by Paoloregel B. Samonte and Clinton C. Ronquillo with reports from Joy Dianne J. Gumatay
Mas Masaya sa Syensya. This was the theme of the 5th annual Wonderama launched at the Baker Hall in the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The Wonderama is a three-day interactive science learning exhibit that will be open to the public from July 18-20. It is part of SyenSaya, the banner program of the Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI) in support of the annual celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) held every second week of July.
SyenSaya features the latest scientific research updates, breakthroughs, and technologies for commercialization. It also aims to increase the awareness of different social sectors like students, teachers, and farmers on the role of science in improving the quality of community life. Over 160 high school and college teachers and students from different schools in the region attended the opening of SyenSaya.
Participating scientific institutions and agencies showcased different agricultural products from root crops, fruit trees, poultry and livestock, and genetically modified organisms developed in the local community.
The event also served as venue for the public to see various mechanical inventions like robots, audio-visual presentations of experiments, and agricultural implements such as animal feeds, Some institutions likewise gave away information brochures to heighten public awareness about scientific researches.
Romae Zen Arganda, a BS Agricultural Engineering student, expressed her amazement with the exhibits and added, “the information on the pamphlets are very helpful in explaining the significance of science in our community.”
Aside from the Wonderama, the UPLB Institute of Cooperative and Bio-Enterprise Development a forum on health, environment and livelihood intended to promote awareness of the member agencies regarding certain issues in the scientific community on July 19.
Under the guidance of Chancellor Grace Javier Alfonso, the University of the Philippines Open University is this year’s organizer. Chancellor Alfonso is also the president of the LBSCFI.
Mr. Florante A. Cruz, a member of the Syensaya Exhibit Committe and a University Researcher from the UPLB Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, explained that SyenSaya started way back in 2008 as part of UPLB’s centennial year celebration under the then Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco and was organized by the members of LBSCFI.
LBSCFI also recognized excellent research and development projects conducted by its member agencies gave the Research and Development (R&D) by honoring the agencies with awards in a ceremony held at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Auditorium on July 20 (Friday). The Philippine Agriculture and Resources Research Foundation, Inc. (PARRFI) was awarded the outstanding R&D work in the agriculture, forestry, and environment sectors.
SyenSaya was was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the members of the LBSCFI in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI).