1. e-Extension Agenda September 2013 1
Vol. V No.2 September 2013
►► Page 3
ATI Offers 1st e-Learning
Course in Filipino
The online course on Effective Human Communication and Human Relation is the
first e-Learning course that will be delivered in Filipino. The course will be under the social
technology category in the e-Learning site.
Q
UEZON CITY – Since it
was first launched in 2007,
e-Learning courses on
agriculture and fisheries are offered
exclusively in English. After five
years and 31 courses offered, the
Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) now
offers the first-ever e-Learning course
delivered in Filipino with Lika! Usap
Tayo, an online course on Effective
Human Communication and Human
Relation.
The e-Learning course, prepared
by ATI-Regional Training Center (ATI-
RTC) IV-A, discusses the dynamics
of effective human communication
and human relations. It is composed
of three modules, namely: Ang Salita
at Pakikipagtalastasan (Language
and Communication); Ang Tao:
May Kanya-Kanyang Natatanging
Katauhan (Uniqueness of Man); and
Ang Aking Mundo at ang Iyong Mundo
(My World and Your World).
The course was launched
early September of this year, aims
to the help e-Learners know the
meaning and nature of language
and communication as well as to
B
AGUIO CITY – The Agricultural
Training Institute (ATI) in its
efforts to provide quality and
efficient extension services to its
clientele is set to beef up its knowledge
management (KM) initiatives.
ATI’s major KM initiatives include
the e-Extension Program for Agriculture
and Fisheries, Techno Gabay
What’s Inside
ATI to Boost Access to Farm
Advisory Services ------------------- 2
New e-Learning Team in
ATI-RTC IX -------------------------- 3
News at the Regions --------------- 4
Techno Gabay Program
Updates ------------------------------ 6
New e-Learning Courses ----------- 7
Stick-to-e-tiveness ----------------- 8
ATI Holds 7th e-Extension Updates;
Reviews its KM Initiatives
Program, documentation of Good
Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and
knowledge products development and
dissemination.
To determine the current situation
of its KM initiatives, the e-Extension
coordinators completed a situational
analysis workshop which resulted in
differentiate and give importance
to the diverse perspective and
experiences of man as basis for an
effective human communication and
relation. Likewise, the course intends
to help the e-Learners explain the
responsibilities and implications of
being human.
To enroll in the e-Learning course
just log-in to www.e-extension.gov.
ph/e-Learning.
►► Page 3
ISSN 2345-878X

2. e-Extension Agenda September 201322
ATI to Boost Access to Farm Advisory Services;
Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop Kicks off in Mindanao
Agricultural Planning Officers of Lao PDR
Briefed on e-Extension Program
NEWS
D
AVAO CITY – As an alternative
delivery channel for farm and
business advisory service, the
Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of
the Philippine Department of Agriculture
established the Farmers’ Contact Center
(FCC) to provide timely and updated
information to agriculture and fisheries
related queries and concerns.
Launched in 2009, data shows
that FCC services have not been fully
maximized where 70% of the queries
received were focused on the e-learning
component of the Philippine e-Extension
Program.
Recognizing the full potential of
the facility in reaching more farmers
and fishers through a comprehensive
communication and advocacy plan,
the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)
conducted a series of consultation-
workshop on maximizing the services
of FCC that kicked-off in Mindanao last
August 12 to 16, 2013.
Representative from the DA
agencies, media practitioners, non-
government organizations and local
government units participated in the
workshop to draw the experiences of the
Q
UEZON CITY, Philippines – As
part of their training course
on farm business planning,
20 delegates from Lao People’s
Democratic Republic consisted of
provincial and district officers visited
the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)
and were briefed on the Philippine
people in the regions in coming
up with a communication and
advocacy plan for the FCC.
Being the delivery channel
of the e-Extension Program
for Agriculture and Fisheries,
the current scenario of the
FCC was also shared to
the participants where it
was explained that most of
the queries received by the
FCC were mostly related to
e-Learning.
