{"id":938,"date":"2007-09-07T00:00:46","date_gmt":"2007-09-07T00:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/?p=938"},"modified":"2016-10-12T10:10:45","modified_gmt":"2016-10-12T17:10:45","slug":"45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/","title":{"rendered":"45th Anniversary Inspirational Speech"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Ponciano “Pons” Batugal (Honorary Member ’64)<\/span><\/strong>
\nPresident, Farmers Community Development Foundation International (FCDF)<\/p>\n

Vrods and Sis, distinguished Guests, good evening.<\/p>\n

First of all, I would like to thank Dean Cion Raymundo for the very generous introduction.\"45th<\/p>\n

Second, I would like to inform you why I am here tonight. When Vrod Abe Mandac invited me to give an inspirational talk, I wondered why I was selected to perform this important task for this very important occasion. Definitely, on the 45th anniversary of the founding of UPVL, an appropriate speaker would have been some kind of Senator or high official, not somebody who is engaged in farming and helping poor farmers improve their lives. Actually, I had already planned to visit my new FCDF project today, which is a project on developing a strategy and a model for \u201cchanging the hearts and minds of poor people\u201d so that they could improve their socioeconomic status.<\/p>\n

\"45th

In the above photo taken at the 45th Anniversary party, Pons is joined (from left) by Cion Raymundo (Varronettes \u201963), guest Angie, and Gloria \u201cGing\u201d Macatol-de Peralta (Batch \u201969).<\/p><\/div>\n

The next day after Abe\u2019s call, I accepted the invitation to be with you for two reasons: one, to atone for my deficiencies over the years in not attending the UPVL activities regularly; with the lame excuse that I was busy earning a living; \u00a0\u00a0and second, this would be an opportunity to meet a lot of you Vrods and Sis and get an update of your activities and status.<\/p>\n

In preparing for this talk, I reviewed documents kindly supplied to me by your Officers. Two things struck me as very relevant to today\u2019s national concerns, namely: the UPVL mission of \u201cPerpetuating humane life for everyone\u201d; and a UPVL code of ethics that \u201cConsider public welfare and fellowship values\u201d.<\/p>\n

The current status, activities and achievements of UPVL, despite financial difficulties, are indeed encouraging and inspiring:\u00a0 over 1,000 members in Agriculture and Forestry, 58 members of Varrons Foundation, Inc., 23 UPVL alumni living abroad. Currently, UPVL is supporting some activities of undergraduate Varrons, including 18 thesis research, updating its Alumni directory and maintaining a financial resource of P205,000 with P135,000 under \u00a0Trust.<\/p>\n

In terms of achievements, UPVL has produced three Vice Chancellors of UPLB, two college deans, graduated four\u00a0magna cum laudes<\/em> and two\u00a0cum laudes<\/em>, garnered four Outstanding Teachers Awards, produced two top-notchers of Forestry licensure exams and several Alumni are serving as able leaders in managing our agriculture and environmental resources, whether in the public service or as entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

As I review UPVL activities and achievements, I say, that UPVL has gone a long way of sustainable growth in completing its 45 challenging years. More important, the mission and code of ethics that were set when UPVL was organized in 1962 are well said and well done! The only other area that needs further development are improving the financial position of UPVL and diversifying its membership to include students in the social sciences and engineering and I will illustrate later why this is important.<\/p>\n

In summarizing where we are today, I found out that most members are involved in teaching, research, extension, entrepreneurship and nation building. Thus I decided that I will focus my speech tonight on: sharing my experience in some of these areas; identifying parallels or applications in your particular line of work. Then I will make suggestions on how your excellent achievements could further be enhanced to make UPVL even greater than what it is today.<\/p>\n

Teaching<\/strong><\/p>\n

UP\u2019s honor spirit re-examined<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In my first year of teaching at UPLB, I assumed that the \u201chonor spirit\u201d that made UP students famous and admired in the past was fully operational. \u00a0I found out that my assumption was wrong. \u00a0When I gave my first closed-notes one-hour exam in my Agronomy 35 course, I told my class that at the end of one hour they will put their exam papers on the table and I will come and collect them then. \u00a0However, I forgot my record book in the classroom and when I returned to get it at the middle of the hour, I saw somebody copying from her notebook. \u00a0I told the class that I saw somebody cheat but if that student came to me and explained why she cheated, I might forgive her; otherwise I will give her an automatic grade of \u201c5\u201d. \u00a0At the end of the hour 10 students came to me to ask that I forgive them.<\/p>\n

