The National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Biotech) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) wins the Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award during the National Science and Technology Week on July 23 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Five representatives from Biotech namely Reynaldo V. Ebora, Susan A. Sedano, Arsenia B. Sapin, Maria Teresa M. Perez, and Teresita J. Ramirez, received the medal and cash prize of one hundred fifty thousand pesos (P150,000) for the successful commercialization of Salmonella DAS .

One of Biotech’s patented products, Salmonella DAS is a PCR-based indicator kit which detects salmonella in food and feeds. PCR or Polymerase chain reaction, is a biochemical technology which allows a single DNA copy to multiply to billions of copies, through heating and cooling of the reaction which is called thermal cycling.  Ramirez started its commercialization from 2004-2005 with funds from the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD).  It is now being distributed to potential clients like the Lipa Quality Control Center in Lipa City, Batangas.

Two other awards were also given out: the Outstanding Research and Development Award for Basic Research which was given to Dr. Waren N. Baticados, a UPLB scientist, for his research on livestock and companion animals’ diseases; and the Outstanding Science Administrator Award which was given to Dr. Amelia W. Tejada, executive director of the Food Development Center, for her large contribution in the Centralized Contaminants Laboratory at the Food Development Center-National Food Authority (FDC-NFA).

The Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award, also known as the Gregorio Y. Zara award, is given in recognition of the efforts of technology generators and developers to commercialize technologies. (Rae Marrie L. de Mesa)

The Los Baños Philippine National Police (PNP) captured a robbery suspect identified as Renato P. Madrid on August 5 along Lopez Avenue of Brgy. Batong Malake.  Madrid, a native and resident of Brgy Pagsawitan, Sta Cruz, Laguna, is being linked to a series of robbery incidents in Los Baños.

On July 26 at about 12:30pm, a couple residing at the Pepito Torres Propriety Apartment in El Danda Street, Batong Malake was robbed while they were using their comfort room.  When Rovelyn Mina went to their room which they left locked, she noticed that the door was closed but with the padlock destroyed.  She shouted for help when she saw the suspect inside their room.  The suspect immediately fled on foot towards El Danda subdivision.  Bystanders tried to chase down the suspect but were not successful.

The robber got one 11.6” acer aspire laptop worth Php 15,000.00 and Php 1,200.00 cash money from the victims. The couple went to their barangay hall to report the incident and reviewed the footages captured in their barangay’s CCTV. Rovelyn was able to pinpoint the suspect who was seen roaming around before the incident and running away from their apartment after the robbery.

The victims were then invited to Los Baños PNP to check the station’s rogues gallery.  The suspect was then identified as a former detainee named Renato Madrid y Paderog, 30 years old, single and jobless who was previously arrested by elements of the same station last February 3, 2012 for robbery. Appropriate criminal charge against Madrid was again filed before the Provincial Prosecutors Office on July 29, 2013.

On August 5, the station received a report from Intel PNCO SPO3 Elmer Joseph B. Gibe sighting a suspicious male along Lopez Avenue heading UPLB campus on board of a Public Utility Jeepney.  Operatives immediately conducted monitoring and verification and chanced upon the suspect at the corner of Umali Subdivision.  The suspect was then brought to the barangay hall of Batong Malake.  Two heat sealed transparent plastic sachets containing dried leaves or suspected marijuana were confiscated from the suspect.  Recovered substances were brought to the region crime laboratory at Camp Vicente Lim, Canlubang, Laguna for laboratory examination. The suspect was positively identified as the same person caught in the CCTV.  Other robbery victims from several dormitories in the same barangay also identified the suspect.  Madrid was subjected to drug test and medical examination prior to his inquest.

The suspect was criminally charged before the Provincial Prosecutors Office in Calamba City for Trespassing and Violation of Sec 11 Art II RA 9165 with bail recommended of Php 200,000.00.  Madrid is now detained at the Los Baños PNP’s detention cell while waiting for his commitment order and transfer to Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Los Baños. (With reports from PNP Los Baños)

by  Ann Gielou M. Posedio

CANDELARIA, QUEZON – The office of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) held a seminar on the new ordinance regarding proliferating cases of crimes and abuses carried out by street children at the municipal’s covered court on August 13.

During the seminar, MSWD warned the parents that there is a new regulation declaring the imprisonment of the minor’s guardian if the minor is proven guilty of a crime. Under the existing law, the minor cannot be jailed.

Headed by Ms. Asuncion Gardon, the chief officer of MSWD, the seminar served as a “consultation meeting” among 25 parents who shared their problems and situation about their children conflicting with the law. Some of the dilemmas mentioned by parents were the unemployment of parents, unsupported education for children, and peer pressure among other street children from the neighboring towns.

In line with this, MSWD also promoted livelihood programs for the parents and free education for the out-of-school youth during the seminar.

According to Ma’am Gardon, the said seminar is part of MSWD’s campaign, “Sagip-Saglit Batang Yagit” which is a strategy they formulated to help eliminate the community’s problem on street children and the possible dangers they can bring to themselves and to the community.

