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These are, in alphabetical order, the “50 Great Men
and Women of Science” who will be recognized and awarded by
President G. Macapagal Arroyo on June 9 in Malacañang.
1. ANGEL C. ALCALA
The principal scientist in a
research program on land vertebrates and marine biodiversity in the
Philippines, Dr. Angel Alcala is a seasoned expert in biological
science, having authored or co-authored at least half of the 169
scientific papers and books produced through this collaboration. He
is the first Filipino to put together the most comprehensive studies
on Philippine amphibians and reptiles, with minor contributions to
birds and mammals.
2. ANTONIO V. ARIZABAL
Dr. Antonio V. Arizabal led the
post-EDSA 1 transition of the then National Science and Technology
Authority that eventually became the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) in 1986. He guided the reorganization and staffing
of the different DOST agencies and offices. He pushed for the
implementation of technology transfer and commercialization that
made possible agreements with the private sector.
3. JOSE L. BACUSMO
The president of the Visayas
State University (VSU), Dr. Bacusmo is the principal plant breeder
of two varieties of cassava and five varieties of sweet potato that
are being used by farmers in Region 8 and in other root
crop-producing regions of the country. He also helped in the
development of Intellectual Property Office-certified Intellectual
Property Office of the Visayas State University. He led the
establishment of industry service facilities for the abaca plant and
rootcrops. He also guided the successful private sector commercial
production of vacuum-fried jackfruit using technology generated by
VSU.
4. ARSENIO M. BALISACAN
Factual, insightful and
well-written analyses of human development issues in the Philippines
have been the reputation of the Philippine Human Development Report
(PDHR), the national counterpart of the United Nations Development
Program’s Global Human Development Report. Produced by the Human
Development Network and initiated by Professor Solita Collas-Monsod
when she was head of HDN for more than 10 years, each Report edition
is genuinely collaborative and multidisciplinary in content. HDN’s
current president, Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan (2003 to present) will
be accepting this award on behalf of the Network.
5. RAMON C. BARBA
Dr. Ramon C. Barba got his
doctorate in 1967 at the University of Hawaii under the advisorship
of Dr. Toshio Murashige. He returned to the Philippines in late
1968, and was appointed assistant professor at UP Los Baños.
Although he had patents in the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand,
United Kingdom and the United States, Dr. Barba did not enforce
these patents. His work on the KNO3 flower induction was recognized
by the World Intellectual Property Organization in a documentary
film promoting creativity and innovation. This technology was the
only invention chosen from the Philippines, the first time that this
region was represented and the one of only two countries included in
Asia and the Pacific region.
6. LETICIA O. BELARMINO
The university town of Los Baños,
Laguna, is also home to Lety’s Buko Pie (LBP), the leading brand
in a crowded industry where all claim to be “original.” In 1967,
Belarmino started to produce the inimitable buko-based pastry at
four pieces daily. The family-run food maker shifted to high gear
following technology assistance from the DOST that complemented its
aggressive marketing approach. Production has since grown to an
average of 4,000 pies weekly. Managed by the husband-and-wife team
of Isagani and Leticia Belarmino, LBP is a story of entrepreneurial
grit, focus and innovation.
7. JOSE C. BITUIN
Jose Bituin started JB Woodcraft,
Betis Crafts Inc. (BCI) in 1978. The family-owned furniture
manufacturer in Guagua, Pampanga, had set the benchmark in the fine
hand-carved solid wood furniture and accessories like reproduction
chairs, tables, mirrors, consoles, bedroom pieces, and case goods.
This achievement owes much to the significance BCI places on the
quality of wood in producing furniture pieces.
8. JOSETTE BIYO
After finishing her BS Biology
degree, Dr. Josette Biyo taught in a rural high school for eight
years. Dr. Biyo was challenged by the inadequate facilities in the
rural high school. With an innovative teaching method in science
research, an expertise she developed in 24 years of teaching, Dr.
Biyo bested 4,000 teachers from around the world to win the Intel
International Science and Engineering Fair. She is also the first to
receive an Award for Excellence in Louisville, Kentucky, that
honored teachers who promote inquiry and inspire students to engage
in real research. Dr. Biyo’s legacy is already immortalized
through a minor planet, originally known as Planet 13241 named in
her honor by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln
Laboratory in Boston as Planet Biyo.
9. JOSE G. BURGOS Jr.
(Posthumous Award)
Ten years ago, the rice crisis
would not have sprouted in the public lexicon, but Jose G. Burgos
already warned that if the rice and farm sector don’t get the
right attention, the Filipino nation will one day wake up to austere
circumstances. The ability to look far into the future and
illustrate why things are coming to pass characterize JGBJ’s life
and passion. As a journalist, his commitment to such universal
values as truth and courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable
odds were also validated universally. Among a long list of awards,
JGBJ was one of the 50 World Press Freedom Heroes (International
Press Institute, 2000), International Journalist of the Year (Interpress
Service, United Nations, New York, 1986), Ten Outstanding Young Men
of the Philippines (1970), Binhi-Agricultural Journalist of the
Year-Filipino (1994) and S&T Media Award (1988). Jose G. Burgos
Jr. is also remembered as an Outstanding S&T Communicator who
brought to national consciousness the importance of rice and food
security through appropriate science-based agriculture methods, and
environment conservation.
(Continued tomorrow)
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