College of Agriculture and Food Science
activated. updated.
September 1-30, 2017 Official Publication of the UPLB College of Agriculture and Food Science
CAFSAA to honor
outstanding alumni
O nce again, the College of Agri-
culture and Food Science
Alumni Association (CAFSAA) will be-
stow due recognition to selected
alumni for their meritorious contribu-
tions in various fields of endeavor.
The awardees and their particular
fields are as follows:
Digna L. Sandoval (MS 1989)
Institutional Development for
Agricultural Research
Francisco S. Dizon III (BS 1972)
Agricultural Entrepreneur-
ship
Bonifacio F. Cayabyab (BS 1978,
MS 1986, PhD 1992) . Re-
search and Extension
(Entomology)
Erlene C. Manohar (BS 1979, MS
1990) Public Service and Ex-
tension
Lolita M. Dolores (BS 1977, MS
1995) Science and Technol-
ogy (Plant Virology)
Kasem Soytong (PhD 1985)
Science and Technology
Rosemarie A. de Mesa-Caalam
(BS 1979)Public Service
Randy A. Hautea (BS 1977, MS
1980)International Service
and Cooperation
Nicomedes P. Eleazar (BS 1981)
Institutional Organization
and Development
They will be given certificates of
recognition and trophies on October
9, 2:00 PM at Baker Hall. (Apolinario L.
Lantican, with information from Lorina M.
Castillo)
Volume 6 No. 9
FSTP comes to Batanes
B atanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines,
will soon be reached by the National Corn-based
Farmer-Scientists Training Program early next year.
Prior to the full-scale implementation of the program, a
Training of Trainers was conducted at the Department of Agri-
culture- Batanes Experiment Station last September 19-22.
The training was aimed to develop the future FSTP trainers
technical capabilities in implementing the season-long phases of
FSTP. Through this, the future trainers in Batanes were expected
to understand the principles and operational strategies of the
program.
Since its nationwide implementation in 2009 under Executive
Order 710, the FSTP has already covered 73 municipalities in 34
provinces. It is continuously expanding to reach and teach more
farmers about effective corn production system. (Augustus Franco
B. Jamias)
PHTRC gears up for 40th anniversary
I
t is all systems go for the 40th founding anniversary
celebration of the Postharvest Horticulture Training
and Research Center on October 27.
With the theme, Advancing the Horticulture Industry
through Postharvest Research and Extension, this years
commemorative activities will consist of a symposium, with
Senator Cynthia A. Villar as keynote speaker, and a grand
alumni homecoming.
Mat Kimberley, Australian deputy head of Mission to the Phil-
ippines, will deliver a message on behalf of Ambassador Amanda
Gorely. Joining him is Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade Counsellor Nardia Simpson.
Dr. Ji Gang Kim of South Koreas Rural Development Ad-
ministration-National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Sci-
ence and Dr. Rosa S. Rolle of the Food and Agriculture Organi-
zation Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific will talk on inter-
national partnership and capacity building. Local counterparts
include Dr. Reynaldo T. Ebora of the Philippine Council for Agri-
culture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Develop-
ment; and Joel H. Lales of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau
of Agricultural Research.
Page 2
The program will also feature the industry partners
perspectives on the postharvest horticulture industry
in the Philippines and will cover organically grown pro-
duce, vegetables and herbs, raw materials for process-
ing, fresh fruit exports and logistics support. Capping
the celebration is the presentation of awards to post-
harvest pillars and practitioners, and the grand alumni
fellowship night. (Matilde V. Maunahan)
IPB joins urban
agriculture trade show
T he Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) partici-
pated in urban agriculture trade show held at
the SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City last September 23-24.
About 30 exhibitors and industry experts from Lu-
zon brought their plants, herbal and organic products,
planting equipment and publications to the venue.
There was also the e-Extension program by the De-
partment of Agriculture to maximize the use of inter-
net as a way to encourage the young generation to
venture into farming.
Organized and sponsored by the Manila Bulletin
Agriculture Magazine, with the UPLB as one of the
partner agencies, this was the 4th urban agriculture
expo held after the first three expos in Rockwell,
Makati City in 2015, and Trinoma Mall, Quezon City
and Market! Market!, Taguig City in 2016. Target of
this event were mall goers and shoppers, providing
them with basic information about practical ways of
gardening in the urban setting where space for farming
is limited.
