The Los Baños Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested Glen Nocum and Anidem Medina in Brgy. San Antonio, Los Baños, Laguna on September 11 during the conduct of operation against illegal drugs . Nocum, a 22 year old service crew, and Medina, a 23 year old laborer, both from Purok 3, Brgy. San Antonio, were caught having a pot session at the residence of William Greso (aka Wences).

Prior to the operation, PCI Andres O. Simbajon Jr., Officer in Charge, received a text message from one barangay official of Brgy. San Antonio informing him that a pot session is on-going at Greso’s residence. The police officers were able to confiscate one strip of aluminum foil and three small transparent plastic sachets, all with white crystalline substance. Recovered substances were brought to the region crime laboratory at Camp Vicente Lim, Canlubang, Laguna for laboratory examination.

Nocum and Medina, on the other hand, were subjected to drug test and medical examination prior to inquest proceedings.

The recovered substances were found to contain Methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) while the two suspects tested positive for the banned substance.

The suspects were criminally charged before the Provincial Prosecutors Office in Calamba City while Greso, who was able to escape from apprehending officers and is still at large, is subject for preliminary investigation.  Nocum and Medina are now detained at the Los Baños PNP’s detention cell while waiting for their commitment order and transfer to Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Los Baños. (With reports from PNP Los Baños)

The Department of Development Journalism (DDJ), in partnership with the DEVC 80 (Communication and Society) class Section G, sponsored a seminar titled “EXPOSED: Facing the Pressures of Journalism in the Philippines” on September 9 at the College of Development Communication Lecture Hall, University of the Philippines Los Baños from 1pm-4pm.

The seminar featured Ms. Marites Vitug, editor at large of Rappler and Chair of the Board of Newsbreak / Public Trust Media Group, Inc.  She talked about her experiences as a journalist covering the Supreme Court for a long time.

A communication student from the Lyceum of the Philippines University in Calamba, Laguna participates in the open forum session after the talk of Ms. Vitug.

More than 200 participants attended the seminar including students and faculty from Laguna State Polytechnic University (Siniloan), Colegio de Los Baños, Lyceum of the Philippines University (Calamba), First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (Batangas), and Calamba Bayside National High School.

Books written by Ms. Vitug namely: Hour Before Dawn: The Fall and Uncertain Rise of the Philippine Supreme Court; Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court; and Our Rights, Our Victories: Landmark Cases in the Supreme Court were made available on that day.  A book signing followed immediately after the seminar.

Ms. Vitug writes her personal message on one of her books during the book signing session.

A multi-awarded journalist, Ms. Vitug is a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Filipinos Award (in the field of journalism). In 1986-1987, she was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University. She also took postgraduate studies in international relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Rodrigo “Jiggy” Manicad, GMA News & Public Affairs broadcast journalist, brought his free journalism seminar titled “Inspiring the Youth: Free Journalism Seminar for TV, Documentary, & Film” to UP Los Baños DL Umali Auditorium on August 30.

According to Manicad, the free seminar is his response to some “costly” seminars on journalism.

“Why not gawin na nating free kung kakayanin naman natin,” tells Manicad.

Manicad shared his unforgettable experiences and learning while doing TV reporting and production during the seminar. He also gave several tips in doing TV reporting.

Prior to Manicad’s talk, the seminar also featured Marnie Manicad, film and documentary director, and TV producer, and Maricar Cinco, Philippine Daily Inquirer Southern Luzon correspondent.

Marnie Manicad shared her experiences directing films such as the “Dance of the Steel Bars” with Dingdong Dantes and Hollywood actor Patrick Bergin.

“Find it in your heart to know what it is you want to do, and dapat masaya ka sa ginagawa mo,” advised Manicad.

Her other film “Inside Malacañang” was also showed after her talk.  It is a National Geographic Channel Documentary which features special areas inside the Palace and the people who are always with the president to ensure his safety, and protect his image.