Aside from Ms. Gardon, PO3 Gerkorie Cruzar, the PNP officer of Child and Women’s Desk, and two speakers from the religious sector also talked with the parents during the discussion.

“Nag-serve din siya (seminar) as an in-depth study para malaman kung ano pa yung posibleng…sustainable programs and services to introduce,” Ms. Gardon shared.

Meanwhile, MSWD plans to hold next consultation meeting for both parents and their children this September and conduct it during the Family Week celebration for comprehensive counseling purposes.

Ginanap ang paligsahan sa pagsulat ng tula at sa paggawa ng poster na may temang “Ang wika natin ay sandata  laban sa kahirapan” noong ika-5 ng Agosto sa Kolehiyo ng Komunikasyong Pangkaunlaran. Kalahok ang mga estudyante ng mga hayskul sa CALABARZON, ito ay pinangunahan ng UP Alliance of Development Communication Students (UP ADS) kaugnay ng  pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa na may temang “Wika Natin Ang Daang Matuwid.”

Sa taong ito, 13 paaralan ang nakilahok sa paggawa ng poster.  Ito ay ang mga sumusunod: Pagsanjan National High School (NHS); Los Banos National High School; Trace College; Southbay Montessori School; Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Calamba; St. Joseph School-San Pablo; Mater Dei Academy-Tagaytay; Alaminos National High School; Our Lady of Peace School-Rizal; University of Rizal System; Mater Ecclesia School-Laguna; Morning Star Montessori School Inc.; at Calamba Bayside National High School.

Si Erica S. Galan mula sa Pagsanjan National High School ang nakakuha ng unang gantimpala para sa paligsahang ito.  Sinundan siya ni Yanicko Sydbourne E. Covar ng Southbay Montessori para sa ikalawang gantimpala at ni Kathleen Nicole O. Buyco ng Our Lady of Peace School-Antipolo para sa ikatlong gantimpala.  Sina Bb. Megan Torres, Gng. Lily Tallafer, at Bb. Ricarda Villar ang mga naging hurado para sa paligsahang ito.

Para naman sa paligsahan ng pagsulat ng tula, ang 11 paaralang sumali ay ang: Pagsanjan NHS; Los Banos NHS; Soutbay Montessori School; Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Calamba; St. Joseph Academy-San Pablo; Mater Dei Academy-Tagaytay; Alaminos NHS; Our Lady of Peace School-Rizal; University of Rizal Systems; Mater Ecclesia School-Laguna; at Calamba Bayside NHS.

Nakamit ni Rexanne Monique C. Cosico ng Mater Ecclesiae ang unang gantimpala.  Si Angelica E. Padilla naman ng Alaminos National high School ang nakakuha ng ikalawang gantimpala habang si Franz Edward D. Oliva ng Los Banos National High School ang nakakuha sa ikatlong gantimpala.  Nagsilbing hurado sina G. Emmanuel Dumlao, G. Dennis Aguinaldo, at Bb. Angelina Bisquera para sa paligsahang ito.

Ang dalawang paligsahang ito ay unang parte lamang ng “Pintig ng Lahi,” isang taunang paligsahan na naglalayong ipagdiwang at pagyamanin ang kultura at wikang Filipino. Gamit ang wikang Filipino, layunin nitong masukat ang kasanayan at kakayahan sa komunikasyon ng mga kalahok at upang maipakita ang pagpapahalaga sa nasyonalismo, sariling wika at kultura.

Ang pangalawang parte ng Pintig ng Lahi na sabayang pagbigkas at tradisyunal na sayawang Pilipino ay gaganapin sa ika-24 ng Agosto sa DL Umali Auditorium, UPLB. (Christian Rieza)

(Photos by  Aivee Tesorero)

The Red Cross Youth of University of the Philippine Los Baños (RCY of UPLB) volunteers visited Bahay Tuluyan in Victoria, Laguna on August 10 to help the unfortunate children.

According to Ruel Mikhael Benzon, Project Committee Head, they hope that they were able to somehow fulfill their objective with their donations and with the little time and effort that the volunteers spent with the kids.

The children actively participated in the activities during the visit of the RCY volunteers. Games and dance numbers were performed by the children and the volunteers. Gift-giving and rendering of speeches were also part of the program.

Maris, one of the children in the shelter, said that the visit made her happy. She felt that she was loved and treated as an important person. She wishes that the organization will bond with them again.

Benzon shared that RCY of UPLB first visited Bahay Tuluyan in February 3 this year and they seek to have a continuous partnership with the organization through their programs.

Bahay Tuluyan is a non-government organization that provides programs and social services aimed at preventing and responding to abused and exploited children in the country. It has units in Manila, Quezon and Laguna. (Mary Rose B. Manlangit)

Somebody’s leftover is someone’s first meal. According to UNICEF, up to 4.7 million children in South Asia are suffering from malnutrition. Among these are the street children who are the most vulnerable to diseases and health risks.  (Jackie Lou G. Pugay)