Science, Technolgy and Society (STS) Blog. The title comes from the legend about Archimedes Heat Ray, supposedly used against the Romans during the Siege of Syracuse.
The movie Inception talks about a very communal thing
among all of humankind—dreams. One of the least understood human sensations—dreaming—was
attempted to be recreated on the big screen by Inception. In my opinion, the
movie recreated the dream experience as accurate as possible. The transition
between the real world and the dream world is very realistic and the portrayal
of the beginning of each dream is exactly what all of us experience. Once we
dream, we almost always end up right in the middle of a situation without a
background story whatsoever but we always end up passing everything off as
reality unless, of course, if we are experiencing lucid dream.
I believe that there is still much to be learned from
the art and science of dreaming and that humanity is yet to maximize its full
potential. Understanding the subconscious will be like and even more
significant than uncovering the mystery of the depths of the oceans and seas—a
venture into oblivion, an adventure into the unknown. Unveiling the mysteries
of the subconscious may lead to more precise and accurate representation of the
human psyche and it may also unlock the key to harnessing the full potential of
the human mind.
You’re waiting
for a train. A train that will take you far away. You know where you hope this
train will take you. But you don’t know for sure. But it doesn’t matter. How
can it not matter?
Because you’ll
be together.
Reaction Paper 2: ICT
37,602,976
internet users. 14th most in the world. 106,987,098 mobile phone
users, 94 million people. 12th most in the world.
The national ICT consumer pool is exponentially
increasing while the ICT infrastructure has remained stagnant and maybe even degrading.
Our national policymakers are uninformed and uneducated about the uses and
advantages of ICT thereby creating weak and, frankly, head-scratching laws and
policies that hinder the potential of ICT and the merits of ICT use, one of
which is the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Lack of regulation and to an extent
even connivance of private entrepreneurs with government result in lack of
competition and monopolistic and oligarchic tendencies among the main
‘competitors’ of ICT utilities.
The state of
ICT the country is horrific and sadly, the future of ICT looks bleak; this is
mostly due to the government’s incompetence and hubris. One thing we can do is
to fight for our rights as citizens, as netizens, as techies, and even as
non-techies alike.
Miro Jan Benedict G. NavarroErin Faith C. CastroJohn
Paul M. TaylorShyrill Mae Mariano
2010-258122010-259152013-221072012-60404
Dea Marie Isabel A. VillarosaEzequiel Joshua D. GruezoSteven Matthew Cheng
2012-613822013-178572010-11134
Marinela Isabelle M. CapistranoSarah Joy BonacuaArvin Wilson S. Alba
2013-44222 2011-18060
Abstract - There is no doubt that Filipinos aren’t underdogs in the field of science and
technology. Such is proved by the exemplary Filipino scientists like Alfredo V.
Lagmay. This paper tackles the life and career of Filipino Scientist Alfredo V.
Lagmay and his contributions to the field of science and technology. This is
done as a partial requirement for STS X2, summer class 2014 under Professor
Juned Sunido.
Tags:Alfredo V. Lagmay Sr. , psychologist,pioneer of Filipino Psychology, National Scientist
This is a photo of not just another day in class, but a beautiful memory of how we learned more about science and technology with the help of an extraordinary and very inspiring mentor.
This is the building inside UP which is equipped with the tools and equipment necessary to hone young minds of UP students.
Jose R. Velasco (February 4, 1916 - January 24, 2007) was a
Filipino agricultural chemist and plant physiologist. He studied the properties
of the substances used in agriculture, photoperiodism, and primarily about a
coconut disease called cadang-cadang. He received recognition from various
bodies for his works and in 1998, he was awarded and recognized as a National
Scientist of the Philippines.
