8th Genetics Camp held at UPLB

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By Ma. Khrisma Soliven with reports from Kezia Grace Jungco

Over 114 high school students and teachers from different parts of Luzon gathered for the 8th Genetics Camp held at the Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) , University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) last January 19-20.

For this year, the annual event is themed “GENEStability: Sustainable Agricultural Productivity through Genetics and Biotechnology.” It aims to introduce and promote the science of Genetics through its applications. Participating schools include: Recto Memorial National High School (RMNHS), Quezon National High School, St. Anne College, Laguna College, and Don Bosco.

Prof. Mia Desiree Azañes-Verdeprado and Prof. Cheryl Agdaca delivered lectures on the “Introduction of Genetics” and on the “Central Dogma of Molecular Biology”during the first day of the event. The participants were also given activities so they can further appreciate the event. They saw the human DNA structure through a 3D-origami model. They also had a hands-on experience on the extraction and isolation of DNA through their own cheek cells. An educational tour at BIOTECH-UPLB was also conducted for the participants.

Symposia on “Biotechnology” and “Newborn Screening” was also conducted by Dr. Rhodora Aldemita and by Dr. Merlyn Mendioro. Gene Camp’s first day ended with a Socials Night wherein the participants from different schools got to interact with their co-participants.

On the second day, Dr. Gabriel Romero of Monsanto Philippines talked on the importance of biotechnology in sustaining agricultural productivity. The students were given a tour to the facilities of the UPLB campus. Teachers were also trained with the effective teaching of Genetics, which was facilitated by Mr. Jickerson Lado, an instructor at the IBS and junior adviser of the UPLB Genetics Society.

Jenny Guevarra of RMHS said, “We teachers attended this for us to learn new things for our students.” She said that the camp had done well in introducing Genetics to students while letting them enjoy it.

Several contests were also held during the second day of the Gene Camp. The said activities include: Genetics Inter-High School Quiz, Essay Writing Contest, Poster and Slogan Making Contest and Debate. Over-all champion school for the camp was Laguna College (LC).

Isabel Louise Reyes of LC, one of the participants and chosen as the Best Performing Student in the camp said, “Talaga pong hindi maikakaila na nakakaenjoy po tong camp.”

UPLB Genetics Society Head Rufus Thomas Adducul also stressed the importance of Genetics. “Through Genetics, we bring about sustainable development, food sustainability, and many more.”

LB locals, candidates walk for a SAFE 2013 elections

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by Vhernadette A. Oracion and Kimberly B. Salamatin

About 300 participants joined the two-kilometer Secure And Fair Election (SAFE) 2013 unity walk and prayer rally for from Olivarez Plaza in to the municipal covered court in Los Baños, Laguna on Sunday, Jan. 13.

The Los Baños Municipal Philippine National Police took part in the event in cooperation with the electoral candidates and different sectors of the community. Police Chief Inspector Conrado T. Masongsong and Election Officer Randy P. Banzuela led the activity that was attended by Mayor Anthony F. Genuino and 16 government officials who were at one with the goal of a peaceful May 2013 elections.

Among those present in the activity were government officials including Mayor Anthony F. Genuino, Vice Mayor Josephine Sumangil-Evangelista, Councilor Julius Moliñawe, Councilor Jay Rolusta, Councilor Domingo Galang, Councilor Benedicto Alborida, and ABC President Gaudencio Macatangay.

PNP, COMELEC prep for elections: set up checkpoints, ups police visibility

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by John Paul M. Omac and Belle Marjorie A. Dela Vega

The Los Baños Philippine National Police (PNP) together with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) continue to intensify their efforts to prevent crime and promote order in the municipality in preparation for the upcoming May 2013 elections.

LB Police conduct a checkpoint along the national highway (PCCARD) as part of their efforts to promote peace and order for the upcoming 2013 election (JPMOmac)

“Handang-handa na ang kapulisan ng Los Banos”, assures Police Chief Inspector Conrado Masongsong, chief of Los Banos PNP, four months before the 2013 elections.

The local police has set up  checkpoints along the national highway starting January 13 in line with the start of the nationwide gun ban. The gun ban aims to strengthen the campaign against loose firearms and possible private armies in order to reduce election-related crimes.

Randy Banzuela, the Los Baños Election Officer III, has oriented the police on the proper conduct of checkpoints to ensure that the proper procedures will be implemented and that the rights of the public will be protected,

Police Senior Inspector Anastacia Luis, who heads of the three rotating teams conducting the checkpoints, explained that they have instructed their men to abide by the guidelines and protocols given by the COMELEC. She emphasized that checkpoints should be in a well-lit place with a visible sign, a police mobile car should be present in the area of the checkpoint, and should be manned by uniformed policemen. A commanding police officer in proper uniform must also be present to supervise the operation. Ps/Insp. Luis said that they also reminded the police men to be courteous and polite when during inspections. “Mas magkakaroon ng pagkakaunawan kung magiging magalang tayo sa isa’t-isa”, she stated.

