Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002 1 One heart, one spirit, one family Published by the International Rice Research Institute/December 2001/January 2002 [email protected]http://www.irri.org/vis/sandiwa/sandiwa.htm to page 12. . . T he Philippines has benefited greatly from the presence of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) since it was established in Los Baños, Laguna, 41 years ago. IRRI’s international prestige lends prominence to the country as the center for collaboration in rice research, not only with leading international research institutions, but also with the national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES) of the major rice-producing countries of the world. Of critical importance to the Philippines, as its population continues to grow, are IRRI’s advances in rice research and production technolo- gies, which it shares with poor farmers through the country’s NARES. The training opportunities that the institute provides to Filipino researchers and scientists, and the employment opportunities for science and non-science professionals, are intangible contribu- tions from IRRI to the growth and popularization of science in the Philip- pines. These opportunities also contribute concretely and significantly to economic development. Philippine expenditures IRRI expected to spend P 1.6 billion in the Philippines, overall, in 2001. Of that, P 300 million went to the salaries of nationally recruited staff working in Los Baños. Another P 50 million paid for other staff such as kabesilya, janitors and security guards. Some P 185 million were spent on equipment, goods and services, and other items in the Philippines, mainly but not only in Los Baños and surround- ing Laguna Province. Overall, the institute estimates it spends about 33 percent of its budget in Laguna. That is P 535 million, or about P 1.5 million per day. Rapid population growth in the 1960s spurred consumer demand for more rice and the needed technology to prevent mass hunger. The introduction of the so-called miracle rice—IR8—fueled the Green Revolution in the Philippines, which subsequently spread throughout the rice-producing countries of the world, mostly in Asia. IRRI enhances Philippine development IRRI to counter budget crunch: Following his talk on 23 November about the budget challenges facing IRRI, Director General Ronald Cantrell replies to a question from Criselda Ramos (standing) of the Biometrics and Bioinformatics Unit. For a report in English and Pilipino, please turn to page 6. Bumper Double Issue This special December 2001/ January 2002 issue of Sandiwa has 20 pages of news and pictures, from the DG's talk about the budget to highlights from SINoP's Sapin-sapin extrava- ganza. The next issue of Sandiwa will appear in February. Happy holidays!
Transcript
Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002 1
One heart, one spirit, one family
Published by the International Rice Research Institute/December 2001/January [email protected] http://www.irri.org/vis/sandiwa/sandiwa.htm
to page 12. . .
The Philippines has benefited greatly from thepresence of the International Rice ResearchInstitute (IRRI) since it was established in Los
Baños, Laguna, 41 years ago. IRRI’s internationalprestige lends prominence to the country as the centerfor collaboration in rice research, not only with leadinginternational research institutions, but also with thenational agricultural research and extension systems(NARES) of the major rice-producing countries of theworld.
Of critical importance to the Philippines, as itspopulation continues to grow, are IRRI’s advances inrice research and production technolo-gies, which it shares with poor farmersthrough the country’s NARES.
The training opportunities that theinstitute provides to Filipino researchersand scientists, and the employmentopportunities for science and non-scienceprofessionals, are intangible contribu-tions from IRRI to the growth andpopularization of science in the Philip-pines. These opportunities also contributeconcretely and significantly to economicdevelopment.
Philippine expendituresIRRI expected to spend P1.6 billion inthe Philippines, overall, in 2001. Of that,P300 million went to the salaries ofnationally recruited staff working in LosBaños. Another P50 million paid forother staff such as kabesilya, janitors andsecurity guards. Some P185 million werespent on equipment, goods and services,and other items in the Philippines, mainlybut not only in Los Baños and surround-
ing Laguna Province. Overall, the institute estimates itspends about 33 percent of its budget in Laguna. That isP535 million, or about P1.5 million per day.
Rapid population growth in the 1960s spurredconsumer demand for more rice and the neededtechnology to prevent mass hunger. The introduction ofthe so-called miracle rice—IR8—fueled the GreenRevolution in the Philippines, which subsequentlyspread throughout the rice-producing countries of theworld, mostly in Asia.
IRRI enhances Philippine development
IRRI to counter budget crunch: Following his talk on 23 November about the budgetchallenges facing IRRI, Director General Ronald Cantrell replies to a question from CriseldaRamos (standing) of the Biometrics and Bioinformatics Unit. For a report in English andPilipino, please turn to page 6.
Bumper Double IssueThis special December 2001/January 2002 issue of Sandiwahas 20 pages of news andpictures, from the DG's talk aboutthe budget to highlights fromSINoP's Sapin-sapin extrava-ganza. The next issue of Sandiwawill appear in February.Happy holidays!
2 Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002
IRRI on 15 November welcomedVietnamese President Tran Duc
Luong to its headquarters. PresidentTran Duc Luong (left) is showninspecting IRRI's long-term continu-ous-cropping experiment with VicePrime Minister Nguyen Cong Tan,IRRI Director General Ronald Cantrell,an interpreter, and (back to camera)Vietnamese Trade Minister Vu Khoan.This was President Tran Duc Luong'ssecond visit to the world's leadinginternational rice research and trainingcenter, illustrating the strong tiesbetween IRRI and one of its mostimportant national partners.
In 1978, when a recently reunitedVietnam signed its first memorandumof agreement with IRRI, the countryproduced 10 million tons of rice. By2000, this figure had climbed to 33 million tons, anincrease of 230 percent in 23 years. Vietnam regained self-sufficiency in rice in 1989 and has since established itselfas the world's second largest rice exporter. Today, rice isVietnam's second most important export, accounting for atenth of total exports by value. The role that IRRI hasplayed in the return to health of Vietnam's rice-based
Vietnamese president pays second visit to IRRI
agricultural sector is indicated bythe country's high rate of adoption of modern varieties.More than 60 percent of Vietnam's total rice area and 90percent of its irrigated rice area are planted to IRRI-originated varieties. Today, IRRI has 34 internationallyrecruited scientists working on projects in Vietnam,reflecting a level of activity surpassed only in India andthe Philippines. n
The deputy prime minister and minister of forests of Papua New Guinea (PNG), His Excellency Michael
Ogio, visited IRRI on 14 November. The directorgeneral, Ronald P. Cantrell, welcomed Mr. Ogio, whoseone-hour visit marked a milestone in IRRI-PNG rela-tions. The coordinator of the International Network forthe Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER), Edwin L.Javier, noted that IRRI has been supplying PNG withseed materials for its upland and irrigated rice ecosystemsfor the past several years. Dr. Javier briefed Mr. Ogio onthe role of the International Rice Genebank in conservingthe world's rice biodiversity. Dr. Javier (right) is shownhere explaining to Mr. Ogio (wearing a lei) the manualrice seed selection process in the International RiceGenebank. PNG is richly endowed with natural re-sources, but exploitation is hampered by rugged terrainand the high cost of developing infrastructure. In 1997,the El Niño phenomenon wreaked havoc on PNG'sagriculture. The country's growing population willcontinue to rely heavily on agriculture in the years ahead,with more land being brought into production. n
Deputy prime minister of Papua New Guinea cements IRRI ties
Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002 3
Forty representatives of the House Commit-tees on Science and Technology, Agriculture,
Trade and Industry, Health, Ecology, NaturalResources, Higher and Basic Education, and PublicInformation visited IRRI on 16 November.
The director general, Ronald P. Cantrell,welcomed the congressional visitors in ChandlerHall Auditorium. Duncan Macintosh, head ofVisitors and Information Services, presented anoverview of IRRI's global work, followed by theaudiovisual presentation Filling the World's RiceBowl.
David J. Mackill, head of the Plant Breeding,Genetics, and Biochemistry Division, discussedgermplasm development at IRRI, and Thanda Wai,intellectual property rights specialist, explored thisissue as it applies to germplasm exchange and riceresearch.
The visitors also toured some of IRRI'sresearch facilities, including the International RiceGenebank, and the transgenic greenhouse and laboratories.Committee members are shown here studying plantlets in
Congressional committee members briefed at IRRI
Remember the surprise landing at IRRI of a Cessna single-engine plane last 13 October? That incident
was a "very special story, one with several happy end-ings," says Ian Wallace, director for administration andhuman resources.
