Parambak idiay Talon 2018 spearheaded by the Extension Directorate and the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development-Dingras Campus officially ends MMSU’s month-long celebration of its 40^th foundation anniversary in CAFSD-Dingras Campus last January 31, 2018.

As the culminating activity of the University’s celebration, Parambak idiay Talon 2018 is a festivity in the periphery dedicated for enjoyment and strengthening unitedness of the MMSU family and stakeholders. A convergence of diverse stakeholders one in appreciating Agriculture as the prime industry with which Ilocos Norte is known for, Parambak idiay Talon 2018 is also a showcase of farm products grown organically in the CAFSD-Dingras and an avenue to fortify the partnership of the University with the community it serves.

Included in this whole day celebration in the farm are public services offered by the different colleges and units of the University, recognition and appreciation of the partner LGUs for their active participation in the implementation of the different services and projects of the University, the different national government agencies for their supportive involvement of the many programs and projects of MMSU, farmer associations and individuals, and assisted entrepreneurs for their active involvement in all endeavours of the University, the harvesting of various crops in the field, games, and gift-giving.

“This activity aims to showcase the different technologies used in vegetable production, share to the community the knowledge and strengths of MMSU through extension and outreach programs, learn from the set activities, recognize partner agencies and organizations in the implementation of MMSU’s endeavours, and most importantly, celebrate and fortify relationship as MMSU family together with the partner agencies, community partners and co-operators, and the residents of Dingras”, said Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal in his sharing of the rationale of the activity.

Dr. Epifania Agustin, the VP for Research, Extension, and Business, and the Over-all Chair of the 40^th Foundation anniversary of the University, fortified the message sharing that the demonstration farm in Dingras was put in place as a window farm of various vegetables especially the ‘pinakbet’ vegetables with which the province is known to produce along with other vegetables indigenous in the locality such as kardis, patani, saluyot, and others. She added that vegetables sustain good health. As such, the activity is also an activity to experience the fun, excitement, and enjoyment in harvesting vegetables in the farm.

As such, a showcase of the many vegetables of Ilocandia such as organically grown eggplant, ginger, garlic, onion, taro, string beans, malunggay, squash, and others, and fruits such as corn, tomato, peanut, turnip, watermelon, and papaya attracted and excited the MMSU family and the Dingras community.

A Poem on Extension, A Poem for Extension

One of the thriving partner of the Extension Directorate throughout years in learning crop production and joining dispersal projects of the University, Mr. Jose Caditan of Paoay, Ilocos Norte shared his poem in the gathering as an evidence of his serene vision for Ilocandia and the nation in food safety and security, and a proof of the learnings he has gained while growing with the University.

Applauses, commendation and appreciation lauded him and his poem for such is an inspiration to all Filipino families.

Information, Insights and Inspirations

Messages from leaders in Ilocandia also filled the parambak, sharing insights and inspirations to the public. Ms. Norma Lagmay, the Provincial Agriculturist of Ilocos Norte, said that the activity is very timely as there are a lot to harvest and it is indeed a time of thanksgiving for all the blessings of the Lord, knowing that He has blessed Ilocandia with so much favour that according to data, Ilocos Norte has the highest productivity level in Region 1 with283 level of sufficiency and is a Hall of Fame awardee as one of the best rice producers in the country.

“Let us graduate from mere producer. Let us be processors and suppliers in the global market”, she said, encouraging the community people to step up and achieve Agri-tourism, Tourism, and Manufacturing (ATM) through Gov. Imee R. Marcos. “We hope for MMSU as a research institute. We cannot extend anything without the research results and we cannot compete without quality products. Agtitinnulongtayo iti pannakasolbar dagiti problema dagiti mannalon to attain inclusive growth, Paspas Dur-as Ilokano”, she added.

Pres. Shirley Agrupis likewise shared to the people the seven-point agenda of her administration and where the community are placed in her vision for the University. With ACHIEVE as her guide, she said that the quality of life of the community people is the ultimate measure of the success of the University, hence, she affirmed the MMSU’s readiness and commitment to serve the public. “We are one in inclusive growth… I-renewtayo ti ambisiontayo nga agbalin a great Philippines. We will renew our vision of greatness for Mariano Marcos State University”, she said.

            Living as a proof of having the University as a cane in making dreams into a reality, Ms. Suerte Mia Soriano, owner and manager of Lucky Theo’s Food Products from Brgy. Binacag, Banna, shared her story as a dreamer and a budding entrepreneur in the province. assisted by the Extension Directorate, she challenged the community people not to doubt or hesitate to draw near to MMSU because the Institution is always ready to assist and help those in need. “Frugality, patience, and industry are the key ingredients to succeed in putting up a business”, she said.

Recognition of Partners and Gift Giving

Sharing her seven-point agenda, Pres. Shirley Agrupis acknowledged the roles of the different LGUs in reaching the people. Placed at the heart of the University, she said that the community people are the ultimate end-user of all the products of the University’s instruction, research, and extension endeavours of MMSU, noting that the ultimate measure of the success of a university is the progress, the quality of life of the community where it operates.

As such, all the LGUs represented by their dynamic respective Municipal Agriculturist, technologist, and technicians, were presented a Certificate of Appreciation and a simple token from the University for their active involvement and support in the implementation of the projects and programs of the University in their respective areas. Partner agencies such as Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)- RTC 1, the Provincial Governments of Ilocos Norte through the Provincial Agriculture Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)- Batac, DA- INREC, DWFB Radyo ng Bayan, DOST, and others were also presented the same for their unwavering support to MMSU in all its projects and endeavours. Farmer Associations and farmer-co-operators, and assisted entrepreneurs were also recognized for their efforts and commitment in the continuing implementation of the projects of the University.

Public Service (College Extension Programs)

As a way to reach and engage the community people in the fields of expertise of the different colleges and units of the University, a Public Service area was also set for them to experience the different services of the colleges.

The College of Industrial Technology together with the College of Engineering rendered consultancy services on Technology and Engineering; the College of business, Economics, and Accountancy with its Entrepreneurial Clinic; the University Clinic on medical consultation on fasting blood sugar and cholesterol test; the College of Teacher Education on story telling for Day Care pupils; the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology on manual sexing of tilapia; the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development on bonsai wiring; the College of Arts and Sciences on a lecture cum consultation on Human Rights and proper hand washing for Grade V pupils; the College of Health Sciences on Health Education Program; and the Graduate School on a film viewing on Cybercrime and bullying at the Dingras National High School-Audio-Visual Room. Community people of Brgy. Madamba, Dingras, participated in the services and programs of the colleges along with students from DNHS.

Vegetable and Fruit Harvesting 

            MMSU officials and employees, heads and representatives of partner agencies, key note speakers and LGU chiefs, and Municipal agriculturists, technologists, and technicians of the different LGUs led the ceremonial harvesting of the vegetables showcased in the demonstration farm followed farmer-co-operators and the community.

            Organically grown vegetables and fruits such as squash, bottle gourd, eggplant, ginger, garlic, onion, string beans, malunggay, and squash were hand-picked by the participants along with fruits such as tomato, corn, peanut, turnip, watermelon, and papaya. Bamboo vegetable trays were also used in the fruit picking so as to promote products from bamboo while reducing the use of plastic materials in the farm.

A free-pick vegetable, pechay-picking was celebrated during the activity that marked smiles from ear to ear, happy conversations, and laughter among the pickers—an evidence of joy and fun while picking and playing in the earth of the farm.

Pasalip and Gift-giving

The afternoon of the festivity was dedicated to indigenous games of the Ilocandia, both individual and group. To strengthen companionship and partnership between and among the stakeholders present in the farm. For the individual games, pannangan ti sandia (watermelon eating) was contested by the mothers while the panagus-os iti unas (sugarcane eating) was prepared for the fathers. Sack race, a group game, was also played by CAFSD students and parents. Finally, the pabitin as opened to all the employees and community people. MMSU products and vegetables were given as prizes to all the winners in said activities.

A raffle and gift-giving was also set in order as a sign of the University’s thanks to the supportive community people of Dingras and the famer-beneficiaries of Solsona and other municipalities.

MMSU Fortifies Smiles and Service

“The activity is very educational. Ken agbalin nga inspirasion ta dagiti makita a produktotayo, no aggaggagettayo, ken no surotentayo dagiti maiyad-adal, talaga a makatulong kadagiti panagbiagtayo”, Ms. Leonila Albano, a retired MMSU employee, exclamined in a random interview with the participants.

Ms. Doreen Domingo, a Biology professor at the College of Arts and Sciences likewise exclaimed her joy of the experience she had in the farm, saying that the activity is “Naparambak. Napintas a naiwayat kasi naparaburanna ti kaaduan. Ken napintas daytoy nga event ta makitak a naragsak dagiti tattao, napintas ti pannaka-organizena, ken tattaak la actually nga umay iti Dingras iso a na-appreciateko daytoy nga event”.

            With all the rigors and pressures and kicks and kisses from preparation to the conduct of the activity, MMSU family is solidly committed to promoting agriculture and the dissemination of enhanced technologies to the community people to help them help themselves that at the end of the day, all these were replaced with satisfaction and joy. Truly, MMSU is a University for all—one and united, for inclusive growth and sustainable development—fortified at 40 in service to God and nation.

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