Ofcial Research, Development, and Extension News

of the University of the Philippines Los Baos

Vol.2 No.1
October 2015 - March 2016

Visit the UPLB RDE Portal at http://ovcre.uplb.edu.ph

UPLB awards outstanding

R and E personnel and teams
by Lawrence N. Garcia

Rex Demafelis
receives award for
engineering
excellence
by Regina Mae C. Ongkiko

Vice Chancellor for Research and

Extension Rex B. Demafelis was one
of the five engineer-scientists who
received the first Engineering Excellence
Prize of the Manila Water Foundation
(MWF) last 24 November 2015.
Prof. Demafelis was nominated by Dr.
Manolito Bambase, current chair of the
Department of Chemical Engineering,
College of Engineering and Agroindustrial Technology.

The outstanding researchers, extensionists, teams, and artist pose for a photo with UPLB Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., UP Vice President for
Development Elvira A. Zamora, and the keynote speaker, Dr. Brian Levey, Director of USAID-Philippines Ofce of Education. (Photo by LN Garcia)

UPLB once again recognized its top

researchers and extensionists and artist as
part of the universitys 107th Foundation
Day celebration last 04 March 2016 at
the Makiling Ballroom of the Student
Union Building.
Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr.
formally opened the event by delivering
a message. He noted that even though
UPLB is competing with better-equipped
and funded universities here and abroad,
its staff are still passionate and dedicated
to their work and are unwavering in
their commitment to making UPLB a
globally-competitive university.
Outstanding Researchers
and Research Team
Dr. Maria Victoria O. Espaldon,
Scientist I and Professor 12 at the
School of Environmental Science
and Management, won the 2016

Outstanding Researcher Award in the

Senior Faculty/Social Sciences category
for her involvement in sustainability
studies on community-based natural
resource management approaches
and rural development programs, as
well as for her work on improving the
resiliency of the agricultural sector and of
communities that are highly vulnerable
to climate change.
Dr. Christian Joseph R. Camagun,
Scientist III and Professor 12 at the
Crop Protection Cluster of the College
of Agriculture, received the 2016
Outstanding Researcher Award in the
Senior Faculty/Natural Sciences category
for his significant contributions in
advancing plant pathology through the
identification, control, and fundamental
understanding of plant pathogenic fungi
in tropical and temperate countries, as
well as for his research accomplishments
in managing fungal diseases in plants,

particularly those caused by Fusarium

graminearum and Magnaporthe oryzae.
Dr. Laura J. Pham, University
Researcher IV at the National
Institute of Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology (BIOTECH), was given
the 2016 Outstanding Researcher
Award in the Senior REPS/Natural
Sciences category for her extensive
research in biotechnology, specifically
her contribution to the development
of commercial production of animal
probiotics and enriched copra meal, and
for her outstanding accomplishments
in the tailoring of specialty fats and oils
from coconut and pili.
The Plant Cell and Tissue Culture
Laboratory of the Institute of Plant
Breeding under the College of
Agricultures Crop Science Cluster,
bagged the 2016 Outstanding Research
Team Award for its continuous
PAGE 7

First collection of studies on

Philippine microalgae published
A special issue of The Philippine
Scientist entitled Philippine Microalgae:
Diversity and Conservation Studies was
launched recently at the University of the
Philippines Los Baos (UPLB).

Dr. Milagros R. Martinez-Goss (left) hands over a copy of the journal to Dr. Serlie B. Jamias, Vice Chancellor for
Community Affairs (middle) and Dr. Susan May F. Calumpang. Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension (right) during the ceremonial launching. (Photo by CE Magnata)

Education and Development (CHED)funded program entitled Development

and Capability Building Program
on Algae Research, which was led
by Professor Emeritus Dr. Milagrosa

An excellent researcher, Prof. Rex

has conducted intensive research and
extension work on biofuel production
using alternative feedstock. Because of his
efforts, UPLBs linkages with government
agencies and foreign institutions have
increased.
The award was established by
the Manila Water Foundation in
collaboration with the Department
of Science and Technology to honor
engineers and scientists who manifest
excellent engineering competence with
outstanding passion and commitment
to the development of communities that
champion water, sanitation, environment,
and sustainability.

UN-WFP and agencies

train on seasonal
livelihood programming
by Cheamson Garret K. Boongaling

by Marilyn M. Beltran

The publication is the first of its kind

in the country and aims to provide
students, professionals and entrepreneurs
with a reference material on microalgae.
Microalgae or microphytes are
microscopic algae that are typically
found in freshwater and marine systems.
They have a number of uses including
the production of atmospheric oxygen,
source of food and feed, biofuels,
carotenoids, antioxidants, fatty acids,
enzymes, polymers, peptides, among
others. The special issue is a collection
of reports and findings from the recently
concluded Commission on Higher

According to Dr. Bambase, Prof. Rex

embodies UPLBs tri-fold functions of
instruction, research, and extension. As
a faculty, Prof. Rex has been a mentor
to a number of BS and MS students as
well as researchers. As an administrator,
his leadership skills were also evident
during the time he became the chair of
the department.

R. Martinez-Goss of the Institute of

Biological Sciences (IBS) at UPLB.
The articles deal mostly on taxonomy;
while some are about physiological,
PAGE 5

The United Nations-World Food

Programme (UN-WFP) together with
the Office of the Vice Chancellor for
Research and Extension (OVCRE) and
the School of Environmental Science
and Management (SESAM) conducted
a Seasonal Livelihood Programming
(SLP) Training of Trainors last 7-11
March 2016, at the Asian Institute of
Management Conference Center, Makati
City. The SLP is a consultative planning
tool used globally by WFP and its
government partners. With SLP, planners
and managers will be able to acquire
deeper and common understanding of
peoples livelihoods and take into account
timing and crisis aspects during planning.
The training focused on developing
future trainors from different academic
institutions, namely Isabela State
University, Sorsogon State College, West
Visayas State University, Xavier University,
Caraga State University and Mindanao
PAGE 5

RDE Chronicle

Biomathematics research on Red Queen coevolution

published in Science Advances
by Jomar F. Rabajante

The Red Queen is a villain character

in Lewis Carrolls book Through the
Looking-Glass, a sequel to Alices
Adventures in Wonderland. In this
book, Alice was persistently running but
remained in the same location, going
nowhere. Then the Red Queen explained
to Alice that in the land of the looking
glass it takes all the running you can do,
to keep in the same place.
The idea of running and running but
going nowhere was adapted to represent
a phenomenon in evolutionary biology.
The Red Queen hypothesis was originally
proposed by biologist Leigh Van
Valen in 1973 in his paper The New
Evolutionary Law. The Red Queen
from a fantasy book became a scientific
icon in evolutionary biology to represent
winnerless evolutionary arms race
between species. This arms race means
that one group of species improves its
offense/defense to win against another
group of species but this other group
of species will also improve its offense/
defense to win, resulting in a winnerless
competition.

