Cavite State University (CvSU), through the initiative and efforts of the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers - Pre-Professional Group (PSAE-PPG) CvSU Chapter headed by John Paulo M. Perido and Minette R. Mojica (both AE fourth year students) and in cooperation with PSAE-PPG Luzon Chapter and the Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering (DAFE), hosted the 18th annual PSAE-PPG Luzon convention on December 16-18, 2014 at the SM Rolle Hall.
The three-day event with the theme “Going ASEAN through ABE (Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineering) program” was participated in by around 500 students and faculty members coming from 17 SUCs (BASC, BSU, BUCAF, CSU, CLSU, CvSU, DMMMSU, ISU, KASC, LSPU, MinSCAT, MMSU, NVSU, RSU, UPLB, URS and WPU) in Luzon offering BS in Agricultural/Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineering program. The event set the record for PSAE-PPG Luzon convention with the biggest number of attendees.
During the symposium, Engr. Juana T. Tapel, member of the PRC Board of Agricultural Engineering (BOAE) and Ms. Myrose Bernal-Basila, Senior Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE RO IV-A-Cavite, talked on “The Role of Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineers in ASEAN Integration” and “Employment Opportunities for Agricultural and Bio-Systems Engineers”, respectively.
Different contests and other activities highlighted the second day of the convention. The delegates showcased their technical skills and abilities as they participated in traditional competitions like the AE quiz contest, CAD challenge, research paper presentation, tractor driving and hitching, tractor and internal combustion engine parts identification and AE adventure race. Creativity, resourcefulness and talents were also showcased in new events which included poster making, logo making and junk-art contests and vocal solo competition. Beauty and brains amazed the crowd as the representatives of various SUCs competed during the Mr. and Ms. PSAE-PPG Luzon, which was also highlighted by a cosplay segment.
Further excitement rushed as the winners for the events were announced and awards were distributed. Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT) PPG emerged as the “Best Local Chapter” which garnered the highest accumulated points from all the contests they participated.
The management committees received positive and negative feedbacks regarding their preparations and the event itself. However, the delegates were still satisfied with the outcomes and success of the activities which they found fun and exciting. The convention ended in a tour at the Mushroom Burger Farm, Victoria Food Corporation, Gourmet Farms Corporation and Picnic Grove in Tagaytay City, Cavite.
On the other hand, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) will be hosting the 19th Annual PSAE-PPG Luzon convention in December 2015. (KMACrystal & GCBartolome)
