By: Charlene L. Arendaying
| Contestants in the cooking competition prepare their dish
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BS Food Technology faculty and students celebrated their 11th annual Food Tech Day with the theme “The Food Industry Under Transformational Change: Accelerating Efficiency, Building Resiliency,” April 18.
This year's theme highlighted past innovations, current changes, and future goals of the BSFT program and the food industry in general.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Marife R. Hilapad, BSFT program, fondly recalled the transformation of Food Technology Department from its humble beginnings to its present state.
“We started from being a very small department, with only one laboratory room. That is the food processing laboratory and we also ha[d] one lecture room,” she recounted.
While there are still many things to improve, the progress is far from where they started.
Beaming with pride from the growth of the department, she said, “Malayo pa, pero malayo na.”
Satellite College Director Dr. Adelfo Z. Virtudazo in his inspirational message encouraged the students to study well for them to seize potential jobs in the future.
He also urged them to start reviewing for the board exams early. He imparted some tips for them that it is important to start from freshman year since the exam relies on stock knowledge.
“Amat amaton n'yo siya review, kay kalabanan sa board exam is stock knowledge,” he suggested.
Gracing the event with her knowledge and expertise, guest speaker Ms. Irish Bat-og-Caballero, a BSFTE alumna, discussed “Food Industry and Beyond.”
In her lecture, she touched on several topics such as the difference between a businessman and an entrepreneur, emerging trends and opportunities, and challenges faced by food entrepreneurs.
At the end of her talk, she thanked her professors, calling them her “mentors” as a BSFTE 2014 graduate of the campus.
“Dako gid ang akong pagpasalamat sa akong mga mentors sa ilang dedication and hard work para lang gid nga matudluan kami sang tsakto, nga super nagamit ko as an educator also”, she said.
Jayven L. Fuego, a BSFT alumnus, also graced the occasion. Lacson served as the keynote of last year's celebration. He has been very supportive of his department.
Afterwards, students showcased their talents in a dance competition, demonstrating the diverse skills within the BSFT community.
Following the end of the morning program, the booth of the three competing teams opened to the public, selling various food products made by the students themselves.
A cooking competition also highlighted the celebration. Selected BSFT students represented their respective teams.
After the lunch break, cheers and laughter filled the gymnasium as the students had fun during the parlor games.
Three games were played, namely calamansi relay, eggplant relay, and hanapan ng piso sa harina.
Winners of the different contests were then announced where they received certificates of award.
A day before the celebration, some BSFT students participated in a quiz bowl dubbed a PAFTalinuhan.
Lei Daptillo of BSFT 2B won the top prize. Michelle Lora also of BSFT 2 and Dannah Canencia of BSFT 1A took the second and third places, respectively.
Ending the day on a positive note, Dr. Lalaine Ricardo, student affairs and services chairperson, delivered her closing remarks.
Seeing the booths, Dr. Ricardo felt nostalgic and fondly shared her childhood memories.
“Pagsulod ko kagina sa gym, hambal ko, 'wow kanami sang setup.' Daw nagbalik ang akon na childhood memories nga nagabalay-balay kami,” she shared.
She also congratulated and commended everyone involved for making Food Tech Day a success.