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Celebrating S&T and the youth through SyenSaya

Annually, SyenSaya, the Los Baños Science Festival is held after the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW). From August 12 to 14, 2015, the SyenSaya was celebrated with the theme, “SyenSaya at Kabataan: #WOW TLG (Technology Leads to Globalization).”

Being a member of the Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc., (LBSCFI), the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) participated as one of the exhibitors and organizers of the event.

Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Acting Executive Director of DOST-PCAARRD, also served as the keynote speaker during the opening program held at Copeland Gymnasium, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

In its exhibit for the Wonderama, DOST-PCAARRD featured technologies on banana, coconut, mango, and mussel, which were also featured in the NSTW 2015 held at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City in July 2015.

Specifically, the Council showcased its Fusarium wilt-resistant giant Cavendish tissue culture variant (GCTCV) somaclones and banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) resistant lakatan; coconut tissue culture developed through somatic embryogenesis; integrated crop management (ICM) and postharvest quality management (PQM) for mango; and Pinoy “Longline” technology for growing mussels.

In relation to the event, a Technology Forum on Data Management and Information Systems for barangays was held at the NCAS Auditorium inside the UPLB campus. The forum had the topic, Datos at Impormasyon na nasa Ayos, Gabay ng mga Pinuno sa Pamamahalang Maayos. The resource speakers included officials from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) IV-A; Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) IV-A; Provincial Government of Batangas; and UPLB. 

Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo, 2015 Outstanding Young Scientist Awardee, Professor III and UP Scientist I, served as the keynote speaker during the R&D Awarding and Closing Ceremonies which were held at the Southeast Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).

The Institute of Plant Breeding, UPLB, won the research category of the Philippine Agriculture and Resources Research Foundation Inc. (PARRFI) Research and Development Awards, while the Bureau of Plant Industry-Los Baños National Crop Research and Development Center won the development category of the same award. 

Both winners received a plaque and P20,000 cash and will be endorsed to existing scientific journals (national or international) for possible publication. They are also nominated/endorsed to national or international award-giving bodies.

LBSCFI is composed of 23 member agencies, both government and private. Among these are DOST-PCAARRD, DOST IV-A, SEARCA, Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), Trace College, and Los Baños Doctors' Hospital and Medical Center (LBDHMC).