The College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) recently welcomed its new Aggies through its face to face freshmen orientation last September 5 at the Seniors’ Social Garden, UPLB.

Dean Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr.’s welcome remarks created a nostalgic atmosphere as he reminisced at how CAFS has been instituted 113 years ago. He took pride of the fact that CAFS aside from  one of the three colleges that the UP Board of Regents has developed, is the first true born college under the UP System. The College of Agriculture now CAFS from its new beginnings has been built from scratch. He also explained that the people in CAFS which includes the staff and students are generally termed as Aggies. Furthermore, he said that those who have the right to use the term Aggies are those in a land grant university like UPLB. 

Finally, Dean Agbisit stated that CAFS is a diverse college as it has many specialization that the students could get into that would eventually provide them with career opportunities. He emphasized that they should  be proud of their degree because it is responsible in feeding the world. Finally, he enjoined the Aggies to try harder in order to reach their goals.

To further inspire the freshmen, Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. officially recognized the Aggies as part of the CAFS impressive legacy. As future agriculturist and food scientist, he reminded them of their role in contributing to the solving of food hunger and poverty not just in the country but in the whole world. He added that during the pandemic, the industry and service sector have closed but the agriculture and food sector have been resilient and stood atop. The agriculture and food sector have been the saving grace of the economy during those disruptive times. He then challenged them that in order to save the economy they need to graduate with their degree at CAFS.

Chancellor Camacho also said that the pandemic though it has began to wane, has greatly compounded the issues of food security and scarcity which has already made worst by the ongoing climate crisis. He emphasized that it will take innovation, diligence and cooperation to develop the necessary sustainable solutions for this very daunting tasks. He added that while the challenges demand much from all of us, he assured the freshmen that the training and experience they will receive from CAFS will be sufficient. “As you will learn today CAFS is well equipped with a multitude of resources to help you reach your aspirations. I hope that you will not hesitate to use these resources as you go through your education here at CAFS. Your UPLB journey begins now and I look forward to seeing you all become the best Iskolar ng Bayan Para Bayan that you can be”, he concluded. 

Meanwhile, a video about the academic units was presented to give the students idea where they would specialize during their major years.

To orient the students about the CAFS academic programs, Drs. Maria Cynthia R. Oliveros, Dennis Marvin O. Santiago and Dennis V. Cantre, program chair of the BSA, BSABT and BSFT curriculum, respectively presented the said programs.

A video presentation about the research institutes and centers later on followed.

To provide the students with survival tips on how  to have a staying power in UPLB and for them to graduate on time, Dr. Veneranda A. Magpantay, CAFS college secretary presented the academic policies, guidelines and assistance programs of CAFS and UPLB. 

The orientation program was full of fun and welcoming as it included games and raffle draws to the delight of the freshmen. This was spearheaded by the chair and co-chair of the CAFS student council (CSC).

Thereafter, the certificate of recognition  was awarded to top UPCA passers.

Representing the CAFS student council was its chairperson, Christianne Lei D. Golena who reminded the students that staying in UPLB is not all glits and glamor. She stressed that there will be challenges ahead but  she assured them that the CSC will be there to help them on their academic concerns. Lastly, she enjoined them to be proactive, ask questions from professors for clarity of things, and set energy to do community work.

In response to the  different messages, Ezekias D. Correa, BS Agriculture student representing the new freshmen highlighted that as new Iskolar ng Bayan Para sa Bayan the greatest challenge that they need to face in the meantime is to study hard, finish their course and use the knowledge and skills they learned for the betterment of many and to respond to the challenges of the times. He stressed that as part of the youth sector and as Iskolar ng Bayan Para sa Bayan as well, he enjoined them to be the voice of the farmers and of the whole nation who are hoping for a better life and good governance.

As CAFS is full of surprises, it held the search for Mr. and Ms. Freshie 2022 to the excitement of the students. Chosen as Mr. and Ms. Freshie from the eight contestants were Paolo Aldrei Zara and Jeleena Tapia who are both  students under the BSFT degree program..

Closing the event was Dr. Adeliza A. Dorado, associate dean for instruction who assured the freshmen that as part of the Aggie’s family, CAFS will be with them during their entire journey until they become successful in their chosen degree. She also expressed optimism that they will be the young blood  that will enable positive changes in food and agriculture in the country. (IMGesmundo)