UPLB-CLSU ‘Friendship Games’ makes a comeback

After three decades, UPLB and the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija have again come together to hold what once was an annual event, the UPLBCLSU

Friendship Games.

The Friendship Games, held on Oct. 24-26 at the CLSU campus, saw the dominance of UPLB in the faculty and staff category at 140-80 points, with wins in bowling, badminton, basketball, and softball divisions. However, CLSU clobbered UPLB in the varsity category games, garnering a total of 340 points as against UPLB’s 180 points.

The Friendship Games is a revival of the two state universities’ annual dual meet that goes back to the early ‘80s.

In his speech during the opening ceremony held at the CLSU grandstand, Vice Chancellor for Planning and  Development Fernando V. Sanchez, Jr. said that the pursuit of excellence should be the guiding light in all that we do as we push our standards of quality to even greater heights.

Dr. Sanchez said that the games bring about the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship between UPLB and CLSU.

He reminded the participants about sportsmanship quoting former WNBA player Sue Wicks: “Sportsmanship knows that (this) is a game, that we are only as good as our opponents, and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent.”

According to the UPLB Sports and Recreation Committee, which oversees the University’s sports program, the Friendship Games help the UPLB varsity teams to prepare for other sports competitions of the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA). (KE Araguas with reports from Rueth Cabral of the College of Public Affairs and Development)

UPLB pitches in to help Yolanda survivors

The UPLB administration has joined what has become a global effort to raise funds and in-kind donations for survivors of super typhoon Yolanda.

According to Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA) Enrique Tolentino, UPLB has sent nine truckloads of in-kind donations to the areas struck by typhoon Yolanda. UPLB had, in fact, been the first among the CUs, to send a truckload of relief goods as early as Nov. 15.

An initial six trucks was sent through UP Diliman that coordinated the distribution of relief items. One truckload was brought to the Muntinlupa Warehouse of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), while two truckloads of relief items were sent through the LBC warehouse in Parian, Calamba. LBC offered free delivery services for the relief goods that included groceries, mineral water, candles, matches, clothing, bed sheets, medicines, tent, rice, and toiletries.

As the rebuilding efforts now begin in the Yolanda-affected areas, cash donations are being encouraged.

According to OVCCA, which is coordinating UPLB’s relief efforts, UPLB has received more than PhP 130,000 cash donations as of Nov. 26. This amount excludes the donation from the UPLB-Foundation, Inc. and other socio-civic organizations that gave donations through the OVCCA, or through conduit national and local organizations, or directly to the victims themselves.

Faculty members in different colleges are contributing to the collective fund, and some student organizations are conducting various fund-raising activities to support the tuition fees and living allowances of UPLB students affected by the typhoon as well as students from UP Tacloban who have cross-enrolled in UPLB.

UPLB has already waived the tuition fees of about 30 students from Leyte and Samar who are enrolled in UPLB.

Cash donations may be deposited to the PNB Los Baños branch account of the UPLB Foundation Incorporated (UPLBFI) with number 212-8379-001-53 or given directly to the UPLBFI Office in A. Aglibut Ave., UPLB, College, Laguna with telephone numbers (6349) 536-3688 and 536-6265.

Those who opt to deposit cash donations at PNB should scan and email their deposit slip and send these to uplbfoundation@uplbfi.org or to uplbfoundation@yahoo.com for the issuance of receipts. (KE Araguas)

SESAM beautifies surroundings through “Adopt-a-lawn contest’’

The School of Environment Science and Management (SESAM) launched the “Adopt-a-Lawn and Landscape Design Project” that aims to create a unique environment to promote outdoor comfort, reduce stress, and sustain aesthetic and recreational value of the place.

Under the project, SESAM’s faculty, research, and administrative personnel, and students were organized into five groups. Each group  conceptualized and implemented the landscaping of selected areas around the SESAM building.

The groups competed with each other in coming up with the best landscape design. They implemented the designs using “necessary horticultural or silvi cultural practices including watering, weeding, and pruning to improve forms and ensure high survival rate of the plants.”  

Each group was provided Php2,000 as initial fund for the purchase of planting and other materials that were used for the design. The members started the landscaping activities of their respective areas on Sept. 18 to ensure that all plants were already surviving and had adapted to the site before the judging date on Oct. 10.

