Metrobank Supports the 'Natatanging Guro' PSHS Teachers' Endowment Fund

Media Release:

Metrobank supports Philippine Science High School Foundation

"Consistent with its advocacy of improving the quality of education through teacher recognition programs, the Metrobank Foundation extended a grant to the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Foundation for the Dr. Bacungan Natatanging Guro Endowment Fund. The fund is a joint initiative of the PSHS Foundation with the support of the PSHS Diliman Campus, the PSHS Alumni Association, and the PSHS Class of 1982. It is intended to help encourage teachers to stay in the Philippines by enhancing PSHS' faculty development program.

Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña turned over the grant to PSHS Foundation president Isabelo Africa. Also present to show Metrobank's support to the initiative were Metrobank senior vice president Bernardito Lapuz, head of Risk Management Office and PSHS alumnus, and Metrobank director Valentin Araneta, a former PSHS Foundation board member.

The Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies. Over the last 29 years, it has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, The Otstanding Philippine Soldiers, the Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and the College Scholarship Program. The foundation also has grant programs that assists NGOs and the government in the fields of education, health care, and the arts. Metrobank Foundation celebrates excellence and presents wellsprings of hope in the future of our nation."

Reminder: Philippine Science High School National Alumni Association (PSHS NAA) Annual Meeting, 14 June 2008

PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC.
Philippine Science High School, Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City 1104, Phillippines

TO ALL PSHS ALUMNI:

WHAT: Philippine Science High School National Alumni Association Annual Meeting
WHEN: Saturday, 14 June 2008
TIME: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
WHERE: Philippine Science High School, Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City

9:30 -10:00 a.m. Registration (Acceptance of New Members, Last minute payment of annual membership fees)

10:00 Start of Annual Meeting

PROPOSED AGENDA:

1. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and action taken thereon.
2. Unfinished business.
3. New business.
4. Election (only for vacant positions in the PSHS NAA Board of Trustees).
5. Ratification of the acts of the board and the Executive Officers.
6. Other matters.
6.1 Update on the PSHS Alumni Association and PSHS National Alumni Association unification efforts.
6.2 Other updates

NOTES:

1. On Voting: Proxy – Members of good standing shall be entitled to one vote, and they may vote in person or by proxy which must be in writing and signed by the member giving the proxy, provided the proxy is likewise a member of good standing of the Corporation.

2. On Membership

Based on the PSHS NAA Constitution the following shall be the classes of members of the Corporation:

a. Regular Members: Every member who is a graduate of the Philippine Science High School System, consisting of the existing campuses mentioned in Republic Act (“R.A.”) No. 8496, as amended by R.A. No. 9036, and future campuses which shall be established under said laws, may become a member of the Corporation.

b. Honorary Members: A non-graduate of the Philippine Science High School System who has rendered valuable service to the Philippine Science High School System and/or the Corporation may be nominated as an honorary member by any regular member in good standing of the Association and may be elected as such by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees.

Every member who has paid all membership dues and all authorized special assessments, plus surcharges owing thereon, and who is not under suspension from membership privileges, is a member in good standing.

c. Membership Fee: The annual membership fee is as follows:

i). PhP 100 for members of the following batches: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

ii). PhP 200 for members of the following batches: 1969 to 2003

To pay for membership fees, contact Mr. Rogel Zanarosa, PHSNAA Treasurer, E-mail: zenarosarl@pnb.com.ph, or Dr. Rafael Saldaña, E-mail: raffysaldana@gmail.com, tel. (2) 7090907, 0928-5043121.

Annual membership fees may be accepted until just before the start of the June 14, 2008 meeting.

d. Identification: Please bring a valid I.D. during the June 14 PSHS NAA meeting.

e. See Membership Application/Renewal Form and Proxy Form below.

Notice Prepared By:

(Sgd.) Dr. Rafael P. Saldaña
Corporate Secretary
PSHS National Alumni Association
11 April 2008

Contact Details:

Telephone/Fax: +63 2 7090907
Mobile: +63 928 5043121
E-mail: raffysaldana@gmail.com


=======================================================
NOTE: You may "cut" the following forms and send them via e-mail or fax to PSHS NAA c/o Dr. Rafael Saldaña, E-mail: raffysaldana@gmail.com, Fax: +63 2 7090907.
=======================================================

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM 2008
Philippine Science High School National Alumni Association

First Name:
Middle Name:
Surname:
Date of Birth:
Sex: (M)ale (F)emale
Mailing Address:
E-mail Address:
Website (if any):
Contact Numbers:
Mobile Phone:
Landline:
Year Graduated From Philippine Science High School:
PSHS Campus Where You Graduated:

Post-High School Education:

College: Name of School, Course, Year Level or Year of Graduation
Post-Graduate: Name of School/s, Degree, Specialization, Year Level or Year of Graduation
Special Training:

Work Affiliation: Position, Contact Details

Date Submitted:

Signature:


==================================================

PROXY FORM 2008
Philippine Science High School National Alumni Association

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

This is to authorize ____________________________________

to be my proxy during the the Annual Meeting of the Philippine Science High School Alumni Association (PSHS NAA) scheduled on June 14, 2008 in PSHS, Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

Attached is a photocopy of my valid I.D. with signature.

