THE FILIPINO BIOLOGY TEACHER

And so what, after the conference? I was the very first in our college to take part in an international academic conference and the first too, to present a research output. I was wondering why it took me two years after my Master's to do this. Exposure was the reason why I attended the conference, an international one so to speak (because of the presence of some Thais, Singaporeans, Chinese, Ghanans, Australians, Americans, Irish, etc.). While I was in the conference, I intently observed how paper presentations were done since that would be the next step in my journey. As I went over from one presentation room to another, a voice was telling me that I could equal and do at par with the other presentors. Had I known that earlier then, I could have applied as a paper presenter. But the big question is: what am I going to present? What is my advocacy in the spectrum of disciplines in science education. While I was having my trip to DOST-SEI, I got to have time to contemplate while on...

The information given by Dr. De Ungoria was so 'laymanish' that a science teacher of a rather different orientation could be interested in molecular biology. In her illustration she said that the first step is to extract DNA samples from non-contaminated source: teeth (the pulp), the heart, bone, any part that does not show signs of decay due to microbial nuclease. Blood is the usual sample they take in their DNA profiling survey. This is needed in comparing results of an analyzed sample in 13 to 15 DNA sections (out of 3 billion+ base pairs in humans). Nuclear DNA is used particularly when Y chromosome is involved while mitochondrial DNA is analysed for ante-mortem cases (matching it to mother's DNA) because people inherit the mother's mitochondrial DNA.

According to Shulman (1986) , PCK includes "the most useful forms of representation of [topics], the most powerful analogies, illustrations, examples, explanations, and demonstrations - in a word, the ways of representing and formulating the subject that make it comprehensible to others ...Pedagogical content knowledge also includes an understanding of what makes the learning of specific topics easy or difficult: the conceptions and preconceptions that students of different ages and backgrounds bring with them to the learning of those most frequently taught topics and lessons." Pedagogical content knowledge is an accumulation of common elements; Knowledge of subject matter Knowledge of students and possible misconceptions Knowledge of curricula Knowledge of general pedagogy. PCK is knowing what, when, why, and how to teach using a reservoir of knowledge of good teaching practice and experience. Check this link for more: Pedagogical Content Knowledge Taxonomies

Shown is the conference venue (only half of it). Here are some people I linked with during the conference. Side view. This is Dexter Necor (far right) from the Sarangani province , one of the three participants I was close with during the first day. We were together in a banquet treated by VG Roxas at UP Bahay ng Alumni. This is Sir Marmon Pagunsan , a physics professor at a university in the sultanate of Oman . I attended his lecture on e-learning and we were together in one of the workshops about using windows moviemaker in editing movies (like rearranging sequences). This is Sir Renato Vergara , Science Department Head of Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation in Lucena City . We first met last May during the DOST Scholars Interview and Orientation at PTRI in Taguig. He is taking PhD in Science Education (Physics) at DLSU. This is our second time to meet in a science education related activity. Edem and I with none less than Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungoria , an accomplished for...

DR. MA. CORAZON DE UNGORIA, Head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory, NSRI, UP Diliman. It was the best lecture I attended in the conference. It left a big mark, an inspiration on the role of teachers in national development just as how Dr. Ungoria's mentors in Pisay sparked in her the beauty of scientific research within moral bounds. Dr. Ungoria is an Outstanding Young Scientist awardee having devoted much of her time juggling between social and scientific concerns in her work as a forensic scientist. I have realized that teachers could also insinuate in their own little ways the students' interest in forensics by bringing social issues in the classroom. The textbook is the society and the method of resolving issues is the science process. DNA analysis was unfolded before me bigger than life and much larger than the way they are usually presented in textbooks. It was sure real. It is an essential part of the society especially the judiciary since almost all cases in the Philippin...

It's my first time to attend an international conference. I am happy beacuse I was able to attend, and present my research paper in a form of a poster. I have set so much expectations that's why when during the opening technical problems (sound system) cropped up, I was disappointed. With the many dignitaries who spoke during the first day, only the following persons left marks for quite a number of reasons: DR. SERGIO S. CAO , UP Chancellor. His welcome remarks were tantamount to a keynote speech. He is a mathematician who redesigned himself as a financial analyst. DR. JESLI A. LAPUZ, DepEd Secretary. My impression about this man really changed a lot. He is spontaneous. Talked with a lot of sense even if it was done impromptu. DR. PETER FENSHAM, Emeritus Professor at Monash University in Victoria, Australia. He enlightened me more on the impact on science education of various policies. He presented various areas for research in science education. Some presented naiveties of...