To address this cheating problem, I decided that all my exams will be conducted with open notes. More than that, they can discuss the questions and the answers \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0to my questions together, conduct research and consult anybody before they write their answers. \u00a0For 10-minute quizzes, I required them to submit their answers on the next lecture day; for one-hour exams, on the succeeding week. For the final exam, I gave the questions one month in advance. I adopted this procedure as I realized that in real life, when confronted with a problem or opportunity, most of the time, you are not expected to address them right away. You normally study them, research on them or consult people before you formulate a solution. This is the same case in a learning situation. It should not matter where you get your answers provided that you learn. When receiving their answers, I interview the students to make sure that even if the answers did not originate from the student, at least he understood his answers. What is important in teaching is not to pass or fail a student but that the student has learned in any way possible. This is a major responsibility of a teacher for, as the saying goes, \u201cIf the student has not learned, the teacher has not taught.\u201d<\/p>\n

Research<\/strong><\/p>\n

Objective and target output setting<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Since many of you are engaged in research, I will devote some time to this important activity.\u00a0 Research is very important and challenging but is also a difficult activity. Sometimes, the most challenging problem is the lack of funds.<\/p>\n

The first point I would like to share with you is how to set your objective. To succeed in research, you have to fully understand why you are doing it and you have to be clear with your objectives. Basically, in conducting research, your objective is to use the scientific method to achieve any or all of the following outputs: 1) data to advance knowledge, 2) technologies for verification, refinement or adoption by the intended user; and 3) data that could be used for policy formulation. You need clear and focused objectives to achieve your target outputs. If your objective and target output is not clear, you would not know when to effectively start and end.<\/p>\n

The second point I would like to share with you is how to strategically choose your research approach. Most researchers choose to answer the research question \u201cwhy?\u201d while a few choose to conduct research to answer the question \u201cwhy not?\u201d. Both kinds of researchers are normally given awards of recognition, if they did their research well. However, the latter type of research, which is usually more expensive and more difficult to undertake, usually lays strong foundations for other research to follow, and usually get the most prestigious science awards. Most of the Nobel prize-winning research answers the question \u201cwhy not\u201d. Where there are funds for this purpose, it would be good for the Varrons to include this approach in their research.<\/p>\n

The \u201cwhy not?\u201d approach also can find application in entrepreneurship or development in general. \u00a0I remember one annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) meeting I attended in the Marshall Islands five years ago. Listening to the presentations of 15 member countries, I noticed that most of the problems they presented were also presented in a previous meeting of the APCC which I attended five years before. \u00a0When asked to comment on the presentations, I diplomatically offered my observations that the problems of the coconut industry seem to be difficult that the problems of five years ago did not seem to go away. I offered the solution that when the \u00a0traditional solutions do not work it was time to ask the question \u201cwhy not?\u201d do it the other way around, say turn the proposed solution\u00a0 around 180 degrees- in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

For example, on their \u00a0identified problem of decreasing market share of coconut oil in the traditional American and European markets,\u00a0 why not turn it around 180 degrees and develop the Asia Pacific market where 85% of coconuts are grown and where more than 50% of the world population lives. This would be a bigger market than America and Europe. As another example, I cited their problem of decreasing coconut farm productivity due to aging trees and the apparent lack of good lands for expansion of coconut plantings inland as most of the good lands are being devoted to food and other more profitable crops and for urban development. I proposed that each coconut producing country turn 180 degrees and plant coconut in the coastal areas of the country where no other crop can be commercially grown. The highest coconut yields are obtained in the coastal areas because the coconut loves salt; the area has a good water regime as all the water from the mountains run into the sea; the big ocean waters buffers the coastal areas against large changes in temperature which is good for pollination and fruit set; and lastly, the poorest people live along the coast and such a coastal planting approach would address the urgent problem of poverty.\u00a0 After my presentation, the Ministers of Agriculture of five countries approached me and said that they like the 180 degree idea and indicated that they will adopt such a strategy for their countries.<\/p>\n

