MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
March 1-31, 2014 Official Publication of the UPLB College of Agriculture
CA launches
UPLB IDSCFS
T he College of Agriculture (CA) recently
launched the UPLB Interdisciplinary Stud-
ies Center on Food Security (IDSCFS) last March 13
at the Agronomy- Soils Horticulture lobby, CA,
UPLB.
Citing UNICEFs definition of Food Security,
Dean Domingo E. Angeles (chair of IDSCFS) said
that food and nutrition security can be achieved
when adequate food becomes available, accessible
and satisfactorily used by all individuals at all times.
The IDSCFSs vision, as presented by Dean An-
geles, is to be a national center of excellence that
will develop technologies, harness resources from
within and from partners to pursue interdisciplinary
research and institutionalize this through the aca-
demic functions.
Meanwhile, IDSCFSs goals are: to create
awareness on food security issues and challenges to
all state colleges and universities (SUCS) and part-
ners in both in the government and private sectors;
to expand present knowledge base on food security;
to empower the research and development institu-
tions to address food security issues; and to advo-
cate policies that will help achieve the objectives of
food security.
Lastly, Dean Angeles enjoined the participation
of the members of the academe, SUCSs, the local
government units (LGUs), private sectors, the De-
partment of Science and Technology and the
Department of Agriculture in crafting the roadmap of
IDSCFS to come up with a more relevant food secu-
rity program that will create a difference in the lives
of the people.
The launching was also attended by DA Under
Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, in behalf of
DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala; Director Noel D. De
Luna (DAs Chief of International Relations Division
and Agricultural Attache in Rom, Italy and Bankok,
Thailand), in behalf of Dr. Segfredo R. Serrano (DAs
activated. updated.
Volume 3 No. 3
Under Secretary for Policy Planning Research and
Development); UPLB Chancellor Rex Victor O.
Cruz; College of Public Affairs Dean Agnes O. Ro-
la; members of the CA Executive Committee; local
government units; farmers; staff and students.
(Imelda M. Gesmundo)
CA at SMX Exhibit
T he College of Agriculture (CA) partici-
pated in the Science and Technology
Forum and Exhibit held last March 4-5 at the SMX
Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay
City.
With the theme Making Science Work for
Sustainable Development, the event was aimed
at upholding and promoting science and technolo-
gy in the country as well as showcasing some of
UPLBs most innovative and cutting edge technol-
ogies. Eighteen new and existing interdisciplinary
studies centers that focus on the advancement of
scientific and technical knowledge on important
areas were launched.
For the CA booth, its five component clus-
ters presented their visions, missions and pro-
grams in posters. Live materials of outstanding
and commercially available products and technolo-
gies such as rice, corn, legumes, sweetpotato, pa-
paya, banana, SNAP hydroponics, wines, juices,
food products, pesticide residue kit, and preserved
insects were showcased. Books, seeds, corn grits
and SNAP hydroponics solution were available for
sale while extension materials were freely given.
The CA exhibit team was led by Dr. Mafeo
B. Bejo, Extension Unit Head, and supported by
the Cluster Extension Coordinators and staff.
(Laureano B. Lanosia, Jr. and Marilyn M. Beltran)
FEEDBACK
For comments/suggestions, just e- mail:
The Editor
CA Monthly Newsletter
AgriBookstore, IH Complex,
UPLB Campus
E-mail: apolinariolantican@yahoo.com
Page 2
CA awards winners
in inter-cluster
sportsfest
T he College of Agriculture (CA) awarded
medals to the winners of the recently con-
cluded CA inter-cluster sportsfest that started in July
2013 and culminated in March this year.
The students of Team Agricultural Systems
Cluster (ASC) and Food Science Cluster (FSC)
emerged as first placers in their category, garnering
257 points. Meanwhile, the staff of Team Crop Sci-
ence Cluster was champion in the staff division with
218 points. However, after combining the points for
all of the events played by the staff and students of
the different teams, the Team Animal and Dairy Sci-
ences Cluster was declared as the overall champi-
on. Coming in second was Team ASC-FSC while
Team CSC and Team CPC were in the third and
fourth places, respectively.
The CA inter-cluster sportsfest is part of the Col-
leges Excellence in Sports Program, of which one
of its aims is to broaden the selection process for
athlete recruitment and training for the UPLB
sportsfest. True enough, as Dean Domingo E. An-
geles said in his speech during the awarding cere-
mony, CAs winning the gold in the Palarong UPLB
2013 is attributed to the CA inter-cluster sportsfest.
(IM Gesmundo)
CLUSTER NEWS
Food Science
FSC students top natl congress
T he Food Science Cluster (FSC) students
bagged the first prize both in the scientific
paper (crop-related researches) and poster presen-
tations during the 4th National Agriculture Students
Congress held last March 8 at the Animal Science
Lecture Hall, ADSC, CA.
The scientific paper entitled Physicochemical
property, proximate composition and sensory quality
of ready-to-drink beverage from Saba banana
[Musa Saba (Musa acuminata x Musa balbisiana)]
was presented by Kristel T. Robles while the scien-
tific poster entitled Physicochemical properties,
proximate and sensory analyses of sweet potato
CA Monthly Newsletter
(Ipomoea batatas) flour pancake premixes was
discussed by Flerida Ann G. Deniega. Both
studies were under the UPLB-CHED project en-
titled Food Product and Process Development
from Selected Resilient, Drought Resistant and
Underutilized Crops. (Rona Camille M. Lizardo)
FSC orients students on research/
practicum guidelines
T he FSC conducted last March 7 at the
FSC Conference Room an orientation
on thesis, special problem (SP) and practicum
guidelines and standard procedures for students
who are planning to conduct their thesis, SP
and practicum starting this summer 2014. (RCM
Lizardo)
Animal and Dairy Sciences
ADSC director & staff attend
NDA anniversary celebration
A nimal and Dairy Sciences Cluster
(ADSC) Director Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr.,
together with his staff (Noe B. Velasco and
Myrna S. Galang) attended the 19th anniver-
sary celebration of the National Dairy Authority
(NDA) last March 13 at the Bureau of Animal
Industry Compound in Visayas Ave., Quezon
City.
During the celebration, which was attended
by the dairy stakeholders and other partners of
the NDA, Department of Agriculture Secretary
Proceso J. Alcala relayed his message through
Davinio P. Catbagan, his assistant secretary.
This was followed by a milk toast by the stake-
holders, led by NDA Operations Manager
Jaime M. Lopez. Another very important part of
the program was the awarding of the outstand-
ing dairy farmers in Luzon and the recognition of
the awardees from the Visayas and Mindanao.
They were awarded during the anniversary cel-
ebration in the respective island offices of NDA.
The last part of the program was the launching
of the NDA-Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)
M.I.L.K. Program which was discussed by Aldo
Filomeno from the Program Management De-
partment of the LBP. Rene M. De Guzman,
NDAs planning manager, delivered the closing
remarks.
The theme of this years celebration was,
Convergence for a dynamic dairy industry.
The director of the Dairy Training and Re-
search Institute (DTRI) has a seat in the NDA
CA Monthly Newsletter Page 3

