RDEC staff teaches journ to college, high school students across Capiz

        Four campuses so far in four months; and counting.

Beginning July this year, Mr. Niño Manaog, Extension Associate II of the Capiz State University (Capsu)’s Research, Development and Extension Center (RDEC) based in Roxas City has been leading campus journalism workshops to high school and college students across the province of Capiz.

Manaog guides a student writer of
The Hillside Echo of CapSU Tapaz Campus
in writing the news for their school publication.

As part of RDEC’s extension program titled Youth’s Intellectual, Educational Development (YIELD) conceptualized under the leadership of Dr. Cora Navarra, vice-president for research and extension, Manaog has served as resource speaker for campus journalism workshops in separate dates and venues. Endorsed by Capsu RDEC and fully supported by Dr. Editha Magallanes, Capsu president, these initiatives have been made possible through the assistance and cooperation of the host institutions.

On July 18–19, 2013, Manaog led the training of some 30 members of The Hillside Echo, the official school paper of Capsu Tapaz in Brgy. San Julian, Tapaz, Capiz. For two days, Manaog taught the student writers news writing, copyreading, feature writing and editorial writing, among others. Conducted in coordination with Adviser Arlene Gonzales and Co-adviser Vincent Valenzuela, the initiative was fully supported by Prof. Winifredo Gardose, Capsu Tapaz administrator.

Joining The Capiz Times Operation Manager Edalyn Acta and Gerry Pagharion, editor-in-chief of the City Hall newsletter Pagbag-o on August 24, 2013, Manaog also gave a lecture workshop on sports writing to some 100 students of the Cabugcabug National High School in President Roxas, Capiz. The team contributed to the roster of resource speakers who were invited to the three-day School-based Seminar on English and Filipino Journalism in the said school.

At Cabugcabug National High School in President Roxas, Capiz, the resource speaker makes use of interactive approach to engage students into learning journalism which require the basic skills of speaking and listening.

Then on September 9–10, 2013,  Manaog led the Seminar-Workshop on Campus Journalism in Capsu Burias in Brgy. Burias, Mambusao, Capiz, which gathered some 110 students of the Capsu Burias’s College of Education and members of the high school paper.

Some students and the teachers of CapSU Burias Campus who joined the journalism workshop led by Manaog of CapSU RDEC.

For two days, Manaog taught said students the rudiments of journalism—journalistic ethics, news writing, feature writing and layouting, among others. More important, he employed an interactive approach to fully engage students in learning the skills by themselves.

Conducted in coordination with Ms. Genalyn Baranda and Mr. Gerard Lee Atienza, The CapSUnian Echo advisers and Jennylen Lana, high school publication adviser, the initiative was fully supported by Dr. Ludovico Olmo, Capsu Burias administrator.

Manaog's hands-on approach caters
to what particular students need
in order to improve their  writing skills.

Then, most recently, Manaog served as the resource speaker for the Campus Journalism Seminar Workshop to some 30 members of The Highland Echo, the official publication of the Mambusao National High School (MNHS) in Brgy. Tumalalud in Mambusao, Capiz.

Conceptualized by Mr. Freden Delgado, adviser of The Courier, the official publication of the Capsu Poblacion Campus in Mambusao, Capiz, the activity featured lectures and workshops in news writing, copyreading, feature writing and editorial writing. The best-performing student writers in said writing skills were awarded certificates of recognition at the end of the program.

Prof. Virginia Magbanua, English program chair and Ms. Lady Marynielle de la Cruz, English faculty, both of Capsu Poblacion Campus, served as judges for the said writing contests.

To inspire more students to excel in campus journalism, best performing students in news, copyreading, feature and editorial writing were duly cited at the Mambusao National High School.

Organized in coordination with Ms. Emily Sibug, The Highland Echo adviser and Mr. Rolando Ricardo, MNHS principal, the activity was supported by Dr. Lilibeth Leonor, Capsu Poblacion campus administrator.

Special for The CapSU Monitor
Photos by The Hillside Echo, The CapSUnian Echo, 
The Highland Echo and Marynille de la Cruz

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

CapSU launches mushroom project; benefits Capiz farmers

Delicious healthy mushroom dishes; knowledgeable farmers raising mushrooms, and a thriving community that depends on livelihood from mushroom production—all these consist of the vision of the Capiz State University (CapSU) when it launched the Mushroom Production Project in August 2011.

Funded by the Japan International Cooperating Agency under KR2 Fund channeled through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 6, the Mushroom Production and Extension Project, among others, sought to increase the productivity of farmer beneficiaries and entrepreneurs around the community.

In 2011, CapSU’s Mushroom Training Center began propagating two varieties, namely: oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) locally known as sal-ang and straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) locally known as amamakol.

