The UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR) sent three (3) of its best and brightest students to compete in eight (8) events that will test the knowledge and skills of forestry students from all over the Philippines–the National Forestry Olympiad (NFO).
This event, which commenced on February 25 and will end on March 1, 2024, is being held in UPLB-CFNR. Its theme is “Forests of Tomorrow: Navigating Sustainability through Green Innovation.”
The CFNR team is composed of Cristienne Alfred Ramos, a senior student, Ma. Elizabeth Farenas and Ralph Macalindong who are both in their junior year, and Kevin Ryan Guzman, a sophomore, who will provide support as an alternate participant.
The CFNR team’s faculty mentors are Marie Jessica Gabriel from the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR), head and event coach with the following as members: Dr. Jessa Ata and Arthur Glenn Umali from the Department of Forest Biological Sciences (DFBS); Jayson Arizapa, Jan Joseph Dida, and Romnick Baliton from IRNR; Dr. Rosalie Mendoza and Lyka Mae Urriza from the Department of Forest Products and Paper Science (DFPPS); and Atty. Fritzielyn Palmiery from the Department of Social Forestry and Forest Governance (DSFFG). Mendoza also serves as the team’s adviser.
Twenty-one other forestry schools in the Philippines have sent their students to compete in the National Forestry Olympiad. These are Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, Aklan State University, Aurora State College of Technology, Benguet State University, Bohol Island State University-Bilar Campus, Caraga State University, Central Mindanao University, Isabela State University, Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Tampilisan Campus, Josefina H. Cerilles State College-Main Campus, Kalinga State University, Mariano Marcos State University, Mindanao State University-Marawi, Mindanao State University-Maguindanao, North Eastern Mindanao State University-San Miguel Campus, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Southern Luzon State University, Tarlac Agricultural University, University of Antique, Visayas State University, and West Visayas State University College of Agriculture and Forestry.The biennial event is organized by the UP Zeta Beta Rho Honor Fraternity and the UP Mussaenda Honor Sorority. The NFO aims to foster camaraderie amidst competition among forestry schools in the country. (Aileen S. Peria)