Forum 3: Bonding Moments with GE@Davao

To take advantage of my official trip/business in Davao City, this blogger looked into meeting frat-brethren in the area, as membership to this fraternal organization has been part of my lifestyle. Of brethren I initially contacted, it was young brod, Eman Evangelio who expressed brotherly zealousness of having brief bonding moments while in the city.

Earlier in the PMCP conference, I spotted a few brods like Bro. Reyson Raymundo, Sis. Myleen R. Corpuz (ISU), Bro. Toto and Sis. Beth Paner (UPLB), and a long-time brod/colleague from UPLB Bro. Boni Cayabyab (who insisted me to join him at his room at Grand Regal Hotel, gratis et. al). (I stayed for my first 2 nights in Davao at DA-BAI Guesthouse in Wireless, Davao, being on a budget trip ;-D)

Thus, on my last night in Davao, we, GE group decided to dine in the famous seafood resto called Luz Kinilaw, where I met some 7 brethren. Others took dinner somewhere as they got invitation from professional colleagues in the area. After dining, the group led by host brethren took us to a place called Victoriano's where a live band played with singers, a really perfect venue to relax while bonding together. As most of us were already connected online, we talked nothing but the frat issues in the GE sites. The Oct. 22 - 24, 2010 3rd GE NatCon was also talked about, as the venue is close to Davao, and many brethren may be able to attend. Bro. Omie Sandrejas of UP Mindanao joined the night, but leave ahead of us because of his work the following day. Bro, thanks for sharing your blessings to our group, it was greatly appreciated.

Unexpectedly, a man who introduced himself as "Falcon" member approached us, after hearing a song dedicated to the Gamma Epsilon Fraternity. (Customers at V-Place were free to dedicate or make announcement through the leader of the band). After some exchanges of pleasantries, it was learned that the man (sorry, no one got his name) is a municipal councilor of Baruella, Compostella Valley, and an alumnus of Univ. of Mindanao (Davao City).

In Davao, curfew (among establishments) is until 2 AM. . . and my gosh, I was the last one to leave the place. (I kept on waiting for Bro. Boni, my roomate, to follow, only to know that he was already fast asleep, lol.) Regardless, it was another memorable night in the life of Gamma Epsilon @ Davao. Pax et bonum! (Bro. Josh Blogs)

Forum 2: PMCP 41st Anniversary and Annual Scientific Conference

Agriculture-based scientific conference on pest management was conducted in Waterfront Hotel, Lanang, Davao City on 9-12 March, 2010 under the auspices of the Pest Management Council of the Philippines (PMCP), as co-sponsored by Bioversity International (BI) and the Department of Agriculture, Region 9 (DA-RFU IX).

This year's theme of the conference is Biodiversity Conservation through Science-based Pest Management, as jointly organized by PMCP's constituent associations like Philippine Phytopathological Society (PPS), Weeds Science Society (WSS), Philippine Association of Entomologists, Inc. (PAE), Pest Control Association of the Philippines (PCAP), Crop Protection Association of the Phils. (CPAP), and the Phil. Integrated Crop Management Association (PICMA).

As in previous conferences, some papers were presented in the Plenary Sessions, others were on Concurrent Sessions and via Poster presentations. Fellowship and banquet nights were also scheduled as venue of exchanges between and among professional colleagues.

Pests as academically defined are composed of insects and mites, fungi and similar micro-organisms, weeds, and vertebrate pests like rodents. And the entire concepts, state and directions in pest management were tackled in this forum as these relate to one of the burning issue of this time, biodiversity conservation.

Photo collage above speaks for itself the highlights of this PMCP scientific conference. (JSF Blogs)

Forum 1: Women Entrepreneurship Summit 2010

In five days last week, this blogger was able to participate actively in four important fora, two of which were part of his pre-retirement impact-mitigating activity as proposed by PH Mech (formerly BPRE) human resource development program. These were the Women Entrepreneurship Summit held last March 8, 2010 at World Trade Center, Manila as coordinated by Mrs. Miriam Acda in support of Women's Month Celebration led by NCRFW (National Commission on Role of Filipino Women), and the PMCP Pest Management Scientific Conference on March 9-12, 2010 held in Waterfront Hotel, Davao City.

