPLB College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology (CEAT), and Rowena R. Sazon, PhD Environmental Science and an associate professor of Ramon Magsaysay Technological University University educators...page 8 Laurio

He was also the director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture from 2003 to 2009; and undersecretary for policy and planning (April 2000-January 2001) and for policy, planning, and research (February-May 2001, January-March 2003) of the Department of Agriculture.

Dr. Balisacan is an Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology. In 2006, the UPLB Alumni Association named him as a distinguished alumnus. (Mark Jayson E.

Gloria, with information from www.phcc.gov.ph and www.econ.upd.edu.ph)

Dr. Balisacan

Class 2017 valedictorian

Arnel Villancio, Jr., 1st summa cum laude from BSA in 42 years

Agricultural and extension education icon Obdulia Fronda-Sison in 1946; National Scientist Clare R. Baltazar in 1947; and former NEDA director-general Cielito F. Habito in 1975 – all BS Agriculture, summa cum laude.

This is the elite circle where Arnel B. Villancio, Jr. now belongs to after obtaining a General Weighted Average of 1.17, making him the fourth BS Agriculture student to graduate as summa cum laude in UPLB and the College of Agriculture and Food Science’s 108-year history.

While this feat would faze most students, Arnel deals with it coolly. The DOST and UP Presidential scholar maintains that the high grades and top honor are just added bonuses.

“It’s not about being summa cum laude— that’s just more like a by-product of my real aim, like a side quest,” says Arnel. “It’s more about reaching a level of proficiency for a bigger goal.”

The goal in question is, ultimately, helping improve life by making ideas a reality. It is idealistic, he admits, but it is something that he has decided Arnel Villancio...page 8

Villancio

2

January-March 2017

UPLBHORIZON

UPLB to undergo institutional QA, holds HEARTS UPLB held the seminar on “Higher Education Assessment for Relevance Towards Sustained Institutional Excellence: An Orientation” or HEARTS at the Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay City, on June 7-8.

This was done to help constituents understand institutional quality assurance, a process which UPLB is undergoing in the next few months.

QA is the on-going, continuous, and structured process of evaluating and maintaining the quality of a higher education system, institution, or program.

Participating in the seminar were 100 heads of academic and administrative units of UPLB and a team of speakers that included Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., who delivered a pre-recorded inspirational message before leaving for Paris, France under an initiative of the Commission on Higher Education.

Chancellor Sanchez told the participants that UPLB is one of 11

higher education institutions in ASEAN and one of only two in the Philippines that were chosen to undergo the ASEAN Quality Assurance Network institutional assessment under the European Union Support to Higher Education in the ASEAN Region (EU SHARE).

According to the Chancellor, constant self-assessment of UPLB’s degree programs and administrative processes is important to be at par with other universities in ASEAN. In her welcome remarks, Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said that all in the education sector should feel strongly about ensuring that “we are giving the best learning opportunity for our students.”

Dr. Maria Cynthia Rose B. Bautista, Vice President for Academic Affairs of the University of the Philippines, highlighted the importance of QA to UP. QA, according to Dr. Bautista, is new and not ingrained in the culture of UP. She articulated the need for UP

to have an institutional QA that would be externally reviewed and assessed.

“Unless we get reviewed, our programs, no matter how good they are, will only be good for those who know us. Let us work on quality for itself so that we would be fair to the students who go through our doors,” she said.

Concepcion V. Pijano, Executive Director of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), explained the differences between internal and external QA. She differentiated the ASEAN QA Framework and the AQAN, the former being a reference point while the latter being the sharer of good practices in QA. Pijano also discussed the principles of internal QA and the basics of institutional assessment.

Meanwhile, Dr. Philip Ian P. Padilla, faculty member at UP Visayas and former UP faculty regent, presented the organizational set-up of the proposed QA Office in UP. He also tackled the framework for institutional

assessment of the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA).

Dr. Nina M. Cadiz, director of the Office of Student Affairs, shared the AUN-QA experience of UPLB in obtaining certifications for its undergraduate programs in biology, development communication, agricultural and biosystems engineering, agriculture, and forestry.

Dr. Cadiz is an AUN-trained assessor.

On the second day of the seminar, Dr. Serlie B. Jamias, vice chancellor for community affairs and an AUN trainee, discussed the AUN-QA institutional assessment criteria. According to her, it could serve as an inspiration in preparing UPLB’s self-assessment report for its participation in SHARE. She also identified the UPLB units that could address requirements that need to be complied with for UPLB’s institutional assessment.

HEARTS was organized by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. (Mark Jayson E. Gloria)

ALL HEARTS FOR QA FOR UPLB. The participants in the HEARTS seminar held by UPLB to promote understanding about the institutional quality assurance process (Photo by VR Maningas)

Experts discuss ASEAN integration opportunities for UPLB UPLB held a symposium entitled “Transforming lives, strengthening institutions: the Philippines in an integrated ASEAN economic community,” on May 3 at the Umali Auditorium, SEARCA. The symposium aimed at further strengthening public awareness of the goals and initiatives of the ASEAN. Zaldy B. Patron, executive director of the Office of ASEAN AffairsDepartment of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Cielito F. Habito, professor of economics at the Ateneo de Manila University and chief of party of USAID’s “Trade-Related Assistance for Development Project,” and Dr. Rogel Mari D. Sese, program leader of the Philippine National Space Development Program of the Department of Science and Technology were the symposium speakers.

Patron explained the structure and committees of ASEAN and discussed its priorities and initiatives this year as the country takes over its chairmanship. According to Patron, ASEAN’s Philippine-led initiatives include empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises and promoting the welfare and protection of migrant workers and vulnerable sectors.

Dr. Habito presented the impacts of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) on the Philippine economy, such as creating complementation instead of competition and bringing significant increases in trade and better access to the market. He also highlighted how the AEC has affected laws and policies, such as the passage of the Open Skies Policy and Trade and Investment Experts discuss ASEAN ...page 8

ARTICULATING THE ESSENCE OF ASEAN (From L-R) Mr. Zaldy Patron discusses research opportunities to members of the UPLB Executive Committee on May 3. Also in the photo are Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. and Dr. Cielito F. Habito. Patron and Dr. Habito are among the three speakers in the symposium entitled “Transforming lives, strengthening institutions: The Philippines in an integrated ASEAN Economic Community” held on May 3 at the SEARCA Umali Auditorium. (Photo by VR Maningas)

UPLB trains new international relations officers

ESTABLISHING THE INROs NETWORK. Dr. Medina orients the INROs on how they can contribute to UPLB’s internationalization agenda.

(Photo by JP Aquino)

“Strengthening the University’s internationalization initiatives allows us to further improve student and curricular competitiveness. It also allows us to diversify our faculty profile and strengthen our research and knowledge production.”

This is how Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez Jr. explained the importance of enhancing the University’s international profile in his welcome remarks during the “Training-Workshop on Internationalization for International Relations Officers (INROs)” on April 10 at Hotel Dominique in Tagaytay City.

The activity was attended by newly appointed INROs who are tasked to help the Office of International Linkages (OIL) in coordinating the University’s internationalization activities and in reporting such endeavors to UP System OIL.

The INROs are part of UPLB’s Committee on Internationalization, which is headed by Dr. Simplicio M. Medina, director of OIL. He spoke on UPLB internationalization and highlighted the future contributions of INROs to the University’s internationalization agenda.

During the training-workshop, the INROs were taught how to explore and forge new agreements, formalize them, and implement and report internationalization activities by Roselle V. Collado, OIL Program Development Associate and a faculty member at the Institute of Statistics.

Meanwhile, Dr. Aaron Joseph L. Villaraza, UP OIL officer-in-charge, introduced the UP System international scholarship, fellowship, and exchange programs for UP faculty members, staff, and students. Also present

was Frenchly Joyce Caspe, Senior Project Assistant at UP OIL, who oriented the INROs on using the UP Internationalization Portal.

The UP System online portal integrates each constituent university’s data on international endeavors, such as academic agreements, student and faculty mobility, and international collaborations.

Students Gabrielle Anne Posa and Rajee Florido and Office of Public Relations staff, Juan Paolo Aquino shared their experiences as participants of exchange programs in Korea and Japan. Aquino, who handles the University’s visitors’ program and media relations, also talked about how the University takes care of its visitors.

(Photo and text by Juan Paolo A. Aquino)

April-June 2017 January-March 2017

UPLBHORIZON UPLBHORIZON

33

Towards lower power cost

UPLB gets approval as WESM direct member UPLB is hopeful about bringing down the cost of its power supply after its application for direct membership to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) was approved on May 25 by Melinda L. Ocampo, WESM president.

This was announced by Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. at the 121st meeting of the Executive Committee of the UPLB University Council held on June 13, 2017 at the Executive Conference Room, BM Gonzalez Hall (formerly called the Main Library).

Direct membership in the WESM will enable UPLB to acquire power supply under conditions that are advantageous to the university.

Chancellor Sanchez commended Dr. Marish S. Madlangbayan, Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD) and his team, composed of OVCPD staff and faculty members of the Department of Electrical Engineering (DEE) for successfully working on UPLB’s application for direct membership.

For his part, Dr. Madlangbayan acknowledged the advice and assistance provided by Rowaldo D. Del Mundo and Ivan Nilo Benedict C. Cruz, faculty members at the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute of the College of Engineering in UP Diliman, on the competitive procurement of power supply.

WORKING FOR LOWER POWER COST FOR UPLB. Engr. John Davis M. Mangubat explains the dynamics of direct membership in WESM to Engr. Elmer Centeno, Ethel Cabral, and Joan Mendoza, chiefs of the electrical section of UPMO, Accounting Office, and Budget Management Office, respectively. Also in the photo are the members of the team that worked for the WESM direct membership of UPLB, Dr. Madlangbayan, Engr.

Jenny Rose Repollo, Engr. Athena Lavega, and Engr. Kim Jay Rosano, all of the DEE, CEAT. (Photo by VR Maningas)

Power consumption beyond the maximum For many years, UPLB has sourced its power supply solely from the Tiwi-Makban Geothermal Power Plant owned by the Aboitiz Power Renewables, Inc. (APRI) through the Transition Supply Contract from the National Power Corporation (NPC).

The contract specifies a minimum of 1016 kWh and a maximum of 1220 kWh energy that UPLB should source from APRI. This energy is paid at a flat rate generation charge of 4.00 Php/ kWh even if it consumes less than the minimum. The University is penalized with a higher rate of 4.80 Php/kWh if its power requirement exceeds the maximum. UPLB has been exceeding its maximum contracted capacity with APRI, and has been paying 4.80 Php/ kWh. After conducting a thorough study, the OVCPD team found that UPLB’s power supply setup could still be improved. Based on the University’s consumption pattern, the power supply contract with APRI, and the prices in WESM, the team found that UPLB can bring down the cost of its power supply if it becomes a direct member of the WESM. Direct membership The UPLB team recommended that the University apply for direct membership to WESM. With this,

Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. requested the endorsement of former President Alfredo E. Pascual to the honorable Board of Regents (BOR) to allow the participation of UPLB as a direct member of WESM on Jan. 10, 2017. The BOR approved it at its 1324th meeting on Jan. 26, 2017.

The team projected that a combination of power supplied by a generating company under a contract with UPLB and power supply sourced as a direct member of WESM would give the University power supply security and the opportunity to sell back its unused capacity to the market.

As a direct member of WESM, UPLB can now source part of its power supply directly from the market (WESM) and nominate unused capacity back to the market should it have excess power.

This setup will also give UPLB the flexibility to buy its power supply either from WESM when prices in the market are low or from APRI when prices are higher. In this way, UPLB will have the option to decide on which one is advantageous to the University.

Direct membership in WESM also guarantees UPLB with continuous electricity supply should it fail to get a replacement of its contract with APRI, which is going to expire on Nov. 25, 2017.

The University is currently in the process of procuring its power supply through a competitive bidding process.

UPLB Internet connection: from ‘mega’ to ‘giga’ fast The Internet has created a “giant leap” in contemporary society. It has defied the limits of time and space and has promoted speed in many of our activities.

In UPLB, the Internet connection has recently made a “giga” leap: from 103 Megabits per second (Mbps) in November 2014, the University’s Internet bandwidth is now at 2.155 Gigabits per second (Gbps).

“The 2.155 Gbps can be looked upon as our capacity to connect to the Internet,” said Rozano S. Maniaol, director of the Information Technology Center (ITC). “In theory, at one second, a maximum of 2.155 Gigabits of data can be transferred.”

This leap is a result of gradual bandwidth increase that UPLB has acquired from negotiating with its internet service providers, namely: DOST-ASTI, ConvergeICT and PLDT; the UP System’s Support for the eUP Information Systems; and the University’s multimillion peso-project that aims to improve the infrastructure systems that would optimize the UPLB Campus network connection.

The five-phase IT infrastructure project has upgraded the Fiber Optic Cables (FOC) from multi-mode to a more efficient and up-to-date, singlemode-type fiber technology on its Phase 1. Phase 2 has been providing in-building connections to main buildings in the lower campus.

Phase 1 involves upgrading the core network equipment – border router, core switch, core routers and firewall - suitable to UPLB’s network requirement and improving the link

from the ISP going to the core network.

Phase 2 involves upgrading the FOC in the lower campus as well as the telecommunication service entrance in each building.

Phase 1 is nearly complete while Phase 2 started last May and is due to be finished around the third quarter of the year. Planning for Phase 3 is in the works which is for the improvement of the Upper Campus. Phase 4 and 5 are for the IPB/APEC area and the Staff Housing, respectively.

“Every building has at least one distribution switch which is connected to the core network. The distribution switch spreads the connection in the entire building through end switches, where computers and access points are connected. If the distribution switch malfunctions, the whole building’s connection will be affected,” said Maniaol.

During the groundbreaking of Phase 1 in 2016, Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. underscored the role of fast internet connection to the over-all goal of UPLB. “As we seek to establish our position as a leading university in the country and in Southeast Asia, we need Internet facilities that will allow us not only to quickly access information but also to communicate and collaborate easily with our peers in the international community.”

Faculty members, staff, and students testify to the improvement of the UPLB Internet.

Jim Leandro Cano, teaching associate at the Agricultural Systems Institute of the College of Agriculture and Food Science, attests to the

difference of the Internet speed through the years. “Since the time I graduated in 2014, there has been a huge jump in the Internet speed – from a crawling rate to very quick, fast, and consistent Internet connection,” he said.

Ronan Almeda, a researcher at the Nanotechnology Program, Institute of Chemistry, agreed. “We had a notion of the UPLB campus Internet being inadequate and inefficient.

However, due to the efforts of the UPLB administration, there is a significant and great improvement in the campus Internet connections,” he said. “As a science researcher, I believe that efficient Internet connection is vital in the effective communication of research work.”

Darren Garcia, BS Agribusiness Management student, also felt the increase in Internet bandwidth. “I have witnessed the incredible development in the Internet service of the University.

Its speed and reliability has greatly improved. I can now easily access the data needed for my academic works.”

Students like Garcia are the ones who have benefitted from the new campus-wide WiFi System, which has 71 Enterprise-class Access Points installed in the Main Library, Student Union Building, and ten dormitories.

According to Maniaol, more Access Points will be installed in every building in the University. (Juan Paolo A. Aquino, with reports from Jessa Jael S. Arana)

FASTER INTERNET CONNECTION. UPLB now enjoys faster Internet connectivity after increasing its bandwidth from 103 Mbps to 2.155 Gbps. Part of the equipment that supports this speed are the servers deployed in several parts of the campus.

4

January-March 2017

UPLBHORIZON

Food safety tackled in national conference Four years after Republic Act No. 10611 or the Food Safety Act (FSA) of 2013 was signed into law, UPLB convened experts and stakeholders to discuss readiness and capacity to implement it.

The first national food safety conference entitled “Institutional capacity and readiness to implement the Philippine Food Safety Act” was held on June 1 at the Obdulia Sison Hall in UPLB. The conference, spearheaded by the College of Economics and Management (CEM), revealed the initial findings of the research project “Analysis of S&T-related institutional capacity and readiness to effectively implement the Food Safety Act.” According to Dr. Isabelita M. Pabuayon, project leader and dean of CEM, research results showed that readiness for FSA varied across commodities and stakeholders. It was at its highest for those who were producing export products and higher value commodities and for processors and accredited establishments. It was at its lowest for those who were in the buy-and-sell operations.

Amparo C. Ampil, chief of the Food Agriculture and Fisheries Division of the Department of Agriculture (DA), who represented Dr. Segfredo R. Serrano, undersecretary for policy and planning, discussed the implications of food safety on local

and international trade in the ASEAN Economic Community. Ampil said that improving food safety will enhance competitiveness of Philippine products in the global food market.

Timothy Moises C. Mendoza, Food Drug Regulation Officer of the Food and Drug Administration, talked about the key provisions and implementation of the FSA. Mendoza said that the FSA has already defined the specific tasks of different agencies involved in food safety.

Also present were Dr. Serlie B. Jamias, vice chancellor for community affairs, and Dr. Ernesto O. Brown, director of the DOST-PCAARRD SocioEconomics Research Division.

Dr. Jamias, who delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., said that the conference is an opportunity to be refreshed on the key provisions of the FSA and to discuss food security in the context of investment for national development.

The Conference also featured other speakers such as Dr. Clarita Dagaas, Dr. Simplicio Medina, and Dr. Ma. Josie Sumague, all of CAFS, who discussed food safety capacity.

Dr. Macrina Zafaralla of the Institute of Biological Sciences and Dr. Sumague discussed the fisheries sector.

Prof. Nelson Jose Vincent Querijero of CPAf and Dr. Gideon Carnaje of CEM, on the other hand,

FOOD SAFETY WARRIORS. Flanking the speakers (2nd and 3rd from left) Ms. Amparo C. Ampil and Mr. Timothy Moises C. Mendoza are (leftmost, 4th from left, and rightmost, respectively) Dean Isabelita M. Pabuayon, Vice Chancellor Serlie B. Jamias, and Dr. Ernesto O. Brown. Certificates of appreciation were given to Ms. Ampil and Mr. Mendoza for sharing their knowledge on food safety during the conference. (Photo by CV Labe)

talked about food safety regulatory agencies/LGUs and food safety system, respectively.

The research project was carried out by a team from CEM, Colleges of Agriculture and Food Science, Veterinary Medicine, and

Public Affairs and Development. It was funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).

(Jessa Jael S. Arana)

UPLB to draft Ph water security roadmap An interdisciplinary and multisectoral committee from UPLB is going to map out plans and programs to ensure that the country will continue to enjoy water security through the multisectoral Water Security Roadmap for the Philippines.

With stakeholders, the committee will identify plans, programs, and gaps

on water resources governance, water quality, water rights, and watershed management.

Deans, faculty members, and researchers make up the committee and are tasked to address water sectors relevant to their fields of expertise such as agriculture, environment, domestic, governance, economics, resilience,

and urban sectors.

The Roadmap will be presented during the National Water Summit this year, an event that will be spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through the National Water Resources Board.

The National Water Security Roadmap is headed by Dr. Rex B.

