20 HI Alumni @ Chowking-Talavera for Dinner Fellowship

28 Feb. 2010, Talavera, Nueva Ecija - Twenty alumni of Haggai Institute (HI) gathered together at Chowking Fastfood shop today for a dinner fellowship and organizational development brainstorming. It was facilitated by Ms. Clarafe of Wesleyan University, who updated the attendees of some issues confronting the HI chapter in Nueva Ecija. At least three coordinators were selected to facilitate the next meeting where election of officers will be conducted.

Haggai Institute is a transdenominational global ministry aimed at evangelizing the world with focus on the least evangelized regions where Christianity is yet a minority. It has an international training center in Maui, Hawaii and Singapore. (30)

Modest Recognition for Thesis Critics

For having unselfishly devoted his time and for sharing his expertise during the seminar-workshop on "Getting Your Thesis Published" (as indicated in the texts), this blogger (Dr. Josue S. Falla) was awarded a plaque of appreciation (with modest honorarium) from the College of Arts and Sciences, Central Luzon State University, during the closing ceremonies (yesterday February 27) of the Saturday-seminar series organized by the College. It was signed by College Research Coordinator Dr. Rosalie Rafael and Dean of CAS Dr. Renato Reyes.

Dr. Falla, a training and extension director of the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension, also made himself available for research/evaluation and related services especially among research organizations within DA and academic institutions. He once upon a time taught Scientific Writing at the College of Agriculture, Lyceum-Northwestern (Dagupan City) where he critiqued and advised over 60 undergraduated thesis. He once served as External evaluator of a Ph.D dissertation at the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, India. He wrote (authored/co-authored) over 45 scientific and popular papers, 25 of which were published.

Currently, Dr. Falla teaches (by arrangement) English communication at a Bible college named International Christian College of Manila in Antipolo City. He will retire soon from the government service under EO 366 Rationalization Program, but resolved to be still available for service in the industry. (30)

Four Activities Over the Weekend

It will be a busy weekend for this blogger as he is obliged to attend to the following activities:

1. CCNE, Inc. Retreat Night - An overnight vigil of the officers of the Church of Christ in Nueva Ecija, Inc., a newly SEC-registered body of Christ in this country's rice granary province. It aims to define its structure and functions vis-a-vis its component para-Church organizations like the CLEAN (Christian leaders' association), SPKKababaihan (Christian women's group) and SPKKabataan (a fellowship of Christian youth). The retreat also aims to enhance commitment and dedication of the participants to the service of the Lord.
It will be held at PhilRice, Maligaya, Nueva Ecija tonight, Feb. 26, 2010.

2. "Getting Your Thesis Published" workshop at the College of Arts and Sciences, Central Luzon State University. To be held tomorrow, Feb. 27, this is a sequel of seminar-workshop last Feb. 13, where this reporter serves as one of the resource persons.

3. Sunday morning worship celebration at the CLSU Interfaith Chapel.

4. Reunion and fellowship of Haggai Institute (HI) alumni on the eve of Sunday, Feb. 28 at Chowking Fastfood-Talavera as organized by Sis. Clarafe of HI-Nueva Ecija

Eleven Souls Receive Baptism; 2 Babies Dedicated to God

Brgy. Magtanggol, Science City of Munoz - Eleven newly born-again Christians were immersed today in baptism, as officiated by Bro. Migs Nad, minister of Sto. Tomas Church of Christ. They, and their birthdays, are: 1. Rommel Pantanilla (Jan. 11, 1992), 2. Jose Pantanilla (Jan. 25, 1958), 3. Edward G. Flores (Oct. 2, 1995), 4. Nick Flores (Sept. 10, 1955), 5. Emma Flores (May 11, 1953), 6. Diosdado Delos Reyes (Nov. 20, 1966), 7. Loida L. Pajo (Mar. 28, 1953), 8. Hilario B. Pajo (Jan. 14, 1952), 9. Christian Gil L. Pajo, 10. Analita D. Pajo (June 26), and 11. Ma. Alardeliza Delos Reyes (Feb. 16, 1977). They confessed faith and publicly accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour before the congregation last Sunday worship celebration at the CLSU Interfaith Chapel.

