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CA-UPLB

S Y S T E M S

May 2016

C L U S T E R

ISSN 1656-9865

ASC Launches UNLAD SaKA Program

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ASC Launches UNLAD SaKA 1
Program
ASC Conducts the Learning
from the Masters Seminar
Series

ASC Hosts the CA 107th

Foundation Day

FSTP Conducts First Retooling 3

Workshop
EIDR Evaluates the
Xanthosoma Program

A Glimpse of an Exemplary
Woman

Welcome New ASC Team

Members

ASC Updates Makes a

10

Comeback

The Agricultural Systems

Cluster (ASC) conducted a soft
launch of UNLAD SaKA program
at Kanlurang Malicboy, Pagbilao,
Quezon last April 1, 2016.
UNLAD SaKA program aims to
develop the agricultural systems
in the community.
The program aims to
address the development for the

Farmer participants from Malicboy, Pagbilao,

Quezon while deliberating during the launch

following program components; KAbukiran (agriculture), KAlikasan

(environment),
KAbuhayan
(livelihood),
KAlusugan
(health),
KAhalagahan ng ugali (values), KAsarian (gender), KArunungan
(knowledge) and KAbataan (youth). The crop-animal integration, ricebased farming systems, production of organic fertilizers, and integration
of fish in vegetable production are some of the priority projects under
the program. These were identified during the Participatory Rural
Appraisal (PRA) conducted last July 22, 2015.
To further refine the projects to be conducted, a detailed
appraisal of the biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics of the
ASC Launches ...page 3

ASC Conducts the Learning

from the Masters Seminar
Series

Mr. Jim Leandro Cano, YPARD representative

serves as the resource speaker

The Agricultural Systems Cluster (ASC) conducted

its first Learning from the Masters seminar series
entitled Strategic Inclusion of Youth in National, Regional,
and Global Agricultural Systems last April 20, 2016 at the
Galvez
Hall,
Soils and Agro-ecosystems Division,
Mendiola Hall (previously ASH Building). The resource
speaker is Mr. Jim Leandro Cano, a graduate of BS
Agriculture major in Agricultural Systems and currently

ASC Conducts ...page 3

Agricultural Systems Cluster, College of Agriculture , University of the Philippines Los Baos, Tel no. (049) 536-3229/2459

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ASC Hosts the 107th CA Foundation Day

The Agricultural Systems Cluster
(ASC) hosted the one-day event
celebration of the 107th CA Foundation
Day last March 6, 2016. This years
theme is CA Family Transforming
Philippine
Agriculture
through
Academic Excellence and Public
Service.
A
simple
but
significant
commemoration program was held in
the morning at the CA Foundation Site,
Highway Bambang,
Los Baos,
Laguna.
Dr. Enrico P. Supangco, Dean of
College of Agriculture gave the opening
remarks while Chancellor Fernando C.
Sanchez, Jr.
welcomed the
participants.
Chancellor Sanchez
highlighted the significant contribution
of Dean Edwin Bingham Copeland,
being the first CA Dean, who has
contributed much to the College and
UPLB as a whole.

Be the

change

Dr.
Elpidio
L.
Rosario,
President of MADECOR, served as the
guest speaker of the event.
He

Dean Enrico P. Supangco gave a

warm opening remarks

recognized UPLBs contribution to the

progress of Los Baos.
He also
emphasized the important role of the
Alumni
in
contributing
for
the
development of the University. Further,
he also acknowledged the presence of
Former UP Board of Regents, Nelia T.
Gonzales for her exemplary service
ASC Hosts...page 4