Tags:Jose R. Velasco, National Scientist of the Philippines, Imus
Cavite Elementary School, Philippine
School of Commerce, Central Luzon Agricultural School, Central Luzon State
University, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College of
Agriculture, agricultural chemist, plant
physiologist, teacher, administrator, substances used in agriculture,
photoperiodism, coconut disease, cadang-cadang, U.S. State Department
Fellowship, University of the Philippines Fellowship, Secretary of the
Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Certificate of Merit, SEATO
Fellowship, Gugenheim Foundation Fellowship, University of the Philippines
Alumni Award, Colombo Plan Special Visitor to Australia, UPCA Distinguished
Alumni Award, UNESCO Exchange Professor in Plant Physiology in Universidad de
la Havana, Planters Product Achievement Award for Crop Science in the Field of
Teaching, PCCP Distinguished Award in Pest Management, Special Visitor to
Japan, Imus Elementary School Outstanding Alumnus Award, Outstanding Imuseño
Award
Personal Life
Dr. Jose R. Velasco is a plant physiologist and agricultural
chemist. He is also a national
scientist, a teacher, administrator and a family man. He was born on February 4, 1916 in Imus,
Cavite. He is one of the five children of Hugo R. Velasco and Guillerma
Ramirez. His father is a U.S. Army in Manila while his mother is a housewife (Ongkiko, n.d.).
At a young age, he already had the dream of being a lawyer. He learned the skills of typing and short
hand that also led him to think about using these skills in finding a job to
help him fund his desired law school.
But, when he studied in a vocational school, Philippine School of
Commerce (PSC), he figured out that he is not for stenography instead, he
noticed that he is good in English and history. As a consequence, he
transferred to Central Luzon Agricultural School (now Central Luzon State University,
CLSU) in Nueva Ecija and stayed there for three years. He graduated salutatorian instead of
valedictorian because of the lack of residency.
Afterwards, he studied in the University of the Philippines College of
Agriculture in Los Baños, Laguna. He did this because he received a scholarship
and he also realized that he is really not for law. “Law’s loss was science’s gain,” said Velasco
in an interview in the book National Scientists of the Philippines (1978-1998). This time, he graduated top of his class,
giving him the Joaquin Gonzalez medal.
He is also a cum laude (1940) in Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
Major in Agricultural Chemistry (Ongkiko, n.d.).
He worked as a teacher after he graduated. He was described by his students as
intimidating but they always remember him as a man of integrity. And since he always works hard, he didn’t
expect anything less from others. He
seems happiest when he researches or reads (Ongkiko, n.d.).
On March 9, 1941, he married Felicidad Ibañez, a school teacher
from Luisiana, Laguna. They had eight
children: Maria Dolores, Victor Hugo, Vladimir Fred, Jose Alberto, Jaime
Luciano, Maria Natividad, Luis Rey and Vernon Raymund and 16
grandchildren (Eala, 1967, 529). Maria Natividad is the
only one who followed his being a chemist.
Meanwhile, Luis Rey works in education and research. Four of his children are in the U.S. while
the others stay in the Philippines. He
decided to stay in the Philippines because it seems that he can’t leave his
life and work here. He is very
nationalistic and supported the Filipino products and local projects. He said that Filipinos should “patronize
products made by Filipinos” (Ongkiko, n.d.).
He died at the age of 90 on January 24, 2007.
Academic and
Professional Career
Jose R. Velasco, also known as Pepe,
completed his elementary education at Imus Elementary School in Cavite. His
skill in making a way out of every arguments he had with his older brother,
Constantino when he was young, paved the way for him to dream about becoming a
lawyer. But unfortunately, his parents weren't financially capable to send him
to an academic high school so he was instead sent to a vocational high school,
the Philippine School of Commerce. There, he was to study stenography. However,
while he was at PSC, he discovered that he had no skills in typing which
resulted to nearly failing it. Because of this, his father suggested that Pepe
should transfer to an agricultural high school. He then moved to the Central
Luzon Agricultural School, now the Central Luzon State University or CLSU. In
order to sustain his needs, he worked as a rice farmer for three year in Nueva
Ecija. In the end, his hard work paid off and graduated salutatorian (Ongkiko,
n.d.).
For his college education, he
enrolled in the University of the Philippines College of Agriculture (UPCA) in
Los Banos, Laguna. His reasons for getting his tertiary studies there were: his
mother's concern for him and the scholarship grants for top high school
graduates. At UPCA, he decided to study mathematics and chemistry. That time,
he had decided to forgo his law school dream but was certain that he didn't want
to be a farmer. He graduated cum laude in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science in
Agriculture major in Agricultural Chemistry. His father and his brother weren't
able to make it to his graduation, but his mother was there to see him receive
the Joaquin Gonzalez medal for graduating at the top of his class. On a side
note, according to Dr. Velasco, mathematics was his best subject (Ongkiko,
n.d.).
