By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

Showcasing its capabilities in addressing environmental problems, the Hiraya Team of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) won in the Agro-Eco Foresight competition organized by the Agro Eco Universum Club based in Hong Kong.

Composed of junior and senior college students of the MMSU College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD), the team tied with its competitor from the Vietnam National University of Science (VNUS) during the final match held online on April 22. 

In the final game, the MMSU and VNSU teams provided long- and short-term solutions for the ‘pink-jelly’ color in animal drinking ponds. Their entries were evaluated by the Board of Juries composed of experts in the field of agriculture, environment and natural resources.

According to Dr. Charlie Batin, one of the coaches, the competition became intense, and both teams earned an equal number of points from the jury. The lone winner could not be decided, thus, the two were declared as co-champions. 

He added that the MMSU team automatically advanced to the finals because of the high points it obtained during the elimination round of the competition.

Members of the team are Ruby Domingo, Jan Lester Campanano, Franz Gallant Bartolome, and Bea Alego (BS Forestry); John Kenneth Calivoso, Cindy Valerie Flojo, and Wendy Villanueva (BS Environmental Science); and, Roselyn Sampayan, Ronnie Ibonia, Elizabeth Manzano, and Meynard Saclayan (BS Agriculture). They were coached by Mr. Charlie Maine Cacactin, Prof. Janet Villamor, and Dr. Batin, CAFSD professors. 

The MMSU team received a 400 USD (Php 22,139.80) cash prize and certificates for being a co-champion. It also pocketed 200 USD (Php 11,069.90) for getting the viewers’ choice award. 

“We thank the MMSU administration, through the leadership of MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, for its overwhelming support. Same gratitude goes to the departments of environmental science, agricultural sciences, and forestry for sending their brightest students in the competition,” said Dr. Batin. 

Dubbed “It’sONYou,” the competition is an online game that challenges students to think creatively and develop solutions for real-world ecological problems. It is part of the International Student Interactive Workshop spearheaded by the AEU Club. Participating teams come from different universities in Southeast Asian countries and India. 

AEU Club is a community of international experts that formulates and disseminates solutions and best practices in sustainable land use and agriculture worldwide. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)