Former Quezon Province's Legislator as New Aggie Chief

Mr. Proceso Alcala is the new agriculture department secretary under Pres. Noynoy Aquino's administration. Within this blogger's circle, it can be remembered that Sec. Alcala was one of the three DA secretariables who graced the most recent anniversary celebration of then BPRE, now PHilMech (Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization), in May this year. The other 2 guests of honor then were the former DA chief Leonardo Montemayor and current u/secretary for operations Joel Rudinas. (JSF Blogs)

Blogger's Classes @ ICCM Are Half-Through

This blogger's teaching load at the International Christian College of Manila (ICCM)which are English I (Grammar and Communication) and Literature I (Philippine Literature), is almost half-finished, as mid-term evaluation exams were set next week. It's because these courses were offered in semi-block form (some call it intensive classes) which started first week of June and will end in the last week of July.

As CHED-required subjects, these 3-unit courses must complete the 60-hour requirement as part of the general education curriculum.

ICCM is a theological college offering Bachelor of Theology with majors in either Christian Education, Ministry, Music and Worship and Outreach.

Posted here are class pictures of this blogger on English and Literature this semester, school year 2010-2011. (Prof. J. Falla blogs)

17 STCC Members in Nueva Ecija Christian Fellowship

26 June 2010, Exequiel R. Lina National High School, Licab, Nueva Ecija- Seventeen members of Sto. Tomas Church of Christ (STCC), which regularly hold its Sunday celebration at the CLSU Interfaith Chapel, participated today in a day-long general fellowship of Nueva Ecija Churches of Christ held in this school in Licab. This mid-year fellowship of believers was hosted by Cluster 3 churches led by Bro. Nilo Dela Cruz. The theme is "Double Honor" (I Tes. 5:12-13) a re-echo of the same theme in the recently finished Leaders' Convention in Tagaytay City, which underscored, among others, honoring the Church workers. The speakers this time were Bro. Mel and Bes Maldupana, and Bro. Roger Miguel.

PalayCheck Field School @ Brgy. San Juan, San Jose City (Nueva Ecija)

This blogger has the opportunity to observe and participate today, June 25, 2010, in the conduct of PalayCheck Field School (PFS) in the agricultural brgy. of San Juan, San Jose City (Nueva Ecija), where most rice farms are rainfed. Located at the footstep of the hills and mountains east of the city, San Juan is a progressive area accessible to land transportation.

This PFS was facilitated by 5 Rice Sufficiency Officers (RSO) currently being trained at PhilRice, in collaboration with 2 agri-technicians of LGU-San Jose. Today's main topic discussed was PalayCheck#2 about proper land preparation with emphasis of looking into thorough levelling of the land as it relates to other consequences like weed and kuhol control. This main topic was presented by RSO Ms. Glady using a simple flip chart she herself prepared. It was a team teaching as other RSO provided the necessary backstopping throughout the entire class discussion.

Over 25 farmers attended the field school held at the Brgy. Hall. Technical session was up to 11 o'clock only. The rest of the day was devoted to processing of the PFS evaluating among others, the performance of the facilitators and the dynamics of the recently concluded session. RSO team also visited nearby farmer-cooperators on MOET (Minus One Element Technique) demonstration.

San Juan PFS is one of the eight Field Schools simultaneously conducted by PhilRice every Friday as an integral part of the season-long course for Rice Sufficiency Officers (RSOs). Each PFS will last for 16 Fridays following the season-long activities in the area. (30)

STCC Honors 9 Fathers on Father's Day 2010

20 June 2010, CLSU Interfaith Chapel, Munoz, Nueva Ecija. Nine heads of the family were honored today in a Sunday worship celebration as this local congregation of Sto. Tomas Church of Christ (STCC) joined the world in celebrating the Father's Day. Recognizing their role as pillar of the family, breadwinner and spiritual guide, these male parents were Josue S. Falla, Rodrigo Nonog, Rodolfo Torres, Ramon Caibio, Enrico Sagun, Nick Flores, Jose Pantanilla, Joshue Ian B. Falla and Mario Salazar. They were given through their respective children a simple token of appreciation by the Church management. The Church's minister Bro. Miguel Nad, Jr. slanted his Sunday sermon on the qualities of a Christian father as written in the Holy Scriptures. (30)

PhilRice RSTC is on; RAB Wants Simple, Self-Instructional Courseware

As the country's premier rice agency, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), formalizes engagement of the professional services of this blogger (Dr. J. Falla), the 5th batch of its Rice Specialists' Training Course on PalayCheck and Palayamanan is currently going on. The following is a copied news release from PhilRice Online:


Following the deployment of rice sufficiency officers (RSOs) across the country, PhilRice currently trains the 5th batch of Rice Specialist Training Course (RSTC) on PalayCheck and Palayamanan Systems, composed of 48 new RSOs and two professors from the University of Eastern Philippines.

