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.

On March 6-9, 2008, a grand celebration awaits the constituents and the general public as the UPLB College of Agriculture (CA) observes its 99th Foundation Day.

Starting at 5:30 am, a band will be going around the campus to signal the start of the commemorative activities. UPLB officials, unit heads, invited guests and alumni will then troop to ‘Pook Pinagtatagan’ or more popularly known as the Foundation Site for a simple ceremony. After which, they will conduct a motorcade going to the Agricultural Systems Cluster (ASC)/Crop Science Cluster (CSC) open field for the official opening of the Agri-Trade Fair and Techno-Demo Exhibit.

Microfinance whiz Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip (BSA '78) copped one of two slots in the Outstanding UPLB Alumni Association (AA) Awards during the 89th Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming celebration last October 10, 2007. The other awardee was Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, a graduate from the College of Economics and Management.

Dr. Alip is recognized for helping poor women get access to microcredit when he set up the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD-MRI). With 307 offices in the country, CARD-MRI provides a holistic approach to development through a wide range of financial and non-financial services. Dr. Alip was also chosen by Earnst & Young as Social Entrepreneur of the Year. He likewise received in June 2007 the U.P Alumni Association Most Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Once again, the UPLB College of Agriculture (CA) graduates showed the way in the 2006 agriculturist licensure examination given by the Board of Agriculture in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga City. Although a non-CA graduate topped the test held last July 2007, eight (8) or 66.66% of the 12 occupants of the top 10 slots came from UPLBCA.

The University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Agriculture (UPLBCA) has been synonymous with modern agricultural technologies, advanced training in agriculture and related fields, informative publications and experimental/demonstration farms. However, these products and services are usually found in the various buildings of the CA clusters that are located far apart from each other. Thus, the farmers, students, researchers and other clients being served by CA find it hard to avail of all the services within a short span of time and with minimal effort.