The highlight of the activity
was a workshop that focused
on soliciting the participants’ inputs in
identifying key messages, strategies and
responsible agencies for the promotion
of the services of the FCC. Likewise, the
workshop has been a venue to generate
the participants’ understanding and
impressions on the FCC.
Antonieta J. Arceo of ATI-
Knowledge Products Management
Division who facilitated the workshops
said that “through these workshops
we hope to be able to come up with a
comprehensive communication and
advocacy plan that will aggressively
promote the FCC. And through this plan,
we hope to reverse the data where there
will be more agriculture-related queries
compared to e-learning queries,” Arceo
added.
Other consultation workshops are
scheduled throughout the country which
includes key provinces in the Visayas as
well as in Northern and Southern Luzon.
The consultations in Mindanao were
held in Butuan, Cagayan de Oro and
Davao (BCNatividad)
e-Extension Program. The Lao
delegates are visiting the country to
observe the agricultural planning and
marketing activities of the different
organizations in the Philippines.
With ATI serving as the lead
implementing agency, the e-Extension
Program was launched to provide an
alternative modality to the
traditional extension system
for agriculture, fisheries and
natural resources sectors.
Antonieta J. Arceo of
ATI-Knowledge Products
Management Division
served as the resource
person where she discussed
the different components
of the program such
as e-Learning and the
Farmers’ Contact Center
(FCC). Furthermore, she explained
that ATI has ventured into e-Extension
“to maximize the use of Information
Communication Technology (ICT)
with the use of the internet and mobile
phones. In addition, the program has
been designed to enhance and not
replace the face-to-face training and
delivery of extension services in the
field.”
Part of the visit also included a tour
to the Learning and Discovery (LeAD)
Center, a facility of the Institute on
extension and education.
The briefing was conducted last
July 8, 2013 at the Agricultural and
Fisheries Knowledge Center (AFKC),
ATI Central Office, Diliman, Quezon
City. (BCNatividad)

3. e-Extension Agenda September 2013 3
3
SNAPSHOTS
ATI Holds 7th e-Extension
Updates.....
From page 1
New e-Learning Team formed in
ATI-Regional Training Center IX
P
AGADIAN CITY -- The Agricultural
Training Institute - Regional
Training Center IX (ATI-RTC IX)
created its new e-learning
team for the promotion
and administration of the
e-learning component
of the Department of
Agriculture’s e-Extension
Program for Agriculture
and Fisheries.
The team was
briefed on their roles
and responsibilities on
e-learning prior to the
conduct of the Seminar on
Demystifying e-Learning
for Region 9 held last
August 1, 2013 in this
City. Likewise, they were
briefed on the content
identifying possible problems
that hamper the delivery of
ATI’s KM initiatives as well
as its possible solutions and
strategies. In addition, a lecture
on new ICT-based services
that is suited and applicable
for ATI’s KM initiatives was
presented by Rey Alo, ATI’s
e-Learning Process Advisor.
Likewise, a discussion and
situation analysis workshop for the
Farmers’ Contact Center (FCC) was
conducted. As part of the e-Extension
Program, the FCC and its services
were not maximized. Hence, the
ATI will develop a comprehensive
communication and advocacy plan
to be able to maximize the FCC
services and benefit more farmers and
extension workers.
ATI Director Asterio Saliot shared
some of the upcoming activities of
ATI that are related to the e-Extension
Program as well as developments
that will focus on the program. Saliot
also confirmed that the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP)
plans to provide support to ATI to
initiate extension programs for the Asia
Pacific Region including e-Extension.
Coinciding with the activity was the
conduct of focused group discussions
(FGD) for the e-Learning component
of the e-Extension Program among
the Coordinators. The FGD is part of
the result evaluation on e-Learning
being conducted by a research team
from University of the Philippines Los
Baños (UPLB) .
The 7th e-Extension Updates was
conducted last June 17 to 21, 2013 at
Igorot Lodge, Camp John Hay, Baguio
City.(BNatividad)
NEWS
P
AGADIAN CITY - The Agricultural
Training Institute - Regional
Training Center IX (ATI-RTC IX) is
proud to present their e-learner who has
taken seven courses since he registered
at the e-learning site.