Member's Name: _____________________________

Signature: __________________________________

Date Submitted: ______________________________

===================================================

Ateneo Mathematics Department Annual Evaluation and Planning Workshop (2008)

Photo Caption: Members of the Computing Research Group of the Ateneo de Manila University Mathematics Department are shown during a group meeting held on 31 May 2008. (L-R) Dr. Roden David, Dr. Felix Muga, Dr. Job Nable, Dr. Rafael Saldaña, Dr. Vivien Visaya, and Dr. Raymond Melton. From the photo collection of Raffy Saldaña (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com).

Click the following link to view more photos taken during the workshop:

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/121/Ateneo_Math_Dept._Evaluation_and_Planning_Workshop_53108

Note: On 31 May 2008, Faculty members of the Mathematics Department of Ateneo de Manila University held its annual evaluation and planning workshop. During the meeting I presented a report on behalf of the Computing Research Group of the Math Department.

Following is the program of activities during the workshop:

Mathematics Department Evaluation and Planning Workshop
Saturday, 31 May 2008
Rm SOM 111, Ateneo de Manila University

Program

8:30-8:45 Invocation (Dr. Alva Aberin)

Welcome and Orientation (Dr. Reggie Marcelo)

8:45 - 9:30 Report on SY 2007-2008 (Dr. Reggie Marcelo)

9:30 - 9:50 Message from the Dean (Dr. Fabian Dayrit)

9:50 - 11:00 Reports on Curriculum Review Updates

* BS AMF (Dr. Noel Cabral)
* BS Math (Dr. Job Nable)
* MoM (Dr. Banjo Bautista)
* MS and PhD Math (Dr. Ninette de las Peñas)

11:00 - 12:00 Ma 11/18a proposal

Preparation of syllabi
Duties of head teachers
Other service courses /concerns

12:00 - 13:00 Lunch

13:00 - 14:30 Research Groups Planning
* Computing Research Group
* Combinatorics/Algebra Research Group
* Mathematics Education Research Group
* Mathematical Finance Research Group

Reporting and Open Forum

14:30 - 15:30 Outreach Activities

* PEM/PMO/IMO (Dr. Jumela Sarmiento)
* Camp Math (Dr. Alva Aberin)
* Other Activities

Other Activities

Announcements

15:30 - 16:00 Snacks

Congratulations, Mrs. Lourdes David -- PRC Outstanding Professional in Library Science (2008)

Note: Mrs. Lourdes "Lou" David is one of the organizers of the INASP Workshop on Publishing Scholarly Journals which I attended last May 21-23, 2008 in Ateneo de Manila University. Congratulations, Lou!

(Source: http://www.ateneo.edu/index.php?p=120&type=2&sec=29&aid=5196 )

Mrs. Lourdes T. David, Director of the Rizal Library since 2001, was recently chosen by the Professional Regulation Commission as the recipient of the 2008 Outstanding Professional of the Year Award in the field of Library Science.The PRC Outstanding Professional of the Year is the highest award bestowed by the commission upon a professional as recommended by his or her peers for having demonstrated utmost competence and social responsibility in the profession, among others.

Read more ...

INASP Workshop Group Photo (Ateneo, 23 May 2008)

Photo Caption: Participants of the Workshop on Philippine Scholarly Journals are shown in a photo taken on May 23, 2008 at the entrance of CTC Bldg., Ateneo de Manila University. The workshop was conducted by the International Association for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP), an organization based in Oxford, United Kingdom.

Related Links:

1. http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/05/workshop-on-publishing-scholarly.html

2. http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/05/article-of-dr-isagani-cruz-on-workshop.html

3. http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/05/philippine-journals-online.html

COMELEC Election Automation Machines

Photo Caption: Dr. Rafael Saldaña and Dr. Pablo Manalastas are shown inspecting the different election automation machines at the COMELEC building last May 6, 2006 (From the photo collection of Raffy Saldaña, http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com)

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Last May 6, 2008, Dr. Pablo Manalastas and I (representing the Computing Society of the Philippines) were invited by COMELEC (Commission on Elections) officials to attend the public viewing of election automation machines that were being bidded out to be used during the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) Special elections in August 2008.

Before the public exhibit, Dr. Manalastas and I met with COMELEC Chair Jose Melo, Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, and other COMELEC officials to discuss the some technical aspects of election automation.

Below is the link to some of the photos taken during the event:

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/120

Related Links:

1. Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Website: http://www.comelec.gov.ph/

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2. Video interview of Dr. Manalastas on the computerization of the ARMM elections, the use of open source, and digital signatures:http://www.inquirer.net/vdo/player.php?vid=789&pageID=1

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3. News report on the recently held Computing Society of the Philippines' Kapihan, to discuss computerization issues: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20080513-136300/Computer-group-assesses-planned-ARMM-automated-elections

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4. Dr. Manalastas's blog entry: http://blog.360.yahoo.com/prmanalastas?cq=1&p=230

Grid Computing and the Rice Crisis

Over the past few weeks, news of impending 'rice crisis' has dominated the Philippine media. As a result, the price of rice has increased condiserably.