The pilot, F. Loray Greiner, must now be flying hisplane smoothly, after offering a "very small token toeveryone at IRRI, especially to your security team"—acheck for P5,000. "I think what you are doing at IRRI is anoble and worthwhile cause, and one that I would like tosucceed," Mr. Greiner said in a letter to Mr. Wallace dated23 October.
In his response on 26 October, Mr. Wallace wrote:"We were very glad to have been of assistance to you andthere was no need to have sent us a donation. However, wegladly accept your gift in the spirit it was given and willput it to good use in one of our neighborhood projects. Invarious ways, IRRI tries to help needy families who liveon the periphery of our research campus."
Mr. Greiner commended the professionalism andcourtesy that the security team demonstrated during hisforced landing at IRRI: "One of your security guards wasliterally on the scene within seconds of my landing, andyour security supervisor arrived less than two minutes
Forced landing at IRRI with a happy ending
later. Within a few moments, your entire security team andfire emergency team had been mobilized with efficiencythat, quite frankly, I'm not accustomed to seeing in thePhilippines.
"Without any prompting, the entire team tookmeasures to protect the aircraft. The road was cordonedoff, and a traffic detour was established. And although theincident was handled very seriously, I was also treatedwith extraordinary hospitality. They really did a great job,"Mr. Greiner wrote.
He thanked everyone at IRRI for his or her under-standing, and apologized for the scare and inconveniencethat the incident may have caused, especially in the currentclimate of global terrorism. n
the light room, as Information Services Manager SylviaInciong (rear) looks on. They also visited the RiceworldMuseum and Learning Center. n
4 Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002
The Pre-Membership Education Program of the IRRIEmployees' Credit and Development Cooperative
(ECDC) was held on 23 November in the General MeetingRoom of F.F. Hill Hall. The program was organized by theEducation Committee of the IRRI ECDC, which is chairedby Mon Oliveros, who also serves as concurrent vicechairman of the ECDC Board of Directors. The program isrequired for all who seek membership in the IRRI ECDC.
This is the second time the program has been offered,the first time being 27 April 2001. Twenty applicantsattended the four-hour program. Topics discussed includedthe Cooperative Development Authority, the CooperativeCode of the Philippines, the IRRI ECDC Constitution andBy-laws, the IRRI ECDC organizational structure and theduties and responsibilities of officers and members, loanpolicies and procedures, cooperative accounting, andoffice procedures. In addition to Mon Oliveros, themembers of the Education Committee who served asresource persons were Tom Clemeno, Jessie Banasihan,Irma Lapis, and Coring Balangue.
The 20 prospective members, whose applications willbe submitted to the Board of Directors of the IRRI ECDCfor approval, are: Jocelyn Pacia (Entomology and PlantPathology Division); Jojo Cabutin (Food and HousingServices); Eric John Azucena, Ivan Roy Mallari, ReahClavio, Estela Hernandez, Achu Arboleda, and JenniferHernandez (Training Center); Ruby Sallan, EllenTumimbang, Rommel Javier, Vit Lopena, Dante Adorada,and Joie Ramos (Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biochem-istry); Bita Avendaño (Crop, Soil, and Water Sciences);Melina Magsumbol (Social Sciences Division); ClaireMateo and Mary Grace Rayco (Finance); Rene Manlangit(Library); and Johnny Goloyugo (Visitors and InformationServices).
The IRRI ECDC was established in 1980 and wasformerly known as the IRRI Employees' Credit Coopera-
Employees' Credit and Development Cooperative expansion
The Society of IRRI Nonresearch Professionals(SINoP) held a Pre-Christmas Bazaar 14-16 Novem-
ber at the IRRI Club. It was the third bazaar that SINoPsponsored. SINoP President Kathy Lopez said that theproceeds of the Christmas bazaar will be used for theorganization's various community service projects.
Los Baños Mayor Caesar Perez and Suhay ChairAurora Hettel are shown cutting the ceremonial ribbonduring the opening program, as Ms. Lopez looks on. Itemsfor sale included gifts, cards, toys, children's shoes anddresses, books, party needs, ladies' shoes and handbags,arts and crafts, home decor, ladies' and men's accessories,plants, kitchen ware, ethnic dresses and trinkets, bric-a-brac, souvenirs, and food. n
Pre-Christmas Bazaar
tive, Inc. (IRRI ECCI). As of 30 September 2001, theIRRI ECDC has 710 members and total assets ofP33,197,709.13. n
A boy named IR8
On 29 November 1966, IRRI officially announced thename of its first rice variety, IR8. On 17 July 1968,K.N. Ganesan, a rice farmer in the southern Indian state ofTamil Nadu, named his newborn son IR8, after thepopular high-yielding variety, which ushered in the GreenRevolution in India. Eighteen years ago this month, on 10December 1983, 15-year-old IR8 Ganesan and hisfather—shown here in a photo taken by Gene Hettel, headof Communication and Publications Services—met withIRRI and Indian officials in North Arcot District, TamilNadu. Today, the rice variety IR8 is 35 years old. TheTamil IR8 is 33.
IRRI in history
Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002 5
Something fishy on a sunny Saturday
IRRI fishing enthusiasts and their families and guests, totaling 106anglers, gathered on 24 November at the flood-prone experiment farm
for the annual deep-water rice fishing competition, sponsored by PlantBreeding, Genetics and Biochemistry (PBGB). First prize went to 15-year-old Fred Halili (above, being congratulated by plant breeder SeijiYanagihara and contest chair Joe Roxas). A student at Liceo de Calauanand son of Physical Plant Services staffer Felix Halili, Fred won P1,000for catching the biggest and heaviest tilapia (350g, left). Emmanuel "Boy"
Benavente, a color stylist from Philippine AnimationsStudio, went home richer by P500 as second prizewinner (310g). Consolation prizes of P100 each went toGreg Oca (250g), Danny Banasihan (250g), BertEscandor (210g), Robert Ona (200g), Ofelia Namuco(200g), and Ben Garcia (190g). Arvin "Boyet"Benavente (bottom left) is shown teaching fishingtechnique to his son Arvin Christopher. By noon, partof the catch was already being roasted for lunch. n
6 Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002
Director General Ronald Cantrell said that IRRI willrespond to a sharp decline in funding by tapping new
sources of financial support and by adopting measures tocut costs, including staff reductions. The scale and timingof the layoffs have yet tobe decided, he said,adding though that therewill be no voluntarystaff reduction program.
"That's an easy wayto reduce staff to meetyour budget because itrelieves management ofthe responsibility tomake hard decisions,"Dr. Cantrell said in hisaddress to assembledstaff in Umali Hall on 23November. "But itaffects the ability of theinstitute to function inthe future."
Dr. Cantrell stressedthat cuts would not bemade across the board,which he said "wouldcreate a mediocreorganization." Instead,staff reductions will bedecided according toeach unit's needs. "Wehave to look at all areasand set priorities,identifying high-priority areas in the research we do anddetermining what we need to have to continue to do thatcritical research," he explained. The review and adjust-ments will be undertaken mainly at the division or unitlevel.
25 percent dropManagement anticipates a 25 percent drop in unre-stricted funding for IRRI, Dr. Cantrell reported. Unre-stricted funding is the money IRRI is free to use to coversuch ongoing operating costs such as salaries andbenefits, utilities and building maintenance, supplies,and official travel expenses. Capital costs such asvehicles and other equipment also are paid with unre-stricted funds. Restricted funds, on the other hand, areearmarked by donors for specific projects and do notcover full overhead or salary costs. IRRI has beenfortunate over the years to enjoy a high proportion of
Haharapin ng IRRI ang labis na pagbagsak ng pondo nito sa pamamagitan ng paghahanap ng mga
bagong mapagkukunan ng suportang pinansyal atpagsasagawa ng mga pamamaraan upang mabawasanang gastos, kasama na ang pagbabawas ng mgaempleyado, ayon kay Director General Ronald Cantrell.Pagpapasiyahan pa ang lawak at panahon ngpagtitiwalag, subali't, ayon sa kanya, walang programapara sa boluntaryong pagbabawas ng mga kawani.
"Ito ang madaling paraan upang mabawasan angmga kawani at maging sapat ang badyet at pagaanginang responsibilidad ng pangasiwaan sa pagsasagawa ngmga mabibigat na desisyon," sabi ni Dr. Cantrell sakanyang talumpati sa mga kawani sa Umali Hall noong
unrestricted funding, Dr. Cantrell noted, despite a long-term downward trend in funding for international agricul-tural research.
