By Noli A. Magsambol III

In celebration of the National Arts Month, the Office of Initiatives for Culture and the Arts (OICA) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) holds the 3^rd Southern Tagalog Arts Festival which features the art installation of a well-known Filipino artist, sculptor and designer, Mr. Leeroy New.

The festival is a month-long celebration started on February 3 to February 28. It is an annual festival that is organized by OICA to uphold the dynamism and diversity of Filipino culture and to encourage the thriving of the artistic tradition. The art festivity aims to serve as a celebratory showcase of artistic talents from the different provinces in Southern Tagalog.

This year’s festival highlights six different artistic contributions such as:

• BISWAL– showcase of drawing, painting, and printmaking;
• LILOK– display of sculptures, poetry, and ceramics;
• BALAY-exhibit applied arts such as embroidery, architecture, fashion design and weaving;
• SULAT– showcase of written works in poetry, prose as well as academic researches;
• TANGHAL-showcase of performance arts; and
• USBONG-displays new media art forms such as photography, video and digital art.

The festival showcases classic films of Nora Aunor such as “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos”, “Banaue”, and “Himala”. These films were shot and filmed in different locations in the Southern Tagalog. These films are of free admission and open to all.  On February 3, almost 300 people watched “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos” at the DL Umali Auditorium in UPLB.

Aside from the installation art of Filipino artist Leeroy New, this year’s festival highlights the first original Filipino musical play in UPLB titled, “Bonifacio and the Freak show” which is directed by a professional actor-director for theatre and television here in the country, Mr. Joey Ting. The musical play is free admission and will be staged on February 19 to 21 with 3 pm and 7 pm performances at the DL Umali Auditorium.

Claudine Gonzales, Administrative Officer of OICA, shared, “Siguro what is exciting ngayong arts festival, aside from installation art of Mr. Leeroy New and musical play is yung opening concert namin noong February 4 kasi iba’t ibang cultural and ethnic bands ang nag-perform dito from different provinces here sa Southern Tagalog.”

At 7 pm, of February 4, a festival opening concert was held at the DL Umali Auditorium which staged different cultural bands such as Lakbay Lahi and Elemento, both ethnic art music ensembles from Cavite.  Musical bands Althaea and Three Days After, both from Los Baños, Laguna also performed in the concert. Juniper Face the Corner, a UPLB-based independent pop rock band also staged their talents during the concert.

The UP Service, Integrity, Benevolence, Objectivity, Leadership (UP SIBOL) also helped in organizing the festival. The organization housed the performers in opening concert last February 4. They are also in charge of coordination with local groups of performers for later events and for the program flow.

Gonzales invites people to attend the upcoming activities of the art festival. “Hinihikayat ko ang mga tao hindi lang ‘yung mga taga rito sa Southern Tagalog, pati na rin sa mga karatig lugar na pumunta at silipin ang celebration natin dito ng National Arts Month. Hindi lang dahil sa libre ito, para na rin masaksihan nila ang iba’t ibang talento ng mga taga dito sa rehiyon natin,” said Gonzales.

Here is the schedule of activities for the 3^rd Southern Tagalog Arts Festival.

ni Rachel N. Nuñez

Patuloy ang pagsasagawa ng Philippine National Police (PNP) – Los Baños ng checkpoint sa buong bayan alinsunod sa binabang direktibang “Oplan Wildcat” ng panlalawigang pamunuan ng PNP.

Layunin ng operasyon na magkaroon ng mas istriktong implementasyon at paghuli ng mga motorista na lumalabag sa mga alituntunin tulad ng hindi pagsusuot ng helmet, kawalan ng official receipt of certificate of registration (ORCR), lisensya, at plaka. Simula Disyembre noong nakaraang taon, walong motorsiklo na ang na-impound ng PNP-Laguna.