How can scientists help to avert the 'rice crisis'?

Below is a news item published in the 'Grid Today' (Source: http://www.gridtoday.com/grid/2346488.html ) that I would like to share with our readers.

Raffy Saldaña
5/25/08


"
Scientific Applications:
World Community Grid to Tackle Rice Crisis

As concerns of a global hunger crises mount, IBM and researchers at the University of Washington launched a new program to develop stronger strains of rice that could produce crops with larger and more nutritious yields.

With the processing power of 167 teraflops, equivalent to the world's No. 3 supercomputer, IBM's World Community Grid will harness the unused and donated power from nearly 1 million individual PCs in a new initiative -- "Nutritious Rice for the World" project -- that will study rice at the atomic level and then combine it with traditional cross breeding techniques used by farmers throughout history.

The project can be completed in less than two years as compared to over 200 years using more conventional computer systems.

To view video news release, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWTc6GHIR1k.

"The world is experiencing three simultaneous revolutions: in molecular biology and genetics; in computational power and storage capacity; and in communications. The computational revolution allows scientists around the world to tackle almost unimaginably complex problems as a community, and in real-time," said Director General Robert Zeigler, of the International Rice Research Institute based in the Philippines. "While there are no silver bullets, rice production can be revitalized with the help of new technologies. The world community must invest now and for a long time to come."

Read more ...

MSP 2008: Annual Convention of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines

2008 MSP Annual Convention
23 - 24 Ma 2008
University of the Philippines-Diliman

The MSP is turning 35! The Mathematical Society of the Philippines will be holding its 2008 Annual Convention on 23-24 May 2008 at the National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (NISMED) in the University of the Philippines Campus in Diliman, Quezon City. On this occasion, the MSP celebrates its 35th year as the country’s largest professional organization dedicated to the promotion of mathematics and mathematics education. (announcement)

Plenary and special invited lectures:

The following have agreed to speak at the convention:

• Jose Nilo Binonggo (Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA)
• Queena Lee Chua (Ateneo de Manila University, Manila, Philippines)
• John Crossley (Monash University, Melbourne, Australia)
• Heinrich Kuhn (Bosch Co., Germany, China)
• Jose Ernie Lope (University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC, Philippines)
• Ken Nakamula (Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan)
• Arturo Pacificador Jr. (De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines)
• Narong Punnim (Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand)
• Catherine Vistro-Yu (Ateneo de Manila University, Manila, Philippines)
  

Schedules: the conference programme and schedule of contributed talks

Source: MSP Website, http://www.mathsocietyphil.org/

SMACS 2008: Symposium on the Mathematical Aspects of Computer Science (Cebu, Philippines)

SMACS 2008
4th Symposium on the Mathematical Aspects of Computer Science
Workshop: 4 to 6 August 2008
Seminar: 6 to 7 August 2008
Venue: University of the Philippines-Cebu Colleges, Cebu City
Website: http://sites.google.com/a/dcs.upd.edu.ph/http-sites-google-com-a-dcs-upd-edu-ph-smacs2008/Home

SMACS 2008 is the fourth meeting on the mathematical aspects of computer science that will be held in the Philippines organized by the Computing Society of the Philippines. The first was in 1997 (UPCB), the second was in 2004 (UP-Baguio) , the third was in 2006 Adventists University of the Philippines.The symposium is divided into two parts: a workshop and a seminar.The workshop (4 to 6 August) will run during the first three days and will consist of lectures on fundamental areas of computer science which are mathematical in character. The lectures will be synoptic and tutorial in nature and will cover topics from courses that are sometimes offered as upper division undergraduate courses.This year's tentative topics are:

• Computer-supported Argumentation and Nonmonotonic Reasoning
• Theory of Formal Languages with Applications
• Discrete Mathematics
• Parallel Algorithms, and
• Introduction to BioInformatics

The seminar (6 to 7 August) will be held in the last two days. It will consist of paper presentations on researches in the mathematical aspects of computer science. There will be invited talks on the current and still potent area of mathematical aspects of computer science.SMACS provides a venue for teachers, researchers and graduate students of Computer Science, Computing, and Mathematics to share and upgrade knowledge on areas of Computer Science which are mathematical or theoretical in character.Location: The lectures will take place at the University of the Philippines-Cebu Colleges. The campus is located at Lahug, Cebu. Cebu City is known as the "queen city of the south" in the country.

Visit the SMACS 2008 website for details.

Philippine Computing Journal (PCJ) is now using the Open Journal Systems

The Philippine Computing Journal (PCJ) , the official publication of the Computing Society of the Philippines (CSP), is a member of the Philippine Journals Online (PhilJOL) project. As a member of the PhilJOL, the PITJ is using the Open Journal Systems.

