April 2022 BUzette

We are now on the third year of the COVID19 pandemic. Just when we thought there might just be the tiniest glimmer of returning to normal, at least in our educational set-up, with majority of our students and personnel vaccinated; we are again in a slump. We are under Alert level 3 –which simply means, even the limited faceto-face classes that most of us are longing for, are again temporarily suspended. We have to go back to the way we were before 2022 started – with the BUCET back to BUCESS, and the at least 30% of the total population in public gatherings. Indeed, the current Omicron COVID19 variant is a frightening reality.

But

CM bags award on 1st GAWAD APMC-SN

Bicol University College of Medicine (BUCM) earned distinctions on different categories during the 1st Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC) - Student Network (SN) awarding ceremonies, as announced on April 10, 2022.

For the National Interscholastic Medical Debate Competition 2022, the BUCM team composed of Jose Bien Azcarraga, Timothy Canete, and Reina Pontejos catapulted their way to the quarter finals. The team was coached by Dr. Ofelia M. Samar-Sy.

On the other hand, Peter Paul Nico Mendoza, a year 4 BUCM student, received the Student Service Awardee for his “exceptional leadership and devoted service not only to BUCM but most especially to the APMCSN as the COMELEC Chairperson,” as written in the BUCM Student Council page.

Mendoza has served two years in the association as its Board Officer, Regional Deputy Secretary General for NCR-SL, and the current COMELEC Chair.

Meanwhile, BUCM’s

Thepremier student organization –Sanggawad, was recognized as the 5th out of the 10 Outstanding Medical Student Organizations in the country. This award is based on the organization’s projects that are community-oriented and socially relevant.

For the second time around, the BUCM Medicine Student Council was awarded the Seal of Good Governance (GOLD). It can be recalled that they also received the same distinction last March 21, 2021, during the 4th Association of Philippine Medical Colleges National Convention.

The awardees expressed their gratitude through their Facebook post: “This award will not be possible without the support of the BUCM Student Body to whom we are grateful for the trust they have given to us. To our Junior Council Officers, to the BUCM Year Level Organizations, the BUCM College Based Organizations, the BUCM Alumni Association, all our project sponsors, and our partner organizations, thank you for helping and believing in us”.

BU, DENR officials gather for Consultation cum Appreciation Program, Turnover of Land Title

Officials from Bicol University and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) gather for a Consultation cum Appreciation Program at the BU Conference Room, Ricardo A. Arcilla Building, on April 22, 2022.

Guests from DENR were Dir. Francisco E. Milla, Jr., CESO III, Regional Executive Director; Atty. Ronel C. Sopsop, CESE, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services; Atty. Ruper C. Gadia, Register of Deeds of Albay Director; Engr. Jerry R. Arena, OIC - Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) represented by Joel S. Columna; Alejo N. Balaguer, Station Head of the Urban and Biodiversity Research, Development and Extension Center; Engr. Ma. Fenia V. Bahillo, DENR Geodetic Engineer; Engr. Josie Columna, Chief of Surveys Division; Ferdinand L. Baltazar, Chief of Licenses, Patents, and Deed Division; Engr. Emilie L. Nas, Chief of Patents and Deeds Section; Agnes D. Zuñiga, PENRO Lead Management Officer II; and Joel B. Bueno,

PENRO Lead Management Officer III.

For the BU officials, present were President Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas; Atty. Joseph L. Bartolata, VP for Administration and Finance; Dr. Luis O. Amano, VP for Research Development and Extension; Dr. Amelia A. Dorosan, VP for Academic Affairs; Prof. Jerry S. Bigornia, VP for Planning and Development; Atty. Norly P. Reyes, Chief Administrative Officer of Admin Services and Acting University and Board Secretary; Atty. Loid P. Casais, Chief Administrative OfficerFinance; Atty. Daryl A. Redoblado, University Legal Officer and Member of the University Land Titling Committee; Cyrus A. Barrameda, Chief of Internal Audit Services; Engr. Ulysses R. Bello, Director of BU Physical Development and Maintenance Office and Member of the University Land Titling Committee; Engr. Ana Marie R. Abante, Director of BU Resource Generation and Physical Assets Management Office with Engr. Chantelle Dane Bausing, Technical Staff and both Members of the University Land Titling Committee.

The program started with an invocation by Dr. Reina O. Habalo, Chief of Presidential Management Staff. An opening message and an overview of the activity was then delivered by Prof. Bigornia followed by another message from university president Dr. Mascariñas. Afterward, the consultation meeting proper between BU and DENR took place.

A land title turnover was also held awarding the university 6,774 square meters or 1.7 acre of land situated in the main campus.

After awarding the certificates of appreciation and tokens to DENR officials, Regional Executive Dir. Milla gave a message followed by a closing remark from Atty. Bartolata. The DENR personnel expressed their pride in their statement, noting that the majority of them were BU graduates.