Bilang bahagi ng Operasyon Wildcat, nagsasagawa ng serye ng checkpoint ang PNP-Los Baños upang siguruhing kumpleto at updated ang mga dokumento ng mga motorista sa Los Baños. (larawan mula sa PNP-LB)

Naglabas ng sticker ang PNP- Laguna upang mas lalong mapagtibay ang programa. Tuwing may checkpoint, kailangang ma-verify ang motorsiklo na clean motorbike. Ang clean motorbike ay naiparehistro ng tama sa oras at mayroong orihinal at hindi expired na lisensya.

“Naka focus ito sa lahat ng motorsiklo dahil maraming crimes ang nangyayari na perpetrated ng motorcycle na riding-in-tandem,” ayon kay PO2 Marife P. Cruz, pinuno ng operations ng PNP-Los Baños. “Pagdaan mo dito na nadikitaan ka na ng sticker, kapag makadaan ka ulit sa checkpoint sa kabilang bayan yun lang ang ipapakita mo. Ibi-verify lang nila ang sticker,” ayon kay Cruz.

Nagsimula ang programang “Oplan Wildcat” ng PNP-Laguna noon pang Setyembre 2011. Pinangunahan ang proyekto ni PNP Laguna Provincial Director Senior Supt. Gilbert dela Cruz na pinasinayahan sa Sta Rosa, Laguna.

Layon ng operasyon na masigurong legal at hindi nakaw ang mga bumibyaheng motorsiklo. Ayon sa tala ng PNP-Los Baños, mula sa 25 na kaso ng carnapping noong 2011, naging sampu ito noong 2012, at bumaba sa siyam noong nakaraang taon.

by Rachel N. Nuñez

Two hundred fifty high school students and 24 teachers from 16 schools nationwide convened in the 9^th Econvergence on February 8 at the UP Los Baños (UPLB) NCAS Auditorium in Los Baños, Laguna.

The UPLB Economics Society (Econ Soc) scholastic economics convention aims to promote appreciation of economics among high school students through the analysis of relevant social issues in the country.

With the theme “Enhancing the Philippines’ Business Environment towards a Competitive Economy,” the event emphasized the call for a more effective Filipino investment strategy to achieve economic competitiveness. Frances Inna Siton, Econ Soc president, explained that this year’s theme highlights the ASEAN integrated community maintaining Econvergence’s focus on relevant issues.

Participating schools include Ateneo de Manila High School, Colegio San Agustin-Biñan, De La Salle Santiago Zobel, De La Salle University Integrated School, Dingras National High School-Ilocos Norte, Kalayaan National High School-Caloocan City, Los Baños National High School, Our Lady of Assumption-Cabuyao, Our Lady of Assumption-San Pedro, Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Central Visayas, Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Main, St. Andrew’s School-Parañaque City, St. Louis College-Valenzuela, University of Batangas, University of the Philippines Rural High School, and Canossa School-Sta. Rosa.

UPLB Alumnus Atty. Sangalang discussed why the Filipinos are worth investing on.

Atty. Apollo X.C.S. Sangalang served as the guest speaker of the event. Atty. Sangalang, who took up economics in UPLB and earned his law degree in UP College of Law, is an expert in business law for 23 years, an accredited lecturer on labor law, and a broadcaster. He emphasized in his talk that “the Filipinos are worth investing on.”

The lawyer also said that making the country’s business environment more competitive is a long process, “Going into the right direction, education pa rin. I think yung sinabi ni Jose Rizal is true pa rin up to this day. Education is the key. In terms of skills, talent, know-how, (and) technology, advanced tayo pero parang kulang eh. Wala tayong ownership, in other words nationalism and patriotism. Yun ang nawawala sa atin, that fire to make our country developed. Parang kanya-kanya.”

First time to witness the annual convention as an Econ Soc alumnus, he said he is happy to learn that Econvergence is leveling up with the increasing number of teams and participants every year. “(Participants) should look at this event and other similar events as opportunities to invest on themselves. It’s not just about the competition, it’s about personal development,” Atty. Sangalang added.