Board of Directors. With the clustering of the In-in the assigned classroom, simultaneous with a
stitute of Animal Science and the DTRI into the
ADSC, the director of ADSC now automatically
sits in the NDA-BOD. (Myrna S. Galang)
ADSC staff as guest of honor
in ground breaking ceremony
for dairy farm
slide presentation about CSC-focusing on landscap-
ing and postharvest as part of horticulture program.
Each team member took turn in introducing the vari-
ous disciplines of the cluster and what opportunities
are in store for them after taking the BS Agriculture
course. The students were fascinated with the tis-
sue-cultured orchids in bottles and simple posthar-
vest technologies. Some raised questions about
plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables, while a num-

M yrna S. Galang, head of the Infor- ber of faculty and students bought vegetable seeds
mation Management and Technical for their home gardens.
Services Unit of the ADSC graced the ground
breaking ceremony of the future site of a dairy Administrators of the Assumption Antipolo are
farm in Barangay Cawongan, Padre Garcia, Ba- interested to have a continuous partnership with the
tangas last March 16. cluster and invited the team again to participate in
their environment awareness week later this year.
Galang and Dr. Gabriel Lagamayo (officer-in- Furthermore, they expressed the need for expertise
charge of NDA-South Luzon Office) were invited in the preparation of a sustainable and environmen-
in the occasion as guests of honor. tally sound landscape master plan for their 14-
hectare green campus, currently planted with a
The construction of the farm will be one of
dense variety of forest trees and flowering shrubs.
the many dairy projects around the country that
(Laureano B. Lanosia, Jr., Leonisa A. Artes and
are being supported by the NDA, Department of
Susan C. Aquino-Ong)
Agriculture.
Before the ground breaking ceremony, Ga-
lang and Lagamayo also assisted Padre Garcia DEANS ACTIVITIES*
Mayor Abraham A. Gutierrez in the ribbon cutting
ceremony and blessing of the new Cultural Cen- March 2
ter of Padre Garcia.
Interview with ABS-CBN re: Forum, Exhibit and
These activities were part of the week-long Trade Fair at SMX Convention Center, and CA
celebration of the Aktibong Agro-Turismo para Foundation week at UPLB
sa Garciano, held last March 16-21. Other ac-
tivities during the week were: Car Show, Motor- March 3
cycle Drag Racing, Trade fair, Job Fair, Medical Delivered a message at the General Assembly
and Dental Mission, Seminars, Fun Games and of Gamma Sigma Delta-Honor Society of Agri-
Farmers Day which featured the different prod- culture and the Closing Program on 15 Korean
ucts of the different barangays of Padre Garcia. Exchange Students at the Abelardo G. Samonte
(MS Galang) Hall
March 6
Crop Science Spearheaded the CA Commemoration Program
at the Foundation Site and the CA Recognition
CSC participates in Assumption Day at the ASH lobby
Antipolos High School Career Fair
March 7
he Crop Science Cluster (CSC) recently Delivered a message at the National Animal Sci-
T participated in Assumption Antipolos
High School Career Fair, as part of the Arts and
ence quiz Contest at the Makiling Ballroom,
UPLB Union Bldg.
Academic Week. About 900 female high school
March 8
students were exposed to various fields of disci-
pline (i.e. agriculture, culinary and military) to ex- Delivered a message and participated in the
plore their interests in possible career paths. Farmers Forum with Louie Tabing of Pangkat
Kaunlaran at the ASH lobby
The CSC team, headed by Dr. Susan C.
Aquino-Ong, included Perlita A. Nuevo, Norma March 11
G. Medina, Leonisa A. Artes, Ma. Charito E. Bal- Participated in the UPLB Interdisciplinary Stud-
ladares, Laureano B. Lanosia Jr., Isidro R. Mo- ies on Food Security Meeting at the Deans Of-
rales and Noemi Corral. An exhibit was put up fice Conference Room
Page 4 CA Monthly Newsletter