I would like to invite you to peruse our online journal.

Click on the following link: http://www.philjol.info/index.php/PCJ

Thanks,

Rafael Saldaña, Ph.D.
Managing Editor
Philippine Computing Journal

Philippine Information Technology Journal (PITJ) is now using the Open Journal Systems

The Philippine Information Technology Journal (PITJ) is a member of the Philippine Journals Online (PhilJOL) project. As a member of the PhilJOL, the PITJ is using the Open Journal Systems.

I would like to invite you to peruse our online journal.

Click on the following link: http://www.philjol.info/index.php/PITJ

Thanks,

Rafael Saldaña, Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chief
Philippine Information Technology Journal (PITJ)

Philippine Journals Online (www.PhilJOL.info)

Based in Oxford, United Kingdom, the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) has a mission to "enable a sustainable network of stakeholders that owns and drives access, use, dissemination and communication of research information."

This year (2008) INASP embarked on a new project -- the Philippine Journals Online or PhilJOL. On 21-23 May 2008, INASP conducted a workshop intended for editors of Philippine scholarly publications. The workshop was held in Ateneo de Manila University.

Currently (5/23/08) PhilJOL has 23 member journals. This network includes the Philippine Computing Journal (PCJ) and the Philippine Information Technology Journal (PITJ) which are both published by the Computing Society of the Philippines (CSP).

PhilJOL uses the Open Journals Systems , a journal management and publishing system that has been developed by the Public Knowledge Project through its federally funded (Canadian government) efforts to expand and improve access to research.

The website of PhilJOL is http://www.philjol.info/

The journals currently in its list include the following:

» Asia-Pacific Social Science Review
» Augustinian
» Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture
» DLSU Business & Economics Review
» Far Eastern University Communication Journal
» Far Eastern University English Language Journal
» IDEYA
» Journal of Research in Science, Computing and Engineering
» Kritika Kultura
» Loyola Schools Review
» Malay
» Mindanao Law Journal
» Philippine Computing Journal
» Philippine Information Technology Journal
» Philippine Journal of Neurology
» Philippine Journal of Psychology
» Philippine Journal of Public Administration
» Philippine Population Review
» Philippine Sociological Review
» Philippine Studies
» Tambara
» The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher
» University Belt Consortium Research Journal

I would like to invite you to visit the PhilJOL website (http://www.philjol.info/) and register to Philippine journals of your choice. Don't forget to visit our journals:


» Philippine Computing Journal (PCJ)
( http://www.philjol.info/index.php/PCJ )

» Philippine Information Technology Journal (PITJ)
( http://www.philjol.info/index.php/PITJ )

Thanks,

Rafael P. Saldaña, Ph.D.
Editor-in-Chier, PITJ
Managing Editor, PCJ

Article of Dr. Isagani Cruz about the Workshop on Scholarly Publications

Note: Dr. Isagani Cruz is a columnist in the Philippine Star (a daily newspaper). Yesterday (5/22/08) Dr. Cruz published an article about the Workshop on Publisching Scholarly Journals sponsored by the Interantional Network fro the Availabiltiy of of Scientific Publications (INASP) and the Philippine Association of Scholarly and Academic Publishers (PASAP). See related blog entry: http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/05/workshop-on-publishing-scholarly.html

Below is the article of Dr. Isagai Cruz

(Source: http://www.philstar.com/index.phpOpinion&p=49&type=2&sec=25&aid=2008052184 )

"
Opinion
My Bucket List 2
MINI CRITIQUE
By
Isagani Cruz
Thursday, May 22, 2008

Second on my bucket list is getting Philippine journals to join Philippines Journals Online (PJOL). This wish is about to be completely fulfilled, with the coming to Manila this week of two key persons from the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP), which sponsors PJOL. INASP's Sioux Cumming (publishing programme officer) and Julie Walker (head of publishing support) will train more than 20 editors of Philippine journals in the use of the free journal management software called Open Journal Systems (OJS). INASP has been very generous to the Philippines, paying most of the expenses of the workshop, even the transportation of editors from outside Manila. C&E is sponsoring the meals, Ateneo is sponsoring the venue and computer time, and various universities are sending their editors on official time.

Why is it important that Philippine journals are available through a website or portal based in the UK and Canada? Right now, our Philippine-based academic websites are not exactly on the top of the list of resources scholars refer to when they do their articles. If you googled any of the current hot issues in academic research, it is highly unlikely that an article published in a Philippine journal would be on the first few pages of the search results.

Why is it important that our articles are read or cited by foreign scholars? Because the name of the game is citation. One of the major criteria for ranking a university internationally is the number of times articles written by faculty members in that university are used in the footnotes or bibliographies of articles in what are known as ISI journals. The abbreviation ISI refers to a now-outdated term (Institute for Scientific Information). ISI is a list of journals considered important by scholars around the world, as evidenced by being routinely included in footnotes and bibliographies. The list is available on the Thomson Reuters website. Thomson Reuters lists about 9,000 journals. A similar journal list, generated by Scopus, covers 15,000 journals. There are an estimated 100,000 journals in the world, with about 30,000 of them published by universities, rather than organizations or commercial publishers.