I am receiving the certificate of appreciation from UP NISMED Staff with a gift pack from Unilever Philippines. Thanks. Click for more pictures. The poster and the maker/researcher. This is my poster. According to Dr. Kennedy: "This is professionally done." I immediately told him that I made it myself. And the rest is a long playing conversation.

Edem Nutakor, 27, Biology teacher from Ghana . Like me Edem is so passionate about science that he wanted to go out of his country for graduate training. He's teaching junior lower high school in his country. See more pics in the conference. This is Sir Edgar Caganaan , a sixth grade science teacher from Zamboanga . With him is Mam Helen, a colleague from the same place and was also very interested with my paper. She's taking up her master's. Dr. Declan Kennedy is from the University College Cork in Ireland . He is the European representative sent by the International Council of Associations for Science Education (ICASE). He said beautiful things about my poster. Like me, he is also an advocate of alternative assessment in education (particularly rubrics assessment). There are still two others I met and got intimate with, but unfortunately I forgot my camera during the first day of the conference. They were high school teachers from Saranggani province. ***** There wer...

A friend asked me what melamine is. I wasn't able to give her a good answer. I was the second person she asked about it. So I made my research and found this article. Quick Info: Commodity: Melamine Formula: C3N6N6 Molecular Weight: 126.12 Appearance: White powder Melamine content: 99.8% min Moisture: 0.1% max PH Value: 7.5-9.5 Ash: 0.03% max Kaolin Turbidity degree: 20% max Color (Pt-Co): 20 max Packing: In 25/500/1000kg jumbo bags Use: Mainly used for manufacturing melamine-formaldehyde resin. It can also be used in decorative laminates, arminoplastics, adhesive agents, coatings and used as a paper-reinforcing agent, textile auxiliaries, cement water-reducing agent and leather retaining agent etc. Storage & Transportation: It should be kept in a cool and ventilated place and should not be stored and shipped with acids and oxidants. What is Melamine? Melamine is an organic compound used to produce melamine resin by combining it with (embalming chemical) formaldehyde. Melamine ...

And so my journey now begins. As a newcomer to the school, I feel all alone. A scared stranger. For others who would wish to follow the 'presumptous' step I made, here are some vocabularies you must know to mask the seemingly ignorant you and to fit into the 'university culture' of one of the best universities in the world. DATE: This is an almost four-hour mental torture assessing your aptitude as to whether you are prepared to take the graduate school or not. Doctor's Admission Test in Education (DATE) is a measure of your reasoning, verbal and numerical abilities. The other part of the test is an essay test. The content is not much a big matter but the writing style is. (I think it's this part that I did well.) The rest of the test was indeed a mental torture. This is administered once a year. ORIENTATION: Impression setting (not impressed, tho). There was the OHP and the white screen but they were never used. Sound system was a karaoke in a theater of about...

The following instructions are for those who are incomplete in psycho: Once you have completed, you can alraedy: a. Text me (I'll send my number in your mail) b. Get a COMPLETION FORM from the REGISTRAR'S OFFICE. Fill up the form. c. Give it to Mrs. Fetalvero (IBA) d. Get back the form when I arrive in the province soon. So keep posted.

Marje Menorca Manacho Rose Ann Rance Gonzales Well congratulations to our adopt a CPA reviewee recipient Rose Ann Rance Gonzales and Marje Menorca Manacho for passing the October 2008 CPA Licensure Exam. The national passing rate was 2,442/6,663 (36.54%). RSC's passing rate was 33.33%. Earlier yesterday when the result was released, the IBA family was sooooo excited expecting that they hit the 50% goal. Unfortunately there were two other takers who did not inform the office about their plan of taking. I am not sure if these two did ever review. Whoever you are, better luck next time, but please... do inform the office of your intent so that we can include you in our prayers. And please, we are protecting the passing rate of BSA in RSC so that it won't close. Please cooperate with us in our efforts of elevating RSC's performance in the Licensure Exam. Anyway, Congrats to Rose Ann and Marje!