ASC conducts the Learning from the Masters... from page 1

you want
to see
in the
worldMahatma
Gandhi

pursuing
Master
of
Science in Agricultural
Economics
from
the
University of the Philippines
Los Baos.
He is the
Country Representative for
Young Professionals for
Agricultural Development
(YPARD) Philippines. The
YPARD Philippines started
in 2015 with the aim of 1)
facilitating the exchange of
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information
and
knowledge among young
professionals
across
discipline, 2) broadening
an opportunity for young
professionals
to
contribute to strategic
policy, and 3) promoting
agriculture among young
people.
Mr. Cano started
his lecture with a quote

from Mahatma Gandhi, Be

the change you want to see
in the world. He shared
his advocacy to promote
participation
of
young
professionals
across
discipline to contribute to
national,
regional
and
global agricultural systems.
(MCDeCastro)

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FSTP Conducts First Retooling Workshop

Do the best in imparting new

knowledge

and

technology

to

our

farmers especially those living in remote

upland

communities,

this

was

the

challenge of Dr. Romulo G. Davide,

Program Leader of the Corn-based
Farmer-Scientists

RDE

Training

Program (FSTP) to the UPLB-FSTP

team as they conducted their First
Retooling Workshop
The FSTP-UPLB team poses with the University and College of Agriculture
(CA) officials. Frontmost right to left: Dr. Romulo G. Davide, FSTP Program
leader; Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dr.
Enrico P. Supangco, Dean of CA; and Dr. Florentino C. Monsalud, Director
of ASC. Leftmost: Prof. Sheryl A. Yap, Assistant Professor II of the CACrop Protection Cluster served as an observer of the workshop.

23,

2016

at

the

last February 22N.T.

Gonzales

Conference Hall, UPLB Alumni Center.

The

retooling

workshop

was

aimed to update and enhance the

FSTP conducts ...page 5

ASC launches UNLAD SaKA. . from page 1

barangay will also be done. The program introduces the
Dos por Cinco, a module in native swine production which
was successfully developed by ASC in Bondoc Peninsula
and scaled-up to Real and Infanta , Quezon. This module
will provide each farmer-beneficiary a two ready-to-breed
gilts (Dos part) and five weanlings or piglets. These
animals are provided as loan to growers partners and will
be paid in terms of piglets which will be reloaned to another
set of grower partners.
Another model that will be introduced is the Uno por
Diez which will provide starter goat module consisting of
one (1) buck and 10 does. On the other hand, rice-based
farming systems project will introduce upland crops in the
rice-based cropping systems as adaptation strategy to
climate change. Rain-water harvesting technologies and
integration of vegetable production will also be promoted.
Organic fertilizer production will be done to utilize existing
biomass
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materials in the community and

minimize reliance on inorganic
fertilizers thus reduce cost of
production.
ASC allocated about Php 1
million of its core fund to support the
program for 2016 while the Municipal
government of Pagbilao will provide
the
agricultural
technician
counterpart. The Program Team is
led by Dr. David M. Manalo, ASC
Deputy Director. There were
37
participants composed of farmers,
municipal and barangay officers, and
the youth.
(VTVillancio)

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EIDR Evaluates the Xanthosoma Program

(IPB) gene bank, where
GSF
accessions
collected all over the
Philippines
are
conserved,
and
the
various experimental setups at the Central
Experiment
Station
(CES).
EIDR visiting and evaluating the Gabing San
Fernando (GSF) collection set-ups and the
Central Experiment Station (CES)

The
Emerging
Interdisciplinary
Research
Program (EIDR) Evaluation
and Monitoring Committee
conducted its first site visit
and project inspection of all
EIDR-funded UPLB projects
last January 29, 2016. The
evaluation committee visited
the Gabing San Fernando
(GSF)
collection
and
characterization set-ups at
the Institute of Plant Breeding

Gabing
San
Fernando (GSF) is being
looked as an alternative
source of food, feed and
fuel though its technology
is
not
yet
wellestablished. Hence, the
Xanthosoma
Program
Team, headed by Dr.
Jose Nestor M. Garcia,
finds it necessary to
study and develop the
component technologies
for large scale planting to
get the potential benefits
from the crop. The team

also hopes to improve the

production and utilization of
GSF thru identification of a
suitable
germplasm,
development of feasible
production
technologies
and high quality swine feed
products
upon
the
completion of the two-year
program.
The program entitled
Interdisciplinary Research
and Development for the
Germplasm
Characterization,
Production and Utilization
of Gabing San Fernando
(Xanthosoma
sagittifolium (L)
Schott,
Melet) was awarded by
EIDR of the University of
the Philippines, Office of
EIDR evaluates...page 5