Dr. Velasco didn't just only focus
in academics, he was also into sports. Though he did not actually excelled in
the field events, he was still in the varsity team. The best he got in shot put
was third place in an inter-university competition. He also were in the boxing
team but didn't win any major fights (Ongkiko, n.d.).
Jose Velasco taught at the UPCA
Department of Agricultural Botany for several years. His service was apparently
interrupted at different times by WWII (1941-1943), by his stint as US
Department of State scholar to the University of California Berkeley
(1946-1947), and by a UP Fellowship award to continue his studies at the
aforementioned American university (1947-1949) (Ongkiko, n.d.).
At Berkeley, he enrolled in the
straight Ph.D program and completed his studies in three years. When he went
back to Los Banos in 1949, he had a Doctorate degree in Plant Psychology. He
was a research professor, director of research director of instruction,
chairman of the department of botany, and editor of the Philippine
Agriculturist (the college's scientific journal) at the UPCA till 1965
(Ongkiko, n.d.).
In 1965, he transferred to UP
Diliman in Quezon City. There, he became a botany professor and UP Quezon Land
Grant manager. After 2 years, he left his teaching profession to serve as the
Commissioner of the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), for 10
years (Ongkiko, n.d.).
Contributions
Dr. Velasco, as an agricultural chemist, focused on the properties
of the substances used in agriculture. He also studied different aspects
involved in the life of plants and this include photoperiodism of plants or how
they respond to different lighting periods. His study on the said subject led
to his discovery that the Elon-elon variety of rice is capable of flowering
during short days which have 12 hours (Ongkiko, n.d.).
His major study is about the coconut disease called cadang-cadang
which is one of the main problems of small coconut farmers in the Philippines.
This disease was the cause of the death of coconut trees in Bicol Region with
an earliest occurrence in 1926 at San Miguel Island, Tobacco, Albay until more
subsequent cases were reported in other areas (Velasco, 1999, 68).
A coconut tree suffering from cadang-cadang has small, irregularly
shaped, bright yellow spots on the leaves and these spots would eventually grow
bigger because of chlorosis. The affected leaflets will turn smaller and brittle
and the production of flowers and nut will also decrease. The leaves will
gradually fall until the remains will only be a bunch of yellow leaves with a
dark green center of upright leaves at the top of the trees which indicates the
death of the tree (Ongkiko, n.d.).
Dr. Velasco believed that cadang-cadang was caused by an abnormal
soil condition contrary to the popular belief that it was caused by a virus or
bacteria. The hardest part in proving his theory is in finding the causes of
cadang-cadang; but because of his perseverance and diligence as a researcher
and a scientist, he was able to find some literature which led him and his team
in concluding that this blight might probably be caused by rare earths found in
the soil. He also studied which elements of the rare-earths are the most
probable cause of the disease (Ongkiko, n.d.). An example of his study
regarding this is titled “Rare Earths in Coconut Groves Affected by the
Cadang-cadang Disease” (Velasco, 1999, 68).
He is truly a strong-willed and firm scientist for he continued
his so-called “search for certainty” for the cause of cadang-cadang even though
he learned from the literature that many researches showed that cadang-cadang
is probably caused by viruses, nutritional imbalance of the soil, poor
drainage, stress, or microorganisms (Ongkiko, n.d.). His researches greatly
contributed to the knowledge in agriculture in the Philippines and can spark
possible agricultural innovations in the future.
Recognition and Awards
Received
Even during his early years, Jose Velasco has already excelled in
his studies
High School: Salutatorian, Central Luzon Agricultural School (now
Central Luzon State University)
College, 1940: Cum Laude, BS Agricultural Chemistry, University of
the Philippines
Due to his numerous works and important contributions to our
society, Dr. Velasco was recognized by different bodies which has given him due
recognition and awards
1946-1947: Fellowship, U.S. State Department
1947-1949: Fellowship, University of the Philippines
1959: Certificate of Merit, Secretary of the Department of
Agriculture and Natural Resources
1963: Fellowship, SEATO
1963: Fellowship, Gugenheim Foundation
1967: University of the Philippines Alumni Award
1970: Colombo Plan Special Visitor to Australia
1971: UPCA Distinguished Alumni Award
1972: UNESCO Exchange Professor in Plant Physiology in Universidad
de la Havana, Cuba
1974: Planters Product Achievement Award for Crop Science in the
Field of Teaching
1974: PCCP Distinguished Award in Pest Management
1976: Special Visitor to Japan
1981: Outstanding Alumnus Award, Imus Elementary School
1991: Outstanding Alumnus Award, Imus Elementary School
1996: Outstanding Imuseño Award
And lastly, he was also one of the top scientists recognized by
the government and awarded with the most prestigious award any Filipino
scientist would hope for.
1998: National Scientist of the Philippines
Media
Portrait of Jose R. Velasco by Naomi Mendoza
Photos of Central Luzon State University Science High School, the
high school Jose R. Velasco attended. Photos taken by Jeno Julius Garcia.
References
[1] Velasco, Jose R..
1999. Selected Papers of Jose R. Velasco. National Academy of Science and Technology, Bictuan, Taguig, Metro Manila,
Philippines.
[2] Ongkiko, Ila Virginia C. Jose R. Velasco Plant Physiologist on the Trail of a Coconut Killer. National Scientists of the Philippines (1978-1998). Department of Science and Technology – National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines. Anvil
Publishing, Inc..
[3] Eala, Quintin A.
1967. Philippine Men of Science. Sojer, Beatrice, Torrijos, Delia, et. al..
Volume 2. National Institute of Science and Technology, Manila, Philippines.
[4] Famous Filipino dot
com. 2006. Jose R. Velasco. http://www.famousfilipino.com/content/view/82/116/.
Accessed May 24, 2014.
STS X2 Uyehara, Marion Theo J. May 26, 2014 2010 - 10187 Reaction Paper
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
BBC Film: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a romantic fable about bringing the idea of the Fly Fishing sport into the Yemen desert. Dr. Alfred Jones is tasked by a Sheikh to bring the vision into action together with financial adviser, Harriet Chetwode-Talbot. The British Government got interested in the project and supported it to improve relations between their government and the Islamic nations. The Film brought to life an idea that is technically possibly hard scientifically to bring into fruition. Mixed with lessons about faith, the film exhibits how bizarre a vision can influence both science and politics.
The film exhibits a relationship between science and politics. Concepts will find it hard to become successful projects if they are not supported by bodies. Large projects such as constructing a dam and shipping salmons into a desert are already really hard to imagine because of environmental factors, and what more if these projects are already rejected to receive financial support. In the case of an excursion like this, big organizations and almost always a large political body are largely depended upon for its success. Science and Politics therefore are interrelated and should also have a good relationship. It will be hard for Science to develop without the support of political bodies. On the other hand, political bodies gain trust from bodies they control because of success of the projects they support. Nowadays, it is not rare for students to request for sponsorship and assistance of large companies to aid in their projects. Companies sometimes even influence the conceptualizing of projects. The advancement of science is not for the sake of science itself, it is for many things, including politics.
First off, let me just state that the bits of info we learned from the speaker tackling the weather and other phenomena may prove to be really useful especially in these last few weeks that the weather is not what we usually experience in this time of year. The explanation about the storms and El Nino and La Nina was also good knowledge to keep in mind. For me, one of the most useful information that was discussed is how to read the clouds. Knowing which clouds are which and what each kind could indicate and even knowing an estimate duration can go long ways in planning out what to do for the day. It can greatly affect our everyday life and having that kind of knowledge can make a real difference. Another good thing to know was how the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone(ITCZ) hits the Philippines because it has been unexplained whenever I watch the news on the weather. The weather here in the Philippines is pretty unique as it is heavily hit by so many phenomenon from being a regular pathway for Storms, being affected by numerous cold fronts and monsoons while being directly hit by ITCZs. The PAGASA together with some other international organizations need to share more of the information about weather and climate better like what our speaker did because the ordinary Filipino citizen does not have said knowledge. It is also a vital action so that most of the news reports on the weather that have complicated circumstances would not be set aside but understood. The weather is a big factor for the Philippines and so that disasters such as Yolanda at least are minimized, we must be better informed and ready for the future.