This post may be a misfit. But as my wife is a CPA, I am taking off my hat to those who can successfully hurdle this board exam. The preparation and review are no joke, plus the financial demands of the review. Here are the top performing schools in the 2008 CPA Board Exam. CPA Board Exam Results October 2008 . RANK SCHOOL TOTAL NO. OF EXAM. TOTAL NO. PASSED PERCENTAGE PASSED 1 UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS 332 259 78.00% 2 ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY 100 64 64.00% 3 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MAIN -STA. MESA 584 301 52.00% B.WITH 51-99 EXAMINEES RANK SCHOOL TOTAL NO. OF EXAM. TOTAL NO. PASSED PERCENTAGE PASSED 1 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY - MANILA 51 38 75.00% 2 SAN BEDA COLLEGE 72 45 63.00% 3 BICOL UNIVERSITY - LEGAZPI 59 35 59.00% NOTHING FOLLOWS ————————– C.WITH 26-50 EXAMINEES RANK SCHOOL TOTAL NO. OF EXAM. TOTAL NO. PASSED PERCENTAGE PASSED 1 UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES - DILIMAN 40 40 100.00% 2 ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA 37 26 70.00% 3 SILIMAN UNIVERSITY 26 18 69.00% NOTHING FO...

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 2,442 out of 6,663 passed the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination given by the Board of Accountancy in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi this October 2008. The following are the Top 10 Board Exam Passers (CPA) for October 2008: 1 RICHIE JACKSON TAGUINOD PADILLA - UNIVERSITY OF SAINT LOUISTUGUEGARAO 92.71 2 ZIFF CALVIN RIGOR MARABILLO SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY 92.14 3 JOANES ALBERT BATALLA DE VERA FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY-MANILA 92.00 4 RICHELLOU JAMAICA ORTEGA LENON - UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN 91.86 5 HAZEL ANGELINE QUIAPOS ABENOJA BICOL UNIVERSITY-LEGAZPI 91.57 6 MHARK ALMARIO SERATO DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA 91.43 7 KRISTINE JENNIFER DISCAYA CHUA UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN 91.29 8 ADRIAN HIZON BAJADOR UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN 91.14 9 RAYMUND CHRISTIAN SAYCO ONG ABRANTES ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY 91.00 TEEJAY TAMAYO BANAL JOSE RIZAL UNI...

Accomplishment Report of the different units for the first semester of SY 2008-09 was the theme of the 2008 RSC-General Conference last Tuesday, Oct. 14. Here are my impressions! President's Report: Amazing, unbelievable, exciting! The salary standardization caught my attention more. I was impressed with Commissioner Angeles's redefinition of an SUC in this time and age. Somehow, it rationalizes the high and stringent admission and retention policies of the BS Accountancy program which we have been rallying for years. To paraphrase, the Commissioner supports programs that produce quality and effective graduates even if these graduates are very few because of retention policies. Congrats IBA! You have been misinterprented for so many years and now comes the fruit of your principled judgment of distinguishing quality vs. mercy. And even if you have been dubbed as 'ineffective teachers' because almost 50% of the students failed in accounting classes' you were not mov...

I just finished computing the grades of my students in General Psychology. This is one of the mismatches in island state colleges. Almost anybody can teach any general education subject. And here are my observations: a. Time schedule plays an important role. My class from 12-1 which I met thrice a week had less academic problems. Their reports were very good. Most of them complied the requirements. All topics in the syllabus were covered. Attendance was not a problem. Students were participative and innovative. b. My TTh class (4-5:30) demonstrated interest in the subject, however, classes were often disrupted because of school activities. Efforts were seen and observed from reporters and students. Only about 80% of the syllabus was covered. It is in this class where I gave a perfect score for the group who reported about Motivation. Their strategy was like a pro, the visuals were effectively used and the activities aroused interest. Congrats! c. My MW class was the most notorious amo...

