Vianneyhan II honors parish priest, 2012 choir champ

Posted on July 26, 2012 by rbvillar

The Vianneyhan Competition 2012 champion as they made their bow

by Roman A. Moreno

BRGY. CEMBO, MAKATI CITY – As part of the celebration of the Feast of St. John Maria Vianney, patron of the priests, the second annual Vianneyhan Competition was held on July 21, 2012. It was a chorale competition among the different choirs coming from different universities and parishes in Metro Manila. According to Ms. Arlene P. Cornejo, one of the organizers, it was a battle against the bad weather brought by the remnants of typhoon “Ferdie” that devastated Luzon for the past few days.

Ten out of the 12 invited choirs competed for the championship and after three hours of impressive performances from the contestants and the previous champion St. John Bosco Chorale, the winners were finally announced.

The P.L.M. Student Chorale Society came in third while the Second Chronicle Singers from the Our Lady of Sorrow Parish, Pasay City in second and the champion this year is the P.U.P Bagong Himig Serenata.

Mr. Kelvin DC. Kabagting, the choir master of the Second Chronicle Singers, said that it was their second time winning second place after 13 years and being the last to perform was an advantage since they had ample time to prepare for their performance.

For the P.U.P Bagong Himig Serenata, their choir master Mr. Emil R. Cruz admitted that he never expected to win because he was only able to handle the choir the night before the competition. The winners received cash prizes and gift certificates and consolation prizes were given to others so no choir left empty-handed.

Aside from the competition, it was also a night for honoring Fr. Jaime S. Marquez. The parishioners gave him a surprise tribute for his undying love and support especially that the parish started only as a chapel 11 years ago but now it has grown tremendously with the number of its people.

Despite the bad weather, the program was a success for it was able to start and end well. Vianneyhan from its root word “Bayanihan” prove its meaning as the people of Cembo were one in faith and action. And as Fr. Jaime said, “The people of this parish are incredible, generous, faithful to the Lord and reliable.”

FPRDI showcases bamboo flattening machine in SyenSaya 2012

Posted on July 23, 2012 by rbvillar

by Mary Rose B. Manlangit

To support the need of tables and chairs of public schools and to provide livelihood for the local communities, the Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FPRDI-DOST) developed a bamboo flattening machine. The machine was featured during the Syen Saya ‘12 science exhibit held July 18-20, 2012 at Baker Hall, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

Come October 2012, FPRDI will be organizing a stakeholders meeting for different government agencies and for future investors to present the agency’s projects and on-going researches. The stakeholders meeting is part of FPRDI’s celebration of their 55^th year of committed service.

In an interview with FPRDI Public Assistance Coordinator Ronelia O. Lalap, she said that the bamboo flattening machine was a project devised to modify the traditional flattening method of bamboo woods on making wood furniture. “With the use of the machine, bamboo flattening will be a lot easier and less time consuming”, she said.

The said machine was developed by Engr. Dante Pulmano with his co-researchers from DOST, funded by the DOST-TECHNICOM and monitored by the Philippine Council for Industrial Energy Research and Development (PCIERD).

There is a continuing project developments in the different parts of the country where the bamboo propagation is abundant, spearheaded by the technical services division of FPRDI who train the interested investors of the project.

Lalap said that normally the Local Government Units (LGUs) are those who invest in the project as part of their education and livelihood programs on their respective provinces. “In Region I, particularly Alaminos, Pangasinan, we have trained the LGUs and the local farmers on how to use the bamboo flattening machine and now we have heard that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) have funded them to manufacture tables and chairs for public schools in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd)”, she explained.

The technical services division maintains high quality standards for the bamboo furniture production and they have set criteria to make the manufactured products be open for commercialization here and abroad.

The bamboo flattening machine is one of the numerous projects of the FPRDI being mandated to conduct research and development to transfer technology and to render technical assistance when it comes to non-wood and wood products utilization in the country.

Lalap added that the agency provides livelihood among the local people including the farmers, housewives and those who are incapable of earning money in order to initiate development among themselves and in their communities.

