January 27, 2021- TELA 2021 marked the Anniversary of the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Textile Research Institute. PTRI is the DOST’s research and development arm in terms of fabrics and textile technology and innovation.

Headed by Dir. Celia B. Elumba , the PTRI aimed at promoting the Philippine Indigenous Textiles and Tropical Fabrics, collaborating with various organizations, academe and the Arts.

The Tela Conference 2021 held at the PTRI head offices in Taguig has this year’s theme” Fashioning Philippine Textile towards a Sustainable Creative Economy” the two day event spearheaded by the PTRI has notable speakers such as Rep. Christopher De Venecia of the 4th District of Pangasinan which is the Chair for the House Special Committee on the Creative Industry and the Performing Arts.

On the first day also highlights the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law RA 9242. In the Video with Dir. Elumba she explained the rationale of the event and how its challenges in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.///MJ Balaguer, +639053611058,maryjaneolvina@gmail.com “DZMJ Online Makabuluhang Jornalismo Your Happiness Channel”

Sabuhin Bakery, SIMCO add to roster of Nutribun adoptors in Batangas
By: John Maico H. Hernandez, DOST-PSTC Batangas
 Sabuhin Bakery in Rosario and San Isidro Multipurpose Cooperative (SIMCO) in Batangas City are the latest addition in the roster of Enhanced Nutribun adoptors in Batangas province.

Geared towards distribution and promotion of a healthier and cost-effective bread in the different municipalities of Batangas, both firms signified their intention to adopt the Nutribun technology reformulated by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) and now called as the “Enhanced Nutribun”. Thus, as a component of the technology transfer, they participated in a three-day training on the production of the Enhanced Nutribun facilitated by FNRI via Zoom platform on January 13-15.

Good Manufacturing Practices and 5S in the workplace were among the topics covered during the first day of the training. The actual discussion on the production of Enhanced Nutribun followed during the second and third day. Questions and concerns of the participants were also addressed during the training proper. At the end of the training, both firms were able to produce the Enhanced Nutribun using the standard formulation of FNRI. Mr. Jaypy De Juan, Ms. Josefina T. Gonzales, Engr. Charlie E. Adona, and Mr. Richard L. Alcaraz of FNRI served as speakers of the training.

According to FNRI, the Enhanced Nutribun answers to the call of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Memorandum Circular No. 12 Series of 2020, or the Guidelines in the Implementation of the Supplementary Feeding Program During Community Quarantine or Other Similar Emergencies. FNRI also shared that compared to the Nutribun of the 70s, the Enhanced one has more micronutrients like iron and vitamin A. Its texture is also softer and weighs 160- 165 grams per piece, which is easier for children to hold and bite. Each serving of Enhanced Nutribun weighing 160-165 grams per piece, has 504 calories, 17.8 grams protein, 6.08 milligrams iron and 244 micrograms vitamin A.

Both firms expressed their appreciation to FNRI and DOST CALABARZON for the opportunity given to them. To Ms. Marites Ramirez, General Manager of SIMCO, the adoption of Enhanced Nutribun would create a good advantage for their cooperative particularly in serving as additional income source and in responding to the call for a healthier nation. “Isa pong napakalaking opportunity para sa SIMCO ang maging adaptor ng Enhanced Nutribun. Malaking bagay po ito para sa SIMCO sapagkat may panibagong produkto kami na maii-offer sa aming mga members at higit sa lahat ay makakatulong ito na madagdagan ang kita ng kooperatiba! Magiging katuwang din kami ng pamahalaan sa pagsupo sa kagutuman sa bansa,” she said.

Both firms are expecting to start their production after the training. They will also receive a certificate of adoption from DOST-FNRI once all documentary requirements are settled. Meanwhile, Panaderia Pantoja Inc. in Tanauan City and San Jose Workers Multipurpose Cooperative in San Jose, Batangas, who forged their formal adoption of Enhanced Nutribun in October 2020, are now starting their productions.

iShare, scientists impart life’s journey to the public
“To the young researchers, if you have the luxury to do what you want to do, write what you want to write, and I hope you will not get boxed in a particular way, because you have to write in a particular way, I hope that, that opportunity will be open for everyone. It’s not just there. You also look for it.” This was one of the inspiring messages of Dr. Teresa S. Encarnacion Tadem, Ph.D., a political science professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) during the first webisode of iShare, where she recounted her journey on being sidetracked from her original dream of working for the United Nations, and on finding comfort and fulfillment in doing research and writing, initially at the Third World Studies Center of UP.

iShare is a digital storytelling platform initiated by the Department of Science and Technology’s National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP), wherein the council’s Achievement Awardees share their challenges and triumphs in their chosen fields. Through iShare, DOST-NRCP aims that more Filipinos, especially the younger generation will learn and get inspired from the real life’s experiences of Filipino scientists.

Tadem, the author of “The Marcos Technocrats,” added, in sharing her research experiences in the country and abroad, “I learned that the only way I could really learn about that country is to do fieldwork, to interview people from the ground of what they’re really doing to push for the democratization of their development.”

On the other hand, Dr. Anthony SF Chiu, a professor at the De La Salle University Manila, who shared his story on professional networking – an important factor in advancing one’s career, along with Tadem were the main storytellers in the pilot webisode of iShare, which premiered last December, and can still be accessed through the Research Pod, a Facebook Page of DOST-NRCP.

“As children, we were awed by the courage, persistence, compassion, and some magical skills of heroes and heroines, hoping that one day, we will be like them,” Marieta B. Sumagaysay, DOST-NRCP’s Director, said by way of introducing iShare and on how storytelling has largely been a part of the Filipinos’ lives.

Sumagaysay also shared how her grandparents would gather them when they were children and told them stories of people emerging unscathed, and even stronger after hurdling through life’s challenges. As a result, these stories played a big role in the successful careers of those children who listened along with her.

Watch out for the next iShare webisode on 24 February 2021, and be inspired by the stories of exceptional Filipinos who were successful in their own fields; the Achievement Awardees Karlo L. Queaño, Ph.D., a geologist at the Ateneo de Manila University and Joyce L. Arriola, Ph.D., a professor from the University of Santo Tomas. The next storytellers on 25 March 2021 will be Dr. Elmer S. Estacio, also a professor from the UP- National Institute of Physics and Dr. Rowena DT. Baconguis, a professor at UP Los Baños.

The NRCP Achievement Awards is a recognition given since 1979 to its members with outstanding contribution to the body of knowledge in science and to the country’s nation-building initiatives. Succeeding iShare webisodes will be announced in the Facebook Page: Research Pod. (Geraldine Bulaon-Ducusin, S&T Media Service)