Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. (2nd R), Dean Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr. (2nd L), with Host Institutes Directors, Drs. Christine B. Adiova (IAS, 1st-L) and Amado A. Angeles (DTRI, 1st-R) presents the Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Ronald M. Mascariñas (center). Photo courtesy of EB Carandang

Observing 110 years of excellence with its exceptional and productive scholastic works, the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) rejoiced for another year of collaborative researches and quality education during the Commemoration Program held at the foundation site in Brgy. Timugan, Los Baños, Laguna, March 6.

Attending his first Commemoration Program as Dean of the CAFS was Dr. Elpidio M. Agbisit, Jr. Also gracing the event were Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr.; Honorable Mayor Caesar P. Perez; National Scientist Dolores A. Ramirez; Former Deans Dr. Fernando A. Bernardo and Dr. Domingo E. Angeles; Dr. Rex B. Demafelis, UPLB Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension; Mr. Manny Barradas, President of CAFS Alumni Association; and Mr. Ronald M. Mascariñas who served as guest speaker.

In his opening message, Dean Agbisit gave a brief talk on the history of the College from the time it was founded, and recollected the first faculty members and students. Chancellor Sanchez, on the other hand, left a positive message emphasizing the role of the University of the Philippines as the country’s national university, and challenged its faculty and students to engage in researches that are relevant to the specific needs of the community.

As a testimony of UP’s commitment to providing high quality education and molding emerging leaders, Mr. Ronald M. Mascariñas, President and General Manager of Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. was invited to speak before a pool of officials, faculty, students, and a few of his former batch mates during his stay at the UPLB where he took Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

Drawing the analogy from basketball, he said that having a “rule” in sports is similar to having rules in business, anchored to the policies of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

He admitted that his lack of knowledge in the business world made him convince his boss to send him to Washington D.C. to study WTO.

“Ten years was given to each country [under] the WTO to improve and strengthen on what commodity to produce. Until now, the Filipinos are still uneducated and illiterate about the new rules in doing business in the world”, Mascariñas strongly stated.

“In South Korea, the love for their country is very remarkable” he said while pointing out how Filipinos lack the sense of nationalism.

To end his speech, Mascariñas hoped that UPLB graduates be equipped with knowledge in the international business industries while maintaining love for our country.

In 2004, UPLB honored Mascariñas as an Outstanding Alumnus in the field of entrepreneurship, and was awarded with a plaque of excellence in poultry industry as Outstanding Leader for serving as president of Philippine Association of Broiler Integrators from 1999 to 2001. In 2018, he was awarded as Outstanding Leader in Asia by the Asia Corporate Excellence Sustainability in Singapore.