The group “Team Kawayan” was formally proclaimed as the winner of the grand prize winner on Oct. 10 during SESAM’s Alumni Homecoming and Symposium.  (Kristine Araguas with reports from SESAM’s ADOPT A LAWN AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN FOR SESAM GROUND CONTEST)

Photos c/o  Mr. Pol Veluz:

Japanese Ambassador inaugurates Japanese Garden at UPLB

Intermittent rains did not dampen the enthusiasm of people, including the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Toshinao Urabe, to be present at the inauguration of the Japanese Garden in UPLB on Sept. 24.

The Japanese Garden or the Nihon Koen, with the Torii as the centerpiece, was inaugurated by UPLB Chancellor Rex Victor O. Cruz with Ambassador Urabe as the guest of honor. Located between the Thai Pavilion and the International House, the landmark symbolizes Philippine-Japan friendship between Filipino scholars and universities in Japan.

In a symposium that followed at the Southeast Asian Region Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Ambassador Urabe said in the Filipino dialect that Japan and the Philippines are not only geographically close but share similarities in culture and values.

“We practice Bayanihan or helping one another, and we both value freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law,” he said. He cited how Japanese companies such as Toyota, Uniqlo, Murata, Bandai, Fujifilm, and Brother have invested in the Philippines. Further, he explained how his country had been supporting  Mindanao and the Mindanao peace cooperation.

“Balikbayan,” was how Dr. Jose V. Camacho, dean of the UPLB Graduate School described Ambassador Urabe. The young Urabe grew up in the house of first Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo in Santa Ana, Manila. His late father Toshio Urabe then headed Japan’s liaison office in Manila from 1954 until 1956 before becoming ambassador to the Philippines from 1969 to 1974. In 2011, now Ambassador Urabe came back to the Philippines to develop strategic partnership between the two countries.

Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr., director of SEARCA, said that the “mutually beneficial ties of Japan and the Philippines involved academic and faculty exchange, with Japan supporting scholarship and human resource development, and collaborative research and development projects. These collaborations have benefited the country, UP, UPLB, SEARCA, and many other academic and scientific institutions throughout Southeast Asia.”

Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera, UP System Vice President for Public Affairs, remarked that it is “heartwarming that Japan and the Philippines are now on common ground on other issues such as threats to territorial boundaries, in which they are ready to help each other.”

Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., UPLB Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development and president of the UPLB Philippine Association of Japanese Government Scholars, Incorporated-Southern Luzon Chapter (PHILAJAMES-SLC) from 2006 to 2007, gave a brief history of the organization. PHILAJAMES planned and funded the garden with the support of UPLB, private donors, and Japanese friends.

The symposium on Japan-Philippine Strategic Partnership that followed the inauguration at the SEARCA was co-sponsored by the PHILAJAMES-SLC, the UPLB Graduate School, and SEARCA. The UPRHS Filipiniana Dance Troupe performed during the symposium. The symposium was closed by Prof. Liza C. Carascal, UPRHS Principal and PHILAJAMES-SLC President from 2011-2012.  (Kristine Araguas with reports from UPLB Graduate School program write up and Business Mirror: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php.en/features/envoys-expats/16359-japanese-envoy-is-a-balikbayan-at-heart.)

The Feb Fair, Then and Now

More and more people from all walks of life are drawn to the fiesta like atmosphere that pervades the campus during Feb Fair. And, possibly lost in the din and the noise is the profoundness of the occasion, or at least its beginnings during a dark era in our history - the declaration of Martial Law in 1972. Feb Fair was the medium by which students expressed dissent against the dictatorial and oppressive regime during Martial Law. What looked to authorities as a fun student activity highlighted by lectures, concerts, and camp outs were actually a protest fair, a form of public assembly that the regime had banned. And as we all know, this became part of an awareness raising that all came to a head with the overthrow of the Marcos regime more than a decade later. In the recent past, protests have also highlighted the Feb Fair. In 2009, students successfully fought for the use of the UPLB Freedom Park as the Feb Fair venue and extension of the Feb Fair curfew from 10 pm to 1am, among others.

The 2013 Feb Fair was also kicked off with a protest rally. Feb Fair organizers rallied students to join a foot parade from the Carabao Park to the UPLB Freedom Park as they carried banners on which “#YouthTrend unifying our stand for change” was printed. The end of the protest rally/foot signaled the beginning of the festivities, food, and fun.

The festive mood transforms the quiet, intimate UPLB community into a convergence hub. And where people are, business follows. Food stalls, business booths, car shows, and a few amusement park rides/activities have seemingly become the Feb Fair’s main attractions. The long strip of food stalls offering meals, snacks, street foods, and another one selling various merchandise, ready-to-wear clothes, and many other items make more money than what they probably can in a month of regular operation. Even organization sponsored booths have evolved from just a simple student hang out place into sponsored photo booths, or ones that sell merchandise such as UP shirts and varsity jackets, or offer services such as tattooing, palm reading, etc.