LBSCFI holds SyenSaya Year 5

Posted on July 20, 2012 by rbvillar

by Paoloregel B. Samonte and Clinton C. Ronquillo with reports from Joy Dianne J. Gumatay

Mas Masaya sa Syensya. This was the theme of the 5^th annual Wonderama launched at the Baker Hall in the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The Wonderama is a three-day interactive science learning exhibit that will be open to the public from July 18-20. It is part of SyenSaya, the banner program of the Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI) in support of the annual celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) held every second week of July.

SyenSaya features the latest scientific research updates, breakthroughs, and technologies for commercialization. It also aims to increase the awareness of different social sectors like students, teachers, and farmers on the role of science in improving the quality of community life. Over 160 high school and college teachers and students from different schools in the region attended the opening of SyenSaya.

Participating scientific institutions and agencies showcased different agricultural products from root crops, fruit trees, poultry and livestock, and genetically modified organisms developed in the local community.

The event also served as venue for the public to see various mechanical inventions like robots, audio-visual presentations of experiments, and agricultural implements such as animal feeds, Some institutions likewise gave away information brochures to heighten public awareness about scientific researches.

Romae Zen Arganda, a BS Agricultural Engineering student, expressed her amazement with the exhibits and added, “the information on the pamphlets are very helpful in explaining the significance of science in our community.”

Aside from the Wonderama, the UPLB Institute of Cooperative and Bio-Enterprise Development a forum on health, environment and livelihood intended to promote awareness of the member agencies regarding certain issues in the scientific community on July 19.

Under the guidance of Chancellor Grace Javier Alfonso, the University of the Philippines Open University is this year’s organizer. Chancellor Alfonso is also the president of the LBSCFI.

Mr. Florante A. Cruz, a member of the Syensaya Exhibit Committe and a University Researcher from the UPLB Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, explained that SyenSaya started way back in 2008 as part of UPLB’s centennial year celebration under the then Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco and was organized by the members of LBSCFI.

LBSCFI also recognized excellent research and development projects conducted by its member agencies gave the Research and Development (R&D) by honoring the agencies with awards in a ceremony held at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Auditorium on July 20 (Friday). The Philippine Agriculture and Resources Research Foundation, Inc. (PARRFI) was awarded the outstanding R&D work in the agriculture, forestry, and environment sectors.

SyenSaya was was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the members of the LBSCFI in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI).

BCPC conducts tree planting at San Antonio Elem School

Posted on March 20, 2012 by rbvillar

by Jenalyn Audrey D. De Guzman

BAY, LAGUNA — The Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) conducted a tree planting activity at San Antonio Elementary School last March 16, 2011.

BCPC, representatives and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts— the smiles on their faces are priceless after conducting the tree planting activity.

It is one of the local institutions that can attend to the needs and rights of children. “Promoting of the best interest of children and the opening and maintenance of playgrounds and day care centers and other services that are necessary for child and youth welfare are some of BCPC’s concerns. Kaugnay nun napagdesisyunan naming na magconduct ng isang activity katulad nitong tree planting,” explained Eddrine Paul Papa, co-chairman of BCPC.

Planting trees with a helping hand is easy. The local community joined forces in order to make San Antonio Elementary school have a pleasant place for their education.

The tree planting activity was made possible by BCPC in cooperation with Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD), Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention (CAPIN), Philippine National Police Bay (PNP), and Bay Rescue Force.

The Sangguniang Barangay of San Antonio, Bay, Laguna was also actively participating in the said event. “First time itong gagawin sa aming barangay, gusto rin naming makatulong sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng lilom at pagprevent sa baha,” Kagawad Cornelio V. Masarap, councilor in charge of health.

The assembly was at the barangay hall of San Antonio at 8 am and together, the BCPC and representatives of the partner organizations and institutions, arrived at San Antonio Elementary School.

They were gladly welcomed by Elena Caldo, president of San Antonio Elementary School. According to Caldo, “malaki ang maitutulong nga mga punong itatanim nila dito sa aming paaralan, dahil sa init ng panahon ay kinakailangan naming ng shade o lilom dito para na rin sa mga batang nag-aaral dito.”

