While I was making the draft for this blog, I just came
from a very tiring, exhausting day of celebrating the founding anniversary of
our dear college, the agriculture.
The anniversary started with the parade of all the
faculty, staff and students of the college with the representatives of each
department’s for the search of the next Mr. and Ms. Aggie for 2012. All
students were gathered at the Aggie quadrangle around 8 o’clock. We walk all
the way to Annex-Barrio Salam-Com cent and back to our college.
The program didn’t start right away coz the guest speaker
Col. Magsalos has not yet arrived. So
while waiting for the guest speaker and the MSUS-President, we had parlor games,
tug of war. Each department had 10 representatives. First it was played by the
men from Agricultural Engineering against our department, Plant Science,
unfortunately, we lose.
Animal Science (Rodeo) vs. ABM=Winner Rodeo ^.-
Sagedex vs. Ag Eng'g= Winner Ag Eng'g
Rodeo vs. Ag Eng'g
Animal Science (Rodeo) vs. ABM=Winner Rodeo ^.-
Sagedex vs. Ag Eng'g= Winner Ag Eng'g
Rodeo vs. Ag Eng'g
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| Sagedex vs. Ag Eng'g |
And finally,
Col. Romeo Magsalos arrived, but the battle for the championship is still on.
Played by the Ag Eng’g against the Rodeo, the first game was won by the Rodeo’s
but we still have our hopes that the Ag Eng will defeat them. They changed
courts for the 2nd round, some of the students from different
department’s who didn’t make their men to the finals were cheering for the Ag
Eng. But after a few minutes the Rodeo’s were announced as champions.
After the exciting game, all the students settled
themselves on the building for the start of the program. The prayer was led by
Sir Mobarak, a Plant Science instructor, followed by the singing of National
Anthem.
“Today we celebrate our 49th birthday, from a
modest of 6 students with few faculties, to one of the biggest college in terms
of population,” were the first lines of Eng. Rashid Paca as he gave his welcome
address.
“Faculty and Staff of Agriculture are truly heroes of
this college…”
Before he ended up his long speech, he reminded everyone
of us that our MSUS-President has its full support in our college.
The brief story telling about the history of the Aggie
was given by the present Chairman of the Department of Plant Science, Dr.
Bagani S. Macabalang. Plant Science is the only department that most of the
Faculty is with PhDs degree.
To get the attention of the students, an intermission
number was given by our own street dancer, but due to technical problem we’ve
moved on in introducing the guest speaker by the current Dean, Dr. Pangandag
Magolama. While listening, one thing that caught my attention was that he was
an alumnus of our college and had taken BSA-Agronomy and BSA-Animal Science.
Ekra and Kuya Jess thought I was taking notes for the
PEDON (official publication of our college), but I don’t think I’m suited to
any of the positions offered. I’m not good at writing(But, I have given a try to be a blogger.),
The usual thanking and acknowledging the high ranking
personnel in the institution was hold for a minute for the MSUS-President
Macapado Muslim arrived from a meeting engagement with an Agricultural
Technology Program.
The late Dean, Dr. Camar Mikunug, was given
acknowledgements and honors from the Coronel. He even mention his Professors
before he proceed to his formal speech, names like, Dr. Rosa Villa Estoista,
Dr. Celeste Quirejero, Dr. Erlinda Tatil and Ma’am Gay.
For the past 49 years, for him, “this is the time to
reflect on how much we have grown and achieved. It’s time to prune the branches
that are not being productive.” We have to become relevant, not just aim for
the stars but for the moon. He may not have practiced as an agriculturist but
he can bridge the agriculture to his present profession. He will always be
indebted to the college for his entire endeavor. His last words were a
challenge for all of us, to make our better as best, to be more productive and
to go beyond the classrooms and to the gates to reach out to the communities.
“The challenge is on, are you in? Or out?” Col. Romeo
Magsalos.
Well I’m sure Dr. Quirejero is in with the challenge, she
had done extension works in some municipalities here in Lanao Del Sur sometimes
with Dr. Tatil and some Professors. Places like Piagapo, Lumbatan, Marantao,
and Madalum.
MSUS-President gave his inspirational message. He just
boasted again about the graduates in all of the MSU campuses in different board
examinations. He emphasizes the importance to produce highly competent
graduates. He told Sen. Angara about the achievements of the University and
wondered how they excelled despite the lack of equipments and good facilities.
He proudly announced that the senator had told him that the University will get
P1 billion budgets. Agriculture as a crucial thing for its role on eradication
of poverty and hunger, the President said he has its full support in the
college and we are on his top priority. He also acknowledges Col. Allan
Arojado, Deputy Commander of 103rd Infantry Brigade for some of the
extension works are escorted by them. The president ended the speech with full
of pride that with his help, our college has now an Integrated Soil and Plant
Tissue Laboratory.
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| Ribbon cutting for the new Soil Laboratory..Dr. Muslim and Col. Arojado |
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| Maam An introduced herself to Sir Macapado, about to demonstrate how to use new equipment |
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