By Kezia Grace Jungco

Ms. Leren Mae Bautista from Barangay Anos took home the crown as Miss Los Baños 2013 last night at the New Municipal Hall, Los Baños, Laguna.

Miss Bautista, the tallest among the 14 candidates, was also the first one to answer during the interview portion. The interview portion challenged the candidates to endorse the tourist attractions in Los Baños. Bautista, was able to impress the judges when she tried to convince the audience to visit the National Arts Center.

She also bagged several special awards such as “Best in Casual Wear,” “McDonald’s Customers’ Choice Award,” “Miss Metrohair,” “Best in Evening Gown” and “Best in Swimsuit.”

The first and second runner-up titles were bagged by Nim Hazel Eusebio of Brgy. Batong Malake and Susaine Caylan of Brgy. Maahas, respectively. Miss Eusebio also won the “Miss Congeniality Award,” ”Miss Talent,” “Miss Photographer’s Choice” and “McSmile Award.”

A TOWN'S VERY OWN. This year, Miss Los Banos is exclusive for ladies who hail from Los Banos only. (From left to right: Susaine Caylan (Brgy. Maahas) 2nd-Runner Up; Leren Mae Bautista (Brgy. Anos) - Miss Los Banos 2013; Nim Hazel Eusebio (Brgy. Batong Malake) 1st-Runner Up) | Photo by Kezia Jungco

Miss Bautista said that she prepared enough for the competition. She even trained at John Robert Powers before. She also said that her parents were her motivation to win the pageant.

“Sobrang saya ng experience. Hindi ko po inakala na makakasali ako dito. Sobrang napakasaya. Hindi ako makapaniwala,” said Miss Bautista.

“Pagkatapos nito siguro ay magpapasalamat muna ako sa lahat ng tumulong sa akin. Saka ang una kong tutulungan ay ang mga kabataan. Yan ang una kong gagawin,” she added.

Ms. Philippines Eco-Tourism 2012 Mary Candice Ramos, who was one of the judges, said that the winners have the potential to make it to Miss Philippines next year. “The candidates, of course, always have the potential. They just have to always keep in mind that there is room for improvement. They have many months to prepare for the pageant [Miss Philippines], so they’re good,” she said.

STAR-STUDDED. Miss Philippines-Air 2012 Glennifer Perido (3rd from left) and Miss Philippines Eco Tourism 2012 Mary Candice Ramos drove all the way to Los Banos to grace this year's pageant together with other notable personalities. | Photo by Kezia Jungco

This year, the pageant was exclusive for ladies from Los Baños only. “Lahat ay galing sa Los Baños. Hindi ito open para sa lahat this year. Dahil ang mga ganitong pagkakataon ay para sa mga taga-Los Baños lang,” said Mayor Caesar Perez in his speech.

Despite the rain, hundreds still flocked to watch this year’s pageant and supported their candidates. According to Twila Torres, the Events Chair for Miss Los Baños 2013, the event was made successful through the efforts of everyone.

“We had less than a month for the preparation. Everyday, the girls are working hard and doing their best. The Miss Los Baños 2013 was a success with the support of all the committee members and the municipal government,” said Torres.

Miss Los Baños is part of the weeklong celebration of the 12^th Bañamos Festival and the town’s 398^th Foundation Anniversary.

By Kezia Grace Jungco

Strong winds and a chance of rain did not stop hundreds of people of Los Baños to watch the 12^th  Himigsikan: Battle of the Bands last September 21 at the Paciano Rizal Park.

The band “New Veins” won over the eight bands from different parts of Los Baños, Laguna which competed this year. “Dark Brown Tribe” placed second and “Nikita” placed third.

A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC. A chance of downpour did not stop the 12th Himigsikan: Battle of the Bands to celebrate the music and talent of Los Banos' folks. | Photo by Kezia Jungco

The bands played different song genres such as Pop, RnB, Rock, and Reggae.

According to Cheryl Laviña-Gonzales, events chair, the Himigsikan this year was exclusive for Los Baños residents only. Yet, many still auditioned for the competition.

“Isa nga sa mga challenges na hinarap namin ay ang dami ng mga gustong sumali. Tapos na kami ng screening, marami pang gustong sumali,” said Gonzales.