PEROTE, Marian Veronica E. 2012-24491 May 26, 2014
INCEPTION
I can still remember the first time I watched “Inception”. I was viewing it in our
bedroom back in high school with my sister and all throughout the film I was filled with
questions. Did Cobb finally made his way home or was it all just another dream? Is it
really possible to practice shared dreaming and inception? Can I perform it myself? This
is the kind of movie that will really stick with you and play with your head even days
after watching it. I immediately Google-d it and read as much articles as I can to satisfy
my need of knowing what really happened.
The movie’s cast and crew was equally outstanding. DiCaprio never fails to be part
of these thrilling, intellectual and suspenseful films. And of course, Christopher Nolan
who is a personal favorite of mine for being the director of the recent Batman movies was
no exception. His creativity is truly out-of-this-world which is why he never fails to lure
the people to the cinemas. We also have Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page and Joseph
Gordon-Levitt.
We are not blessed with the power of time. I mean economically speaking, it is the
most scare resource as my Economics professor, Winnie Monsod would always say. We
can’t just turn back time and undo what needs to be erased. That is why it is all the more
important to make the most out of every minute of everything; to make smart choices; to
make life not regretful. We may not always have the chance to to make up for our
mistakes. With this wrong choice, we may find ourselves rotting in the end of the road
and left with nothing. It is our choices that define us. They lead us to a path that may or
may not give us a happy ending.
ON DR. CUSTER DEOCARIS
Dr. Custer Deocaris is a scientist, entrepreneur, researcher, neurologist, advocate,
show host and producer. Yes, he is an all-around a guy; a jack of all trades. He obtained
his bachelor’s and masters degree at University of the Philippines-Diliman and his
doctorate at University of Tokyo. He has worked on Cell Engineering, Biomedical
research, written bills for milk code and "Reversing physical inactivity and strengthening
PE in schools" and even became a part of the media as an anchor in “Pinoy Scientist
Radio Show”. He has published notable works, received various honors and distinctions
including as a DOST Balik-Scientist.
He started young in building his dreams. When kids his age were playing cars he was
reading about Genetics and looking through his microscope. His passion for learning
brought him to where he is today. He did not work for money or fame but for the love of
Science. How many times can you meet someone like that today? In his life, he was
chasing the answers for his scientific research because he wanted to be of help to the
nation. Eventually, fame and fortune came looking for him.
Dr. Deocaris seems to be a very lucky man. Lucky? I guess you could say that but
apart from it what made him a big success is his passionate character. When he starts
working on something, he gives 101% of himself. “Okay” is never enough for this guy.
Why settle for less when you are so much capable of more? His story reminds me of
Ranchoddas Shyamaldas Chanchad, the protagonist in the Bollywood film, “3 Idiots”. They have the same curiosity and thirst for knowledge; same level of devotedness to
learning and not to mention the same bubbly, bouncy, high-spirited character. The
character stood as an inspiration for me. He would say, “Pursue excellence, and success
will follow, pants down”. This has been my mantra since and I think this is what we
Dr. Gelia T. Castillo is an internationally recognized social scientist and a notable alumna of the University of the Philippines. This paper aims to present details of her personal, academic, and professional life, as well as her significant contributions to Philippine agricultural and rural development and the awards and recognition she has received from these.
Tags: Gelia T. Castillo, professor, social scientist, research consultant, board member, rural development, agricultural development, poverty solutions, Filipino rice farmers, national scientist, Distinguished Alumnus Award of the UP Alumni Association, Distinguished Alumnus Award of the UP College of Agriculture, TOFIL Outstanding Filipino Award, Pi Gamma Mu, International Award, Rizal Pro Patria Award, Centennial Honors
Personal Life
Gelia Tagumpay Castillo was born on March 13, 1928 in Pagsanjan, Laguna. Her father is Antonio Tagumpay and her mother is Consorcia Tagumpay. She has three children to Dr. Leopoldo Castillo who is currently a professor at UP Los Banos in the Institute of Animal Science in UPLB.