Ryl Jorge Ramos, one of the
administrative staff of ATI-RTC IX, has
taken courses on Managing Common
Diseases in Banana; Vermicomposting:
Turning Trash to Cash; Organic Fertilizer
for Sustainable Agriculture; Walang
Aray sa AI: Artificial Insemination in
Pigs; Integrated Pest Management for
Banana; Production of High Value Crops
in Greenhouse; and From Seed to Seed:
Online Course on Corn Production.
Ramos got some of his e-learning
certificates during the Seminar on
Demystifying e-Learning for Region
IX held last August 1, 2013 in this City.
(PMGMappala)
The Agricultural Training Institute
welcomes our new agent at the
Farmers’ Contact Center - Adelfa
Mae B. Guico.
Mae is a licensed agriculturist with
specialization in animal science. A
graduate of University of the Philippines
Los Banos, Mae recently worked for the
Philippine Swine Industry Research and
Development Foundation, Inc. where
she was involved in swine performance
monitoring project.
Mae’s related coursework include
animal production (swine, poultry and
dairy), animal nutrition, meat processing,
slaughter and meat evaluation, animal
breeding and genetics, anatomy
and physiology of animals, livestock
sanitation and disease control, as well as
computer application in feed formulation.
(PMGMappala)
build-up for the ATI-RTC IX’s official
website. (PMGMappala)
Photo shows the team (from left) Ronie Baguinat, Mylene
Corpuz, Diorevee Salvanera, ATI RTC IX Center Director
Dennis Prosianos, ATI’s e-learning process advisor Jose Rey Y.
Alo, ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot, Pamela G. Mappala of ATI-
Knowledge Products Management Division, Virgie Cabrera,
Arsenio P. Raval and Ryl Jorge Ramos.

4. e-Extension Agenda September 201344
AT THE REGIONS
SOA on
Palayamanan
Launched in
Lallo, Cagayan
Capability enhancement for FITS
centers in Pangasinan
LALLO, Cagayan - The local
government Unit of Lallo,
Cagayan recently launched
the School-on-the-Air (SOA) on
Palayaman through its DWRL
community Radio Station.
The SOA aims to equip and
update target enrollees like farmers,
agriculture students and other listeners
with knowledge on palayamanan and
sustain improvements in productivity,
profitability, environment safety and
sustainability.
It will be aired twice a week every
Thursday and Friday at 12:00 to 1:00
in the afternoon until November 2013.
It will cover the municipalities of Lallo,
Camalaniugan, Aparri and Allacapan.
A total of 500 rice farmers and other
interested enrollees are targeted to
enroll in the program.
The program is implemented in
partnership with the Cagayan State
University Lallo Campus, DWRL and
participating LGUs. (CMAlaska, ATI-
RTC II)
L
INGAYEN, Pangasinan - In line
with the 34th Pangasinan State
University founding anniversary
celebration, the Agricultural Training
Institute-Regional Training Center I
conducted the Training on Extensionist
Capability Enhancement for the Farmers’
Information and Technology Services
(FITS) Center in this province. The
training was held at the Capitol Plaza
Resort Hotel, Lingayen, Pangasinan last
July 15-17, 2013 with an educational
tour at Batangas State University and
Cavite State University.
With the theme, “Capacitating
Extension Professionals within the
Evolving Entrepreneurial Climate
Development,” the training was
participated in by 12 local government
units in Pangasinan with active FITS
Centers from Alcala, Asingan, Basista,
Bautista, Binalona, Malasiqui, Manaoag,
Mangaldan, Rosales, Sto. Tomas,
Mangaldan, Mapandan, Rosales and
Umingan.
Part of the activity was a contest
on the best Extension Poster Design
implemented by the LGU (FITS Centers)
& PSU (campus) categories. e-Extension
Coordinator Maricel D. Dacapias was
one of the evaluators, judged the entries
according to the content, organization,
mechanics and over-all impact of the
posters.