“Siyempre, gusto naman naming mas maraming makapag-participate kaya ginawa namin ang aming makakaya para ma-accomodate lahat,” she added.

The winners received trophies, certificates, cash, and scholarship from sponsors. They were also the highlight of Grand Revelry, the culminating activity of Bañamos Festival 2013 held at the New Municipal Hall, Barangay Timugan on September 22.

“Succesful ang event dahil nagtulong-tulong lahat. Saka suportado ni Mayor [Perez] lahat ng request,” mentioned Gonzales.

Himigsikan, which was established alongside with the Bañamos Festival 12 years ago, continues its tradition to celebrate music and talents of the people of Los Baños.

by Christele J. Amoyan

With the National Year of Rice thriving more than three million advocates over Facebook and Twitter, it seems like rice is the next RICE-ing star in 2013, isn’t it?

This 2013 is the National Year of Rice (NYR) by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 494 of President Benigno C. Aquino III launched in October 18, last 2012. The NYR 2013 nationwide campaign carries the theme “Sapat na Bigas, Kaya ng Pinas.” Hence, this embodies PNoy’s take in his 2^nd State of the Nation Address some two years ago, “Ang gusto nating mangyari: Una, hindi tayo aangkat ng hindi kailangan. Ikalawa, ayaw na nating umasa sa pag-angkat. Ang isasaing ni Juan Dela Cruz dito ipupunla, dito aanihin, dito bibilhin.”

NYR here at Elbi

NYR’s major goal is to increase awareness of Filipino consumers to cut rice wastage. “Marami na ngang kumakain, marami pang nagsasayang ng kanin,” told Richard Romanillos, PhilRice Los Baños Development Coordinator. According to him, in 2010, about 13 per cent of rice import has been wasted. This aggregate could already feed 2.6 million Filipinos in a span of year. In fact, PhilRice surveys that for every two tablespoons of leftover rice, 17 million pesos were spent for rice supply. To meet rice self-sufficiency, PhilRice Los Baños conducts activities to encourage the community to partake with NYR 2013.

One of which is the Palayabangan. It follows a 10-5 challenge that tries to increase the level of rice production standard up to 10 tons per hectare at 5 peso input for every kilo of rice. The contest is monitored under 10-5work plan schedule from June to October. To date, the average rice yield is 4 tons per hectare producing 11-peso input per kilo. Palayabangan challenges rice players on how they can improve rice production with minimized cost. The winners will receive cash prizes of Php100,000 in the regional level and 5 million pesos in the national level. The participating rice varieties are now sited at the UPLB AgriPark.

Pinoy’s rice choice

Filipinos love eating rice; so much that we have a variety of rice recipes in the Philippines. We have sinangag (fried rice), porridge (lugaw), plain rice, and our childhood favorite, ampaw (rice pop). Some restaurants even offer unlimited rice. With that, it is safe to say why the Philippines ranks 8^th among the top largest consumers of rice in the world as reported by the Philippine Rice Institute (PhilRice). Additionally, PhilRice says that 30 to 70 per cent of daily caloric intake of Filipinos depends mainly on rice consumption.

“Meron tayong isang mabigat na problema. Tumataas man ang production natin, ang population naman natin ay tumataas din,” said Romanillos. Since Philippine population is targeting at roughly 98 million this year according to the Commission on Population (PopCom), this could even fuel up the country’s rice demand.

According to a press release from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Secretary Proceso Alcala said that the NYR 2013 is bidding for collective effort among farmers, LGUs, private sectors and the consumers to achieve rice sufficiency in the country. However, over the years, the rice production in the country remains a problem.

Since the rice demand is rising, experts seek for the rice alternative. Dr. Flordeliza H. Bordey, a socio-economist at PhilRice said that shifting to substitute staple food like sweet potato, corn and banana can improve rice self-sufficiency. This way, other neighboring countries like Japan and China can lessen rice shortage despite their increasing population.

Rice is a farmer’s life

Two million Filipino families depend on rice-based farming. In Quezon alone based from Romanillos’ research, an average farmer’s income plays at Php30,000 to Php35,000 per year depending on the harvest. This is barely half of the Php75,000 annual income marked by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). Also, this is not enough to support a farmer’s family considering five members at the least.