She was born into a poor family. Her mother was an elementary graduate while her father was a high school graduate. Her father’s dream was to have all his children go to college. She and her siblings were always told by their father, "You must do well, but not just well-- Very well. Even though you could do just as well as the rest, you still can't make it, because we are poor. You must go above the next person.” This became Gelia’s motivation to excel in her studies, and true enough, she became valedictorian from elementary to high school, a consistent University Scholar in college, and a Magna Cum Laude graduate. In fact, the grades she got in her final semester of college were straight unos. (An Interview with Gelia Castillo, 2013)
After graduating college, she was given the chance to study in Pennsylvania State University for her graduate studies, and then to Cornell University for her doctoral studies. During her stay in Cornell, she recalls being “treated like royalty” at the time for she was the only female graduate in her batch. (An Interview with Gelia Castillo, 2013)
From a small town in Laguna, she has gone all around the world. Her breakthroughs have taken her to 56 different countries. There was a time when she was travelling 11 to 15 times a year because of her board memberships. Up to 2013, she went out of the country at least twice a year for her international involvements. (An Interview with Gelia Castillo, 2013)
Academic and Professional Career
Gelia T. Castillo has always managed to excel, graduating valedictorian at Pagsanjan Elementary School and Laguna High School. In 1948, Castillo studied and obtained Magna Cum Laude A.B. Psychology, College of Liberal Arts in the University of the Philippines. She held an M.S. from Rural Sociology from Pennsylvania State University in 1958 and a Ph.D. also in Rural Sociology from Cornell University in 1960. She also holds two honorary doctorate (honoris causa) degrees in Science from Wageningen Agricultural University in the Netherlands and the Ateneo de Manila University.
She became professor in University of the Philippines, Los Banos and earned the distinction of being conferred to the rank of University Professor. In 2008, she completed the course on Corporate Governance for Philippine Banks offered by the Bankers’ Institute of the Philippines. She became a member in the Board of Trustees of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI).
She was appointed to several Boards and Committees of national and international research and development institutions concerned with agriculture, health and socio-economic development and received invitations to numerous conferences taking her to fifty-five countries around the world. Dr. Castillo has also served an extensive time in the Board of Directors of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, the think tank of the National Economic and Development Authority.
Dr. Castillo served as leader or member of around 40 teams to assess the performance of Research and Development Programs aimed to develop the lower hierarchy. Particularly, she was among the advisers of the Economic and Social Impact Analysis/Women in Development (ESIA/WID) called as the largest Social Science venture in the ‘70s.
She is currently a consultant at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and also a Senior Research Adviser to UPWARD (Users’ Perspectives with Agricultural Research and Development), a network of Asian researchers engaged in participatory research and development.
Contributions
SCIENCE MUST SERVE A HUMAN PURPOSE. This is the maxim that guided GeliaT. Castillo through her life as a social scientist. She focused on agricultural and rural development, including health, gender, environment, poverty, inequality, capacity development; and participatory approaches to research(http://it.cardbankph.com/).“I have always believed that when the best science and scientists are devoted to the problems of those who have less in life, that is equity and ethics at its best. If science is to serve a human purpose, what better human purpose is there?” she stated (http://www.tofil.ph/awardee_profile.php?id=79). This was her belief so she had a lot of projects which are concerned in solving poverty.In her career she has already published a number of books including: “Toward Understanding the Filipino Farmer,” “All in a Grain of Rice”, “Beyond Manila”, “How Participatory is Participatory Development?”, and “Rice in our Life”.
“Toward Understanding the Filipino Farmer” is her first published work. It was published in the United States which proves that she is active internationally in the issues about rural sociology. She is also active in some international organizations which help in addressing agricultural problems encountered specifically in rural areas. | (http://www.tofil.ph/awardee_profile.php?id=79)
“All in a Grain of Rice” (1975) is the first known book to be written by a Filipino about the Filipino farmer’s response to the social and economic implications brought about by the new rice technology of the Green Revolution (www.tofil.ph).This book basically talks about the Philippine rice situation and the changing Filipino rice farmer throughout the years. Aside from the topics of introduction, diffusion and adoption of the new rice technology, “All in a Grain of Rice” also tackles the agricultural extension services, employment, income distribution, credits and cooperatives of farmers; and also the Philippine land reform program (books.google.com.ph/All_in_a_Grain_of_Rice).