Top three winners on best extension
poster design LGU category were Alcala
(95%), Manaoag (92.6%) and Asingan
(92%) while PSU category were Sta.
Maria (94.6%), Urdaneta (94.2%) and
San Carlos City (92.6%). (MDDacapias,
ATI-RTC I)
T
he graduates of the School-
on-the Air (SOA) on Organic
Agriculture dominated the
graduation ceremonies held at
Kauswagan gymnasium, Kauswagan,
Lanao del Norte on August 27, 2013.
Other graduates came from the
neighboring municipality of Bacolod
and Iligan City. The SOA aired at 95.9
Edge FM based in Iligan City started
on April 16, 2013. Its last airing was on
August 22, 2013.
During the graduation ceremony,
Dr. Quirog of ATI challenged the
participants to apply their learning in
their own farms. He said that ATI is
fully committed in helping Kauswagan
become the organic capital of Region
10. In fact, the development of organic
Upland Local Farmer
Technicians Briefed on
e-Extension Program
SOA on Organic Agri Yields 400
graduates in Region 10
upland rice in Kauswagan is one of
the programs where ATI is closely
collaborating. For his part, Mayor
Arnado thanked the participants and
ATI for this program. He vowed that the
Local Government of Kauswagan will
always work to increase productivity
and income of the farmers to attain
lasting peace.
Kauswagan is aiming to be the first
municipality in the Region to become
organic. Presently, areas planted to
vegetables and upland rice are slowly
going organic. Mayor Rommel Arnado
has been pushing for the municipality
to produce organic products and
has vowed to work for its marketing.
(NBGMacario, ATI-RTC X)
L
AGUNA – The Agricultural
Training Institute-Regional
Training Center IV-A conducted
a briefing on the Philippine
e-Extension Program among the
farmer participants of the Luzon B
Cluster Zonal training on Upland Rice
Production.
e-Extension Coordinator Rolando
V. Maningas of ATI-RTC IVA guided
the farmers on the use of Nutrient
Manager for Rice (NMRice) applications
and promoted the Farmers’ Contact
Center as an alternative helpdesk of the
Department of Agriculture. The farmers
expressed their gratitude and welcomed
these services and committed to promote
them with their fellow farmers in their
respective municipality.
The farmers came from upland
communities in CaLaBaRzon, MiMaroPa
and Bicol Region. The briefing took place
during the preliminary activities of the
Local Farmer Technician (LFT) training
last on August 4 to 11, 2013 at the
Arisabel Clubhouse, Los Banos, Laguna.
(RVManingas,ATI-RTC IVA)

5. e-Extension Agenda September 2013 5
Blog Roll
W
hen the Consultation
Workshop on Maximizing
the Services of the
Farmers’ Contact Center through the
Development of a Communication and
Advocacy Plan was finalized during the
ATI Mid-Year Assessment and Planning
Workshop at The Oriental Hotel in
Palo, Leyte; each of the e-Extension
Coordinators across the ATI Network
referred to their individual schedule
(plotted either on their mobile phone, tab,
or journal) to make sure this activity will
not overlap with the targets in the center.
With our vivacious personalities as
usual, we were able to finalize the dates
in our respective regions. Take note! We
didn’t come up with dates only but we
were able to go beyond the details of the
activity so that Ms. Niet Arceo, Officer-
in-Charge of the Knowledge Products
Management Division (who will be the
most-sought personality) in this event
can manage her schedule.
Yes! You read it correctly, Ms. Niet
will be hopping from one place to the
other with all her might; she will be
making most of her time whichever
mode of transportation that will bring her
to the venue, from plane to boat to bus.
For sure she had both the
good and not-so-good stories in her
adventures. But in the name of service,
she will do even if she will be traversing
the not-so-friendly waves from Cebu to
Bohol and the six-hour bus ride from
Butuan to Cagayan de Oro City and
some of her undisclosed experiences
from other regions just to implement
the one-day consultation workshop.
