December 11, 2023

The Benguet State University School-on-the-Air (SoA) held a graduation ceremony for the 307 participants of its course “Phase 3: Post Harvest Processing, Packaging and Marketing” at the BSU Gymnasium.

The ceremony was attended by Andres Arnold W. Lampacan in behalf of BSU President Felipe Salaing Comila; Institute of Highland Farming System and Agroforestry (IHFSA) Director Valentino L. Macanes; Office of Extension Services Director, Anna Cris L. Langaoan; VP for Research and Extension Johny G. Dati; SoA Anchor Nora C. Sagayo; and SoA Lecturer Von Y. Amado.

In his opening remarks, Dati encouraged the participants to continue learning while Lampacan emphasized the importance of what the graduates have learned.

“Anya ti linteg nga haan mabalin ma-appeal, ma-repeal or maamyendahan? Amin met nga linteg ket masukatan ngem adda ladta ti maysa nga haan mabalin masukatan day ket Law of Supply and Demand. Uray anya ti ar aramiden tayo adda ladta diyay Law of Supply and Demand. Isu ti mang apektar ti presyo ti mula tayo (Do you know the law that cannot be appealed, repealed or amended? All laws can be changed but the Law of Supply and Demand cannot, which affects the prices of our products),” Lampacan said.

Lampacan shared the supply and demand problems affecting farmers. To help them, he said that he is encouraging his friend to create a mobile app that disseminate supply and demand information. He thanked the graduates saying that they are the reason of the program’s success and their learned skills, if applied, will add value to their products.

Afterwards, Langaoan presented the graduates coming from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and neighboring regions.

Macanes congratulated the graduates and reminded them that after finishing the course and receiving their certificates, they have a responsibility to make an impact by applying what they have learned.

Amado shared that coffee is like life, for it has the same process, from the farm to the cups and from birth to the different stages of life. The SoA lecturer highlighted that there is no bad coffee, for it depends on the processing.

“We are at our best when we are in the right environment. If we are in the right place, in the right time and with the right people, we are productive. Compared to coffee, it is best when it is served at the right place, at the right time, to the right person,” Amado quipped.

Sagayo thanked the graduates for their perseverance in completing the course and for attending the graduation ceremony despite having to travel.

The graduates also shared their learnings and expressed gratitude to the university and researchers for the program.

“Kayat ko lang nga agpasalamat ti daytoy nga entayo inadal nga coffee production ngem haan lang gayam nga coffee maiapply metlaeng ngay diyay rejuvenation ken daduma pay … Pasalamat ak daytoy BSU School-on-the-Air ta naadal ko (I want to extend my gratitude for the learning I had in this course. It is not only about coffee but also about rejuvenation and many more. I am grateful to BSU School-on-the-Air for I learned a lot),” said one of the graduates.

The course is under the Brewing Gender Equality in Highland Coffee Production program of the BSU School-on-the-Air.//BTayaban (UPAO Staff-Intern)