Based on Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) data, the total area of farmland declined at 2.36 from 10.0 million hectare in 1991 to 7.64 in 2002. After more than two decades, only one-third of the entire agricultural land in the Philippines was left. So far, an ordinary farmer owns 1.3 hectare on the average. This setback is due to rapid land conversion. Rice production diminishes while arable lands are continuously shrinking.

Due to these constraints, NYR targets farmer stakeholders on their intensive campaign advocacy on rice self-sufficiency. PhilRice, together with the Department of Agriculture, work with other agricultural sectors through local farmer-to-farmer trainings. This way, farmer technicians can have interactive collaboration with ordinary farmers with new technology and technique in rice-farming. Moreover, this kind of field-school strategy, according to Romanillos, is practically a good way to build trust with farmers in the provinces.

It is (y)our RICEponsibility

Rice is not just one person’s responsibility; it is everyone’s. The farmers plow the field, grow the rice and mill it. Rice industries market rice and they should distribute it to consumers in reasonable prices. Consumers, moreover, should only eat enough amount of rice so as to reduce wastage. Nonetheless, our scientists have to conduct innovative research to produce quality rice yield, while the government has to enact policies and laws to secure consumerism welfare in behalf of every stakeholder.

Bottomline: RICE is our RICEponsibility. Be RICEponsible, folks!

by Krizelda Grace G. Sasi

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines – The battle among young journalists is now set as coordinators of Campus Journalism 2013 held their first round of eliminations on a district level on August 29 in Maahas Elementary School.

Thirteen elementary schools in Los Baños competed in the event including: Bagong Silang Elementary School, Bambang Elementary School, Bayog Elementary School, BN Calara Elementary School, Lalakay Elementary School, Lopez Elementary School, Los Baños Central School, Maahas Elementary School, Malinta Elementary School, Mayondon Elementary School, Paciano-Rizal Elementary School, San Antonio Elementary School, and Tadlac Elementary School.

First place district winners are as follows:

Copy reading and headline writing

• (Filipino) Zolaika Anne Porley of Bayog Elementary School
• (English) Chris Ann Leonida of Bayog Elementary School

News writing

• (Filipino) Jhoulie Anne Joldi of Los Baños Central School
• (English) Ace Rafael Co of Mayondon Elementary School

Editorial writing

• (Filipino) Hannaha Lyn Rivero of Paciano-Rizal Elementary School
• (English) Cyrus Toring of Los Baños Central School

Sports writing

• (Filipino) Floyd Emmanuel Namoca of Los Baños Central School
• (English) Angel Joy Quilloy of Bayog Elementary School

Feature writing

• (Filipino) Hannah Mikaela Miguel of Paciano-Rizal Elementary School
• (English) John Marcial of Lopez Elementary School

Editorial cartooning

• (Filipino) Paolo Marmol of Los Baños Central School
• (English) Franz Harold Homeres of San Antonio Elementary School

Photojournalism

• (Filipino) Ansherine Kate Reyes of Los Baños Central School
• (English) Thom Ivan Ragasa of Malinta Elementary School

On-line writing

• (Filipino) Abigail De Guzman of Los Baños Central School
• (English) Ryuta Anami of Maahas Elementary School

Lay-outing

• (Filipino) Shaun Dizon of Bayog Elementary School
• (English) Jan Earnest Tandang of Bayog Elementary School

Broadcast media

• (Filipino) Los Baños Central School
• (English) San Antonio Elementary School

Ten winners were proclaimed in each category except for on-line writing, lay-outing, and broadcast media. Winners of the said events are automatically entitled to compete in the 2013 Division Press Conference to be held at Pangil Central School, Pangil-Pakil District on September 26-28, 2013.

Campus Journalism, otherwise known as Journalism Press Conference, is conducted every year to support the mandated Republic Act No. 7079 or the “Campus Journalism Act of 1991.” The act advocates the freedom of expression among students as it upholds awareness about developmental issues faced by the society. At the same time, it enables students to further hone their innate critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills.

