GUIMARAS ─ The “Manggahan Festival”, held from April 16 to 22, added the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development’s (PCAARRD) FIESTA as its latest attraction to its yearly celebration.
The PCAARRD FIESTA or Farms and Industry Encounter through the Science and Technology Agenda celebrates life with science and technology (S&T). It conveys the message of abundance and prosperity in the agricultural industry, as well as its various business opportunities, through a focused S&T. These key messages are expressed through the conduct of activities highlighting S&T.
With the festival’s theme of “Unfolding science and technology for agri-tourism development”, the inclusion of the Council’s FIESTA is deemed timely and relevant.
To highlight the role of S&T in the island’s mango industry, the Council, along with its regional partner, the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium, hosted a mango technology forum, on-the-spot essay writing and photojournalism contests, and a cookfest. These activities are considered “firsts” in the festival’s 19-year history.
Mango forum
At the mango forum, the status of the industry and the research and development updates on the fruit were reported by Bureau of Plant Industry-National Mango Research and Development Center Officer-in Charge Chief Yondre J. Yonder (See related story).
On the other hand, Guimaras Provincial Agriculturist Ronnie Morante discussed the regulatory support for the mango industry.
Other speakers included Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Director Ma. Carmen Ituralde, who shared the value chain of the industry; and Magsasaka Siyentista Rebecca C. Tubongbanua, who divulged the success of her McNester mango products.
And the winners are...
The competitions drew the participation of five schools in Iloilo and Guimaras as follows: Guimaras State College (GSC), Central Philippines University (CPU), Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST), West Visayas State University (WVSU), and Jordan National High School (JNHS).
Katrina Mae Sencil of WVSU won first place in the college category of the essay writing contest. In second place was Rozie Mae Gepaya of WVCST.
In the high school category, Christian Kent Ceriola of GSC was the top winner. Bagging the second and third placements were JNHS students, Jethro Terrence Gobuyan and Gay Margarett Gange, respectively.
In the photojournalism contest, WVSU’s Krezyl Joyce Pugna got the first prize. Coming in second was Pattie Marie Ferrer of GSC. In third place was Jhona Mae Gouzon of JNHS.
For the cookfest, the culinary whiz of CPU won the top plum, followed by the would-be chefs of GSC.