"But this is not just a downward trend," he said of the
Haharapin ng IRRI angsuliranin sa badyet
Director general says IRRI will counter budget crunchwith aggressive fund-raising and careful cost-cutting
Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002 7
ika-23 ng Nobyembre. "Subalit ito ay makakaapekto sakakayahan ng Institute na makapagpatuloy sa hinaharap."
Ayusin ang mga prayoridadIdiniin ni Dr. Cantrell na ang pagbabawas ay hindipangkalahatang isasagawa (across the board), na ayon sakanya ay "maaaring lumikha ng isang hindi-kagalingangorganisasyon." Sa halip, ang pagbabawas ng mga kawaniay ibabatay sa pangangailangan ng bawa't yunit."Kailangan nating tingnan ang lahat ng bahagi at ayusinang mga prayoridad, tukuyin ang mga pananaliksik namay mataas na prayoridad, at alamin ang atingpangangailangan upang maipagpatuloy natin ang isangkritikal na pananaliksik," paliwanag niya. Ang pag-aaral atpagsasaayos ay isasagawa sa antas lamang ng dibisyon oyunit.
Inaasahan ng pangasiwaan na 25 porsiyento angibabagsak ng "unrestricted funding" para sa IRRI, ayon
anticipated 25 percent plunge. "It's a very significantreduction in funds. This amount is almost equal to all IRSsalaries and benefits, or all NRS salaries and benefits, andit's more than our current overhead costs. We'll have tomake structural changes."
While discounting any hope of raising new unre-stricted funds from traditional donors in the near term, Dr.Cantrell said IRRI will become more aggressive in fund-raising.
"We can package research in ways to recover moremoney from restricted funding," he said. "We'll look atuntraditional donors and donors who can pick up some ofour in-country costs. We receive very little money fromour major Asian partners. There is our future. We'll workto help those countries see the purpose of investing inagricultural research and see its impact on the stability ofAsia. And we'll look at charging for some of the productswe produce—but not for germplasm or other public goodsproduced or managed by IRRI."
Steps to address the funding shortfall include therecent midyear budget reduction of 10 percent, which willbe carried over to next year, and upcoming adjustments toallocations for project general operating costs, on the basisof past underutilization. Management is also looking atunfilled staff positions to determine which ones can bemerged or left unfilled. "That can have a significantimpact," Dr. Cantrell said.
Crucially in the short term, IRRI will dip into itsstrategic reserves. These are healthy, noted Dr. Cantrell,thanks to favorable foreign-exchange rates over the pastthree years that "have left surpluses that we can use for asoft landing."
However, spending reserves requires approval fromthe Board of Trustees (BOT). So, between now and theBOT meeting in April 2002, management will develop
kay Dr. Cantrell. Ang unrestricted funding ay halagangmaluwag na ginagamit ng IRRI para sa mgapangkasalukuyang gastos tulad ng pasuweldo atbenepisyo, mga kagamitan at pagmamantine ng mgagusali, supplies, at mga opisyal na gastos sa biyahe. Ang"capital cost," tulad na mga sasakyan at iba pang mgakagamitan, ay binabayaran din ng unrestricted funds. Sakabilang dako, ang "restricted funds" naman ay inilaan ngmga donor para sa mga tiyak na proyekto at di sakop angpangkalahatang gugol o pampasuweldo. Sa mahabangpanahon, mapalad ang IRRI sa pagkakaroon ng mataas naunrestricted funding, puna ni Dr. Cantrell, sa kabila ngpangmatagalang pagbaba ng pondo ukol sa pandaigdig napananaliksik sa agrikultura.
"Subali't ito ay hindi lamang isang kalakaran ngpagbaba," ayon sa kanya kaugnay ng inaasahang 25porsiyentong pagbaba. "Ito ay napakamakahulugangpagbabawas sa pondo. Ang halagang ito ay halos
three budget plans for approval—one each for the worst-case funding scenario, the best case, and the median case.
In response to a question about IRRI's ongoing staffrenewal program, Dr. Cantrell stressed that it is unrelatedto the funding problem and affects fewer than 10 staffmembers—not 40, as one rumor has it. He also defendedthe institute's policy of conducting the program on aconfidential basis. "Transparency is important, but not instaff renewal, which is a private matter between theindividual and the institute," he said. "Staff reduction,when it happens, will be transparent."
Optimistic noteDr. Cantrell ended his address on an optimistic note. TheWorld Bank, he said, has confirmed its commitment to theCGIAR by contributing funds next year to alleviate, by upto half, the anticipated funding cut from one major donor.Korea has increased its funding for IRRI, and Indonesiahas agreed to pick up half of the cost of running IRRI'soffice in that country. The critically important donorUSAID anticipates spending more in the future on povertyalleviation. "In the long term, funding will go back up,"Dr. Cantrell predicted, "but slowly."
Here and now, IRRI has recently signed a new 25-year lease with the University of the Philippines, the week-long Christmas break is almost upon us, and the New Yearwill bring the option of "flex-time" (see page 9). In replyto a question, Dr. Cantrell said management has recom-mended to the Board of Trustees a salary increase in 2002.
"There will be fewer IRS," Dr. Cantrell said as helooked ahead to the IRRI of the future. "There will befewer NRS. We can downsize without capsizing. It willrequire effort on the part of all, but we can do it." It wasencouraging that Dr. Cantrell indicated that he fullyexpects IRRI to be going strong 25 years from now. n
to page 8. . .
8 Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002
katumbas ng buong suweldo at benepisyo ng lahat ng IRS,o lahat ng suweldo at benepisyo ng NRS, at labis pa ito sapangkasalukuyang pangkalahatang gugol. Kailangannating magsagawa ng pagbabago sa istraktura."
Samantalang hindi na siya lubos na umaasangmakapangilak pa ng panibagong unrestricted funds mulasa mga tradisyunal na donor sa malapit na panahon, sinabini Dr. Cantrell na magiging lalong agresibo ang IRRI sapangangalap ng pondo.
"Maaari nating ipakete ang pananaliksik sa mgaparaan upang mabawi ang pera mula sa restricted fund-ing," ayon sa kanya. "Babaling tayo sa mga di-tradisyunalna donor at mga donor na makakatulong sa ating mgagugulin sa bansang ito. Kakaunti lamang ang perangnanggagaling sa mga pangunahing partner sa Asia. Iyanang ating kinabukasan. Magsisikap tayo upang makita ngmga bansang ito ang layunin ng pamumuhunan sapananaliksik sa agrikultura at upang makita nila angepekto nito sa katatagan ng Asia. At bibigyan din natin ngpansin ang pagsingil sa mga produktong ating ginagawa—subali't hindi sa germplasm o ibang pampublikong kalakalna gawa at pinamamahalaan ng IRRI."
Sampung porsyentong pagbawas sa badyetKasama sa mga hakbang upang matugunan angkakulangan ng badyet ang 10 porsiyentong pagbawas sabadyet sa kalagitnaan ng taon, na ilalaan sa susunod nataon, at mga darating na pagsasaayos ng mga alukasyonpara sa pangkalahatang gastos sa mga proyekto, batay sanakaraang di-lubos na paggamit ng mga ito. Tinitingnandin ng pangasiwaan ang mga bakanteng puwesto upangmalaman kung ano ang dapat na pagsanibin o iwanangwalang nakaupo. "Ito ay maaaring magkaroon ngmalaking epekto," sinabi ni Dr. Cantrell.
Kritikal sa maikling panahon na galawin ng IRRI angreserba nitong pondo. Maganda ang katayuan nito, pansinni Dr. Cantrell, salamat sa paborableng halaga ng palitansa nakalipas na tatlong taon na "nag-iwan ng labis napanggugol para sa ating 'mahinang pagbagsak'."
Subali't, kinakailangang aprubahan ng Board ofTrustees (BOT) ang paggastos ng reserbang ito. Kaya'tsimula ngayon hanggang sa miting ng BOT sa Abril 2002,magsasagawa ang pangasiwaan ng tatlong klasengbadyet—isa para sa malubhang senaryo, isa sapinakamabuting kaso, at isa sa panggitnang kaso.