Atty. Ronilo A. Beronio, PhilRice executive director, said the conduct of season-long training on PalayCheck and Palayamanan Systems is a milestone activity of the Institute as the activity molds development workers to be efficient and effective rice specialists and extension workers.
Culminating in October, the on-the-job training uses participatory lecture-discussion, educational field trips, workshops, and laboratory exercises to enhance learning.

Instructional methods also include actual hands-on exercises on land preparation, transplanting, managing the crops at different stages, assessing the keychecks achievement, and harvesting.

To train RSOs in organizing and facilitating farmer-group activities, the trainees will teach farmers in the PalayCheck Field Schools in the eight barangays of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija. RSO-trainees will impart the latest rice and rice-based production technologies following the PalayCheck and Palayamanan Systems.

The professors, on the other hand, joined the training as rice project in-charge in Samar hoping that more Waray farmers will have a share of PhilRice training services.

“The training will enable the participants learn and experience the rice production process together with the farmers in the barangay,” said Celia Abadilla, Technology and Management Services Division head.

After the training, the participants will later lead the implementation of training and extension components of the GMA-Rice Program towards attaining and sustaining rice self-sufficiency by 2013.

Meanwhile, PhilRice chief Atty. Ronnie A. Beronio (RAB) in a bid to replicate/multiply the benefits of the course to a larger number of PhilRice stakeholders, thinks of a relevant courseware, which is simple but complete and self-instructional - something that can be administered by anybody even without the physical presence of a trainer. He wishes PhilRice D-group (D for Development) with the back-up support of this blogger as short-term consultant, to develop such courseware soonest possible as a main educational tool for PhilRice's current banner program the LSTD (Location-specific technology development). (JSF Blogs)

UPLB’s Aggie, HomeTech Extension Majors Visit Foster Families in Coralan After 34 Years

12 June 2010. These ten Extension majors from the colleges of Agriculture and Human Ecology (Home Technology in the 70's) with their favorite professor Dr. P. Depositario, have their unique way of celebrating Independence Day 2010. They decided to go out from their normal routine, boarded a utility van equipped with native lunch prepared by themselves, and with no formal agenda at all, went away to Coralan, Sta. Maria, Laguna, trying to renew bonds with their poster families.

Led by classmate Saturnino Manalo aka Thurnie, the group tried to locate the houses of their respective foster family, and once found, did nothing but reminisce those 2.5 months stint in this once-upon-a-time remote and quite secluded village and haven of our NPA brothers in the 70’s. Yet, today, the entire Coralan is already accessible quite easily as road network is paved and electricity installed, as amenities of modernization period.

Yes, there is a highly visible progress in Coralan – most houses are concrete out of that proverbial “katas ng Dubai”, institutions are present like complete elementary school, a few small chapels, and ahhaa, a postharvest facility (mechanical flat-bed dryer) for farmers cooperative in the area. (Naturally, I take pleasure seeing one in the area as it is the flagship program of my past agency, the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension, now PHilMech).

As this recollection happens 34 years after, one can imagine how everyone is and looks now. In my foster family alone, our youngest “kinakapatid” twin was newly born when we arrived there in 1976, it’s no surprise to see them bigger and taller than me now.

The visit made us nostalgic but fulfilled. Many things have really changed in Coralan, but the warm and unique hospitality of the people remains. Many foster parents were already gone, and we were able to see only their children. Foster mom of one classmate, Pura San Valetin, is now a “kuba” (henchback) in her mid-80’s, but upon hearing the name of Pura, and upon seeing her face, something rings the bell . . . to everybody’s surprise, she turned straight bending up to 90 degrees (!!!), so Elah Lanceta-Caramihan exaggeratedly puts it.

Of the 42 members of our class, an only heart of our one lady classmate named Adela Valinado, was won by a man from Sta. Maria, who according to her was a former colleague at the Agriculture Office of Laguna, now a municipal councilor of the town. We dropped by her house before going back to UPLB. Typical of Filipino culture, she told us to come back anytime particularly on August 2, their town fiesta.