Using a mathematical model, they

formulated a quantitative representation
of the Red Queen co-evolution, which
they referred to as the Red Queen
dynamics.

(P2) as a counteraction against the

evolution of the host. The new parasite
P2 can infect H2 so the hosts will evolve
again, and the winnerless, never-ending
cycle of antagonism continues.

The canonical case of the Red Queen

dynamics follow the following process:
Host population (say, H1) evolves to a
new type (H2) to escape their parasites
(P1). However, the decline in the
population of H1 will drive parasite
population P1 to evolve to a new kind

The Biomathematics team with UPLB

researchers published the first theory
about the canonical Red Queen
dynamics involving many host and many
parasite types in the journal Scientific
Reports of Nature Publishing Group
last year. This year, the same group of

However, stochastic physicalenvironmental noise could permit a

subordinate type to replace a dominant
type as a new player in the Red Queen
binary dynamics. This presents a theory
in evolutionary biology where both biotic
interaction and abiotic factors influence
host-parasite coevolution.

There are many open problems and

exciting questions just waiting to be
answered and solved in this area of
evolutionary biology.

by Sairah Mae R. Saipudin

One of the activities the GC held was

its annual Orientation on Gender
Sensitivity and Sexual Harrassment
(GSS) for all incoming first year
students last 7-11 September 2015.
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity,
and Expression (SOGIE) was discussed
followed by an in-depth discussion on
sexual harassment.

The UPLB Biomathematics team will

continue to be active in searching for
answers to the problems in evolutionary
biology as well as in many areas of
biology.

Red Queen Binary dynamics

Gender Sensitivity and Sexual

Harassment Seminars
conducted for UPLB constituents

To better facilitate this goal, a series of

seminars was conducted for different
audiences.

The Red Queen hypothesis is used

to explain the evolution of sex, the
extinction and diversity of species, and
the emergence of antibiotic resistance. It
is also used in social science, such as to
model winnerless business competition.

Canonical Red Queen dynamics

There are many interpretations

and manifestations of the Red
Queen hypothesis. A group of
Biomathematics experts from UPLB,
with their collaborators from Japan and
Switzerland, studied one manifestation of
the Red Queen hypothesis in
host-parasite interaction. In their study,
the hosts and parasites co-evolve (run) to
survive but their fitness remains constant
(keeps in the same place).

The UPLB Gender Center (GC)

continued to campaign awareness on
gender sensitivity and sexual harassment
so that UPLB constituents rights and
welfare are better protected.

Biomathematics researchers discovered a

new pattern of Red Queen co-evolution,
which they called Red Queen binary
dynamics. The results of their study
are published in the journal Science
Advances of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Under a deterministic environment, the
Red Queen dynamics occur between
two dominant host/parasite types only.
The rest of the types are suppressed and
remain subordinate for long periods of
time.

The GSS was also conducted for HUME

10 students last 17 September 2015 at
the Electrical Engineering Auditorium
following the same format.
On 23 November 2015, the GC also
held a Gender Sensitivity, Anti-Sexual
Harassment, and Health Seminar at the
UPLB Land Grant in Siniloan, Laguna.
It was attended by all the staff in the area.
Resource speakers were Atty. Eric Paul
D. Peralta who tackled Violence Against
Women and Children; Dr. Emilia A.
Lastica-Ternura, coordinator of the
Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment, who
discussed about the occurrence of SH;
and Dr. Teri-Marie P. Laude, who talked
about health and wellness.

UPLB leads rst national

conference on food and
nutrition security
by Jose Elmo H. Azores

Led by the UPLB Interdisciplinary

Studies Center on Food Security
(ISCFS) and in collaboration with
the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), Department
of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural
Research (DA-BAR), Department of
Science and Technology-Philippine
Council for Agriculture, Aquatic
and Natural Resources Research and
Development (DOST-PCAARRD), and
UPLB Foundation Inc. (UPLBFI), the
first National Conference on Food and
Nutrition Security was held last 12-13
October 2015 at the Crimson Hotel,
Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
With the theme The Philippine Food
and Nutrition Security Agenda: Setting
Strategic Directions and Actions, the
conference aimed to present current and
continuing issues on the countrys food
and nutrition security and set a strategic
agenda for research, development and
extension.
Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez Jr.
welcomed the participants while DENR
Undersecretary Atty. Jonas R. Leones
gave the keynote address. Former

Dean of the College of Agriculture,

Dr. Domingo E. Angeles highlighted
the objectives and mechanics of the
conference.
The speakers included Dr. Glenn
Denning, Professor from the Columbia
University School of International and
Public Affairs; Dr. Paul P. S. Teng, Senior
Fellow in food security at the Center for
Non-Traditional Security Studies of the
University of Singapore; Dr. Victor Bruce
J. Tolentino, Deputy Director General
for Communication and Partnership of
the International Rice Research Institute;
Ms. Amparo C. Ampil, Chief of Pan
Asian Lawyers of San Diego (PALSD)
Policy Research Service of DA; and
Atty. Anselmo B. Adriano, director of
the Consumer Protection and Advocacy
Bureau, Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI).
Twenty paper presentations on food
availability and accessibility; and
food utilization and stability, were
presented during the parallel sessions.
Methodologies for assessing food and
nutrition security were discussed during
a panel discussion by Dr. Juanito Berja

