A Sorrowful Weekend

This weekend seems sorrowful for me as I received sad news - the father of a Fraternity brother Arjay Saguiguit passed away after a long fight with disease as he has been in the PJG Hospital in Cabanatuan City. Likewise, a dear colleague at the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) Leonardo Reyes returned to his Creator after he was diagnosed with a fatal cancer in the blod. The last time that I visited Ka Leonard was last Thursday, May 28 after attending a forum in Palayan City. Ka Leonard died at Doctors' Hospital in Cabanatuan City.

May we enjoin our friends to pray for the family and loved ones of these two souls who are now happier in God's abode. (JSF blogs...)

Got a Calling from Above?

Are you dreaming to be a Pastor, Christian Educator or Missionary? Then, get a formal preparation by enrolling at the International Christian College of Manila (ICCM).

ICCM is located in Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City (right beside Budgetlane Mall). It offers Bachelor of Theology (CHED-accredited) with majors in Ministry, Music/Worship, Education and Outreach/Mission.

Enroll now. Classes starts June 8, 2009. For more information, call The Registrar at (02) 696-3964 or (0920) 206-7011.

PhilSCAT Attends SL Agritech Promo Fair

The Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT), together with other organizations dealing with rice crop (like PhilRice, CLSU, ATI, GMA-Rice Program, etc) participated actively in the SL Agritech Corporation' s Search for Highest Yielder among SL-8H farmers. PhilSCAT, during the Awarding Ceremonies held in NE Convention Center, Palayan City (Nueva Ecija) on May 28, 2009, was represented by the Center's Technology and Product Promotion Division (TPPD) staff Dr. J. Falla, Ms. R. Bumanlag and Ms. L. Barroga.SL-8H is one of the many hybrid rice variety commercially available in the Philippines developed and promoted by the private organization SL Agritech. Most government-develope d hybrid varieties were nicknamed "Meztizo's".VIP's spotted during the ceremonies include the Philippine rice czar Dr. Santiago Obien, GMA-Rice Director Dr. Frisco Malabanan, DA-RFU III Director Dr. Redentor Gatus, NE-PA Serafin Santos, and many more. Members of the SL Agritech Corporation were also in attendance led by its Chairman and CEO Mr. Henry Lim. This Awarding Ceremonies of the "Search for Hybrid Rice highest Yielder" coincided with the "Mass Graduation of Palaycheck Field Schools" of Nueva Ecija. The occasion also served as a promo-fair for SL-8H hoping to neutralize the negative feedbacks about it which spread sometime in February 2009 due to the alleged "pre-mature" booting brought about by cold spell during the seed production.Testimonies of the winners as to how they attained 200 -300 bags per hectare highlighted the Ceremonies. They received handsome prizes in cash and in kind. Similarly, concerned municipal agriculturists and technicians were recognized during this occasion. The LGU-Nueva Ecija Office of the Provincial Agriculturist hosted this event. (30)

Happy 31st Anniversary BPRE !

BPRE stands for Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension, my mother agriculture unit, which is the postharvest arm of the Philippine Department of Agriculture. This week is dubbed as the Postharvest Week, and today is the so-called Industry Day featuring a day-long program commemorating the importance of postharvest technology as agri-development strategy.

Today's occasion was graced, among many others by, Congressman Bernardo Pinol, Jr., A/Sec. Salvador Salacup, Gov. Josephine Sato, presidents of BPRE-cooperating SUC's, former BPRE Executive Director Silvestre Andales, and delegates of various agricultural R & D organizations.

This year is my 26th anniversary with BPRE, and here's wishing this DA unit all the best. Congratulations for its excellent performance in increasing farm productivity via postharvest technology. (30) Photo: This blogger with wife Rose while participating in an International Agri-Machinery Exhibit@Nanjing City, PROC. At the background is a multi-row Rice Mechanical Transplanter commonly used in developed agri-economy like China.

GE/GLE Zonal (Luzon) Summit 2009

It's final! The Luzon Summit of the Gamma Epsilon Fraternity and the Gamma Lambda Epsilon Sorority shall be held on June 20 - 21, 2009 at Villa Carlota Resort, Guimba Nueva Ecija. The registration fee for Resident members is P200, and for Alumni members is P700. GE T-shirts shall be distributed on a first-come, first-served (first-pay or pre-registered delegates) basis. Come one, come all. Pax et bonum!

All My Lovin' - Bro. Josh (Omega '72)

Photo: GE Brothers (me included) and some Ms. Earth 2008 Beauty Pageant Candidates

Test Run for Dr. Josue S. Falla's Blog

Hello Everybody,

As an information-communication advocate, I am exploring available means and technology to express myself - blogging is one. Thus, here am I, testing this technology. All the best for everyone. - Dr. Josh Falla (Nueva Ecija, Philippines)