No less than President Gloria M. Arroyo graced the occassion, where she once more underscored the role of women in nation-building. The Summit highlighted, among others, a Trade Fair and the Awarding of 10 Best Women Entrepreneurs. Entertaining song numbers were provided by popular celebrities like Ms. Pilita Corrales and Pops Fernandez, among many others. (JSF Blogs)

PhilRice's Best Papers for 2010 National Rice R&D Conference

1. PSB Rc82-Sub1 : A new submergence-tolerant rice cultivar developed through marker-assisted breeding
Loida Perez, Joanne M. Domingo, Haizel Pastor, Henry Ticman, Jocelyn Bagarra, Marites Camus, Roberto Baybado, Nenita Desamero, Darlene Sanchez, Alvaro Pamplona, Endang Septiningsih and David Mackill

2. Enhancing Knowledge Networking Through Short Messaging Service: The Farmers’ Text Center Experience
Stoix Nebin S. Pascua, Ronan G. Zagado, Olive Rose M. Asis, Oliver C. Domingo and Jennylene S. Maloles

These are the two Best Papers that won during the 23rd National Rice Research and Development Conference, organized by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) on March 3 – 5, 2010, at DL Umali Hall, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, Laguna. The first one, which is a joint endeavour of PhilRice and IRRI researchers as presented by Loida Perez, represented Research Category, while the second as presented by Stoix Nebin S. Pascua, represented Techno-Promo Category. Both papers were selected from 3 finalist-papers from each of the 2 categories, based on the following criteria: Timeliness – identifies and focuses on issues besetting the current rice industry (10%); Significance of Findings with emphasis on contribution to S&T advancement, economic and/or social impact (25%); Creativity and originality (15%); Methodology/approach (15%); Well-organized presentation of ideas, including clarity and organization (15%), and Presentation and ability to handle Question-and-Answer (20%).

Other non-competing but definitely good papers on rice and rice-related technologies, were presented either in the Plenary and Concurrent sessions.

PhilRice national Rice R&D conference is an annual forum to present and review the accomplishments of this rice agency, which conduct projects in multi-location involving DA stations, SCU’s, NGO’s, LGU’s, farmers’ groups, and national/international agencies. It also provides a venue to acquire and exchange knowledge and experiences on rice R&D to address current issues and emerging problems besetting rice industry, through paper and poster presentations, and field tour. (JSF blogs, watch for the next story on Best Poster contest)

P.S. Complete paper/s may be obtained from any PhilRice office nearest you. (JSF)

PhilRice's 23rd National Rice R & D Conference

Rice, our staple food, remains to be the most popular researchable agri-commodity. This was once more proven in the recently concluded 23rd National Rice Research and Development Conference held at Umali Hall, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), which was very well-attended by researchers and agri-development workers from all over the country.

Our organization (with new name), the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PH Mech) (formerly the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension) is well-represented through the participation of 3 directors, a division chief and a senior researcher, namely Dr. J. Falla, Dr. M. Bulaong, Dir. R. Paz, Dr. N. Pasalo and Ms. A. Rodriguez-Salvador, respectively. Dr. Falla has a special participation as one of the judges in the Search for Best Paper (Techno-Promo Category) along with DA U/Secretary Edmund Sana and Dr. Rose Honrade of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM).

This is the first time that the organizer, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) hold this Conference outside their Central Experiment Station in Maligaya, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, with a very timely theme of Addressing Climate Change thru Rice Science. This year's keynote speaker was Atty. Mary Ann Lucille L. Sering, the Commissioner of the newly constituted Climate Change Commission, and a staunch advocate of environmental protection. IRRI's Director-General Robert S. Zeigler welcome the participants in his remarks where he pinned-down the importance of environment-rice production relationship. The Conference was formally open by PhilRice Executive Director Atty. Ronilo A. Beronio, where he briefly trace the history of rice research, and provide the participants of what they are going to expect in the entire conference like rice technology that would mitigate and adapt to the climate change such as drought and flooding.

The Conference closes through a simple ceremonies composed of awarding of winners for Best Papers and Posters, a synthesis by Deputy Director Dr. Eulito Bautista, and a remarks and vote of thanks by Exec. Director Atty. Beronio. (30)