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Institute of Biological Sciences - FOFI Grantees

NAME GRADUATED GRADUATING STATUS
First Sem 08-09      
Aguilar, Francis A.   Second Sem 2009-10  
Fontanilla, Cyreene S. First Sem 2009-10   Researcher, SESAM
Second Sem 08-09      
Consignado, Kryza I. Second Sem 2009-10   Still looking for a job
Chua, Hazel Marice O.   First Sem 2010-11  
First Sem 09-10      
Catanghal, Ronan Aldous M.   Second Sem 2010-11  
Preme, Prime F.   Second Sem 2010-11  
Second Sem 09-10      
Fajutag, Apryl Joy M.   Second Sem 2010-11  
Encinares, John Mark A   Second Sem 2010-11  
First Sem 10-11      
Baniqued, Russel D.   Second Sem 2011-12  
Catsao, Kristine V.   Second Sem 2010-11  

Press release

23 March 2010

FOFI honours its latest graduates
On behalf of the University of the Philippines Institute of Biological Sciences

Good Morning honored guests, colleagues, students/graduates/scholars, family and friends:

Scholars 2010We are all gathered today to celebrate the 27th Anniversary of the Institute of Biological Sciences and to wish our scholars and graduates a prosperous, eventful and happy future.

I hope that each of you will actively participate in and always support or lead the positive changes you wish to see in our world, no matter what vision you choose to fulfill, live up to, and implement.

I am reminded of my time in school, coming to terms with a society constantly on the brink of change, pre-independence. What I remember most vividly is my desire to always be part of moving our people forward wherever I possibly could, towards a future where our children could also be proud.

You, my dear scholars, are a huge part of the reason I got passionately involved in setting up a non-governmental organization (NGO) that focuses on “Education Towards Progress” (ETOPO) and environmentalism – which is also one reason why I was asked to say a few words to you today – on behalf of Friends of Overseas Filipinos Incorporated (FOFI). [...]

FOFI Scholars to Date

Scholars Name Year &
Semester		 Title of Thesis GWA Adviser
Francis A.
Aguilar		 1st sem
2008-2009		 “Validation of Antidesma bunius (Euphorbiaceae) as Potential Maintenance Medicinal Plant for Diabetes” 1.848 Dr. Lourdes B. Cardenas
Cyreene S.
Fontanilla		 1st sem
2008-2009		 “Growth of Jatropa curcas (Tubang-bakod) in Soil Contaminated with Copper Mine Tailing” 1.885 Dr. Virginia C. Cuevas
Marie Jeazealle
Redondo		 2nd sem
2008-2009		 “Mapping of gene/s in rice (Oryza sativa) using SSR markers” 1.168 Prof. Cheryl Agdaca
Kryza
Consignado		 2nd sem
2008-2009		 “Isolation and characterization of the causal organism of American Foulbrood Disease, Paenibacillus larvae from Philippine honeybees and screening for their antibiotic resistance patterns” 1.443 Prof. Noel N. Sabino
Ronan Aldous
M. Catanghal		 1st sem
2009-2010		 “Mite fauna and mite antigen detection of house dusts from residential areas in Los Baños”

 1.490 Dr. Vachel Gay V. Paller
Prime P.
Preme		 1st sem
2009-2010		 “Ontogeneric changes in diet composition of the goat fish, Parupeneus Barberinus” 1.673 Dr. Vincent V. Hilomen

“From Russia With Love“ concert

World-renowned Russian Steinway Artiste and Star of Carnegie Hall, Miss Katya Grineva performed on November 19, 2008 (https://www.ticketworld.com.ph/OnlineCCP/Default.asp?brand=CCP) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in order to raise funds to build a Technical Vocational Training and Livelihood Center in the Philippines, dedicated to the Philippine soldier, his dependents and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Press coverage

Press Kit

Address from the Chairman 2007, 06 August 2008

06 August 2008

FOFI ACTIVITIES 2007-2008

The year 2007 was filled with challenges, namely having to let go of one of our scholars as well as the health of our Chairman Mrs. O. M. Bakker. Offie had a heart problem in February 2007 which resulted in an Angioplasty treatment. Offie recovered in no time at all, and is back in full blast in 2008.