ASC hosts the 107th . from page 2

for almost 20 years.
Three agriculture board topnotchers, ranking 5th,
4th, and 2nd were awarded with certificates. From ASC,
there were five IFSAED student awardees, (honor
students for 2nd semester 2014-2015)
namely; Arnel
B. Villancio Jr., Elson Ian Nyl E. Galang, Maria Reliza A.
Leron, Mariel Josh D. Tiongson and Ligaya A. Toroy.
ASC participates in the CA follies

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The afternoon activities were presentations from

different student organizations, raffle prizes and the
cluster follies. The Animal and Dairy Sciences Cluster
(ADSC) was awarded as the best team performance.
(MCDeCastro)

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FSTP conducts .from page 3

technical knowledge of the FSTP team so that

Blesilda A. Calub who lectured about UPLB

they can better serve and train their program

Technologies

recipients most especially the farmer-scientists.

Edralina

Further, the new knowledge acquired from the

management; Mr. Proceso H. Manguiat for corn-

workshop will be integrated to the existing

breeding; Dr. Reynaldo A. Comia for integrated

training modules of the program developed more

nutrient management; and Dr. Pio A. Javier for

than half a decade ago.

integrated pest management.

P.

for

Organic

Serrano

Agriculture;
for

Dr.

post-harvest

Dr. Florentino C. Monsalud, Director of the

It can be recalled that the FSTP is now

Agricultural Systems Cluster gave the welcome

on its 6th year of implementation after it has

remarks. In his message, he quoted the Chinese

been stated as Executive Order 710 in 2008.

philosopher Confucius stating that When you

Within the period, the program has already

know something, say what you know. When you

covered a total of 64 municipalities in 31

dont know something, say that you dont know.

provinces from Regions 1 to 13.

That is knowledge. He elaborated that there will

In the closing program, Dr. Romulo G.

come a time wherein we will need to update our

Davide reiterated the importance of pursuing the

knowledge and that it is important that we do

FSTPs mission and mandates. He imparted,

something to acquire more, hence the importance

Remember that FSTP is designed to liberate

of the workshop.

poor farmers from the bondage of poverty and

Experts on agricultural research and

hunger. This is our mission. (AFBJamias)

extension from UPLB were invited to serve as

resource persons.

Among them were Dr.

EIDR evaluates .from page 4

the Vice President for Academic Affairs (UPOVPAA) a research grant for two years.

finishing their initial two scientific papers for

journal publication.

Started in May 2015, the Xanthosoma

program was implemented by ASC in
collaboration with the Institute of Plant Breeding
(IPB), Crop Science Cluster, National Crop
Protection Center (NCPC), Crop Protection
Cluster and Animal and Dairy Sciences Cluster
(ADSC) of the College of Agriculture, UPLB. It
is now its 1st year of operation and currently

The EIDR Evaluation and Monitoring

committee is composed of four (4) UPLB
Professor Emeriti namely; Dr. Evelyn Mae
Mendoza, Dr. Eduardo Salcedo, Dr. Asuncion
Raymundo and Dr. Gloria Nelson. They were
assisted by Ms. Ailene Florece, a staff of Office
of the Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension (OVCRE). (JBBondad)

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A Glimpse of an Exemplary Woman

Love your work, do
what makes you happy,
eventually work will love
you and support your
family, these are the exact
words from an exemplary
woman commonly known
by her colleagues, friends,
and family as Siony.

