CapSU studies reap awards in WESVARRDEC, PASUC symposia

With reports from Rector John Latoza & Eduardo Navarra
Photos by Rector John Latoza, Veronica Albaladejo & Eduardo Navarra

In two consecutive days of October, three research studies authored by the faculty and staff of the Capiz State University (CapSU) won awards at the research symposia sponsored by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges-Research Management Council (PASUC-RMC) and the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research & Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), both in Iloilo City.

THE CAPSU DELEGATION (Clockwise from top left): In her message, CapSU President Editha Magallanes, PASUC 6 RMC executive director and president-in-charge for research, urged all faculty participants to maximize the opportunity to put out research projects; and paper presenters from CapSU included Engr. Efren Linan and Ms. Auralyn Balacase, both of Burias Campus; Prof. Marife Hilapad of Poblacion Mambusao Campus; and Mr. Rector John Latoza of RDEC.

At the 2nd Regional Research Symposium for Faculty Researchers led On October 2, 2013, the study titled “DRASTIC Model and GIS-based Assessment of Groundwater Vulnerability to Contamination in Boracay Island” by Engr. Efren Linan of CapSU Burias was declared Best Paper for the Natural & Biological for the Natural, Biological and Environmental Research Category; while the “Socio-economic Profile and Farming Practices of Upland Rice Farmers in the Province of Aklan” by Dr. Federito Launio, et.al. of Capsu Burias Campus—which was presented by Rector John Latoza—was named Best Paper for the Social Sciences, Humanities & Educational Research Category.

In the same summit, Linan’s project also won Best Poster among some 30 entries from some 11 state universities and colleges (SUCs) across Western Visayas.

THE BEAMING SMILES OF THE WINNERS. Engr. Efren Linan (first from left) of the College of Agricultural Engineering of CapSU Burias and Mr. Rector John Latoza share the limelight after winning the top prizes at the PASUC VI RMC Symposium recently in WVSU, La Paz, Iloilo City. They are joined by Dr. Ma. Lulu Loyola (far right), WESVARRDEC's RRDG (Regional Research and Development Group) coordinator.

Then on October 3, 2013, another paper titled “Development and Quality Assessment of Herb-Flavored Sweet Potato-Chocolate Spread” by Prof. Marife Hilapad of Capsu Poblacion Campus won Best Paper for the Development Category during the WESVARRDEC’s 23rd Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights (RSRDH) at the West Visayas State University (WVSU) in La Paz, Iloilo City.

In the same regional symposium, Linan’s Boracay study won the first runner-up, out of 13 papers presented for the Natural and Biological Science Research Category. Linan’s research study also won Best Poster out of 25 entries.

Finally, the “Socio-economic Profile and Farming Practices of Upland Rice Farmers in the Province of Aklan” by Dr. Federito Launio, et.al. of Capsu Burias Campus—presented by Rector John Latoza—was second runner-up for the Social Science Research Category.

At the PASUC symposia, the panels of evaluators were composed of the following:

Dr. Geronimo Gregorio, former Vice-President for Research and Extension of Capsu; Dr. Nancy Fajutrao, Educational Supervisor II of The Commission on Higher Education; and Prof. Mizpah Vilalobos of the Central Philippine University (CPU) all served for the Natural, Biological and Environmental Research Category.

Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, CPU’s research director; Dr. Luis Abioda, vice-president for Academics of the West Visayas State University; and Dr. Agnes Dulce, graduate school program adviser in educational management of the University of San Agustin read papers for the Social Science, Humanities and Educational Research Category.

For the Technological and Development Category, Mr. Conrado Marquez, chief of Techno Transfer Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6; Engr. Ramon Alguidano, Jr. of CPU’s College of Engineering; and Engr. Aries Roda Romallosa of CPU’s College of Agriculture, Resources and Environmental Sciences all served in the panel of evaluators.

Each of the two winning studies from the PASUC symposium received a certificate of recognition and P3,000 cash prize.

For the WESVARRDEC symposium, the panel of evaluators consisted of the following: Dr. Crisanto Lopez, Jr., Prof. Lucia Lastimoza and Dr. Alicia Lustica, natural and biological sciences category; and Prof. Joseph Idemne, Dr. Roel Alli, and Dr. Joy Lizada, social science research category.

Dr. Carmelo Ambut and Engr. Baltazar Gumana and Ms. Rebecca Tubongbanua, both Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of WESVARRDEC all served the Technological and Development Research Category; while Engr. Gina Pañares, Arch. Gerard Ibañez and Prof. Ricky Becodo served as judges for the Poster Category.

WESVARRDEC winners were awarded certificates of recognition and cash prizes.

Images from the 2013 RSRDH by WESVARRDEC