The competitions in the event include EKONOMIKA Quiz Contest, Intellectual Encounter Debate Competition, essay writing competition, poster making competition, impromptu speaking competition, mini-documentary presentation contest, and photo essay competition.

Rio Ysabel A. Cañal, a senior student from PSHS Main campus, felt nervous and excited on her first Econvergence experience. “We’re prepared for it and it’s nice to see that there is a great effort on the organizer’s part,” Cañal said.

Eventually, Cañal’s team brought home the second place in the quiz contest. PSHS Main campus also seized the crown as the over-all champion this year. The winners in all the categories of the event are as follows:

EKONOMIKA Quiz Contest

• 1^st place – Philippine Science High School Main Team B
• 2^nd place – Philippine Science High School Main Team A
• 3^rd place – De La Salle University Integrated School Team B

 Intellectual Encounter Debate Competition

• 1^st place – Ateneo de Manila High School Team A
• 2^nd place – Ateneo de Manila High School Team C
• 3^rd place – Ateneo de Manila High School Team B

Essay Writing Competition

• 1^st place – Colegio San Agustin – Biñan and Philippine Science High School Main Team B
• 2^nd place – University of the Philippines Rural High School Team A and St. Louis College-Valenzuela
• 3^rd place – Los Baños National High School, St. Andrew’s School-Parañaque City, and University of Batangas Team A

Poster Making Competition

• 1^st place – Dingras National High School – Ilocos Norte
• 2^nd place – University of Batangas Team A
• 3^rd place – Philippine Science High School Main Team B and St. Louis College – Valenzuela

Impromptu Speaking Competition

• 1^st place – St. Andrew’s School-Parañaque City
• 2^nd place – De La Salle University Integrated School Team B
• 3^rd place – De La Salle University Integrated School Team A

Mini-Documentary Presentation Contest

• 1^st place – University of the Philippines Rural High School Team A
• 2^nd place – Colegio San Agustin – Biñan
• 3^rd place – Dingras National High School

Photo Essay Competition

• 1^st place – Los Baños National High School
• 2^nd place – University of Batangas Team A
• 3^rd place – Colegio San Agustin – Biñan

Over-all Champion

• 1^st place – Philippine Science High School Main Team B
• 2^nd place – Philippine Science High School Main Team A
• 3^rd place – Colegio San Agustin-Biñan

Teachers with Econ Soc members actively participate in the interactive game facilitated by Mr. Baldovino for the Economic Teachers’ Convention (ETC).

Mr. Harvey Baldovino, instructor from the Department of Economics facilitated a training-workshop in the Economics Teachers Convention (ETC) to enhance the strategies of the participating teachers from the different schools in teaching economics in their respective classes.

First time to attend the Econvergence, Mr. Joel Saladin, an economics teacher from Dingras National High School, travelled 14 hours from Ilocos Norte to Los Baños. “I like the concept of this convention because it will expose the students with different economic concepts which I presume cannot be totally learned in the four walls of the classroom,” Saladin said. He also commended the organizers for holding such an event.

The Department of Education (DepEd) officially endorsed the activity which was also sponsored by the Department of Economics-UPLB, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), and The Manila Bulletin.

by Christele J. Amoyan with reports from Sweet Princess S. Matining

The Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP) conferred to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden the prestigious Mount Makiling Award on Saturday, January 25, during the 3^rd One Regional Scout Jamboree at the Mt. Makiling Jamboree Grand Arena.

BSP President Binay hands Mount Makiling Award to King Gustaf of Swden during the regional scout jamboree in Los Baños.

The Mount Makiling Award is regarded as a rare recognition given to notable dignitaries including monarchs and head of states. The recognition rites was led by Philippine Vice President and currently BSP President Jejomar Binay.

About 7,000 boy scouts, including wood badgers and outstanding boy scout awardees, from Southern Tagalog, Bicol and National Capital Region witnessed the historic event.

King Gustaf arrived in the Philippines on Friday for his first visit to the country. Meanwhile, the King wished to pay personal visit to Tacloban survivors of the Supertyphoon Yolanda.