Finally as we travel back from that place where, as our former professor kept on telling us “if you can survive in Coralan, you can survive anywhere in the country”, our group unanimously concluded that fine memories don’t die, they may just fade away. And why on earth we did this visit only now after 34 years? Why not then when we were a lot younger when we have more stamina to make the bonding moments more significant? Is it an admission that we ourselves are also in the twilight zone already trying to maximize the good roads we once trod, and that we ourselves shall pass way sooner than later? (JSF Blogs)

PhilRice To Engage This Blogger's Professional Services

In a bid to sustain his public service after retirement even on a part-time basis, the country's leading Rice science agency, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), will soon engage the professional services of this blogger. This was the mutual conclusion in a dialogue between this blogger and PhilRice director Atty. Ronnie Beronio last Friday, June 4, 2010. In almost one-hour exchanges, Director Beronio expressed PhilRice directions and priorities in the next 3 years, which aside from continuous rice industry development, shall also focus on poverty alleviation and total human development. This blogger on the other hand, told Director Beronio of his rich experiences in the government service (Dept. of Agriculture, from the Philippine Cotton Corporation (7 years), Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (6 years) on to Postharvest agency (NaPHIRE, BPRE and PHilMech). These experiences may serve as the bases of Dir. Beronio giving me a special assignment for the furtherance of PhilRice's cause.

Offhand, and pending a thorough discussion with concerned PhilRice officials particularly with Deputy Director for Development Ruben Miranda, this blogger is expected to be involved in the project "Location-Specific Technology" (LSD) upscaling, which is but the result of PhilRice-JICA Technical Collaborative Program, Phase III (TCP-3). This blogger was also involved in the joint Japan-Phils. terminal evaluation of such project few months back.

Meanwhile, Dir. Beronio provided this blogger with reading materials on Philippine Rice Masterplan (2009-2013) and a document entitled, "Directing Rice Science and Technology for Sustainable Human Development" the PhilRice Corporate Strategic Plan. These will give him (this reporter) a better understanding of the macro-perspectives of this food agency. (JSF Blogs)

My First Post-Retirement Travails

After May 31-retirement under EO 366, I'm now free to go wherever I wish. My first post-retirement travails shall be in 3 provinces close to my heart. On June 10 onwards, I'll be in Rizal particularly in Antipolo to take a glimpse of Hinulugang Taktak, which I have not seen for many, many years. Then, I'll take a library research in my Bible school, the International Christian College of Manila (ICCM) in preparation for the class opening where I accepted some teaching loads in the same school.

On June 12, Independence Day, I will join UPLB's Coralan44 in a tour to Sta. Maria, Laguna to rekindle fine memories with the folks of Brgy. Coralan, the site of my off-campus program shortly before I graduated in 1976. So-called Coralan44 as we are 44 members of the class then who lived and worked with our foster parents in that village. T'was unforgettable experience for us for many reasons, and everyone has his own tale to tell. But one common experience, among many others, was when we were mistaken as NPA symphatizers doing teach-in brainwashing activities in Coralan, used to be haven of our brethren NPAs in the 70's. (Coralan44 then was ostracized by some sectors, a la Hyatt12 ??hhmmm).

From Laguna (place I always associate with Rock musician 'Sampaguita'), I will proceed to Or. Mindoro in my birthplace Masaguisi, my retirement place and original hometown. For few days, we'll do some preparations for my resthouse project there, as our ancestral home is too small for the 2 families of my lone brother and youngest sister who opted to stay there for life probably. I will try to explore the newest tourist attraction in Calapan City as I read in the paper few days ago - a cruise along strait of Calapan on to a nearby lake. It must be a nice experience for water resources are rich and beautiful in that part of the island.

I'll be back to Nueva Ecija on June 17, 2010.(30)

Blogger To Teach Philippine Literature I @ Bible College

As required by CHED in the curriculum for bachelor's degree, Philippine Literature I has been a part of Bachelor of Theology curriculum as offered at the International Christian College of Manila (ICCM), a Bible seminary under the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement. This blogger (Dr. J. Falla) shall handle this class this semester, SY 2010-11, upon the invitation of its academic dean Prof. Ross Wissmann, as the college is currently short of appropriate instructors.

As a professional educator, this blogger feels he can do the job well, only he needs to review his notes since high school through post-graduate courses, as Phil. Literature has been a part of our educational system, just like History or Science.

The following constitute the course syllabus as prepared by this blogger:

I. Definition: This course entitled Philippine Literature I (coded P101), is a 3-unit CHED-required subject for ICCM students (with a total of 150 hours).