A Glimpse of an
Exemplary Woman

Love your
work, do what
makes you
happy,
eventually
work will love
you and
support your
family

team in DAERS and different newsletters in

eventually joined the the
university
and
ASC family.
college level. Some of
In addition to which are the UPLB
other programs and Horizon, UPLB LINK,
projects
she
was AGGIE Green and
College
of
involved, she has been Gold,
Agriculture
Monthly
a study leader of the
Newsletter,
ASC
Farmer-Scientists
and
the
With the spirit of Training Program in a Updates
AgriTourist
Magazine
.
holistic workmanship, Ms. Corn Based Production
Simeona
Castillo- System for Sustainable
Aside
from
Seminiano has dedicated Agricultural
being a writer, she has
her life in empowering Development or FSTP. been a member of
many people.
The
program
was DZLB-Tinig
ng
initiated
by
Dr.
Romulo
Agrikultura
sa
To
begin,
she
Davide
on
which
she
Barangay
(TAB)
radio
finished her Bachelor and
With these
Masters degree in Soil served for more than 20 program.
years
by
providing
achievements,
she still
Science
from
the
extension
services
to
manages
to
have
a
University
of
the
poor
farmers
nationwide.
work-life balance. She
Philippines Los Baos in
1974
and
1981
She
also enjoys traveling and
respectively. Her humble ventured into writing. meeting new faces,
beginnings as a researcher When asked how she friends and farmers.
warmly
started in 1974 in the was as a writer, she She
acknowledges
the
Department
of
Soil firmly said Before, I
Almighty
God
for
all
the
Science. As a graduate really like to write, pero
Assistant in 1977, she parang di ko kaya. blessings in her life. A
became part of the team Thats the time she was woman of success, a
who developed the Quick able to challenge herself glimpse of a woman
Soil Test Kit particularly the into writing and proved being a good coPhosphorus
test her worthy contributions. employee, a friend, a
component.
With her determination mentor and a mother.
A day is a century with
Imbued with love to learn the craft, she you, Ms. Simeona C.
practiced
and passion, she rendered relentlessly
and
pursued
her
passion Seminianoresearch and extension
(MRCaete)
services in the University by participating in writing
seminar-workshop
for
more
than
four
decades. She served at opportunities which has
built
her
the Deans Office, College helped
confidence
through
time.
of Agriculture as program
management staff. Later Proven worth of her
she became part of the dedication, she became
monitoring and evaluation contributor writer for

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Welcome New ASC Team Members

New Names and Faces Around ASC
Marianne R. de Luna. Marianne officially joined the ASC family
last Jan. 4, 2016 under the Integrated Farming Systems and
Agricultural Extension Division (IFSAED). She currently holds the
position of University Researcher II primarily focusing on monitoring
and evaluation of ASC projects. Maan as her friends knew her,
finished her Bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics from the
University of the Philippines Los Baos. She has also obtained a
degree on Master of Professional Studies in Development
Communication from the UP Open University.
Prior to joining the cluster, Maan served as Officer-Administrative Coordinator under the
Partnerships office of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for eight years where she
was involved in different projects with DA and other IRRI partners. She has over 10 years of
professional experience working in non-government organizations like ICDAI, where she led
different projects on agriculture and natural resource management, and the UPLB Foundation,
Inc., where she supported the production of the UPLB Centennial Book. Being a mother of two
sons, she likes to spend quality time with her family, to travel and to read inspirational books.
(COMelodillar/MCDeCastro)
Maria Cecilia L. De Castro. Cecil officially joined the ASC
family last Jan. 4, 2016 under the Integrated Farming Systems and
Agricultural Extension Division (IFSAED). Currently, she holds the
position of University Researcher II handling projects relevant to
information and communication management of the cluster. Cecil
finished her Bachelors degree in Agriculture major in Animal Science
from the University of the Philippines Los Baos. With her passion for
writing and communication, she later pursued her Masters degree in
Development Communication in the same university.
Before joining ASC, Cecils professional career started as animal nutritionist handling
formulation of poultry diets and conducting experimental farm trials. She has over eight years
of professional experience in private companies in the field of animal nutrition, and research and
development.
In her recent work, she served as Associate Marketing Specialist and
Technology Application Specialist in Cargill Philippines Inc. where she was involved in technical
feed formulations and conduct and monitoring of farm research trials for three years.
.