Scholars

Our first full time scholar at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMSU) San Fernando City, La Union (Schoolyears 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007) San Fernando City , La Union, 2nd year Engineering Student. Ronald Rey Hufana, son of a former OFW from Saipan , decided to discontinue his studies because of his obesity problem Attempts to find a suitable scholar at DMMSU proved disappointing and futile. Although in recent months we spent time looking into a school where agriculture and environmental studies are prominent. A good friend, Dra. Asuncion Raymundo, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UP Los Banos, opened a possibility for FOFI to supporting Junior students who are doing their thesis and research.

FOFI Thesis & Research Grant with UP Los Banos

On 20 May, FOFI signed a Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) with UP Los Banos, called The FOFI Thesis and Research Grant. In their monthly community newsletter UPLB Link, Issue of May 2008, is a picture of the signing of the grant with Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco, with the following report:

“A new thesis grant is now available for deserving junior BSBiology students who will do research on the environment and on plant biology. Given by the Friends of Overseas Filipinos, Inc.(FOFI), the grant is good for two slots every semester starting AY2008-2009. Each grantee will receive P5,000 upon approval of thesis outline, P15,000 upon start of thesis research, P10,000 for succeeding two semesters, P4,000 upon submission of approved thesis manuscript to the director of the Institute of Biological Sciences , and P6,000 for administrative cost.

To qualify for the scholarship, an applicant must have a grade point average of 2.0, not be more than 20 years old, a Filipino citizen, physically fit as certified by the UPLB Health Service, and must practice his/her profession in the Philippines for at least two years after graduation. Application forms may be obtained and filed with the Office of Student Affairs. Interviews will be conducted by the IBS Scholarship Committee and UPLB will recommend the successful candidates to the FOFI Thesis Grant. (EBV Bernardo) “

Meanwhile, we are pleased to report that the Dentistry student, Katrina Anne Austria, whose last year of dentistry studies in 2006 we supported and paid for her review, which board exams she passed, is now a practicing dentist in Calamba, Laguna. In early 2007, we financed the last year nursing studies of Katrina’s sister, Karla, and we also paid for her review, which board exams she also passed. Karla works as a special nurse in Calamba. Both sisters were orphaned of their mother who died of cancer and a father who was a former OFW from Kuala Lumpur who also had a heart attack rendering him unable to help his daughters finish their studies. Now both girls work and able to help their father.

BOARD MEETING (23 JUNE 2008, San Juan)

At its last board meeting on 23 June 2007, FOFI Board decided to make some changes in its structure . Two incorporators of FOFI were taken in as new board members to increase the board membership to 7 instead of 5. Miss Anne-Marie F. M. Bakker who is coming home soon to share her European and Middle East experience, and Mrs. Teresita M. Lazatin, will fill in to make the Board Membership to 7. We also appointed Atty. Bill Santillan as our new Corporate Secretary. Board Director and VP, Winston Uy also suggested that we redefine our objectives because of changes in the running of FOFI, to which we all agreed. Such changes will be featured at a later date as soon as finalized. Hereunder are our 7 members of the Board.

The New Board of Trustees

  Ofelia M. Bakker President
  Winston Uy Vice President
  Joel S. Manankil Secretary
  Cecille Dinglasan Treasurer
  Anna Kristina Dinglasan Member
  Annemarie F. M. Bakker Member (new)
  Tess M. Lazatin Member (new)
  Bill Santillan Corporate Secretary

At said Board Meeting, it was agreed that FOFI is to pay significant attention to prompt filing of reports with the SEC, BIR and ensure compliance with requirements. For a number of years, we concentrated on the scholarship. We need to raise more awareness and funds for the active the active operations we started this year with the active move of our President and the new board.

