Pisay A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM November-December 2014 Vol. I No. 2

ASEAN’s Best in 2016

Four science research pro-

jects were selected as entries of

the DOST-PSHS System to the

National Science and Technol-

ogy Fair (NSTF) of the Depart-

ment of Education (DepEd), to

be held in January 2015. These

entries were selected from 60

science research projects of

PSHS scholars that were pre-

sented during the PSHS System

-wide Science Research Sum-

mit (SRS) on Dec. 5 to 7, 2014

at Green Canyon Resort, Clark,

Pampanga.

Winners of the NSTF will

represent the Philippines to the

Intel International Science and

Engineering Fair 2015. The 60 science research

projects that were judged dur-

ing the SRS were chosen by the

PSHS System Committee on

PSHS System selects research entries for DepEd Fair Science Fairs.

There were four categories

of research projects: Life Sci-

ences Individual, Life Sciences

Team, Physical Science Indi-

vidual and Physical Science

Team. One research project per

category comprised the four

entries of PSHS System to the

NSTF.

The winning entries are as

follow:

Life Sciences Individual

Evaluation of Coconut Shell

Wood Vinegar as an Insecticide

Against the Coconut Scale In-

sect by Juancho Raymundo of

Main Campus

Life Sciences Team

Luminescent Activity of

P h o t o b a c t e r i u m l e i o g -

nathi Isolated from Squid Ink

and its Potential as Bioindica-

tor for Oil Contamination by

Joseph Neos Cruz, Jailah Mae

Valentin and Celine Bueno of

Central Luzon Campus

Physical Science Individual

Physico- Chemical Qualities

and Fecal Coliform Content of

Water at Lake Seluton, Munici-

pality of Lake Sebu, South Cota-

bato by Hannan Magda of

Central Mindanao Campus

Physical Science Team

Polyaniline-based Fish

Freshness Sensor through

Digital Imaging Colorimetry

by Marjorie Gold Maningas,

Je-anne Alodia Presado and

Janella Umbina of Central

Luzon Campus (afs)

PSHS System, SEI Team Up for Biotechnology

Two (2) of the DOST

agenc ie s fo r ed uca t io n :

Philippine Science High School

(PSHS) System and Science

Education Institute (SEI) teamed

up for promoting Biotechnology

in education, during the

celebration of the 10th National

Biotechnology Week which

spanned from November 24 to

28. A one-day seminar

workshop was held on the 26th

at PSHS Main Campus in

Quezon City.

T h r e e S c i e n c e a n d

Technology professionals and

four PSHS scholars presented to

55 students and more than 30

teachers- from 19 science high

schools in Metro Manila.

PSHS Alumni Ms. Edelwisa

Segubre-Mercado (Batch 1993)

and Ms. Ma. Antonia Arroyo

(Batch 1995) talked about

“Using Biotechnology to Detect

and Monitor Emerging and Re-

emerging Pathogens” and

“Making Science Work: An

Overview of the Philippine

Biotechnology Industry,”

respectively.

Biotechnology Coalition of

the Philippines Director for

Research, Dr. Saturnina C.

Halos led the Mini-plenary

session for teachers where she

focused on teaching the basic

concepts of Biotechnology in

K-12.

PSHS scholars Johann

Paolo Abog, Kelly Nicole

Mangonon and Karen

Amora from Main Campus

and Kendell Ann Kempis

from Eastern Visayas

Campus presented their

Biotechnology related

research projects. Said

p r o j e c t s we r e c o n -

ceptualized and performed

at the UP National Institute

of Molecular Biology and

Biotechnology during the

scholars’ Summer Science

Internship Program 2014- a

120 hour immersion in S&T

profession.

In the afternoon, the

teachers underwent a

laboratory activity for DNA

extraction. (continued on page 3)

Left photo: The

teacher-participants

during the DNA

Extraction activity.

Right photo: The

student-participants

during their DNA

F i n g e r p r i n t i n g

activity

The state-run Philippine

Science High School (PSHS)

System has supported a total of

4,584 scholars from Grades 7 to

10, for SY 2014-2015.

The PSHS System, operat-

ing under one System of gov-

ernance and management, pro-

vides scholarships to students

with high aptitude in science

and mathematics. It is based

on a curriculum that empha-

sizes science and mathematics

and the development of well-

rounded individuals. It pre-

Bacteria”. Olayvar and Ballais-

did a poster presentation for

their research on “Effects of

Saponin Extract from Crown of

Thorns Starfish (acanthaster

planci) Against Selected Human

Pathogens” and “Wireless Ges-

ture-based Software Solution

for Computers Through the Use

of Web Cameras” respectively.