Meanwhile, on this day's same occasion, 2 children of the newly born-again couple, Bro. Dado and Sis. Ala Delos Reyes were dedicated to the Lord, in a simple ceremony, also officiated by STCC minister Bro. Migs. The children are Deo and Ma. Sophia Delos Reyes. Some brethren of the local Church stood as witnesses-Godparents, namely, Rosie Torres, Ligaya Baltazar, Anna Patricia Baluran, Brian Whyzmar Salazar, Edward Flores, Danilo Dumale, Analita Pajo, Rommel Pantanilla, Roselle Baluran, Gigi Caibio, Karen Nonog and Max Galleto.

And to celebrate these holy, blessed activities of baptism and child-dedication, STCC members and friends gathered together for a sumptuous lunch as prepared by this Church family (a la Potluck style). All for God's glory. (30)

Valentine's Dinner Fellowship for CYF@Cluster 5 Churches

With the theme "Love, Courtship and Marriage", the Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) of Cluster 5 Churches in Northern Nueva Ecija celebrated the Hearts' Day on Feb. 14, 2010 at the CLSU Interfaith Chapel.

Over 60 couples from the local Churches of San Jose City, Sto. Tomas, Maligaya, Bakal II, Malayantoc and San Francisco participated the dinner-fellowship. Pastor Nomer Santiago of Malolos Church of Christ was the guest speaker, who expounded on the theme, Love, Courtship and Marriage, from the Christian perspectives. Praise and Worship highlighted the celebration, as each local Church gave a special number for God's glory and for the listening pleasure of the attendees, as well. There were also games and gimmicks like selection of "Mr. & Ms. Valentines" as well as "Best Couple" of the night. It was also on this occasion when the new set of Youth officers for Cluster 5 were installed through Bro. Melchor Gervacio, elder of San Francisco Church. The night was capped through Candle light dinner, something the organizers cannot do without because of brownout. Nevertheless, it was a fine memorable Hearts' Day celebration for this cluster of Churches of Christ in Nueva Ecija. (JSF Blogs)

"Getting Your Thesis Published" Saturday Seminar Series

13 Feb. 2010, College of Arts and Sciences, CLSU, Nueva Ecija - This blogger (Dr. J. Falla) together with Dr. Karl Marx Quiazon of CLSU College of Fisheries serve as resource speakers in the Saturday seminar series on "Getting Your Thesis Published" organized by this College, which started today. It was participated by over 60 senior students of Central Luzon State University who are currently preparing their theses as requirement for graduation sometime in April.

Both speakers shared their rich experiences in writing technical paper and provide the participants with helpful tips as to how their research papers get published in the appropriate scientific journals.

The seminar-workshop will run every Saturday. It will end on February 27, where the participants themselves will present their works with the two resource persons as critics. The seminar is coordinated by Dr. Rosalie Rafael and supervised by the College Dean Dr. Renato Reyes. (30)

Pre-Valentine's Delight: Kyle Falla-Taruc Meets Lola Dory Graham

11 February 2010, Trinoma Mall, Quezon City. For the first time, child Taekwondo champ Kyle Falla-Taruc meets a family friend Dory Graham, the surrogate mother of our daughters Jonna and Danna in California, today in his favorite hang-out, Trinoma. Dory is in town mainly to grace the Christening of her grandaughter Baby Jaira in Sta Rosa, Nueva Ecija last February 7. We are sending-off Dory home, but she will stay for few more days in Manila to maximize her visit. Tomorrow, Dory is set to be among the studio audience of Wowowee TV program, and of ASAP comes Saturday, something she really miss about our country.

