A team of students from Bohol Island State University (BISU) has won the grand prize in an international product design and ergonomics competition held in Indonesia.

The team’s product was a portable water purifier that can filter contaminated water using solar energy and natural materials.

The competition, called CHRONICS 2023, was organized by the Industrial Engineering Student Association of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The theme for this year’s competition was “Design for Social Impact”, which challenged the participants to create products that can solve social problems and improve the quality of life of the people.

The BISU Fordago Team, composed of team leader Medy Gucaban, members Jocelyn Faith Pozon and Kenn Bantugan, and team adviser Jerome Manatad, represented the Philippines in the competition. They competed against more than 100 other teams from various universities and institutions in the region.

Receiving a cash prize of $5,000 USD and a trophy from the organizers of the competition, the grand prize winners also received praises and congratulations from various officials and personalities, including Dr. Anthony Penaso, the university president of BISU, Dr. Proceso Castil, the campus director of BISU Main Campus, Engr. Julius Castro, the dean of College of Engineering, Architecture and Industrial Design, Comm. Jo Mark M. Libre, the chairperson-designate of the BISU Board of Regents.

One of the most prominent congratulators was Bohol Rep. Edgar Migriño Chatto, who authored the legislation of BISU becoming a state university. In a statement, Rep. Chatto said:

“I am proud of the achievements of the BISU students and faculty. I hope that their success will inspire more young designers to pursue innovation and invention for social good.

I also want to commend BISU for being home to FABLAB, a platform for innovation and invention that was the first in the country, which was a collaboration with DTI, DOST and JICA. The university and FABLAB continue to be relevant in our collective pursuit of inclusive growth through skills development for our talents and product development for our MSMEs.

Congratulations and more power to the BISU Fordago Team and to BISU! You have made us all proud!”

The BISU Fordago Team said that they were grateful for the opportunity to represent their university and their country in the international competition, and that they hoped that their product would make a positive impact on the lives of many people.

They also thanked their mentors, supporters, and sponsors for their guidance and assistance throughout their journey.

Bohol, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Imee Marcos visited Bohol on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, to lead the kickoff for the National Teachers Month celebration.

The two top officials of the country were welcomed by Bohol Rep. Edgar M. Chatto, who thanked them for their support to the education sector.

The vice president and the senator, who are both rumored to run for higher office in the 2028 elections, praised the teachers for their dedication and resilience amid the challenges brought by post-pandemic economic recovery. They also announced some of their programs and projects to improve the quality of basic education in the country.

Duterte said that she would push for more funding and resources for public schools, especially in remote and underserved areas.

She also said that she would advocate for the welfare and protection of teachers, who are often exposed to various risks and hazards in their work.

Marcos, on the other hand, said that she would promote digital literacy and innovation among teachers and students.

Bohol First District Rep. Edgar M. Chatto talks with Senator Imee R. Marcos in this file photo.

She also said that she would support the development of local curriculum and instructional materials that are relevant and responsive to the needs and interests of the learners.

Chatto expressed his gratitude to Duterte and Marcos for visiting Bohol again and for recognizing the important role of teachers in nation-building.

The Boholano lawmaker said he would collaborate with them to implement laudable programs and projects in basic education.

The National Teachers Month is celebrated from September 5 to October 5 every year to honor and appreciate the teachers for their invaluable contribution to society. Various activities and events are held during this period to celebrate and support the teachers.

Bohol Representative Edgar Chatto expressed his congratulations to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on his confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Tuesday, August 30, 2023.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Chatto said he was proud of Brawner, who served as the commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade in Bohol for two years during his term as governor.

“Congratulations to AFP Chief of Staff LtGen Romeo Brawner Jr. on his confirmation by the Commission on Appointments today August 30, 2023. He served Bohol for 2 years during my term as Governor. We are all proud of you, Gen. Omet!” Chatto wrote.

Chatto also recalled how Brawner played a vital role in maintaining peace and security in Bohol, especially during the aftermath of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) incursion in 2017.

“Gen. Brawner was instrumental in the successful operations against the ASG bandits who attempted to sow terror in our province. He also helped us implement various programs and projects for the development and welfare of our people, especially the former rebels and the indigenous communities,” Chatto said.

Chatto added that he was confident that Brawner would continue to lead the AFP with professionalism, integrity, and competence.