On the other hand, Cinco discussed about writing for print media with focus on the basic steps on writing news stories. She emphasized the importance of having confidence when it comes to writing, through which perfection is not necessary.

Students who attended the seminar were inspired and delighted after listening to the three speakers.

The seminar was the second run of Manicad’s Free Journalism Seminar.  The first one was in SM San Pablo held last June 29.

The seminar was sponsored by the Office of Public Relations of the Office of the Chancellor, UP Los Baños; along with Grace & Truth Christian College, UP Community Broadcasters’ Society, National Geographic Channel, Jiggy Manicad Learning Program, and Department of Education (DepEd) Region 4A CALABARZON.

Manicad is an alumnus of UP Los Baños, a graduate of BA Communication Arts Class 1994. (Arron Lucius B. Herbon)

Students of the University of the Philippines (UP) showed their support to scrap pork barrel by joining the Million People March from Liwasang Bonifacio to Quirino Grand Stand on August 26.

“Makibaka, ‘wag mag-baboy!”  This was the shout by the thousands of people who joined the march.

“Participating in the Million March is being pro-active and not being apathetic. When Filipinos come together, we are taking a stand. The pork barrel scam is something that we don’t accept and we should stop it,” said Tristan Zinampan, a development communication alumnus of UP Los Banos (UPLB).

Meanwhile, Love Baurile, a devcom student from UPLB, shared that small movements could result to a big contribution.

The idea of the Million People March started with a Facebook event led by Arnold Pedrigal, Peachy Bretana, and Zena Bernardo-Bernardo in response to the pork barrel scam.

The pork barrel scam petition was triggered by President Benigno Aquino’s plans about the reformation of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). Said reformation was supposed to clear the corruption in the system.

Orly Putong, a UP Diliman (UPD) student, described it only as a “new program to cover up the old corruption system.”

“It should be abolished,” shares Jian Gomez, another UPD student.  He further commented that pork barrel should be re-channeled to public services such as education system, health service and transportation.

The Million People March served as the voice of the people’s assertions towards corruption. (Arianne Grace Bautista)

The National Crop Protection Center – University of the Philippines Los Banos (NCPC-UPLB) is currently conducting a three-year project study on the effectiveness of red seaweeds as inducer of growth in plant and resistance to pests.

In partnership with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), the study titled “Biological Efficacy Evaluation Radiation-Modified Carrageenan and Chitosan as Inducers of Resistance against Major Pest and Diseases in Rice” is headed by Dr. Gil Magsino, a researcher from NCPC-UPLB.

The study is under the program of PCAARRD, “Plant Bio-Stimulants and Elicitor from Radiation-Modified Natural Polymers” which is divided into three projects. The first project is the one being managed by NCPC and the other two are: Evaluation of the Effects of Radiation-Modified Carrageenan and Chitosan on the Growth and Yield of Mungbean (Vigna radiate) and Peanut (Arachis hypogea), headed by Dr. Lucille V. Abad, a chemist from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute; and Elucidation of Growth Promotion Mechanisms of Radiation-Modified Carrageenan and Chitosan on Rice, headed by Dr. Constancio A. Asis, Jr. of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

The program was officially started on May 15 but the start of the actual research work for the project is mid-August this year. Planting of rice crops to be used for the experiments should be synchronized to the actual planting season of farmers in order to get accurate and corresponding results from real-life set-up. Two weeks will be allotted for land preparation, but there is no definite day of planting yet since other factors like weather condition should be taken into consideration.

The constant rain and storm threats delay the process, due to the plant’s sensitivity to excessive moisture. Strong wind may also destroy the seedlings when planted without proper planning.

The proposal to do the study was passed in year 2010 but only got its approval recently this year. It was presented to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) but it was PCCAARD that approved the idea.