UPLBs participation was facilitated by the Center
for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship and the
Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Exten-
sion. Suitable technologies of IPB such as IPB Var 6
corn grits and flour, SNAP hydroponics, high quality
seeds, asexually propagated fruit trees, tissue cultured
Lakatan banana plantlets, Sinta papaya seedlings, and
hibiscus were featured. Various kinds of extension ma-
terials were also distributed.
Two innovative IPB technologies were presented
during the two-day weekend forum: SNAP Hydropon-
ics by Primitivo Jose A. Santos and Corn Grits from
Quality Protein Maize by Dr. Artemio M. Salazar. A
free taste-test of champorado and arroz caldo made
from corn grits was done to promote this product.
The Urban Agriculture Expo was open free to the
public. (Laureano B. Lanosia, Jr.)
CAFS Monthly Newsletter
ICropS launches
seminars on
resiliency in crops
& human health
T he Institute of Crop Science
(ICropS) is conducting a seminar
series entitled RICHH Talk Series: Resiliency
in Crops and Human Health.
Focusing on resiliency in agriculture as
linked to human health and nutrition as well
as food safety and security, the RICHH Talks
was launched last September 7 at the Neme-
sio B. Mendiola Hall, Agro-Soils-Horti build-
ing. Two speakers tackled the theme of Love,
Peace and Harmony. Helen Libre-Justen dis-
cussed about utilizing music for alternative
healing while Edward A. Jude Olaguer talked
about food for the soul to harmonize the
body, mind and soul.
The second leg of the seminar series fea-
tured a timely presentation on Adaptation
and Mitigation Initiatives in Agriculture by
Karla Louise P. Seguerra who discussed the
joint program of the Department of Agricul-
ture and the Food and Agriculture Organiza-
tion of the United Nations that aims to em-
power the agri-fisheries sector in managing
climate risk and achieve sustainable liveli-
hood. Meanwhile, the lecture titled Holistic
Approaches and Special Natural Products for
Health and Wellness was presented by
Lourdes Chang Rusert, a natural health advo-
cate who believes in the fusion of traditional
and modern scientific techniques for healing.
A succeeding seminar was conducted last
September 25, showcasing resilient landscape
designs by Dr. Sung-Kyun Kim, a landscape
architecture professor in Seoul National Uni-
versity, who discussed "Deoksugung-gil: Pe-
destrian-oriented Streetscape Design for the
Urban Regeneration. The last seminar for
the month of September had ICropS's very
own researcher, Dr. Lorna E. Sister, with her
presentation titled The rice roots legacy:
enlisting communities in rice genetic re-
sources conservation in critical eco-regions
in the Philippines.
Page 3 CAFS Monthly Newsletter

Hidelisa D. Chavez, university researcher, IPB;

Included in the line-up of RICHH Talks for October
are "The Quest for Wellness of Body, Mind and Ener-
gies" by Maria Felicidad Santos Strujik, an alternative ho-
listic healer; Promoting science-based management of
watersheds and ecosystems through long-term monitor- Dr. Lorna E. Sister, university researcher,
ing and research by former Chancellor Rex Victor
Cruz; Inter-disciplinary Studies on Food Security by
former CAFS Dean Domingo Angeles; and Disaster Re-
silient Ecovillage by Edgard Guevarra, an eco-solutions
specialist. Everyone is invited. Announcements will be
posted at the official Facebook page of ICropS -
@icrops.uplb. (Ann Mylalulex A. Magnaye)
attended the Regional Workshop on Agrobiodi-
versity: Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Agriculture
for Sustainable Development and Food Security
in Southeast Asia in Chiang Mai, Thailand; Sep-
tember 11-15
ICropS; served as resource person to the Re-
gional Workshop on Mainstreaming Biodiversity
in Agriculture for Sustainable Development and
Food Security in Southeast Asia in Chiang Mai,
Thailand; September 11-15
Leonisa A. Artes, university extension special-
ist, PHTRC; attended the short course titled
Lost Harvest and Wasted Food at the Center
for Development Innovation in Wageningen,

FOREIGN TRAVELS*
Marie Joy B. Beltran, university researcher, National Crop
Protection Center (NCPC); attended the hands-on training on
Biological Control in Asias Changing Agro-Landscapes in Ha-
