VSU Lower Campus Oval Grounds. She soulfully performed the song of Angeline Quinto’s “Patuloy ang Pangarap” written by a Filipino songwriter Jonathan Manalo during the Final Round that held the audience in rapture with her fabulous performance.

During the Elimination Round, Melanie tied in the first place with Miss Mariane D. Balladares of the College of Engineering who sang “And I Am Telling You” and advanced in the Final Round. Melanie nailed the audience in awe as she performed the Charice Pempengco’s song “Always You” written again by Jonathan Manalo. Both Melanie and Mariane belonged to ‘Team Freddy’ with Mr. Jesus Freddy M. Baldos as their coach.

As the grand champion, Melanie received a cash prize of PhP10,000 and a trophy from VSU President, Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, with the assistance of Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, VP for Instruction, and Prof. Jesusito L. Lim, Head of VSU Culture and the Arts Center.

On the other hand, Mr. Rhyan L. Panto, a freshman BS in Mechanical Engineering student of the College of Engineering also of ‘Team Freddy’, was adjudged Second Placer for his song “Ikaw Ang Pangarap”. He advanced to the Final Round for interpreting the song “Too Much Love Will Kill You.” He received a cash award of PhP7,000 and a trophy.

Mr. Ronnel John M. Barbusa, a third year BS in Computer Science student of the College of Engineering of ‘Team Doray”, was named as the Third Placer for his song “Bulag, Pipi, at Bingi.” He won PhP5,000 and a trophy.

The other top five finalist was Angie S. Caidoy of ‘Team Jude’. She also represented the VSU-Tolosa.

The remaining 13 finalists also received a consolation prize of PhP1,000 each from VSU. The other coaches were Ms. Rhodora A. Bande ‘Team Doray’ and Mr. Jude B. Rola ‘Team Jude’.

The show was hosted by Miss Ella Lois T. Bestil of DYDC-FM 94.7. 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

Forester Marjorie D. Elbiña, a Cum Laude graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Forestry of the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, Leyte, got the first place among the 961 hopefuls in the August 2015 Forester Licensure Examination throughout the country. For. Elbiña got a rating of 90.95% ahead of the second placer from Caraga State University in Butuan City who got a rating of 90.10% and of the third placer from the University of the Philippines Los Baños who got 89.70%.

For. Elbiña finished her BS in Forestry at VSU on April 22, 2015 as consistent honor student. Presently, she is working as a Science Research Assistant of the VSU College of Forestry and Environmental Science (CFES).

Asked as to her reaction upon knowing that she topped the Board Exam, For. Elbiña humbly said that she did not expect that she will top the examination considering that the exam was very difficult. “In fact, when my dean of CFES and my mentors texted and called me, the news did not sink in to me immediately. I was in the state of shock that I do not know how I felt that very moment. Later on, I was so happy that I got the highest place in the Board Exam and I was so thankful to the Lord for how He blessed me,” For. Elbiña happily narrated.

For. Elbiña preferred to have her review class for the whole month of May at the VSU Review Center where she also topped in the Pre-Board Exam conducted by the Review Center.

Being the topnotcher in the August 2015 Forestry Licensure Exam, For. Elbiña shall be receiving a cash award of PhP50,000 from VSU during the 2016 Commencement Exercises. The award is VSU’s way of recognizing the excellent performance of its graduates in professional licensure examination by virtue of Board of Regents (BOR) Resolution No. 24, series of 2011, dated 20 December 2011 granting monetary incentives to board examination topnotchers, such as: 1^st Placer – PhP50,000; 2^nd Placer – PhP40,000; 3^rd Placer – PhP30,000; and 4^th-10^th Placers – PhP20,000.

As released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Board of Foresters, out of 961 examinees nationwide, only 461 passed the Board registering a national passing percentage of 47.97%. The Board Exam covered the following subjects: Forest Ecosystem (20%), Forest Governance and Social Forestry (25%), Forest Utilization Engineering (20%), and Forest Production and Management (35%). The examinations were held in the cities of Manila, Cagayan De Oro, and Davao on August 2-3, 2015. The results were released in two (2) working days after the last day of examination.

