Water for Life Symposium to be held on November 23

The School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM), the Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS) of UP Los Banos, and the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) of UP Open University, together with Alliance Française of Manila and the French Embassy in Manila, will present a symposium entitled "Water for life."

The symposium's theme is Water as a resource and hazard: A symposium on integrated water resource management for sustainable development. It will be held on November 23, 2011, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Operations Room, Abelardo Samonte Hall, Administration Building, UP Los Baños.

Experts on water from France and the Philippines were invited to speak at the symposium. This symposium will be a venue for students and other members of the academe, non-government organizations, local government units, and various stakeholders to discuss water and water-related issues that are relevant to the country's sustainable development plans.

Attendance to the symposium is free. Due to limited seats available, however, interested individuals may make reservations with Dr. Leonardo M. Florece and/or Ms. Loida Pangan at telephone numbers 049-536-2251/3080 or Dr. Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava atdei_faustino@yahoo.com. (Joane Serrano)

Rafflesia panchoana from Mt. Makiling, Luzon and R. manillana from Basey, Samar compared

Rafflesia manillana from  Basey, Samar (photo by RTD

                     Dr. M.Ragub and his research staff,  DENR Region VIII, Tacloban City.

                                Rafflesia panchoana from  Mt. Makiling, Laguna (previously

                                named R. manillana). (Photo by Prof.K. Mat Salleh, deceased)

The past ten years saw a dramatic increase in the number of Rafflesia species described  in the Philippines. From the original two species described in 1841 (R. manillana Teschem.) and in 1885 (R. schadenbergiana Goeppert)  eleven  more species were described  as new to science  starting in 2002 and the latest in 2011.

One of these species was described in  2007 from Mt. Makiling in Laguna. It was named  R. panchoana Madulid, Buot & Agoo in honor of  Juan V. Pancho,  Professor of Botany at the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines at Los Banos. Earlier this species was often cited as R. manillana. apparently because of  its small size, (i.e. open flower about 15 to  20 cm diameter) similar to the Rafflesia from Basey, Samar.

Careful study of the original description (protologue) of R. manillana and detailed examination of actual specimens recently collected from the type locality in Basey, Samar revealed that the Rafflesia  from Samar is markedly different from the one in Mt. Makiling. The most obvious morphological difference between the two species is that in  R. manillana the diaphragm is conspicously  incurved and the orifice or mouth of the diaphragm is small that the inner side of the perigone tube cannot be seen from above. In  R. panchoana the  diaphragm is slightly upright, and  the opening or orifice is relatively wide, leaving the lower inner side of the perigone tube clearly seen  from above. The color of the diaphragm is also obviously different in that in R. manillana it is creamy white when the flower is newly opened, turning creamy orange when the flower matures whereas in  R. panchoana the color of the diaphragm is reddish brown when newly opened, turning deep reddish brown when older. There are other morphological differences between the two species such as the shape and location of the windows and the number of processes on the disk. These are discussed in the publications:  Madulid, D.A., Buot, I. and Agoo, E.M.G. Rafflesia panchoana, a new species from Luzon Island, Philippines. Acta Manillana 55:43-48 (2007) and Madulid, D.A. and Agoo, E.M.G. On the identity of Rafflesia manillana Teschem. (Rafflesiaceae). Philippine Scientist 44:57-70 (2007). D.A. Madulid

          

UPOU’s FMDS and Yakap Kalikasan hold Talakayang Kagubatan

The Faculty of Management & Development Studies (FMDS) and Yakap Kalikasan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Pilipinas, Inc. (Yakap Kalikasan) conducted the Talakayang Kagubatan on July 26, 2011 at the Oblation Hall, UPOU Headquarters. The Talakayang Kagubatan is part of a series of fora organized by the FMDS Committee on International Year of Forests (IYF) in celebration of the 2011 IYF.

The first part of the forum aimed to orient the participants on the situation and challenges currently facing Philippine forests as well as the various opportunities and programs related to sustainable forest management.

Four speakers were invited to share their expertise and experiences on sustainable forest management. Forester Nonito Tamayo, Assistant Director of the Forest Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource Management (DENR), shared the current situation of the Philippine forests and the challenges faced by DENR as the national agency mandated to manage the country’s environment and natural resources. He also presented the various programs of DENR on sustainable forest management.

A representative from the people’s organization involved in Mount Makiling was also invited to share his personal experiences as upland farmer. Kagawad Florencio Dalma, former president of the Samahan ng Magbubukid sa Paligid ng Bundok Makiling, shared how the upland farmers in Bagong Silang became partners in sustainable forest management.

Ms. Riselle Ahilon, a student of the College of Forestry and Natural Resource Management of UP Los Banos, also shared her experiences as a forestry student and part of the youth sector involved in forest management and conservation.

Mr. Glenn Paul Flores of Bantay Kalikasan-ABS CBN Foundation talked about “Green Corporate Social Responsibilty: Business in Forest Management.” Mr. Flores shared the success story of La Mesa Watershed as a result of partnership between government and private institutions.

