To many, the hibiscus or gumamela is a very familiar sight. The flowering plant is a common sight in Filipino gardens and is often overlooked because nothing seems to be new with the often red-colored flower.
But wait, something’s been up at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) – a distinctly new hibiscus hybrid named after a remarkable woman who figured prominently in the life of the man who founded IPB.
IPB launched Hibiscus rosa-sinsensis ‘Alma L. Javier’ in simple rites at the institute on Jan. 31, in gratitude to National Scientist Emil Q. Javier, who founded the institute in 1975, and in honor of his wife, Alma.
She has a noteworthy career as a teacher, guidance counselor, and dedicated mother and wife.
She has been a reliable and steadfast presence in their family, “my rock and anchor,” as Dr. Javier put it.
“She was always there,” recounted Dr. Emil, acknowledging that without her unceasing love and support, he would not have become the Emil Q. Javier that people have come to know today.
Dr. Javier is renowned nationally and internationally for being an institutional builder and visionary leader in agriculture and policymaking, and for being a champion of agriculture modernization.
Developed by IPB breeder Ms. Agripina Rasco, Hibiscus rosa-sinsensis ‘Alma L. Javier’ boasts of striking colors more distinct than the common gumamela.
Its core is a deep fire red, subdued by a soft pink halo that diffuses into warm red-orange. Blanketed with a yellowish sheen, its huge overlapping petals are adorned with delicate pink lines drawing towards its edges. All year round, the flower blooms freely and vigorously.
Hibiscus rosa-sinsensis ‘Alma L. Javier’ was formally presented during the celebration of Dr. Javier and Alma’s 53rd wedding anniversary. UPLB officials, academic dignitaries, relatives, and close friends were present to witness the event. (Juvelle P. Villanueva)
Source: https://uplb.edu.ph/all-news/ipb-honors-alma-l-javier-with-a-new-gumamela-hybrid
Alumni Milestones
De Ungria awarded Rotary Golden Wheel
For her noteworthy research work in forensic DNA technology, Maria Corazon A. de Ungria, PhD, recently received the Rotary Golden Wheel Award for Supporting Education.
Her research in forensic DNA technology served as a tool for human identification in criminal investigation, disaster victim identification, and in resolving parentage disputes.
De Ungria, who is head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the UP Diliman (UPD) Natural Sciences Research Institute (NSRI), provided technical assistance in drafting the Supreme Court Rule on DNA evidence, which was approved in 2007. This rule has effectively aided the Philippine judicial system in handling sexual assault cases.
The Rotary Golden Award aims to give recognition to non-Rotarians who best exemplify the Rotary spirit of service above self and the guiding principles of the 4 Way Test: Is it the truth?; Is it fair to all concerned?; Will it build goodwill and better friendship?; and Will it be beneficial to all concerned? The award distinguishes men and women in their chosen profession or business for their integrity, dedication, and adherence to high ethical standards.
De Ungria is university researcher V, the highest rank for Research, Extension, and Professional Staff, at the NSRI. She was recently recognized as career scientist 4 under the Department of Science and Technology-Civil Service Commission. She is a professorial lecturer at the UPD College of Science and team-teaches the science in society program and biology 397: current topics in biology (forensic). De Ungria was honored at the Annual Rotary Awards ceremony on Jan. 28 at the Novotel Manila in Araneta Center, Quezon City. The ceremony was organized by the Rotary Club of Kagitingang Cubao, District 3780, in partnership with the Quezon City Local Government.
Source: https://upd.edu.ph/de-ungria-awarded-rotary-golden-wheel
UPLB Professor Emeritus is Rotary Star of Excellence Award recipient
Professor Emeritus Macrina Tamayo-Zafaralla was awarded by the Rotary Club of Alaminos Downtown, Laguna on Jan. 30 with the Gold Award (Non-Rotarian) MC Rotary Star of Excellence Award, for her work as the proponent of Pitsong-Manok Amulungin Biopark and Siway River Biopark in Brgy. San Gregorio in Alaminos town of Laguna.