March 13 Dr. Oscar B. Zamora, Vice-Chancellor

Delivered a message and participated in the
soft launching of the UPLB Interdisciplinary
Studies Center on Food Security at the ASH
lobby
March 15
Hosted a dinner meeting with Tokyo University
officials outside UPLB
March 20
Delivered a message and participated in the
AUN-QA Self-Assessment Review Workshop at
the Abelardo G. Samonte Hall
March 26-27
Attended consultative meeting and delivered
IPB seeds for the typhoon Yolanda victims at
Tacloban City
March 28
Joined a field visit on agro-tourism project with
Petro Energy officials at Dolores, Quezon
March 31
Delivered a message and participated in a sem-
inar on Outcome-based Education for BSA Pro-
gram at the Abelardo G. Samonte Hall
_____
*Compiled by Lorina M. Castillo
FOREIGN TRAVELS*
Dr. Olivia P. Damasco, university researcher,
Crop Science Cluster (CSC); participated in the
5th Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia Coor-
dinators Meeting in Tokyo, Japan; March 10-
13.
Dr. Bonifacio F. Cayabyab, university re-
searcher, Crop Protection Cluster (CPC); at-
tended the 4th Project Partner Meeting of
ASEAN Sustainable Agrifood Systems, the 5th
Meeting of the ASEAN Bio-Control Agent Ex-
pert Groups on Application and Regulation, and
the 4th Steering Committee Meeting in Phnom,
Penh, Cambodia; March 10-13.
for Academic Affairs and professor, CSC;
participated in the meeting on
Reinventing Japan Project in Nagoya
University, Tokyo, Japan; March 12-15
Dr. Merdelyn C. Lit, Scientist 1 and uni-
versity researcher, CSC; met with Indone-
sian regulators and presented review of
results of 2012 non- target organisms
(NTO) study for Bt-corn hybrid TC 1507
and preliminary results/trends from cur-
rent studies on NTO on stacked hybrids,
with focus on host plant relationships and
recurrence of corn insects in surrounding
vegetation in Jakarta and Bogor (Java),
Indonesia; March 13-17
Dr. Nenita L. Opina, university research
professor, CSC; participated in the Plant
Disease Diagnostic Training in Phnom,
Penh, Cambodia; March 15-23
Dr. Desiree M. Hautea, university re-
search professor, CSC; participated in the
International Service for the Acquisition of
Agribiotech Applicationss Annual Biotech
Information Networking Meeting in Hanoi,
Vietnam; March 16-21
Dr. Teresita U. Dalisay, associate pro-
fessor, CPC; presented papers titled
Status of Researches on Endophytic
Fungi in the Philippines and Sclerotium
Corn Rot of Banana in the Philippines:
Symptomatology and Preliminary Fungi-
cidal Assay in the International Kaset-
sart University Science and Technology
Annual Research Symposium in Bangkok,
Thailand; March 28-30.
___
*Compiled by Imelda M. Gesmundo and Erlinda
A. Balot
The CA Monthly Newsletter
is published through the Office of the Dean,
College of Agriculture, UPLB, College, Laguna

Dr. Perlita A. Nuevo, research assistant pro-
fessor, CSC; attended as principal investigator
to the Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initia-
tive Expert Workshop on the Establishment of
Network and Model Manual on Postharvest
Technology on Horticultural Crops in Asia in
Vientiane, Lao; March 11- 15
Advisers: Dean Domingo E. Angeles and
Associate Dean Christian Joseph R. Cumagun
Editor: Apolinario L. Lantican
Contributors: Leonisa A. Artes, Erlinda A. Balot, Marilyn M.
Beltran, Lorina M. Castillo, Myrna S. Galang, Imelda
M. Gesmundo, Laureano B. Lanosia, Jr., Rona
Camille M. Lizardo and Susan C. Aquino-Ong
Artists: Sylvia B. Oarde and Feliciano L. Latayan
Circulation Officer: Sylvia B. Oarde