Meanwhile, Kyle enjoyed the day in his favorite place in Trinoma, the Kidzone and the Timezone to play his favorite games. He also took time to see a sports shop and, what else, but his favorite eateries Mc Donalds. (Grandad JSF Blogs)

Over 20 BPRE Rationalized Staff @ PhilTrade's Entrepreneurship Devt. Seminar

Still a part of the Bureau's mitigating (possible) adverse impacts of the government's Rationalization Program resulting to the early retirement of some 20 officers and employees of DA-BPRE, a day-long seminar on Entrepreneurship Development (How To Start a Business) was conducted by DTI's Phil. Trade and Training Center (PhilTrade) on Feb. 8, 2010 in Roxas Blvd., Manila. Twenty-one BPRE (outgoing) researchers were oriented on the "how to start a business", which include topics on business identification, personal entrepreneurial competencies' id, assessment and development, and experience-sharing, among others.

The speaker was Mr. Edwin C. Pasahol of DTI. Seminar methodology includes lecture, workshops and seatwork exercises.

This general entrepreneurship seminar shall be followed by individual skills development where participants shall be provided with a compedium of training courses to choose appropriate training for himself.

This mitigating program for the rationalized staff is facilitated by the Bureau's Human Resource Division (HRD) headed by Ms. Deborah Ligon. (30)

2 Maka-Kristiyanong Tula ni Kptd. Rudy Galdones

Kaibigan, Handa Ka Na Ba?

I. Nilikha kang kawangis ng Diyos

Sa kabanalan pag-ibig at taos

Biyayang sagana mandi'y pinuspos

Maluwalhating Eden ligaya ay lubos.

II. Ang tao'y mapaghangad, kay taas mangarap,

Ang alabok lumilipad sa ulap lumampas,

Walang pasentabi puso'y naging mapangahas,

Buhay niya't kaluluwa alipin ng dahas.

III. Ang langit kagya't na nagdilim, Dilim ng gabi ang dala ay lagim, Ang hatol na nakamit apoy na nagngangalit, Yaman at ligaya naging pait at sakit.

IV. Ikaw sa langit di ka ba titingala, Di ba bubulayin kung ano na ang nagawa, Mahirap bang tanggapin salat kang talaga; Sa hukuman papaano haharap sa Kaniya.

V. Iyo bang narinig sa Dios ay ang pagtawag; Aral ng sugo sa puso ba'y nagkapitak?

Bayaan ang puso matanggap ang lahat; Hamak na kaluluwa'y maging kaniyang anak.

VI. Di magluluwat ang paghuhukom ihahayag na; Araw ng kasawian, araw din ng galak at saya. Natitiyak mo ba sa lumikha ikaw ay haharap na, Kaibigan, kaligtasan mo, handa ka na ba?

Ang Aking Dalangin

I. O, Diyos, dalangin ko ay pakinggan, Maraming bagabag sa dibdib ko'y ibsan, Tunay nga pong ikaw ay aking kailangan; Lalo na po sa panahon ng kalituhan at kagipitan.

II. O Diyos, ako ngayon sa pagsubok ay dumaraan ; Hangad ko po na ito ay mapagtagumpayan,

Kaya nga po Diyos huwag akong layuan; Kung ang lingkod mo'y mabuwal, sana ay damayan.

III. Di ko po nais kalooban mo'y sagkaan, Kung ano po ang ibig mo sa akin ay iyong turan ;

At kung lahat na ito, mahirap kong maunawaan; Karunungang kailangan ko, Iyo nawa akong bigyan.

IV. O Diyos, lahat ng ito'y kaya kong pagtiisan; Mga alituntunin mo'y akin nang iingatan, Kung akong lingkod mo bawa't sandali'y aalalayan; Mga balakid sa daan, di ako pagtatagumpayan.

