The volunteers from the Kalayaan ATIN ITO Movement visited on September 11, 2015 the Visayas State University and conducted an information drive on the issue of China’s illegal occupation of the Kalayaan Group (KIG) Municipality of Palawan at the 2^nd Floor of the Center for Continuing Education. It was attended by the VSU Laboratory High School students and some faculty and staff of the University.

The movement is primarily designed to improve the participation of the Filipino citizens in supporting the position of the country in addressing the territorial disputes.  Its principle is to encourage the participation of the young citizens whose future will be seriously affected by the developments at the Kalayaan Island Group.

According to Mr. Nicanor E. Faeldon, a volunteer of the Kalayaan ATIN ITO Movement, the coalition was organized to:

1. Understand the issues pertaining to the West Philippine Sea;
2.  Gather support to speak with one voice to the international community that we intend to stand up and oppose the encroachment and de facto occupation of our rightful territory; and
3. Conduct an activity that sends a clear and strong message to China to stop intruding on Philippine territory and its Exclusive Economic Zone.

The groups’ information drive called “FREEDOM CARAVAN”, which was launched in Batanes last May 15, 2015, is the first phase of the activity wherein the volunteers have been going to the different provinces to inform the public of the need to protect the Municipality of Kalayaan from Chinese aggression that has severely restricted the country’s navigation, fishing, and resource exploitation of the area.

The Movement’s final activity is a flotilla of boats manned by their volunteers who will represent each province, which will sail from Ulugan Bay, Puerto Princesa, and Palawan to the Kalayaan Island Group Municipality and conduct symbolic, peaceful activities there.  SMCLemos

The Visayas State University (VSU), through the Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhiRootcrops), celebrated the Rootcrops Festival as one of the highlights of the 91^st VSU Founding Anniversary. The festival is a project funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources, Research and Development (PCAARRD), and the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 8 (ATI-RTC 8). The festival showcased Rootcrops Rock, Rootcrops Dance Festival, Rootcrops Technology Forum, Rootcrops Treat, Rootcrops Artwork Contest, and Rootcrops Cookfest.

The Rootcrops Rock, an interactive learning activity joined by elementary pupils, focused on the different uses of sweet potato, cassava, gabi and ubi in the food, feed and industry and nutraceuticals. Rootcrops Treat was an evening treat with dinner composed of rootcrop-based food.

The Rootcrops Artwork Contest was participated in by elementary, high school, college students, and professionals with the theme “Reinvigorating Agriculture for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.”  The Rootcrops Cookfest was open to HRTM and Food Technology students with rootcrops as the main ingredient.

Moreover, the Rootcrops Technology Forum focused on “Rootcrop Innovations for Health and Growth” which aims to promote rootcrop processing system and food products from rootcrop science and technology for adoption by interested stakeholders. The Rootcrops Technology Forum exhibited products made out of rootcrops, like: tarroz wine–fermented pure extract of Taro, developed food products from cassava grates and flour like cassava cookies, cassava espasol, cassava macaroons, yucca sticks, jolly rolls and pitsi pitsi, sweetpotato pickles, and taro yogurt.

On the other hand, the Rootcrops Dance Festival featured a mass showdown of different contingents from VSU-Alangalang, VSU-Tolosa, and the VSU Main Campus represented by the College of Education. It featured the different activities of rootcrops farming such as planting and harvesting and triumphs against calamities and/or natural disasters. The VSU-Alangalang Campus emerged first and received PhP20,000.  The College of Education won the second prize and received PhP15,000, while VSU-Tolosa won the third prize and received PhP10,000. SMCLemos

The Visayas State University-Isabel Campus through its head, Dr. Edwin A. Balbarino, conducted a health awareness forum – “Teenage Pregnancy: Truth and Fallacies and HIV-AIDS in the Workplace”,  in line with the celebration of the 115^th Anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service on September 15, 2015 at the VSU-Isabel Social Hall. Two VSU personnel were invited as resource speakers: Dr. Josephine O. Zafico, Medical Officer III of VSU Hospital, and Mrs. Marwen A. Castañeda, Guidance Coordinator of the University Student Services Office.

Dr. Zafico discussed about “Young and Pregnant: Medical Risks and Realities, RA 8504 Basics (Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998), HIV Regional Status, and HIV-AIDS 101.” On the other hand, Mrs. Castañeda discussed on Understanding Psycho-Sexual Development and Learning Empowering Skills.

The purpose of the forum was to inform the participants about understanding the risks of teenage pregnancy and how to lower the health risks, learn the adolescent psycho-sexual behaviour,  teach them on the advantages of premarital abstinence, and  educate them about HIV/AIDS.

The forum was attended by 944 students and 34 faculty members of the VSU-Isabel Campus.  SMCLemos

The VSU version of “Your Face Sounds Familiar” added glitters to the 91^st VSU Anniversary Celebration on August 8, 2015 at the VSU Lower Campus Oval Grounds.  The talent search was participated in by the VSU faculty and staff, not only from the Main Campus but even from the satellite campuses of the University, who showcased their talents in singing and dancing as they mimic the artists they picked during the drawing of lots.  The competition had two categories—the individual and the group.

In the individual category, Mr. Arturo B. Alba, Jr. bagged the first place for emulating Yoyoy Villame’s style and look a-like as he sang the “Butsekik”.  He received a cash prize of PhP6,000.  The second prize went to Mr. Joey Caintic who was inspired by Bamboo by rendering the “Tatsulok”.  He received PhP5,000 in cash.   Miss Rose Marie Bañoc, who imitated Thalia’s “Maria Mercedes”, got the third place and received PhP3,000 cash prize. 