There were a total of 20 first timers from VSU, of whom 16 of them passed the exam, giving VSU an institutional passing percentage of 80%. However, there were 15 repeaters of the said exam and only five (5) of them successfully passed the Board Exam.

The New Foresters of VSU are as follows: Marjorie D. Elbiña – 1^st placer, Ma. Theresa Q. Cabido, Catherine C. Cepada, Julios B. Comaling, Jazzy L. Emutan, Joshua B. Enas, Eduardo G. Espejon, Jr., Marichu E. Jabines, Ildefonso T. Jayme, Susette P. Lazarte, Rojie G. Lingo, Ivy Migzylo E. Macalalag, Mary Grace N. Merano, Robert Julius I. Miano, Raymund V. Moca, Zhamier S. Naval, Jessa C. Nuñez, Jerson Pacanan, Jiely Rose T. Pecasales, Gonzalo O. Recosana, Jr., and Charie May C. Taripe. JFMBaldos

In this year’s 91^st anniversary of the Visayas State University, a lecture, “In Focus: Pulmonary TB - What You Need to Know; TB in the Workplace and TB in Children”, was tackled during the wellness seminar conducted on August 6, 2015 at the VSU Convention Center. This lecture was realized thru the joint efforts of Dr. Elwin Jay V. Yu and Dr. Josephine O. Zafico of the VSU Hospital.

The lecture aimed to review the anatomy and physiology of the lungs, discuss the incidence of tuberculosis in the global and local setting, present the case of tuberculosis in the workplace, discuss the approach, diagnosis and treatment strategies of tuberculosis and discuss briefly what is DOTS.

Resource speakers were Dr. Niño Jessielito N. Doydora, a practicing pulmonologist at Ormoc Doctor’s Hospital, OSPA and Gatchalian Hospital; and Dr. Irma Barbara Guibone, a private practicing pediatrician.

Dr. Doydora discussed that tuberculosis is an illness caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is spread by inhalation of air droplets nuclei released by an infected person through coughing, sneezing, laughing or loud speaking. The signs and symptoms of tuberculosis are significant and unintentional weight loss, fever, bloody sputum (hemoptysis), chest/back pains not referable to any musculoskeletal disorders, easy fatigability or malaise, night sweats and shortness of breath or difficulty of breathing.

On the other hand, Dr. Guibone pointed out, that the signs and symptoms of TB in children, patients below 15 years old will at least have three of the following: coughing/wheezing of two weeks or more, loss of weight, failure to respond to two weeks of appropriate antibiotic therapy for lower respiratory tract infection, failure to regain previous state of health, two weeks after a viral infection, and fatigue. SMCLemos

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Visayas State University and the Institute of Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservation (ERECON) in Machida-shi, Tokyo, Japan was signed on August 3, 2015 at the VSU Guesthouse.  The MOU was signed by VSU President Jose L. Bacusmo and ERECON President Machito Mihara to extend the cooperation and to promote mutual interest in relation to research project planning and implementation between the two parties.

Both parties agreed to support each other in conducting projects and research concerning sustainable development and environmental rehabilitation and conservation on the basis of equality and mutual benefits, including visits and exchange of knowledge, materials, resources and services.

The MOU shall remain in force for a period of three years starting from the date the MOU was signed and in the event that a project or activity will be held, a Memorandum of Agreement shall be signed by both parties stating therein the responsibilities and obligations of each party.

The MOU was signed in the presence of Dr. Humberto R. Montes, Jr., Director of VSU’s Institute of Tropical Ecology and Environmental Management (ITEEM), and Mr. Koji Miwa, Assistant Program Manager of ERECON.   Also present during the MOU signing were Dr. Dennis P. Peque, OIC-Dean of the College of Forestry and Environmental Science, and Dr. Marlito Jose M. Bande, Assistant Professor of ITEEM. JFMBaldos

A total of 29 graduate students enrolled at the Visayas State University (VSU) Main Campus, composed of five (5) Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and twenty-four (24) Master of Science (MS) students, have availed of the graduate scholarship under the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program –National Science Consortium (ASTHRDP-NSC) Component of the Department of Science and Technology through the Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).