PAGE 5

October 2015 - March 2016

Scientic Paper Writing

Workshop Series begins
by Maria Rowena Beatriz Q. Inzon

Participants of the rst batch of the SPWWS with Professor Emeritus Evelyn Mae TecsonMendoza. (Photo by LN Garcia)

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for

Research and Extension (OVCRE) is
spearheading the DA-BIOTECH funded
project titled Scientific Paper Writing
Workshop Series (SPWWS).
Two batches of participants of the
SPWWS have already been trained in
separate workshops last 27-28 October
2015 and 22-23 February 2016.
Seasoned and highly-published researcher
and Professor Emeritus Evelyn Mae
Tecson-Mendoza led the workshop of 28
selected junior faculty and researchers
from the Institute of Biological Sciences
of the College of Arts and Sciences; Crop
Science Cluster, Food Science Cluster,
Agricultural Systems Cluster, and Animal
and Dairy Sciences Cluster of the
College of Agriculture; Makiling Center
for Mountain Ecosystems; the National
Institute of Molecular Biology and

Biotechnology; the Museum of Natural

History; and the OVCRE itself.
The workshop series aims to address the
challenges that researchers encounter in
developing MS theses, dissertations, and
research outputs into publishable forms.
Apart from increasing UPLBs national
and international publications, the
project will also make UPLBs research
more accessible to stakeholders for
proper action and adoption, and policy
development and enhancement.
The last three batches for the workshop
series have been set for April and May
of this year. Participants for the third
batch will come from the Institute of
Mathematical Sciences and Physics of the
College of Arts and Sciences and various
institutes and departments of the College
of Engineering and Agro-Industrial
Technology.

Experts share experiences on

achieving sustainable diets
through econutrition

ALRAB: ALisRABies
by Junelle L. Paller

In keeping up with the times and modes

of information dissemination, the
College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)
adopted the concept of the phenomenal
love team ALDUB to raise awareness on
rabies and its control.
ALRAB is the first part of the provincewide One Health Summit on Rabies
and Food Animal Diseases which was
held last 06 October 2015 at the New
CAS Auditorium. The summit aimed
to equip local government executives,
particularly the barangay captains, to
be more informed on how to deal with
rabies, its control, prevention, and the
implementation of laws and measures
related to rabies control. For the second
part, the current status of diseases in
swine and cattle that may affect the food
supply of the country was discussed.
ALRAB was designed to be an interactive
seminar which gives out relevant but
understandable information to the
barangay captains. Video clips were
shown which was followed by discussions
from experts.
Rabies is a fatal disease but can be
prevented through vaccination of dogs,
Dr. Emerlinda Lopez of the Bureau of
Animal Industry said. Other panelists
included Dr. Enrique Tayag (Department
of Health), Dr. Mary Grace Bustamante
(Office of the Provincial Veterinarian),
Dr. Sara Jane Orsolino (Office of the

Rabies awareness and control were discussed during

the seminar. (Photo b Mr. Fernando P. Micosa)

City
Veterinarian,
San
City) and Ms. Marissa
(University Health Service,

Pablo
Ramilo
UPLB).

The audience was

encouraged to
actively participate by answering
questions on the video clips shown.
They were asked to raise color-coded
paper that represented their answers.
ALRAB is a collaborative work among
local government executives (Barangay
Captains, Provincial Officer, Municipal/
City Veterinarians), PL-480 Advisory
Council, National Advisory Council for
Animal Disease Control and Emergency,
National Rabies Prevention and Control
Committee, the Department of Health,
the academe, and the Global Alliance for
Rabies Control.
Truly, CVM is evolving and exploring
new platforms in order to do its share in
having a Rabies-free Philippines by 2020.

UPLB MNH features Hoya plants

in EpiCenter
by Miguel Angel P. Cordon and Jose Elmo H. Azores

by Lolita B. Pua

Experts during the Southeast Asian

Conference on Eco-nutrition
(SEAConE), held on 12-13 November
2015 at the SEARCA Auditorium
in UPLB, stressed the importance of
integrating eco-nutrition in management
programs aimed at attaining food and
nutrition security to achieve sustain
balanced nutrition.
Attending the conference themed
Econutrition: From Concepts to
Practice in Achieving Sustainable Diets,
scientists and researchers from different
fields have agreed that this integration,
from planning to implementation of the
program, holds the key to achieving the
goal of nutrition security.
Sponsored by the Institute of Human
Nutrition and Food of UPLBs College
of Human Ecology (IHNF-CHE) in
collaboration with the Southeast Asian
Regional Center for Graduate Study
and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA),
the conference forwarded the need
for increased R&E initiatives and
interventions focused on eco-nutrition.
Discussions done in the meetings have
indicated that eco-nutrition initiatives
should look into empowering our human
capacity, protecting our environment,
and understanding the different factors

that affect our ecological systems.

Moreover, the conference emphasized
that these nutrition interventions should
be tailor-fitted to answer the specific
needs of the communities in which they
are implemented.
Given the breadth of these R&E
initiatives, interdisciplinary and multisectorial collaborations are a must
to provide holistic solutions. In her
plenary talk, UPLB Professor Emeritus
Dr. Corazon Barba emphasized that
sustainability will depend on the
harmonization of the different disciplines
incorporated in the ecosystem.
However, planning and implementation
is only half of the battle. As noted by UP
Dilimans Dr. Ma. Conception Lizada
in her lecture, even though there are a
plethora of technologies and innovations
available, problems still persist.
To truly transform concepts into
practice, effective communication
campaigns should complement
interventions. Experts noted that
mobilizing people is important in
gaining success. As such, promoting
awareness about ecology and its role in
our health, in conjunction to promoting
healthy lifestyles can make a significant
difference.