To provide you with the detailed
itinerary: the activity kicked off at
In the Name of Service
e-Extension Program in the eyes of a farmer
What our e-Learners say
R
ecently I assisted the Regional Farm Family Forum (RFFF) in Calbayog City on May 22 to 23, 2013. Since ATI started
conducting RFFF, orientation on e-Extension has always been a part of the affair. This year’s orientation, just like in the last
three (3) years, was doing well with the usual queries from the audience. However, I was taken aback when a 4-H’er from
Biliran province asked, “In your own perception, do you think the e-Extension Program made significant impact in the lives of the
farmers?” That was hard. While thinking for an answer, I saw Sir Mike raised his hand to my relief.
I came to know Sir Mike two years ago in a similar affair we conducted in Alangalang, Leyte. He approached me after my
lecture on e-Extension, featuring the then newly launched NMRice Mobile. He extended his appreciation for the new service
offered by e-Extension and told me that he is an ardent e-learner and in thirst for new information in the net particularly from
the e-Learning site. Sir Mike is Miguel Pedroso of Calbayog City, an organic agriculture practitioner and multi-awarded farmer-
entrepreneur. He had already earned more than 10 e-learning certificates.
This is what Sir Mike said:
“When you go into farming you must always do everything right the first time, everytime. I’ve learned this the hard way. When
I retired from my previous employment, I decided to go into farming. I knew nothing about farming and committed big mistakes. I
tell you that mistakes can cost you a lot. Every mistake will add up to your expenses and the more expenses, the lesser the chance
for profit. When I learned about the e-learning, I immediately enrolled in the courses offered and I learned so much and gained
knowledge on better ways of farming. My thanks and congratulations go to the people behind the e-Extension program for this
noble undertaking that spell the difference between success and failure in farming. You asked whether the e-Extension program
made an impact, I challenged you all, especially the young farmers who are here. Go e-learning to enhance your knowledge and
skills in farming and experience for yourself the difference it will have on you. For me, the program had a great impact in my life.”
That was beautifully said and I was in awe. What more will I say? It was straight from the farmer’s heart through the lenses
of his eyes. I took pride knowing that what we are doing made and is making a difference in the life of Sir Mike and to many other
farmers who, I know would answer the same.(DBRBaltazar, ATI-RTC VIII)
Butuan City last August 12 then to
Cagayan de Oro on the 14th; 16th
Davao City; 19th Tacloban; 20th
Iloilo; 22nd Bohol; 27th Benguet; 28th
at Region 1; 30th at Region 2 then
September 2 at Mindoro; 3rd at Laguna
and it wind up at Legazpi City on the 9th.
Whoa! What a sked. From the Mindanao
leg down to the Visayas and Luzon
respectively, one could imagine how
exciting these travels are.
Beyond all of these, Ms. Niet and
her team from Central Office will testify
how the regions had put all their efforts
in order to make the activity successful
through consultative and collaborative
in nature with the main objective which
is to come up with a comprehensive
communication and advocacy plan
so that more of our farmers and other
stakeholders in the agriculture and
fisheries sector will be aware of the FCC.
Thus, with everybody’s effort from
the Central Office to the Regional
Centers and its stakeholders – these
words will define it all: in the name of
service!(MPSoliva, ATI-RTC VII)
5

6. e-Extension Agenda September 20136
L
EYTE - Twenty-four Farmers
Information and Technology
Service (FITS) Centers
Information Service Specialist (ISS)
participated in the first of the three
batches of training on Desktop
Publishing on September 10 to 13,
2013 at ATI-RTC 8, VSU, Baybay City,
Leyte.
The training aimed to equip
the ISS with the knowledge and
skills necessary in coming up
with information, education and
communication (IEC) materials in print
format. Specifically they were taught
on the basics of desktop publishing,
page layout and image editing using
MS Publisher and Xara Designer Pro
softwares. The ISS were expected to
enhance the content build-up of the
FITS centers through the development
of localized IEC materials. These
materials include agriculture, fishery
and natural resources technology
information in various multi-media
formats.
