SAN AGUSTIN, PILI, CAMARINES SUR – Eleven completed and on-going researches vied for the Best Paper and Poster Awards for during the 33rd DA Bicol R4DE In-House Review. The review was held at the Lanuza Hall of the Central Bicol Experiment Station here on September 20-21, 2023.

According to Ailyn Adante, OIC Chief of the Research Division, the In-House Review is an annual activity conducted by the Division to assess the output of the different studies conducted in the various Research Outreach Stations of DA Bicol, namely: Albay Research and Development Center; Camarines Norte Lowland and Rainfed Research Station; Central Bicol Experiment Station; Catanduanes Hilly Upland Development Station; Masbate Center for Livestock Development; and Sorsogon Dairy Production and Technology Center.

Dr. Edgar R. Madrid, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations in his speech emphasized the need to make a compendium of all researches conducted for the year to serve as reference both for the Research staff as well as the clients.

This year, 11 researches were evaluated during the one day event. The panel of judges were: Dr. Fe B. Perlas a retired professor of the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA); Dr. Ramona Isabel S. Ramirez a current professor at CBSUA; and Dr. Hector M. Sales a consultant, Ateneo de Naga University profesor and a former director of DA Bicol. Also present was Corazon Orbon, retired Chief of the Research Division and also a proponent of different researches.

Dr. Sales gave tips to his fellow researchers. According to him researchers should not only focus on the micro level but also the macro level because eventually these researches would be commercialized and be accepted outside the confines of the institution that would bring improvement to the lives of people.

The participants were divided into two categories the Research Paper and the Development Paper. Each participant was given 15 minutes to present their research and 5 minutes to answer the judges’ questions. Researches were judged on the following criteria: 35% Manuscript Preparation; 15% Presentation and 50% Significance of findings. The judges selected the three best papers that achieved at least 85% grade.

There was also a contest on technical poster with the criteria being: 35% Depth of content; 20% Organization of Content; 35% Design and 10% adherence to poster size.

The Best Paper for the Research Paper Category was the study entitled “Expanded Collection, Evaluation and Improvement of Traditional Corn Varieties” in Bicol Region by Leo Enrico M. Beltran, Ailyn R. Adante, and Mushi Kristine M. Bien. Second place in the Research Category was “Next Generation Plus: Validation of Variety Profiles and Recommendation Domains in Bicol Region by Corazon A. Orbon, Tara Christina B. Machica, Ralph T. Malazar, Ma. Lakambini Aldecoa, Nikki I. Lopez, Maria Esther V. Corporal, Maridel Q. Bibay, Estefhin T. Sibuc, Marion Noceda, and Shiela Rili. In the third place was the study “Efficacy of Rice Crop Manager-Based Nutrient Recommendations for Transplanted Inbreds by Corazon A. Orbon, Tara Christina B. Machica, Ralph T. Malazar, Nikki I. Lopez, Estefhin T. Sibuc, Shiela M. Rili, Maridel Q. Bibay, Maria Esther V. Corporal, and RTD Edgar R. Madrid.

Meanwhile, the Best Paper Award for the Development Category was garnered by the study “Product Development and Promotion of Nipa By-Products in Bicol Region by Engr. Henrilyn R. Yamson; Arlene I. De Asis, Engr. Doris V. Yap, MPM, Sandy B. Bobier, and RTD Luz R. Marcelino.

In the second place was the study “Support to Mass Production of Pineapple Quality Planting Materials Through Mass Propagation Technique and/or Protocol in Camarines Norte by Engr. Bella B. Frias, Behilda E. Balisoro, Engr. John Leonard B. Andaya, Jude Mike C. Castro, Judian V. Saut, and Alvin B. Obrero.

The third place was garnered by Development of Integrated Pest Management for Fall Armyworm by Ailyn R. Adante, Christian Paulo A. Saldo, and Gina Q. Bustamante

Meanwhile, the winners for the Technical Poster were:

1st Place -Efficacy of Rice Crop Manager-Based Nutrient Recommendations for Transplanted Inbreds; 2nd Place – Expanded Collection, Evaluation and Improvement of Traditional Corn Varieties in Bicol Region; and 3rd Place – Development of Integrated Pest Management for Fall Armyworm.

The Best Paper awardees for the two categories received of ₱10,000 cash award and certificate; the second place winners received ₱7,500 and ₱5,000 for the third place. Winners of the technical poster got ₱5,000.00 (first place), ₱4,000.00 (second place) and ₱3,000.00 for the third place. (Photos by Ramon Adversario, Jr. & Vincent Emil Pasumbal)