Boncan was PHA president from 2006 to 2008. She is co-author of the book The Filipino Saga: History as Social Change (with Rosario Cortes and Ricardo Jose). She received a Fulbright research scholarship and a Rockefeller Foundation fellowship.

In 2007, she was the Outstanding Faculty for Extension Service of UP Manila.  In 2008, she was awarded as Centennial Faculty Grantee of UP Manila.

She also went on secondment at the National Historical Institute (now National Historical Commission of the Philippines) as Chief of  the Research, Publications and Heraldry Division (2008-2009).

At present, she is associate professor at the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of the Philippines in  Manila.

Also elected to the Board of Governors are:

Dr. Evelyn A. Songco (University of Santo Tomas), Executive Director

Prof. Arleigh Ross D. Dela Cruz (De La Salle University), Vice President

Prof. Jerome A. Ong (UP Manila), Secretary

Dr. Estrellita Muhi, Treasurer

Prof. Mary Dorothy DL Jose (UP Manila), Auditor

Prof. Jonathan C. Balsamo (Heroes Square/Enderun Colleges), Public Relations Officer

Prof. Michael Charleston B. Chua (De La Salle University), Governor

Dr. Evelyn A. Miranda (UP Diliman), Governor

Dr. Teofista L. Vivar, Governor

Dr. Luis Camara Dery (De La Salle University), Governor

Eminent historians Fr. Horacio dela Costa SJ, Encarnacion Alzona, Gabriel Fabella, Gregorio Zaide, Nicolas Zafra, Celedonio Resurreccion, Teodoro Agoncilllo and Esteban de Ocampo founded the PHA in 1955.

It  is a national professional and honorary association of historians and history teachers affiliated with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Philippine Social Science Council.

Jonathan Balsamo, PHA public relations officer, said the PHA would gather around 300 members, mostly history teachers and professional historians, who are dedicated to strengthening the Filipino identity by providing “meaningful” records and studies of the past.

Interested parties may send SMS to 09062020274 or e-mail jobal_kasaysayan@yahoo.com until 25 January 2012 to confirm attendance.

Participants will be charged a Php 100 registration fee for food, refreshments, and other contingency expenses.

The PHA is a professional association of historians nationwide founded in 1955 by noted historians such as Encarnacion Alzona, Gabriel Fabella, Gregorio Zaide, Nicolas Zafra, Celedonio Resurreccion, Teodoro Agoncilllo and Esteban de Ocampo.

The PHA is also affiliated with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC).

Susan Ople, president of the policy center, noted that three years of pain and anguish were resolved in a ten-minute meeting held this morning at the Coconut Palace with Vice-President Jejomar Binay, DFA OUMWA executive director Eric Endaya, OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon and the Mendoza and Langamin families.

In May 2008, two seafarers aboard a ship located near Saudi Arabia had a serious altercation which resulted in the fatal stabbing of Robertson Mendoza. For the said crime, Jonard Langamin, son of sweet corn vendor Edith Langamin, was thrown in jail for murder, an act punishable by execution through beheading in the said Kingdom. The agreement reached this morning between the two families effectively negates such a possibility, thus saving the life of OFW Jonard Langamin who faces the death sentence early this year.

Edith Langamin’s body shook with shock, relief, and joy as she cried and kneeled in front of Robert Mendoza, father of Robertson, in gratitude for his forgiveness. She also hugged Vice-President Binay while repeatedly expressing her thanks. Ople, who was seated beside Edith and her sister, Rina, had to calm down the highly emotional mother.

“I told her that the first thing she must do is to offer thanks to the Lord because this is a New Year blessing and a miracle. The case has been pending with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi court for more than three years. Time was really no longer on Jonard’s side until today,” Ople who was present during the private meeting said.

“Nanay” Edith brought the case of her son to the attention of the Blas F. Ople Center in April 2011. The Center has been following up on Jonard’s case with the DFA. The blood money being sought for was pegged at the equivalent of Php 5 million, an amount way beyond the financial capabilities of the fishball and sweet corn vendor. On the average, “Nanay” Edith, as she is fondly called by the Ople Center staff, earns Php 300 a day, an amount that is only enough to feed her family.

Last December 16, around 500 overseas Filipino workers and their families who attended the Christmas party of the Ople Center at Philam Life Auditorium were able to chip in Php 5,000 in addition to Php27,000 already raised by the Langamin family. This amount is still a far cry from the blood money required of Jonard Langamin.