There is a formula used to find out what are called the Impact Factor and the Prestige Factor of a journal. As explained in a 2001 article by Ioan-Iovitz Popescu, the impact factor of a journal is defined as the ratio between citations and recent (previous two years) citable items published or, in other words, as the average number of citations in a given year of articles published in that journal in the preceding two years. The logarithm for the prestige factor is more complicated and has six independent variables, but the idea is simple enough: a journal is important if most of its articles are cited by scholars.

University libraries around the world subscribe only to journals with very high impact or prestige factors, since no library is rich enoughto subscribe to 100,000 journals. Even financially, therefore, it makes sense for a university journal to get itself cited and, therefore, bought by librarians worldwide. Currently, as far as I know, there are only six Philippine journals included in the ISI list: Philippine Agricultural Scientist (UP LosBaños), Philippine Entomologist (UP Los Baños), Philippine Journal of Crop Science (UP Los Baños), Philippine Journal of Science (ScienceTechnology Information Institute), Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine (UP Los Baños), and Philippine Scientist (University of San Carlos). No other Philippine journal is considered good enough to be cited by foreign scholars. In order for an article to be cited by anyone, it should first be easily accessible and it should be available in full. This is what PJOL aims to achieve. Once a journal is easily accessible online, because it is hosted byprestigious British and Canadian sites, it can reach ISI or Scopus status more quickly. Although I have been very vocal against ISI(ironically, my anti-ISI article was recently published in an ISI journal!), I do not think we have a choice at this point. We have to have our journals listed by ISI and Scopus. The first step is to be read by others. Once international scholars read us, I am confident that they will find that we are in step with (and in some cases, ahead of) other scholars outside the country. As I always boast whenever I speak in international conferences, Ihave read all of the sonnets of Shakespeare, but who among British or North American critics today have read Florante at Laura? But if we do not get Shakespeare scholars to read our articles about Balagtas,nobody will ever think that Balagtas was as good a poet (though not asgood a playwright) as Shakespeare. Sad to say, even most Filipinos think that Shakespeare was the better poet, even if they have not yet read either Shakespeare or Balagtas. But colonial mentality is another topic altogether, and I am too realistic to put the eradication of colonial mentality on my wish list.
"

Workshop on Publishing Scholarly Journals, 21 -23 May 2008 (Ateneo de Manila University)

Note: On 21 - 23 May 2008 I will participate in the "Workshop on Publishing Scholarly Journals" to be held in Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines. I will represent the Philippine Computing Journal (PCJ) and the Philippine Information Technology Journal (PITJ); both journals are published by the Computing Society of the Philippines (CSP).

Below are some details:


Workshop on "Publishing Quality and Online Strategy for Philippine Journals"

An INASP (International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications, an Oxford-based program of the International Council of Science (ICSU)), workshop in collaboration with
the Philippine Association of Scholarly and Academic Publishers (PASAP) , National Book Development Board (NBDB) , Ateneo De Manila University ,
De La Salle University-Manila , C&E Publishing, and Asia Pacific College,
21 May to 23 May 2008.

Workshop objectives:

1. To assess and improve journal quality
2. To assist the journals to plan for publishing online
3. To discuss and establish procedures for the establishment of a Journals Online programme within the Philippines

Participants:

The workshop is specifically designed for editors and publishers who are involved in journal publishing, have a responsibility for some or all of the management of their publications, and are interested in participating in the Philippines Journals Online project.

Workshop administrative details:

Location: Rm. 114 CTC Building, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan, Loyola Heights, Q.C. Philippines

Dates: Wednesday 21 May – Friday 23 May 2008 (three days)

Times: Start at 9.00am-Close by 4.30pm

Pre-workshop: each participant will be sent a questionnaire to fill in and return
Workshop materials: in addition to workshop presentations, each participant will be provided with the INASP publishing resource booklet. Each participant will be required to bring a recent issue of their journal.

Workshop Organiser:

Isagani R. Cruz, Executive Publisher, De La Salle University-Manila

Workshop Sponsor: INASP

INASP works with a variety of stakeholders to ensure that the quality and quantity of research communication from developing and emerging countries continues to increase. INASP’s aim is to:
· Enhance the capacities of researchers to access, use and communicate research;
· Enhance the capacities of editors and publishers to disseminate national research;
· Enhance the capacities of librarians and ICT professionals to facilitate access to and use of electronic research content;
· Increase the availability of information and knowledge required to enable high quality research.

Rizal Library, Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila University

The Loyola Schools is the tertiary level school unit of the Ateneo de Manila University that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the Arts and Sciences. It operates under the statutes of the Ateneo de Manila University. It is composed of the School of Humanities, the John Gokongwei School of Management, the School of Science and Engineering, and the School of Social Sciences. The Rizal Library is the Library of the Loyola Schools.