Over the period of two years, the project eventually produced straw and oyster mushrooms to cater to the protein or health requirements of the community, while providing for the production needs of the farmer beneficiaries.

According to Dr. Emelita Solante, project-in-charge, the Center trained at least 300 mushroom producers and 100 product entrepreneurs from around the community—even as the entire intervention has generated additional income for mushroom farmer-beneficiaries and product entrepreneurs. Further, the project also seeks to generate technologies from researches conducted.

Proposed by Dr. Guillermo Legada, now research director and Dr. Emelita Solante, now extension director, the project supports the research and extension thrusts of CapSU’s Research, Development and Extension Center (RDEC) headed by Dr. Cora Navarra, vice-president for RDE. (Niño Manaog/Extension Associate)

CapSU trains housewives on mushroom cooking

By Niño Manaog

Extension Associate

Capiz State University

As part of the Mushroom Production Project granted to the Capiz State University (CapSU) by the auspices of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)’s Kennedy Round Two (KR2) Program, some 50 household women and in-house staff of CapSU were trained on cooking mushroom recipes recently at the Mushroom Production & Training Center in CapSU Burias in Brgy. Burias, Mambusao, Capiz.

Dr. Emelita Solante (far right) guides Sigma housewives on how to prepare the mushroom siomai.

According to Dr. Emelita Solante, extension director and mushroom project-in-charge and trainer, “we have given them the realization that mushroom is not just an ordinary food—it can also be cooked and prepared for profit.” High in protein just like tofu, mushroom is also a very cost-effective meat substitute, which cannot only augment livelihood but also give health benefits to consumers, Solante added.

The first batch of housewives from the town of Sigma, Capiz (right photo) was trained on September 18—along with a visiting group of six high school student-researchers from the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas High School based in Iloilo City led by their adviser Mr. Jonny Pornel. Assisted by Dr. Guillermo Legada, current research director and project manager, Solante briefed the participants on the health and economic benefits of growing mushrooms within the household. For one day, participants were also given hands-on opportunities to cook and prepare mushroom recipes, namely: mushroom siomai (nicknamed mushromai by Mr. Pornel); mushroom achara (pickles); burger patties (nicknamed Burias burger by Mr. Pornel); crispy mushroom fries; Mushroom Express (inspired by the Bikol express) and mushroom lumpia.

Dr. Emelita Solante presents one of the fruits of her passion for mushroom processing--mushroom crispies which are far more nutritious substitute to French fries.

Then, on September 23, 2013, some 25 household women aged 30 to 50 years from the towns of Dumalag, Dumarao, Cuartero, and Mambusao. For this batch, the trainees prepared and designed the dishes to make them more presentable. They were also given mushroom cooking recipes brochures. One of the trainees wished they also joined the mushroom production training done previously. They deem it a prerequisite to mushroom processing.

Sample mushroom pickles
produced in said trainings.

In October, succeeding trainings on mushroom recipes cooking are slated for the municipalities of the first district of the province including Panitan, Panay and Pontevedra, among others.

The project is fully supported by the Office of the Vice-President for Research and Extension Dr. Cora Navarra and CapSU headed by President Editha Magallanes.

Based on the NEDA website, the Kennedy Round Two (KR2) Program, or the Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers (GAUF) is a grant facility of the Government of Japan designed to assist developing countries striving to achieve food sufficiency.  In the Philippines, proceeds from KR2 are shared by the Department of Agriculture (80%) and NEDA (20%). KR2 seeks contribute to the national productivity enhancement efforts by financing catalytic agri-based projects leading to employment generation and better management of the environment at the grassroots, especially in depressed rural areas.

The CapSU RDEC headed by VP for Research & Extension Cora Navarra (seated, center) and assisted by Research Director Guillermo Legada (second from right) and Extension Director Emelita Solante (second from left) extends to share knowledge on mushroom processing to local housewives and research students alike.

CapSU researchers study proposals writing in Pontevedra, Pilar campuses

by Niño Manaog

To enhance the research skills of the faculty and staff of the Capiz State University (CapSU), the Research, Development and Extension (RDE) Center headed by Dr. Cora Navarra, vice-president for RDE, led a series of seminar workshops on writing research proposals recently in two venues.

On July 18–19, 2013, CapSU RDEC sponsored the Seminar Workshop on R&E Proposal Making at the Farmers Agricultural Development Center (FADC) in CapSU Pontevedra Campus headed by Dr. Briddo Dorado, administrator in Brgy. Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz.

Members of the CapSU Pontevedra faculty
rehash their research proposals.

The training gathered some 50 faculty members and staff of the three colleges, namely: the College of Education, Arts & Sciences headed by Dr. Mae Dumapig; the College of Agricultural Engineering headed by Engr. Abelardo Bermejo, Jr.; the College of Business Administration headed by Dr. Honey lee Casa; the College of Nursing headed by Dr. Jinky Lynn Contreras; and the College of Computer led by Program Chair Cleo Villanueva.
Led by Dr. Navarra and supported by Dr. Guillermo Legada, Jr., research director and Dr. Emelita Solante, extension director, the participants studied the parts of the proposal and their papers were critiqued and polished for further improvement. 