This article explains APOBEC-3G enzyme, a protein in the body that could potentially fight HIV. The only thing that hinders it from activating is the ability of the virus to encode the protein Vif (virulence factor) which blocks the enzyme. Chen and his co-researchers in University of Southern California said that their study would offer important clues on where Vif binds to APOBEC-3G. In such case, drugs can be designed that will prevent Vif from binding and allow APOBEC-3G to do its job. Body's Anti-HIV Drug Explained Humans have a built-in weapon against HIV, but until recently no one knew how to unlock its potential. A study published online by the journal Nature reveals the atomic structure of this weapon – an enzyme known as APOBEC-3G – and suggests new directions for drug development. APOBEC-3G is present in every human cell. It is capable of stopping HIV at the first step of replication, when the retrovirus transcribes its RNA into viral DNA. The study's authors, led b...

It's Monday, the first day of a week work. Our President informed us that the Bill converting RSC into a state university is now on its third reading in the House. There was an air of excitement that filled the academe. However, when I checked PDI today, I realized that the challenge is more formidable than imagined. Report said that the demand for nurses abroad wanes, and that a ladderized program could be a solution so that students may realign their interests and nursings schools can still survive. The article also reported the top 20 courses with highest enrolment. Nursing Now an Ailing Profession Jerry E. Esplanada Philippine Daily Inquirer October 10, 2008 Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the June 14, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer "PAANO na kami?" (What’s will happen to us?)” asks an anxious Genevieve “Bing” Lorenzo in serious concern over published reports that the once burgeoning overseas demand for Filipino nurses has begun to wane. This ...

Final exam was over. While other teachers busied themselves in checking papers and grades, I am on the other hand busy improving this blog. Grades and papers (thanks to my niece for checking) can wait until weekdays. Why bother? So heres' one freshest news, a celebration of the Fiipino superiority. This news is about Dr. Jurgenne Primavera , whose conservation efforts on mangroves brought her into the pages of TIME Magazine (Oct. 6 special issue). RP scientist named ‘hero of environment’ By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 02:55:00 10/12/2008 ILOILO CITY, Philippines—“It’s not for me. It’s for the mangroves.” As always, Jurgenne Primavera thought about her advocacy first before her achievements. The retired Iloilo-based scientist has been featured by Time magazine in its Oct. 6 special issue on “Heroes of the Environment.” She was among 30 activists, scientists, celebrities, innovators and financiers all over the world who were cited for their contribution ...

Here's an article to inspire everyone who wants to be one. Six science educators were honored by DOST for lifetime achievement in science education last September 26, 2008. The article from Philippine Daiy Inquirer reads: Masters of science education By Queena Lee-ChuaPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 07:53:00 09/29/2008 Last Friday at the Manila Hotel, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) honored six individuals for lifetime achievement in science education. As members of the 50 Men and Women of Science, they are evidence that Filipino teachers are among the world’s best. The two mathematics awardees, whom I am honored to call mentors and friends, are excellent not just in math but in other fields as well. Two other awardees are engineers, and two are biologists. Mathematics Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J., completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees in philosophy in the early 1960s at Berchmans College in Cebu City. He studied for his graduate degrees in math at Stanford...

I presented this paper last October 6, 2008 during the IBA Research Symposium under the basic research category. Honestly, I really prepared to win the top prize but unfortunately there's one study better than mine. I settle for second, with the first having very very negligible edge. It just so happened that in one judge, he was the first and the three of us settled for the same ranking. I won in the two other judges. Tsk! Tsk! Not yet my time. And for modesty's sake, I am the over-all coordinator of the symposium. Lols! SELF-IMAGE OF ROMBLON STATE COLLEGE ADMINISTRATORS: IMPLICATIONS TO ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT Self-image is the way a person perceives himself. It is one of the valid determinants of personality. Personality in turn speaks a lot about how a person behaves whether in a small or big organization. But interest, curiosity, and speculation concerning administrators are oftentimes subjects of petty talks among employees. This maybe because they do not know their ad...

This is my first time to present a research paper. It's kind of a little scary but I was able to make it. I was 5th in the ranking. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF FOODSERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS IN ODIONGAN, ROMBLON Foodservice industry is one of the fast growing business ventures in Odiongan, Romblon. As more foodservice establishments operate each year, potential environmental issues are being linked to their mounting numbers. This study profiled food service establishments in the municipality of Odiongan. Their observance of environmental management practices as to energy and water conservation and solid waste management were also described. Twenty-two foodservice establishments including eateries, canteens, cafeteria and restaurants chosen through convenience sampling technique took part in the survey. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized as data gathering tool. Results showed that majority of the foodservice establishments were solely owned, engaged in service busi...