“Gen. Brawner is a true leader and a patriot who has dedicated his life to serving our country and protecting our sovereignty. I am sure that he will uphold the highest standards of excellence and honor in the AFP as its chief of staff,” Chatto said.

Brawner, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989, was appointed as the AFP chief by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 19, 2023, replacing Gen. Andres Centino.

Prior to his appointment, Brawner served as the commanding general of the Philippine Army and as the commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao.

Brawner is known for his involvement in various military operations against communist insurgents and Muslim separatists and terrorists in the Philippines.

He also holds three master’s degrees from Ateneo de Manila University, Asian Institute of Technology, and United States Army War College.

2021 Bohol Ubi Festival Kalamposan sa mga Mag-uumang Bol-anon ug Gagmayng Magpapatigayon

Gitak-opan ang usa ka buwan nga Bohol Ubi Festival niadtong kataposan sa Pebrero 2021.

Miabot sa halos P12 Million nga kita sa mga mag-uuma ug mga gagmayng magpapatigayon nga misalmot sa maong kalihokan nga gipangunahan sa Office of the Provincial Agriculture.

Sa iyang mensahe ngadto sa mga Bol-anon atol sa closing ceremony, si Governor Art C. Yap nagpadayag sa iyang gibating kalipay. Ania ang post gikan sa iyang FB page:

Dakong kalipay nato nga nagmalampuson ang Ubi Festival 2021 diin nahimo usab kining tulay nga napaduol ang atong mga mag-uuma ug mga mananagat sa atong mga konsumidor.

Usa sa tumong sa programa mao ang pagpaduol sa mga komsumidor ug mabaligya ang ilang mga produkto ngadto sa katawhan. Pinaagi niini napaubsan nato ang trading layers aron mabaligya nila ang ilang produkto sa saktong presyo ug sa maong paagi lang nato masiguro nga dili sila maalkansi.

Ang kalamposan sa Ubi Festival nagpakita nga kaya nga mapaugmad ang ekonomiya ug makatabang sa atong mga kaigsuonan pinaagi sa pag invest sa agrikultura.

Bohol Governor Atty. Art Yap during the 21st Ubi Festival Closing Ceremony

Mitambong usab sa maong pagtak-op sila si Vice-Governor Rene Relampagos, BM Ricky Masamayor, BM Aldner Damalerio, MEB Members, Municipal Agriculture Officers, ug Tatay Billy Tongco.

Eight months after the Covid-19 pandemic paralyzed Bohol’s economy leaving more than 200,000 Boholanos jobless and inflicting an estimated total economic losses of at least P15 billion, Bohol Governor Arthur C. Yap visited San Miguel town on Thursday, November 05, 2020, and personally distributed eight kilos of rice to each of the families residing in the town’s 18 barangays, the Facebook page of the governor reported.

Bohol Gov. Arthur C. Yap in San Miguel town, Bohol. (Photo is dowloaded from the official Facebook page of Gov. Yap)

San Miguel is a 4th class municipality located in the northeastern side of Bohol province. From the capital city of Tagbilaran, it can be reached via the Corella-Loboc-Carmen route, an 80-plus kilometer travel by land.

The governor also distributed contact tracing cards which bear his name and signature and his 2019 gubernatorial campaign slogan, “Buhat ang Pasultion.” (Translation: Let the action speak)

One of the contact tracing cards distributed in the town of Loboc, Bohol. (This photo is publicly accessible on Facebook, a social media site.)

The widespread use of contact tracing cards has not been noted now that the province has recorded a total of 134 active Covid-19 cases as of the November 2, 2020 reporting of the provincial government.

Info graphic is provided by the Provincial Government of Bohol.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Mayor Virgilio Mendez, former director of the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Bohol’s Second District Congressman Aris Aumentado witnessed the rice distribution in San Miguel town.

Former NBI Director and now Municipal Mayor of San Miguel, Bohol, Virgilio Mendez.

Aumentado, who is ending his third and last term (nine years) as legislature in the country’s House of Representatives, has been rumored to be a potential rival of Yap in the 2022 local elections.

Aris, son of the late governor and congressman Erico Boyles Aumentado, has repeatedly distanced himself from any talks of challenging the leadership of Gov. Yap in the 2022 polls.

Bohol’s Second District Representative Aris Aumentado.

At the rice distribution site, Yap handed over P1 million check to Mayor Mendez as the province’s assistance to the town’s waterworks-related project.