In the second part of the forum, the participants were called to join the “Kamalayang Kalikasan ng mga Bata (KKB): A Kids-To-Forest Project of FMDS and Yakap Kalikasan.” This project is part of the expansion activity of the UPOU Earth Ambassadors. It will expose the children and youth to forest areas, agencies or offices involved in forestry matters, as well as business enterprises that showcase actual production of forest products or services that help conserve forest resources.

A total of 50 participants from various sectors and institutions attended the forum and expressed interest in the Kids-To-Forest Project. They came from: LGU Los Banos, Bagong Silang, Bitin Elementary School, Gawad Kalinga-Putho, Christian School International, Bucal Elementary School, Pansol Elementary School, E. Baretto Elementary School, Dayap Elementary School, Sto. Domingo Elementary School, Barangay Malinta, Puypuy Elementary School, The Learning Place, Barangay Lalakay, UP Rural High School, Dayap National High School.

Dr. Consuelo Habito, Program Chair of the Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management gave the opening remarks. The forum was facilitated by both FMDS and Yakap representatives (Joane Serrano).

http://www2.upou.edu.ph/component/content/article/66-news-2011/488-upous-fmds-and-yakap-kalikasan-hold-talakayang-kagubatan

UPOU signs MOU with DXN International Private Ltd.

The UP Open University (UPOU) and the DXN International Private Ltd. (DXN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 21, 2011 at the UPOU Headquarters, Los Banos, Laguna to formalize their partnership in entrepreneurship training.

The DXN partnered with UPOU to provide their members with an opportunity to enroll in the Personal Entrepreneurial Development (PED) program of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS). The PED program was developed to instill entrepreneurial values, attitudes, characteristics, competencies and other qualities that will give individuals an edge when starting and managing their own businesses. According to Engr. Edgar Hao, DXN Philippines Director, the company believes that this program will give their members that entrepreneurial edge.

In her message, Chancellor Grace Javier-Alfonso welcomed linkages with institutions, like DXN, with similar thrust of responding to the needs of the Filipino workforce here and abroad. She stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to encourage and develop more entrepreneurs to help address social and economic imbalances in the society.

The MOU was signed by Chancellor Grace Alfonso for UPOU, and Engr. Hao for DXN, and witnessed by Dr. Inocencio Buot, FMDS Dean, and Joseph E.W. Tarrobal, DXN Philippines Marketing Manager.

Established in 1993, DXN is a local direct sales company producing and marketing Ganoderma-based products. (Joane Serrano)

FMDS-UPOU Co-organizes the 11th Annual Scientific Conference of PSSN

http://www2.upou.edu.ph/component/content/article/465-fmds-upou-co-organizes-the-11th-annual-scientific-conference-of-pssn-

FMDS alumni created their own website

The 2011 graduates of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), through their recently elected first batch of officers, have recently created a website for the FMDS alumni. The website aims to provide news and updates of the activities of the alumni. They are inviting their fellow FMDS alumni to keep in touch by writing articles and blogs about their FMDS-UPOU experiences. This site will serve as venue for organizing activities to further strengthen FMDS alumni relations and linkages.

http://upoufmdsalumni.weebly.com/

FMDS held Closing Program for PED, NEP and SAfE

The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) held the closing program for three of its Continuing Education Courses (CEC) – Personal Entrepreneurial Development (PED), New Enterprise Planning (NEP), and Simplified Accounting for Entrepreneurs (SAfE) on June 18, 2011 at the UPOU Headquarters. These programs are intended to assist aspiring and current entrepreneurs to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and values needed to help them in their enterprises.   

The NEP and PED courses are on their 17^th run since the first offering in January of 2002. The PED course has graduated a total of 237 students, with 17 graduates for its last batch offering. The NEP course has a total of 169 graduates, with three graduates for its last batch offering. On its pilot offering, SAfE has graduated a total of nine students.

The three FMDS CECs also gave distinction awards to its exemplary graduates. For the PED course, there were four graduates with high distinction. For the NEP course, there was one student with high distinction with his business plan entitled “re-FRESH: Fresh Fruit Shakes.” For the SAfE course, five graduates were given high distinction.

The FMDS will be offering the next batch for the three courses this coming July 23, 2011. Through these courses, FMDS hopes to develop more and better entrepreneurs who will eventually be able to contribute to our country’s development. As William Lisboa, a SAfE graduate, put it “…the reason we are here is because we are in pursuit of our goal to be better businessmen and entrepreneurs.” Ellen Manallo, a PED graduate, added “entrepreneurial dreams should be backed up with passion, proper values, deep sense of purpose and commitment and a lot of prayer.”

FMDS to Offer 4 New Degree Programs

The University of the Philippines Board of Regents recently approved four new degree programs proposed by the UP Open University's Faculty of Management & Development Studies  – the Diploma and Master in Land Valuation Management, and Diploma and Master of International Health.

The Diploma and Master of Land Valuation Management programs address the need for high quality valuation education that is accessible to private and government valuers and property managers throughout the country and elsewhere in the world. The Diploma program also targets those wishing to enter the valuation and property management profession. The MLVM program hopes to develop a perspective of land valuation and management for sustainable development. The DLVM and MLVM programs are ladderized so that DLVM graduates may continue to the MLVM program.