In the group category, the group of Doreen Alba, Jennifer E. Ando, Maria Verjie Q. Subere, Tesa Jane Olan, and Jade Belmonte, grabbed the first place. They imitated the “Spice Girls” as they sang “Wanna Be”.  The group received a cash prize of PhP8,000. The second prize of PhP6,000 went to the group of Beljun P. Enaya, Errol C. Fernandez, Arian G. Acampado, Dean Ruffel R. Flandez, and Jams Ian B. Nuñez who performed one of the songs of the “One Direction.”  The group of Nicole Florentino, Jo-Ann Managbanag, Cathlien Modina, Ma. Marjorie Martinez, Sheira May T. Camacho, and Jocelyn H. Mabuan called the “Pussy Cat Dolls” got the third place and received PhP4,000.

Each of the other six performers, three from the individual category and three from the group category, received a consolation prize of PhP1,500.

The show clinched with a superb performance from the chairman of the board of judges, Mr. Leander Geli, who dexterously played the guitar to the delight of the audience.

The Board of Judges is composed of Mr. L. Geli, former Vice Governor of Eastern Samar who is also a composer and a concert guitarist; Mr. Jaimelito Sabili, Jr., Station Manager of Radyo Nation-Baybay and a member of the USJ-R Dramatics Cultural Ensemble; and Mr. Windee Tan, a businessman and a member of the Gathering of Enthusiastic Cosplayers of Cebu and the director of the Hattori Media.  JFMBaldos

Miss Joji Marie Y. Teves, a 2014 BS Biotechnology graduate of VSU, is one of the 2015 recipients in the prestigious Professional Science Masters (PSM) scholarship from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The award is under the Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) program which granted a total of 15 PSM scholars, 1 Post- doctoral grantee, and 14 research grantees. The U.S. Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg was assisted by Dr. David Hall, STRIDE Chief of Party, in awarding the scholars in a ceremony. The program aims to foster inclusive economic growth in the Philippines by supporting researchers and scientists in the field of science and technology.

Miss Teves will study Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Public Health towards a Professional Science Master’s degree. The PSM curriculum is designed to advance students in the core field of study and at the same time train them professionally in management, leadership and business. She arrived in Arizona on August 10, 2015. Classes start on August 24, 2015.

The STRIDE grant is a five-year program that sponsors Filipinos with a passion for science and research under a PSM, Ph.D. “Sandwich” or Post-Doctoral Research study track in US universities. Research grant opportunities are also available for eligible Filipino scientists and institutions under the Collaborative Applied Research with Industry Grant (CARWIN) and the Philippine-US Research and Exchange Grant (PURE). For more information about STRIDE scholarship, visit their website: http://www.stride.org.ph/. Candelario L. Calibo/DoPAC

Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food as well as the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, unexpectedly was not able to come to the Visayas State University as guest speaker on the occasion of the “Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Day” celebration as one of the major highlights of the 91^st VSU Founding Anniversary.  As relayed by Atty. Reggie Tamaña, Executive Director for the Committee on Agriculture and Food of Senator Villar, the senator was on her way to VSU in the morning of August 11, 2015 riding in a helicopter from Cebu City when the aircraft had a trouble. The pilot decided not to continue their flight for the security of the senator. 

Nevertheless, Sen. Villar conveyed her message to the farmers and fisherfolk who were present at the jampacked VSU Convention Hall that morning while the program was going on.  Because of the advancement of technology, she was able to greet the VSU constituents, the farmers and fisherfolk over a cellphone call that was hooked-up live from Cebu City.

In her message, Sen. Villar lauded VSU for the very special day devoted by the University for the farmers and fisherfolk.  “Hindi ako nakarating dahil nagkaproblema po ang aking sasakyan, but ako po ay nagagalak at laging sumusuporta sa Visayas State University dahil ito po ay isang unibersidad na talagang tumutulong para sa agrikultura na napakaimportante para sa ating mga farmers and fisherfolk.  Sana mag-enjoy kayo sa inyong mga activities today.  Again, happy 91^st Founding Anniversary to VSU,” she said.

On the other hand, Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla of the Province of Leyte, who also delivered a message in the said occasion, thanked VSU for spearheading the gathering of farmers in the region during its foundation day celebration.  He could not help but recall that the farmers’ lives were abundant before the Typhoon Yolanda came to the province.  “Aside from the lives that were lost, the agricultural production was also affected that made our farmers miserable and look for some ways by which they can find other means of livelihood,” the Leyte Governor lamented.  “But now, the production of our farmers in their agriculture endeavor has been doubled because of the help of our government, the universities, and the nongovernment organizations,” Petilla added.

In the same occasion, the “Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Forum” took place to give way to the farmers and fisherfolk to air their concerns and listen to the responses from the experts of the University.  JFMBaldos

The Alumni and Community Relations Office (ACRO) with OIC Head, Prof. Elsie Salamat, sponsored the art exhibit dubbed “TsadArte” at the VSU Balay Alumni. The exhibit opened on July 31, 2015 following the formal opening of the Flower and Garden Show, to start the week long activities of the 91^st Anniversary of the Visayas State University.

The exhibit was graced by Dr. Jocelyn E. Eusebio, Director of the Crop Research  Division of PCAARRD; Dr. Patricio S. Faylon, former Executive Director of PCAARRD; VSU President, Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo; and VSU Alumni Association Inc. President and Vice President for Instruction, Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin.

The artworks and paintings of the group Hugpong Sabado composed of Lolito Caña, Mizael Cerna, Domingo Flandez, Rico Palacio, Billy Pomida and Jude Nonie Sales are presented at the exhibit. This year’s exhibit also featured two guest exhibitors – Mr. Geovanni Abing and Dr. SangOh, Ha. SMCLemos