His Majesty, in behalf of the World Scout Foundation, donated $100,000 dollars to reinforce community disaster preparedness skills training to Yolanda-hit areas in the Visayas. Additionally, another $100, 000 will be given to support BSP projects.

“One of the first things the King will do is show respect for the people who lost their lives, and the people who lost their livelihood because he’s been very touched by the disaster,” told World Scout Foundation Director John Geoghegen.

According to Geoghegen,  the King was moved by the resilience of Filipinos to overcome Yolanda. He added that it is time now for the Philippines to change its name to the ‘Land of Smiles.’

After the honorary tribute, the King toured around the Jamboree site and had photo-taking session with the boy scouts. 

by Monica Mirjana S. Cruz

The Los Baños Municipal Health Office (MHO), through the barangay health units, is now accepting registrants for the free tubal ligation on February 7.

Parents bring their babies for the various MHO services such as check-ups, vaccination, and new born screening at the Municipal Health Center of Los Baños.

The free tubal ligation is part of the Family Planning and Woman’s Health Program which started in the 1990’s. The activity is being conducted twice a year and is offered to mothers aged 25-40 years old opting for a permanent contraception method.

Municipal Health Officer Dr. Alvin I. Isidoro explained that there are cases when younger mothers with many children undergo this procedure. The free tubal ligation also requires the consent of the husband. Mothers may register at their barangay health centers or with their barangay health workers to avail of the February 7 free tubal ligation. Applicants will need to fill out a form and will undergo assessment prior to the procedure.

After the procedure, the mothers usually need one-week rest to recover. Dr. Isidoro added that the LB MHO also accepts mothers from nearby communities of Los Baños who want to avail of the free tubal ligation. The next free tubal ligation is scheduled in November 2014.

Aside from the free tubal ligation, MHO is also conducting an ongoing newborn screening under the New Born and Infant Care Program from January to June this year every afternoon between 1-4 pm.

The free NBS can be availed by infants of mothers who have visited the health center for check ups. The infants may also be referred by the barangay health workers to avail of the free NBS.

NBS helps determine if a child has congenital metabolic disorders with just a few drops of blood. The metabolic disorders include Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH), Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), Galactosemia (GAL), Phenylketonuria (PKU), and Glucose-6-Phosphate-Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency. These metabolic disorders may lead to severe anemia, severe mental retardation, cataract or even death if not prevented.

With NBS, these disorders will be detected even before the symptoms show up to help in its prevention. NBS is exclusive only for the infants of mothers who visited the health center for check-ups before they gave birth. The infant is to undergo the NBS 24 hours to 10 days after birth. Results are released after 1-2 weeks.

by  Stephanie Pearl DP. Orendain

The Red Cross Youth Los Baños held the fun run Across Borders II on January 18 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) grounds.

Runners break into a start for the Across Borders II 3 km category.

Themed  “Run for Red Cross, Run for a Cause,” the activity aimed to support Red Cross medical missions and three blood drives. For this year, part of the proceeds collected will be donated to help the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

Fun Run Project Organizer Ruel Mikhael Benzon, shared that the event pushed through after overcoming difficulties in terms of finances and in securing partners. Among the Across Borders II partner organizations are the Laguna de Bay Running Team and UPLB student organizations.

About 500 participants took part in the 3 km, 5 km, and 10 km categories with 435 recorded finishers; 259 for 3 km, 138 for 5 km, and 38 for 10 km.

Francisco Kalibo, a 54-year old runner said that he joined the event in support of the Red Cross’ mission. He has been an active participant of the Red Cross’ fun runs for five years now. UPLB alumna Catherine de Guzman said that she came back to participate in the event because of her new year’s resolution to join 10 running events for the year. “I just enjoy running,” she added.

Across Borders II winners are as follows:

Across Borders II Top 3 Winners by kevinrasing

Visit the Across Borders II Facebook page for more photos and complete list of rankings.