Rice Czar Vouches for the Immediate Implementation of PhilSCAT 2

The Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT), a bilateral program between the Philippines and the PROChina, is set to resume its Phase 2 operations very soon. Both governments, through the Phil. Dept. of Agriculture and PROC Ministry of Agriculture, have recently approved the sequel program aimed among others, at alleviating rural poverty by increasing farm productivity.

On March 3-4, 2011, the implementing details of the sequel program had been finalized in a workshop participated actively by DA rice program head and the acknowledged rice czar of the country Dr. Santiago R. Obien. Dr. Obien expresses strong support for the immediate continuation of the program as the country under Agri-Pinoy flagship of Pres. Noynoy is cramming for the 2013 self-sufficiency target. Mechanized hybrid rice farming system remains the banner program of PhilSCAT plus rural energy generation project adapting China's household and farm level biogas system.

In the original Phase 2 proposal of PhilSCAT, three more important commodities (as program scope) were added like Shaded Vegetable (Greenhousing system), Freshwater Aquaculture and Rice-Duck Culture. These were, however, deferred mainly because of budget slash on the part of the PROC government. PhilSCAT 2 proponents are keen on working on these added commodities using the local resources. They are currently looking for a mechanism by which these important rural poverty-alleviating strategies be introduced among the Filipino farmers.

Meanwhile, this blogger has signified his interest to work with PhilSCAT 2 after having been involved during the entire Phase 1 in 2003 - 2009 till he retired from his mother unit (PHilMech) last May 2010. (JSF Blogs)

11 Complete Bachelor of Theology Course @ ICCM

It's 11 for 2011. Yes, brethren, eleven Bachelor of Theology candidates graduated on March 19, 2011 from the CHED-accredited bible college the International Christian College of Manila (ICCM). They are: 1. Aringo, Vivian C. (major in Education), 2. Baysa, Peter John B. (Education), 3. Castillone, Lanie T. (Education), 4. Ebora, Maricris B. (Education), 5. Fernadez, Crispulo C. (Outreach), 6. Mendoza, Rolando V B. (Education), 7. Ranola, Ronald D. (Worship), 8. Silagan, Louie D. (Outreach), 9. Tablate, Ullysis C. (Worship), 10. Tamonde, Jay Lloyd E. (Education), and 11. Zamora, Franz Josef P. (Ministry).

The commencement exercises, which is the 3rd under post-CHED accreditation but 11th including the pre-CHED program, was held at the chapel of ICCM on March 19, with this year's theme Every tongue and tribe, a line from the class theme song "Halleluia to the Lamb", a classical Christian song inspired by the book of Revelation where on the final day, everyone and every tongue and tribe will glorify the Lamb of God.

Around 200-member audience witnessed the graduation representing the cross-section of ICCM family and friends from the neighboring churches.

An international choir (mostly Americans) from Faith Academy with Mr. Todd Eichenaver as Director, Mrs. Claire Miller, Accompanist and ICCM dean's son Andrew Wissmann as soloist, provided an intermission number during the graduation ceremonies. Prof. William Fierbaugh was the Guest Speaker, while Ms. Vivian Aringo provided the graduation message on behalf of their class.

The graduation ceremonies seem unique to ICCM as it follows a typical chapel program including an offertory challenge by the college president Prof. Arthur M. Santiago. The program was capped through picture-taking and a graduation lunch. (JSF Blogs)

24th National Rice R&D Conference Ends with Awarding Ceremony and Pledge to "Save Rice, Save Life"

The 24th National Rice R & D Conference, of which this blogger participated from day 1 closes today in a simple rite featuring the awarding of Best Paper and Best Poster.

As earlier reported, entries for both paper and poster competition were categorized on 4 thematic areas. Thus, 4 winners were declared for poster and paper competitions.

In the thematic category which I served as judge, the paper on " Using Cellphone-based Survey Forms for Rice Field Data Collection" won as No. 1 as presented by Mr. Arturo C. Arocena, Jr. (see photo 3, in green shirt).

Meanwhile, a fellow Church elder from Maligaya Church of Christ Bro. Engr. Arnold S. Juliano (photo 2 in red shirt) bagged the first place/award under thematic area Strategies to mitigate impact of and adopt to climate change, and other emeging problems besetting the rice industry. His paper is entitled Development of a Mobile Ricehull Gasifier Engine-Pump System.

In his closing remarks and vote of thanks, PhilRice executive director Atty. Ronilo A. Beronio acknowledge the participation of over 400 members of this 24th Conference, for their various roles played in the continuous development of rice industry. He underscored this year's theme of ". . . self-sufficiency by 2013" by soliciting cooperation from all sectors to attain such goal.

The conference ends with everybody reciting a pledge on "Save Rice, Save Life", the PhilRice's battlecry under the Agri-Pinoy program of Pres. Noynoy Aquino. (JSF Blogs)

Blogger Acts as Judge in PhilRice 24th National R&D Conference

17 March 2011, PhilRice CES, Maligaya, Munoz Science City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. This blogger, along with select scientists from this science community, was commissioned by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to serve as evaluator in the 24th national rice conference held in this city from March 16 - 18, 2011.

He served as judge for Best Paper for "Technology Promotion and Delivery for Narrowing the Yield Gap" category. Three papers initially vied, and the top two were presented during the plenary session this afternoon. These papers are:

1. Using Cellphone-Based Survey Forms for Rice Field Data Collection

2. Theorizing ICT4D in Philippine Agriculture: Which Direction Should ICT in Philippine Agriculture Go?

The blogger-judge finds the two as both excellent studies, and in fact rated almost the same (with only a hairline difference). Final winner, however, is not known immediately, as ratings of other judges shall be considered.

