Continuously documenting the triumphs and victories of its assisted entrepreneurs, trainees, and farmers, the Extension Directorate launches its Volume 2 of the Book of Narratives of Fulfilled Dreams and Treasured Triumphs this January 31.

Consisting of 10 stories, the coffee table book titled Realizing Dreams, Changing Lives, Transforming Communities: Narratives of Fulfilled Dreams and Treasured Triumphs is published annually by MMSU to showcase the success of MMSU-assisted beneficiaries and serve as an inspiration for other community members.

Stories include 1) Youth Action for Food Security: The INAC-STCBF Experience, documenting the growth of the Ilocos Norte Agricultural College (INAC) with its enriched curriculum through the use of new ahrocultural technologies promoted by the project, Sustaining Crop Productivity in Climate Vulnerable Areas in Ilocos Norte through Science and Technology Community-based Farm (STCBF) on Climate Resilient Technologies; 2) School-on-the-Air: The Airwaves as Conduits of Change, documenting the story of the graduates of the recent School-on-the-Air program and how the information and technologies promoted through the program transformed them and their communities; 3) Nurturing Damili Production for Cultural Preservation, documenting the growth and transformation of Damili Producers Association especially in improving the damili production, preservation, and revitalizing the damili industry in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte ; 4) Baking Passion into Business, showcasing the success story of Ms. Janet Jane Cuepo in her baking venture in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; and 5) Bending Limits with Bamboo, showcasing how bamboo became an instrument of change to the members of the Asosasion ti Partuat ti E-Kawayan in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.  

Other stories showcase the growth of the One-Barangay-One-Product (OBOP) of communities assisted by MMSU in trainings and other services. These stories are 6) Rising with Rice Crispies, documenting the growth and development of the rice crispies of Camguidan SN Multi-purpose Cooperative of Brgy. Camguidan, City of Batac; 7) Growing the Tubers of Fortune, with the explorations and experiences of Sweet Potato Processors Association of Brgy. Mabaleng, City of Batac with their brand of sweet potato chips; and the 8) The Pea-romise and the Knot of the Peanut Processors Association of Brgy. Quiling Norte, City of Batac with their peanut-based products. The journey of Persons deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in the BJMP-Batac District Jail is also an inspiration through their stories, 9) Liberating the Unfree through Sustainable Livelihood Ventures, documenting the various projects implemented in the detainment dedicated for their personal development, and 10) Behind Bars showcasing their success in their venture in oyster mushroom production.

These stories are living testimonies of how collaboration and complementation truly spark transformation of communities. It is to be noted that these individuals and communities are a product of continued and sustained partnership between and among the different government agencies working together with their varied services and assistance, especially the City of Batac with its evident support to entrepreneurs budding in the locality. Through the close networking and communication with these agencies, the needs are adequately met from training, to production, to processing and product development, packaging and labelling, grant of machines and equipment, business processing and financial literacy, product promotion and marketing, and other forms of assistance.

Writers include extension service providers such as Ms. Kimberly Miguel, Ms. Mercy Fausta Gano, Dr. Sherlyn Nicolas, Ms. Bella Gervacio, Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal, and Dr. Sosima Demandante, and the production staff such as Ms. Romielyn Ibe and Mr. Richard Guinsatao. Stories were edited by Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal, the Director of Extension, Dr. Marivic M. Alimbuyuguen, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), and Dr. Marlina Lino, the Chief of the Language Center based at CAS.

In time with the Parambak ditoy MMSU-Batac 2020, the organizations and individuals owning these stories also joined the official launching of the book, together with president Shirley C. Agrupis, the Vice-Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos, and the officials from their respective municipalities.

With these narratives, more farmers, fishers, youth, and entrepreneurs are hoped to be inspired and motivated to transforming their knowledge and skills into livelihood ventures they can share with other people to create other livelihoods in the province of Ilocos Norte.

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