Workshop Facilitators:

Julie Walker, Head of Publishing Support, INASP, Oxford, UK
Sioux Cumming, Programme Officer, Publishing Support, INASP, Oxford, UK

PSHS Team Wins Distinguished Achievement Award in Intel ISEF 2008 (USA)

Photo Caption: Members of the Winning PSHS (Main Campus) Team, L-R: Rachel Ruth Cahiglig, Adrian Patacsil, and Marvin Ambrosio. Photo by Raffy Saldana (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com).

Three recent graduates of the Philippine Science High School (Main Campus) (PSHS) won a "Distinguished Achievement Award" from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists during the 2008 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2008) held on May 11-17, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

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The members of the winning PSHS team are as follows: Adrian T. Patacsil, Marvin Paolo G. Ambrosio, and Rachel Ruth Y. Cahilig. The title of their winning entry is "Construction of a Mechanical Prototype of a Microtremor Recorder Based on Electromagnetic Induction". The three students belong to PSHS (Main Campus) Class of 2008.

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Part of their prize is a cash award of US $ 1,500 and a trip to the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) International Exposition and Annual Meeting to be held in the United States.

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"The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, annually provides a forum for more than 1,500 high school students from over 40 countries to showcase their independent research. The Intel ISEF is the premiere science competition in the world exclusively for students in grades 9–12.

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Each year, millions of students worldwide compete in local and school-sponsored science fairs; the winners of these events go on to participate in Intel ISEF-affiliated regional and state fairs from which the best win the opportunity to attend the Intel ISEF.

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The Intel ISEF unites these top young scientific minds, showcasing their talent on an international stage, enabling them to submit their work to judging by doctoral level scientists—and providing the opportunity to compete for nearly $4 million in prizes and scholarships. "

From,

Rafael P. Saldaña, Ph.D.

Judge and SRC Member

Intel-DepEd Philippine Science and Engineering Science Fair

5/17/08

Related Links:

1. Intel ISEF 2008: http://sciserv.org/isef/

2. http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/02/pisay-delegates-in-intel-philippine.html

PSHS 'Gawad Lagablab'

Source: http://pisayforum.blogspot.com/2008/05/gawad-lagablab-nominations-deadline.html

Gawad Lagablab Nominations Deadline Extended to June 15, 2008

To all PSHS (Main Campus) Alumni:

The Board of Directors of the Philippine Science High School Alumni Association met last night (5/14/08) in PSHS Agham Road, Q.C. One of the items discussed was the Gawad Lagablab. Butch Zaldarriaga, PSHS AA chairman announced that the deadline for submission of nominations for the 6th Gawad Lagablab has been extended to June 15, 2008.

See the link below for details:http://www.pshsaa.org/glmain.html

From,

Raffy Saldaña
for PSHS AA

EUAsiaGrid Project Website

Today (May 13, 2008) the website of the EUAsiaGrid Project: "Towards a common e-Science infrastructure for the European and Asian Grids" is being launched.

The EUAsiaGrid is a European Commission FP7 funded project with the following institutions as members:

1. Instituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (Italy)
2. CESNET, z.s.p.p. (Czhech Republic)
3. University of Manchester (United Kingdom)
4. HealthGrid (France)
5. Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines)
6. The Australian National University (Australia)
7. Academica Sinica (Taiwan)
8. Advanced Science and Technology Institute (Philippines)
9. Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute (Thailand)
10. Infocomm Development Authority (Singapore)
11. Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Information Technology (Vietnam)
12. Institute of Technology of Bandung (Indonesia)
13. National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (Thailand)
14. Universiti Putra Malaysia (Malaysia)
15. MIMOS Berhard (Malaysia)

RELATED LINKS:

1. EUAsiaGrid Website: http://www.eauasiagrid.org/

2. Background on the EUAsiaGrid Project:

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/04/background-on-euasia-grid-project.html

Congratulations, Gian Dapul (PSHS Student Wins in International Public Speaking Contest in London)

Pisay Student Gian Dapul Wins in International Public Speaking Contest in London

Philippine Science High School student Gian Dapul (an incoming senior) won the English Speaking Union’s International Public Speaking Competition held in London last Friday, May 9, 2008.He bested 57 other contestants representing 35 countries with his delivery of a five-minute speech on the theme “New Frontiers.”In his speech titled “Fish Mucus and Foot Fungus,” Dapul cited recent scientific finds and expressed his desire to help his country by joining the avant-garde army of science researchers discovering new ways to enhance health and extend life spans.

Read more ...

(Source:http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008051057)

Search for Outstanding Research and Development in Advanced Science and Technoloy

From: Dr. Reynaldo Ebora, Executive Director, Philippine Council for Advance Science and Technology (PCASTRD), Department of Science and Technology, Philippines

We are pleased to inform you that the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD) is conducting the 2008 Search for Outstanding Research and Development in Advanced Science and Technology.

Awards are given to deserving research work in PCASTRD's priority areas, namely:

• Biotechnology
• Electronics Technology
• Information and Communications Technology
• Materials Science - Polymers and Electronics/Ceramics, Photonics, and
• Space Technology Applications

The awarding ceremonies will be held on December 12, 2008 to coincide with the Council's anniversary celebration.