Prof. Zafaralla conceptualized the Biopark Strategy and the UPLB Aquatic Macrophyte Bioabsorption System (AMBS), a technology designed to help restore water quality using bamboo and native aquatic plants such as water hyacinth or kangkong. AMBS has been operational in bioparks in Tanay, Rizal, and Lipa, Batangas. (Kristel Hope T. Villafuerte)
Source: https://uplb.edu.ph/academic/uplb-professor-emeritus-is-rotary-star-of-excellence-award-recipient
Hokkaido University confers Honorary Doctorate Degree upon Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano Jr., Director General, Philippine Space Agency
Hokkaido University conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree upon Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano Jr., Director General of the Philippine Space Agency in an official ceremony on January 27, 2023. The ceremony was held in the Hokkaido University Conference Hall, and was attended by university officials, faculty, students, and Dr. Marciano’s family from the Philippines.
Dr. Marciano is a renowned expert in the field of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. For more than 20 years, he has made significant contributions to the improvement of Philippines’s advanced science and technology at the University of the Philippines Diliman, the Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines, and the Philippine Space Agency.
Since 2015, he has led the development of micro satellites for scientific earth observation, and together with Hokkaido University, has worked to complete, launch, and subsequently operate the Philippine micro satellites. In March 2020, he went on to become the first Director General of the Philippine Space Agency, and has been committed to the development of space exploration and utilization in the Philippines.
He has also built a stronger relationship with the University by serving as a Hokkaido University Ambassador from 2017 to 2022, participating in the Hokkaido Summer Institute as an invited lecturer since 2016, and even sending Filipino students and researchers for short-term exchanges to the University. In the context of the Memorandum of Understanding concluded between the University and the Philippine Space Agency in March 2022, future exchanges and advancements between Japan and the Philippines aimed at the cultivation of human resources for the space industry at the University are also expected.
Following the conferment ceremony, Dr. Marciano delivered a commemorative lecture titled “Building the Space Value Chain in the Philippines: The Catalytic Role of Hokkaido University and International Cooperation”.
Text and photos provided by Division of International Relations
Source: https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/blog/honorary-doctorate-degree-upon-dr-joel-joseph-s-marciano-jr-director-general-philippine-space-agency/
UP Mindanao achieves perfect passing rate at January 2023 Architecture Licensure Exam
The Department of Architecture congratulates the seven BS Architecture alumni who passed the January 2023 Architecture Licensure Exam:
Ar. Annie Rose R. Batayola
Ar. Clarence C. de Guzman
Ar. Dawnelli M. Luar
Ar. Earl Jann M. Ociones
Ar. Vera Philina M. Romuga
Ar. Mia Fatma I. Tilendo
Ar. Kenneth D. Viovicente
UP Mindanao has achieved a 100% passing yet again, with Ar. Luar placing 7th on the licensure exam.
Source: Department of Architecture – UP Mindanao Facebook
Assistant Professor and Chair Kara David wins Best Educational Program Host for Pinas Sarap and Best Documentary Program for I-Witness: The GMA Documentaries in the 35th PMPC Star Awards for Television
Caring for CMC
Mabuhay at padayon kay Assistant Professor and Chair Kara David of the Journalism Department for winning Best Educational Program Host for Pinas Sarap and Best Documentary Program for I-Witness: The GMA Documentaries in the 35th PMPC Star Awards for Television.
Source: UP College of Mass Communication Facebook
Congratulations to Naia for being the first-ever Drag Supreme in Drag Den Philippines.
Caring for CMC
Mabuhay at padayon!
Congratulations to Naia for being the first-ever Drag Supreme in Drag Den Philippines.
Brian Black, who is a Broadcast Communication graduate of our college, served as a Councilor at the UP Diliman University Student Council, the President of the UP Children’s Rights Advocates League (UP CRAdLe), and the National Convener at Youth Act Now Against Tyranny.
Picture by Mimaidays, used with permission.
Source: UP College of Mass Communication Facebook
Deocampo cops 2023 Premio Casa Asia for Culture and Society
Let us end our workweek on a high with this excellent news that Associate Professor Nick Deocampo is this year’s winner of the Premio Casa Asia for Culture and Society. The award seeks to “recognize and disseminate the work of individuals and entities, both public and private, that have stood out for their work in the economic, social, educational, cultural or development cooperation, promoting dignity and human rights in the Asia-Pacific region, and/or contribute or have contributed to promoting knowledge, dialogue and relations between Spain and the Asia-Pacific region.”