Cecil or Ces as commonly known by her friends has a huge passion for singing. For
her, Singing is not just a hobby, its a passion. She actively participates/hosts social events
like weddings and intermission number. She recently performed in a concert entitled Loves
Voices held last March 10, 2016. (COMelodillar)
.

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Welcome New ASC Team Members

New Names and Faces Around ASC
Augustus Franco B. Jamias. Franco is one of the new University
Research Associate II (URA II) of ASC. He officially joined last Dec. 7, 2015
as part of the Farmer-Scientists Training Program (FSTP) team led by Dr.
Romulo G. Davide. As a graduate of BS and MS in Development
Communication, he serves as the communication specialist of the program
while also providing technical and extension services to the farmers.
Before joining ASC, he served as Public Affairs Officer of UPLB
Foundation, Inc. and had research and extension stints at the Oscar M. Lopez Foundation, Inc. and
Development Academy of the Philippines. Being a development communicator, he enjoys
broadcasting, and writing human-interest stories. His passion includes travelling and immersing to
new cultures. He takes pride in being called a young rural professional. (MCDeCastro)
Irvin O. Bequillo. Before joining ASC family, Irvin previously
worked as Science Research Specialist II (project-based) doing analysis
of extension technology transfer modalities in various agriculture,
fisheries and natural resources projects around the Philippines . He also
served as General Manager of a multipurpose cooperative providing
manpower services for his high school town mates.
He officially joined the cluster last Oct. 2015, and currently holds
the position of University Research Associate II (URA II) under
the Farmer-Scientists Training Program (FSTP) team led by Dr. Romulo
Davide. He is responsible in the monitoring and evaluation of the
program particularly in Luzon areas.
He finished his Bachelors degree in Agriculture major in Agronomy (specialized in Crop
Production and Management, Community & Research Internship) from the University of the
Philippines Los Baos. During his college days, he served as a volunteer in Ugnayan ng
Pahinungod/Oblation Corps. He also presented at the 3rd International Students Summit on
Food, Agriculture and Environment about indigenous knowledge system of Batak tribe at Sitio
Nanabu, Caramay, Roxas Palawan in Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan. He started his
professional career in a NGO project after graduation. He also pursued his Masters degree in
Agronomy major in Life Science at Kyungpook National University Daegu, South Korea. Irvin
manages to have a work-life balance as he enjoys travelling to different places together with his
friends. (MCDeCastro)

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Welcome New ASC Team Members

