Three forestry students from the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Students (CFNR) were at the top of their game plan as they bested 21 competing universities nationwide in the recently held National Forestry Olympiad (NFO).
Cristienne Alfred Ramos, Ma. Elizabeth Farenas, and Ralph Macalindong were declared grand champions as they aced six (6) out of eight (8) events: surveying (1st place), wood identification (1st place), tree measurement (2nd place), GIS –(3rd place), leaf identification (1st place), tree diseases identification (1st place), seed identification (1st place), and quiz contest (1st place). They received a cash prize of PHP 30,000.00. Asst. Prof. Marie Jessica Gabriel served as their head and event coach.
Joining UPLB-CFNR in the roster of champions are the Southern Luzon State University or SLSU team (1st overall runner up) and Nueva Vizcaya State University (2nd overall runner up), who received PHP 20,000 and PHP 10,000.00, respectively. The NFO commenced on February 25 and ended on March 1, 2024, at the CFNR grounds, with the theme “Forests of Tomorrow: Navigating Sustainability through Green Innovation.”
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.
UPLB-CFNR has remained undefeated since 1994. (Aileen C. Simondac-Peria)