Research funding<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the most difficult problems of researchers is to find sufficient and sustainable source of funds for their research projects. There are two approaches to this problem, both of which I have tried. One approach is to develop a big project proposal, submit it to a donor and wait for its approval. The other approach is to start with a small project using whatever available resources, do it well and show results to donors. Donors, especially if they do not know you, would prefer the latter.<\/p>\n

While I was working with the International Potato Center (CIP) for 10 years and with the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) for 12 years, I had 2-5 projects at any one time worth no less than one million US dollars each. These did not start as big projects. For example, my \u201cPoverty reduction in coconut growing communities\u201d project with the Asian Development Bank started as a 500 US$ project, but using this approach, I was able to get a four-time grant of one million US$ each.<\/p>\n

The idea that I would like to share with you is that if you use the right strategic approach, there are always funds for good research project. The reason is that donors allocate a budget every year and the funds have to be spent within the year. That means that if they do not receive a good proposal from you, they will award the funds to other projects.<\/p>\n

Community development and natural resources development<\/strong><\/p>\n

The two most attractive areas for development today are in the area of poverty reduction and environmental protection and improvement. I suggest that UPVL put emphasis on these two areas of activity, whether you are engaged in teaching, research, extension and entrepreneurship. This is because, these areas of national concern are very rewarding and large amounts of funds are allocated by donors for these activities.<\/p>\n

Community development<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I will cite my current project on \u201cPoverty reduction in coconut growing communities\u201d as an example of a community development project which the FCDF where I serve as President is involved in.\u00a0 Despite the many uses of coconut in the food, industrial, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and lately, medicinal areas, the full benefit of the industry has not yet trickled down to the coconut farmers who are poor and live below the poverty line. \u00a0In our farmer participatory-survey of coconut farmers which we conducted in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, farmers told us that they are poor because they lack appropriate technologies and affordable village level equipment, capital and market access.\u00a0 Thus we set up a project to test the hypothesis that if these necessities are provided, coconut farmers need not be poor. We also noted that for these poverty reduction interventions to be sustainable, we need to provide a support system such as establishment of a community-based organization and training and capacity building.<\/p>\n

Using this as a project framework, we tested and promoted four income generating activities namely: 1) diversification of coconut products from all parts of the coconut, 2) inter-cropping food, security and medicinal crops, 3) livestock integration, and 4) propagation of coconut and other planting materials in community nurseries. In a period of three years, coconut farmers in the project sites increased their incomes by up to three times, nutrition and food security were enhanced. Previously socially disadvantaged unemployed and underemployed women generated incomes that enhanced their self esteem and stature as assets to their communities.<\/p>\n

Starting with three communities in the Philippines, the project has now expanded to 48 communities in 15 countries worldwide with the support three international donors. \u00a0FCDF is now developing project proposals on poverty reduction in rice growing communities and in forest margins and slash and burn agriculture areas. In this regard, it is important that UPVL have expertise in the area of social sciences as we need to understand the socioeconomic basis of poverty to increase the chances of funding and to ensure success of our poverty reduction projects. This is one reason why I am suggesting that UPVL diversify its membership in the social science areas.<\/p>\n

Environmental protection and improvement<\/strong><\/p>\n

Everybody agrees that we should protect the planet we live in. In fact, the current thinking is that we should not only protect the environment; we should improve it. Hence most Governments and international donors have allocated some funds for projects in this area. Considering that UPVL has alumni with expertise in forestry and natural resources, environmental protection is a green pasture that our organization should participate in a sustainable manner.<\/p>\n

In my previous work with the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) which has 38 coconut-producing countries as members, I managed a project on coconut conservation and strengthened 23 coconut gene banks in 21 countries, and identified, characterized and documented over 1400 conserved germplasm and farmers varieties. I also established an international coconut gene bank in each of five regions. As part of our conservation effort to protect the environment, I also organized the Asia Pacific Network on Medicinal Plants involving 12 countries and currently establishing \u201cLiving pharmacies\u201d or medicinal plants garden to promote conservation and use of medicinal plants at the community level.<\/p>\n

