News / Obelisk

Details: Written by SMCLemos; Published: 28 September 2015

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:

Understand the issues pertaining to the West Philippine Sea;
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
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

Details: Written by SMCLemos; Published: 28 September 2015

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

Details: Written by Candelario L. Calibo/DoPAC; Published: 28 September 2015

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

Details: Written by SMCLemos; Published: 24 September 2015

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

Details: Written by SMCLemos; Published: 28 September 2015

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

Details: Written by JFMBaldos; Published: 24 September 2015

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