“The act of forgiveness that would be converted into a formal letter to be submitted to the Saudi court is the key that would soon lead to Jonard’s freedom. Vice-President Binay handled the meeting with tact and sensitivity to the plight of both families. The victim’s father did not say much but was very humble and receptive. It’s hard not to divine the Lord’s guiding hand in what happened this morning,” Ople said, adding that the Ople Center had also invited the Mendoza family to attend tomorrow’s mass which shall also be offered in memory of their son, Robertson.

Secretary del Rosario expressed the Philippines’ gratitude to Foreign Minister al-Moallem for ensuring that all Filipino nationals in Syria are kept safe, despite the ongoing unrest in the country. Foreign Minister al-Moallem provided the Secretary with a first-hand situationer and briefing on the events in Syria.

The Secretary thanked Minister al-Moallem for facilitating the repatriation of 490 Filipinos since the beginning of unrests in March 2011, and for allowing the widespread information dissemination on the Philippine Government’s mandatory repatriation program.

Secretary del Rosario requested the Ministry’s assistance in further updating the Philippine Embassy in Damascus’ current database of 5,000 Filipinos.  This is in order to supplement the determination of the exact location and other information of other Filipiinos deployed throughout Syria’s 13 governorates.

He brought to the Minister’s attention the continuing illegal trafficking of OFWs into Syrian territory, despite the current ban on their deployment in view of alert level 4.

The Secretary also expressed the Philippines’ hope for a peaceful and orderly end to the current crisis in the country.

Earlier, Secretary del Rosario and the Philippine delegation also met with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ambassadors in Damascus for an exchange of views on the current political and security situation in Syria, and to coordinate Philippine efforts with that of the embassies of other ASEAN countries in safeguarding the welfare of their nationals across the country.

Upon arrival in Damascus last night, Secretary Del Rosario met with the leaders of the Filipino Community in Syria (FCS), in order to solidify the Philippines’ campaign for the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos, as well as to reiterate the call for all OFWs in Syria to leave the country at the soonest possible time.

“We are fully committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of all Filipinos in Syria.  It is our objective to undertake the repatriation of our kababayans as quickly as possible,” Secretary del Rosario told the leaders of the Filipino community that met him. He added, “We will be repatriating 200 OFWs within the next 2 weeks and another 200 in the following weeks.”

Together with the Philippine delegation and Embassy officers and staff, Secretary del Rosario also thoroughly reviewed the Embassy’s contingency plans, which resulted in a greater commitment of resources that will help in the urgent implementation of the repatriation program.

Accompanied by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos, Jr., Secretary del Rosario proceeded to Syria on January 1 to further intensify the Philippine Government’s ongoing efforts in the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in Syria.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, number of fatalities rose to 1,257, while the estimated damage to property went up to P1.382 billion.

The donated amount includes those received from Filipino communities, Philippine Embassies and Consulates General around the world and private individuals.  It also does not include donations without equivalent monetary value.

The total donations consist of US$4,780,656.15 in cash, US$2,122,255.14 in kind and US$5,710,563 worth of pledges.

Top donors include the United States (US$100,000 in cash and US$5.4 million in pledges), Australia (US$1,015,246.92 in cash and US$304,600.82 in kind), China (US$1.01 million in cash), Czech Republic (US$894,000 in cash), Republic of Korea (US$500,000 in kind and US$110,000 in pledges), Indonesia (US$310,000 in cash and US$200,000 in kind) and New Zealand (US$500,000 in cash).

Other foreign donors include Japan (US$320,163.09 in kind), Spain (US$261,470.66 in cash), Ireland (US$130,807.66 in kind), Malaysia (US$100,000 in cash), Singapore (US$38,714.37 in cash and US21,533.57 in kind), Chile (US$25,000 in cash), Thailand (US$100,000 in cash), Denmark (US 52,783.82 in cash), Belgium (US$130,562.58 worth of pledges), Italy (US$645,150 in kind), Switzerland (US$320,714.98 in cash) and Oman (US$2,909.65 in cash).

Filipino communities around the world have also sent in their assistance.  The Filipino community in the U.S. Northeast has sent in US$11,170 in cash coursed through the Philippine Consulate General in New York, while other members of the Filipino in the U.S. collected US$8,287.80 in cash.  The Filipino community in Guam donated US$3,956 in cash, while the Laguna Association of Guam gave US$500 in cash.

