by Cesar Ilao III, Blessie Ayalde, and Margarite Igcasan
With the theme “60 Years Of Empowering The Forest-based Industries and Communities”, the Department of Science and Technology – Forestry Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) celebrated its diamond anniversary on July 4-6, 2017 at the FPRDI Building at the UP Los Baños Campus in Los Baños, Laguna.
Samahan ng may Kapansanan sa Mauban (SAKAMA), an LGU from Mauban, Quezon were also one of the participants of the event. Their group consists of differently-abled persons or Persons with Disabilities (PWD).
The anniversary was attended various organizations such as Women’s Brigade and Samahan ng may Kapansanan sa Mauban, Quezon (SAKAMA), local government units (LGUs) from CALABARZON, and environment-related government agencies. Emily Jane Lim, organizer of the event, emphasized the importance of having exhibits and trade fairs to share FPRDI’s work not only to potential adapters of technologies but also to the other sectors of the public.
The exhibit and trade fair showcased different handicrafts made from wooden materials. Each booth had their own products to show. Shown in the photo are products from A and S Handcrafted Arts, Inc. Some booths offer a variety of products like bracelets, keychains, handwoven bags, mats, papers, religious artifacts, among others.
The three-day event started on July 4 with a motorcade and a ribbon cutting ceremony. This was followed by a lecture on Improving the Utilization of Bamboo for Engineered Products Manufacture by Dr. Rico J. Cabangon. The judging of Francisco N. Tamolang (FNT) Technical Poster and Makisining sa Makiling (MSM) Poster Making Competition was also conducted.
One of the highlights of the celebration is the Pistahan sa Gubat Exhibit and Trade Fair, which featured the Wood Library Visit at the Xylarium and Herbarium Library that showcased different species of wood found in the country. There were also free technology demonstrations at the Bamboo Innovation Center featuring charcoal briquetting, water hyacinth processing, and DIY Bamboo House.
Handmade Papermaking was demonstrated by Justino C. Buendia for the Pistahan sa Gubat participants composed of students, teachers, and participants from different LGUs.
Nathaniel A. Ramos, from the Engineered Products Development Section was the instructor for the Engineered Bamboo Technology demonstration. The participants were toured around the Veneer and Plywood Laboratory, and were shown the different processes such as (splicing, applying chemicals to make the wood stick to each other, heating, and the like.
The trade fair, on the other hand, showcased various forest products such as carved wood and paper. The exhibit and trade fair was open during the entire three-day anniversary celebration.
On July 5, an exclusive event for the employees of DOST-FPRDI was held in recognition of scholars, notable employees, and to the winners of the FNT and MSM Poster Competition. During the second day, the Bamboo Innovation Center was showcased more technology demonstrations in handmade paper making, engineered bamboo technology, finishing/bleaching/dyeing technology, wood bending technology, among others.