Demafelis, vice chancellor for research and extension as chair and Dr. Arnold R. Elepaño, dean of the College of Engineering and Ago-industrial Technology, as co-chair. (Ma. Leoloura

C. Fernandez and Mark Jayson E. Gloria)

ICMF Project to proceed after SARAI ends All good things must come to an end, as they say, but not just yet for this UPLB project.

“Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines,” otherwise known as Project SARAI, may have ended, but UPLB will continue to give farmers better and smarter farming

options through the “National Program for Integrated Crop Monitoring and Forecasting System (ICMF).”

ICMF was launched during Project SARAI’s culminating activity on Apr. 28 at the CAS Auditorium in UPLB. Some of Project SARAI’s outputs are the science-based planting calendar for rice and corn, a site-specific nutrient management and corn nutrient expert, an integrated crop monitoring system, a soil moisture monitoring system, and a pest and disease advisory system. The SARAI Knowledge Portal (www.sarai. ph) houses all these systems and other information from the Project.

Moises Dorado, associate professor at the College of Engineering and Agroindustrial Technology, introduces the National Program for Integrated Crop Monitoring and Forecasting System (ICMF). He will lead the ICMF, which is an integration of activities under Project SARAI. The culmination of Project SARAI and the launching of ICMF took place at a program on Apr. 28 at the CAS Auditorium. (Photo by VR Maningas)

In his opening remarks at the launching of ICMF, Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. acknowledged the contributions of Project SARAI to the country’s agriculture sector and announced the allocation of initial funding for ICMF by UPLB. Dr. Maria Victoria O. Espaldon, program leader of Project SARAI, acknowledged the support of the partners from SUCs, LGUs, and farming communities, some of which were represented during the event.

SARAI project leaders also presented their respective outputs: Conception L. Khan on the features and functions of the Portal; Dr. Felino P. Lansigan on the Integrated Crop Management System (ICMS), nutrient management, crop early warning systems, and adaptive planting calendar; Dr. Artemio M. Salazar on environmental characterization and the development of an ICMS; and Dr. Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava on capacity and knowledge-building and information, education, and communication activities.

Project SARAI activities shall be integrated in a single structure in the ICMF to be led by Moises A. Dorado.

Dorado served as project leader of the SARAI-Enhanced Agricultural Monitoring System.

Project SARAI was funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).

Among the guests during the program were Dr. Danilo C. Cardenas, deputy executive director for administration of DOST-PCAARRD; Dr. Nicomedes P. Eleazar, director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR); Dr. Flaviana Hilario, deputy administrator for R&D of PAGASA; Dr. Jaime Montesur, representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization; and Dr. Rolando Cruz, scientist at the Philippine Rice Research Institute. (Maribeth C. Jadina)

April-June 2017

UPLBHORIZON

5

Chemists develop natural solution to delay fruit ripening Researchers from the UPLB Institute of Chemistry (IC) have developed coatings to delay the ripening of various fruits by making use of food processing and agricultural waste biomass that are considered of low economic value. One such agricultural waste is pineapple crown leaves. Another is mango peel waste.

Materials are extracted from these wastes and are used as the major components of the coatings.

“Fruitect®” is the registered brand name of these coatings. The research group has and is developing coatings for export winner as well as locally in-demand fruits. It is used to delay the ripening process so that fruits may be transported over long distances or stored for longer periods of time for these to be available to consumers during off-season. The group has aready developed “Fruitect® Mango” and “Fruitect® Papaya”. Also being developed are “Fruitect® Banana” and “Fruitect® Pineapple”.

“Fruitect®” coatings are biocomposite coatings that are natural and biodegradable. “The coating slows down the process of ripening. It stretches the ripening period of fruits,” said Dr. Veronica Sabularse, adjunct professor at UPLB-IC and the major proponent of the project. Dr. Sabularse cited pectin and hemicellulose as important components coming from pineapple crown leaves and mango peels.

Research on edible coatings

by Dr. Sabularse started as early as

1997 with some BS Chemistry and BS Agricultural Chemistry thesis advisees working on various materials to come up with formulations to be applied on different fruits to delay ripening.

More focused research on fruit coatings started in 2010 when funding from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (DOSTPCASTRD) and the Commission on Higher Education was available.

Funding from PCIEERD-DOST made possible the continued research on fruit coatings.

So far, specific “Fruitect®” coatings have been shown to delay the ripening of ‘Carabao’ mango; ‘Solo’ and ‘Sinta’ papaya; pineapple; and ‘Lakatan’ banana. According to Dr. Hidelisa Hernandez, director and professor of UPLB-IC and project leader, the project team meticulously tests the product at different levels of formulation because every fruit has unique ripening process.

“We have to test each and every fruit, each and every variety because one formulation does not work on all fruits and on all varieties of fruits,” Dr. Hernandez said. “We have observed that the performance can be opposite from one fruit variety to another.”

Fruitect® coatings rule out two problems: one is minimizing postharvest losses and the second is reducing agricultural waste.

Dr. Hernandez herself had seen the losses incurred by farmers due to the short shelf-life of fruits. The

R&D GROUP ON FRUIT COATINGS. The Fruitect research group at an exhibit held at the House of Representatives on October 17-18, 2016 composed of (4th from left and extreme right) Project Leaders Dr. Veronica C. Sabularse and Dr. Hidelisa P. Hernandez and (1st-3rd from left to right) Research Associates John Kris F. Bartolome, Manolo L. Basingan, and John Carlo F. Pacia. (Photo courtesy Dr. HP Hernandez)

2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan by the National Economic and Development Authority revealed that postharvest losses in fruits range from 5 to 48%, which reduce farmers’ and households’ income.

“Our goal is that with Fruitect®, farmers would have better economic conditions, in such a way that their efforts will lead to higher income,” Dr. Hernandez said. “We are hoping

that the younger generation will be encouraged to engage in farming.”

On the other hand, Dr. Sabularse looks at their endeavor as putting value to agricultural wastes. “Since we have a lot of waste, why not utilize them to make something that would be of high value?” she said. She added that reducing waste would reduce pollution and the cost of waste disposal. (Mark

Jayson E. Gloria)

Phil. Journal of Veterinary Medicine gets CHED recognition UPLB’s Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine (PJVM) is now a recognized journal under the Commission on Higher Education’s Journal Incentive Program (CHED-JIP).

JIP is CHED’s strategic funding portfolio that aims to elevate the state of science publishing in the country, particularly among higher education institutions (HEIs).

Of the two JIP categories, UPLB has been accepted to the Journal Challenge (JC). Journals that are Scopus/Web of Science-indexed journals, such as the PJVM, are qualified to apply to the JC. The other category, called Journal Incubator, welcomes promising journals that have potential to attain the said “indexability.”

As a JC grantee from 2017 to 2019, PJVM will receive support from CHED to increase its scientific citation and to promote its social media presence and public engagement profiles. This will be in the form of an annual cash award of PhP 500,000; technical support

through the digital platform “Portal for Academic Knowledge” for online article submission, refereeing and manuscript tracking, and endorsement for library subscription. PJVM is also automatically nominated to the CHED REPUBLICA: Journal of the Year–JC Category award.

PJVM is a semi-annual peer and double blind-reviewed international journal of basic and applied research in veterinary medicine and science published by the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Its editorial board is headed by editor-in-chief, Dr. Jezie A. Acorda, professor at CVM and assistant to the chancellor.

Aside from being indexed by Thomson Reuters Web of Science and Scopus & Embase, PJVM is also abstracted and indexed by Biological Abstracts, Focus on: Veterinary Science & Medicine, Zoological Records, CAB Abstracts, Index Veterinarius, Veterinary Bulletin, Parasitology Database, Helminthological Abstracts,

Protozoological Abstracts, Review of Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Philippine E-Journals, and UPLB Journals Online.

(Kristine E. Araguas with information from CHED Memorandum No. 53 Series of 2016, Memorandum No. 50 Series of 2017, and The Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine Volume 54. No. 1 January to June 2017)

Phillip Alviola is 2017 OYS awardee

Alviola

Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) Associate Professor and Museum of Natural History (MNH) Curator for Mammals Phillip A. Alviola is set to be given the prestigious 2017 Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) Award by the National Academy of Science and Technology this July.

Alviola is one of three awardees from the UP System and the lone awardee from UPLB. A wildlife biologist, Alviola has substantially contributed to the fields of mammalian ecology and taxonomy, cave biology, conservation biology, and bat virology.

He has published either as sole or co-author 26 scientific papers in ISIindexed and prestigious high-impact journals. Google Scholar lists him as among the most cited scientists from the Philippines.

In the early years of his career, Alviola has contributed substantially to the development of methodologies for monitoring biological diversity in protected areas. He has authored/co-authored 13 papers on mammalian taxonomy, and diversity on mountain ecosystems.

Alviola’s research involvements resulted in the description of 10 new mammals (including a new genus and subgenus), and testing of several hypotheses on mammalian ecology.

In recent years, Alviola has embarked on studying the diversity and ecology of cave-dwelling bats in the Philippines. His recent experiences in working in several cave systems in the country have become instrumental when he helped institute the Cave Ecology (BIO 154) course at UPLB, the first of its kind in the Philippines.

He has also contributed to studies on bat viruses and public health. As a bat biologist, he has helped foreign and Filipino virologists capture and identify bats, and isolate novel viruses (and antibodies) from them. Together with foreign collaborators, Alviola became part of some six publications on potentially zoonotic viruses and pathogens of bats.

Alviola is a “child” of MNH, having been exposed to the Museum’s work and activities during his growing up years.

Even before he finished college, he has been involved in some of the Museum’s expeditions led by his father, the late Prof. Pedro L. Alviola III. He eventually started his academic career at MNH and steadily rose from the ranks after transferring to IBS. (Florante Cruz, www.

mnh.uplb.edu.ph)

6

April-June 2017

UPLBHORIZON

UPLB, SEARCA, and DepEd recognize ‘gardens project’ partner schools The morning of Apr. 24 served as a harvest day for public schools that sowed good seeds by teaching students about climate-smart vegetable production.

These schools took part in a contest, where they really planted vegetable seeds under the “Participatory action research on school- and community-based food and nutrition program for literacy, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.”

More commonly known as the “School and home gardens project,” this endeavor is a garden-based education and nutrition project implemented by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Department of Education (DepEd), and UPLB. Pila’s Labuin Elementary School (ES) won as the Most Outstanding Partner School. It also won Best in Community Extension and Best in Partnership with Local Government Unit. With the award, Labuin ES will continue to receive support from SEARCA to cover the extended implementation of the project.

Other schools were recognized for their unique accomplishments.

Majayjay ES, Best in Edible Landscape; Crisanto Guysayko Memorial ES of Nagcarlan, Best in Eco-friendly Innovations and Best Farm Record Keeping; Alaminos town’s San Andres ES, Best in Utilization of the School Garden for Learning and Best in School Feeding Program; Cabuyao Central School, Best Implementer of

a School Garden in an Urban Setting; and Sta. Cruz’s Pedro Guevarra Memorial National High School, Best Implementer of a School Garden in a High School.

The coordinators received the awards for their school’s accomplishments in creating climatesmart edible gardens. The recognition program took place at SEARCA’s Umali Auditorium.

In his special message, Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. said that the success of the project is a testament to what collaborative efforts

between institutions can achieve. He expressed his hopes that the project will serve as a blueprint towards mitigating the nutrition and education concerns in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.

Dr. Blesilda M. Calub, project leader and university researcher at the College of Agriculture and Food Science, said that the project improved the nutritional status of and vegetable consumption by the students, developed appreciation for agriculture among them, and generated lessons that were integrated into the school curricula.

Present during the program were Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr., director of SEARCA, who delivered the welcome remarks; Dr. Bessie M. Burgos, program head of the Research and Development Department of SEARCA, who articulated the challenges and prospects of the project; and Dr. Margarita Consolacion Ballesteros, external partnerships director of DepEd, who lauded the project for promoting environment- friendly techniques in vegetable production. (Jessa Jael S. Arana)

CLIMATE-SMART GARDENERS. Representatives of schools that participated in the action research on food and nutrition program display their plaques as they pose with the project implementers led by (top row, 5th-7th fr left) Dr. Margarita Consolacion Ballesteros, DepEd; Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, SEARCA; and Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., UPLB. (Photo by VR Maningas)

National Scientist Dolores Ramirez is legacy lecturer “I never thought that I could teach. Early on, I realized that I was not good in communicating and that I’m not very patient, too. Initially, I struggled.”

Who would think that this anecdote would come from a celebrated scientist and professor who had paved the way for genetics education and research to flourish not only in UPLB but in the whole country, as well?

This is one of the many revelations about the life and professional career of Dr. Dolores A. Ramirez, professor emeritus of UPLB and National Scientist of the Philippines, in the video lecture entitled “‘Mother Cell’ of Philippine Genetics: The Academic Legacy of Dr. Dolores A. Ramirez.”

Dr. Ramirez, who is referred to as “mother cell” in the genetics and plant breeding circles because of her pioneering efforts in these areas, is the second to be featured in “The Legacy Lecture Series (LLS).” The LLS is a video lecture project of the Interactive Learning Center (ILC) that aims to record the collective academic experience of distinguished UPLB academics.

Dr. Ramirez cited the late Dr. Dioscoro L. Umali, former dean of the then College of Agriculture as instrumental in recruiting her and preparing her for a bigger career.

“He took care of us; he made sure that we have advanced degrees. All of us earned our advanced degrees in the United States,” she recalled.

Dr. Ramirez obtained her Master of

Editor-in-Chief:

Josephine M. Bo

Science and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Minnesota and Purdue University, respectively.

The video lecture has seven parts.

It features interviews about her career; informal lectures about the basics of and the issues surrounding genetics, plant breeding, and biotechnology. It also features testimonies of her protégés at the Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) and IPB, who call themselves “daughter cells;” testimonies of past UPLB officials and members of the National Biosafety Committee of the Philippines, namely: Dr. Jaime Montoya, Atty. Jose Maria A. Ochave, and Dr. Flerida A. Cariño on her contributions to agriculture, science, and biosafety; messages of gratitude from her nephews and nieces; and Dr. Ramirez’s message on the future of genetics and plant breeding in the country.

After viewing the video lecture, Dr. Ramirez was presented a plaque of recognition by Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr.; Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dr. Enrico P. Supangco, and Dr. Felino P. Lansigan, deans of the College of Agriculture and Food Science and College of Arts and Sciences, respectively; and Dr. Maribel DionisioSese, director of ILC. In her message of acceptance, Dr. Ramirez expressed her gratitude for the recognition. She also expressed her optimism for the future of plant breeding in the country and commended the science personnel who have chosen to

•

serve the country. “I am not yet ready to give up in the country. I am not ready to give up on plant breeding. Those who chose to stay behind are doing their job; those who are left are not sleeping on their job. I’m not ready to give up yet,” she then concluded.

Present during the launch were National Scientists Ricardo M. Lantican and Ramon C. Barba; Dr. Emil Q. Javier, past UP president; Dr. Ruben L. Villareal, past UPLB chancellor; Katrina Ross A. Tan, faculty member at the Department of Humanities, who served as the executive producer and

Associate and Managing Editor: Mark Jayson E. Gloria •

• Photographs: Christopher V. Labe and Vandolph R. Maningas

Visit us at http://www.uplb.edu.ph

(Mark Jayson E. Gloria)

PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF UPLB’s GREAT MINDS. UPLB honors Dr. Ramirez or “DR” (4th from left) as a lecturer in the Legacy Lecture Series (LLS), a project of the Interactive Learning Center that aims to record the achievements of distinguished UPLB academics. With Dr. Ramirez are (L-R) Dr. Maribel Dionisio-Sese, ILC director; Dr. Felino P. Lansigan dean of CAS, Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr.(5th and 6th from left); Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, vice chancellor for academic affairs; and Dr. Enrico P. Supangco, dean of CAFS. (Photo by CV Labe)

Josephine M. Bo, Mark Jayson E. Gloria, Maribeth C. Jadina, Albert Geoffred E. Peralta • V. Maunahan

director of the video; deans of colleges, namely: Dr. Ma. Theresa H. Velasco (development communication); Dr. Eduardo B. Torres (veterinary medicine); and Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr. (Graduate School); faculty members and staff of IBS and IPB; and family members of Dr. Ramirez.

Dr. Sese said that the video lecture shall serve as an introductory lecture to relevant courses. It is accessible at the ILC headquarters, third floor of CAS Annex 1 Building.

•

Writers:

Juan Paolo A. Aquino, Kristine E. Araguas, Jessa Jael S. Arana,

Contributor: Ma. Leoloura C. Fernandez, Charlotte H. Hagosojos and Matilede

Layout: Ray Angelo P. Nasino •

Circulation: Marissa D. Borromeo, Avelino B. Palivino

Follow us at: www.twitter.com/UPLBOfficial www.facebook.com/UPLB.fb youtube snapchat

Photo News

AN ECONOMIST’S POINT OF VIEW ON THE ASEAN. Dr. Cielito Habito (standing), Chief of Party of the USAID-funded “Trade-Related Assistance for Development (TRADE) Project,” presented the impacts of the ASEAN Economic Community on the Philippine economy during the ASEAN symposium on May 3.

(Photo by VR Maningas)

CFNR’S MOST OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS. Atty. Roberto V. Oliva, executive director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (center), receives his trophy as one of the two Mancono Awardees for 2017, or the Most Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), during CFNR’s 107th foundation anniversary on Apr. 20. Dr. Manuel L. Bonita (not in photo) also received the same distinction. Flanking Atty. Oliva are (from L-R) Dr. Willie Abasolo, CFNR dean; For. Anabele R. Natividad, member of the CFNR Alumni Association (CFNRAA) Board of Trustees; Dr. Portia Lapitan, vice chancellor for academic affairs; and For. Dexter Cabahug, Jr., president of the CFNRAA. (Photo by VR Maningas)

A LAND GRANT FOR GREATER PURPOSES. Dr. Serlie Barroga-Jamias, vice chancellor for community affairs (leftmost), led the UPLB contingent in surveying the spaces and plantations of the UPLB Laguna-Quezon Land Grant (LQLG) during its 87th anniversary on Feb. 8. Plans to develop research, educational, and capacity-building facilities at LQLG are now in the pipeline. (Photo by VR Maningas)

MEET UPLB’S “INROs.” Dr. Simplicio Medina, director of the Office of International Linkages (OIL); Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr.; and Dr. Aaron Joseph Villaraza, officer-in-charge of UP OIL, (4th, 5th, and 6th from L) meet the new international relations officers (INRO’s) of UPLB, together with the staff of UPLB OIL, during their training on Apr. 10 at Hotel Dominique, Tagaytay City. The INROs represent the colleges and schools of UPLB and will help OIL coordinate and report the University’s internationalization activities.