For Engr. Abelardo Bermejo, the training helped a lot because a big number of proposals were corrected for funding which can be useful for faculty development. In particular, Abelardo said that it also provided him the  opportunity to gain valuable technical capability in engineering fabrication. Bermejo co-authored with Prof. Kenny John Ballera for the study titled "Development of A Tractor-Mounted Organic Fertilizer Applicator" which was then presented in the university's annual RDE Symposium held on Sept. 5, 2013 at the CapSU Roxas City Campus.

Then on August 9–10, 2013, CapSU RDEC again hosted the Seminar Workshop on Proposal Making at CapSU Pilar Campus in Brgy. Natividad, Pilar, Capiz.

According to Dr. Marcela Buenvenida, first-term administrator of the Pilar Campus, neophyte researchers learned firsthand information through the hands-on approach given by the resource speakers. Buenvenida added that the CapSU personnel directly involved in research benefited much from the initiative—even as it rendered valuable impact on the faculty and staff of CapSU Pilar Campus. A big number of faculty members joined the writeshop and they were able to present two papers during the RDE symposium. The extension project titled “Skills Development, Advocacy, Volunteerism and Empowerment (S.A.V.E.) Program on Health” authored by Jennifer Benliro, Evelyn Borgonia and Marcela Buenvenida and its research component were presented. During the regional extension summit sponsored by the Philippine Association of State Colleges and Universities (PASUC) VI in Punta Villa, Iloilo City on Sept. 12, 2013, the study would win first runner-up in the Health Category and first runner-up in Poster Category.

Buenvenida said that that the capability building activity has given their faculty the confidence even as it served as the second in-house review for the campus after they held the first one in 2011.

These activities were fully supported by Dr. Editha L. Magallanes, CapSU president.

The resource speakers, facilitators and participants of the Pontevedra writeshop led by Dr Cora Navarra, vice-president for RDE (fifth from left, second row, standing)

Photos by Eduardo Navarra and Briddo Dorado

PASSAGE, Tanay LGU, URS host DRRM training; SUCs, LGUs praise hands-on approach

By Niño Manaog

Extension Associate

Capiz State University

On Sept. 24–27, 2013, some 90 participants joined the National Seminar Workshop on Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management at the Tanay EPIC PARC Rainforest Camp in Brgy. Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal.

KEY OFFICIALS
(from left to right) Tanay Mayor
Rafael Tanjuatco, PASSAGE President
Aladino Leccio and DRRM IV-A Chair
Vicente Tomazar.

LGUs, SUCs participate

Sponsored by the Philippine Association of Agri-vironment Educators and Entrepreneurs, Inc. (PASSAGE) headed by President Aladino L. Leccio (right photo, center), vice-president for administration and finance of the Capiz State University (CapSU), the national training workshop gathered participants representing eight state universities and colleges (SUCs); three local government units (LGUs) of the province of Rizal; five elementary schools and six barangay LGUs of Tanay, Rizal; three local government agencies; and two private local entities, both of Cainta, Rizal. The training was done in cooperation with the local government of Tanay led by Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco (right photo, first from left) and the University of the Rizal System headed by Dr. Marita Canapi.

The eight SUCs were Batanes State College (BSC), Bukidnon State University (BSU), Capiz State University (CapSU), Cebu Technological University, Mindoro State College of Arts and Trades, Rizal Technological University, University of Rizal System and the West Visayas State University. Of these SUCs, CapSU had the most number of delegates (17), while BSU and BSC represented the farthest delegations.

Participants from government agencies came from the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police, both of Pililla; and Department of Education (DepEd) in Tanay; while the two religious institutions included the Asia Pacific Christian College & Seminary and Our Lady of Light Parish both based in Cainta, Rizal.

Meanwhile, the DepEd district of Tanay was represented by teachers and officials of Balimbing Elementary School in Brgy. Plaza Aldea; Sampaloc Elementary School; Ilaya Elementary School in Brgy. Tandang Kutyo; Laiban Elementary School and Wawa Elementary School, all of Tanay, Rizal.

Aside from the LGUs of Antipolo, Rodriguez, and Taytay, all of Rizal, participants also came from the barangay LGUs of Tanay, Rizal, namely: Sampaloc, San Andres, Kay Buto, Laiban, Santa Inez, and Tabing Ilog.

Need for Training

In his welcome speech, Leccio stressed the urgent need for the members of the academe, the local government units (LGUs) and the civil society “to possess the knowledge and skills needed to help reduce and manage disaster risk.” 