Lei Untalan, MSWD Social Welfare Aid, said that the ones available are 50 Mahogany trees provided upon request from the Department of Agriculture. The MSWD representatives are also present for supervising the said activity.

Some Bay PNP representatives were also there to support the tree planting activity. “In accordance to the PNP mandate or yung kada pulis may anim na punong itatanim sa isang buwan, ito yung panawagan ni PNoy na Billion Trees Project until February 2013, pero bukod dito ay naging advocacy na rin namin, dahil ito’y napapanahon at para makatulong” ayon kay PSI Melissa Malayo, when asked about why the PNP cooperates with the activity.

Some non- government institutions representatives were also present, Maan Aldipollo from Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (CAPIN) and the Bay Rescue Force.

“Tree planting is a very enjoyable activity. Fulfilling siyang gawin. Kaya’t gusto kong maipromote na rin yung ganitong klaseng activity” according to Barangay Administrator Romel Ilagan of the Bay Rescue Force.

The tree planting activity proper was done by the BCPC, representatives, and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of San Antonio Elementary School. The planting ended at 11a.m. and they are off to Galvez Elementary School to plant some more.

Henry James Amotorio, Kelly Boy Tandang and John Mark Ulyado, Boy Scout Grade 6 students of San Antonio Elementary school, participated in the tree planting activity. “Masayang magtanim ng puno at nakakatulong ka pa” said Kelly Boy. “Gusto ko sanang maulit itong ganitong Gawain,” John Mark added.

“Marami na ring nagtanim dito sa amin. Sana nga lang sa susunod ay mga kagaya na ng puno ng Narra ang itanim kasi pagtagal ay hindi din nakakasurvive yung mga punong itinanim, tila napapahiya lamang sa bandang huli,” requested by President Caldo.

Brgy. Calo officials, tanods, residents team up for Operation Linis

Posted on March 19, 2012 by rbvillar

ni Almon Kalibpatra Merep

Barangay Calo, Bay, conducted its Operation Linis last March 18. Operation Linis is a regular activity of the barangay, which is being conducted every Sunday. and it includes cleaning of the roadsides and canals. The activity started at 7 o’clock in the morning and end up at 10 am. Around 20 people joined this activity composed of barangay tanods, barangay officials, and residents of Brgy. Calo. This Sunday’s Operation Linis was conducted along the boundaries of Barangay Calo, San Nicolas, and San Augustine.

Barangay officials and tanods cutting off grass and cleared roadside in the Operation Linis site.

The barangay officials and tanod started to gather themselves in the Barangay hall around 6 am and prepared the tools. They held a meeting before they proceeded to the boundary area between Barangay Calo and San Nicolas.

After done with the boundary area of Barangay Calo and San Nicolas, the officials move to the other end of Barangay Calo, that is the boundary area between Barangay Calo and San Augustine.

Tanods deal with weeds and plant overgrowth as they clean the roadside in Calo-Augustine boundary.

In both areas that the officials went to clean, the residents nearby also helped them in cleaning. Some were even bringing their own cleaning equipments and calling their neighbors to come and help the officials and tanod.

Barangay Captain Renato R. Macahiya said that the Operation Linis started in 2002, the time since he became the chairperson of Barangay Calo.

Residents of Barangay Calo join the tanods and barangay officials in the Operation Linis.

He said that the officials never asked the residents to help them in the operation linis but the residents are informed about this activity. “We do not want to bother the residents, but we do inform them about this activity. We want them to realize themselves about the important of a clean environment,” Brgy. Captain Macahiya explained.

Though the activity is scheduled every Sunday, it is being done only when needed. “I usually call for a meeting within the week if I want the Barangay to conduct the operation linis. The schedule is made regular, just to make sure that all the Barangay officials will always be ready to give their time on Sunday morning to do the cleaning duty,” Macahiya said.

According to Mr. Efren Villena, the Barangay Secretary, the barangay also accepts requests from the residents to clean their surroundings, as long as it is not a private subdivision. “The services that we give to the residents that make requests are also free,” he added.

Aside of Operation Linis, there are also River Clean-up and Clean-up drive as parts of the regular cleaning activities of Barangay Calo. The latter two clean-up activities are conducted once a month, and could be twice in special cases.