In view of the above, we would like to invite you to submit entries for the award. Entries for the submission must have the details of the completed project using the prescribed format.

These should also be certified by the Head of the institution / agency/ organization as to the veracity of the claims.

Deadline for the submission of nominations is on 15 September 2008.

Please be guided accordingly.

Thank you.

Very truly yours,

REYNALDO V. EBORA, Ph.D.
Executive Director
PCASTRD-DOST
Rm 100, DOST Main Building,
DOST Complex,
Gen. Santos Ave.,
Bicutan, Taguig City
Direct lines: (02) 837-7522, 7516
Trunk line:(02) 837-2071 local 2106
Fax: (02) 837-3168

Happy Mother's Day!

Say it with flowers :) TO MY MOTHER, TO MY PARTNER IN LIFE, AND TO ALL MOTHERS IN THE WORLD, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY !

Cheers,

Raffy
5/11/08

Awarding of Certificates, Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad 2008 (Philippine Site)

Photo Caption: (L-R) Shown in photo are Mr. Michael Samson (Adviser to the contestants), Cristopher David (Philippine Science High School - Main Campus), Fabian Lorenzo Dayrit (Ateneo de Manila High School) and Dr. Rafael Saldaña (APIO Philippine Site Contest Administrator) during the awarding of certificates after the completion of the 2nd Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad (APIO 2008) held on May 10, 2008 in several sites in different countries in the Asia-Pacific Region. (From the photo collection of Raffy Saldaña.)

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Related Links:

.

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/05/2nd-asia-pacific-informatics-olympiad.html

Photos: http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/117/Asia-Pacific_Informatics_Olympiad_Philippine_Site

APIO 2008 Official Site: http://www.apio2008.or.th/

APIO 2008 Philippine Site: http://www.math.admu.edu.ph/apio2008

APIO 2007 Philippine Stie: http://apio.ateneo.edu/

CHED Workshop on Evaluation Instrument for IT Education

Last May 8-9, 2008 the Committee on Information Technology Education Curriculum under the Technical Panel on Information Technology Education of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) held a workshop in Tagaytay Country Hotel, Tagaytay City to finalize the Evaluation Instrument for ITE tertiary graduate programs (such as Masters in Information Techonology, Masters in Computer Science, PhD in Computer Science, and Doctor of Information Technology).

.

Related Links:

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1. Photos

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/118/CHED_Workshop_on_IT_Education_Tagaytay_8-9_May_2008

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2. Previous Blog Entry

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/04/ched-philippine-commission-on-higher.html

2nd Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad (APIO 2008)

Photo Caption: (L-R) Dr. Rafael Saldaña is shown giving an orientation to official contestants, Christopher David of the Philippine Science High School (Main Campus) and Fabian Lorenzo Dayrit (Ateneo de Manila High School) before the start of the APIO contest. (From the photo collection of Raffy Saldaña)

Today, 10 May 2008, several countries from the Asia-Pacific Region are participating in the 2nd Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad (APIO 2008). This year's contest is coordinated by the APIO Organizing Committee of Thailand with Dr. Punpiti Piamsa-nga of Kasetsart University (Thailand).

I am the delegation leader and site manager for the Philippines. The APIO 2008 Philippine Site is being organized through Ateneo de Manila University and the Computing Society of the Philippines.

This year, we (the Philippines) only have a small token delegation to the APIO. Some of those who qualified (from the 1st Philippine National Informatics Olympiad) are out of the country.

The official Philippine contestants to the APIO 2008 are:

(1) Christopher David (Philippine Science High School, Main Campus, Quezon City)
(2) Fabian Lorenzo Dayrit (Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City)

Participating countries/territories in the APIO include the following:

1. Australia
2. Bangladesh
3. China
4. Chinese Taipei
5. Hong Kong China
6. India
7. Indonesia
8. Japan
9. Korea
10. Macao China
11. Mongolia
12. New Zealand
13. Philippines
14. Singapore
15. Sri Lanka
16. Thailand
17. Vietnam

Acknowledgment:

On behalf of the Computing Society of the Philippines and the School of Science and Engineering of Ateneo de Manila University, I would like to thank the following for valuable contribution to the APIO Philippine Site Contest:

1. Dr. Pablo Manalastas
2. Dr. Felix Muga

3. Mr. Andrei Coronel
4. Mr. Michael Samson
5. Mr. Allan Espinosa
6. Mr. Christopher Rigor
7. Mr. Ryan Tamayo
8. Mr. Mark Bautista
9. Michael Blancaflor
10. Ateneo Mathematics Department
11. Ateneo Department of Information Systems and Computer Science
12. Office of the Dean, School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University

From,

Dr. Rafael Saldaña
Delegation Leader and Site Administrator
Philippine Site
2nd Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad (APIO 2008)

Related Links:

1. Photos: http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/117/Asia-Pacific_Informatics_Olympiad_Philippine_Site

2. APIO 2008 Official Site: http://www.apio2008.or.th/

3. APIO 2008 Philippine Site: http://www.math.admu.edu.ph/apio2008

4. APIO 2007 Philippine Stie: http://apio.ateneo.edu/

Update on the 'Pisay Diploma' Issue (5/6/08)

TO ALL PSHS ALUMNI:

Please click on the following link

http://pisayforum.blogspot.com/2008/05/update-on-pisay-diploma-issue-5508.html

to read an update on the 'Pisay Diploma' issue.