Mula sa panulat ni Bro. Rudy Galdones,

Elder ng Balbalino-Baybayabas Chruch of Christ

Guimba, Nueva Ecija

Postharvest Training & Extension Director Submits His Milestone for UPLB Alumni Book

Upon the invitation of their beloved alma mater, the UP at Los Banos, at least 4 UPLB alumni at BPRE (Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension) submitted their professional milestones through Dr. Ernesto Pantastico, UPLB Alumni Book editor for Postharvest Sector, for possible inclusion in such Book, still a part of centennial celebration of this state university.

Below is this blogger's entry. Other colleagues who heeded the invitation were Miriam Acda (Entomologist), Raquel Quitco-Bermundo (Pathologist & Mycologist) and Normita Pasalo (Planning specialist).

Philippine Postharvest Sector Overview

The rice postharvest system includes the series of operations done on the crop beginning with harvesting, handling, threshing, drying, storage, milling and transport. Aside from this, the postproduction system also encompass the following: standards and grading system used; financial, credit and other institutional infrastructures supporting the industry; government incentives, policies and programs; the set of biophysical, socio-cultural, institutional, technical and economic environment within which the system operates; and the attitudes and preferences of the different sectors directly or indirectly involved in postproduction activities.

While a significant increase in yields with the use of modern production technologies have been realized, the additional volumes harvested strained existing grain handling capabilities and systems, resulting to alarming levels of losses. Early studies on post harvest losses revealed an average of 10 to 37 %.

Recent studies of IRRI (CGIAR, 2007) revealed that postharvest losses are mainly due to the following: grain spoilage and spillage on the farm, delay in drying, poor storage, badly maintained or antiquated rice mills, and pest infestation throughout the post harvest chain. These losses result in lower grain quality, decreased farmers’ income, higher prices for consumers, and increased environmental pressures as farmers compensate by growing more rice.

Milestone (Postharvest Sector) By UPLB Alumni @ BPRE

* Josue S. Falla (BS Agricultural Extension, 1976) – He developed adoption indicators (measures) for rice postharvest technology per stage of operation from harvesting through milling. Over 37 technology adoption criteria were defined broadly classified into technical feasibility, economic viability, social acceptability, educational attainability, ecological soundness and indigenous attitudinal orientation. Specific adoption indicators under each class were characterized, and the coefficients of each indicator were estimated. This long-list of indicators were simplified through factor analysis, where it was concluded that rice postharvest technology adoption is an interplay of technical, economic, social, educational and cultural factors prevailing in the industry. The developed indicators were validated and used in evaluating the potential adoption of a specific rice post harvest technology. This was field-tested in Central Luzon using user-preference study for some existing rice post harvest technologies. (30)

Mitigating Package for BPRE Rationalized Staff

The Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) which will be called as Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHMech) comes April 1, 2010 is taking significant actions to mitigate whatever adverse effect of Early Retirement (aka Rationalization Program) among its 21 officers and employees.

Today, February 2, 2010, a Pre-Retirement seminar was conducted by the GSIS and PhilHealth, in a bid to keep the post-retirement life of BPRE rationalized staff ever dynamic and interesting. GSIS Region 3 manager Atty. Jason Teng discussed the different retirement options most advantageous to concerned retirees, while PhilHealth-Cabanatuan representatives discussed how could a retiree sustain the benefits enjoyed from PhilHealth even beyond retirement. The GSIS manager taught would-be retirees how to compute their pay while giving them some tips on how to enjoy such benefits to the fullest.

Next Monday, February 8, these candidate-retirees will attend an "Entrepreneurial Development Training" at PTTC, Manila. They will be taught how to operate their own business out of the retirement pay received from the government service. Moreover, each retiree will be given a chance to upgrade specific skills they want to develop by allowing them to participate in a development activity (or training) of their choice.

By this BPRE mitigating package, retirement among 21 officers and employees will truly be a blessing, and a reward for their hardwork and honest services in the government. (JSF Blogs)