EpiCenter featured different Hoyas in an exhibit and a garden display. (Photo by JEH Azores)

The UPLB Museum of Natural History

(UPLB MNH) put a spotlight on the
Philippines different Hoya plants by
holding its EpiCenter exhibit last 06
November 2015.
The event was composed of three
segments: opening of a photo exhibit,
visit to a garden display, and a set of
special seminars.
The opening remarks and ribbon cutting
were led by UPLB MNH Director Dr.
Juan Carlos T. Gonzalez and MNH
Curator Prof. Annalee S. Hadsall.
Professor Hadsall also gave a talk on
Hands on, Minds on Wax Flowers. She
gave a short lecture and a quiz on the
anatomy of Hoya. Top scorers received
Hoya plants as prizes.

The second speaker, MNH Curator Prof.

Ivy Amor F. Lambio, delivered a seminar
on how to find Hoya. Her talk was entitled
Look up, Look up: Finding the Elusive
Hoya as Hoya plants are commonly
found hanging from above. She also
presented different species of Hoya. One
of those was the Hoya espaldonia, named
after former Vice Chancellor for Research
and Extension Dr. Maria Victoria O.
Espaldon.
The last speaker, Kenneth De Tagle,
is a Hoya hobbyist. He talked about
the cultivation of Hoya and how its
different species have varying needs.
Dr. Gonzalez gave the closing remarks
and with Dr. Espaldon, awarded the
certificates to the speakers,

RDE Chronicle

2015 Data Analytics for Research Projects of UPLB

Data processed by Czarlina May E. Magnata and Eriberto E. Roxas, Jr.

Number of core-funded projects

No. of Projects

169

core-funded projects conducted

307

OVCRE-monitored projects

Data was extracted from the OVCRE Project Monitoring System (PROMS).
Implementing College/Unit

Number of OVCRE-monitored projects (including Basic Research)

One hundred sixty-nine (169) core-funded projects were conducted in 2015 while
307 projects have been monitored by OVCRE. Of the 169 core-funded projects, 86
were completed within the year while the rest continued implementation. OVCRE
monitors externally-funded projects and those funded through the Basic Research
Program.

No. of Projects

Total approved budget for OVCRE-monitored projects was PhP 1,135,934,000

Billion.

BIOTECH holds rst

digital photo contest

by Belinda Lucille B. Costales and Nik Shawn C. Tabao

Implementing College/Unit

Total approved budget (in millions)

Total approved budget for OVCRE-monitored projects

Manggugulay was the winning photo in the BIOTECH Digital Photo Contest. (Photo by EL Labrador)

Implementing College/Unit

Leading areas of research

BIOTECH held its first photo contest

as part of its 36th anniversary celebration
last 9-12 February 2016. Themed
Produktong BIOTECH--Buhay,
Bumubuhay, at Nakagaganda ng Buhay,
the photo contest made participants
capture through digital photography how
BIOTECH and its products impact life
in the Philippines.
The entries were judged in terms of
relevance to the theme (50%); artistry/
creativity/technical mastery (30%); and
originality (20%).
The entries that won first place,
Manggugulay, and second place,
Dawning Palay, were both taken by
Mr. Evan Titus L. Labrador.
TOTAL: 476

For 2015, there was a total of 476 research projects.

UPLB remains focused on the fields of Agricultural and Biological Sciences. The
research done in these fields make up 42% and 16% of the total number projects for
2015 respectively.
The fields of Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Economics,
Chemical Sciences, Nutrition, and Forestry are also well represented in this year's research projects. Research done in 10 other fields make up the remaining 7% percent
of the total number of research done in 2015.

Mr. Labrador describes himself as a

chemical engineer by profession but an
arts and design enthusiast by heart.
The entry, Pagyamanin ang Kapaligiran,
Pangalagaan ang Kalikasan, by Mr.
Kevin Chester P. Lagman, a computer
and audio technician at UPLB, won
third place.
The panel of judges were composed
of Simplico Q. Veluz, a professional
photographer and a University
Researcher at the School of
Environmental Science and Management

(SESAM); Dr. Maria Monina Cecilia A.

Villena, Special Projects Coordinator &
Network Administrator of the Southeast
Asian Regional Center for Graduate
Study and Research in Agriculture
Biotechnology Information Center;
and Carlo C. Custodio, Jr., University
Extension Specialist at BIOTECHs
Communication and Technology
Transfer Program.
During the exhibition of photos by
contestants, BIOTECH personnel and
visitors were also made to vote for their
favorite entries.
The most popular entry was the
third place winner, Pagyamanin ang
Kapaligiran, Pangalagaan ang Kalikasan.
The photos were uploaded in the official
BIOTECH Facebook page and were
also displayed at the 2nd Floor lobby
of BIOTECH during the anniversary
celebration.
Mr. Nik Shawn C. Tabao, University
Research Associate at BIOTECHs
Philippine National Collection of
Microorganisms (PNCM) served
as the Chair of the committee. He
conceptualized the contest with Ms.
Armi R. Creencia, Ms. Cristine Marie B.
Brown, and Mr. Johnry S. Maloles.

October 2015 - March 2016

UPLB Agro-Industrial Park

and Information Technology Park proclaimed
as Special Economic Zones

PAGE 1

First collection of studies

on Ph microalgae...
ecological and cultural studies. One
paper deals on sensory evaluation of
selected food preparations made with
the cyanobacterium, Nostoc commune
Vaucher.

by Daniel Dave J. Batayo

The scientific findings of UPLB

researchers along with their collaborators
from other state colleges and universities
are clear manifestations of the diversity
of microalgae in the country where
several species were recorded and
identified for the first time. One hundred
and seventy-two species of microalgae
were noted and observed to belong in six
microalgal divisions. Of these divisions,
the most number of species were noted
in division Euglenophyta (92), followed
in decreasing order by Cyanophyta or
Cyanobacteria (40), Bacillariophyta
(24), Chlorophyta (12), Dinophyta
(3), and Ochrophyta (1). Among the
photosynthetic euglenophytes, 16 taxa
are reported as observed for the first time
in the Philippines.

The special issue of the Philippines

Scientist makes the results of the studies
of the program become more meaningful
and relevant, especially to basic
knowledge and practical applications of
microalgae research in the Philippines.
The Philippine Scientist is a scholarly
journal on natural and physical sciences
and mathematics published by the
University of San Carlos Press. Copies of
the special issue are available at the IBS,
UPLB.