Dr. Renelyn E. Bautista, Director of the Communication and Public Relations Office, facilitated the event. Strict health and safety protocols were observed in the conduct of the activity.

AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editor-in-Chief Dr. Renelyn E. Bautista Associate Editor Gladys S. Serafica Circulation Manager Mary Ann M. See & Rica Mae B. Barnedo Photographer & Layout Artist Cherry Grace H. Calisin News Writer Arnold C. Noda Graphic Artist Reynalyn C. Cernechez Contributors Dr. Roldan C. Cabiles and Dennis R. Mirabueno

Editorial Consultants Dr. Amelia A. Dorosan & Dr. Reina O. Habalo

Overall Consultant/Publisher Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas

BU links with UPLB for academic, educational cooperation

Bicol University (BU) signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to develop academic and educational cooperation and promote mutual understanding held at the UPLB Executive Conference Room on April 25, 2022.

A benchmarking activity and meeting with concerned colleges also took place. Representatives from BU in the

ceremony were BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas; Dr. Ramon T. De Leon, Research and Extension Coordinator ( who represented Dr. Ramesis M. Lorino, Dean of BU Open University); Dr. Maria Jane B. Mascariñas, Senior Graduate Faculty, Dr. Emily M. Agonos, Academic Program Coordinator; Dr. Roldan C. Cabiles, BUGS GAD Coordinator; Dr. Melinda D. De Guzman, BUOU GAD Coordinator; Prof. Rollie

N. Montealegre, Academic Support Coordinator; Prof. Jose Carlo B. Lavapie, Student Affairs and Services Coordinator; and Mr. Mell Angelo M. Balisbis, Computer Laboratory and Admin Aide.

In its objective to bring curricular programs of the university to a wider populace of students in the Bicol Region or its nearby regions, BUOU intends to offer prospective undergrad courses.

BU asserts dominance wide PASUC culture,

fter

three-days of celebrating culture and arts through competitive rivalry, Bicol University emerged as the overall champion at the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Regional Culture

and Arts Festival hosted by the Catanduanes State University (CatSu), at the Virac, Catanduanes, on April 28 to 30, 2022.

Bannering the theme“Sining at Kultura ng Pag-asa, Tungo sa Ibayong Pagpapahalaga,” nine state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the region faced headon to claim championships on 25 categories in the fields of literary, visual arts, music, and dance competitions. The competing SUCs were host school CatSU, Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology (BisCAST), BU,

Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), University of Camarines Norte (UCN), Polytechnic State University of Bicol (PSUB), Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT), Partido State University (ParSU), and Sorsogon State University (SSU).

BU dominated the dance categories claiming two golds in the Folk Dance and Hip-hop/street dance competitions while seconding the contemporary dance genre. On the other hand, two golds were also acquired for the Essay Writing and Pagsulat ng Sanaysay categories in literary. In addition, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Places were taken in the Extemporaneous Speaking, Dagliang Talumpati, and Storytelling category respectively.

For the musical section, three golds

dominance in Bicolculture, arts fest

were nabbed in the Standard Chorale, Classical Guitar, and Live Band genres while 2nd and 4th Places for the Vocal Duet and Solo Kundiman.

Another gold was obtained in the Short and Sweet Play while bearing 3rd Place in Radio Drama. In the visual arts category, 2nd place was bagged for the Pencil Drawing. 4th and 5th Places were awarded for the On-the-spot Poster Making and Charcoal Rendering contests.

The festivity concluded with a pageant for the Search of the next Mr. and Ms. PASUC V 2022. BU representatives Ievo Gielo Ala Señadan and Mikki Angela Barcela both ended 2nd Runner Ups in the competition.

Overall, BU brought home eight golds, four 2nd and 3rd placers, three 4th placers, and one 5th placer. Winners will represent Bicol region in the National PASUC Culture and Arts Festival to be held later this year.

BU to expect 3 more bldgs., 2 reopens

Three consecutive ground breaking ceremonies were held at the Bicol University Main Campus, East Campus, and College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) on April 18, 2022.

The BU Physical Development and Maintenance Office (PDMO) building will rise at the Main Campus while the Food Science Building (FSB) at the East, and Crop Science Building (CSB) at CAF.

The blessing for the PDMO building was presided by Rev. Fr. Joseph Salando

from the Our Lady of the Gate Parish, Daraga, Albay. On the other hand, the FSB was graced by Rev. Fr. Nison Marantal, Parochial Vicar, St. Gregory the Great Cathedral Parish, and Rev. Fr. Nomer P. Balmaceda of the Diocese of Legazpi, for the CSB.

Meanwhile, the newly renovated Industrial Technology Buildings namely, the Auto mechanical and Electrical Building, was reopened after holding a ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony at

the East Campus.