(Photo by JPA Aquino)

ADVOCATING SPACE SCIENCE IN THE ASEAN. Dr. Rogel Mari Sese, program leader of the Philippine National Space Development Program at the Department of Science and Technology, also headlined the symposium on the ASEAN on May 3. He underscored the importance of having a Philippine space agency and identified the areas where ASEAN members could help each other in the field of space science. (Photo by VR

A WORD OF WISDOM FROM AN INSTITUTION BUILDER. Dr. Emil Q. Javier, former UP president and UPLB chancellor, gives his word of wisdom to the administrators and workforce of the Institute of Plant Breeding during its 42nd anniversary on June 5. Dr. Javier is one of the members of IPB’s Council of Elders, a group of distinguished retired leaders of IPB who continuously give expert advice to the Institute. (Photo by CV Labe)

Maningas)

A FORUM ON PLANT PESTS AND DISEASES. Scientists and researchers from the National Crop Protection Center and a farmer from Nagcarlan, Laguna (leftmost) inspect a specimen showing symptoms of pest damage during the NCPC Farmers’ Forum on Plant Pest and Disease Diagnostics on May 16. The forum took place on the second of the five-day celebration of NCPC’s 41st anniversary. (Photo by Vandolph R. Maningas)

TEACHING TEACHERS TO TEACH MATH BETTER. Almost 200 senior and junior high school mathematics teachers from CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and the National Capital Region attended “MATHTEX 2017: teacher training on calculus on Apr. 22-24 at UPLB. Now on its 6th year, the training is UPLB Math Division’s extension program that helps teachers elevate the context and pedagogy of teaching math. (Photo by Vandolph R. Maningas)

8

April-June 2017

UPLBHORIZON

New Appointments ANNA FLORESCA F. FIRMALINO, Director of the UP Professional School for Agriculture and the Environment (UP PSAE) effective February 2017.

Firmalino is assistant professor at the Department of Economics-College of Economics and Management. She was Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Administration in 2013-2015 and appointed superintendent of the then Physical Plant Maintenance and Services Office (PPMSO) in Feb. 2016. She became the first director of the University Planning and Maintenance Office (UPMO) after the merger of PPMSO and the Campus Planning and Development Office in Sept. 2016. She received her Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Economics (cum laude) from UPLB in 2004 and 1998, respectively.

PAMELA JOYCE M. ELEAZAR, Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Communications effective January 2017. Eleazar is an assistant professor at the Department of Development Journalism, College of Development Communication. She earned her BS Community Development from UP Diliman in 2007 and her Master of Development Communication from UP Open University in 2012.

Prior to working at UPLB in 2015, she had an accumulated sevenyear professional experience in communications, public relations, and cooperatives assessment at the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Mulling optional retirement?

Enroll in eSRP Administrative and Research, Extension, and Professional Staff (REPS) who elect to avail themselves of optional retirement may enroll in the Expanded Service Recognition Pay (eSRP), a retirement incentive equivalent to ten days for every calendar year of the employee’s service to the University. The UP Board of Regents approved eSRP at its 1321st meeting on Oct. 27, 2016.

Employees who have reached the age of 60 but are below 65 years of age and have served UPLB for at least 25 years are qualified for eSRP. Likewise, those who meet the compulsory retirement age of 65 are automatically covered.

Former UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, who released the Guidelines for eSRP in January, said in Memorandum Number PAEP 17-06 that this optional retirement mechanism would allow the promotion of younger qualified staff members and the regularization of contractual employees. Hence, one

important feature of the eSRP is the need for the office of an employee who will avail himself/herself of the eSRP to have an approved succession plan.

“The unit should be able to ensure that functions and tasks of the retiree will be carried out by the possible successor,” said Prof. Nelson Jose Vincent B. Querijero, director of the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO).

Employees who will retire early due to permanent total disability but who have served the University for at least 25 years, and those who died regardless of age and length of service are also entitled to the eSRP. Fulltime and part-time employees whose salaries fall under the University’s Personnel Services budget item qualify them for the eSRP. Faculty members, on the other hand, are also entitled to an optional retirement incentive scheme. (Mark Jayson E. Gloria)

University educators are top MS, PhD grads .... from p. 1

DR. MARLOE B. SUNDO, Director of UPMO effective February 2017. Dr. Sundo is an associate professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and AgroIndustrial Technology, where he was chair from 2007-2010. He finished his BS Civil Engineering at the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu City in 1988 and obtained his MS and PhD in Civil Engineering in UP Diliman in 2000 and 2016, respectively. His research interests are transportation engineering, solid waste management, traffic impact assessment, and infrastructure assessment. (Ma. Leoloura C. Fernandez)

Arnel Villancio, Jr., first BSA summa cum laude in 42 years, is 2017 class valedictorian ... from p. 1 upon after his experiences. “Hindi pantay-pantay ang mga bagay-bagay.

Siyempre nung bata ka, hindi mo masyadong pansin ‘yun, pero habang tumatanda ka, mari-realize mo na there’s something that needs to be done,” he introspects.

Arnel is the second of six children.

His parents worked hard and gave every bit of income to make sure they were fed and were going to school. His family now resides in Antipolo, Rizal but he recalls moving places frequently during his early childhood, living where there was work and resources, and getting by with what was available.

However he shares that it allowed him to observe a spectrum of situations and insights. “The more places I went to, the more people I met, and the more that I learned from them. I guess that contributed to how I see things today,” Arnel concludes.

Despite the lack of wealth, his close-knit relationship was a sufficient source of strength, especially during tough times. According to Arnel, their parents ingrained in them the importance of family. His father would frequently remind them that siblings

Admin staff, REPS

should work together. These words still resonate even after his father’s recent passing due to heart complications a day before the family learned that he is graduating summa cum laude.

His parents’ sacrifice and the support that he received from those who saw his potential pushed Arnel to not just finish but to excel in his studies.

After finishing at the top of his class, one thing that he is sure of is that he still does not know enough. For the past four years, Arnel, who specialized in agricultural systems, has learned various ways to improve the lives of farmers and the agricultural sector, but has also found that implementation was another thing entirely. “Hindi porke marami kang alam, may magagawa ka na. Pero at least it’s good na meron ka na ding alam,” he reasons out.

Arnel says that applying these ideas to communities is what he will figure out after graduation, perhaps an attitude that he shares with Sison, Baltazar, and Habito, who, through sharing their knowledge, have made contributions to the development of the country. (Jessa Jael S. Arana)

in Iba, Zambales. Laurio and Sazon garnered the highest general weighted average (GWA) among the graduates of Class 2017 and will lead the recipients of Academic Excellence awards during the Graduate School Recognition and Hooding Ceremony on June 23.

“I dreamt and aspired for it when I entered Graduate School,” admits Laurio, who was inspired by former teachers, and now colleagues, at CEAT’s Department of Chemical Engineering. He sees this achievement as a way to inspire and move others.

On the other hand, Sazon said that she did not expect it. “I am just an ordinary graduate student and a mom of three kids. What put me there probably is my dedication and hard work, driven by my desire to finish my studies on time so that I can be with my children back home,” she said.

“I want to share this honor to all of the graduates of 2017: those who spent sleepless nights doing their academic requirements, writing and revising their manuscript; who spent long working hours in the laboratory and field; who shed tears after receiving the comments of the external reviewers; and most importantly, those who temporarilyprioritized their studies over their family. A salute to all my fellow graduates,” Sazon added.

Aside from having the same honors, Laurio and Sazon coincidentally share other similarities.

Both are class valedictorians in high school. The two are holders of a bachelor’s degree from UPLB: Laurio earned his BS Chemical Engineering in 2009, while Sazon her BS Biology in 1990. They also started their careers as university research associate at the UPLB National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

Prior to earning her PhD, Sazon finished MS Environmental Sanitation from Ghent University in Belgium in 2009 and Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management at the UP Open University in 2004.

Meanwhile, Laurio is looking forward to pursuing his doctorate abroad in the near future.

Following the two graduates with the highest GWAs are Academic Achievement awardees, namely: John Peter Quakenbush (botany), Mary Louise P. Pascual (agricultural engineering), Loraine C. Bainto (food science), Rochelle Joie A. Saracanlao (soil science), and Nadeth Rae R. Cosico (communication arts) at the masters level; and Evaristo Niño T. Cando III (environmental science), Ryan T. Sarimong (soil science), Joyce C. Limbaga (food science), Tanay Joshi (agronomy), and Jose S. Valmorida (food science) at the doctorate level.

(Mark Jayson E. Gloria, with reports from Juan Paolo A. Aquino)

Experts discuss ASEAN integration opportunities for UPLB... from p. 2 Liberalization and Competition Policy, which could boost the country’s economy.

Dr. Sese, on the other hand, spoke about the need for and benefits of having a Philippine space agency. He also emphasized how the ASEAN can work to fill-in common space science needs, such as Earth observation for disaster prevention and resources monitoring, maritime observation, facilities for assembly, integration and testing of satellites, and technology transfer and development.

In his opening remarks, Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., said that ASEAN integration opens development opportunities for higher education institutions and human resources. He said that for academe,

participating in the ASEAN means intensifying educational cooperation within the Region, narrowing development gaps, and increasing the competitiveness of its people.

Also present was Dr. Cristeta Cuaresma, head of the Graduate Education and Institutional Development Program, who represented Dr. Gil F. Saguiguit, Jr., SEARCA director.

The symposium was organized by the Graduate School, to further enhance public awareness of the goals and initiatives of the ASEAN, the College of Economics and Management, and SEAMEO-SEARCA in partnership with the UPLB Economics Society, UNESCO Club, and UP Epsilon Chi Fraternity. (Jessa Jael S. Arana)

January-March April-June 2017 2017

UPLBHORIZON UPLBHORIZON

99

CFNR honors personnel, students at 107th anniversary “The College of Forestry and Natural Resources’ (CFNR) excellent track record has been a source of inspiration, honor, and pride, not only for its constituents, but also for the rest of the UPLB. That is why today, it is important that we all take a moment to express our deepest gratitude, and to give due recognition to the people behind CFNR’s strength,” said Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., during the recognition program for its workforce on its 107th anniversary.

The recognition program served as the opening salvo of the College’s foundation day anniversary celebration on April 20-21. Its theme was “Improving quality of life and sustaining the environment.”

This year’s outstanding teacher is Rosalie C. Mendoza of the Department

of Forest Products and Paper Science, while Habitat Care Program was recognized as the outstanding research team. Habitat Care assesses, documents, monitors biodiversity, and generates long term data on the different changes and effects of ecological phenomena.

The College also recognized three of its faculty members who were the most recent recipients of the UP Scientist titles under the UP Scientific Productivity System (SPS): Dr. Ramon A. Razal and Dr. Wilfredo M. Carandang (UP Scientist II) and Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan (UP Scientist I). The SPS aims to support the development of science and technology and encourage and reward scientific productivity in UP. CFNR also gave service awards to 23 of its personnel who have served

the College for 25, 30, 35, and 40 years and a tribute to six retirees, namely: Dr. Daylinda Cabanilla, faculty member; Corazon A. Calimag, university extension specialist; and administrative staff Angelina T. Valdez, Efren G. dela Cruz, Jesus M. Tejero, and Cresencio Dolores.

A special award was given to Dr. Reynaldo A. Comia, outgoing director of the Institute of Agroforestry.

Meanwhile, a posthumous award was bestowed upon the late Alfredo Balagat, who served the College from 1976 to 2016. Balagat’s family were on hand to receive the award.

The College also recognized its University and College Scholars during the 2nd semester of AY 2015-2016 and 1st semester of AY 2016-2017.

(Kristine E. Araguas)

IPB marks 42nd year “It is no secret that the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) has always been at the forefront of Philippine agricultural genetic research. This year’s anniversary is a simple but powerful reminder of IPB’s roots and role towards developing a more climate change-resilient and future-proof Philippine agriculture.”

This is how Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., summed up IPB’s past and future contributions to agriculture in his message at its 42nd anniversary celebration on June 5.

The message was delivered on his behalf by Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Dr. Lapitan said, “thanks to IPB; plant breeding in the Philippines has become

one of the most revered disciplines and professions in our country.”

The message also reiterated the significance of IPB-produced crop varieties that have remained beneficial to farmers and consumers and have proven to be resilient to challenging environmental conditions.

The celebration, with the theme “Science and seeds in the service of the Filipino nation,” gathered some of the biggest names in plant breeding, namely: National Scientists Ricardo M. Lantican and Ramon C. Barba; Dr. Emil Q. Javier, former UP president; Dr. Ruben L. Villareal, former UPLB chancellor; and Dr. Fernando A. Bernardo, former dean of CA and former president of the then Visayas

State College of Agriculture, now the Visayas State University.

Together with other IPB pillars, they form the Institute’s Council of Elders, who continuously provides expert advice to IPB. The event also served as a venue to honor IPB’s notable employees.

Present during the event were Dr. Enrico P. Supangco, dean of the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS), who gave an inspirational message; Dr. Pompe C. Sta. Cruz, officer–in-charge of IPB; Dr. Jocelyn D. Labios, associate dean for research and extension of CAFS; and Dr. Calixto M. Protacio, former director of the then Crop Science Cluster where IPB used to be a part of.

OUTSTANDING TEACHER. Rosalie C. Mendoza, assistant professor at CFNR receives her award as Outstanding Teacher. She is flanked by Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Portia G. Lapitan and Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. (Photo by VR Maningas)

Also present were Dr. Evelyn Mae Tecson-Mendoza, professor emeritus and Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology; Dr. Emiliana N. Bernardo and Dr. Rita P. Laude, past vice chancellors for academic affairs; and Dr. Jocelyn E. Eusebio, director of the Crops Research Division of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development.

Other activities during the celebration were a motorcade around the campus, a thanksgiving mass, a salo-salo, and the IPB Family Day. (Kristine E. Araguas)

NCPC celebrates 41st year regaining its identity as a research unit “NCPC is back!” declared Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. during the Advisory Board Meeting of the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) on May 19 at the NCPC Conference Room.

The meeting is the first for NCPC after it was integrated into the then Crop Protection Cluster of the College of Agriculture (CA) in 2005.

On Dec. 16, 2016, the NCPC regained its identity as a separate research unit of the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) when the Board of Regents approved the renaming and restructuring of the CA into CAFS. The meeting also served as a culminating activity of NCPC’s weeklong 41st anniversary celebration that started on May 15.

During the opening of the NCPC exhibit on May 15 where he delivered an inspirational message, Chancellor Sanchez underscored the importance of NCPC in national development.

“NCPC’s knowledge and expertise shall be needed even more now that we are experiencing the effects of climate change,” he said. “It is important to develop an integrated set of initiatives that shall mainstream climate adaptation in our country’s agricultural system, especially in dealing with vector-born plant pathogens, which cause a wide range of plant diseases that affect our country’s food production and security.”

Dr. Gil Magsino, officer-in-charge of NCPC, called the re-emergence of NCPC as a “rebirth” of the Center. In his presentation to the advisory board

composed of representatives from UPLB, the government, the private sector, and the farmers, Dr. Magsino highlighted the research and extension initiatives of NCPC in plant biosecurity, pest management, and public service.

Members of the board gave their suggestions to further improve NCPC’s operations and maximize emerging technologies in information and communication technologies.

various vegetable crops that are bought in the market. It is also an indicator of how much time is needed to process the vegetables to make it ready and safe for consumption.

Another is the set of pest management technologies, which put on the spotlight the use of biological control measures, supplements such as carrageenan technology, and weeds that can repel pests.

Exhibit on crop protection

A forum for farmers

An exhibit featuring crop protection technologies at the NCPC lobby kicked-off the anniversary festivities. One of the technologies that was featured is the Rapid Test Kit for Pesticide Residues, a simple set-up that detects the amount of pesticides in

On May 16, NCPC hosted a consultation forum to give farmers a chance to talk with UPLB’s crop protection experts. More than 40 farmers from Nagcarlan and Alaminos towns in Laguna were able to identify plant diseases and the ways of solving them using the plant specimens that they brought during the forum.

Valeriana Justo, head of NCPC’s Public Service Division, reiterated its goal to help farmers, saying that NCPC experts and staff are ready to give their assistance to the farmers.

The forum also covered discussions on marketing of goods for small-scale farmers aside from maintaining healthy crops and managing pests. The panel encouraged the farmers to form an organization and supply their produce to city supermarkets.

Present during the activities were Dr. Enrico Supangco, dean of CAFS, and Dr. Fernando F. Sanchez, Sr., retired professor and founding director of NCPC. Dr. Rex Demafelis, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, and Dr. Romulo Davide, Professor Emeritus and past director of NCPC, also graced the anniversary.

SHOWCASE OF TECHNOLOGIES AND KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTS. Chancellor Sanchez, Jr. assists his father, Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Sr., founding director of NCPC, during the ceremonial ribbon cutting to formally open the NCPC exhibit. Also in the photo are (3rd and 6th from left) Dr. Magsino, director of NCPC and Dr. Supangco, dean of CAFS; and scientists of NCPC. (Photo by VR Maningas)

(Mark Jayson E. Gloria, Christopher V. Labe, and Jessa Jael S. Arana)

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VP Robredo to students: ‘be ambassadors of hope’ “Remember, life is bigger than your classrooms. Know, too, that the world beyond UPLB is not just of conflict and upheaval, it is also a world of hope.

You will find hope in the stories of our countrymen and in the narratives of their lives.” This was one of the reminders of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo to UPLB students during the academic forum dubbed “VP Leni goes to UPLB” on Apr. 21 at the DL Umali Hall.

VP Robredo emphasized the need to give hope, thus her “tsinelas leadership,” a brand of leadership that empowers people and reaches out to communities on the fringes of society.

She shared the stories that she had witnessed while implementing Angat Buhay, an anti-poverty program that focuses on nutrition and food security, health, education, rural development, and women empowerment. The program brings together local

government units (LGUs), civil society, and other benefactors in activities addressing malnutrition, farming, and electricity supply, among others, in remote areas. According to her, Angat Buhay is being implemented in 50 LGUs. “Angat Buhay represents our hopes for change that empowers every Filipino, the change we are fighting for. Fighting poverty at the grassroots requires good governance. We want to make a model of this local governance so that hopefully, other LGUs will follow suit,” VP Robredo said.

She enjoined the students to participate in and spread the good news coming from development pursuits such as Angat Buhay amid the proliferation of negative and fake news.

“I would rather focus on hopeful stories, instead of the negativity that we can all find in national broadsheets and social media. Of course, we still look

at the difficult realities around us and analyze the problems we face so that we can solve them,” she explained.

“You can be part of our campaign – you can be our social media warriors by sharing our Angat Buhay stories and initiatives. You can be our information ambassadors – flooding virtual and real communities with positive and inspiring information to counter the negativity that we see on a daily basis,” VP Robredo further said.

An open forum followed the speech of VP Robredo on topics on agrarian reform, housing and settlements, job contractualization, the war on drugs, and social media bashing.

UPLB students, faculty, and staff attended the event, which was organized by the CEAT Student Council. Also present during the event were UPLB officials led by Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, vice chancellor for academic affairs, who delivered the welcome

AMBASSADOR OF HOPE. Vice Pres.

Robredo shared stories of hope that she learned about while implementing Angat Buhay. (Photo by VR Maningas)

remarks on behalf of Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. (Mark Jayson E. Gloria)

DSWD Sec. Taguiwalo headlines forum to mark women’s month in UPLB “What do women want?” asked Hon. Judy Taguiwalo, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), at the seminar and forum held on March 28 at the NCAS Auditorium to celebrate National Women’s Month.

“Very basic for most women: for their children to finish their education and to have food three times a day,” she continued.

Sec. Taguiwalo was the keynote speaker of the event that was themed “We make change work for women” nationwide. Sec. Taguiwalo delivered an impromptu message, which she referred to as “straight from the heart,” and shared true stories about women and communities. In her talk, she emphasized how women value relationships, families, and children.