FUND RAISING

FOFI is at the moment busy preparing “From Russia With Love “ concert featuring world-renowned Russian Steinway Artiste and Star of Carnegie Hall, Miss Katya Grineva, November 129, 2008 at the Cultural Ccenter of the Philippines in order to raise funds to build a Technical Vocational Training and Livelihood Center in the Philippines, dedicated to the Philippine soldier, his dependents and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

With the kind endorsement, help and support of former PCSO Chairman & General Manager, Manoling Morato and of former First Lady, Mrs. Ming Ramos to help our soldiers by teaching them practical skills, the first phase of this undertaking is to initiate a livelihood program to address their immediate need which is to augment their meagre incomes.

WHY A TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND LIVELIHOOD CENTER?

After studies, research and dialogues with the soldiers last year, we came to the conclusion it is soldiers who need help desperately. This was established when I did my tree planting activities with the AFP NOLCOM Tarlac soldiers in July and August 2006 and got to know the plight of the lowly soldier. Research, interviews and ocular inspections of the neighboring Clark and Subic Industrial and Business Centers revealed that if these people are trained with practical skills, we can look forward to supplying the needs for skilled labor of both industrial centers.. A TESDA-type training school for Welders, Electricians, Plumbers, Masons, Hospital and Hotel attendants, Housekeepers, Secretaries, Clerks, Seamstresses, which skills are in constant and great demand at neighboring Clark and Subic Industrial Business Centers as well as Central & Northern Luzon provinces. Courses for 3 months to six months up to two years will be offered at affordable fees for the soldiers and their dependents.

LAND (5 hectares of land)

After explaining our vision and objectives to various tenders, we were met with enthusiasmby one man who cares about the plight of the soldier. .This project appealed to former PCSO Chairman Manoling Morato. A known Philanthropist, Manoling offered to continue to help us raise the funds we need for helping the soldier.

From the: President, FOFI Project

Grant Awarded to FOFI!

May 22, 2006

We have a faxed copy of PCSO Board Resolution No 262 Series of 2006, to wit: "RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of PCSO approve, as it hereby approves, the request for financial assistance of the Friends of Overseas Filipinos (FOFI School Project) for their Scholarship Program for the disadvantaged children of returning Overseas Contract Workers, the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (P300,000.00) charged to the appropriate item in the budget, subject to the availability of funds and the applicable accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations." This application was approved at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of PCSO on May l6, 2006, at Quezon City, Philippines.

For more information, visit: Sponsorship.

Establishment of FOFI School and AYALA Centex Curriculum Update

April 2006

FOFI is not yet in a position to install the Centex curriculum, a project we are still raising sufficient funds for (Pesos 70M target for an Endowment Fund) to install the Ayala Foundation's CENTEX curriculum, which remains one of the top in our country and region.

Our last year pursuit for FOFI International School 's establishment at the Sacobia Properties in Clark Airbase, Pampanga, did not materialize due to the uninterested leadership in this economic area. Not even the continuous follow up of President Ramos and BCDA Chair, Roy Navarro, who both acknowledged and recommended that our project be a "national endeavour";, helped; even with the recommendation that FOFI establish programs for the indigenous tribes - which was Clark's main concern for approving the establishment of the school! Therefore, we shelved this protect and are currently looking into other sites in the region, and this effort is showing promise with the support of a number of credible individuals and organizations.

Since our meeting on Tuesday with Mayor Mary Jane Ortega and her team of academicians in San Fernando - particularly, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMSU) - FOFI plans to explore the technical/agriculture portion of its school project while the scholarship program continues.

Moving Forward with the FOFI Scholarship Program

Simultaneous to the FOFI school site research, we are continuing our scholarship programs for underprivileged children of OFWs. Two promising candidates have been selected from the screening process and they show much potential for their futures. Board Member Manoling Morato, has also helped us secure 300,000 thousand Pesos from the PCSO to co-finance the FOFI scholarship program, a sustainable relationship we seek to develop on an annual basis – through the Corporate Sponsorship privileges (logo on website, etc).

Furthermore, we have been financing a Nursing student for almost two years from the left-over funds of the Bakker Educational Foundation, which funds are almost depleted. We hope to seek approval of the FOFI Board to transfer this student’s scholarship into FOFI’S Scholarship Program. These are all children of returning OFWs, who have had difficulty reintegrating in the country.

For more information, visit: Sponsorship.