Festivity promotes bamboo products

by Stewart C. Ocampo

Adopting the unique Ilokano tradition of rural festivities, the Mariano Marcos State University constituents all together culminated this year’s university’s foundation anniversary through the Parambak ditoy Away at Brgy. Mabaleng, City of Batac, today, January 31.

Held at the heart of the university’s R&D Bamboo Station in said barangay, the Parambak highly promoted bamboo products, such as salakot, kuribot, bilao, baskets, and other novelty items. Local government units and schools also competed in a bamboo weaving competition.

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis said, “We have 194 clamps of bamboos in this area and it is a refreshing place to celebrate; more so, kawayan symbolizes our resilience as one MMSU community, thus, we symbolically capped off our anniversary celebration by promoting bamboo.” 

Batac City Mayor Albert Chua and officials from various partner agencies, such as, the Office of Provincial Agriculture, Agricultural Training Institute, PHILRICE-Batac, Department of Trade and Industry-Ilocos Norte, Department of Science and Technology-Ilocos Norte, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Batac and Radyo Pilipinas also graced the event. Delegates from other provinces, particularly from the University of Abra and the City Government of Alaminos, also joined the festivity.

Sustaining the annual selling of very affordable agricultural food products, the university Research and Extension Directorates, Science and Technology Park, university-assisted entrepreneurs and Balik-Probinsiya beneficiaries sold vegetables and fruits during the Parambak.

Moreover, the University Infirmary, College of Medicine and College of Health Sciences also provided free medical check-up and medicines to community members, while colleges and other units installed game and activity booths to engage attendees. Also, a book of stories of MMSU-assisted extension participants, titled Voice of Hope and Gratitude, was launched in the Parambak.

MMSU’s Vice President for Research and Extension Nathaniel Alibuyog, along with Extension Director Marilou Lucas, and Bamboo R&D Program Leader Charlie Batin expressed gratitude to all participating units which contributed to the success of the Parambak. 

Officials of the said barangay, led by chairperson Jonathan Laud, welcomed the event and stressed it sparks development partnership with community members. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)