II. Objectives of the Course: Literature is the repository of a people's culture, history, heritage, and identity. Behind the stories and poems are the experiences of a people. The works allow us glimpses of how they think and act. We can understand the Filipino if we read what he has written. We can understand why he has become what he is, where he got his cultural traits, and why the Philippines is in its present state by reading the stories and poems created by writers. Most of them may be fictional and even fantastic, but all stories or poems have, as their bases, the realities that exist in their writers' social millieu. Philippine literature is significant because Filipinos would like to preserve their identities. Their literary tradition serves as the roots of the Filipino identity. Literature reflects the culture of a nation. It can serve as a tool to express a feeling and emotion. Literature provides a common knowledge that allows people to talk, share information and experiences. The importance of knowing the indigenous forms of Philippine literature is to gain more knowledge about our own country. Its aim in general is to announce and flaunt one's culture.

Specifically, this course aims to : 1. increase awareness of ICCM students on the general literature of the Philippines, 2. acquire mastery of knowledge on selected pieces of works in Phil. Literature, 3. acquire understanding of Philippine literature as it applies to their future professions as BTh graduates, and chosen ministries.

III. Course Contents :

A. Review and appreciation of current knowledge on Philippine literature (sharing of experiences)

B. Differentiating Prose from Poetry (Types)

C. Definition, Discussion and Reflection on Selected Proses like Short Story, Novel, Legend, Myth, Fable, Parable, Folktale, Anecdote, Chronicle, Biography, Autobiography, Essay, News, Oration, Play and Diary.

D. Definition, Discussion and Reflection on Selected Types of Poetry like: A. Narrative Poetry (Epic and Ballad), B. Lyric Poetry (Folk songs or awiting-bayan, Sonnet, Ode, Psalm, Elegy, Song, and Corrido), C. Dramatic Poetry (Comedy, Tragedy, Melodrama and Farce or Sainete).

E. Differentiating Non-fiction from Fiction Literature Through Selected Works

F. Categorizing Fiction Literature (Realistic fiction, Biographical, Historical and Fanciful fiction)

G. Discussion on Four Main Elements that make up fiction: Plot, Characters, Setting and Theme)

H. Understanding Literature Terms and Terminologies like Narrator and Point of View, Style, Literary Symbol, Irony, Tone, Mood, Motivation, Suspense and Figurative language. What are Narrative Devices?

IV. Course Methodology

Lecture-discussion is the main methodology to be adopted in this course. Sample literature across regions (ethnic groups like Ilocano, Tagalog, Visayas, Bicol, Maranao, etc.), and across times (e.g. Pre-Colonial Literature through Spanish Colonial on to Modern times) shall be evaluated in the class. Individual and group works like preparation of reaction paper/s for selected literature shall be adopted.
ICCM being a Bible seminary, course focus may be attempted to relevant (religious) Philippine literature. The Philippine’s “Pasyon”, a poetry narrating the life, passion and death of Christ, which was written long before Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement reached this country, can be a very good example for class discussion.

V. Course Requirements

A. Class Project. Depending on the size of the class, at least a complete script of one play shall be written/produced. The play should portray a contemporary Philippine situation showing the role of Christians in preserving our society. Copy of the script/s may be provided to selected local Churches as tool for the ministry.
To do this project, a writeshop shall be held at least 2 times, for the production of the first draft and the final copy, respectively.

B. Reaction Paper. At least one reaction paper is required of every student. The 5-paged (minimum) paper must include not-more-than one-page synopsis (abstract) of the literary material being critiqued.

C. Two Exams (Mid-term and Final). Mid-term exam shall cover the lessons prior to the scheduled test, and Final exam’s, for the rest of the semester.

VI. Due Dates

A. The class project (Play) is due on the last week (day) of the class.

B. Reaction paper is due on the 3rd to the last week of the class. This will enable the class to evaluate the reaction papers prepared by each of them.

C. Mid-term and Final exams shall be scheduled by ICCM administration.

VII. Grading System (to follow)

VIII. Bibliography

Textbook: Enriquez, Delia C. Philippine Literature : A Regional Approach. Mandaluyong City, Phils. : National Book Store, 2007.

References:
1. Castro, Jovita V, et. al. Anthology of ASEAN Literatures: Epics of the Philippines. Quezon City, Phils. : ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information, 1983.

2. Medina, Francine Y. Literary Folio. Quezon City, Phils.: Philippine Collegian, UP-Diliman, 1988.

3. (Phil. Literature books available at ICCM library, to be identified shortly)

IX. Penalties for late work, cheating, plagiarism, copying, “patterning,” allowing to copy, and the like : (Please see ICCM Students Handbook.)