Though motorists experience delays because of the checkpoint, they gave positive feedback. “Ayos to. Para sa safety rin natin”, says Sonny Magalac, a resident of Bambang, Los Baños.

Aside from the checkpoints, the Los Baños police is also set to intensify police visibility through security patrols. Despite insufficient funds, local police have innovated a way to a carry out security patrols by using the personal motorcycles of some of the members of the force.

The election period has officially started on January 12, 2013 and will last until May 12, 2013. The local police force is now working closely with the COMELEC. Masongsong explains that this means that gun ban is strictly implemented. All those caught with firearm without approved exemption from the gun ban will be arrested even if they have ‘permit to carry’. COMELEC will be notified first about all the arrests and other related actions.

Masongsong also said that they are strengthening their intelligence and monitoring programs to deter and intercept people with illegal motives.

Furthermore, local candidates will sign a peace covenant this coming March as part of the campaign of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for a Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) to preserve the safety of the constituents and guard the integrity of the polls.

Volunteers, vet clinic conduct free cat spaying, neutering

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by Alexandria Nicole D. Agustin and Jasmin Joyce P. Sevilla

“Spaying and neutering is part of responsible pet ownership.”

This is according to Joan Manguiat who patiently waited while her cat, Tri, was being spayed during the Free Spay and Neuter Day for Cats organized by the Zen Cats Association Inc., in cooperation with the UP Los Baños College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)  last Saturday (January 12) at Hayop Kalinga Veterinary Clinic in Calamba.

Helen Quimson, one the volunteers of Zen Cats Association, said that spay and neuter are two types of castration, which is an effective tool to prevent the rapid pregnancy among cats.

“Basta kapag [ano] nasa anim na buwang gulang na yung pusa, pwede na ‘yung kapunin. (As long as the cat is around six months old, then it can be castrated,” Quimson added. According to Dr. Andrew Bernardo, professor from CVM and a volunteer on the said event, spaying is castration among female cats wherein the uterus and ovaries are removed so they cannot be impregnated. Neutering, on the other hand, is castration among male cats wherein the testicles are removed so they cannot impregnate.

“The procedure is done in five minutes. Matagal lang pagpapatulog sa kanina. (It is making the cats sleep that takes a lot of time.) After the surgery, the cat will recover within the next 30 minutes,” said Dr. Bernardo.

The first step: A volunteer from UPLB CVM shaves the abdomen part of a female cat as part of the first stage of spaying

Vetmed student-volunteers conduct the operations

Luckily, owned cats are not the only ones that can be spayed and neutered. With the help of barangay officials and animal lovers, stray cats within the Calamba area are being trapped and brought to Hayop Kalinga Veterinary Clinic to be spayed and neutered for free.

According to Rosemary Yates, founder of Zen Cats Association Inc., after spaying or neutering the stray cat, it would be taken cared of for about three days to be able to recuperate and then it would be brought back to the place where it was caught.

Dr. Bernardo further explained that castrated cats will be marked with a V-shaped notch on their ears for easy identification, especially for the stray ones.

Quimson said that cats would be healthier and a lot more tamed once they were subjected to castration. Dr. Bernardo also added that castration would tend to lengthen the lifespan of cats.

“Ang maganda sa kinakapon na pusa, hindi na siya nakakaperwisyo. Di na sila kumakalkal ng basura, di na sila maingay.  Di na pwedeng dumami. [Ang] pakinabang ng pusa na lang pag nakapon, manghuli ng insekto, matulog. (The good thing about cat castration is that they would not be a disturbance anymore. They won’t scavenge for food in trash bins. They’re not noisy. They won’t multiply. The purpose of castrated cats is to just catch insects, sleep,)” added Quimson.

Quimson explained that cats release certain type of hormone that makes them feel the urge to be sexually active and mate. Attracting mates would cause the non-castrated cats to be noisy.

Pet owners within the vicinity of Laguna grabbed the opportunity to have their cats be spayed and neutered for free.

One of them was Joan Manguiat, 24, nurse, whose cat, Tri, had been spayed. It was her first time to have a pet spayed. When asked what her purpose of spaying is, she replied, “Roaming ang cats [at] independent. Unlike dogs na sa bahay lang na di mo palalabasin pwera lang pag exercise. Ang cats, roaming, mabilis mabuntis. (Cats roam [and] are independent. Unlike dogs that just stay in the house unless you’d walk around with it for exercising. Cats are roaming and can be easily impregnated.)”

Another pet owner, Gemma Salinas, 42, office worker, also shared the same insights with Manguiat. She has ten adopted cats and two of which have been spayed and neutered before.

According to her, castration of cats is highly beneficial because her two castrated cats have been a lot healthier and livelier now.

 

SCUAA-bound UPLB contingent departs today

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by Levi Joshua Verora

Los Banos, Laguna- A total of 230 athletes, coaches and officials from the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) departed this morning for the annual State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association-Calabarzon (SCUAA) to be held in Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental.