The event was made possible through the collaboration of elementary schools in Los Baños district, and supervision of the following: Ms. Gisela Pingad, English Principal Coordinator; Ms. Prima Cecilia Ilagan, Filipino Principal Coordinator; Ms. Herminia Bisenio, District Coordinator; and Ms. Esmeralda De Castro, District Supervisor.

by Kristin Chloe S. Pascual

Up in the sky, look! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s Itera Robota!

Itera Robota is a self-directed aircraft which provides aerial surveillance of terrains. What seems like an oversized robot-toy is actually equipped with lenses, sensors, and other devices that function altogether to survey the environment, specifically agricultural plantations mid-air.

Itera Robota makes possible to capture a top-view perspective of a certain place at a certain time. One of the creators of this technology, Dr. Vladimir Y. Mariano of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics at the University of the Philippines Los Baños shared that just as a doctor diagnoses a person from head to foot, Itera Robota works in the same way in monitoring and identifying problems that can be found in a target land area.

It was developed to come up with a quick way of assessing terrains. The technology is able to provide not just aerial images of the terrain but also ground data on water vapour, rainfall rate, and cloud motion which are used to monitor agriculture, forestry, and the environment.

For instance, images analysis of agricultural plantations may be used to identify plant diseases. Itera Robota renders a “full picture” of the terrain which can back up consultancy services on precision agriculture and crop management.

The technology is aimed to help its stakeholders arrive at better decisions for the agriculture and the environment from efficient and reliable data. As of now, Itera Robota is already dealing with its potential stakeholders such as International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARD), Del Monte Philippines, and Philex Mining Corporation for partnerships.

by  Ma. Catherine C. Arzobal

Glued. Lived. Saved.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) showcased its project “Filipinnovation on Coral Reef Restoration,” an initiative to restore broken and degraded coral reefs, during the three-day celebration of SyenSaya 2013 at the University of the Philippines Baños (UPLB) Copeland Gymnasium on July 31 – August 2, 2013.

Filipinnovation on Coral Reef Restoration is a project which started on June 2011 mainly funded by DOST. This innovation is a process of cultivating the tissues of corals through a special type of nursery installed on the surface of the sea with a width size of 3 meters x 1 meter and half meter in height. In the cultivation process, the corals are tied on the nursery to let it grow until it is ready for planting.

According to Mr. Eugene Afalla, Science Research Specialist from PCAARRD, it takes 2-3 months for the corals to restore their tissue and grow its branches. The divers who are trained and guided by PCAARRD determine if the corals are healthy and ready for planting. A special type of epoxy called ‘marine epoxy’ is used to permanently attach the broken fragments of corals to the hard substrates of the ocean. These substrates are reefs which are ridges of rocks in the sea. After some time, the coral naturally attaches itself to the substrate and eventually branch out again providing additional habitat for thousands of aquatic species.

Along the one-year run of the project, Mr. Afalla said that they find the epoxy costly and is only limited for certain areas. PCAARRD’s team addressed this by using concrete nails to secure the broken coral fragments on the surface of the rocks by binding them on the nail using rubber or ordinary knot. This allows the corals to attach itself on the rocks after a period of time.

Using the coral nursery, degraded and broken fragments of coral reefs can now be retrieved instead of letting it die. PCAARRD tested and proved its effectivity to protect the shoreline and restore habitat for school of fish along the one-year run of the project. They are coordinating with local government units, local universities, hotel owners and divers as the project targets tourism hubs such as beaches in the country.

On May 2012, the project was piloted in various areas of the country. Among these are: Baler, Aurora; Bagac, Bataan; Laiya and Anilao in Batangas; Ticao, Masbate; Panglao, Bohol; Malay and Tangalan in Aklan; Sogod, Southern Leyte; and Tawi-Tawi.

Meanwhile, Mr. Afalla added that PCAARRD already has the technology package but the study is still ongoing. He also explained that the innovation has no particular limitation since the area of implementation is assessed before the installation.

Coral reef restoration will benefit the country by providing habitat, income, food, protection and even medicine as researches show that coral reefs can be a source of potential treatments for many of the world’s serious illnesses. But further researches are still needed to prove this claim.

The installation of nurseries in certain areas is not purchased because it is a government project. PCAARRD wants the people to be aware of this project because they believe that people are capable of saving the coral reefs for a rich marine ecosystem.