Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food as well as the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, unexpectedly was not able to come to the Visayas State University as guest speaker on the occasion of the “Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Day” celebration as one of the major highlights of the 91^st VSU Founding Anniversary.  As relayed by Atty. Reggie Tamaña, Executive Director for the Committee on Agriculture and Food of Senator Villar, the senator was on her way to VSU in the morning of August 11, 2015 riding in a helicopter from Cebu City when the aircraft had a trouble. The pilot decided not to continue their flight for the security of the senator. 

Nevertheless, Sen. Villar conveyed her message to the farmers and fisherfolk who were present at the jampacked VSU Convention Hall that morning while the program was going on.  Because of the advancement of technology, she was able to greet the VSU constituents, the farmers and fisherfolk over a cellphone call that was hooked-up live from Cebu City.

In her message, Sen. Villar lauded VSU for the very special day devoted by the University for the farmers and fisherfolk.  “Hindi ako nakarating dahil nagkaproblema po ang aking sasakyan, but ako po ay nagagalak at laging sumusuporta sa Visayas State University dahil ito po ay isang unibersidad na talagang tumutulong para sa agrikultura na napakaimportante para sa ating mga farmers and fisherfolk.  Sana mag-enjoy kayo sa inyong mga activities today.  Again, happy 91^st Founding Anniversary to VSU,” she said.

On the other hand, Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla of the Province of Leyte, who also delivered a message in the said occasion, thanked VSU for spearheading the gathering of farmers in the region during its foundation day celebration.  He could not help but recall that the farmers’ lives were abundant before the Typhoon Yolanda came to the province.  “Aside from the lives that were lost, the agricultural production was also affected that made our farmers miserable and look for some ways by which they can find other means of livelihood,” the Leyte Governor lamented.  “But now, the production of our farmers in their agriculture endeavor has been doubled because of the help of our government, the universities, and the nongovernment organizations,” Petilla added.

In the same occasion, the “Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Forum” took place to give way to the farmers and fisherfolk to air their concerns and listen to the responses from the experts of the University.  JFMBaldos

The Visayas State University (VSU), through the Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhiRootcrops), celebrated the Rootcrops Festival as one of the highlights of the 91^st VSU Founding Anniversary. The festival is a project funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources, Research and Development (PCAARRD), and the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 8 (ATI-RTC 8). The festival showcased Rootcrops Rock, Rootcrops Dance Festival, Rootcrops Technology Forum, Rootcrops Treat, Rootcrops Artwork Contest, and Rootcrops Cookfest.

The Rootcrops Rock, an interactive learning activity joined by elementary pupils, focused on the different uses of sweet potato, cassava, gabi and ubi in the food, feed and industry and nutraceuticals. Rootcrops Treat was an evening treat with dinner composed of rootcrop-based food.

The Rootcrops Artwork Contest was participated in by elementary, high school, college students, and professionals with the theme “Reinvigorating Agriculture for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.”  The Rootcrops Cookfest was open to HRTM and Food Technology students with rootcrops as the main ingredient.

Moreover, the Rootcrops Technology Forum focused on “Rootcrop Innovations for Health and Growth” which aims to promote rootcrop processing system and food products from rootcrop science and technology for adoption by interested stakeholders. The Rootcrops Technology Forum exhibited products made out of rootcrops, like: tarroz wine–fermented pure extract of Taro, developed food products from cassava grates and flour like cassava cookies, cassava espasol, cassava macaroons, yucca sticks, jolly rolls and pitsi pitsi, sweetpotato pickles, and taro yogurt.

On the other hand, the Rootcrops Dance Festival featured a mass showdown of different contingents from VSU-Alangalang, VSU-Tolosa, and the VSU Main Campus represented by the College of Education. It featured the different activities of rootcrops farming such as planting and harvesting and triumphs against calamities and/or natural disasters. The VSU-Alangalang Campus emerged first and received PhP20,000.  The College of Education won the second prize and received PhP15,000, while VSU-Tolosa won the third prize and received PhP10,000. SMCLemos

The backbones of the agricultural economy of Eastern Visayas—the farmers—were given recognition by the Visayas State University (VSU) for their exemplary performances in their respective endeavors.  The University always spares a special day to the farmers of Region 8 dubbed as “Farmers and Fisherfolk’s Day” as it celebrates annually its foundation day.

On August 11, 2015, four individuals and one farmers’ association received their respective awards from VSU through its President, Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, together with the Leyte Provincial Governor, Hon. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, and the mayor of the City of Baybay, Hon. Carmen L. Cari, on the occasion of the 91^st VSU Founding Anniversary at the VSU Convention Hall with the theme “Reinvigorating Agriculture for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.” 