Actively present in the events were BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Amelia A. Dorosan, VP for Administration and Finance Atty. Joseph L. Bartolata, VP for Planning and Development Prof. Jerry S. Bigornia, and VP for Research, Development, and Extension Dr. Luis O. Amano.

Some Deans, Directors, teaching, and non-teaching personnel also attended the ceremonies.

East Java Company signs lease for BU Commercial bldgs. in Daraga

Along-term lease contract between Bicol University (BU) and East Java Company (EJC) for the BU Daraga Arcade and BU Entrep Centrum in Daraga, Albay was sealed at the Chef Lee Restaurant, Legazpi City on April 22, 2022.

The BU Daraga Arcade is a two-storey commercial building in Daraga, Albay with a floor area of 2,915 square meters, while the BU Entrep Centrum is a one-storey building with a 275 square meters floor area. An adjoining lot was also included in the contract where a portion of the land is comprised of an access road and some setbacks.

ECJ will launch ‘Porterian [ The

Gateway],’ a project that necessitates brilliant strategies in securing assets and introducing, creating new business and job prospects, to continuously improve the municipality of Daraga, Albay.

The project is named after the Franciscan Missionaries’ Nuestra Senora de la Porteria Parish Church, which was built in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The parish housed the survivors of the 1814 Mount Mayon eruption, which badly destroyed the Cagsawa Church. The Porterian is also linked to Michal Porter and Tom Peters’ Porterian and Peterian Performance, which philosophized that “to be genuinely effective, an organization must

have a terrific plan with amazing execution.”

Present in the signing ceremony were BU President Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, Mr. Joseph Lim, General/Managing Partner of the East Java Company, BU Business Affairs Office Director and Supervising Committee Dr. Viola Amano, VP For Administration and Finance Atty. Joseph L. Bartolata, VP for Research, Development and Extension Dr. Luis O. Amano, VP Planning and Development Prof. Jerry S. Bigornia, and Technical Members: Atty. Daryl A. Redoblado, Engr. Carmela R. Mirandilla, and Ar. Jobel Bartolome.

The term of lease is valid for a period of 25 years.

University of Venda, South Africa joins BU on General Bilateral Agreement

Through the International Relations Office (IRO), Bicol University (BU) seals another General Bilateral Agreement (GBA) on international cooperation with University of Venda, South Africa on April 20, 2022.

In its aspiration for international collaboration in research and education, as well as the establishment of exchange programs, (1) scholar exchange, (2) development of dual or double degree programs, (3) exchange of academic information, documentation, materials, researches, and publications, (4) development of joint

research programs, and (5) creation/organization of other joint initiatives are all part of the scope of cooperation.

The virtual ceremony commenced with welcome remarks from Atty. Joseph L. Bartolata, VP for Administration and Finance followed by messages delivered by Dr. Amelia A. Dorosan, VP for Academic Affairs on BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas’ behalf, and Dr. Bernard Nthambeleni, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Venda.

University profile presentations were led by Dr. Dimson M. Rivero,

IRO Director, for BU and Dr. Segun Obadire, Acting Director of International Relations and Partnerships for the University of Venda.

The following officials from the participating BU colleges were also present during the virtual signing: Prof. Roscefe B. Dy, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF); Prof. Jean Annette S. Ibo, Dean of the College of Nursing (CN); Atty. Alex B. Nepomuceno, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy; Dr. Eddie S. See, Dean of the College of Business, Economics and Management (CBEM); and Dr. Herbert B. Rosana, Dean of Graduate School (GS).

Arboretum Project continues in BUCAF; targets to plant 300 endangered tree species

In its commitment to build cleaner and greener environment, Bicol University (BU) has continued the partnership with the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) for the BINHI Program at the BU College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), Guinobatan Campus, on April 21, 2022.

The BINHI program, which focuses on species-level biodiversity preservation, aims to save and secure endangered premium Philippine timber tree species by planting seedlings in school grounds, public parks, and other areas that provide a safe haven for future mother

trees, ensuring continuous seed production of these vanishing species.

It can be recalled that BU and EDC have been collaborating on projects related to biodiversity since 2014. In 2020, 96 indigenous trees species were planted in the university through the EDC BINHI arboretum project.

The first part of the gathering was a holy mass presided by Rev. Fr. Efren Borromeo of the Mary’s Healing Sanctuary. The program proper commenced with a welcome message from Dr. Roscefe B. Dy, BUCAF Dean followed by a message

of support from BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas.

Afterwards, the ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed led by Ed Jimenez and Engr. Marcel D. Rosario, EDC, BacMan (Bacon-Manito) Faculty Head. The program concluded with a message of thanks and appreciation by Rev. Fr. Efren Borromeo.

A tree planting activity was held to commemorate the occasion. In this partnership, EDC will be providing at least three hundred threatened tree species in the designated location in BUCAF.