by Mary Rose B. Manlangit and Darryl Joi P. Fuentes

A total of 118 persons have donated blood in this year’s Sandugan bloodletting activity of the Red Cross Youth of University of the Philippines Los Baños (RCY-UPLB) in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Laguna Chapter, held August 15, 2012 at the UPLB College of Human Ecology (CHE) Lobby.

This year’s turnout is 20 percent higher compared to the 98 donors recorded last year. This is according to Blood Program Committee Head  Genevive Paroan of the RCY-UPLB citing that there were actually 150  persons who registered  but others were not  qualified as donors. She said that the purpose of the activity is to collect blood that will be used readily by patients during emergencies. The donated blood will be brought to the PRC Laguna Chapter blood bank for testing and safekeeping. Paroan explained that 500 cc or about two cups of blood is being contracted from a donor’s body and right after the procedure they assist and provide snacks for the donors.

According to Riana Joyce Ortega, a junior BS Industrial Engineering student, donating blood gives her the feeling of fulfillment because in her own way she can help the people in need of blood in the community.

Because of the RCY of UPLB’s efforts in promoting Sanduguan, people became more aware about the insufficient blood supply in local blood banks.

“Being my first time to donate blood, this is also an opportunity for me to know my blood type and to assess my health status,” said Ferdinand Esguerra, a freshman BS Electrical Engineering student here, adding that he would also want to help those people looking for blood donors.

On the other hand, an Instructor of the Learning Place Los Baños and a graduate of the BA Communication Arts program of UPLB, Alex Crisologo, said that since he had entered college, it has been his practice to donate blood during bloodletting activities. He also added that this is his way to help a patient in need to use his blood ready during emergency.

The blood letting activity was opened to UPLB students and to all people in the Los Baños community who are willing to donate blood.  Qualifications of the donor are 16 years old and above, at least 50 kg in weight, have no tattoo and piercing, and have no open wounds. Donors who are 17 years below are to secure their parent’s consent.

The activity was conducted in partnership with the Rotary Club Los Baños Makiling,  Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Shirts Avenue, Aqua Altria, and Jerico’s Bakeshop.

The Sanduguan was the first bloodletting activity of RCY-UPLB this academic year. Annually, they have three major bloodletting activities, the Sandaguan which is being held every first semester of the academic year; the Bloodline: The Pledge of Life, during second semester where RCY-UPLB awards the eldest and youngest blood donor; and the Bloodiest Rumble which is being participated by the UPLB organizations during February Fair.

The RCY-UPLB is under the supervision of PRC Laguna Chapter wherein the facilities used as well as the two physicians and the four nurses who administered in the bloodletting activity were from the PRC Laguna Chapter.

This coming September 10, the RCY-UPLB will be holding an HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Seminar at the NCAS Auditorium, UPLB.

by Paoloregel B. Samonte

The local government unit (LGU) of Barangay Batong Malake, in cooperation with UPLB-based organizations Venerable Knight Veterinarians (VKV) Fraternity and Venerable Lady Veterinarians (VLV) Sorority, conducted a free anti-rabies vaccination program last Saturday, July 28 at the Brgy. Batong Malake Barangay Hall.

Over twenty dogs received anti-rabies shots in the vaccination station set up by the project team spearheaded by Mr. Jair Airon Grayal, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student of UPLB and member of the VKV Fraternity. In addition to this station, a separate team was assigned to patrol the barangay vicinity in order to reach more pets in specific areas of concern which included the public market, Lopez Avenue, and the streets of El Danda and Bancal. The anti-rabies injections were funded by the local government unit.

Rabies has continued to be a public concern in the Philippines, a fact evident in the locality as well. Laguna has been named by DOH as one of the ten provinces registering the most number of human rabies cases, with the CALABARZON region one of the regions with the highest incidences of rabies-related human deaths.

Dr. Ross Antonio Banayo, the administering veterinarian and an alumnus of the VKV fraternity and of the UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine, explained that aside from the fact that this practice of securing the welfare of dogs and other animals is related to their profession as veterinarians, the activity also served as a form of public service.

“This activity is held to reinforce preventive measures for rabies. This is, of course, better than doing nothing and waiting until someone suffers. Besides, rabies is fatal once it afflicts individual dogs or humans.” Dr. Banayo added.

This biannual activity served as a continuation of an earlier anti-rabies vaccination project conducted last July 14, in which the principal areas of concern were Forestry, Jamboree, Grove, Demarses, Riverside, and Raymundo.

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 5^th 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).