The participants came up with a
montage design and/or either a draft
leaflet or brochure as their outputs
that were evaluated by ATI-RTC 8
Knowledge Product Development Unit
staff. Brenda B. Almeroda of FITS DA-
RIARC was awarded best in output for
leaflet/brochure and Marites C. Niepez
of OPA Biliran for the montage. The
evaluators also awarded Evaresto D.
Carigara of Macrohon FITS center
for pushing himself in applying other
principles taught in image designing,
which were not done by the rest of the
participants.
e-Extension Coordinator Dennis
Boyd R Baltazar and Information
Assistant Gian Carlo M Borines
served as the resource persons for the
activity.(HGTTaganas, ATI-RTC VIII)
D
INAGAT ISLANDS - The
Agricultural Training Institute
– Caraga launches two
Farmers’ Information and Technology
Services (FITS) centers of the Local
Government Units (LGU) of San Jose
and Provincial Government of Dinagat
Islands last July 30 to 31, 2013.
The activity was attended by
Farmers Association President, Rural
Improvement Club (RIC) Officers,
barangay officials, municipal and
provincial officials and heads of
offices. Fil Victor Babanto, e-Extension
Coordinator of ATI-Caraga presented
the overview of the Techno-
Gabay Program and reviewed the
responsibilities of the LGU, Partner
Member Agency PMA) which is the
SNCAT-Dinagat Campus and that of
the ATI.
One of the highlights of
Two FITS Centers launched in
Dinagat Islands
FITS ISS
explore
Xara, design
IECs
the activity was the signing of the
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
between ATI and the Municipal and
Provincial Government. ATI also
awarded the catalytic fund amounting
to Php 100,000 for each FITS center
to pay for their information, education
and communication (IEC) production/
distribution, documentation of success
story, internet connectivity and
monitoring activities.
The LGU officials signified their
willingness to support the Techno-
Gabay Program and all other activities
for the development of agriculture and
fishery sector in the province.
There are still two FITS Centers
programmed for launching late this year
while monitoring and strengthening
activities are lined-up for the 16 existing
FITS centers region-wide. (MGBSalve,
ATI-RTC Caraga)
Techno Gabay Updates
TANZA, CAVITE - The 5th FITS
Center in the province of Cavite and
the 11th FITS Center that was recently
launched after the institutionalization
of Techno Gabay Program in the
Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in
2012, the FITS Tanza was formally
launched last September 17, 2013 at
the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist
of Tanza with Mayor Marcus Ashley
Arayata and MA Margarita Soberano.
PMA CVSU TGP Team Leader Lorna
Matel, Cavite PA Lolita Perena and
guests from the other municipalities
attended the event.
The FITS Center is a one-stop
shop for famers and fisherfolks
for fast access on information and
technologies in farming and fishing.
(RVManingas, ATI-RTV IVA)
FITS Center Launched in Tanza, Cavite

7. e-Extension Agenda September 2013 7
Treasure in Threads: Piña Fiber Processing
Want to earn an extra income of as much as
P4,650 per month? Be a part of the growing
pineapple fiber industry!
The e-Learning course Treasure in Threads:
Piña Fiber Processing is your gateway to the
industry. Pineapple1 is a guide to the ins
and outs of the pineapple fiber production.
It’s comprised of modules on Piña Fiber
and its Market Potential; Fiber Processing;
and Economics of Piña Fiber Processing. It
specifically tackles the different types of piña
fiber and their markets; appropriate pineapple
varieties for fiber production; appropriate
techniques in harvesting pineapple leaves for
fiber extraction; step by step process in hand
scraping piña fiber; and calculate ROI in piña
fiber processing, among others.
Start hand scraping fiber, enrol now in
Pineapple1!
This online course is brought to us by ATI
RTC-VI.
