TESDA-Siquijor conducts Skills Olympics 2011 

By Elsa A. Apiag

SIQUIJOR, September 22 (PIA)--The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in coordination with the Provincial Government and Lazi National Agricultural School conducted the 2011 Skills Olympics as one of the highlights during the Siquijor Ruby Jubilee Celebration.

The event was a show case of talents and skills of the graduates in Bartending NC II and Food and Beverage Services NC II. 

It was made to select and recognize trainees and skilled workers in the fields of Bartending and Food and Beverage Services with exceptional standards in preparation for the Regional Skills competition.

It also aimed to raise the national skills standards to be at par with the global standards; to educate and inform society on the importance of skills to national and local development and to encourage a culture of respecting skills in this province and the whole country.

The competition was a significant gathering of skills discipline since skilled workers and youths from all around the province were brought together and forged a common spirit to uplift the capabilities and raise the standards of skills competence among them. 

Participants and winners of the bartending competition were the following: First Placer, Philmore J. Omandam, Jr. from Tigbawan, Lazi, Siquijor; 2^nd Placer, Paul M. Caga of Poblacion Norte, Maria, Siquijor; and 3^rd Placer, Clyde I. Dag-uman of Poblacion, E. Villanueva, Siquijor.

Consolation prizes were given to Al Raymund D. Rufila of Tigbawan, Lazi, and Trexxie An A. Gumahad of Tagmanocan, Lazi, Siquijor.

Meanwhile for Food and Beverage Services, First Placer was Riza B. Ganuhay from Simacolong, Lazi, Siquijor; 2^nd Placer, Ricky P. Lantaca of Tubod, San Juan, Siquijor; and 3^rd Placer, Harvey Marabillo of Tigbawan, Lazi, Siquijor.

The Skills Olympics was held on September 16, 2011 at the Sunken Garden of the Provincial Capitol. (PIA-Siquijor/RAC/EAApiag)

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FITS Siquijor bares search for Farmer Scientist provincial winners 

By Rizalie A. Calibo 

SIQUIJOR, September 22 (PIA)--The Provincial Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Consortium has awarded on Siquijor Day provincial winners of its search for Farmer Scientists in the province. 

  Peter Paul Jutba of Capalasanan, Lazi won the first prize of P5,000 in cash and farm implements; second prize went to  Nida Bonocan of Nonoc, Larena with P4,000 cash and  farm implements; and Salome Patoy of Tambisan, Siquijor for the third prize of  P3,000 in cash plus Farm Implements.

Consolation prizes of P1,000 each were also given to the three other nominees, namely: Dexter Lomocso of Cansayang, Siquijor, Nilo Magsayo of Logucan, Maria, and Saturnina Boco of Olave, Enrique Villanueva.

The farmer scientists are judged based on their credibillity and leadership, 10%; accessibility of farm, 10%; profitability, 10%; productivity, 10%; Resource Utilization, 10%; Innovativeness, 35%; and Socio-Economic Impact, 15%.

Innovativeness, according Provincial Director Mario de la Peña of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), means that a farmer has adopted integrated farming systems showing scientific or technological innovations, adaptable under his own farm’s condition; conducted trials at his own farm and showed conclusions, comparably advantageous   over other farmers’ productivity; and showcased his adopted technologies exploring ideas that has set him distinct with other farmers.

De la Peña is the FITS secretariat and also one of the evaluators in this year’s Search for Farmer Scientists.

Awarding of prizes was done at the Provincial Capitol during the Ruby Jubilee Araw Ng Siquijor Awarding Ceremony with Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr., FITS Chair Bernadita Tabada, and Engr. De  la Peña.  (PIA-Siquijor/RAC)

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Xavier U dominates rodeo competition

By Federico Ada Jr.

SIQUIJOR, September 21 (PIA) --Xavier University of Cagayan de Oro City bagged the price of P20T as overall champion of the rodeo competition held at Pulangyuta oval, Siquijor, Siquijor last September 14, 2011.

The one-day adrenalin-filled actions highlighted the week long anniversary celebration of the province.

Rodeo is a unique sport made up of several different events, each with their ownrules, style, and rewards.It is played by men and women with healthy bodies and courageous hearts.

Catching cattle using a lasso, throwing down bulls with bare hands, performing rides on cattle’s back are few examples of the events.

Outdoing other teams is full of fun and excitement, joy and laughter, and sometimes frustration and pain.

Five teams from different schools participated in the competition: Negros Oriental State University (NORSU),Bohol Island State University (BISU),Visayas State University (VSU), Central Mindanao University (CMU) and XavierUniversity (XU).

 Central Mindanao U and VSU ranked second and third respectively.

Asked why Xavier University excels in many rodeo competitions, Templo, Maria, a junior agriculture student of XU answered that discipline and practice is their winning formula.

"Our team usually competes where we are invited and we go like one big family," Templo said.

The skills and techniques shown at the rodeo games may have taught our local farmers how to handle animals more effectively now.

And it is worth to mention that Siquijor province is said to have the most number of cattle per unit area in the whole regions of Visayas and Mindanao. (PIA-Siquijor/rac/f.g. ada, jr. –pvosiq.)