noi, Vietnam; September 1-9
Dr. Merdelyn C. Lit, Scientist I, Institute of Plant Breeding
(IPB); visited Bamboo Machiku plantation and gained insights on
bamboo shoot production and processing/packaging in Guang-
zhou, China; September 2-8
Dr. Fe M. de la Cueva, Dr. Lavernee S. Gueco and
Maricel C. Gonzales, university researchers, IPB; attended the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Project in Yogyakarta, Indone-
sia; September 3-9
Dr. Nestor C. Altoveros, associate professor, Institute of
Crop Science (ICropS); attended the 7th Meeting of the Ad Hoc
Open-ended Working Group to enhance the functioning of the
Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing of the Interna-
tional Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agricul-
ture in Rome, Italy; September 4-9
Dr. Lourdes D. Taylo and Florita F. Carandang, university
researcher and university research associate, respectively, IPB;
attended the stewardship meeting for management of Biotech
Crops in Jaina, India; September 6-11
Dr. Filma C. Calalo, assistant professor, Agricultural Systems
Institute (ASI); attended the Annual Meeting and Conference of
the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services and the Austral-
asia-Pacific Extension Network in Queensland, Australia; Sep-
tember 8-15
Dr. Teodoro C. Mendoza, professor, ICropS; participated in
the Food and Agriculture Organization Regional Meeting on Ag-
ricultural Biotechnologies in Sustainable Food Systems and Nutri-
tion in Asia-Pacific in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; September 9-15
Drs. Perlita A. Nuevo and Matilde V. Maunahan, research
assistant professor and university researcher, respectively, Post-
harvest Horticulture Training and Research Center (PHTRC);
presented papers titled, Minimizing Losses in the Postharvest
Handling of Export Bungulan (Musa genome AAA) Banana
grown by Small Farmers in the Philippines and The Role of
Gender Relations in Maintaining Quality and Reducing Posthar-
vest Losses: The Case of Bungulan (Musa genome AAA) Banana
for Export, respectively, during the 4th International Society for
Horticultural Science Asia Symposium on Quality Management in
Postharvest Systems (Asia-Postharvest 2017) in Jeonju, South
Korea; September 11-15
Netherlands; September 11-22
Johnny F. Balidion, assistant professor, Insti-
tute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pa-
thology (IWEP); participated in the 2017 Asian
Conference on Plant Pathology in Jeju, South Ko-
rea; September 12-17
Dr. Mary Jean G. Bulatao, assistant professor,
ASI; participated in the Integrated Food Security
Phase Classification Acute Analysis Workshop in
Kabul, Afghanistan; September 12-22
Wella L. Absulio, university researcher,
PHTRC; attended the workshop on Managing of
Microbial Food Safety Hazards in Agricultural
Products in Thailand; September 13-16
Dr. Nestor C. Altoveros and Teresita H.
Borromeo, associate professor and professor,
respectively, ICropS; attended the International
Workshop on Next Generation of Globally Im-
portant Agricultural Heritage Systems in Rome,
Italy; September 23-28
Dr. Rommel C. Sulabo, professor, Institute of
Animal Science; attended the first Amino Acid
Academy Workshop; visited Institut National de la
Recherche Agronomique (INRA) swine research
facilities and met with INRA officials for potential
research collaboration; visited an MS advisee who
is currently conducting research at INRA in Paris,
France; September 25-30;
Gelyn D. Sapin, university researcher, IWEP;
currently attending a graduate study (PhD) on
Entomology at Nagoya University in Japan; Sep-
tember 25- December 31
* Prepared by Imelda M. Gesmundo and Erlinda A. Balot
The College of Agriculture and Food Science Monthly Newsletter
is published through the Office of the Dean,
College of Agriculture and Food Science,
UPLB, College, Laguna
Advisers: Dean Enrico P. Supangco
Associate Dean for Instruction Tonette P. Laude
Associate Dean for Research & Extension Jocelyn D. Labios
Editor: Apolinario L. Lantican
Layout Artist: Aurney Shayne B. Atienza
Contributors: Erlinda A. Balot, Lorina M. Castillo, Imelda M. Gesmundo,
Augustus Franco B. Jamias, Laureano B. Lanosia Jr.,
Apolinario L. Lantican, Ann Mylalulex A. Magnaye
and Matilde V. Maunahan
Circulation Officer: Venecia B. Batain