Try our new Online Course
Enroll for free at www.e-extension.gov.ph/elearning
Farm Business
School Scholars
Oriented on the
e-Extension
Program
DILIMAN, Quezon City –
Some scholars of the Meralco
Foundation Institute-Farm
Business Institute (MFI-FBI)
who are taking agriculture
entrepreneurship course visited
the Agriculture and Fisheries
Knowledge Center at the
Agricultural Training Institute to
be oriented on the e-Extension
Program for Agriculture and
Fisheries, specifically on its
e-Learning component last July
5, 2013.
The students were required
to enroll and complete e-Learning
certificate courses as part of their
course curriculum. To do so, the
60 scholars were acquainted on
the e-Learning site’s features as
well as registration and enrolment
procedures. Some e-Learning
policies were also discussed with
them such as the passing score,
accessing modules, taking one
course at a time, among others.
This activity is part of
ATI’s ladderized agribusiness
entrepreneurship training
program – an agriculture
training and education program
which is intended to train high
school graduates into becoming
agricultural entrepreneurs. It is in
partnership with the Foundation
for People Development (FDP)
and MFI Foundation, Inc.
(YCAPauig)
NEWS

8. e-Extension Agenda September 20138
8
Editors Antonieta J. Arceo
Pamela MG Mappala
Writers Benedict C. Natividad (ATI-CO)
Yovina-Claire A. Pauig (ATI-CO)
Maricel Dacapias, ATI-RTC I
Claris M. Alaska, ATI RTC 2
Rolando V. Maningas, ATI-RTC 4A
Merrian Piquero Soliva, ATI-RTC 7
Dennis Boyd R. Baltazar, ATI-RTC 8
Hazel Grace T. Taganas, ATI-RTC 8
Noemi Beth G. Macario, ATI-RTC 10
Mary Grace B. Salve, ATI-Caraga
Layout Artist Benedict C. Natividad
Editorial Consultant Jose Rey Y. Alo
Advisers Asterio P. Saliot PhD, CESO III
Evelyn Aro-Esquejo PhD, CESO VI
The e-Extension Agenda
Volume V No.2
September 2013
E
ver wonder why they keep telling
us that we have “a world of our
own”? Let me guess.
First guess. Kindly refer to my blog
“Bilog ang puso ko” (www.ati.da.gov.
ph/blogs). In a gist, we have hearts
that beat with an “e.” The e is the wind
at our backs, the dynamo that sweeps
over us. It is what gels us together,
making us stick, inseparable.
My second guess. I need to
rewind a bit. We were in Baguio.
Many were “gigil na gigil” to confront
whoever made the “mess” in the so
called “world of our own”. Many were
already wounded with artillery of
insults and sneers. This should not be
happening.
We thought we had our weapon
ready only to be caught off-guard.
The open letter silenced us before
we aimed for the first shot. There was
no cover up. It was a brave move.
It indeed takes a great person to
accept responsibility without passing
the buck. It was the letter, a mark of
greatness that made us remember the
essentials rather than the frequencies,
the breadth and depth rather than the
facade.
We almost let down our guard of
being a class. The coldness of the day
(it was 16 degrees centigrade outside)
did not dampen our spirits. Not
even the numbers nor the statistics.
Evaluation doesn’t mean numbers only
| Hazel Grace T. Taganas
but also the beautiful experiences,
the relations that were strengthened
in carrying out a responsibility to its
completion. WE failed, yes. But we did
not quit. We stick. Always.
And what more? We are a class.
Howard E. Ferguson said: a class
never runs scared, never makes
excuses, is sure footed, considerate,
never tries to build itself up by tearing
others down. It is already up and need
not strive to look better by making
others look worse. A class can “walk
with kings and keep it’s virtue, and talk
with crowds and keep the common
touch”. Everyone is comfortable with
the person who has class because
he is comfortable with himself. If you
have class, you don’t need much of
anything else and if you don’t have
it, no matter what else you have, it
doesn’t make much difference.
If you have these, you are one of
us. Welcome to our world. Join the thin
rank of a class.
Photo c/o MPSoliva