PAGE 1

UN-WFP and
agencies train...
State University, as well as the nongovernment organizations: Green Valley
Development Program, Inc., Integrated
Rural Development Foundation, and
Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc.
Lectures and workshops were given and
facilitated by a training team composed
by Ailene M. Florece, Maricris C. Cecilio,
Cheamson Garret K. Boongaling and Jose
Elmo H. Azores of OVCRE, and Sofia M.
Alaira, Alma Lorelei DJ. Abejero, and Dr.
Yusuf A. Sucol of SESAM. Maria Rowena
Beatriz Q. Inzon of OVCRE served as
main facilitator and leader of the project.
The activity is part of a WFP-UPLB
collaboration which aims to adapt,
refine, and deploy the SLP tool in the
context of the Philippines. The next set
of activities will focus on rolling out the
SLP to different provinces across the
country.

(L-R): Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Rex B. Demafelis, Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., PEZA Director General Lilia B. de Lima, and
UP Vice President for Development Elvira A. Zamora during the Registration Agreement Signing Ceremony. (Photo by LN Garcia)

The University of the Philippines Los

Baos (UPLB) and the Philippine
Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) have
entered into a Registration Agreement
which proclaimed the UPLB AgroIndustrial Park and the UPLB
InformationTechnology Park as special
economic zones by virtue of Philippine
Presidential Proclamations nos. 1164
and 1165, respectively, at the UPLB
Center for Technology Transfer and
Entrepreneurship Conference Room last 4
March 2016.

economic activities in the immediate

communities.

UPLB Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez,

Jr. and PEZA Director General Lilia B.
de Lima represented their organizations
as signatories in the agreement.

PEZA Director De Lima also expressed

her excitement with the partnership and
has promised full support in developing
the two parks.

UP Vice President for Development

Elvira A. Zamora and Director de Lima
provided keynote messages for the event.

The Agro-Industrial and Information

Technology Parks are part of the
UPLB Science and Technology Park
(UPLB-STP) that was established
in the early 1990s to jumpstart the
commercialization of UPLB-generated
technologies.

The signing ceremony is seen as a

landmark event in UPLBs history.
The two parks provide UPLB a unique
opportunity to showcase its research and
technologies not only locally, but also in
a global stage.
Moreover, the two parks serve as a
bridge between foreign investors and
local manpower thereby creating
possible significant impacts not only
in knowledge generation, but also in

The issue was formally launched last

26 November 2015 at the Office of
the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension (OVCRE) Annex Building,
UPLB. The activity was attended by
scientists, researchers, and guests from
the University of the Philippines Visayas,
Bicol University Tabaco Campus,
Batangas University and UPLB.

PAGE 2

It is our hope that with the establishment

of the park, we can move towards a
more streamlined process of converting
the knowledge resources and newlydiscovered technologies which our
researchers and scientists produce into
a more commercialized form for the
benefit of the greater community.
said Chancellor Sanchez Jr. during his
welcoming remarks.

The primary objective for the

establishment of the UPLB-STP is to
strengthen university-industry interaction
by providing the industry access to
university facilities and staff, and vice
versa, in order to facilitate the transfer and
commercialization of UPLB technologies
to private enterprises and enable the

UPLB leads first national conference...

of the World Food Programme and

Ms. Hygeia Catalina B. Gawe, chief of
nutrition surveillance of the National
Nutrition Council.
During the conference workshop,
participants were grouped according
to affiliation: academe, government
agencies, and the combination of
the private sector, civil society and
international representatives. Participants
identified constraints, researchable
areas, and solutions to the pressing
issues on food and nutrition security.

The most identified constraints were

lack of land ownership, declining soil
fertility, inequitable sharing arrangement
with landlords, inadequate capital and
inaccessibility to markets.
Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora of DOSTPCAARRD, Fr. Francis B. Lucas of
Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian
Reform and Rural Development, and Dr.
Cecilia Cristina Santos-Acuin of Food
and Nutrition Research Institute gave
responses to the consolidated workshop
output, and the conference as a whole.

university to enhance its access to private

enterprises. This was supported by the
Department of Science and Technology
which provided an initial grant to build
the first three incubator buildings.
The Agro-IndustriaI Park will focus
on attracting investors and prospective
companies who are interested in
commercializing
UPLB
generated
technologies
and
establishing
a
technology business incubator to nurture
start-ups and spin-off companies. It will
also be open to other related technologies
as locators.

The Information Technology Park can
hopefully accelerate the commercialization
of UPLB-generated information and
communication
technologies
for
agriculture, environment, and natural
resources management and even nonUPLB technologies as well.
The signing ceremony is the culmination
of an application process that spanned over
nine years. It was finally made possible
through the concerted efforts of various
individuals across different agencies.
The event was attended by distinguished
UPLB faculty and officials, International
Rice Research Institute officials, Los
Baos Vice Mayor Procopio Alipon, and
Local Government Unit officials.
The conference was successful in serving
as a venue for collaboration, and creating
networks between and among various food
and nutrition security advocates. It was a
step closer in setting the right strategies
and directions for an RDE agenda which
would strengthen research and extension
efforts for food and nutrition security in
the country.
More than 150 participants and guests
from various agencies and institutions
coming from national and local
government agencies, state universities,
state colleges, and the private sector,
attended the conference.

RDE Chronicle

UPLB showcases technologies at SIPAG FIESTA

by Lawrence N. Garcia

UPLB showcased some of its recent and

emerging technologies at the SIPAG
FIESTA exhibit hosted by the Philippine
Council for Agriculture, Aquatic,
and Natural Resources Research and
Development (PCAARRD) at their
headquarters in Los Baos, Laguna
from 2-4 March 2016. The event is the
combination of PCAARRDs Strategic
S&T Program for Agri-Aqua Growth
(SIPAG) initiative and its Farms and
Industry Encounters through Science
and Technology Agenda (FIESTA)
program.
Selected technologies from the Institute
of Plant Breeding, Interdisciplinary
Biofuels Research Studies Center,
Philippine Genome Center, UPLB
Limnological Research Station, Institute
of Computer Science, and the Crop
Science Cluster of the College of
Agriculture were featured. Additionally,
PCAARRD-funded UPLB research and

extension projects were also presented

during the exhibit.
UPLBs presence was also felt during the
events various fora specific to sectors
under PCAARRDs umbrella.
UPLB experts currently working with
PCAARRD on different projects served
as resource speakers and presented
different topics under each days forum.
The first day focused on the Aquatic
and Livestock sectors; the second day is
geared towards the Crops and Forestry
and Natural Resources sectors; while the
third day covered PCAARRDs Aquatic,
Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural
Resources (AAFNR) sector.