For inquiries, send an e-mail to raffysaldana@gmail.com

Raffy Saldaña
for PSHS NAA/ PSHS AA
5/6/08

Invitation: 2nd Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad (APIO '08)

2nd ASIA-PACIFIC INFORMATICS OLYMPIAD (APIO ’08)
Philippine Site Contest
10 May 2008, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines
(Website: http://www.math.admu.edu.ph/apio2008)

A Special Project of the Computing Society of the Philippines
and Ateneo de Manila University

Organized through the Ateneo Grid and High-Performance Computing Group (A-GRID)


Dear Principal/Coach/Student:

Greetings!

On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad 2008 (APIO ’08), I, the Contest Director for the Philippine Site, would like to invite you/your school to participate in the 2nd Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad (APIO ’08) to be held on May 10, 2008 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Advanced Computing Laboratory, Rm. 304 A, SEC (Science and Education Complex) Building A, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

The registration fee per participant is PhP 150.

(Note: Food expense is not included in the registration fee so bring your own food and drinks. Certificates of achivement will be given to all student contestants).

Those who participated in the First Philippine National Olympiad (PNOI 2008) held last March 15, 2008 in Ateneo de Manila University are EXEMPTED from paying the registration fee.

What is the IOI?

The International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) is one of the most prominent computer science competitions in the world. The competition tasks are of an algorithmic nature; however, the contestants have to show basic skills in problem analysis, design of the algorithm needed, data structures, as well as programming and testing of their solutions. The winners of the IOI belong, no doubt, to the best young computer scientists of the world.

The IOI is one of eight International Science Olympiads. The other seven are: Mathematics IMO (since 1959), Physics IPhO (since 1967), Chemistry IChO (since 1968), Biology IBO (Since 1990), Astronomy IAO (since 1996), Geography IGEO (since 1996), and The International Linguistic Olympiad ILO (since 2003). All of them are open to High School students, younger than 20 years of age. Each country participates at the IOI with an Official Delegation, consisting of four contestants (students), one Leader and one Deputy Leader. Eligible contestants are students whose age on the 1st of July 2008 is less than 20 years and who do not attend College or University.


What is the APIO?

The Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad (APIO) is a new IOI-like competition for delegations within the South Asian / Western Pacific region.The contest will be held online, with students competing at contest sites within their own country or area. Participating countries in the APIO '07 include Australia, Bangladesh, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The first APIO was held on May 12, 2007. The 2nd APIU will be held on May 10, 2008. The official programming languages are Pascal, C, and C++.

The deadline for submission of PRE-REGISTRATION FORM for the APIO ‘08 is on May 8, 2008.


Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Rafael P. Saldaña
Chair
Philippine Organizing Committee
Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad
c/o Rm. 317 A, SEC Bldg. A
School of Science and Engineering
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City 1108
Tel. (02) 4266125
Fax. (02) 4266125 or (02) 7090907
E-mail: raffysaldana@gmail.com
Website: http://www.math.admu.edu.ph/apio2008

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APIO 2008 Pre-Registration Form


The Secretariat
APIO ‘08
Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad 2008
c/o Rm. 317 A, SEC Bldg. A
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Tel.: (02) 4266125
Fax.: (02) 4266125 or (02) 7090907
E-mail: raffysaldana@gmail.com

Sir/ Madam:


I would like to participate in the 2nd Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad (APIO ‘08).

Name:

School:

Age:

Mailing Address:

Telephone Number:

E-mail:

Name of Coach (OPTIONAL):

Congratulations, St. Petersburg University of IT, Mechanics and Optics (Russia): ACM ICPC 2008 World Finals Champion

Photo Caption: Members of the St. Petersburg University of IT, Mechanics and Optics (Russia) together with ACM ICPC Executive Director Dr. Bill Poucher (extreme right). Source: http://icpc.baylor.edu.ph/


Congratulations to the team from St. Petersburg University of IT, Mechanics and Optics (Russia) which emerged as the 2008 ACM International Collegiated Computer Programming Contest (ICPC) World Finals Champion! They won over teams from leading universities around the world, including the team from Massachusets Institute of Technology (MIT, United States of America) which garnered the second place.

The 2008 ACM ICPC World Finals was held in Banff Springs Hotel, Canada on April 8-9. The event was hosted by the University of Alberta (Canada) and sponsored by IBM.

Below is the link to the 2008 ACM ICPC World Finals Standing:

http://icpc.baylor.edu/icpc/Finals/v2/default.asp?page=results