“Beyond Manila: Philippine Rural Problems in Perspective” (1977) was cited as an in-depth and analytical study of the actual problems and needs of the rural areas in relation to countryside development (en.wikipilipinas.org/GeliaCastillo). This study may be used in educating the youth, and influencing the country’s technocrats, policy makers, and political leaders into acting towards rural development (www.tofil.ph).
On the other hand, in “How Participatory is Participatory Development?” (1983), Gelia Castillo inquires about who is really involved in the development of a country (www.tofil.ph). This is a timely book that deals with the temporary and the controversial issues about the Philippine rural development. It discusses about the two important aspects of rural development which are rural institutions and people’s participation (www.pids.gov.ph). Since there is about two-thirds of the Philippine population who resides in the rural areas, earning an average family income, a lot of experts have focused their studies on the progress of rural development strategies, the impact they have had on rural communities, the means by which they can be made more effective and the various alternatives that exist. This book helps us understand the issues faced by the majority of the Philippine residents.
Gelia Castillo’s more recent book titled “Rice in our Life” (2006)critically analyzes the importance and influence of rice in Philippine culture, economy, society, and policy and the changing landscape of rice farming and rice farmer households during the last three decades. According to Dr. Ponciano S. Intal Jr., this book is a good reference not only for social scientists and development specialists, but also for policy makers, and civic and business leaders. It raises our awareness and formulates policies that will promote the interests of farmers and the entire nation towards its staple commodity that is rice (www.bar.gov.ph).
Aside from those mentioned above, she also has several other books and scientific papers which are still about agricultural and rural development. All of these publications gave Filipinos insight on their own rural development efforts and their attempt to reach the farmer and the rural poor. She published an estimate of 67 scientific papers all tackling agricultural and rural development (e.wikipilipinas.org/GeliaCastillo).
Dr. Castillo also has a lot of contributions in the field of research. She headed a collaborative research entitled “Changes in Rice Farming in Seven Asian Countries.” As the name implies, this is an international project and this came to be the first research network of the International Rice Research Institute. She also helped the foundation of the Department of Sociology in the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Other International participations by Gelia include being the chair for Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and serving in the board of International Plant Genetic Resources Institute in Rome and Governors of the International Development Research Centre of Canada (http://www.tofil.ph/awardee_profile.php?id=79).
But perhaps, Gelia Castillo’s greatest contribution lies in her humanizing science, because for her, science must serve a human purpose. Her writings make her readers empathize with the burdens of the farmer, the plight of rural women, and the frustrations of community organizer (www.tofil.ph). She is not only recognized for her pioneering works in collaborative research that aimed at improving the lives of Filipino farmers but also for being exceptionally concerned with “furthering human development and narrowing inequalities in society.” (thepioneersproject.org)
Recognition and Awards Received
1976- Rizal Pro Patria Award
1975- Distinguished Alumnus Award of the UP Alumni Association
1979- Distinguished Alumnus Award of the UP College of Agriculture
1999- National Scientist
2004- TOFIL Outstanding Filipino Award
2007- Most Distinguished Alumna Award of the UP Alumni Association
2007-Pi Gamma Mu (Philippine Alpha Chapter) International Award
2008- Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Public Service
2008- Centennial Honors
Media
Interview with Dr. Gelia T. Castillo about her interest in rice:
Gelia Castillo; http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Gelia_T._Castillo; May 16, 2014
PIDS (Philippine Institute for Development Studies) Book: How Participatory is Participatory Development; http://www.pids.gov.ph/books.php?id=689&pubyear=2012; May 16, 2014
Mojica, MikoJazmine; National Scientist Launches Book on Rice; http://www.bar.gov.ph/
chronicle-home/archives-list/183-june-2006-issue/2515-national-scientist-launches-book-on-rice; May 16, 2014
Philippine Social Science Pioneers: Gelia T. Castillo; http://thepioneersproject.org/pioneers/ gelia-t-castillo/; May 16, 2014
Human Development Network: Gelia Castillo; http://hdn.org.ph/gelia-t-castillo/; 2008.
International Rice Research Institute; http://irri.org/; May 24, 2014
Gelia Castillos’s Blog; http://irri.org/blogs/category/gelia-castillos-blog/; May 24, 2014
Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS); http://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/ris/pjd/about%20the%20honoree.pdf; May 24, 2014
