Paliwanagan sa UP Diliman: The OVCRD Colloquium 2014
The Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) is now accepting capsule concept proposals for Cycle 5 of the Emerging Interdisciplinary Research (EIDR) Program.
Deadline for submission of endorsed capsule concept proposals, via eidr.ovpaa(at)gmail.com, is on 10 November 2013 05 December 2013.
Please see memo of Vice President Gisela P. Concepcion for EIDR guidelines and revised forms, and the guidelines for Cycle 5.
By Agnes May B. Bantigue
A professor from the College of Home Economics (CHE) of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman led a team of volunteers to produce ready-to-eat (RTE) cooked rice and bihon noodles for deployment to areas severely affected by Typhoon Yolanda.
Dr. Ma. Patricia V. Azanza, food scientist and professor at the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, pioneered the novel processes for producing the RTE cooked rice and noodles.
The RTE cooked rice and noodles are retrogradation-resistant and shelf-stable for a month. These goods do not require further cooking, reheating, or hot water hydration like actual cooked rice and noodles, but can be stored for weeks. These properties make the products ideal for situations where cooking is not an option, such as in evacuation centers of calamity-stricken areas and during military field operations.
In fact, these situations prompted Dr. Azanza to create the technology for RTE cooked rice and noodles. She aimed to produce a meal that provides the carbohydrates needed by soldiers who will be expending a lot of energy. She determined that such meals should not require cooking to avoid compromising a soldier’s location in the field. The meals must be retrogradation-resistant and shelf-stable, so there is little risk of food spoilage. Dr. Azanza immediately saw the potential for RTE meals in evacuation centers where people are in need of food that will satisfy their hunger.
In the Pilot Food Plant of the College of Home Economics, over 300 students, staff, and faculty members work hand-in-hand for the production of ready-to-eat products for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. OVCRD file photo.
Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), reported to be the most powerful typhoon in 2013, caused catastrophic damage to much of the Visayas Region, leaving 1.9 million people homeless and more than 600,000 displaced. Since the typhoon’s devastation, there has been overwhelming support from both local and foreign organizations to ensure relief operations in the affected areas. Dr. Azanza saw the opportunity to help out, and immediately planned the production of 5,000 units of 150-gram packs of RTE rice and 3,000 units of 150-gram packs of RTE noodles. Over 300 students, staff, and faculty from the College of Home Economics volunteered for the 12-day production in the Pilot Food Plant (PFP) at CHE. The production was funded through a Source of Solution grant by the UP Diliman Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD).
The retrogradation-resistant shelf-stable cooked rice, one of the technologies in this initiative, was registered as a Utility Model in the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) in 2011. A Philippine Patent Application for the RTE noodles will also be filed through the IP and Technology Transfer Program of the UP Diliman OVCRD.
Invitation to the IPA Awarding Ceremony, 27 November 2013, 2:00pm at the NIP Auditorium
List of Awardees
2011
2012
2013
By Agnes May B. Bantigue
Dr. Marco Nemesio “Coke” E. Montaño of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) has been conferred the prestigious Pantas Award for Most Outstanding Researcher/Scientist by the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). “Pantas” is a Tagalog word that means wise, scholarly or erudite, and the Pantas Award is given to scientists/researchers who have made exemplary contributions to the development of the country’s agricultural, aquatic and natural resources.
Dr. Marco Nemesio E. Montaño, the 2013 PCAARRD Pantas Awardee for Most Outstanding Researcher/Scientist.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Montaño.
Dr. Montaño, a professor at the UP-MSI, was recognized for his extensive work on seaweed and sea grass utilization, which has benefited not only the scientific community but also the seaweed industry. The DOST-PCAARRD cited him for his research-based initiatives that have been instrumental in “promoting the growth and competitiveness of the Philippine seaweed industry, and provided the scientific basis for championing the Philippines seaweeds in the global market especially against attempts to discredit the product.” Dr. Montaño was also cited for his deep commitment to mentoring, and his enthusiasm in sharing his technical expertise on seaweeds with various stakeholders, among which is the Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP).
Dr. Montaño, whose other research interests include marine natural products and marine pollution chemistry, has published over 50 peerreviewed journal articles, with topics ranging from seaweeds and sea grass utilization to marine environmental toxicity testing. He played a key role in the formulation of the standard specifications of carrageenan and raw dried seaweed. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including last year’s (2012) Outstanding Professional of the Year Award by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).
Dr. Montaño (right) receiving the PCAARRD Pantas Award for Most Outstanding Researcher/Scientist during the PCAARRD Exhibits and Awarding Ceremonies
held last 8 November 2013 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Montaño.
Dr. Montaño received his award during the PCAARRD Exhibits and Awarding Ceremonies held last 8 November 2013 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. Aside from a trophy and a cash prize of PhP300,000, Dr. Montaño received a PhP2-million research grant from PCAARRD.
Upon the request of several Colleges/Units, OVCRD is still accepting a FINAL BATCH of RLC/CWLC with project funding until 18 November 2013 (Monday).