The citation reads:
Nick Deocampo, Filipino academic, in the category of Culture and Society, for his decisive contribution to the knowledge of Filipino cinema and to the recovery of Filipino classical cinema in his country, as well as for his commitment to cinema as a tool of change and social progress; for his advocacy of LGTBQ+ rights, giving voice to this collective at film festivals, workshops and other activities.
Nick Deocampo, académico filipino, en la categoría de Cultura y Sociedad, por su decisiva contribución al conocimiento del cine filipino y a la recuperación del cine clásico filipino en su país, así como por su compromiso con el cine como herramienta de cambio y progreso social; por su defensa de los derechos LGTBQ+ dando voz a este colectivo en festivales de cine, talleres y otras actividades.
Read more about Casa Asia here: https://www.casaasia.eu/
New Phivolcs chief seeks to modernize agency
DR. Teresito Bacolcol, who has been named as “permanent” director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), vowed to push for the passage of a bill that will modernize the agency.
He also wants to forge stronger partnerships with local as well as foreign organizations.
Bacolcol said that they already have a proposal, which they will file in Congress for Phivolcs’ modernization.
“The effects of the modernization to Phivolcs will depend on the law that will be enacted and its subsequent implementing rules and regulations. But basically, it involves augmenting its present volcano and seismic monitoring networks and requesting for more plantilla positions,” he said.
Bacolcol held Phivolcs’ top post as an officer in charge (OIC) following the designation of his predecessor Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. as secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).
He was officially appointed to the post last January 13 by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and had his oath of office before the DoST chief on January 23.
In an exclusive interview with The Manila Times, Bacolcol admitted that he was a little apprehensive about leading the agency, but the massive show of support and trust of Phivolcs’ fellow officials and employees pushed him to carry on.
Asked about his plans now that he was named as its director in a permanent capacity under the Marcos administration, he said he will push for stronger partnerships with local and foreign organizations.
“We can continue to strengthen our partnership through active and responsive collaborations. We will continue to undertake projects that would be mutually beneficial to us and to our partners,” he said.
Bacolcol began his career in the agency as a science research specialist from 1997 up to 2005, then as an associate scientist (2005), director 3 (2021) and director 4 as Phivolcs OIC.
He graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in geology, and earned a DEA (Diplôme d’études Approfondies) in 1999 and his PhD in Geology in 2003 from the Universite de Paris VI (Université Pierre et Marie Curie) in Paris, France.
For the local government units, Bacolcol said Phivolcs will help them prepare their disaster preparedness plans and will explain to them natural hazards.
“We will maximize the use of the traditional and social media to ensure that the science and technology in Phivolcs is well-communicated to the people,” the official said.
As to its foreign partners, Bacolcol said his agency will continue exchanging technical knowledge through training, conferences and other joint efforts in advancing mutual capabilities.
He added that the Philippines has existing collaborations with various organizations from Japan, the United States and Taiwan in volcanology and seismology.
Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/01/25/news/national/new-phivolcs-chief-seeks-to-modernize-agency
Chancellor Bandalaria Serves as Member of SEAMOLEC Governing Board
Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), is now serving as a member of the Governing Board of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Open Learning Centre (SEAMOLEC). She was appointed as the representative of the Philippines, effective from 7 November 2022, and will run until 6 November 2025.
As Governing Board member, Dr. Bandalaria will take part in determining policies for the operation of SEAMOLEC and approving the annual programs and budgets of SEAMOLEC within its five-year development plan. In addition, her task includes making annual evaluations and reviews of SEAMOLEC’s programs and budget, for recommendation to the SEAMEO Council, and approving the nominations of the SEAMEO Director, among others.
SEAMEO Regional Open Learning Centre (SEAMOLEC) is one of the 26 Centres under the auspices of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) focusing in the field of Open and Distance Learning (ODL). The goal of SEAMOLEC is to undertake relevant programs that are responsive to current national and regional needs through the utilization of open and distance learning system.
Source: https://seamolec.org/seamolec
https://www.upou.edu.ph/news/chancellor-bandalaria-serves-as-member-of-seamolec-governing-board