My Personal Memories of Former Pres. Cory

It was at the crossroad of political belief in our family when Cory rose to power. My father was a Marcos loyalist true and through, and even a staunch political leader in our village in Mindoro. Thus, when he knew that I joined EDSA People's Power then, he was so disappointed. But later on, this "conflict" subsided, and my dad's political involvement went on and on till he died at 76.

I and my family join everyone mourning for the lost of Cory. She's 76, same age when my father died. She indeed left an excellent legacy for the Filipinos worthy to emulate. God bless! (Dr. and Mrs. Josue S. Falla & Family- Ma. Cristina, Josh Ian & Danna-Rose)

University Suspends Classes, Works Due To A(H1N1) Scare

The dreaded A(H1N1) virus that sown scare worldwide reaches the Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Some students were found contacted with the "Swine flu" prompting CLSU president Dr. Ruben Sevilleja to issue a memorandum suspending all classes and works under the University administration from July 25 - August 2, 2009. Its purpose is to contain as much as possible the widespread of the disease among CLSU constituency, including this blogger's office the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT). While only around 30 people are now working with PhilSCAT, the Center currently houses the College of Home Science and Industry, Department of Hospitality Management where less than a hundred HRM students are enrolled. Classes and works resume on Monday, August 3, 2009. (30)

Blogger To Continue Working With PhilSCAT Till Sept. 30

This blogger, Dr. J. Falla, of the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE), will sustain his over 5 years detail to a sister organization the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT). This is the gist of the new special order dated July 8, 2009 which he just recently received, indicating his extension of service until Sept. 30. The expectation is that within the 3-month span, either a clearer picture of the PhilSCAT's continued need for your services or definite developments vis-a-vis the BPRE's Rationalization Plan will have emerged, the SO added.

Located side-by-side at the campus of Central Luzon State University (CLSU), BPRE is the Philippine DA's postharvest R & D arm while PhilSCAT is a special collaborative R & D program on agriculture and related fields between the Ministry of Agriculture-Peoples Republic of China and the Philippine Department of Agriculture. (30)

JICA-PhilRice TCP3 Highly Relevant, Effective Says Joint Evaluation Team

The collaborative project of JICA and PhilRice entitled Development and Promotion of Location-Specific Integrated High-Yielding Rice and Rice-Based Technologies was rated as highly relevant and highly effective based on the recently concluded joint terminal evaluation led by JICA's Dr. Kunihiro Tokida and Philippine DA's U/Sec. Edmund Sana.

Using the generally accepted 3-point scale (low, medium, high), the Project was rated as high relevance (which included necessity, cooperation priority, Japan advantage and target areas); high effectiveness (on improving rice productivity of participating farmers); high efficiency (based on causal relationship and cost); has a positive impact (on technology, institutional aspects, social, environmental and economic aspects), and moderately sustainable (viewing from the organizational, policy, financial and technical aspects).

This highly positive rating came-out as a result of achieving the Project purpose as shown in the following indicators, among others : 1. Rice productivity is improved with at least 70% of the participating farmers adopt at least 3 components of location-specific technologies and increase productivity by 1 ton/hectare, and 2. Income of participating farmers increase by an average of 15%.

The Project will finally end in November 2009, and by then, the evaluation team recommended that in developing LST, it is necessary to pay considerable attention not only on the agro-climatic but also to the socio-economic conditions of the farmers. The team also encourages farmers to be more market-oriented, continue to develop inbred rice varieties, and that PalayCheck for non-irrigated areas be developed.

For more details about the result of the terminal evaluation, one may contact CES PhilRice at Maligaya, Munoz, Nueva Ecija , Evaluation Coordinator Ms. Teodora Briones. (30)

New Gold for Child Taekwondo Champ

25 July 2009, Paombong, Bulacan - Child Taekwondo champ Kyle Daniel Falla Taruc received another Gold medal for winning in the Mayor's Championship Cup held today in this town. This is the first fight of Kyle since he was elevated to another level of Red Belt resulting from increase in his height. Mayor Donato D. Marcos of Paombong donated the medal as Excellence Award for those who excell in their respective fields.

Kyle played for Meycauayan Team coached by a group led by Sir Moben Angeles, Sir Mario, Kuya Joby and Sir Ian. Grandmom Rose acted as Kyle's manager in the absence if his mom Dang who is presently in California, USA.(30)