However, environmental protection is only one part of the problem. In protecting the environment, we are just arresting the problem and preventing it from becoming worse. The current thinking is that we should also improve the environment so that it becomes even more sustainable. There are attractive projects in the areas of solar, wind, water and biomass energy and in biogas and organic fertilizers production that could improve the environment. My suggestion is for UPVL to review these areas and focus on one or two of these projects, especially those where we could generate income for the organization. This is why I suggested earlier that we should diversify our membership to include students in engineering and support thesis research along the area of environmental improvement.<\/p>\n

Opportunities for UPVL<\/strong><\/p>\n

To make UPVL even greater than what it is today, I propose that we do the following:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Expand student membership to include students in the social sciences and engineering.<\/li>\n
  2. Involve UPVL in poverty reduction and environmental protection and improvement projects.<\/li>\n
  3. Strengthen linkages with Alumni by: a) Appointing provincial Coordinators to locate Alumni and include them in an updated directory; b) Publishing a computer generated UPVL Newsletter and disseminating to Alumni and students; and 3) Involving Alumni in new projects to tap their expertise.<\/li>\n
  4. Participate in FCDF projects a volunteers and paid consultants in foreign- assisted projects;<\/li>\n
  5. Establish a Consultancy company and bid for internationally funded projects.<\/li>\n
  6. Enhance the financial position of UPVL by: a) initially raising P1,000,000 and investing to earn at least P30,000 per month to support various activities; b) establishing income generating projects; and c) engaging in a focused fund raising campaigns involving Alumni and members to raise P5,000,000 up to the 50th anniversary.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The above suggestions are not easy to achieve but with the demonstrated capability of UPVL, I am confident that with determination and focused program, these can all be achieved.<\/p>\n

    In conclusion, I would like to congratulate UPVL on its 45th anniversary. It has been a long and difficult challenge, but here you are, successfully and unselfishly contributing in your respective ways and in an excellent manner. I am confident that UPVL will continue to do an excellent job and with a better strategy and greater resolve, we can together make UPVL even a greater organization.<\/p>\n

    Lastly, I would like to thank you for the invitation to be your inspirational speaker tonight. I hope that what I have shared with you will be useful in your various activities where there are parallels and applications, as we move into our forthcoming Golden Anniversary and beyond.<\/p>\n

    May the Lord bless you all.