Shared by Dr. Garnace,

“JSSF is comprised of oral and

poster presentation of re-

searches, science zone activi-

ties, cultural presentations and

exchange, industrial tours and

games. The sessions were con-

ducted in Ritsumeikan High

School. Other educational tours

were held around Kyoto.”

Added by Dr. Garnace, “the

school was equipped with all

the amenities needed for the

conduct of the science

fair.” (afs)

PSHS Eastern Visayas

Campus (EVC) Director Dr.

Reynaldo Garnace and three

scholars: Cathlene Roi M.

Jose, Arnold P. Olayvar and

Sean Francis N. Ballais, pre-

sented in the recently-held

Japan Super Science Fair

(JSSF) 2014.

On November 7 to 14,

2014, JSSF 2014 was con-

ducted at Ritsumeikan High

School in Kyoto, Japan with

29 participating countries in-

cluding the Philippines.

Dr. Garnace delivered a

talk entitled: “Haiyan in re-

view: Its Challenges and Op-

portunities”. Jose gave an oral

presentation of his research

entitled, “Antibacterial Activ-

ity of the Acetonic and Metha-

nolic Leaf Extract of Ylang

Ylang (cananga Odorata)

Against Multi-Drug Resistant

scholarship fund.

This particular provision

aims to ensure the strict imple-

mentation of the objective of

the program and that is - to

produce a critical mass of pro-

fessionals and leaders in S&T

who will contribute in nation

building. Hence, before enter-

ing PSHS, the scholar appli-

cant and the parent/s must

think carefully because being a

scholar of the PSHS entails

accountability and responsibil-

ity. (mro)

pares its students for careers in

Science & Technology

(S&T).

Before their entry to

PSHS, all scholars together

with their parents/guardians

enter into a contract. One of

the provisions stated in the

contract is that, upon the

scholar’s graduation he/she

MUST only take up S&T re-

lated courses in college which

is duly listed by PSHS. Non-

compliance to the said provi-

sion means reimbursement of

Chief Admin From page 4

and construction of good infra-

structure facilities.

On Nov. 25, the group

reached PSHS-Cordillera Ad-

ministrative Region Campus

(CARC) in Irisan, Baguio

City. The group joined the

Humanities Week Celebration

of CARC.

Ms. Sakai shared, “We also

had a chance to interact with

students and teachers. The

session was done through

sharing of issues and concerns

of the different participating

campuses wherein younger

campuses asked questions to

older campuses.”

On Nov. 26, the group was

welcomed in Ilocos Sur by

PSHS-Ilocos Region Campus

(IRC) Officer-in-Charge Di-

rector Dr. Ronnalee Orteza.

The group stayed at the Cam-

pus Dormitory in San Ilde-

fonso where they had a first-

hand experience of being a

dormer. Mentioned by Ms.

Sakai, “This is a learning ex-

perience for all CAOs, for us

to know firsthand the necessi-

ties in designing/operating a

dormitory.”

PSHS-IRC presented their

Infrastructure Development

Program and the different

methods of procurement that

PSHS EVC Joins Japan Super Science Fair 2014

they successfully went through.

On Nov. 27 to 28, capping

off the educational tour was a

visit to PSHS Central Luzon

Campus (PSHS-CLC) in Clark

Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

At the venue where the

group had an overnight stay, the

PSHS-CLC’s Bids and Awards

Committee Chairman Mr.

Arnold Pitpitunge shared his

experiences in handling the

campus’ procurement. As a

young campus of 5 years old,

he described his experience in

procurement as “learning by

doing.” He learned not to be

afraid to ask questions and to

coordinate with the right

agencies for support. These he

advised to the group. (afs)

November-December 2014 Vol. I No. 2

PSHS supports 4,584 Scholars, SY 2014-2015

Whenever I am invited to speak, I always mention about the arrow. I first heard about the teaching of the arrow in the school of workers in our church. A person is likened to an arrow. The arrow tip repre-sents the relevant competen-cies and skills that a person has. The body represents the attitude and character while the tail represents his/her abil-ity to discern or his/her sensi-tivity skill.

