PhilRice deputy chief, CMU prexy, 28 others receive GEI-UPLB Omega GAWAD AGILA, GRAND ECHELON Awards

9 October 2011, UP at Los Banos, College, LAGUNA. A total of 30 Omegans and 2 guest brethren-awardees were honored today as the Gamma Epsilon International UPLB Omega Chapter celebrates its 45th founding anniversary. The awarding, as lead by Dr. Manny Regalado (PhilRice Executive Director) and Dr. Malou R. Soliven (current Central Mindanao University president), coincides with the traditional celebration of UPLB Loyalty Day 2011, where alumni and guests of this state university pay their annual tributes to the beloved alma mater. The following paragraphs constitute the report of the GEI awards committee chaired by this blogger.

This year’s grand homecoming of the Gamma Epsilon Fraternity and the Gamma Lambda Epsilon Sorority (UPLB Omega Chapter and Alumni Council) is one of the rare opportunities for us to meet each other while giving due recognition to selected brethren who have done outstanding deeds to this organization, as well as those who achieved the highest formal degree by the academe, our bonafide residence.

This significant reunion coincides with the 45th founding anniversary of this Chapter (Sept. 8, 1966), and the traditional UPLB Loyalty Day (October 10) for our beloved Alma Mater; indeed a double-whammy for us fellow Omegans to be with our alma mater.

Time flies so fast. Thus, it is indeed fitting to present awards and recognize brethren who made a difference in our fraternity/sorority, as well as in our academic achievements, making them a “cut above the rest”.

This first- ever formal Awards and Recognition for GEI are categorized into two:

A. Gawad Agila . Described as the “Outstanding Falcon Award”, Gawad Agila may be considered as the most prestigious, as it recognizes select brethren who made a significant impact to the organization resulting from their exemplary dedication and unrelenting commitment to Gamma Epsilon International, making this organization ever-honorable and sustainable. The first recipients under this category are as follows:

1. Bro. Percival “Percy” Bertuso – Batch 1967
2. Bro. Manuel “Manny” Reyes – Batch 1967
3. Bro. Rolando “Rolly” Labios – Batch 1968
4. Sis. Nancy “Nancy” Morales-Belvis – Batch 1968
5. Bro. Daniel “Anye” Onate – Batch 1971

6. Bro. Roberto “Bert” Natividad – Batch 1972
7. Sis. Cerila “Ela” Lanceta-Caramihan – Batch 1972
8. Bro. Rodolfo “Rudy” Galang – Batch 1973
9. Bro. Jeremias “Jerry” Corrales – Batch 1973
10. Sis. Felicidad “Fely” Udanga-Matundan – Batch 1975

GA Conjugal Special Award

1. Bro. Virgilio “Gil” and Sis. Blessie Villancio – Batch 1976/77
2. Bro. Felimon “Toto” and Beth Faner – Batch 1977

GA Special Award for (Non-Omegans) Outstanding Brethren

1. Bro. Tomas “Tom” Rodriguez – Founder 1963 (Alpha Chapter)
2. Bro. Diosdado “Dado” Melegrito – 2011 National President (Sigma Chapter)



B. Grand Echelon Award. Based on GE/GLE history, the term “Grand Echelon” was used and made as a public media outfit to “whistleblow” outstanding achievements and breakthrough in the organization. In this awards category, the same term was used to recognize brethren who successfully completed their terminal (doctoral) degree course (or equivalent). In the academic and research community, they are the so-called the “cut above the rest”. They are as follows, (with doctoral field, in parenthesis) :

1. Dr. Anastacia M. Gochangco – Batch 1968 (Crop Protection)
2. Dr. Sergia P. Milagrosa – Batch 1968 (Plant Pathology)
3. Dr. Luciana M. Villanueva – Batch 1969 (Crop Protection)
4. Dr. Jerry T. Amoloza – Batch 1969 (Economics)
5. Dr. Josue S. Falla – Batch 1973 (Educational Research and Evaluation)

6. Dr. Catalino I. Flores – Batch 1973 (Genetics and Plant Breeding)
7. Dr. Bonifacio F. Cayabyab – Batch 1973 (Entomology)
8. Dr. Manuel Jose C. Regalado – Batch 1974 (Agricultural Science)
9. Dr. Lucena U. Mercado – Batch 1974 (Rural Development)
10. Dr. Blesilda M. Calub – Batch 1974 (Soil Science)

11. Dr. Audimar P. Bangi – Batch 1975 (Wood Polymer Composite)
12. Dr. Marina Alipon – Batch 1975 (Wood Technology)
13. Dr. Eduardo C. Fernandez – Batch 1975 (Crop Protection)
14. Dr. Ma. Luisa R. Soliven – Batch 1976 (Economics)
15. Dr. Virgilio T. Villancio – Batch 1977 (Community Development)

16. Dr. Lex Badayos – Batch 1994 (Medicine)
17. Dr. Edgardo N.Fullante, Jr. – Batch 1998 (Medicine)

Congratulations! Keep up the good works, folks. (JSF blogs)

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)

John Gilmore Visits ICCM

30 August 2011, ICCM Campus, Antipolo City - Australian missionary Bro. John Gilmore is in town with his base station at the International Christian College of Manila, this city. But who is Bro. J. Gilmore?

John Gilmore is the director of Australia's GMP (Global Mission Partners), a group which formally representing the Churches of Christ Overseas Missions. These are the COCOA (Church of Christ of Australia) people who have provided typhoon relief during past calamities here in the Philippines.

In these photos, Bro. John is received by ICCM officials, after which the group discussed possible collaborative undertakings between GMP and ICCM. During the meeting, John asked for the priority problems and concerns of the Bible college, where GMP may be of assistance. Some concerns raised include ownership of ICCM facilities, sustainability of the Bible college, continuous faculty training and development, masteral course offerings, expansion of enrollment and strengthening local Church supporting the seminaries, among many others. John also mentioned some GMP ministry interventions such as Church development support and Churchmen's (human) education and development as they did or are doing in nine more developing (poor) countries like Vanuatu, and some countries in Africa.

ICCM, just like other nine Philippines' Bible colleges and seminaries under Stone-Campbell restoration Movement, is currently suffering from financial difficulty resulting from the economic recession in America where many donors are. This "crisis" prompted the College constituents to be more aggressive in sourcing-out funding from the local donors (Filipino Fund) in order to keep this Christian education ministry going. (JSF)