PhilSCAT II Opens in November 2011

21 September 2011, PhilSCAT Headquarters, CLSU, Nueva Ecija - A 7-man delegation from the neighboring country of People's Republic of China (PROC) is in town to sign a document for the final resumption of operations of the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT). The mission is headed by Yuanxiang Fang (chief engineer of the unit representing the Chinese government) with the following members: Xuequan Mao, Cheng Liangji (Chinese director of PhilSCAT I), Yongxing Li (Biogas technology expert), Hehua Tu, Ke Zhang (English interpreter) and Qiu Zhijun, First Secretary of Chinese Embassy Manila. They are here to discuss and eventually sign the so-called Minutes of Technical Discussion on PhilSCAT-II, which proposed implementation is in November this year.

On the Philippine side, the Mission is received by the Department of Agriculture represented by Philippine rice czar Dr. Santiago R. Obien, Director Zeny Villegas of PMS and representatives of partner agencies like PhilRice, DA-RFO III, PhilMech and PhilRice. The Central Luzon State University which is the lead implementing agency of this bilateral program was represented in this forum by its VP for Administration Dr. Raul Divina, PhilSCAT director himself Dr. Emmanuel Sicat, Dr. Carlos Abon, Jr. and other officials of the university.

The joint Filipino and Chinese delegates discussed the detailed components of the Phase 2, which basically includes research and commercialization of hybrid rice technology, rice mechanization and biogas technologies.

Unlike its Phase I program (which Chinese executing unit was Ministry of Agriculture, Foreign Economic Cooperation Center (MOA-FECC), PhilSCAT II will be executed by the Ministry of Commerce, with Yuan Longping High Tech Agriculture Co., Limited (Longping) as the lead implementor. On the part of the Philippine government, the same arrangement as Phase I shall be followed, that is the DA as the executing agency with CLSU as lead implementor together with PhilRice, PHilMech, ATI and DA-Regional Field Office III as members.

PhilSCAT is a bilateral program between the Philippines and the People's Republic of China on Agriculture and related fields, which initially covered hybrid rice and agri-mechanization technologies R and D. Under Phase II, a new component is added, the promotion and adaptation of Chinese biogas technology as rural energy generator. (JSF Blogs)

STCC Has Regular Guest Ministers of the Word

The Sto. Tomas Church of Christ (STCC) has currently no full-time minister, but have regular Sunday sermon speaker, as arranged with the cooperating local Churches and individual brethren.

On the first Sunday of the month, the Cluster 5 Churches' management scheduled the guest speaker, who is also a minister from the Cluster member Churches of San Jose City, Maligaya, Malayantoc, Bakal 3 or San Francisco.

On the second Sunday, Munoz Church, care of Bro. Roger Miguel's team of disciples are the resource persons, who would give and provide the Communion reflection, Offertory challenge and the message. This arrangement is also part of MCC's discipleship training with STCC as the training ground.

Our third Sunday regular speaker is a roving minister of Nueva Ecija who has just relocated from Isabela. He is Pastor Romeo Sumaway, a graduate of Aparri Bible Seminary.

The last Sunday of the month is a Youth Sunday where the youth sector takes charge of the Sunday worship program including the identification of guest speaker. Invited speakers are usually the junior ministers in the vicinity. Previous invitees include Bro. Ariel Vergara, Bro. Dennis Gabato, and Bro. Migs Nad, Jr. to name a few.

STCC elders Bros. Josue Falla, Rod Nonog and Mario Salazar are on the watch, and ready to pitch-in, in case of "emergency".

STCC holds the regular Sunday worship celebration at the CLSU Interfaith Chapel inside the beautiful campus of this state univesity of Central Luzon, with time slot of 7:30 to 9:30 AM. Mid-week schedule is every Wednesday, where the campus ministry lead by Munoz Church use the chapel. (JSF reports)

GE International UPLB Omega Chapter and Alumni Council Jointly Celebrate 45th Founding Anniversary

10 Sept. 2011, UP at Los Banos, Laguna. Afternoon business meeting as presided by interim alumni council chair Bro. Gil Villancio . . . , and a whole night fellowship characterized this year's celebration of the Gamma Epsilon International 45th founding anniversary.

In the business meeting, everything about GEI October 9-Grand Homecoming was finalized, so do with the Frat/Soro participation to the traditional Oct. 10-Loyalty day parade.

Merry-making part of the 45th anniversary was done in the evening fellowship at a private resort in Pansol, Calamba, Laguna where recollections of the good old days, laughter and tears (of happiness, perhaps) abound. Bountiful foods were shared via potluck, so do with drinks both for young, old, ladies and gents alike. No vacant moment for the mike of videoke, as everybody wanted to grab the sound system to sing their favorite pieces, regardless of voice or singing quality. Some just spend sometime dipping themselves in the warm water spring in the pool, while others just enjoyed taking pictures here and there.

From my cam, posted here are some pictures during the said celebration. Pax et bonum. More happy anniversaries for this fraternal organization! (JSF reports)