According to Maureen de Roxas, a Research Assistant under Dr. Magsino, the idea of doing a research study on the effects of seaweeds to agricultural plants was introduced to them by Dr. Abad.  The lack of sufficient knowledge about entomology and plant pathology brought Dr. Abad to seek for partnership with Dr. Magsino. “It was the concern for plants’ health that influenced Dr. Magsino to accept the offer,” said de Roxas.

Studies on the effects of seaweeds in the growth of plants were already done in other countries like America. Results of study conducted in Washington States in 2011 suggest that seaweed extract applications can reduce pest mite population.

Another study in Vermont in 2009 and 2010 showed that seaweed extracts reduce fruit damage of some fruit varieties. According to Majelia Magallona, University Extension Specialist, also a member of Dr. Magsino’s team, Dr. Magsino learned that Malaysia has been mass producing seaweeds to be used as plant fertilizers. However, when asked about the basis of their practice, there was no research presented. According to them, they just saw the improvements to their crops that is why they adopted it.

Even though the use of seaweed extracts as plant growth stimulator in agriculture has been known in some countries, it is not yet introduced here in the Philippines. The main concern of the study is to be able to publish a research that will prove the effectiveness of the technology.

The project will be utilizing Euchuma or red seaweeds which contain three types of carrageenan namely: Iota, Kappa and Lambda. The focus of the study will be the effect of these carrageenan in plant vigor. High plant vigor means high resistance of plants against pests and diseases. When plants have high vigor, the input of pesticides and other harmful substances will be lessened, thus stimulating a healthier and natural growth in plant.

PCCAARD allotted 3.4 million for the three-year project and PNRI has the source of seaweeds which they will be supplying to the project sites.

When asked about the possible benefits of the study, de Roxas said “If it will be proven effective, the benefit will be healthier farmland due to less input of chemicals… and if it’s cheaper, it will benefit the farmers.” (Caress L. Tolentino)

A total of 117 individuals donated blood during the Sanduguan bloodletting activity of the Red Cross Youth of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (RCY of UPLB) in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Laguna Chapter on August 14 at the lobby of the College of Human Ecology UPLB.

Ma. Sofia Irene Escolano, RCY of UPLB Blood Program Committee Head, said that it was almost the same number compared to last year’s Sanduguan with 118 donors. A total of 214 persons actually registered but others were not qualified as donors.

The bloodletting activity was opened to UPLB students and members of the Los Baños community who were willing to join.  Snacks, certificate and souvenirs were given to donors right after the procedure.  The donated blood were brought to PRC Laguna Chapter blood bank for testing and safekeeping.

According to Fertina Gellen Resuello, a third year BS Chemical Engineering student, donating blood gives her a different experience and it gives her the sense of contentment. With the blood she donated, she felt that she could directly save lives.

The purpose of the annual activity is to collect blood that can be used readily by patients during emergencies.  To be a qualified donor, one should be: 16 years old and above, at least 50 kg in weight, have no new tattoo and piercing for the past year, have no open wounds and have slept at least six hours. Minors who are 17 years old and below should have consent from their parents or guardians. About two cups of blood or 500 cc is being contracted from a donor’s body, this can help approximately three patients in an emergency room.

The major partner organizations of the activity were the Rotary Club of Los Baños Makiling and UPLB Corps of Sponsors. Other sponsors were: Alliance of Industrial Engineering Majors of UPLB; UP Cell Biological Society; UP Phytopathological Society; Society of Applied Mathematics of UPLB; UP Entomological Society; UPLB Grange Association; Alpha Sigma Fraternity; and Miguyz eatery.

The Sanduguan is the first bloodletting activity of RCY of UPLB this academic year. They have three major bloodletting activities annually including Bloodline: The Pledge of Life, done every second semester wherein the organization awards the eldest and youngest blood donor and the Bloodiest Rumble which is being participated in by the UPLB organizations during the February Fair.

The bloodletting activities of the RCY of UPLB are under the supervision of PRC Laguna Chapter who supplies the facilities, physicians and nurses. (Mary Rose B. Manlangit)