by Crispin Mahrion Abacan

Members of the UPLB Genetics Society (GeneSoc) wore blue shirts. Indeed, blue was the color of the day as the team from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) topped the 4th National Intercollegiate Genetics Quiz Contest (NIGQC) of the UPLB GeneSoc held at Drilon Hall-SEARCA, University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Sept. 14.

Hadeza P. Cabaddu, Wrench Chester S. Canicosa and Antoni Andreu M. Martija of ADMU bested 9 other teams. They were the leading team during the group category in the average and difficult rounds.

“We’re really happy! The reviews we had done for three weeks were all worth it,” said Canicosa. ADMU received a cash prize of 15,000, a trophy, certificates of recognition, and team members each received medals.

“The questions were pretty-well balanced and very challenging. Practically, they are the best from each school. And I believe, all of them were challenged appropriately with the sets of question,” said Ronald Cruz, the moderator of the Ateneo Biological Organization who accompanied the students.

Kenji Rowel Q. Lim, Dominic S. Albao, and Liezel U. Tamon of UP-Diliman finished second place. Adrian L. Santos, Federico Cristobal C. de Jesus, and May Nadine Alessandra R. Uy of UP-Manila, the defending champion, were in third place. They received certificates of participation, medals, and a cash prize of 7000 and 5000 respectively.

Furthermore, Santos and de Jesus of UP-Manila, were recognized as top scorers for the individual easy round.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect to top the first part. Before the quizcon, we don’t know how we compare to other schools since we have different genetics curriculum. I guess we showed them that the curriculum we have is really competent despite having few genetics majors to teach us,” said Santos.

With the organization’s 30th year anniversary, the GeneSoc, through this event, aims to reach out and encourage the creative appreciation of the genetics field among college students.

“One of the UPLB’s GeneSoc’s objectives is to promote and create awareness about the science of Genetics in the Philippines. This year, since we will be celebrating our 30th anniversary, we thought of extending this awareness to college students in the country , hence , the comeback of the NIGQC,” said Gelina Rose A. Bambalan, NIGQC 2013 committee head.

Other participating schools were: Central Mindanao University, University of the East, University of the Philippines-Visayas-Tacloban, University of Santo Tomas, St. Louis University, St. Scholastica’s College, and West Visayas State University.

On celebrating Genetics discovery

Themed “DNA Goes Diamond: 60 years of Progressive Research and Development,” the quiz contest is in line with the celebration of the discovery of the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) structure by James Watson and Francis Crick. This year, 2013 marked the Diamond Jubilee of the elucidation of the structure of life’s blueprint –the DNA.

According to the website of the GeneSoc, sixty years ago, scientists Watson and Crick worked together in the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory which led to the discovery of a certain body of knowledge behind the concept of inheritance and biological information later called Genetics. Since 1953, “the elucidation of the DNA structure has also led to the development of other sciences like molecular biology and biotechnology.”

Meanwhile, Samuel Contosa, UP Manila coach and an alumnus of the Genesoc said that the event is good because it allows schools to have an awareness on genetics, though must go beyond competition purposes.

“We have the linkages already, and the people too. We could use that linkages to get those people who participated the competition to spread the science of genetics, make it more popular,” he added.

Students on the study of Genetics

“It’s interesting because genetics for me plays a major role in unlocking the mysteries of the living world. Its application is almost limitless had not for the ethical issues it raises. The current trends and developments in science are inkling nonetheless to the field of genetics. Thus, in order to be at par with the changing scientific world, students must be more knowledgeable, not just aware, of this subject,” said Uy from UP-Manila.

“Genetics is a trending field today. It’s so dynamic; it’s so changing. There are lots of field we can go after college so it’s very interesting,” said Canicosa from ADMU.

“Genetics is very interesting because it is connected to medicine. It offers lots of explanations for us to understand how things work especially for those who aren’t familiar with such stuff,” said Rose Angelica Amper of Central Mindanao University.

“We have to raise awareness on the field of genetics to students. The technology is really improving. And we need to learn something about genetics since we have modified genes , modified plants and etc. because I think it will help humanity,” said Ralph Labaclado from UP Visayas-Tacloban.

“Genetics is an emerging field of biology and it is now a widely explored avenue as researchers try to look for long term solutions to some of the pressing problems in the world. It is also becoming a fundamental element of other branches of biology. Genetics has always been a remarkable branch of science for research and development. Genetics is the science of the future,” said Jean Reni B. de Guzman, Education Committee head of the GeneSoc.

The National InterCollegiate Genetics Quiz Contest was sponsored by: Department of Science and Technology Region IV-A,Philippine Rice Research Institute ,Monsanto Technologies, and Philippine Society for the Advancement of Genetics (PhilSAGen) in partnership with the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division (GMBD), and the Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños

by Maria Bernice L. Leyeza

[NEWSFEATURE] For nearly four decades, the Los Baños Muslim community has celebrated the end of Ramadan or commonly known as Eidul Fitr on August 9, 2013. There are almost 100 Muslims who attended the Eidul Fitr in the mosque located at the Umali Subdivision in Brgy. Batong Malake.