In a survey on UPLB’s Official facebook page (facebook.com/UPLB.fb), subscribers said that what they liked best about the recently concluded Feb Fair were reuniting with “brods” and “sisses,” the amusement park rides, food, and the bands that performed. The Feb Fair has truly evolved from when it was first held in the 1970s. Born out of protest, it has now become a tourist attraction and as some people have pointed out, even a profit-making venture. Past generations of UPLB students would probably wax nostalgic over the noble cause that gave rise to the Feb Fair and sustained its celebration all those years. But regardless of the generation, Feb Fair is and always will be a symbol of revolution, be it in the form of assembly back in the 70s or the revolution in music and culture it has helped sustain nowadays. Feb Fair is, and always will be, a part of UP. (With information taken from: 100 symbols embedded in UPLB’s cultural firmament, 2008. http://www.scribd.com/doc/12586765/uplbperspective-0809-8th-is

UPLB Gender Center celebrates International Women's Month

The UPLB Gender Center held a symposium to celebrate the International Women’s Month on March 20 at the Operations Room of A.G. Samonte Hall. Dr. Ma. Regina M. Hechanova, Executive Director of the Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development (Ateneo CORD), was the event’s resource speaker.

Dr. Maria Helen F. Dayo, Director of the Gender Center gave the welcoming remarks while Prof. Amelia L. Bello, coordinator  of the Gender for Rural Development Office, formally introduced

Dr. Hechanova.

Dr. Hechanova spoke about the Filipinas’ journey to equality and work life balance by tracing back the Philippines’ patriarchal history and roots. Although the situation of women in the Philippines is not as bad as in other countries, she said that women still experience discrimination and inequality in compensation and opportunities compared to the opposite sex. She shared her experiences of being a modern woman, pursuing further studies on top of being a mom, a wife, and a career woman – while trying to be her own person. She also mentioned the difficulty of finding mentors as a woman.

Serving as discussants were Prof. Josefina L. Solivas of the Institute of Chemistry and Coordinator of the Office of AntiSexual Harassment and Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Dean of the UPLB Graduate School.

Dr. Hechanova is an awardee of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) in 2010. The award is presented by the TOWNS Foundation to outstanding Filipinas who have contributed positively to strengthening our national capability. (KE Araguas)

Harmonya Delights with Guitar, Banduria,and Violin

Harmonya: The String Ensemble of UPLB, held a concert entitled “SINILA-NGAN” or “Sining Laan sa Sinilangan” as part of UPLB’s celebration of the Southern Tagalog Arts Festival. The concert, sponsored by the Office of Initiatives for Culture and the Arts (OICA), showcased different performance segments for guitar, banduria, and violin instruments.

Harmonya rendered their string  version of 12 famous Filipino music as a tribute to the Filipino culture. Their song selections included: Pandangguhan by Antonio J. Molina, arranged by Darwin Landicho; Sa Kabukiran by Manuel P. Velez, arranged by Maricar dele Cruz; Serenata by Dominic Salestiano, arranged by Mark Gerald Perez; Payapang Daigdig by Felipe Padilla de Leon, arranged by Daniel Estrellado ; Ang Pipit by Levi Celerio, arranged by Alejandro Dabu III; Tayo’y mga Pinoy by Heber G. Bartolome, arranged by Stud Neil P. Jader; Masdan mo ang Kapaligiran by Cesar Bañares, arranged by Adrian Paul Marcelino; Anak by Freddie Aguilar, arranged by Liezel A. Dizon and Jerome Jay C. Sabado; Ngayon at Kailanman by George Canseco, arranged by Alejandro T. Dabu III; Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko by VST & Co., arranged by Kian Beltran; and APO Medley by Apo Hiking  Society, arranged by Elisha Beltran, Pauline Mendoza, and Daniel Estrellado. Video presentations in  between song segments highlighted past and contemporary experiences such as the effects of globalization and foreign influences in our music preferences. The artistic committees were composed of Rica Cynthia V. Maddawin as the violin section head, Pauline A. Mendoza as the guitar section head, and Maricar R. dela Cruz as the banduria section head. Adrian Paul A. Marcelino served as student musical director and Marie Angelica A. Dayao as musical director.

SINI-LA-NGAN closed with the songs Sinilangan by Marie Angelica Dayao and Kay Ganda ng Ating Musica by Ryan Cayabyab, both arranged by Marie Angelica Dayao. (KE Araguas)