Mrs. Priscilla A. Espinazo of Barangay Uson, Caibiran, Biliran is the 2015 (Ugmad Award) Outstanding Farmer-Entrepreneur “For her innovativeness, hard-work, concern for the environment, faith in God and determination to increase productivity and profitability in her farm. She initially started tilling three hectares which eventually grew to a five-hectare farmstead owing to her entrepreneurship and diligence. A farmer with a knack for planning and entrepreneurship, she is able to motivate and persuade her children to work in the farm in which four of them graduated from the Visayas State University. She shows a remarkable concern for the environment by adopting organic farming and ecologically-sound pest management practices. She is also active in their community by advocating transparency, highest form of responsibility and accountability, hard-work for a fruitful and wise living. As an environmentalist, she believes that her duty is to cause the Earth to bloom and be a good steward of God’s creation.  Her farm, which is so beautifully landscaped, displayed her vibrant spirit in making it springs with abundant produce. The mixture of vegetables, ornamentals, fruit trees, animals and farm amenities qualified it to become an Agro-Tourism Farm.  Mrs. Espinazo is an outstanding example of the new breed of successful woman farmer-entrepreneur who can prove that farming is a highly rewarding vocation.”

In her acceptance message, she encouraged her fellow farmers to have a strong faith in God in everything that they do. 

Mrs. Espinazo received a plaque from VSU and a cash award of PhP20,000 from the provincial government of Leyte through Gov. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla.

VSU and the Energy Development Corporation (PNOC-EDC)accorded the 2015 Outstanding Vegetable Farmer Award to Mr. Patricio B. Bucal of Barangay San Isidro, Baybay City, Leyte.  Mr. Bucal was cited “For exemplifying innovativeness, hard-work and determination to make the one-and-a-half hectares of tenanted land a productive vegetable farm.  Concerned about the environment, he started abandoning conventional farming practices and adopted an organic farming system. His hard-work and good entrepreneurial skills have brought him enough profits to acquire additional farm plots.  His success in vegetable production enabled him to send his children to school. Two of them are presently enrolled at the Visayas State University taking up BS in Agricultural Engineering and BS in Agribusiness. He is also an active member of the Baybay Farmers’ Association (BAFA).  Mr. Bucal shifted to organic vegetable production in which he believes would help preserve the environment and most of all improve the well-being of vegetable consumers.”

Mr. Bucal received a plaque and a cash award of PhP15,000 from the Energy Development Corporation  through its Vice President, Engr. Manuel C. Paete. 

On the other hand, VSU and the Univet Nutrition and Animal Health Care Company (UNAHCO) presented the 2015 Outstanding Livestock Farmer to Engr. Eric C. Codilla of Cogon, Ormoc City “For his innovative and environment-friendly farming practices that transformed his small broiler production venture into a huge broiler farm. He adopted an alternative farming in growing his broilers and found out that organic chicken production is the wisest choice to grow them because he fully understood that using synthetic vitamins and antibiotics will leave residues to the meat making it unsafe for one’s health.  He spearheaded the adoption of the technology in Ormoc City since 2010 and fearlessly made his farm as a demo for other broiler raisers to see its effects and advantages. His decision was fully rewarded for having a fowl-free odor farm, healthy broilers and healthy customers. His poultry products are fully declared by the NMIS as toxic-free.  He is now formulating his own feeds for his broilers, swine and Peking ducks which make his farm a destination of agri-related field tours not only in Region 8 but also from other provinces of the country.  Engr. Codilla, a Civil Engineerby profession, is a farmer-entrepreneur who has shown that even with a different professional background, one can succeed in poultry farming which makes him a good example to other farmers.”

Together with his wife, Mrs. Julida Codilla, Engr. Codilla received a plaque and products worth PhP15,000 from UNAHCO through Mr. Glenn L. Ibañez, the Technical Director.

The University also presented the very first Outstanding Fisherfolk Award to Mr. Artemio F. Docdoc of Barangay Tinago, Tomas Opus, Southern Leyte “For his innovativeness, resourcefulness and eagerness to raise excellent quality supply of milkfish in the market and enable him to operate fish cages as an outstanding livelihood project.  His eleven modules fish cages enabled him to harvest more than 60,000 kilos milkfish within four to five-month time and when converted into cash it would amount to millions of pesos. This venture has generated employment to other people in the community which eventually uplifted their standard of living as caretakers and fish vendors.  As chair of the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee of the Local Government Unit of Tomas Opus, he is able to encourage the residents in the coastal barangays to preserve their coastal waters by not throwing garbage in the ocean which is evident by their crystal blue waters. Also, they are now planning to rehabilitate their mangrove areas by planting mangrove tree species. He also encourages their barrio folks to go into mariculture as a source of income.  Hon. Docdoc sustained his mariculture business as a steady source of income for more than four years now. He also believes that one should be a risk-taker when entering into this kind of business venture. He plans to expand his fish cages, culture groupers, and other species of greater economic value. His love for mariculture encourages him to improve more on his trade as mariculturist.”

He received a plaque and a check worth PhP15,000 from VSU.