The meaning of Eidul Fitr is ‘festival of breaking the fast’. It is a time for the Muslims to be happy and ask for forgiveness. During the month long celebration, Muslims refrain from drinking any liquids or eating food from sunrise to sunset. Also one should abstain from, sexual intercourse, violence, and bad habits during the holy month.

Eidul Fitr is celebrated on the the ninth month of the Hijra (Islamic) calendar. During this festival, the Muslims wear their best attire and offer a prayer or namaz in mosques. After offering prayers, they would exchange best wishes with each other and sometimes, they would donate a thing or two to a charity or marginalized sector of the community.

As observed, Ramadan is taking place in a lunar month, and it does not always start on the same day every year. Muslims must see the first full moon of the ninth month, and that is the time when the Ramadan would start.

During this month, it was believed that Allah, Muslim’s God, gave the qur’an to the last prophet, which is Muhammad. This year’s Ramadan took place last July 10 as announced by the Muslim leaders. Since they had not sighted the new moon at dusk on July 9, 2013, Mufti Omar Pasigan, head of the Dharul Ifta (House of Opinion), said that the following day would be the start of Ramadan.

In Los Baños, Muslims have been strictly following the rules during Ramadan. Datu Mokalid, a member of University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) Judo Team and a BS Chemical Engineering student, has been fasting since he was seven years old. Since then, his mom had convinced him to fast at that age to be prepared for the upcoming years. A Muslim must not only be physically fit but also mentally.

Mohammad Atali, the current Imam of the Los Baños mosque, said that he encourages children who are under 14 to start fasting to practice in succeeding years. Although he also said that if the child is still hesitating to fast, s/he can prefer not to practice.

Atalid also added that if an aged person who is not capable to fast, s/he must offer a full meal or same value to at least one marginalized Muslim per day. It is also applicable for the severely sick Muslims if fasting might affect their current condition.

While being pregnant for her third child, Nadia Alegria, one of the caretakers of the Mosque in Umali subdivision, had stopped fasting during Ramadan. It is advisable not to fast if a woman cannot be able to maintain her current state if she has menstruation, or needs to breastfeed.

Alegria also mentioned that her eldest son has been practicing Ramadan for two years already. But she is practicing the rest of her children to fast by skipping their lunch or sometimes dinner, in order for them to get used to after some years or so.

Fasting during Ramadan takes a lot of discipline in order to go through the day. However, what about if a Muslim is an athlete? An athlete needs self-discipline in order to achieve the maximum potential of one’s skills. However for a Muslim athlete, greater self-discipline is needed because they need extra effort in their training as they fast.

Mokalid has not taken any food or fluids for the past nine hours every day in the month of Ramadan, but this did not stop him from attending his trainings. Mokalid started training judo, a combat martial art created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, in 2008. However, he stopped training and came back in 2011. While training judo, he is still practicing Ramadan.

During the sacred month, Mokalid usually eats between 4:30 to 6:00 a.m. or before sunrise. His training hours is 6:30 p.m., and after training, he eats light meal. He said that even if it is hard, he still pursues to train judo because he is passionate to train and learn skills of the sport.

Although, there are no instances of him having blackouts during training, he is making sure that he is still in the right condition. Also, he clarified the misconception with the Muslims in regards with swallowing their saliva is not allowed. Swallowing their own saliva is allowed, because the saliva, itself, is in the body. He said that even if you swallow saliva, after that the person can still be thirsty.

However, since he has a busy schedule and his dorm is in New Dorm (inside the campus of UPLB), he cannot attend to the prayers in the mosque located at the Umali Subdivision. But he continues to pray and recite qur’an in his dormitory five times a day. Some students also do what Mokalid is doing. As long as they still can pray and do the rituals in their home or dormitory.

He is also encouraging some of his non-practicing Muslim orgmates and non-Muslim friends to pray with him during Taraweeh (comes from an Arabic word which means to rest and relax) or a prayer that would take for an hour. During taraweeh, a Muslim will be standing and reading the Qur’an, the Muslim’s bible, and performing a cycle of movements consisting of: standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting. After each cycle, s/he will sit for a while before continuing the prayer, and the resting period while praying is called taraweeh.

Mokalid also mentioned that observing Taraweeh is one of his most favorite prayers. Since he can focus more and give thanks to Allah. It is also the time that his devotion towards Allah becomes stronger.

On the other hand, most of the people who gathered and worship in the mosque are graduate and undergraduate students in the UPLB, also the families nearby the area. It was built during 1979 and finished the entire mosque in 1980.

One of the caretakers of the mosque is Omar Alegria, who owns a sari-sari store across the mosque. His wife, Nadya, took care of the store and the mosque after he died in 2005.

The first Imam in the Mosque at Umali subdivision was Mohammad Sororo. He served for almost a decade. Currently, Atali has been serving in the mosque for eight years. He lived in Maranao before going to Los Baños. He is now living in the junction area and has a shop at Rhoda’s.