Technologies developed by various units were exhibited at the UPLB booth during the SIPAG FIESTA.
(Photo by LN Garcia)

DOST Undersecretary for Research

and Development Amelia P. Guevarra,
DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo,
and Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Chair
of the Senate Committee on Food

and Agriculture, graced the event and

delivered messages of appreciation
during the last day of the exhibit. In her
message, Sen. Villar emphasized UPLBs
role in poverty alleviation as the countrys

UPLB hosts ILAW Symposium

by Eriberto E. Roxas, Jr.

UPLB was one with the world in

observing the International Year of Light
and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015)
through ILAW: A celebration of light,
held last 23 November 2015 at the New
CAS Auditorium.

premier agricultural university. She

noted that UPLB is instrumental in the
development of technologies aimed at
increasing the income of our farmers and
fishermen.

UPLB well-represented
in Cornell Leadership Course
by Sandra S. Samantela

2015 has been declared by the United

Nations as the International Year of
Light last 20 December 2013 with the
aim of raising global awareness about
how light-based technologies promote
sustainable development and provide
solutions to global challenges in energy,
education, agriculture and health.
Dubbed as a Symposium on Light
and Light-based Applications, ILAW
gathered select UPLB academicians
and researchers who presented lectures
on various topics on light and its
applications to their respective fields.
The event was open to the public, and
was attended by students and other
university constituents.
The lecturers and their topics are as
follows:
College of Arts and Sciences
Institute of Mathematical Sciences and
Physics
Light in the Spotlight: History of
Light and Optics by Junius Andre
F. Balista
Multi-spectral Imaging for
Agriculture by Nelio C. Altoveros
From Lab to Labor: Translating
Chronobiology to Health
Improvement for Shift Workers
by Eduardo R. Mendoza (also of
MPI, Germany; LMU, Germany)
Kisap ng Ilaw: Applications of
Ultrafast Spectroscopy by Alvin
Karlo G. Tapia
Institute of Biological Sciences
Detailed Resources Mapping
using LiDAR Technology by Prof.
Damasa B. Magcale-Macandog

Beauty in the eyes of the beholder:

Bee vision and floral projection by
Analinda C. Manila-Fajardo

Institute of Computer Science

Machine Vision at UPLB in
Agriculture by Jaderick P. Pabico
Department of Humanities
Light in Cinema by Katrina Ross
A. Tan
Ilaw sa Guhit na Bilog: A Case of
Non-Motivational Stage Lighting by
Elmer DS. Rufo
College of Development
Communication
Light in Photography by Lynette
B. Carpio-Serrano
College of Engineering and Agroindustrial Technology
Department of Electrical Engineering
Electrical Energy Eciency in the
Lighting System by Roderick Cadiz
ILAW was organized by the
Instrumentation Research and
Development Center (IRDC), one
of UPLBs Interdisciplinary Studies
Centers, led by Prof. Nelio C. Altoveros,
the Institute of Mathematical Sciences
and Physics through Prof. Lou Serafin
M. Lozada, and supported by the Office
of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension.

Team Philippines receiving their Certicate of Completion in Hua Hin, Thailand. (Photo by FRC Paro)

UPLB instructors, professors, researchers,

and fresh graduate students participated
as delegates to the Asia Leadership
Course on Strategic Planning and
Effective Grassroots Organizing
organized by the Cornell Alliance for
Science/Cornell University last 18-26
January 2016 at Hua Hin, Thailand.
Various participants--farmers, scientists,
academicians, students, media, and
advocates of global food security and
environmental sustainability from
the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand,
Bangladesh, Vietnam and Hawaii joined
the interactive course which advocates
the increased accessibility of stakeholders
to agricultural biotechnology.
The training equipped the delegates with
the principles, tools and strategies so
that they can effectively run grassroots
campaigns in promoting access to
scientific innovation given the challenges

to biotechnology adoption in their

respective countries.
Skills in conducting issue landscape
assessment, grassroots organizing,
strategic relationship building and
targeted communication to key
stakeholder groups are developed in the
participants during the training.
Faculty who attended included Dr.
Cleofe S. Torres, Fevi Rose C. Paro,
and Abriel S. Bulasag, while Virma
Rea G. Lee, Anna Pauleen L. Masanga,
John Carlo M. Marasigan, and Raol P.
Pamiloza represented the REPS.
The intensive leadership course is just
one of the activities done by the Cornell
Alliance for Science to promote scientific
innovation which they believe will help
achieve enhanced food security, improved
environmental sustainability and a better
quality of life globally.

October 2015 - March 2016

Gender Center
campaigns to end VAW
by Genesis Giselle T. Baseleres

This annual event aims to raise awareness

that VAW is a public issue of national
concern. This years theme is End VAW
Now! Its Our Duty!: Gains and Ways
Forward.
The UPLB Gender Center participated
in the campaigns kick-off activity, an
Assembly of Anti-VAW Advocacy
Supporters held at the Aliw Theater,
Pasay City on 25 November 2015.
Government, non-government, academe
and private sector stakeholders were
gathered to take stock of milestone
accomplishments in addressing Violence
Against Women in the Philippines.
The Gender Center also initiated several
programs in line with the campaign.