Mico R. Caete. Mico is one of the new University Research
Associate (URA I) of ASC who officially joined the team last Jan. 4 ,
2016. He graduated Cum Laude in Cebu Technological University with
a degree in Agriculture (specialized in Animal Production). Mico or
Coy as his friends knew him, is a native of Sipalay, Negros Occidental.
He is currently part of the Farmer-Scientists Training Program (FSTP)
team led by Dr. Romulo G. Davide. In his first job assignment in FSTP,
he enjoys the experience of providing extension service to poor farmers
nationwide. One of his passions is cooking specialty dishes and
participating in community service. (COMelodillar)
Raem Dominic S. Brion. Raem pronounced as Ram is one
of the new faces in the instruction unit of ASC. He officially joined ASC
family last Jan 2016. He currently serves as a Teaching Associate
handling and assisting courses such as AEC 1, AERS 160 and AGRI
195. Raem finished his Bachelors degree in Agriculture (specialized in
Agricultural Extension) from the University of the Philippines. He was
also the former president of the Philippine Agricultural Systems and
Extension Society (PASES), an academic organization in the cluster.
Currently, he is pursuing Master of Science in Rural Sociology.
Prior to this, he worked as a Research Associate under the supervision of Dr. Jose Nestor M.
Garcia in the project entitled "Environment and Food Security Interactions Under the Climate
Change in Selected Communities in Sta. Cruz Sub-Watershed . Being a Teaching Associate, he
enjoys teaching and inspiring students.
Raem, on a lighter side has a huge passion for dancing.
At a young age of 5, he started his passion by joining in dance workshops. He has been also
actively participating in group dance presentations. (COMelodillar/MCDeCastro)
Nolissa V. Delmo-Organo. Nolissa is the newest faculty staff in
the Soils AgroEcosystems Division (SAED) hired last March 1, 2016.
She currently serves as an Assistant Professor teaching subjects such
as Soil 120 (Soil Microbiology), Soil 142 (Fertilizers and their Reaction
with the Soil), Soil 221 (Advanced Soil Microbiology) and Soil 224 (SoilMicrobe-Plant Interactions). She finished her BS Agriculture major in
Soil Science and MS degree in Soil Science from the University of the
Philippines Los Baos.
Maam Noli, as her colleagues call her, has an extensive background on the molecular
techniques in soil microbial community analysis. Before joining ASC, she worked as a University
Research Associate at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology where she
analyzed the microbial community profile involved in spontaneous cacao fermentation. Being a
mother, one of her greatest inspiration to work hard is her lovely daughter, Chichi . (MMCalubaquib)
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ASC UPDATES Makes a Comeback!

It has been four years
since the last release of ASC
UPDATES, the official publication
of the Agricultural Systems
Cluster (ASC). This May 2016,
the ASC UPDATES returns in the
circulation and shall continue its
mission to disseminate the latest
breakthroughs
of
ASCs
programs and projects. Further,
it also aims to recognize the
achievements of its staff and
students.

The move to revive the

newsletter is a response to
ASCs further promotion of
agricultural systems approach
through information, education,
and communication.
ASCs
website and Facebook page will
also be streamlined within the
next quarter. Together, they
shall provide rich information
resource to its constituents.

Dr. Virgilio T. Villancio,

University Researcher of ASC
Looking
back,
the and pioneer head editor of the
maiden issue was published in said newsletter is now one of the
July 2005 while the last issue editorial advisers.
was in March 2012. In its last
Further, Ms. Maria Cecilia
few issues, the editorial team
L.
De
Castro,
University
opted to circulate the newsletter
Researcher and one of the
in electronic copies. Further, the
appointed managing editors
last printed issue is a dedicated
shared that the readers will
feature about the jade vine
expect more articles about ASC.
dated
April
2008.
She relayed that, having our
Coincidentally,
this
years
newsletter back, will further
generous blooming of jade vine
provide rich information that will
marks also the comeback of
highlight our cluster.
ASC UPDATES.
Adviser

Dr. Florentino C. Monsalud

Editorial Advisers

Dr. David D. Manalo

ASC UPDATES Issues

Dr.
Florentino
C.
Monsalud,
ASC Director
expressed his delight in the
comeback of the newsletter.
and said I warmly encourage
everyone to actively contribute
and share their stories and
articles. Let us all be proactive
in disseminating the latest
breakthroughs of our cluster.
(AFBJamias)

Dr. Virgilio T. Villancio

Dr. Pearl B. Sanchez
Managing Editors

AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS CLUSTER

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
LOS BAOS
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
4031 PHILIPPINES
Tel. Nos. (63) (049) 536-3229/
(63) (049) 536-2459
Fax No. (63) (049) 536-5282

Maria Cecilia L. De Castro

Edna Luisa A. Matienzo

Contributor Writers

Augustus Franco B. Jamias,

Mico R. Caete, Carla O.
Melodillar, Michelle Ann M.
Calubaquib, Myrna A. Tenorio,
Nicola Louise T. Timbas, Jclyn
B. Bondad

Layout Artist

Maria Cecilia L. De Castro

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