The Imam is chosen by the members of the community who they think is intelligent enough to recite correctly the qur’an. The Imam should be a respected member of the community. Sometimes, an Imam is hired or recruited, and may undergo in special training. An Imam however, should be a male. But in some cases, if the group only consists of women, then one of them who is knowledgeable in qur’an can lead the prayer.

GROVE, Los Banos – Fire destroyed a house on a compound behind Sizzler’s last night, Sept. 12.

There were no injuries reported, aside from four puppies that died.

Police reports state that the fire broke out in 10453, Grove at 8:39 in the evening. The cause of the fire, however, was still unidentified.

“Nagulat na lang kami. Marami ng lumabalabas na tao, mga 8:40 siguro ‘yun. ‘Yun pala may sunog na. [We were shocked. There were many people going out (of Sizzler’s) at around 8:40 pm., only to find out there was fire already”], said Helen Garnale, a canteen keeper at Parduch.

Panic struck the nearby Sizzler’s dormitory and restaurant after the fire broke out.

“May tumili. ‘Pag tingin ko, after five minutes may apoy na. Nagtatakbuhan na yung mga tao, so nakitakbo na din ako… Five meters away lang yung sunog mula sa kwarto ko. (Someone cried. When I checked, after five minutes there was fire already. The people were already running, so I followed them… The fire was just five meters away from my room,)” said Maria Carmel Rimpos, a UPLB student and dormer at Sizzler’s.

The Batong Malake fire squad, however, was quick to respond.

“Tumawag ako ng isang mama, ‘di ko na nga naalala kung sino s’ya. Sabi n’ya s’ya nalang daw ang pupunta sa fire office. Ambilis ng Batong Malake. [I called a man on the street; I can’t even remember who he was. He volunteered to go to (the Batong Malake) fire office. (The) Batong Malake (fire squad) was quick],” said Mrs. Brenda Ramos, owner of the Sizzler’s dormitory and restaurant.

Mrs. Ramos let the fire squad enter the burning house through the front of her restaurant.

“Sabi ko wala po kayong dadaanan sa likod, dito na po kayo dumaan. Buti nalang dito dumaan, kundi kung sakali pati kami damay. Putok lahat ng salamin sa init ng apoy eh. [I said (the firemen) cannot enter at the back, so (they) can enter here (in the restaurant). It’s a good thing they came through here. The fire could have reached us. All of our windows exploded due to the heat],” she said.

Police reports stated that the fire was already under control at 8:58 pm. At 9:05pm, the fire was already out.

“Buti naagapan agad. Kung hindi, malamang mas malaki pa ang naging damage. [It’s a good thing (the fire) was put out immediately. It could’ve caused further damage]”, said PCI Andres Simbajon Jr.

Only the upper part of the house was burned. The house was said to be owned by a certain Velasco family who doesn’t reside there anymore. The lower part of the compound, however, was occupied by the Matias family.

“Kami mismo ‘di pa namin alam ang cause ng sunog… Buti na lang walang nasaktan. [Even we don’t know what caused the fire… It’s a good thing no one was hurt,” said Mr. Froilan Matias, one of the compound residents.

Paoloregel Samonte (with reports from Janica Gan)

by  Elsie E. Reyes

The Girl Scout of the Philippines (GSP) Laguna Council celebrated its 64^th anniversary in Camp Mariang Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna on September 8, 2013. The Pistahan sa Kampo is an annual gathering of girl scouts, from twinklers to senior scouts as well as their troop leaders, in the province of Laguna.

The participants took part in dance contests that featured traditional Filipino folk dances. With their respective coordinators, the girl scouts also set up booths and food stalls for the celebration.

Los Baños Mayor Caesar Perez, GSP Council Board President and San Pedro Mayor Lourdes Cataquiz, and GSP Southern Luzon Regional Executive Director Rebecca Basañes graced the event.

Mayor Perez emphasized in his talk that girl scouts play an important role in the observance of the town’s waste segregation and no-plastic ordinance. “Alam niyo, ang dami niyong batang ito. Kung kayo lahat ay tutulong  sa inyo inyong bayan na bawal kang magkalat, magkakameron ng ayos sa basura, magiging  malinis ang inyong barangay, bayan at ang ating lalawigan,” Perez told the scouts.

GSP Southern Luzon Regional Executive Director Rebecca Basañes expressed her delight because Laguna recorded the highest GSP membership among the 96 GSP councils in the country. Basañes further said that “Ang gusto ko, sa isip at sa gawa, ang lahat ng girl scouts ay nangunguna din”. Director Basañes also introduced to the scouts Ms. Aileen Reyes as the new Council Executive of Los Baños.

One of the highlights of Pista sa Kampo was the folk dance competitions for different girl scouts levels namely Tiklos for twinklers, Salakot for star scouts, Sakuting for junior scouts, Binuyogan for senior scouts, and Sapatya for troop leaders.

Among the winners were Calamba West District for the twinklers category, Calamba East District for the star scouts level, Rizal district  for the junior scouts category, and Sta. Cruz District for senior scouts category. For the troop leaders evel, Calamba West emerged as the victor.

This year’s Pistahan sa Kampo was organized by the GSP Council Board of Laguna, National Equipment Service, District Committees, District Field Advisers, and the Council Staff.