As most of the international health programs offered by universities in the Asia Pacific Region focus heavily on communicable and non-communicable disease control, the Diploma in International Health (DIH) and the Master of International Health (MIH) programs are envisioned to give equal emphasis to health promotion and health systems development. To be offered by FDMS, both programs are intended for entering and mid-career health professionals who are looking for graduate-level education and training that will prepare them for supervisory work in government health departments, local and international non-government organizations engaged in health and development work. The MIH program is particularly relevant to those who would like to pursue an academic career in international health.

These programs will be offered in the first semester, AY 2012-2013. For inquiries, please contact the UPOU Information Office at info@upou.edu.ph or the FMDS at fmds@upou.edu.ph. (with report from Anna Cañas)

FMDS-UPOU participated in the National Launching of International Year of Forests

The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) and other UPOU staff members, together with the Los Banos Science Community, NGOS, POs and other groups, participated in the kick-off activity of the national celebration of the International Year of Forests (IYF) on April 27, 2011. The UPOU served as one of the take-off points for the Bisikleta, Lakad at Takbo sa Makiling, a fun walk-bike run to raise awareness on sustainable forest management. A group of local bikers organized by FMDS joined the bike run from the UPOU gate passing by the National Highway to the Makiling Botanical Garden (MBG). 

The kick-off ceremony was titled Pagsibol with the theme Celebrating Forests for People. The fun bike-run was followed by Salubong Araw, Pamahaw at Konsyerto sa Gubat, a breakfast concert wherein different performers sang and danced for the benefit of the forests. After the concert, the formal program was hosted by Ms. Janet Martires and Ms. Catherine Untalan. Ms. Martires is an affiliate faculty of FMDS while Ms. Untalan is a current student of Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management (MENRM).

 The UPOU Earth Ambassadors from Dayap Elementary School, Sto. Domingo Elementary School and The Learning Place presented their chants for the forest during the program. The keynote speaker for the program was Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri who recently graduated from UPOU under the MENRM program.

 

The program culminated with the signing of Senator Zubiri and other dignitaries on the Pagsibol tarpaulin. Other participants also signed the tarpaulin as their covenant and support to IYF.

FMDS holds Fora on Health and Environment

The Faculty of Management & Development Studies (FMDS) held separate fora on Health and the Environment, as part of its thrust of providing a platform for intellectual exchange among UPOU’s constituency and as part of the celebration of the International Year of Forests (IYF). According to Inocencio Buot, Jr., Dean of FMDS, these scientific fora serve as “venues for sharing of research results and are important components of the science process and research culture among faculty and students.”

RP-Japan Forum on Forest and Human Health                                                                         

Through the FMDS-UPOU Committee on IYF, the RP-Japan Scientific Forum on Forest and Human Health was held on February 22, 2011 at the UPOU Audio-Visual Room. 

Two visiting professors from the Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences presented their papers during the forum: Dr. Yuko Eusugi, Assistant Professor from the Department of Nursing, presented a paper on the Importance of Health Education and the Role of Public Health Workers in Controlling Infectious Diseases in Japan; and Dr. Nobuko Matsuda, Professor from the Department of Nursing, spoke on the Role of Nurses in Controlling Infectious Diseases in Japan.

Other papers presented include the following:

Emergencies and Disasters: International Perspective by Dr. Sheila Bonito, Associate Professor, FMDS, UPOU

Neglected Parasitic Diseases in the Philippines: Meeting the Challenge by Dr. Rachel Gay Paller, Assistant Professor, Institute of Biological Sciences, UP Los Banos

Habitat Disturbance and Its Effect on Non-Volant Mammals and Their Ectoparasites by Mr. Aris Reginaldo, Instructor, UP Baguio

Parasitism and Environmental Disturbances by Mr. Renz Salumbre, Instructor,  Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Scientific Forum on Environment and Natural Resources Management

FMDS organized the Forum on Environment and Natural Resources Management on March 19, 2011 at the UPOU Audio-Visual Room. FMDS students who are taking ENRM 290 (Special Problem) were invited as resource speakers. They presented their research papers on environment and natural resources management.

Here are the papers presented:

Perceived Ecological and Socio-Economic Impacts of Marine Protected Area In Bauan, Batangas by Divine Joy Arguelles (via videoconferencing)

Woody Plant Species on Mt. Data National Park, Mt. Province Philippines by  Melanie Subilla

Identification of Environmental Perspectives and Influences of the 6th Grade Public Elementary School Students of Balanga City, Bataan, Philippines  by Chona Camille E. Vince Cruz

Evaluating Patterns of Fish Community Changes from Different-Aged Planted Mangroves in Lingayen Gulf  by Shielameh Peralta

Inventory And Assessment of Mangal Malacofauna (Bivalves & Gastropods) In The Mangrove Conservation Forest Area of Brgy. Pinagbayan, San Juan Batangas by Bayani Terrible Vivencio

An Assessment of the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program Implemented by the Katala Foundation, Incorporated in Palawan, Philippines by Juan Miguel F. Zubiri.

The forum was attended by UPOU faculty, staff and students. (Joane Serrano)