By Jareason Fabre

Dr. Virgilio Julius Paraoan Manzano, Jr. was  selected as the 8th President of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) during a special Board of Regents (BOR) meeting held on February 11 at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Central Office in Quezon City.

He will initially serve as OIC-President until July 31, stepping in to complete the unexpired term of the 7th MMSU President, Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, who is now serving as CHED Commissioner. His official term as University President will begin on August 1.

Dr. Manzano’s appointment followed a rigorous selection process in accordance with Republic Act No. 8292 and CHED Memorandum Order No. 7, Series of 2022. The Search Committee for President (SCP) evaluated applicants based on professional competence, academic background, public forum presentations, and a panel interview.

On February 5, during the Public Forum at Teatro Ilocandia, Dr. Manzano, along with two other candidates, presented his vision, mission, and SUCCEED Agenda for the university. The SCP then conducted a closed-door panel interview at the MMSU Office of the President, which led to their recommendations to the BOR.

𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆

An MMSU alumnus, Dr. Manzano earned his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from the university in 1994, graduating as Magna Cum Laude.  He landed seventh place in the Professional Agricultural Engineering Licensure Examination the same year. 

His early career began as a Field and Sales Technician for Jobin-Marnix Corporation, where he trained tobacco and mango farmers, igniting his commitment to knowledge dissemination and agricultural innovation.

Financial challenges in his youth strengthened his resolve to pursue higher education, leading him to develop a passion for teaching and research. 

In 1995, he transitioned to academia, joining Pampanga State Agricultural University as an Agricultural Engineering Instructor while completing his Master’s in Agricultural Engineering at Gregorio Araneta University Foundation-De La Salle. 

He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Engineering from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2003, as a scholar of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization – Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture.

Dr. Manzano returned to MMSU in 2008 as an Associate Professor, steadily rising to Professor VI rank.

In 2021, he was awarded the SEARCA Regional Professorial Chair Grant and delivered a public lecture on “Mainstreaming and Harnessing Precision Agriculture for Sustainable and Resilient Philippine Agriculture.”

Over his 30-year career in state universities and colleges (SUCs), he has advanced teaching, research, extension, and innovation.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

Dr. Manzano has made significant contributions to agricultural engineering through research on climate-based crop forecasting, agro-informatics, remote sensing, precision agriculture, and water management. Among his notable projects is the Climatic Changes and Evaluation of Their Effects on Agriculture in the Asian Monsoon Region (CAAM), which improved climate prediction models and developed adaptation strategies for sustainable agriculture.

His research engagements extended internationally, including post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Tokyo in Japan and Columbia University, in New York, USA. 

In Japan, he worked on IT-driven field monitoring systems to enhance rice production. In the United States, he collaborated with the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) at Columbia University to help farmers mitigate climate-related agricultural challenges.

Dr. Manzano’s research projects also secured state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for MMSU and created employment opportunities for university graduates. 

His extensive extension work includes leading training programs for thousands of farmers and students on drip irrigation, climate-based agricultural modeling, and water resource management.

𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀

Dr. Manzano is the present MMSU Vice President of Planning and Strategic Foresight and concurrently the Director of the Physical Planning and Development Office.

Among his notable accomplishments as an administrator is supervising the establishment of the Knowledge, Innovation, Science, and Technology (KIST) Park, a flagship project in MMSU’s 7.5-hectare property which aims to become a premier hub for research, development, and technological advancements in the region, serving as a key contributor to national progress. 

The KIST park will offer technology-equipped learning, and research spaces and foster industry-academe collaboration in research and development, leading to many significant technological innovations that will benefit the stakeholders.

Prior to this role, he served as Chair of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Chair of Professional Science Masters in Renewable Energy Engineering, Director of MMSU General Services, College of Engineering Dean, and later Graduate School Dean.
He also completed the Senior Executives Class (SEC) of the Philippine Management Development Program (PMDP) sponsored by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) in 2021. He was conferred with a Diploma in Development Management.

In 2022, he assumed the role of National Program Director at the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research for Yamang Lupa Sustainable Community-based Action Research for Development and Extension for Livelihood Uplifting and Prosperity. 

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮

During the Public Forum for the 8th MMSU President, Dr. Manzano stated, “I'm offering my services as University President with a sincere commitment to serve and give back to our MMSU community.” 

Dr. Manzano envisions MMSU as a top-tier university in Southeast Asia by 2033, and his seven-point SUCCEED agenda aims to sustain and expand the gains of the university’s previous ACHIEVE agenda. 

The SUCCEED strategic plan focuses on key areas: Strategic access and equity, ensuring inclusive opportunities for all; Universal quality education, maintaining high academic standards; Catalytic and impact-driven research and innovation ecosystem, fostering cutting-edge advancements; Comprehensive customer and community service, strengthening engagement and outreach; Exemplary governance, optimized processes, and operations, enhancing institutional efficiency; Effective generation and efficient management of resources, ensuring financial sustainability; and Dynamic and holistic workforce, cultivating a motivated and skilled academic community.

Guiding this agenda are the WISER Core Values, which stand for Wisdom, fostering intellectual growth and sound decision-making; Innovation, encouraging creativity and forward-thinking solutions; Spirituality, instilling ethical and moral responsibility; Excellence, striving for the highest standards in all endeavors; and Resilience, building strength and adaptability in the face of challenges.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆

CHED Chairperson J. Prospero E. De Vera III expressed confidence in Dr. Manzano’s leadership. The 7th MMSU President and now CHED Commissioner Shirley C. Agrupis extended her best wishes to the new leader of the institution, recognizing his dedication to sustaining the achievements of MMSU.

MMSU OIC-President Prima Fe R. Franco commended all presidential applicants for their commitment to the selection process and entrusted Dr. Manzano with the responsibility of leading the university. “Please sustain the development we have built together for MMSU and take good care of our employees and students,” she remarked.

Dr. Manzano is married to Bernadette Mateo-Manzano, a pharmacist, and they have two children: Julianne Lyra Manzano, a medical doctor, and Jed Mizar Manzano, a Computer Engineering student at MMSU.

As he takes on the role of President, Dr. Manzano is committed to promoting sustained excellence, stronger teamwork, and selfless service. “With the support of the MMSU community, we seek to build a stronger foundation for the university and create more opportunities for growth and progress. Together, we will drive MMSU to SUCCEED,” he affirmed.