Bilang tugon sa isang katanungan tungkol sa staffrenewal program ng IRRI, idiniin ni Dr. Cantrell na ito aywalang kaugnayan sa problem sa pondo at apektadolamang ang 10 kawani—hindi 40, na napabalita.Ipinagtanggol din niya ang patakaran ng institute sapagsasagawa ng program sa kompidensyal na paraan."Mahalaga ang hindi paglilihim, subali't ang pagbabago ngkawani ay isang pribadong bagay sa pagitan ngindibiduwal at ng institute," ayon sa kanya. "Angpagbabawas ng kawani, kapag nangyari ito, ay malalamanng lahat."
Optimista si Dr. Cantrell sa pagtatapos ng kanyangtalumpati. Ayon sa kanya, kinumpirma ng World Bankang pangako sa CGIAR na magbibigay ito ngkontribusyon sa susunod na taon upang mabawasan,hanggang kalahati, ang napipintong pagbabawas sa pondomula sa pangunahing donor. Dinagdagan ng Korea angpondo nito para sa IRRI, at pumayag ang Indonesia nagugulan ang kalahati ng pagpapatakbo ng IRRI outreachoffice sa bansang ito. Ang USAID, isang mahalagangdonor, ay umaasang gagastos nang lubos sa hinaharap samga proyektong makapagpapahango sa kahirapan. "Sa dikalayuan, babalik ang pondo," hula ni Dr. Cantrell,"subalit ito ay magiging mabagal."
Dito at sa kasalukuyan, lumagda ang IRRI ngpanibagong 25-taong pag-upa sa University of thePhilippines; ang isang linggong bakasyon sa Pasko aynaririto na; at ang Bagong Taon ay magbibigay ng opsiyonsa "flex time." Sa tugon sa isang katanungan, sinabi ni Dr.Cantrell na inirekomenda ng pangasiwaan sa BOT angpagtataas ng sahod sa 2002.
"Magiging kakaunti ang IRS," sabi ni Dr. Cantrellhabang tinitingnan niya ang IRRI sa hinaharap. "Magigingkakaunti ang NRS. Kaya nating magbawas nang hinditayo lulubog. Nangangailangan ito ng tulong ng bawa't isa,at kaya natin ito." Nakakapagpasigla nang ipahiwatig niDr. Cantrell sa mga nakikinig na lubos siyang umaasa naang IRRI ay mananatiling malakas sa susunod na 25 taonmula ngayon. n
Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002 9
Director General Ronald Cantrell announced that IRRIwill launch a "flex-time" initiative in January 2002.
The objective will be to offer staff more flexibility inchoosing their working hours, while ensuring that thework environment is not adversely affected.
The institute's basic workweek will remain unchangedat 40 hours, from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. In theproposed flexible time system, all employees will beexpected to be at work during the core hours of 9am to3pm, Monday through Friday. In addition, all organiza-tional units (OUs) will be expected to be fully functionalduring the regular work hours of 8am to 5pm. Flex-timewill not apply to weekend schedules.
Employees will continue to have a 15-minutemerienda in the morning and another in the afternoon, andlunch will be scheduled for 12-1pm, as before.
Heads of OUs will determine who is eligible for flex-time. Not all employees will be able to participate becauseof the natureof their jobs.In each case,the employeewill submit awrittenrequest tohis/her OUhead,endorsed bythe IRSsupervisor,askingpermission towork special,flex-timehours, andproviding areason for this request (for example, to help get thechildren ready for school). Once approved, the signedrequest will be sent to HR-National Staff where it will bekept on file.
Participating employees will arrange their hours withtheir supervisor. Here are two examples: Employee A,6am-3pm, Monday-Friday; Employee B, 8:30am-5:30pm,Monday-Friday. Note that employees A and B are both atwork during the core hours of 9am to 3pm, Monday toFriday, and each works a full eight hours a day, and 40hours a week.
The program can begin in the New Year, as soon asOU heads have determined which staff will be eligible andthe hours to be worked by each participant. The programwill be reviewed periodically and adjustments made asrequired. Staff should address any questions to their OUhead. n
Flex-time in the New Year
Ilulunsad ng IRRI ang inisyatibong "flex-time" simulaEnero 2002, ayon kay Direktor Heneral Ronald
Cantrell. Ito ay upang bigyan ang mga empleyado ngkaluwagan sa pagpili ng oras sa kanilang pagtatrabaho,habang sinisiguro namang hindi ito makakaapekto sapangkalahatang trabaho.
Ang batayang 40 oras na lingguhang trabaho saInstitute ay hindi magbabago, mula ika-8 ng umaga (nu)hanggang ika-5 ng hapon (nh), Lunes hanggang Biyernes.Sa iminumungkahing sistemang nababagay na oras, anglahat ng empleyado ay inaasahang nasa mga kritikal naoras ng trabaho—mula ika-9 nu hanggang ika-3 nh, Luneshanggang Biyernes. Ang lahat ng yunit ay inaasahangtumatakbo sa mga regular na oras-paggawa mula ika-8 nuhanggang ika-5 nh. Ang flex-time ay hindi mag-aaplay samga nakatakdang gawain kapag Sabado at Linggo.
Ang mga empleyado ay patuloy pa ring magkakaroonng 15 minutong miryenda sa umaga at 15 minuto rin sa
hapon, at ang tanghalian ay mananatilipa ring mula sa ika-12 ng tanghalihanggang ika-1 nh.
Pagpapasiyahan ng mga pinuno ngmga yunit kung sino ang karapat-dapatsa flex-time. Hindi lahat ng empleyadoay maaaring sumali dahil na rin sa uring kanilang mga gawain. Sa bawa'tkaso, kinakailangang sumulat angempleyado ng sulat sa pinuno ng yunit,na sinasang-ayunan ng tagapangasi-wang IRS, at humingi ng pahintulotupang makapagtrabaho sa ilalim ngflex-time. Dapat din niyang ibigay angdahilan ng kahilingan (halimbawa,paghahanda ng mga anak para saeskuwela). Sa sandaling maaprubahan,ang pirmadong kahilingan ay
ipapadala sa HR-National Staff na kung saan itatago safile.
Kailangang isaayos ng mga lumahok na empleyadoang kanilang oras sa kanilang tagapangasiwa. Naririto angdalawang halimbawa: Empleyado A, 6 nu-3 nh, Lunes-Biyernes; Empleyado B, 8:30 nu-5:30 nh, Lunes-Biyernes.Pansinin na ang mga empleyadong A at B ay kapwa nasatrabaho mula 9 nu hanggang 3 nh, Lunes hanggangBiyernes, at ang bawa't isa ay nagtatrabaho ng buong 8oras bawa't araw (40 oras sa isang lingo).
Ang programa ay maaaring pasimulan sa BagongTaon, sa sandaling malaman ng mga pinuno ng yunit kungsinong empleyado ang karapat-dapat sumali at maiayosang oras ng trabaho ng bawa't kalahok. Ang programa aypana-panahong pag-aaralan at isasaayos kungkinakailangan. Dapat ituon ng bawa't empleyado angkanilang pagtatanong sa pinuno ng kanilang yunit. n
"Flex-time" sa Bagong Taon
Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002 1110 Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002
Sapin-sapin a hit!
The Moulin Rouge dancers wowed the audience with their dancenumber entitled “Lady Marmalade.” Standing from left are LenlenOliquiano, Cathy Navarez, Pinky Gallivo, Gladys Tan, Edna Reyes, BingLaude, Jenny Montañano, and Tintin Doctolero. Seated (left to right) areFrances Tesoro, Annaliza de Roxas, and Carol Wangdi. The pupils of theInternational School at Los Baños also performed traditional dances.Jenny Hernandez sings, “There's a place in our hearts, and I know that itis love” from the finale number “Heal the world.” “There are many moretalents you can tap, including those from our collaborating centers,”Dr. Padolina told SINoP President Kathy Lopez.
The musical extravaganza Sapin-Sapin at Iba Pa!, sponsored by theSociety of IRRI Non-Research Professionals (SINoP) last 23 Novemberat the Chandler Hall, demonstrated the many talents of IRRI staff beyondresearch. From Pilipino classics, and music made famous byinternational pop divas, to ethnic songs, the audience was mesmerizedby the musical artistry of (clockwise from left on this page) ConsieSalinas, Erlie Putungan, William Padolina, Rob Bakker, Tony Deza, JoeRoxas (for a better view of his hat, please see page 5), Donna Holt, andJenny Hernandez.