To cap off this years campaign, a

Seminar on Violence Against Women
(VAW) and Womens Health was
organized in coordination with the
Rotary Club of Bay and held at the
Municipality of Bay Multipurpose Hall
on 12 December 2015.
Dr. Teri-Marie P. Laude, Coordinator
of the Reproductive Health Office,
and Atty. Peralta served as the resource
speakers for the said event.

by Dan Paolo R. Yema and April Hope T. Castro

The seminar-workshop was done for

the benefit of teachers from different
elementary and national high schools in
the Divisions of Laguna, Calamba City,
and Tanauan City so that they will be
more knowledgeable in various issues
revolving around World War II.
The first day involved discussions on the
Second World War in the Philippines.
Speakers from the History Division
tackled various issues and questions
on the topic. Prof. Rhina A. Boncocan
opened the seminar-workshop with a
discussion on Filipino collaboration
with the Japanese during the occupation
period. It was followed by Ms. Veronica
C. Alporha and her topic on the
KALIBAPI as an ideological party and
movement in the Philippines.
Mr. Herald Ian C. Guiwa concluded the
morning session by discussing a more
contemporary issue which focuses on
the commemoration of WWII using
Facebook.
The afternoon session began with a film
analysis given by Prof. Roberto C. Mata.
His reference was the film Tatlong
Taong Walang Diyos by director Mario
OHara with Nora Aunor, Christopher
de Leon, and Bembol Roco as major cast.
It was followed by Mr. Reidan M.
Pawilen and his discussion on the

by Sandra Samantela

To promote gender sensitivity and

perspective to personnel in their
workplace, a Seminar on Sexual
Harassment (SH) and Violence Against
Women (VAW) for faculty, staff and
students of Laguna State Polytechnic
University, Los Baos, Laguna was
conducted on 4 December 2015 with
Atty. Eric Paul D. Peralta, Gender
Centers resident Legal Counsel, as
resource person.

Social Sciences department expounds on

WWII studies for elementary and
high school teachers
The History Division of the Department
of Social Sciences, College of Arts and
Sciences (DSS-CAS) conducted a threeday seminar-workshop entitled Isang
Programang Pagsasanay para sa mga
Paksa Hinggil sa Ikalawang Digmaang
Pandaigdig on 7, 14, and 21 November
2015 at the CAS Annex 1 Galleries 1 &
2.

DCERP-CHE research paper

wins 2nd honors in BIMP-EAGA
International Conference

narratives of the lives of the people of

Baguio City from 1942-1945 during the
Japanese occupation. Prof. Ma. Reina
Boro-Magbanua then talked about Los
Baos and Calamba in the midst of the
war.
On the other hand, the second
day included a series of teaching
demonstrations and a workshop given
by Prof. Wensley Reyes, Associate Dean
of the College of Behavioral and Social
Sciences of the Philippine Normal
University. Lectures focusing on the
Second World War in Asia were also
given.
Prof. Roderick C. Javar discussed about
the comfort women, and women in the
Philippines and East Asia during the
war. Prof. April Hope T. Castro focused
on South East Asia during WWII, while
Mr. Jeffrey James Ligero tackled what
happened to Japan after WWII.
The impact of WWII in the global
setting was discussed during the third
day. Prof. Dwight David A. Diestro
discussed the Second World War in
the context of global history while
Dr. Renato Pelorina talked about the
industrialization and militarization of
Imperialist Japan before WWII.
A literary analysis was presented by
Mr. Eliezar G. Inigo based on the
descriptions of the kamikaze pilots in
history books while teaching aids on the
geography and chronology of the Second
World War was presented by Mr. Eugene
Raymond P. Crudo. The Dean of the
College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Felino
P. Lansigan, delivered his closing remarks
to conclude the three-day event.

(Standing L-R) Raphael Gonzales, Edgar Reyes Jr, John Ceffrey Eligue, and Sandra Samantela join the participants
from Region IV and the executive members of the conference (seated) (Photo from ofcial event photographer)

The study Analysis of Tourism Potentials

in the Municipality of Dumaran,
Palawan authored by faculty and staff
of the Department of Community and
Environmental Resource Planning,
College of Human Ecology (DCERPCHE), won as 2nd Best Research Paper
during the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei
Darussalam-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines East Asia Growth Areas)
Conference held in Puerto Princesa City,
Palawan on 14-16 December 2015.
Themed Working Together as One
Sustainable ASEAN Community, the
conference featured paper presentations
grouped into the following tracks which
are also the cooperations four strategic
pillars: tourism development and culture;
food basket strategy; environment and
health; and enhanced connectivity.

The 18-day Campaign to End Violence

Against Women (VAW) is observed
annually from 25 November to 12
December 2015.

The BIMP-EAGA is a sub-regional

economic cooperation formed by the
four countries in 1994, with the goal of
increasing trade, investment, and tourism
in the region. Palawan and twenty-six
(26) provinces in Mindanao are part of
the BIMP-EAGA.
DCERPs paper was the result of a study
done in July 2015 wherein the department
conducted an initial resource assessment
for ecotourism development and gap
analysis in Dumaran, Palawan in order to
update the towns Comprehensive Land
Use Plan.
The paper will be published in the BIMPEAGA Journal of Sustainable Tourism
Development for being chosen as one of
the conferences best.

PAGE 1

UPLB awards outstanding...

research in developing tissue culture
technologies and the rapid propagation
and production of virus-free planting
materials. The program was also
recognized for its work in genetic
transformation and generation of
variability, as well as germplasm
conservation.
Outstanding Extension Personnel
and Extension Team
Florante A. Cruz, University Extension
Specialist II at the UPLB Museum of
Natural History, was awarded as the
2016 Outstanding Extension Personnel
for consistently rendering service with
outstanding performance to promote
biodiversity conservation education and
for building necessary communication
channels currently being used by
the University, which have become
important institutional means to deliver
information to and engage with the
general public.
The Conservation Farming Village of
the College of Forestry and Natural
Resources won the 2016 Outstanding
Extension Team Award for transforming
traditional upland farming systems
into sustainable production systems
that address upland degradation;
and stimulating upland community
development by helping farmers
improve their economic conditions and
strengthen their capacities to manage
natural resources, through facilitation
and operationalization of stronger

research-extension
linkages
among
GOs, NGOs, academic and research
institutions, and the private sector.
Outstanding Artist
Marie Angelica S. Dayao, from the
Department of Humanities, is this years
Outstanding Artist.
Even though she is teaching and pursuing
graduate studies, her commitment to
honing her craft and mentoring young
musicians is unwavering.
Aside from leading Harmonya, the string
ensemble of UPLB, she continues to
contribute to theater productions with
her compositions, directions, and even
performances.
UP Vice President for Development Dr.
Elvira A. Zamora, who also delivered
a short message, noted that UPLBs
excellence is rooted in its outstanding
personnel past and present who
go beyond the call of duty and exceed
expectations through the careful and
optimal use of limited resources.
USAID-Philippines Office of Education
Director Brian Levey delivered this
years keynote address in which he
emphasized
USAIDs
continued
commitment to helping the university
achieve greater heights especially in
science and technology innovation and
entrepreneurship.