Sec. Taguiwalo is an expert in women’s studies and a professorial lecturer at the UP Diliman College of Social Work and Community Development.

Sec. Taguiwalo articulated the hope of the country’s women to uplift it from poverty and underscored the

role of state policies and programs in improving women’s lives. She said that such interventions must be free from corruption, efficiently brought to the people, responsive to crisis, and strategic.

She reiterated how DSWD has been empowering women in poor communities through programs and activities characterized by malasakit (compassion) and has followed the values of “maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo” (prompt and caring services); “patas na pagtrato sa mga komunidad” (fair treatment of communities); and “serbisyong walang puwang sa katiwalian” (services free from corruption).

One of the DSWD’s flagship programs is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a conditional cash transfer program where majority of the beneficiaries are women because according to Sec. Taguiwalo, they are the ones who take care of the children.

Sec. Taguiwalo also said that DSWD has provided assistance and rescued women in crisis such as those

who have been abused and affected by disasters, and has provided key support to local government units in performing similar functions.

She underscored the importance of providing sustainable livelihood programs and promoting microenterprises in uplifting the lives of women. She identified UPLB as a potential partner in making such endeavors flourish.

Dr. Susan May F. Calumpang, assistant to the vice chancellor for research and extension, read the special message of Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. for the occasion.

Dr. Calumpang quoted Chancellor Sanchez to have acknowledged the contributions of female colleagues to the development and growth of the University.

Following Sec. Taguiwalo’s speech was a Q&A forum with a panel of resource persons composed of Dr. Bella C. Cruzana, director of the UPLB Gender Center; Dr. Thelma Paris, an independent socioeconomics and gender specialist; and Rodger

Golez sheds light on maritime issues The Philippines is facing a security challenge; and the world, the overwhelming environmental impact of maritime issues that now confront the Philippines.

SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT CHALLENGE. Rep. Golez talks about how maritime issues faced by the country impact security and the environment.

(Photo by VR Maningas)

This in essence is the message of Roilo Golez, former national security adviser and representative of Parañaque City, who gave a lecture entitled “Diskursong teritoryo: strategic significance of the West Philippine Sea and Benham Rise” on May 8 at the NCAS Auditorium.

He said that the Philippines is facing a two-front security challenge: Scarborough Shoal in the west, and Benham Rise in the east. He recounted that the methods that China was using to gain the Scarborough Shoal was similar to how it gained control over the Kalayaan group of islands.

Should China manage to build a military installation at the Scarborough Shoal, it would complete a “threepoint strategic triangle” alongside the Kalayaan group of islands and the Paracel Islands, another disputed territory in the West Philippine Sea, Golez explained. Golez, an alumnus of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, said that this triangle would grant China a great amount of

strategic and military control over the entire West Philippine Sea. Golez also touched on the overwhelming environmental impact of China’s reclaiming and constructing artificial islands, which destroy the underwater reef ecosystems. As the waters of the West Philippine Sea are responsible for ten percent of global fish production, such grave ecological destruction would have economic consequences, Golez pointed out.

He also talked about the Benham Rise, which is situated off the coast of Isabela to the east of the Philippines. According to him, the 250 km2 undersea landform is teeming with fish and other marine resources, and has also been identified as having rich deposits of natural gas, methane, and manganese. He further noted that the area was awarded in 2012 by the United Nations (UN) to the Philippines following the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas. However, early this year, a Chinese survey ship was spotted moving within Benham Rise in

M. Valientes, faculty member at the Department of Economics. Dr. Maria Helen F. Dayo, a gender and development expert and a researcher at the College of Agriculture and Food Science, served as moderator. UPLB faculty members, staff, and students attended the event.

WOMEN’S ADVOCATE. DSWD Sec. Taguiwalo tells stories from the heart about women and their aspirations (Photo

by VR Maningas)

clear violation of international ruling.

The lecture was followed by an open forum where Golez answered questions from students. He stressed that information campaigns are critical to raise awareness on the real situation of these maritime issues. He added that the youth could contribute by informing others about what they have learned about the issue.

The lecture is the third installment of the series “Reimagining Philippine politics and governance” of the Political Science Division of the Department of Social Sciences (DSS).

In his opening remarks, John Raymond Jison, head of the DSSPolitical Science Division, discussed the relevance of the topic in modern discourse, particularly on sovereignty and the role of the youth. Dr. Cecille Noble, executive director of Lingkod Bayani organization, gave an overview of the topic and Dwight David Diestro, chair of the DSS, articulated in his closing remarks the importance of such knowledge sharing activities.

(Albert Geoffred B. Peralta)

April-June 2017

UPLBHORIZON

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UPLB ranks high in 6 PRC board exams UPLB registered excellent ratings in six professional board examinations administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in the past four months. These were in agriculture with 28 passers out of 29 or a 97% passing rate; chemical engineering, 32/36 or 89% passing rate; civil engineering, 25/26 or 96.15 % passing rate; electrical engineering, 36/36 or 100% passing rate; secondary school teachers, 38/39 or 97% passing rate; and environmental planner, 50/61 or 82% passing rate.

One third of the UPLB passers made it to the list of topnotchers in the April 2017 Agriculturist Licensure Examination, led by Allan T. Si at third place (85.33%). Sharing the fifth spot in the top ten were Ana Mikaela B. Maravilla, Gladys S. Morado, and Jecel A. Saguindan, Jr. (85%). Elson Ian Nyl E. Galang (84.83%) and Gene Teri G. Casas (84.50%) secured the sixth and seventh places, respectively.

Nile Oliver B. Mateo placed eighth (84.33%), while Jomari B. Delos Reyes clinched the ninth spot (84.17%).

Kohlin M. Lallabban and Ken Guiller A. Vicente completed the list at tenth place (84%).

Meanwhile, in the May 2017 Chemical Engineer Licensure Examination, UPLB emerged as one of only two top performing schools. To be a top performing school in the said exam, a school should have 30 or more examinees and must have at least 80% passing rate.

In the May 2017 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination, Jan Carlo M. Castro landed at third place in the top ten with a rating of 93.20%.

UPLB once again proved its dominance in BS Electrical Engineering as all 36 examinees passed the

April 2017 PRC-administered board examination for electrical engineers.

Six of its passers landed in the top ten: Jenny Rose V. Repollo, 2nd; Brian B. Balmores, 3rd; John Raymond B. Lumawag, 5th; Kyle U. Vosotros, 7th; Ramon E. Ednalaga, 8th; and Francis George T. Lomaad, 9th.

Three of the board passers, Martin Alfred Cedeño, John Bryan

Infantado, and Jamaica Pascual also took and passed the Registered Master Electrician Licensure Examination.

In the March 2017 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), 38 out of 39 examinees from UPLB received their newly minted licenses as secondary school teachers. UPLB’s flagship teaching course is the BS Mathematics and Science Teaching

program (BSMST) with majors in mathematics, biology, chemistry, or physics.

The Environmental Planner Licensure Examination is usually taken by graduates of BS Human Ecology and MS/PhD in Environmental Science.

(Josephine M. Bo and Mark Jayson E. Gloria, with reports from www.prc.gov. ph)

Infograph by JGS Sarol

UP PSAE breaks ground at Agriya in Davao “Partnerships can defy boundaries of land and seas to reach our common goal of bringing quality education to the country’s ‘food basket,’ Mindanao,” thus declared Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. as he led the historic groundbreaking ceremony of the UP Professional School for Agriculture and the Environment (PSAE) in Panabo City, Davao del Norte on May 18.

The UP PSAE, an extension campus of UPLB in Mindanao, is the academe-private sector partnership of UP and the ANFLOCOR-Damosa Land, Inc. (DLI). Conceptualized in 2015 under the administration of former UP President Alfredo A. Pascual, the campus aims to catalyze development in Mindanao by enhancing human capital resources for agriculture and other disciplines.

The occasion coincided with the goundbreaking ceremony for Agriya, where UP PSAE is going to be established. Agriya is an 88-hectare mixed-use land development of DLI that is envisioned to be the first agritourism township in Asia.

With three hectares provided by ANFLOCOR-DLI in which to build an administration office, school buildings, laboratories, and greenhouses, “UP PSAE will not only enhance UPLB’s presence in Mindanao but will also advance inclusive industrial growth in the region and in the Philippines,” pointed out Chancellor Sanchez.

In fact, it will soon graduate six MS Entomology students.

Capitalizing on Panabo’s agriculture heritage The partnership capitalizes on Panabo City’s agricultural heritage to provide an accessible hub of

knowledge sharing in agriculture and allied disciplines in the region.

“We started with agriculture and agribusiness, venturing into agritourism, and now education. These are part of the legacy of Don Antonio Floirendo, whose agribusiness had been providing jobs to Mindanao since the 1940s,” shared Mr. Ricardo Luis Mateo F. Lagdameo, vice president of DLI. Lagdameo related how Don Antonio, whose heart was close to education, gave scholarships to many children in the region. “Bringing high quality education to indigents and deserving in Mindanao who cannot afford education elsewhere is continuing this legacy and giving back to Mindanao,” he said.

ANFLOCOR Chairman, Mr. Anthony B. Sasin, said that Mindanao’s traditional strength in “agribusiness can expand into agri-tourism, which will encourage more people to invest in Panabo City and Tagum.” All these will benefit the region and enhance inclusive growth.

Meanwhile, Panabo City Mayor James G. Gamao pointed out that UP PSAE “opens more platforms for ANFLOCOR, a longtime development partner of the LGU, to work with the development agenda of Panabo City.”

Camacho, Jr.; College of Agriculture and Food Science dean Enrico Supangco; UP PSAE Director Anna Floresca F. Firmalino; and Kevin John R. Lino, GS senior office associate.