Included in the UPLB delegation are the respective varsity teams of basketball, volleyball, swimming, football, badminton, chess, table tennis, athletics, taekwondo, dance sport, karate-do, cheerdance, and sepak takraw. A muse and escort will also represent the school in the annual sports spectacle.

Professor Noemi Enriquez, the UPLB Sports and Recreation Committee Vice Chairman, wants people to expect the best from the student-athletes of UPLB. “We are stronger now,” she said. She also relayed UPLB Chancellor Dr. Rex Victor Cruz’s message which encouraged the participants to compete not only for their own glory but also for the university’s pride and honor.

This year’s SCUAA-Calabarzon is hosted by the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT). It formally opens today and will last until the 15th of January. Competing teams include Cavite State University, Palawan State University, University of Rizal System,  Southern Luzon State University and Western Philippines University, among others.

Grand Revelry Rocks Los Baños

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By Ladylove May Baurile

Los Baños Laguna- The municipality of Los Baños held the Grand Revelry last night at Paciano Rizal Park. Grand Revelry is still part of the Paskuhan sa Bagong Los Baños wherein revelry is a noun synonymous for festivity.

According to Vice Mayor Baby Sumangil’s opening remarks, the municipality realized how concerned their citizens became when typhoon Habagat reached their place ever since. They chose to support the five barangays affected by Habagat instead of continuing the activities for the Bañamos Festival.  “Napakabait po ng ating Poong Maykapal dahil ngayong Disyembre,… ngayong kapaskuhan, nagkaroon po tayo ng magandang panahon…. upang ihandog po sa inyo  ang pamaskong handog ng Bagong Los Baños,” said Sumangil.

Part of the said event was the introduction of winners of past contests like Miss Los Baños Jonnadel Dongsay of Brgy. Timugan, Los Baños Idol Nimfa Arevalo of Brgy. Anos , Miss Gay aka Tony Gonzaga of Brgy. Baybayin and Make your Move’s Nasty Boys. The winners for the Fluvial Float Parade were the Brgy. Bayog, Brgy. Mayundon, and Brgy. Baybayin for the first, second, and third places, respectively.

Winners of Los Baños Idol, Ricky Mendoza, Aya Aguinaldo and Nimfa Arevalo, and of Make your Move Dance Contest, the Nasty Boys, performed on the said event. Mendoza sang “Rolling in the Deep”, Aguinaldo chose “Di kita Pipilitin” and Arevalo performed “Muntik na kitang Minahal” plus her winning piece, “Kahit Sandali”

Groove it! Make your Move first placer Nasty Boys proved to people that they deserved to win through their performance last night at the Paciano Rizal Park (photo by LMBaurile).

The highlights of the event were the act of duo-comedian Iyah and Tekla, the performance of the band, Itchyworms and the fireworks display.

Iyah and Tekla were hired from Punch line, Laugh line and Metro Bar. Itchyworms performed their hit singles “Kabataang Pinoy”, “Akin Ka Na Lang”, “Gusto Ko Lamang Sa Buhay”, “Love Team”, “Freak Out Baby”, “Beer” and “Pahingi Ako Niyan.” Moreover, people enjoyed the grand fireworks displayed for about ten minutes.

The Grand Revelry. Jugs of Itchyworms led the band in performing their hit singles “Kabataang Pinoy”, “Akin Ka Na Lang”, “Gusto Ko Lamang Sa Buhay”, “Love Team”, “Freak Out Baby”, “Beer” and “Pahingi Ako Niyan” (photo by LMBaurile).

Save the best for last. Itchyworms, the last highlight of the event, rocked the Los Baños community through performing their seven hit singles (photo by LMBaurile).

Past activities of the Paskuhan sa Bagong Los Baños like Marian Convention (Dec. 6), Dia Agua Santa: Elejer (Dec. 7), Fluvial Float Parade (Dec. 7), Himigsikan (Dec. 9), Miss Los Baños Talent Night (Dec. 12), Miss Los Baños Swimsuit Competition (Dec. 13), Make your Move Dance Competition (Dec. 13), Los Baños Idol (Dec. 14), Miss Los Baños Coronation Night (Dec. 15) were presented and flashed on screen.

According to Mayor Anthony Genuino, having a new Los Baños wherein the local government aggressively develop services for health, occupation and education and make long-term projects for each barangay was just a dream before but that dream becomes a reality as of today.

“Actually, itong Grand Revelry ang main event ng Paskuhan kasi lahat ng best of the best na nangyari sa Paskuhan ay dito pinalabas… I think in the next more years… mas maa-uplift pa yung tourism in terms of events, yung mga tourism sites siyempre madedevelop ‘yon at… mas maa-upgrade pa ‘yong quality,” shared KC Manaquelod, municipal tourism officer and Grand Revelry coordinator.

Reach for the skies. People of Los Baños enjoyed the grand fireworks symbolizing the new Los Baños. It was displayed for about ten minutes in the Grand Revelry (photo by LMBaurile).