Another scientific competition during the national conference was the search for Best Poster/s where a total of 81 entries representing four thematic areas : 1. Innovative technologies and approaches for boosting rice productivity, grain quality, and nutrition, 2. Strategies to mitigate impacts of and adapt to climate change, and other emerging problems besetting the rice industry, 3. Socio-economics, impact assessment, policy, and market, and, 4. Technology promotion and delivery for narrowing the yield gap.

The conference is an annual review of the national rice research conducted by the Institute and its partner organizations. This year's theme is "Optimizing 25-year R & D Achievements to help the country achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2013". (JSF Blogs)

Lealtad Church of Christ is Globally Competitive

Whenever I attend a particular Church the first time, I can not help but evaluate it based on the mandate for God's kingdom here on earth.

This Sunday, 13 March 2011, it was my privilege to worship and fellowship with Filipino brethren of Lealtad Church of Christ (LCC), after almost 3 decades of absence in this Church. I was studying then at UP Los Banos (1971-76) when I occasionally come to LCC upon the invitation of kins from Mindoro whose Manila Church membership were with LCC. This was repeated today upon the invitation of one of the elders, Bro. Remy Baladjay, where I spoke on the pulpit on the message Christian Maturity.

LCC church programming and monthly activities are definitely at par with international Churches I attended (like the Tokyo Union Church, Churches of Christ/Christian Churches in California and English congregations of Christian Churches in China, where I frequently visiting). LCC worship program is well-organized, choir is wonderful, and evangelistic activities like Jail ministry are simply God-glorifying. Youth and senior citizens sectors are well taken-care of in this local Church. LCC also support consistently Theology students of seminaries and bible colleges. The Church facilities and infrastructures were much improved coping-up with the increasing Church-goers. The pastoral house, kitchen, comfort rooms, classrooms, etc. were highly convenient.

LCC has just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Readers of this blog are recommended to worship and fellowship with LCC whenever you are in the area or vicinity. The chapel is located at 1010 J. Fajardo Ext., Sampaloc, Manila. Tel. (632) 743-9162 (landline) and (+63927) 842-1164. E-mail them at lealtadcoc@gmail.com, or visit their website at lealtadcoc.multiply.com. (JSF Blogs)

Six CCNE Pastors Get License to Officiate Marriage

February 2011, San Fernando, Pampanga - The Office of the Civil Registrar General of the National Statistics Office (NSO), through its Region III Director-OIC Edgardo G. Pare issued Certificate of Registration of Authority to Solemnize Marriage (CRASM) to six ministers and elders of the Church of Christ in Nueva Ecija, Inc. (CCNE) as follows:

1. Bro. Bernardo C. Dayag - Minister, Church of Christ at Cinense & Baybayabas

2. Bro. Miguel G. Nad, Jr. - Minister, Church of Christ at Maligaya & Sto. Tomas

3. Bro. Noel I. Hermoso - Minister, Church of Christ at Cabanatuan & Jaen

4. Bro. Ryan A. Sombrito - Minister, Church of Christ at San Alejandro

5. Bro. Ernani Canoy - Elder, Church of Christ at Munoz & Palusapis

6. Bro. Josue S. Falla - Elder, Church of Christ at Sto. Tomas

Earlier, the same CRASM was issued to Bro. Rogelio L. Miguel, Minister of Munoz Church of Christ, bringing a total of 7 CCNE pastors licensed to officiate wedding ceremony in Nueva Ecija.

The effectivity of their licenses to officiate marriage is from February 2011 until Dec. 31, 2013, or three years.

As this is their first time (except for Bro. Bernard Dayag and Bro. Roger Miguel) to acquire CRASM, the CCNE through CLEAN (Church Leaders' Association of Nueva Ecija) shall soon conduct a workshop on the proper mechanics of officiating Christian wedding. They will likewise be oriented on the legal requirements and procedures of officiating marriage. (JSF Blogs)

American Missionaries To Speak in the CCNE Fellowship and Seminar

Three American missionaries will conduct a one-day seminar for the Church of Christ in Nueva Ecija, Inc. (CCNE) on April 2, 2011 at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Interfaith Chapel. The 3 missionaries came from the Cornerstone Christian Church, USA. They will be in the country as guest faculty of the Internatinal Christian College of Manila (ICCM). The seminar is being arranged by ICCM president Prof. Arthur M. Santiago, in coordination with the CCNE Christian Education Committee chair Dr. Josue S. Falla.

The CCNE seminar speakers are Scott Adkins, Cathy Wright and Regina Hamilton. They will be accompanied by another long-time American missionary to the Philippines, Dr. Cheryl Wissmann. As tentatively programmed, Scott will speak on Church Strategic Planning, giving ideas on how to manage transition from a small Church (30 - 50 members) to a medium to large Church (at least 100 members). Cathy, on the other hand, will provide tips on Women Counselling answering the question how to create women support to counsel younger women in the Church. Regina will discuss two topics, "Bible Studies for Women" and "Practical Nursing".

The institutional affiliations (Cornerstone Christian Church and the Kingdom's Ambassador) of these missionaries were both aimed at building-up God's kingdom, and spreading New Testament Christianity through education and related strategies. Their partner institution in the Philippines is the International Christian College of Manila (ICCM), a Bible college of the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement where the Church of Christ in Nueva Ecija, Inc. (CCNE) is rooted. (JSF Blogs)