In particular, Leccio said that “teachers and extension workers in schools and universities can integrate these skills in the courses that they teach; while the LGUs directly in contact with the affected communities are mandated to provide assistance during times of calamities.”

Dr. Cely Binoya

In three days, the participants were, among others, briefed on the concepts of DRRM and the participatory capacity and vulnerability analysis (PCVA), taught first-aid skills and given opportunities to map out their disaster management plans for their respective institutions.

Anchored on the theme “Ligtas na Bayan, Maunlad na Pamayanan,” the summit featured the expertise of Mr. Vicente Tomazar, chairperson of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRMC) Council of Region IV-A, who presented DRRM’s key concepts and the legal bases and its current state in the Philippines.

It also featured Dr. Cely Binoya (above photo), former president of PASSAGE, who shed light on the Community-based Disaster Management Approach; and Engr. Carlos Inofre, Jr., officer-in-charge of the Tanay’s DRRM section who led the workshop on PCVA.

Among others, participants were taught the tools in participatory learning and action including mapping, timeline, seasonal calendar and Venn diagram. Accordingly, they were grouped and given on-site residents to interview to produce sample disaster data.

Participants are taught here basic rescue skills.

On the second day, officers and members of the Tanay Mountaineers, Inc. taught the participants basic rescue skills including bandaging, basic first-aid and triage. After which, the participants were grouped according to their organizations to plan out and map practicable plans for their respective institutions.

Lifelong Learning

A survey of the training workshop found that a big number of participants favored the hands-on approach for the basic first-aid skills and techniques.

Participants also found the skills training helpful, relevant and timely, even as it engaged their active participation.

Aside from lauding the “lively” resource persons whom they considered “excellent” and “experts,” participants also took note of the useful topics and the venue which is considered “conducive” and best for learning.

The CapSU delegation led by VP for Admin & Finance Aladino Leccio (standing, fourth from right) is given a warm welcome by the URS faculty counterparts at the Tanay Municipal Hall.

CapSU Dumarao’s ethnobotanical dewormers study dominates DOST, PASUC VI contests

In a span of eight days, the ethnobotanical team of the Capiz State University (CapSU) Dumarao Campus gave back-to-back prestige to CapSU.

On Sept. 5, 2013, the research team composed of Dr. Bede Ozaraga, Dr. Ma Sylvia Inting Ozaraga & Dr. Maryneth Baticbatic Barrios whose entry titled “Ethnobotanical Anthelmintic for Free Range Native Chickens” was declared the regional winner for Creative Research Category, or Likha Award during the 2013 Regional Invention Contests &  Exhibits (RICE) sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Technology Promotion and Application Institute (TAPI) at the Robinsons Place in Iloilo City. The winning team were awarded a certificate, a plaque of recognition and cash prize to be given by TAPI.

Foremost, the winning research noted how the contribution of the native chicken to the economy of rural farming communities has been well recognized though not properly quantified, citing that “the native chicken is not only an important source of high-quality protein food but also additional income for small farmers in these communities.” It also maintained that the prevalence of internal parasitism in native chickens and the increasing cost of commercial veterinary anthelmintics—worsened by their unavailability in the barangay level—dramatically reduce the potential of the native chicken in Western Visayas.

The winning project promoted that “there is a need to utilize ethnobotanicals available in these communities” even as many ethnobotanical anthelmintics have been proven to contain potential constituents as cheap sources of anthelmintics to complement the commercially manufactured parasitic drugs against internal parasitism. For the winning team, using ethnobotanical dewormers can reduce the burden of intestinal parasites in free-range native chickens to tolerable levels.

Then on Sept. 12, 2013, the same team who presented their extension work titled “Technology Promotion and Transfer of Ethnobotanical Anthelmintics for Free Range Native Chickens” clinched the top prize for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Category during the 4th Regional Extension Symposium sponsored by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) VI at the Punta Villa Resort in Villa, Iloilo City. The same paper also won Best Poster among 10 entries.

In the same extension summit joined by some 15 SUCs across the region, another extension project titled “Skills Development, Advocacy, Volunteerism and Empowerment (SAVE) Program on Health” by Jennifer Benliro, Evelyn Borgonia and Marcela Buenvenida of CapSU Pilar Campus won first runner-up in the Health Category and first runner-up in Poster Category.

CapSU Vice-President for Research & Extension Cora Navarra (second from left) leads the winning CapSU team that reaped awards in the recent PASUC VI regional extension summit in Punta Villa Resort in Iloilo City. She is joined by Research Director Guillermo Legada, Jr. (second from right); Extension Director Emelita Solante (extreme left); and the winners.

In one day, CapSU brought home the bacon—with four certificates of recognition and 10,000 worth of cash prizes for all the said awards from the PASUC VI regional summit. (Text & Photos by Niño Manaog)