1 2 Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002
Between 1966 and 2000, IRRI released 69 ricevarieties in the Philippines—44 for irrigated areas, sevenfor rainfed areas, four for uplands, five for saline condi-tions, and five for low-temperature environments (see liston opposite page).
IRRI helped establish the Philippine Rice ResearchInstitute (PhilRice) in 1985. IRRI then worked to furtherenhance PhilRice’s capabilities in varietal improvement,planting and fertilizer management, rice farming systems,farm mechanization and postharvest engineering, technol-ogy sharing, and social science and policy.
The two institutes collaborated from 1995 to 1996 on40 research projects in the rice ecosystems of the country.Today, they are collaborating on a study of rice supply anddemand for the Philippines, aimed at developing amethodology that takes into account biophysical andsocioeconomic factors in analyzing the balance betweenrice supply and demand at national level and lower.
Research prioritiesIRRI, PhilRice, and the University of the Philippines LosBaños (UPLB) have signed a new work plan agreement onpriority rice research activities for the period 2000 to2002. The work plan focuses on key research prioritiessuch as biotechnology, intellectual property rights,transgenic rice, and the physiology and high yield poten-tial of new rice varieties. It will also look at integrated pestmanagement, technology packaging and rice consortiumactivities, as well as human resource development. Other
research priorities include the evaluation of socio-economic trends in the rice industry, and the competitive-ness as well as the strengthening of three importantconsortia: the Rainfed Lowland Rice Research Consortium(RLRRC), the Upland Rice Research Consortium(URRC), and the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium(IRRC).
The priorities of these three research consortia areincorporated into the National Research Development andExtension Program of the Philippine government.
Reducing povertyThese activities have had enormous implications andimpact on our government’s “growth with social equity”vision of reducing the incidence of poverty from 32.1percent of the population in 1997 to 28 percent by 2004,as underlined in the Medium-Term Philippine Develop-ment Plan, otherwise known as Angat Pinoy 2004,according to Senator Edgardo J. Angara, a former ex-officio member of the IRRI Board of Trustees and formersecretary of the Department of Agriculture.
Trends towards globalization are sure to have aprofound impact on the lives of poor Filipino rice farmersand consumers. Trade liberalization and the power andinfluence of international markets are likely to affect thelocal rice industry over the next decade.
In light of this, the institute is assisting Philippinepolicy makers with detailed, up-to-date understanding ofthe effects of trade liberalization on rice self-sufficiency,
IRRI enhances. . . from page 1
Scholarship Feeding program (Suhay) Bio-intensive garden (VIS) Solid waste management (VIS)• IFSA (pre-schoolers) Stuffed toys making (VIS) Mini forest at school (VIS)• AISAS Small scale water systems (VIS) Ornamental gardening (VIS)• AIRESS Medical clinic (VIS/SSS) Meat processing (VIS)• SINoP Donations of medical Bonsai and dish garden (VIS)• Tom Mew Foundation equipment (VIS) Dressmaking (VIS)• KJLampe Foundation Anti-venom assistance (SSS) Low cost dryer (VIS)Science education (VIS) Communal septic tank (VIS)• Books/community library Deep well construction (VIS)• Computer• Adopt-a-school program (IRRI-LBSC)Biotech seminar (VIS)Agriculture training (VIS)First Aid training (VIS/SSS)Fire prevention training (VIS/SSS)Cooperative training and development (VIS)Skills training (VIS)Leadership training (VIS)
IRRI Community Programs
Education Health and Nutrition Livelihood Environmental Management
Supported by Visitors and Information Services (VIS); Association ofIRRI Secretaries and Administrative Staff (AISAS);Society of IRRI Non-Research Professionals (SINoP); Association of IRRI ResearchEmployees and Support Staff (AIRESS); IRRI Filipino ScientistsAssociation (IFSA); Safety and Security Services (SSS); Los BañosScience Community (LBSC); Suhay (association of IRRI IRS andvisiting scientists’ spouses).
Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002 1 3
food security, and the welfare of rice farmers and consum-ers. This work is being carried out on a regional basisunder the project “Assessing the impact of potential tradeliberalization on the Philippine rice sector.”
Leading universities learn from IRRI expertise in riceresearch through project collabora-tion. UPLB, PhilRice, and IRRI, forexample, are collaborating on thedevelopment of hybrid rice, onbasic seed production, and on thenational rice cooperative testingproject to determine the yieldpotential, range of adaptability, andfield reactions to major insect pestsand diseases of promising riceselections. They are also collaborat-ing on molecular mapping andintrogression of genes for tolerancefor abiotic stresses from wildspecies into rice.
The Philippine Rice Post-Production Consortium (PRPC) isanother collaborative program thatinvolves the Bureau of Post-HarvestResearch and Extension of theDepartment of Agriculture,PhilRice, National Food Authority,UPLB, and IRRI.
Among its activities aredialogues on grain-quality issueswith farmer-members of coopera-tives engaged in processing and trading rice, assessingproblems associated with using grain dryers provided bythe Department of Agriculture in Central Luzon and Bicolregions, designing and developing a batch recirculatingdryer in cooperation with the private sector represented by
the Metalworking Industry Association of the Philippines,and a nationwide survey and laboratory assessment of thequality of milled rice at retail level as set by PhilippineTrade Standards.
UPLB, PhilRice, and the Mariano Marcos StateUniversity also collaborated withIRRI from 1997 to 2000 on thesystems research network forecoregional land use planning intropical Asia.
IRRI takes pride in its man-power resources. As of 30 Septem-ber 2001, there were 1,698 Filipinosworking at IRRI, of which 887 werefully fledged nationally recruitedstaff. Since 1960, some of thecountry’s leading scientists haveoccupied top positions and playedlead roles in IRRI’s work (see list onpage 14).
Some of them have gainedworldwide prominence through theirscientific contributions and inpromoting international cooperationin rice research. Indeed, some havebeen named National Scientist:Benito S. Vergara, plant physiologistand former director for administra-tion, Bienvenido Juliano, chemist(1961-93), and consultant GeliaCastillo.
Prominent government leaders and academics haveserved on the IRRI Board of Trustees. They includeformer UP System presidents Senator Edgardo J. Angara(1981-87), Emil Q. Javier (1993-99), Onofre D. Corpuz(1975-79), and Salvador P. Lopez (1969-74).