RDE Chronicle

Literary

convinced me to bet. I spent twenty

pesos, hoping that the numbers would
win me cash.

WALKING
Jaira Loberiano (CAS)

It was raining hard that day. My feet

ache as I continued to walk with other
men and women. It wasnt hard at first.
You just had to walk. The problem is
you cant stop. If you stop, you face the
consequences. I couldnt go home.
Everything was taken away from me.
I had no idea how long Ive been walking. As my body began to grow weaker
and weaker, the more I wanted to stop.
The farther we walked the lesser we
become. Unable to tolerate the pain, I
stopped.
Someone approached me and spoke in
a language I could not understand. I
didnt understand him. He was yelling.
He must be telling me to stand. Yet every
part of my body is in excruciating pain
and my eyes were begging to close.
I have given up. The man, unable to
force me to stand, pointed a gun at my
chest and pulled the trigger.
THE NUMBERS
Princess J. Requiso (CEAT)
I counted the money that was left in my
pocket: forty pesos. Since exchanging my
necklace for some amount of money is
all I can do, I headed to the pawnshop.
However, the lottery station near the
pawnshop attracted me that much.
Numbers from my dream last night

Relax with this crossword puzzle!

by Richard T. Hermoso and Jose Elmo H. Azores

The thought of my sick son reminded

me to hurry and buy the medicine. As I
walked home, I saw the station and
decided to bet again. But no good
numbers came to me. I spent half an
hour deciding. Random six numbers
finally made a combination.
I rushed home only to find out that my
son had already passed away. I should
have gone home sooner, but I was too
late. The next day I won the lottery. My
random numbers got me first prize.
STELLAR
Patricia Paner
Stars in the sky be my guide
For I am such a silly visionary
Watch me as I gaze down the path
Unease of where life may bring me
Starry light of the clear night
Enlighten me and always be by my side
Shine upon me in times of being weary
That I may see the goodness youve
shown me
And as I wish upon a star
May the spirit of joy and hope
Be my source of strength and power
So I can soar much higher
Then as you twinkle by my window
And position may hands to pray
I smile, sigh, and utter
And thank God for the gift of life.

Geeky Comics
by Ozzy Boy S. Nicopior

ACROSS
1. the gradual development of something,
especially from a simple to a more
complex form
4. promotes the establishment of
economic zones in the Philippines for
foreign investments

17. a severe lack of food

18. biological preparation that provides
active acquired immunity to a particular
disease
DOWN
2. a means of securing the necessities of
life

5. Latin of photo

3. exceptionally good

7. an enterprise or organization owned

by and operated for the benet of those
using its services

6. the point on earths surface directly

above the focus of an earthquake

10. small infectious agent that replicates

inside the living cells of other organisms
11. Bacillus ________, a soil bacterium
that produces natural toxins that kill Asian
corn borer
12. prex mostly relating to environmental
terms
13. an enzyme usually sourced from
ruminants used to coagulate milk for
cheese-making
16. organism capable of synthesizing its
own food

8. to continue to annoy or upset

someone over a period of time
9. Cebuano term closest to Filipino
translation for Oblation
11. Center for Technology _______ and
Entrepreneurship
12. plants that grow upon trees or other
plants
14. an event causing great and often
sudden damage or distress
15. Latin word for seaweed

The RDE Chronicle

Ofcial Research, Development, and Extension News

of the University of the Philippines Los Baos

managing editor

Maria Rowena Beatriz Q. Inzon

layout

Regina Mae C. Ongkiko

production/ circulation
Jose Elmo H. Azores
Alex C. Genil
Reynaldo T. Magsino
Michael B. Biguelme

editorial consultant
Florante A. Cruz

advisers

Vice Chancellor Rex B. Demafelis

Assistant to the Vice Chancellor
Susan May F. Calumpang

writers / photographers / contributors

Jose Elmo H. Azores
Genesis Giselle T. Baseleres
Daniel Dave J. Batayo
Marilyn M. Beltran
April Hope T. Castro
Miguel Angel P. Cordon
Belinda Lucille B. Costales

Cheamson Garret K. Boongaling

Lawrence N. Garcia
Richard T. Hermoso
Maria Rowena Beatriz Q. Inzon
Evan Titus L. Labrador
Jaira Loberiano
Czarlina May E. Magnata

Fernando P. Micosa
Ozzy Boy S. Nicopior
Regina Mae C. Ongkiko
Junelle L. Paller
Patricia Paner
Fevi Rose C. Paro
Lolita B. Pua
Jomar F. Rabajante
Princess J. Requiso
Eriberto E. Roxas, Jr.
Sairah Mae R. Saipudin
Sandra S. Samantela
Nik Shawn C. Tabao
Dan Paolo R. Yema

RDE Chronicle

The
is published semi-annually by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for
Research and Extension (OVCRE), University of the Philippines Los Baos (UPLB). It contains news and updates
on the various RDE endeavours of the university.
Contributions related to research and extension from UPLB faculty and staff are welcome. Please send articles,
artwork, digital photographs, and literary pieces via email: ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph. Comments on the published
content can also be sent through the same email address. Requests for use of content for publication should be
addressed to the Editors.
For inquiries, please contact us at: Information Management and Technology Utilization Section
OVCRE, 3F UPLB Main Library, UPLB, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
Tel. No. (63) 49 536-2354 , Local VOIP: 1515, Email: ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.