MS Peñalosa, MS Tubongbanua featured in farmers’ forum

By Niño S. Manaog

University Extension Associate

Capiz State University

In the first Regional Techno Gabay Summit that drew some 500 participants from the different partner member agencies across Western Visayas, WESVARRDEC featured Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Ramon Peñalosa of Negros Occidental and MS Rebecca Tubongbanua of Guimaras in a farmers’ forum held on May 25, 2011 at the Amigo Plaza Mall Events Center, in General Luna Street in Iloilo City.

To some 150 members of the FITS Centers and PMAs, MS Tubongbanua shared her story which gave rise to the McNester Products product line. Meanwhile, MS Ramon D. Peñalosa, Jr. engaged the audience in an otherwise unholy hour when he promoted his integrated natural farming practices in Victorias City and Manapla, Negros Occidental.

The forum drew valuable and satisfied responses from the audience. For one, Assistant Director Cesar Frias of PCARRD’s Applied Communications Division lauded the speakers, and stayed glued during the entire lectures. Mr. Emmanuel Reyes of Philfoodex commended Peñalosa for his antics and charismatic stage presence, which favourably engaged the audience.

Both MS excel in their respective technologies and field of expertise and will be featured in an upcoming book on farmer scientists, their products and innovations by WESVARRDEC.

In the audience were a number of MS representing the six provinces of Western Visayas. These were Margarito Andrade of FITS Banga, Aklan, president of WESVARDEC’s Farmer Scientists Bureau; Baltazar Gumana and Joselito Pudadera of FITS Pavia, Jose Vincent Alemany of FITS Escalante City, Negros Occidental; Leuel Divinagracia of FITS Dumangas, Iloilo; Jose Maria Eclavia of FITS Igbaras, Iloilo; Marbelyn Narzo and Nonito Ignacio of FITS Nabas, Aklan; Rolando Lamigo of FITS Batad and Aniolino Matutino of FITS Lemery; Rita Candoleza of FITS Tubungan, Iloilo; Norberto Ceballos of FITS Maasin, Iloilo; Ma Theresa Pama of FITS Buenavista, Guimaras; Pio Vergabera of FITS CapSU Mambusao and Antonio Villodres of FITS Dao, Antique.