The Scholarship Agreement was signed by the grantees on August 6, 2015 at the VSU Office of the Vice President for Planning, Resource Generation and External Affairs (OVPPRGEA) with Dr. Victor B. Asio, Vice President for PRGEA and ASTHRDP-NSC Project Leader.

VSU, a member-institution of NSC, has the expertise, knowledge, facilities and resources, and is willing to undertake the activities related to the implementation of ASTHRDP.

NSC aims to develop, support and coordinate national programs to accelerate the development of high level human resources in basic, applied sciences and mathematics for the country’s sustainability and competitiveness.

The new scholars at VSU and their specific degrees and field of specializations being pursued are as follows: (Doctor of Philosophy) Getulio A. Barcenas, Jr. – Horticulture, Rosalia L. Briones – Horticulture, Peter June D. Dadios – Animal Science, John Paul R. Gapasin – Horticulture, and Leonard E. Lacostales – Horticulture; and (Master of Science) Ma. Gweneth M. Abit – Agronomy, Judy Q. Antona – Horticulture, Roger Roque E. Bustamante – Animal Science, Reyna Mae C. Caintic – Horticulture [Thesis Grantee], Maria Norfrelij J. Cuadra – Food Science and Technology, Wences Rey B. Dela Peña – Agronomy, Meg Aui O. Delmonte – Animal Science, Jo-an T. Ducducan – Soil Science, Roxanne C. Dy – Entomology, Snowie Jane C. Galgo – Soil Science, Nikko T. Gallo – Entomology, Lester Legaspi – Horticulture, Medardo Magdadaro, Jr. – Soil Science, Noe B. Mejasco – Animal Science, Sairen T. Olguera – Animal Science, Anne Gellie P. Pablo – Food Science and Technology, Nida B. Ratilla – Plant Protection, Gladys B. Rosales – Entomology, Michael Adonis M Sudaria – Horticulture [Thesis Grantee], Angel R. Sumalinog – Entomology, Ria Jayne A. Tabinas – Food Science and Technology, Demavanessa S. Tampus – Agronomy, Reciel Ann B. Tanaid – Food Science and Technology, and Glaiza L. Vallecera – Plant Pathology.

The scholars shall enjoy the following privileges: actual tuition and other school fees based on statement of account or official receipt; monthly living allowance of PhP17,000 for MS and PhP25,000 for Ph.D.; book allowance of PhP10,000 per academic year; an economic class round trip transportation allowance per academic year; group accident insurance; and outright thesis/dissertation allowance. However, they shall conduct their thesis/dissertation based on the approved R&D priorities of DOST.

The scholars are also obliged to render service in the Philippines, preferably in his/her region, along his/her field of training equivalent to the length of time that he/she enjoyed the graduate scholarship immediately upon completion of his/her MS/Ph.D. degree. JFMBaldos

The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP), in coordination with ICP Leyte Cluster, recently conducted a Seminar–Training on Water Quality Testing and Analysis at the Visayas State University. Ms. Edna C. Mijares, External Vice President of ICP and CEO of Jefcor Laboratories, Inc., supervised the World Health Organization (WHO) funded activity as part of the Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) project entitled “Assessment and Strengthening of Water Laboratories in Yolanda–Affected Areas of Region 8”. It was participated in by 29 personnel from various laboratories in the region both in the government and private sectors who are involved in water analyses. Regional Department of Health, Provincial Health Offices in Eastern and Western Samar, Local Water Districts, Regional Department of Science and Technology, Ormoc City Health Office and Leyte Provincial Hospital with their sanitary inspectors and laboratory analysts/microbiologists joined with participants from the academe and industry.

Dr. Lily M. Varca, ICP Officer, assisted Ms. Mijares in giving lectures while Ms. Cynthia Dolores V. Godoy and Prof. Jesusito L. Lim facilitated the hands-on training on physico-chemical analyses and microbiological testing of selected water samples, respectively. Prof. Jacob Glenn F. Jansalin, ICP Leyte President; Dr. Candelario L. Calibo, ICP Leyte Internal VP; and Dr. Ma. Theresa P. Loreto, ICP Leyte Member, composed the local organizing committee.