For Cebuano Adelfo Z. Virtudazo, teaching and research are two of the worthwhile passions in life.
Born in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental on August 29, 1961, Adelfo “Fong” Virtudazo obtained his Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the Central Mindanao University in Musuan, Bukidnon in 1984. Shortly after graduation he worked for the then Panay State Polytechnic College (PSPC) in Dumarao—and has not left since then. In December 1991, he married Aurea Ortiz in Calamba, Laguna, with whom he had one child, Adrian Jacob.
In February 1991, his research study titled “Factors Influencing the Adoption of Agro-forestry Systems in An Integrated Social Forestry Project in Dumarao, Capiz” won second runner-up for the Socio-economics category during the Regional Research Symposium sponsored by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) in Iloilo City. In 1997, the same study was published in a publication by the Asia Pacific Agroforestry Network, the International Council for Research in Agroforestry; the Department of Science and Technology and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD)
Then, in the 1st Regional Research Symposium for Theses and Dissertations sponsored by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges VI - Regional Management Council (PASUC VI - RMC) held in February 2012, Virtudazo’s “Effectiveness of Ecological Solid Waste Management Program in the Province of Capiz” won two awards. His study was conferred second runner-up under Social Research category and also place second runner-up in the Poster category. The said study appeared in the Abstracts published by the Research and Educational Development Training Institute (REDTI) in 2012.
In 1987, three years into his employment at PSPC, he enrolled in Master of Science in Forestry at the prestigious University of the Philippines Los Banos. He was granted the degree in 1990. Five years later, he was sent to post-graduate studies in Natural Resources at the Lincoln University in New Zealand and obtained a diploma in December 1995. Then, in 2010, Virtudazo obtained Doctor of Public Administration at the CapSU Poblacion Campus in Mambusao, Capiz.
Because research is his passion, he has been involved in three major projects for the university.
He is currently the study leader for two research projects, namely: “Growth Performance of Bamboo Species Grown in Different Soil Media” and Socio-economic of Bamboo Growers in the Province of Capiz,” both of them based at the CapSU Dumarao.
He also serves as researcher for the “Socio-economics Study of Panay River Systems in the Province of Capiz” sponsored by the Commission on Higher Education and CapSU slated to be finished in 2013.
From June 2009 to date, he has been the project-in-charge of the Western Visayas Bamboo Research Center (WVBRC) based in CapSU Dumarao in Brgy. Codingle, Dumarao, Capiz. Holding the position of Professor V, Virtudazo has served as Research chairperson of the Capiz State University Dumarao Campus since June 2005.
Such involvements in research attest that for this 51-yr-old Cebuano working in the Panay island, one does not choose to serve where or how he pleases. Rather, it is the spirit of service that finds a worker who is willing to serve, and willing to learn from the lessons in life. (Niño Manaog/Extension Associate II)