    <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    By Ponciano “Pons” Batugal (Honorary Member ’64) President, Farmers Community Development Foundation International (FCDF) Vrods and Sis, distinguished Guests, good evening. First of all, I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1654,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[72,8],"tags":[45,19],"class_list":["post-938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-45th","category-features","tag-45th-anniversary","tag-varrons"],"yoast_head":"\n45th Anniversary Inspirational Speech ⋆ TUDLA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/\" \/>\n<link rel=\"next\" href=\"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"45th Anniversary Inspirational Speech ⋆ TUDLA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Ponciano “Pons” Batugal (Honorary Member ’64) President, Farmers Community Development Foundation International (FCDF) Vrods and Sis, distinguished Guests, good evening. First of all, I [...]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"TUDLA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2007-09-07T00:00:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2016-10-12T17:10:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Souvenir-Varrons45th_310x240.jpg?fit=310%2C240&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"310\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"240\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"web_admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@wp_tudla\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@wp_tudla\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"web_admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"web_admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/67e23b1e3c7f98e1a96df219c0209383\"},\"headline\":\"45th Anniversary Inspirational Speech\",\"datePublished\":\"2007-09-07T00:00:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2016-10-12T17:10:45+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2972,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2007\\\/09\\\/Souvenir-Varrons45th_310x240.jpg?fit=310%2C240&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"45th Anniversary\",\"Varrons\"],\"articleSection\":[\"45th Anniversary\",\"Features\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\\\/\",\"name\":\"45th Anniversary Inspirational Speech ⋆ TUDLA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2007\\\/09\\\/Souvenir-Varrons45th_310x240.jpg?fit=310%2C240&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2007-09-07T00:00:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2016-10-12T17:10:45+00:00\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2007\\\/09\\\/Souvenir-Varrons45th_310x240.jpg?fit=310%2C240&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2007\\\/09\\\/Souvenir-Varrons45th_310x240.jpg?fit=310%2C240&ssl=1\",\"width\":\"310\",\"height\":\"240\",\"caption\":\"Souvenir Program - Varrons 45th Anniversary\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/\",\"name\":\"TUDLA\",\"description\":\"The UP Varrons Online\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"UP Varrons Ltd\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i2.wp.com\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Logo.jpg?fit=360%2C345&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i2.wp.com\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/Logo.jpg?fit=360%2C345&ssl=1\",\"width\":360,\"height\":345,\"caption\":\"UP Varrons Ltd\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/wp_tudla\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCm19mSjQxIXtW94ri5BAKgg\\\/videos\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/67e23b1e3c7f98e1a96df219c0209383\",\"name\":\"web_admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/a44f13a61e20d3d4611dc4b83433e804d7c032f8196c3fd7fdd352654dde63a7?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/a44f13a61e20d3d4611dc4b83433e804d7c032f8196c3fd7fdd352654dde63a7?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/a44f13a61e20d3d4611dc4b83433e804d7c032f8196c3fd7fdd352654dde63a7?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"caption\":\"web_admin\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upvarrons.org\\\/wp_tudla\\\/author\\\/nestor_A\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"45th Anniversary Inspirational Speech ⋆ TUDLA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/","next":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/2\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"45th Anniversary Inspirational Speech ⋆ TUDLA","og_description":"By Ponciano “Pons” Batugal (Honorary Member ’64) President, Farmers Community Development Foundation International (FCDF) Vrods and Sis, distinguished Guests, good evening. First of all, I [...]","og_url":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/","og_site_name":"TUDLA","article_published_time":"2007-09-07T00:00:46+00:00","article_modified_time":"2016-10-12T17:10:45+00:00","og_image":[{"width":310,"height":240,"url":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Souvenir-Varrons45th_310x240.jpg?fit=310%2C240&ssl=1","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"web_admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@wp_tudla","twitter_site":"@wp_tudla","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"web_admin","Est. reading time":"15 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/"},"author":{"name":"web_admin","@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/#\/schema\/person\/67e23b1e3c7f98e1a96df219c0209383"},"headline":"45th Anniversary Inspirational Speech","datePublished":"2007-09-07T00:00:46+00:00","dateModified":"2016-10-12T17:10:45+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/"},"wordCount":2972,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Souvenir-Varrons45th_310x240.jpg?fit=310%2C240&ssl=1","keywords":["45th Anniversary","Varrons"],"articleSection":["45th Anniversary","Features"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/","url":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/","name":"45th Anniversary Inspirational Speech ⋆ TUDLA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Souvenir-Varrons45th_310x240.jpg?fit=310%2C240&ssl=1","datePublished":"2007-09-07T00:00:46+00:00","dateModified":"2016-10-12T17:10:45+00:00","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/45th-anniversary-inspirational-speech\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Souvenir-Varrons45th_310x240.jpg?fit=310%2C240&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Souvenir-Varrons45th_310x240.jpg?fit=310%2C240&ssl=1","width":"310","height":"240","caption":"Souvenir Program - Varrons 45th Anniversary"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/#website","url":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/","name":"TUDLA","description":"The UP Varrons Online","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/#organization","name":"UP Varrons Ltd","url":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Logo.jpg?fit=360%2C345&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Logo.jpg?fit=360%2C345&ssl=1","width":360,"height":345,"caption":"UP Varrons Ltd"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/x.com\/wp_tudla","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCm19mSjQxIXtW94ri5BAKgg\/videos"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/#\/schema\/person\/67e23b1e3c7f98e1a96df219c0209383","name":"web_admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a44f13a61e20d3d4611dc4b83433e804d7c032f8196c3fd7fdd352654dde63a7?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a44f13a61e20d3d4611dc4b83433e804d7c032f8196c3fd7fdd352654dde63a7?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a44f13a61e20d3d4611dc4b83433e804d7c032f8196c3fd7fdd352654dde63a7?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","caption":"web_admin"},"url":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/author\/nestor_A\/"}]}},"modified_by":"Tudla_Admin","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Souvenir-Varrons45th_310x240.jpg?fit=310%2C240&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5VkqF-f8","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=938"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9695,"href":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/938\/revisions\/9695"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upvarrons.org\/wp_tudla\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}