The skills or competencies maybe functions of intelligence quotient while the attitude per-tains to the emotional quotient; and the ability to discern and being sensitive or conscientious composes the spiritual quotient of the person. It is not enough that a person has high intelligence quotient, if this is not accompanied with a healthy emotional make up or what we call ATTITUDE. As in the arrow, the body connects the arrow tip and the tail. All three must be present - rele-vant skills, right attitude, and conscientiousness in order for one to reach his/her desired destination or goal in life. The archer knows that if he/she uses an arrow with defec-tive parts, he/she may not hit the bulls-eye or goal.

Corner

By: Engr. Larry L. Cabatic, Ph.D

“It is your attitude, not

your aptitude, that

determines your

altitude.” – Zig Ziglar

At REFMAD Farms in Burgos, Ilocos

Norte. The OED staff were delighted to see

and taste the famous dragon fruit and the

different products made out of it.

At Cormel

Foods in

Laoag City.

Ms. Cath-

e r i n e

A b a d i l l a

( p h o t o

a b o v e )

briefs the

OED staff

how their

family busi-

ness started

and the

different products that they produce.

Photos below show some samples of

their fruit wine named after DOST Sec.

Montejo and former SEC. Nina Alabas-

tro; and the famous sukang Iloko made

of sugar cane and banana. (mro)

PSHS System, SEI From page 1

A method of DNA Extraction

was taught to the teachers

using ordinary household

supplies such as water, liquid

detergent and rubbing alco-

hol.

Simultaneously, in a dif-

ferent room, the students had

a hands-on activity for DNA

fingerprinting wherein a sam-

ple situation of a murder case

was given to them. The fa-

cilitators gave a DNA sample

obtained from the crime

scene and DNA samples of

three suspects. By compar-

ing the sequencing of the

DNA samples, the students

were able to identify which

sample is identical to the

sample obtained from the

crime scene. (afs)

OED Goes Lakbay-Aral sa Norte

In Bio-entrepreneurship

“”You cannot be the boss, you have to be the leader. You have to be at the tip of the spear. Science is about solution. Business is

about decision.”

- Ms. Ma. Antonia Arroyo

At BAPAMIN Enterprises in Batac,

Ilocos Norte. Photo above, sweet sor-

ghum business entrepreneurs, Engr. &

Mrs. Antonio Arcangel enjoined the OED

personnel for a toss of sweet sorghum

juice. Photos below show some of the

products made out of sweet sorghum.

Governor Eduardo C. Fir-

malo and some members of the

Sangguniang Panlalawigan of

the province of Romblon vis-

ited the PSHS Ilocos Region

Campus thru the invitation of

Dr. Larry Cabatic last Novem-

ber 7, 2014.

Gov. Firmalo was joined by

Romblon’s SP Members

namely, Mr. Felix Ylagan, Mr.

Samuel Romero and Ms. Juliet

Fiel and his Chief of Staff, Ms.

Trina Firmalo.

The ocular visit aimed to

immerse their officials into

PSHS campus operations and

facilities as MIMAROPA Re-

gion was chosen as the site of

PSHS to be established in 2016

through BOT Resolution No.

2014-10-33.

USEC Fortunato Dela Pena

was also present to share his

valuable experiences in campus

establishment. The officials of

the LGU of San Ildefonso,

Ilocos Sur informally shared

PSHS to put up campus in MIMAROPA Region in 2016

DOST Outgoing USEC Fortunato Dela Pena (center) with Romblon

Governor Eduardo C. Firmalo (2nd from left), PSHS Executive Direc-

tor, Dr. Larry Cabatic (extreme left) & some officials from Romblon

and LGU of San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur during the ocular visit of the

governor and his party at Ilocos Region Campus.

their significant insights as

well, over a luncheon fellow-

ship.

Dr. Cabatic, who headed

IRC for over 10 years, person-

ally toured the Governor and

his party around the campus

showing them the different fa-

cilities.

Before the campus tour, the

Governor and his party and

USEC Dela Pena dropped by

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte where

the joint GAD Activity of OED,

IRC, CVC and CARC with 128

participants was being held. In

his brief message before the

participants, during a simple

tribute prepared for outgoing

DOST USEC Dela Pena, he

thanked the PSHS System lead-

ership for the warm welcome

accorded to him and his party

and he expressed his joy of be-

coming a part of the PSHS fam-

ily soon. (mro)

3 Pisay November-December 2014 Vol. I No. 2

DOST-assisted projects

4 Pisay

Lakbay-Isip sa Norte: Surfacing Gender Sensitivities

Through A Thinking Outside the Box Workshop

Chief/Admin Officers on a 5-day Educational Tour

DOST- PSHS System

Executive Director, Dr. Larry

L. Cabatic, admonished the

Pisay Team, both teaching and

non-teaching personnel, ‘to

serve as models for the students

who are the center of “being”

in the PSHS.’