From ANFLOCOR and DLI, as well as the LGU, were Davao del Norte Vice Governor Alan Dujali; Panabo City Vice Mayor Janrey G. Gavina; Senior Vice President of the ANFLO Management and Investment Corporation, Mr. Ricardo Floirendo; Architect Karima Patricia Palafox; and officials and staff.

Prior to the groundbreaking ceremonies, on April 21, a team from UPLB had consulted stakeholders from state universities and colleges, companies, government agencies, and industry associations in Davao and neighboring provinces to identify courses that will be offered at UP PSAE. The team, composed of Chancellor

Sanchez, Director Firmalino, Dr. Camacho, and Dr. Supangco, held meetings with the stakeholders in Lanang, Davao City.

According to Director Firmalino, stakeholders have identified agriculture, crop science, horticulture, plant pathology, environmental science, disaster risk reduction and mitigation, and marine sciences and ecosystems as the fields of study that they are interested in. The stakeholders, Director Firmalino said, are also looking forward to the advance technologies, processes, and methods that UP PSAE would be able to teach farmers.

The UP Board of Regents (BOR) approved the establishment of UP PSAE at its 1322nd meeting on Nov. 24, 2016, while the construction of the School’s building is being targeted this year. (Serlie B. Jamias, with reports from

Kristine E. Araguas)

Stakeholders in the partnership Representatives from UP and UPLB, led by former UP President Pascual and Chancellor Sanchez included Regent Alexis Mejia; UP Executive Vice President Ted Herbosa; Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Portia Lapitan; Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Serlie B. Jamias.; Graduate School (GS) Dean Jose

GROUNDBREAKING FOR UP PSAE & AGRIYA IN DAVAO. (L-R) Representatives from UP and UPLB and executives of ANFLOCOR and Damosa Land, Inc. prepare to shovel soil to cover the ground holding the time capsule during the groundbreaking event for Agriya and UP PSAE. (Photo courtesy of UP PSAE)

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Summit brings OSA and students together “Kakampi ninyo kami! (We are your allies!),” said Dr. Nina M. Cadiz, director of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), to 55 student leaders of UPLB. The students, representing recognized student organizations in UPLB, participated in the Student Organization Leaders’ Summit 2017 on June 5-6 at the BP International Hotel in Los Baños, Laguna. The summit, with the theme “Our real goal: realizing possibilities, maximizing capabilities,” sought to empower students and facilitate close communication with them and the administration.

Dr. Cadiz assured the students of OSA’s support for them. “I take the problems of students very seriously,” she said. Dr. Cadiz expressed concern about students’ fear and apprehension to approach OSA about their problems due to stigma and unpleasant experiences. “Kung may problema, iparating ninyo sa amin; huwag kayong mahiya (If you have problems, do not be ashamed to tell us about them).”

Dr. Cadiz also recognized the role of organizations in the students’ psychosocial and emotional well-being. She said that student organizations provide avenues to support and develop the

students’ skills and talents and serve as their family away from home.

Jickerson P. Lado, head of OSA’s Student Organizations and Activities Division (SOAD), which organized the summit, discussed the goals and accomplishments of SOAD. He introduced its new activities, namely: the Student Org Leaders Assembly (SOLA) where student organizations may voice out concerns; the SOADvisers Forum, which guides organization advisers on policies; and the SOADmin Forum that aims to unify the policies on using campus facilities for student activities.

Lado also discussed the creation of SOADD points, an incentive system that enables student organizations to use classrooms for free. He also announced that OSA has received its first research grant that will support a study on gender roles and empowerment among UPLB student organizations.

Meanwhile, in a message delivered on his behalf by Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Portia G. Lapitan, Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. emphasized to the students the importance of having good character. “Apart from being

RECOGNIZING THE ROLES OF STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS. A UPLB student (standing) interacts with his fellow student leaders and representatives of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) during the Student Organization Leader’s Summit on June 5. The event sought to improve and strengthen the relationship of student organizations and the UPLB administration. (Photo by VR Maningas)

excellent, UP students must also have the character and the heart, not only to fulfill their role towards nation building, but more importantly, to help make the lives of their fellow Filipinos better.”

The summit also featured a talk

by Percival V. Cerdaña, commissioner of the National Youth Commission and a UPLB alumnus. He discussed the importance of organizations in the context of reaching one’s full potential.

He also encouraged student leaders to provide perspectives and feedback that could help policy makers and duty bearers in crafting proper programs and approaches for youth’s welfare.

Student Organizations Awards and Recognitions, a system to recognize the best performing student organizations and students, was also launched during the summit. (Jessa Jael S. Arana)

12 int’l students appointed as ‘UPLB Ambassadors’ The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) conferred the title “UPLB Ambassadors” to 12 graduating international students during the 5th Investiture and Commissioning Rites held on June 20 at the Makiling Ballroom, Student Union building.

They join more than 50 international alumni commissioned by UPLB in the past years to become its partners in promoting the University in their respective countries.

Dr. Nina M. Cadiz, director of OSA, said in her welcome remarks that as delegated University ambassadors, these international students will act as endorsers of UPLB among their countrymen, promoting UPLB as an institution and a community that provides quality education, overcomes cultural barriers, and welcomes and nurtures individuals from all nations.

The new UPLB ambassadors are: Manas Ranjan Prusty, PhD Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from India; Taishi Kidaka and Takafumi Doi, both

Doctors of Veterinary Medicine, from Japan; Sengsavang Sisouraj, MS Rural Sociology from Lao PDR; Ei Ei Aung, PhD Plant Pathology; Pan Ei Phyu, PhD Agronomy; Yin Yin Thant, PhD Soil Science; Su Latt Phyu PhD Plant Breeding, and Kyaw Min Htut; PhD in Entomology, all from Myanmar; Samuel Ayodele Ojorungbe, MS Development Communication and Kim Han Sol, BA Communication Arts who are both from Nigeria; and Trin Quang Thoai, PhD Agricultural Economics, from Vietnam.

“It is our hope that when you go back to your respective countries and pursue your respective professional and personal paths, you too, as well as your colleagues, will also come to UPLB to collaborate with us in producing research and technologies that can help both of our countries, the rest of Southeast Asia, and possibly the world,” said Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., in his message delivered

by Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, vice chancellor for academic affairs.

AMBASSADORS OF UPLB. Newly commissioned “UPLB ambassadors” proudly display their certificates. With them are Dr. Nina Cadiz, OSA director; Dr. Portia Lapitan, vice chancellor for academic affairs; Dr. Ma. Theresa Velasco, dean of CDC; Dr. Eduardo B. Torres, dean of CVM; Dr. Jose V. Camacho, dean of GS; and Dr. Erick Dy, head of OSA’s International Students Division. (Photo

by VR Maningas)

Dr. Lapitan encouraged the new ambassadors to use the knowledge, skills, and insights that they have gained from UPLB to serve their country, and

to become active and conscientious members of the international community. (Kristine E. Araguas)

UPLB turns spotlight on mental health The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) launched an awareness campaign on depression and suicide prevention in the University by holding “HOPE: Health Orientation on Problems from Emotional Stress” on March 27 at the DL Umali Hall.

“Sana ang ating mga matututunan ngayong umaga ay mapakinabangan

natin sa ating pakikisalamuha sa iba’tibang mag-aaral, katrabaho, at mga kaibigan (I hope that what we will learn this morning will be useful in our interactions with students, co-workers, and friends),” Dr. Nina M. Cadiz, director of OSA, said in a speech that was delivered by Katrina Joy M. AbriolSantos, head of OSA’s Communication

MENTAL HEALTH ON FOCUS. (From left to right) Resource persons Ms. Pauline Malabanan, Mr. Edwin Francis Gamboa, Dr. Alexandra Jean Palis, and Msgr. Alex Amante discuss depression and suicide during the Health Orientation on Problems from Emotional Stress seminar. (Photo by CH Hagosojos)

and Information Technology and a faculty member at the Institute of Computer Science.

Three resource persons talked about mood disorders and suicide prevention from different perspectives.

Msgr. Alex C. Amante, parish priest of the Diocese of San Pablo, explained sanctity of life, and how suicide is contrary to the love of God, self, and neighbor. He, however, said that we should not judge those who have attempted to commit suicide because we do not know the internal struggle that a person is experiencing.

Dr. Alexandra Jean C. Palis, a psychiatric consultant at the University Health Service, discussed the symptoms and red flags of various mood disorders, suicide, suicide stressors, and non-suicidal self-injury. Among the tips Dr. Palis gave was on dealing with people who inflict non-suicidal selfinjury. According to her, it is important to approach them in a supportive, nonjudgmental way, putting into mind that such situation represents a distress or problem being experienced by the person.

The third speaker, Edwin Francis Gamboa, author of the book “Swung by a pendulum: on mood swings and bipolar reality,” differentiated the brain

cells of people who have and do not have bipolar disorder. According to him, the difference lies in the prevalence of neurotransmitters in the brain. He also expressed his hopes that UP can become a stigma-free, shame-free, and ignorance-free university when it comes to mental health disorders.

Pauline Malabanan, a BS Human Ecology student who was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, shared her testimony during the program.

She told the participants how she was able to cope with depression by being open to her loved ones, finding an outlet for her depression, and seeking professional help. “Let us not fear the doctor; let us not fear medicines; let us not fear the stigma. Let us fear what depression can do to us,” she said.

On dealing with people who have borderline personality disorder, Dr. Palis said that it is important to avoid disagreements and other situations that may trigger the disorder to flare up.

In her closing remarks, Janett A. Dolor, head of OSA’s Counseling and Testing Division, said, “share these insights with the people around you; put everything that you have learned into practice. Do your part in reaching out to others who are deeply in need of assistance.”(Charlotte H. Hagosojos)