IRRI takes pridein its manpower
resources. As of 30September 2001,there were 1,698
Filipinos working atIRRI, of which 887were fully fledged
nationally recruitedstaff. Since 1960,
some of the country’sleading scientistshave occupied top
Leonardo Montemayor (Secretary, Department of Agriculture), Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 2001-present. Dr. Edwin L. Javier, Acting Head, Genetic Resources Center (GRC)/Coordinator, International Networkfor the Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER) 2001-present. Dr. William G. Padolina , Deputy Director General forPartnerships 1999-present, former Director for External Relations. Dr. Francisco Nemenzo (President, Universityof the Philippines System), Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1999-present. Edgardo J. Angara (Secretary,Department of Agriculture; President, UP System), Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1999-2000, 1981-1987.Dr. William D. Dar (Secretary, Department of Agriculture), Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1998-1999.Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Project Scientist, Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biochemistry Division (PBGB) 1998-present.Dr. Dante B. de Padua, Consultant, Agricultural Engineering Unit 1998-present. Dr. Alma C. Sanchez, ProjectScientist, PBGB 1998-present. Dr. Pompe C. Sta. Cruz, Project Scientist, Entomology and Plant PathologyDivision (EPPD) 1997-present. Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, Affiliate Scientist, Social Sciences Division 1995-present. Dr. Maria Luz George, Consultant, Asian Rice Biotechnology Network (ARBN) 1993-1994; EPPD1994-present. Dr. Arnulfo G. Garcia, Cropping Systems Agronomist/IRRI Representative in Myanmar 1993-present. Dr. Emil Q. Javier, Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1993-1999. Roberto S. Sebastian, Ex-officiomember, Board of Trustees 1992-1996. G. San Valentin, Agronomist 1992-1995. Dr. Benito S. Vergara, PlantPhysiologist/Director for Administration 1991-1996, Consultant 1996-1997. Dr. T. M. Masajo, Rice Breeder/Madagascar-IRRI Project 1991-1997. Dr. C. P. Mamaril, Agronomist/Liaison Scientist to Indonesia 1990-1996.Senen C. Bacani , Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1990-1992. Dr. Fernando A. Bernardo , DeputyDirector General for International Services 1987-1997, Consultant/Principal adviser for Philippine Affairs/NationalAgricultural Research Systems (NARS) Relations. Dr. Jose V. Abueva, Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees1987-1993. Carlos G. Dominguez, Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1987-1989. Dr. Salvador H. EscuderoIII, Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1984-1986, 1996-1998. Emanuel Soriano , Ex-officio member, Boardof Trustees 1979-1981. Dr. Thelma R. Paris, Affiliate Scientist/Gender Specialist 1978-present. Dr. Alberto T.Barrion, Taxonomist/Senior Associate Scientist 1977-present. Dr. Onofre D. Corpuz (President, UP System), Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1975-1979. Dr. V. R. Carangal, Agronomist/Coordinator, Asian Rice Biotech-nology Network (ARBN) 1974-1994. Dr. Marcos R. Vega, Deputy Director General 1972-1986, Acting DirectorGeneral 1981-1982. Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. (Secretary, Department of Agriculture), Ex-officio member, Board ofTrustees 1971-1984. Dr. Florencio A. Medina , Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1970-1977. Dr. SalvadorP. Lopez (President, UP System), Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1969-1974. Fernando E. Lopez, Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1966-1970. P. Banzon, Manager, Security and Safety 1965-1992. Dr. M. L.George, Consultant, ARBN 1994-1997. Juan Salcedo, Jr., Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1964-1969.Jose Feliciano , Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1964-1965. Benjamin P. Gozun, Ex-officio member,Board of Trustees 1963. Genoveva C. Loresto , Project Scientist, GRC 1962-2000. Rodolfo C. Aquino, Special-ized in varietal improvement 1962-1997. Z. Pizarro, Manager, Legal Office 1962-1991. Ruby U. Castro,Valuable contributions to the knowledge of the basic chemistry of rice soils through research on chemical equilib-ria of wetland rice soils 1962-1966, developed the mass screening method for salt tolerance 1968-1997. B.Juliano , Chemist 1961-1993. Cesar M. Fortich, Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1961-62. F. V. Ramos,Farm Superintendent 1960-1985. Paulino Garcia, Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1960-1963. Vicente G.Sinco, Ex-officio member, Board of Trustees 1960-1962. Juan de G. Rodriguez, Ex-officio member, Board ofTrustees 1960. Dr. P. Escuro, Plant Breeder/IRRI-Burma Project 1978-1985.
At present, the highest ranking Filipino official atIRRI is Dr. William G. Padolina. A former secretary of thePhilippine Department of Science and Technology(DOST), Dr. Padolina is now IRRI deputy director generalfor partnerships. Another high-ranking Filipino at IRRI isEdwin L. Javier, acting head of the Genetic ResourcesCenter (GRC) and coordinator of the InternationalNetwork for the Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER).
Providing scientific training is a key part of IRRI’swork. From 1960 to 2001, the number of Filipino scholarswho studied at IRRI were as follows: master of science
146, PhD 76, nondegree 95, and trainees 851. IRRI hastrained more people from the Philippines than from anyother country.
IRRI also responds to requests for technical assistancefrom provincial governments and nongovernmentalorganizations. For example, the current tungro, rat, andadverse-soil problems in Iloilo, and the subsequent requestfor IRRI technical assistance by the provincial governor ofthe province, led to the development and implementationof a participatory ecological research project calledDapitay sa Kaumhan (Holding on together for the farm),
Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002 1 5
This year's program of Christmas events at IRRI will bereduced somewhat from those of previous years to
save scarce resources. Here are the main activities forthis year's Christmas celebration.
The institute Christmas party and raffle,originally scheduled for 14 December, has beencancelled. Since IRRI staff have traditionallyheld smaller Christmas events within theirorganizational units (OU), the afternoon of 14December will be reserved instead for theseparties. Staff are free to hold these partiesat the institute or elsewhere.
Since the annual Recognition Dayhas been cancelled, it is recommendedthat the Length of Service Awards bepresented during the respective OUparties. Awardees will receive aplaque and a cash payment, as before,and their names will be featured inSandiwa.
A special merienda for staff with25-30-35-40 years of service willreplace the lunch for long-serving staff.
The institute will still provide all NRS, scholars, andinterns with an appropriate Christmas food basket. As
a sign of appreciation, agency staff will receive asmall gift.
All probationary, regular, and projectNRS on board as of 1 October will receive a
cash gift of P2,000. Finance will issue aseparate memo regarding the date and
method of payment.As announced earlier, the institute
will be closed from 24 December to1 January, to allow all staff to enjoy
the holiday season with friends andfamily. Work will resume on2 January 2002.
Management regrets havingto adopt these cost-savingmeasures but hopes, nonetheless,that all IRRI staff members willenjoy the holiday season to thefullest and that everyone will lookforward to a happy and healthynew year. n
Cost-saving measures reduce Christmas activities in 2001
or DAPITSAKA, which was officially launched as aprovincial project in Pototan on 21 June 2000.
The project aims to develop andimplement a model system of technicalcontent delivery in response to observedfarmers’ needs. The Iloilo provincialgovernment, PhilRice, Department ofAgriculture, DOST, Process Foundation,and locally based government and privateinstitutions are implementing the project.
IRRI will continue to provide techni-cal assistance regarding problems thatrequire policy advocacy and/or institutionalintervention, and in research problems withoptions for field validation and expansion.
In Quezon Province, the Infanta-basednongovernmental organization InfantaIntegrated Community DevelopmentAssistance, Inc., (ICDAI) sought IRRI’stechnical assistance in June this year inimproving seed health for sustainable pest and cropmanagement in the area.
In Tuguegarao, Cagayan, scientists from the SocialSciences Division conducted a workshop on valuing andpromoting indigenous rice varieties in Cagayan Valley on4-5 June at the Agricultural Pilot Center, Cagayan Valleyand Marine Research Outreach Station, Department ofAgriculture Region II.
IRRI is a model corporate citizen in the community.Its nonscience projects in adjoining barangays in Los
Baños have benefited several families anddependents in ongoing medical, educational,and information campaign projects (see IRRICommunity Programs table on page 12).
On 22 November, the sixth in a series ofmedical clinics was held in barangay Puypuyin Bay, Laguna, where beneficiaries underwentblood sugar tests, electrocardiograms, andmedical consultations.
The institute is supporting the printing of10,000 copies of a leaflet on solid wastemanagement for distribution to Los Bañosresidents. IRRI donated 10 computers to theSan Antonio National High School in barangaySan Antonio, also in Bay, and maintains anongoing dialogue and consultation with themayors of the two municipalities of Bay andLos Baños on the Neighborhood Emergency
Services Team (NEST) training project.The institute also supports the Los Baños Science
Community (LBSC), a 21-member group under theumbrella of UPLB, whose main purpose is to acceleraterural development through the generation, verification,packaging, and dissemination of technologies and infor-mation to promote agriculture and natural resourcedevelopment. n
Scientifictraining is akey part of
IRRI’s work.IRRI has
trained morepeople from
the Philippinesthan from anyother country
1 6 Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002
Lingkod Sayo, a 65-year-oldgrandfather, is extremely happy
about his retirement this month. Whowouldn't be? After capturing on filmalmost every significant IRRI eventand a who's who of visiting dignitar-ies, Mr. Sayo, photography supervi-
sor in Communication and Publications Services, is readyto retire with 24 years of wonderful memories. Theseinclude presidents, prime ministers, ambassadors, and ofcourse IRRI scientists, plus exclusive photo opportunitieswith the small celebrities at IRRI—rice plants, insects, andnematodes.
"I'm thinking of getting into farming or setting up aconstruction supply outfit," Mr. Sayo says when askedabout life after IRRI. "I'll never run out of things to do. Ican spend more time with my family and my granddaugh-ter."
Indeed, Mr. Sayo is eagerlylooking forward to finally settlingdown after 42 years of working atIRRI and several other places. Agraduate of the Mapua Institute ofTechnology in business administra-tion and mechanical engineering,Mr. Sayo started his career in 1960,working first as a mechanicaldraftsman, then as an accountingclerk, and eventually as a photogra-pher for five magazines: Liwayway,Aliwan, Bannawag, Hiligaynon, andSong Cavalcade. Then he worked asa graphic arts supervisor for thePhilippine Herald until it closeddown during the martial law years.