Dr. Cabatic opened the 3-

day Gender and Development

Workshop held in Pagudpud,

Ilocos Norte last November 5-7,

2014 participated in by the

teams from the Office of the

Executive Director (OED),

Ilocos Region Campus (IRC),

Cagayan Valley Campus (CVC)

and Cordillera Administrative

Region Campus (CARC)

totalling to 128.

The joint GAD activity

aimed not only to strengthen a

culture of teamwork despite

belonging to physically distant

offices but also to promote

ideas and exercises that

encourage “thinking outside the

box” and reflect on their roles

as public servants while they

are allowed to rejuvenate their

energies.

The participants were

further inspired and encouraged

by the invited speakers namely

Dr. Miriam Pascua, President of

MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte;

Dr. Lourdes Floria, PAG-ASA

Awardee 2014 and Principal of

Zaragoza Elementary School of

Bacnotan, La Union; and Ms.

Corazon Lillian Celia Rin of

Ilocos Norte PSWD.

CVC Campus Director, Dr.

Salvador Romo and IRC

Officer- Officer-in-Charge Dr.

Ronnalee Orteza also shared their

valuable ideas, time and effort that

contributed to the successful

implementation of the joint-event.

Th e d i f f e r e n t s p o r t s

competition held in the afternoon

of Nov. 6 promoted camaraderie

and sportsmanship among the

participating offices/campuses.

As part of the learning

process, the OED personnel went

also on a one-day Lakbay-Aral to

selected DOST-assisted projects

in Ilocos Norte such as the

dragon fruit plantation in Burgos;

Sweet Sorghum Proccesing in

Batac; and Cormel Foods in

Laoag for their wine and vinegar

making. (mro)

November 24 – 28, 2014 ̶

PSHS System Chief Adminis-

trative Officers (CAOs) con-

vened for a 5-day educational

tour of Northern Luzon. Tagged

as “Lakbay Aral for Chief/

In the afternoon of Nov. 24,

the group arrived at PSHS

Cagayan Valley Campus

(PSHS-CVC) in Bayombong,

Nueva Vizcaya. The morning

after, PSHS-CVC Director Dr.

Salvador B. Romo discussed

the accomplishments of their

campus with highlights on

exceeding their targets, as set

in their Office Performance

Commitment Review (OPCR).

Dr. Romo stressed on invest-

ing in professional develop-

ment of faculty and staff, con-

duct of outreach programs,

purchase of reference materi-

als and equipment, establish-

ment of campus cooperative, turn to page 2

The participants during the

sports competition in

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

Administrative Officers”, the

group consisted of 14 personnel

including PSHS System Chief

Administrative Officer Ms. Ma.

Concepcion B. Sakai, Account-

ant Ms. Ma. Lourdes Amira P.

Soguilon and Budget Officer

Ms. Lorna C. Marquez of the

Office of the Executive Direc-

tor (OED).

The tour started on Nov. 24

at PSHS Main Campus in Dili-

man, Quezon City where the

OED office is also located.

PSHS System Executive

Director Dr. Larry L. Cabatic

and Deputy Executive Director

Dr. Rod Allan A. De Lara wel-

comed the participants and

wished them a safe and produc-

tive trip.

Dr. Cabatic underscored the

building of trust among PSHS

employees and complementa-

tion of campuses as the prime

reason for pursuing this educa-

tional tour.

November-December 2014 Vol. I No. 2

The Chief/Admin Officers from the different campuses

with PSHS System Executive Director, Dr. Larry Cabatic

and Deputy Exec. Director, Dr. Rod Allan De Lara, before

leaving PSHS Main Campus for their 5-day Lakbay-Aral.

Wearing color-coded t-shirts were the GAD participants from OED (blue), IRC (purple), CVC (orange) and CARC (white) in a group shot with the DOST-

PSHSS team leaders led by Executive Director Dr. Larry Cabatic, CVC Campus Director Dr. Salvador Romo, IRC -OIC Dr. Ronnalee Orteza; and the

guest speakers MMSU president, Dr. Miriam Pascua; Ms. Corazon Lillian Celia Rin of Ilocos Norte PSWD and Dr. Lourdes Floria, PAGASA awardee

2014, Right photo is Dr. Cabatic giving his inspirational talk to the participants.