Dean Candida B. Adalla of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) College of Agriculture (CA) welcomed all the guests and CA constituents during the Foundation Site ceremony last March 8, 2008 to signal the start of the festivities marking the 99th year of the college.

In her opening remarks, she lauded CA’s 99 years of excellence in agricultural education, research and extension. Likewise, she announced that this year’s celebration will culminate in a grand commemoration of the centennial year of the college in 2009.

Meanwhile, UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco stressed in his welcome remarks that this monumental day is a day of reminiscing or looking back on what CA has accomplished in 99 years. He said that it is indeed fulfilling to see that CA has produced several national scientists, outstanding graduates and dynamic leaders that people can emulate. He then cited Dr. Emil Q. Javier, U.P. President Emerlinda R. Roman, Dr. Ruben L. Villareal, and Nelia T. Gonzalez, to name a few. “Their accomplishments should inspire us”, he added, “to continue U.P.’s tradition of excellence.” The Chancellor also urged those present to honor Dr. Edwin B. Copeland, Dr. Bienvenido M. Gonzales, Prof. Charles F. Baker and other former deans who laid the foundation of the college.

In her short message, President Roman acknowledged the three CA graduates (Drs. Javier and Gonzales and herself) who became presidents of the state university. She likewise stressed that CA has contributed much to what U.P. is today.

President Roman also took the opportunity to announce that both houses of congress have already approved the U.P. Charter bill. She added that it will then be forwarded to President Arroyo for signature before it becomes a law. “Once it becomes a law”, she continued, “U.P. would be more flexible in managing its resources.” She said that, consequently, U.P. could generate more income and increase the salaries of faculty and staff. She also mentioned that the new charter would also provide tax privileges to the university and exempt the faculty from civil service examination. Thus, she encouraged everyone to work together to generate projects that would lead to a prosperous university.

Also delivering their messages were two faculty regents: Dr. Felix Librero, who challenged CA to revisit its curriculum and work harder to regain the college’s premier status as the leader in agricultural education and development in Southeast Asia; and Dr. Romulo G. Davide, who exalted CA’s significant contribution in technology generation and transfer as manifested in the Farmer Scientist Training Program in Cebu and other provinces in the country.

After the foundation site ceremony, the UPLB officials/faculty/staff/guests conducted a motorcade going through the national highway and Lopez Avenue up to the Agricultural Systems Cluster (ASC)/Crop Science Cluster open field where the Agri-Trade Fair and Techno Demo exhibit was formally opened with President Roman doing the ceremonial ribbon cutting. The recognition and awarding ceremony for outstanding projects, faculty, staff and students was held in the open air exhibit area. The exhibit, which lasted until March 8, 2008, showcased various technologies and products of the five CA clusters (Agricultural Systems, Food Science, Crop Science, Animal and Dairy Science, and Crop Protection), the Philippine Agricultural Scientist Journal and other CA units as well as invited exhibitors.

Right after the awarding ceremony, Dean Adalla led the guests to the nearby ASC lecture hall for the launching of the CA Centennial Fund Project and the “Hibiscus Hybrids for Women in Media and the Arts Series”. Four different Hibiscus hybrids were named and dedicated to Cecil Guidote-Alvarez (Chair of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts), Che-Che Lazaro (host and producer of T.V. program titled “The Probe Team”) and Domini Tordesillas (columnist of the Philippine Star) for their significant roles in public service and development. On the other hand, the centennial fund raising project is intended for the improvement and restoration of existing facilities/structures, staff/student development and project promotion (e.g. CA Almanac, 100 Heritage Trees). This activity is in support to the U.P. Centennial Fund Raising Project that targets PhP 5 billion. After the launching program, a fellowship lunch for the awardees was held.

Likewise, an open house celebration at the AgriPark, the Central Experiment Station and some CA units was held afterwards. In the afternoon, a Hayride wherein guests and CA constituents rode on tractors and other vehicles regaled the crowd around the campus. In the evening, an open dinner and a Barn Dance were held at the Animal and Dairy Sciences Cluster (ADSC) grounds. Some students, faculty and staff danced and sang in cowboy attires. Before the night ended, a dazzling display of fireworks was witnessed by the highly appreciative crowd.

A rodeo participated in by two teams from UPLB and a team each from Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and De La Salle-Araneta University (DLSAU) was held at the ADSC grounds on March 7-8, 2008. CLSU won the overall title, followed by UPLB and DLSAU while Joanna Kimberly Menez was adjudged as the Rodeo Queen.

This year’s festivities were CA’s humble contribution to the U.P. Centennial celebration.