The Farmers’ Entrepreneurs Association (FEA) of Barangay Iberan, Salcedo, Eastern Samar is the 2015 Outstanding Farmers’ Association.  The group is recognized “For its outstanding leadership, unity, hard-work, dedication, commitment and entrepreneurship as an organization which helped raise their productivity and incomes even with marginal resources and minimal initial support from the government.  Despite poverty and calamity, FEA has demonstrated resiliency and aggressiveness to overcome such problems. They were able to encourage their members to put up certain amount of money as their savings in the Association.  They are now having more than a million-peso worth of assets and income from their store. Aside from operating a grocery store, FEA has established a nursery where they can propagate premium tree species and fruit trees for sale through the adoption of sound environmental practices such as the use of organic fertilizers, pesticides and soil conservation technologies. In addition, good marketing practices, internal capital formation, individual savings, and organizational development trainings have fostered strong member’s participation and group cohesion.  With 198 members, the FEA’s financial assets have grown up to more than a million pesos and various external partners who have seen their organizational potentials have started to provide support to their programs and projects.  The FEA’s success is an example of how farmers’ organizations with good leadership, organizational cohesion, hard-work, dedication, passion, viable income-generating projects, and strong government support can be a potent force for rural development. The FEA is an outstanding model for aspiring farming and fishing groups and communities, which capitalizes only on their fortitude and unity to make the best of their marginal resource base.  Lately, FEA has demonstrated that even with natural and man-made calamities, a strong organization is able to rise from their devastation and be productive again through unity and cooperation.”

The plaque and a cash award of PhP20,000 from Cebu Merlion Traders, Inc.were received by the FEA President, Mr. Luis Barayong, in the presence of Salcedo Mayor, Hon. Melchor Melgar.

Moreover, all finalists in the different categories received certificates from VSU.

Spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Extension (OVPRE) with Dr. Othello B. Capuno as the Vice President, through the Office of the Director for Extension headed by Prof. Efren B. Saz, the Ugmad Award is VSU’s way of giving recognition to the outstanding farmers among the nominees from all over Region VIII.

The 2015 Ugmad Award Outstanding Farmer-Entrepreneur, Outstanding Vegetable Farmer, Outstanding Livestock Farmer, Outstanding Fisherfolk, and Outstanding Farmers’ Entrepreneurs Association awardees were selected based on the following criteria: Innovativeness (30%), Productivity (30%), Community Leadership (20%), and Environmental Concerns (20%), for a total of 100%.

This year’s Ugmad Search Committee is composed of Prof. E. B. Saz, chairperson; Dr. Alfredo B. Escasinas, Prof. Reny G. Gerona, Dr. Milagros C. Bales, Dr. Humberto R. Monters, Jr., and Ms. Adelina O. Carreno, as members.  JFMBaldos

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The VSU version of “Your Face Sounds Familiar” added glitters to the 91^st VSU Anniversary Celebration on August 8, 2015 at the VSU Lower Campus Oval Grounds.  The talent search was participated in by the VSU faculty and staff, not only from the Main Campus but even from the satellite campuses of the University, who showcased their talents in singing and dancing as they mimic the artists they picked during the drawing of lots.  The competition had two categories—the individual and the group.

In the individual category, Mr. Arturo B. Alba, Jr. bagged the first place for emulating Yoyoy Villame’s style and look a-like as he sang the “Butsekik”.  He received a cash prize of PhP6,000.  The second prize went to Mr. Joey Caintic who was inspired by Bamboo by rendering the “Tatsulok”.  He received PhP5,000 in cash.   Miss Rose Marie Bañoc, who imitated Thalia’s “Maria Mercedes”, got the third place and received PhP3,000 cash prize. 

In the group category, the group of Doreen Alba, Jennifer E. Ando, Maria Verjie Q. Subere, Tesa Jane Olan, and Jade Belmonte, grabbed the first place. They imitated the “Spice Girls” as they sang “Wanna Be”.  The group received a cash prize of PhP8,000. The second prize of PhP6,000 went to the group of Beljun P. Enaya, Errol C. Fernandez, Arian G. Acampado, Dean Ruffel R. Flandez, and Jams Ian B. Nuñez who performed one of the songs of the “One Direction.”  The group of Nicole Florentino, Jo-Ann Managbanag, Cathlien Modina, Ma. Marjorie Martinez, Sheira May T. Camacho, and Jocelyn H. Mabuan called the “Pussy Cat Dolls” got the third place and received PhP4,000.

Each of the other six performers, three from the individual category and three from the group category, received a consolation prize of PhP1,500.

The show clinched with a superb performance from the chairman of the board of judges, Mr. Leander Geli, who dexterously played the guitar to the delight of the audience.

The Board of Judges is composed of Mr. L. Geli, former Vice Governor of Eastern Samar who is also a composer and a concert guitarist; Mr. Jaimelito Sabili, Jr., Station Manager of Radyo Nation-Baybay and a member of the USJ-R Dramatics Cultural Ensemble; and Mr. Windee Tan, a businessman and a member of the Gathering of Enthusiastic Cosplayers of Cebu and the director of the Hattori Media.  JFMBaldos

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