So how did he end up inphotography, given his totallydifferent academic background?
"I started taking pictures in1956 when I was in college,enthusiastically taking photographs of the places I went to,and attending workshops here and there," he recalls."Eventually I became adventurous—defying some rules ofphotography only to discover remarkable outcomes."Those outcomes garnered him numerous awards duringhis stints as a press photographer.
In September 1977, he joined IRRI as a seniorphotographer. Life at IRRI was a totally different experi-ence for Mr. Sayo, who was used to working aroundmovie stars, crime syndicates, gang wars, dope dens, andgambling dives during his press photographer days.
Lingkod Sayo's 24 years of "lingkod sa iyo"
by Boopy Yandoc
"I was always on the move, risking life and limb justto get good shots in those dangerous places," he remi-nisces. His first few months at IRRI were full of adventureof a different sort. "I kept falling into rice paddies duringlocation shoots and was always on the verge of getting mycamera wet!"
He also had to adapt to laboratory and greenhouseshooting conditions. "Special equipment was needed toshoot all those specimens, so I had to learn new skills, newtechniques," he relates. "I had to be more patient thanever." But it wasn't long before he found his way throughall these challenges. Soon he developed into a master ofscientific photography and learned the intricacies ofscanning, photomicrography, and photomacrography.
Those days spent working with IRRI scientists andresearchers, especially with Gurdev Khush and the lateMarcos Vega, are moments that Mr. Sayo fondly recalls.
"They were the kindest and most professional people Ihave worked with in my career," he states. "They alwayshad a smile and a word of appreciation." These and otherprofessional relationships are what he will truly miss,along with day-to-day operations in the photographysection at CPS.
Can it be an accident that Lingkod Sayo's namesounds like the Filipino phrase lingkod sa iyo? The phrasemeans "at your service," which aptly describes Mr. Sayo'sattitude during his quarter century of service to IRRI andall its staff members. n
Keeping up
Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002 1 7
Keeping up
Maria Ymber Villamayor, a re-searcher in the Entomology and
Plant Pathology Division (EPPD),could find no one else to perform herreligious composition ala RegineVelasquez, so she sang it herself—andwon second place in a song-writingcompetition sponsored by the CFC(Couples for Christ) Singles for Christ,Laguna.
Her composition, entitled "Childof God," won her P5,000 and a trophy.There were eight finalists in the contestheld in October last year at theCultural Center of Laguna in Sta.Cruz.
Mayee, as she is called, recalls: "Ihad no time to find and teach someonewho could interpret it better. It's reallya pop song, and my voice quality isn'treally for pop singing but for chorale."
What influenced her to write thesong?
"I wanted something that wouldappeal to everybody, especially to those who are stillunsure of who they are or what their future will bring,"Mayee replied. "I was also at a stage where I had unan-swered questions about life, and I needed to make somebig decisions."
This was Mayee's first attempt at composing, thoughshe regularly puts music to the Psalms when she sings as acantor at Mass.
Mayee joined IRRI in 1996 as a laboratory assistantafter working as a savings account bookkeeper in theRural Bank of Rosales in Pangasinan. She is currentlypursuing her master of science degree in molecularbiology and biotechnology at the University of thePhilippines Los Baños, where she obtained her bachelor ofscience in biology.
How does she balance her time as a researcher?"I spend the rest of my time with the people I love,
my family, friends, and my community Couples for Christand Singles for Christ by sharing with them my talents,"she says. "I sing mainly religious songs although myinterests are a little more varied. I like classical, pop, rock'n' roll—and, most of all, Broadway! My favorite singersare Lea Salonga, Julie Andrews, and the Christian singersSandi Patty, Point of Grace, and Steven Curtis Chapman."
Mayee serves in the CFC Singles for Christ, LosBaños, including singing in a choir. She plays on theEPPD volleyball team and likes to read science fiction,especially Star Trek. n
Mayee Villamayor,"Child of God"
CHILD OF GOD
You were made in His likeness, yet you seek for your own face.You have your Father's eyes, yet you turn and look away.You were born in His image, yet you wonder who you are.You are your Father's own, a miracle by far.
Refrain II see Him in you. It's a truth you can't deny.So, why do you try so hard to hide the truth that burns inside?
Chorus(That) You are a child of God, created to be A mirror (living) image of His majesty.You are a child of God, a prince in His eyes.And all you have to do is accept your Father's love, O child of God.
When will you stop running and retrace your steps to home?When will you admit that you can't survive this world alone?
Refrain IIHe loves you. He longs to hold you in His arms.He'll carry you and keep you safe against all harm.Repeat chorus
BridgeWhy is it so hard to open up your heart?This life you're leading is tearing you apart.
Change Key
Chorus III am a child of God. Created to be a living image of His majesty.I am your child, O God, a gem in your eyes.All I have to do is accept your wondrous love, O my God.
1 8 Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002
Keeping up
Assistant scientist Rodolfo Toledo(right) of the Plant Breeding,
Genetics, and Biochemistry Divisionaccepts the 2001 CGIAR Excellence inScience Award in the OutstandingScientific Support Team category, onbehalf of the institute's hybrid ricebreeding team. The award was presentedby CGIAR Chairman Ian Johnson on 30October during the Annual GeneralMeeting at the World Bank in Washing-ton, D.C.
"It is our hope, in the hybrid ricescientific support team at IRRI, that the2001 CGIAR Science Awards will spurfurther funding support from thosecountries that have aided us in ourresearch during the past 41 years," Mr.Toledo said in his acceptance speech. He cited the AsianDevelopment Bank for supporting rice research in recentyears.
Mr. Toledo also paid tribute to team leader SantVirmani for organizing and encouraging the team to givetheir best in exploring new areas in rice research for a
Rodolfo Toledo collects award for hybrid support team
better world. The members of the IRRI Hybrid RiceBreeding team are Carlos Casal, Reynaldo dela Cueva,Luisito Caracuel, Julito Talay, Alejandro Manio, JuanAlzona, Oscar Gonzales, and Leonida Nazarea. IRRI alsowon the award for the Outstanding Scientific Article withthe paper "Genetic diversity and disease control in rice."
New faces
Hamid Miah is the new IRRIliaison scientist for activities in
Bangladesh not included under theprogram Poverty EliminationThrough Rice Research Assistance(PETRRA). Dr. Miah is the formerdirector general of the BangladeshRice Research Institute (BRRI). Priorto BRRI, he served as acting director general of theBangladesh Jute Research Institute and director for cropsof the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council. Dr.Miah obtained a doctorate degree in entomology from theImperial College of Science and Technology, Universityof London. He is a Fellow of the Bangladesh Academy ofSciences and the current president of the EntomologicalSociety of Bangladesh. Noel Magor continues to be theIRRI representative for Bangladesh and PETTRA projectmanager.
Vina A. Colis joined IRRI on 13 November as aprogram coordinator in the Entomology and Plant Pathol-ogy Division (EPPD). Her duties include synthesizing,integrating, and finalizing technical reports, planning,developing, and preparing financial projections of projects'needs, and developing and managing program databasescritical to report generation and financial monitoring and
evaluation. Miss Colis is a formerprogram officer of the PhilippineDevelopment Assistance Program,Inc. She also worked as seniorproject officer at the NationalDevelopment Company last yearand as project development managerat AgriSwiss Corporation in 1999. Miss Colis is currentlypursuing her masters degree in business administrationfrom the De La Salle University in Manila. She finishedher bachelor of science in agriculture from the Universityof the Philippines Los Baños in 1986. n
Back to work
The director general, Ronald P. Cantrell, returned to IRRI on 5November after undergoing surgery inSeptember in Houston, Texas, wheredoctors removed a benign tumor fromhis forehead. The director general forpartnerships, William G. Padolina,acted as director general during Dr. Cantrell's absence. Dr.and Mrs. Cantrell extended their most sincere and heartfeltthanks to those who gave them great support during thosedifficult times. n
Hybrid vigor: Rodolfo Toledo presents his acceptance speech as CGIAR Chairman Ian Johnson lookson. Emil Javier, chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee, is seated at right.
Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002 1 9
Keeping up
Moving on
After 30 years of service to IRRI, Kazuko Morooka , librarian,resigned on 31 October. Mrs. Morookajoined the IRRI library office as anindexer in 1971. She became a librarysupervisor in 1988 and a librarian in1995. She served IRRI by collecting,translating, and filing rice literaturefrom Japan. A farewell party was held at a restaurant inTsukuba, Japan, on 9 November. Thirteen IRRI alumni,including Yoshiko Yoshida and the artist MitsuakiTanabe, gathered in the party to thank Mrs. Morooka forher faithful service and to mark her launch into newchallenges. Mrs. Morooka will continue working for IRRIfor awhile on a part-time basis, to complete some currentprojects. Then she will begin work on a PhD in informa-tion processing. n
Awards
Sant S. Virmani, deputy division head of Plant Breeding, Genetics,and Biochemistry Division at IRRI, hasbeen elected a Fellow of the AmericanAssociation for the Advancement ofScience (AAAS) for his "tremendouscontributions to hybrid rice breeding,genetics, and seed production, which are significant stepstoward global food security." Dr. Virmani will receive acertificate and a rosette during the AAAS Fellows Forumin Boston on 16 February. AAAS Executive OfficerRichard S. Nicholson, who made the announcement inWashington, DC, on 3 October, said the AAAS Councilelects members whose "efforts on behalf of the advance-ment of science or its applications are scientifically orsocially distinguished." Dr. Virmani is also a Fellow of theNational Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India (1995),American Society of Agronomy (1999), Crop ScienceSociety of the Philippines (2001), and Crop ScienceSociety of America (2001).
Peter Fredenburg, writer/editorin Visitors and Information Services,has been named regional winner, Asia,of the 2001 IUCN-Reuters Environ-mental Media Awards for his maga-zine article "The treasures of the SierraMadre." The article, which ran lastMarch in Morning Calm, the in-flight
magazine of Korean Air, is about the establishment of theNorthern Sierra Madre Natural Park in Isabela Province.Mr. Fredenburg and the other regional winners willreceive trophies and certificates from Queen Noor ofJordan, patron of the World Conservation Union (IUCN),at an awards presentation in Berlin on 5 December. At theceremony, one of the six regional winners will be namedglobal winner.
The Mariano MarcosState University (MMSU)-IRRI Collaborative ResearchProject received two AFMA(Agriculture and FisheriesModernization Act) Outstand-ing R&D Paper Awards fromthe Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR), PhilippineDepartment of Agriculture, on2 October at the BAR officein Diliman, Quezon City. Theproject involved managingcrop, soil, and water resourcesfor enhanced productivity andsustainability in rainfed lowlands, carried out by theRainfed Lowland Consortium in Batac, Philippines, during1994-98. The award-winning papers were: "Rainfedlowland rice-based cropping systems of Ilocos Norte:show window for future diversified cropping systems," byE.O. Agustin, R.K. Shrestha, M. Alam, B.P. Tripathi ,D.S. Buccao, J.K. Ladha, M.P. Lucas, and S. Pandey;and "On-farm trial on comparison of SPAD-based andfarmer's nitrogen management in rainfed lowland rice," byE.O. Agustin, M.C.P. Baga, M.P. Lucas, D.R. Culannay,A.C. Morales, and V. Balasubramanian. Certificates ofrecognition and cash prizes worth P20,000 and P5,000were given, respectively. Three of IRRI's scholars—R.K.Shrestha, M. Alam, and B.P. Tripathi, whose work wasincluded in the outstanding paper award—received theirPhDs on this research work done at MMSU under thesupervision of J.K. Ladha.
Gurdev Khush, IRRI's principalplant breeder and former head of thePlant Breeding, Genetics, andBiochemistry Division, has beendeclared an Adopted Son of LosBaños. The resolution to adopt Dr.Khush was filed by CouncilorVicente Quintana, chairman of theCommittee on Agriculture, and unanimously approved bythe Sangguniang Bayan in its regular session on 12October.
Jamila Khandekar, financeofficer for IRRI Bangladesh, com-pleted her Masters of BusinessAdministration (MBA), awarded byThe Trinity University in the U.S., aspart of their new distance learningprogram. Ms. Khandekar was theonly woman in a class of 25. Herhusband, Nuruddin Mahmud, who is an assistant IT officerfor UNICEF, also completed the class with her. This is atremendous family achievement. Both work full time andhave a six-year-old son, Aazan. Ms. Khandekar has beenwith the IRRI Office since 1986. n
2 0 Sandiwa, December 2001/January 2002
Community bulletin board
Use the Community Bulletin Board to publicizean event, make an announcement, send personal
greetings, buy and sell. Please submit your notice nolater than a week before the end of the month, toappear in the following month’s Sandiwa. [email protected] or call Johnny Goloyugo(x6824) or Peter Fredenburg (x401).
AFSTRI International Culture NightThe Association of Fellows, Scholars, and Trainees ofIRRI (AFSTRI) will hold its International Culture Night,Ricefest, in Chandler Hall Auditorium on Friday 25January at 6pm. The event will showcase the variouscultural backgrounds of the AFSTRI membership andfeature a Filipina cultural troupe from the University ofthe Philippines and a lion dance performed by a Chinesecultural troupe from Manila. The new AFSTRI Excom2002 will take their oath of office, and the IRRI directorgeneral will be on hand to award prizes and mementos.Tickets cost 25 pesos. For further information contactJianXiang Liu, AFSTRI secretary for cultural affairs([email protected] or ext 239 in PBGB) or Jauhar Ali,general secretary ([email protected] or ext 512/548 inPBGB). n
Supply and demand workshopAn international workshop at IRRI on 3-5 December willreview developments in the rice sector at the country levelfor Asia. The workshop, "Medium- and long-termprospects of rice supply and demand in the 21st century,"will update the results of a Japanese-sponsored study,among others, while incorporating recent developmentsbrought about by the new trade regime and other relatedeconomic reforms. The Japanese study, "Projections andpolicy implications of medium- and long-term rice supplyand demand," was undertaken to identify factors thatinfluence changes in rice supply and demand in majorrice-producing and -consuming countries of Asia. IRRIand the International Food Policy Research Institutecoordinated and implemented the study in collaborationwith various national agricultural research and extensionsystems partners. n
Food and feedbackSuggestion boxes have been placed in the two IRRIcafeterias, Riceland Cuisine and Sallimel's Canteen, to getfeedback on the quality of their food and service. Custom-ers are encouraged to offer their comments and/orsuggestions, as they will help the Food Services Monitor-ing Committee evaluate the overall performance of ourcafeterias. All comments and suggestions will be confi-dential. n
Defensive drivingTransport Services and Safety and Security Services areoffering a special half-day workshop for private driversemployed by IRRI staff. Drivers will have a chance toupgrade their professional skills and learn how to react inspecial driving situations. Most IRRI drivers have alreadybenefited from a similar workshop. This activity will takeplace on 4 December from 2pm to 5pm, at IRRI. Driverswill not be required to provide a vehicle, and there is nocharge for this special activity. For more information,please contact Glenn Enriquez, extension 6815. n
Drivers’ license renewalEmployees with drivers' permits expiring between 20December and 18 January are advised to renew them on 20December. These are Modesto Amante, Randy AnocheHautea, Gaudencio Indico, Cenon Lanao, Martin AndrewMortimer, Emmanuel Panisales, Ariston Reyes, Jing Tan,and Danilo Vasquez. Employees with drivers' permitsexpiring between 18 January and 22 February are advisedto renew them on 18 January. They are Pedro Aala,Dominador Alejandro, Ma. Soccoro Almazan, JaimeAngeles, Robert Reurd Bakker, Valentin Burgos,Maridelle Dizon, Nilo Driz, Patria Gonzales, Olivia SylviaInciong, Julian Lapitan, Joan Mary MacNeil, ArtemioMadrid Jr., Emmanuel Mendoza, Silvino Merca, RobertoPaz, Alexander Ramos, Samjhana Shrestha, CandidoSolivas, and Pablo Victoria. The required license renewalform is available through Microsoft Outlook. Please callLito Cabral of Transport Services at extension 230 tocheck the availability of your permanent driver's licensecard. n
An exhibit featuring photographs by Jon Lee andpaintings by Karen Klee-Atlin at the SiningMakiling Gallery One, D.L. Umali Hall, UPLB,opened on 23 November and runs until 5 Janu-ary. Gallery hours are 8 am-12 noon and 1-5pm, Monday through Friday.