Other donations from the Filipino community include US$1,000 in cash from the Filipino community in Malaysia, US$3,921.45 in cash from the Filipino community in France, US$1,094.25 in cash from the Filipino community in Myanmar, US$2,275.30 in cash from the Filipino community in Xiamen and US$195.95 in cash from the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona.

Private individuals and businesses have also donated to the cause.  Russian businessmen gave US$20,000 in pledges, and the Dalai Lama Trust also provided US$50,000 in pledges.  The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Guam provided US$14,420 in cash, and the Philippine Consulate General in Guam collected money from various individuals, which totaled US$2,895.

International organizations have also stepped in to help.  Last December 22, the United Nations launched a consolidated flash appeal for humanitarian assistance with the humanitarian community and the Philippine Government for Sendong victims amounting to US$28,576,819.  The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has an initial appeal of US$50,000, and that their Philippine office has a team who conducted needs assessment in Mindanao and is providing relief support.  Currently, a four-member delegation from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is now in the Sendong-stricken areas to assess the devastation wreaked by the storm, and also to look into how member-states could extend assistance to the affected communities.

In his talk, Montejo recognized the importance of science and technology for development, particularly the role of information technology in shaping and reconfiguring today’s economic environment.

He also acknowledged the presence of a knowledge divide among developed and developing countries, and that this gap is creating a tension of opposites in their hierarchy of needs.

As such, he said, it is urgent for UNCSTD Member States to identify immediate and pressing issues that commonly affect them such as health and food security, as well as environment management and protection, among many others.  These issues, he said, are prompted by rapid population growth and increased domestic and cross-border mobility.

“These pervasive concerns should lead us to agree on a joint strategy or strategies to cut down and manage the risks, [since] shared risks can be best managed through shared resources,” Montejo pointed out. “In this way, we raise our chances to overcome any outsized and compelling threat.”

The solution, he suggested, lies in creating more clearly-defined information sharing arrangements to deepen the knowledge base of individual countries, step up technology development, and optimize benefits.

“The power of ICT becomes a critical enabling tool,” Montejo said. “I am hopeful we can try and reach a mutually-acceptable working agreement on information and technology exchanges.”

The United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development was established in 1992 to serve as a forum for the following objectives: (1) the examination of science and technology questions and their implications for development; (2) the advancement of understanding on S&T policies, particularly in respect to developing countries; and (3) the formulation of recommendations and guidelines on S&T matters within the United Nations system.

At the 14^th UNCSTD Session in Geneva, DOST Undersecretary Fortunato de la Pena was elected Chair for the 15^th Session of the Commission.

The 2011-2012 Inter-Sessional Panel addresses two priority themes: (1) innovation, research, technology transfer for mutual advantage, entrepreneurship and collaborative development in the information society; (2) open access, virtual science libraries, geospatial analysis and other complementary ICT, science and technology, engineering, and mathematics assets to address development issues, with particular attention to education.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that schools may hold their Christmas party on December 19 or 20 which is an annual tradition before the long holiday break. Luistro, however, cautioned the schools to refrain from holding a lavish and compulsory holiday celebration.

“I want to reiterate that Christmas parties should be simple and meaningful and if ever there is going to be any form of contribution, it should be voluntary,” Luistro advised.

The education chief said that teachers and school officials must see to it that the guidelines contained in DepEd Order 114, series of 2009 on the holding of simple Christmas celebrations, are strictly observed.

“Jesus Christ led a simple life so we can do no less,” added Luistro.

He warned that school officials will be held liable if the department receives complaints and that they may be faced with administrative sanctions if proven guilty of insubordination.

The campaign focuses on information dissemination about VAW and how the victims and survivors of violence can seek assistance from government and non-government organizations.

Gender and Development lesson exemplars that also teaches equality between men and women is currently being incorporated in lessons for elementary and high school students in public schools.

“It is important that children learn at an early age that violence in any form is not acceptable more so if inflicted against women and children,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro. He added that gender equality is integrated across subjects such as English, Filipino, Araling Panlipunan and even Mathematics.

Meanwhile, in observance of the week-long trafficking in persons (TIP), DepEd is also joining the awareness program of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) from December 5 to 12.

The campaign aims to inform the community on the modus operandi of traffickers and educate young students on the issue because of their vulnerability to traffickers.

The information campaign will be via a 40-minute film showing during the Makabayan lesson or any equivalent subject in selected public schools across the country.

The Department of Agriculture’s Ilocos Region Integrated Agricultural Research Center (RIARC) is encouraging farmers’ use of this light trap that has a unique ultra violet (UV) ray wavelength specifically targeted at controlling farm insect pests.

This is more useful in farms than the popular UV lamp in homes that are only intended to ward off mosquitoes and larvae flies.

“This is very cost-effective, and it’s good for the environment because it doesn’t dispose of any harmful residue. Before, farmers thought this light trap is only for monitoring pests.  But now they’re finding it effective for pest control,” said Dr. Aida D. Solsoloy, Scientist II at the DA’s Ilocos RIARC.

Agriculture and environment experts have been trying to find alternatives to the use of harmful chemicals to control pest.  This is because chemical sprays have been historically linked with occupational hazards or many of farmers’ illnesses.

Chemical sprays are also blamed for environmental contamination, insect resurgence and insect resistance while productivity remains low due to chemicals’ improper use.

The light trap has been successful in raising yield in rice, corn, tomato, eggplant, watermelon, bell pepper, onion, pole sitao, ampalaya, and garlic, a Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR)-funded study showed.

In specific trial locations in Ilocos Region, highest net monetary benefit was observed at P96,713 for a yield increase of 11.9 metric tons (MT) per hectare in tomato in Piddig, Ilocos Norte; P61,013 for an increase of 7.5 MT per hectare for tomato in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur; and P45,313 attributed to a 6.4 MT per hectare increase in rice in Bangar, La Union.

Farmers’ inability to carry out  Insect Pest Management (IPM) has been one of the reasons for the low productivity in small farms.

“We have to keep on finding means to help farmers adopt a pest management system that they will find easy to implement and one that’s economically viable.  This will increase their yield and raise their farms’ global competitiveness,” said Dr Nicomedes P. Eleazar, BAR director.

The light trap has successfully reduced harmful chemical spraying.

“The light trap showcased on rice, corn, and vegetables at various towns for two croppings  indicated extensive insect pest collection and a marked reduction in frequency of chemical spraying by 35 to 100 percent,” Solsoloy said.

In San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte where farmers used to spray 11 times for eggplant, spraying has been totally eliminated. This makes the light trap compatible with organic agriculture and IPM.

While the device is presently imported from China, it is possible to fabricate or assemble it locally.  The casing has once been fabricated locally under Ilocos-RIARC’s supervision while the bulb, which is patented for its lighting technology, was imported from China.

Local government units (LGU) have initially supported Ilocos RIARC in linking farmers to BAR’s project. LGUs have also worked with agricultural technicians on its use.

While there are fears of the UV light’s harm to human, the light trap’s strict use only for night time opens minimal exposure of human to the device.

To help farmers acquire the device, DA or the national government may grant farmers a loan or a subsidy program for the trap.  It costs P9,500 in the market.

This may not be affordable for the common farmer that only has 5,000 square meters to tend. But farmers’ cooperatives that form an area of two to four hectares may readily take advantage of its financial benefits.   Over four years, it costs only P2.375 per year.

Farmers are still finding this expensive compared to the P250 to P300 per bottle or pack for insecticides.  Besides, they are not culturally exposed to using this.  But the benefits are immense given an extension work on it.

In a study of actual cost and return on mango production in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, cost of materials input in a 0.2 hectare farm with light trap was lower by 17.6 percent at P23,900 compared to P28,100 in a two-hectare farm without  light trap.

Mango yield was significantly higher at 2.1 MT compared to 1.275 MT per hectare in those without the trap.

This resulted in a net income of P33,200, substantially higher by around six times compared to P5,700 without the trap.

Just like popular household insect-killing lamps, the light trap also has a high voltage wire that kills insects as they pass through it.

Despite killing insect pests, the Ilocos RIARC observed that the lamp does not have major injury on insects that are natural enemies of pests.  This way, it supports biological control of insect pests.

The study funded by BAR from 2008 to 2010 involved 13 sites in Ilocos Norte; nine sites in Ilocos Sur; four sites in La Union, and five sites in Pangasinan.

Farmers also had a high perception of effectiveness of the device and have expressed “extreme” to “moderate” willingness to buy it.

Among the pests effectively controlled by the light trap is the cecid fly that causes black sunken skin lesions on mango; leafhoppers that pester inflorescence in mango; and twig borers and tip borer in rice and corn.