The DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) will mark its 66th Anniversary this year by showcasing the usefulness of science in the country’s creative industry.
Dubbed “LIKHA: Forest Products Innovation Reimagined”, the event will run from July 3- 7, 2023 and will feature how the Institute’s R&D Programs are relevant for creating high quality, innovative and sustainable forest products. LIKHA stands for local, innovative, knowledge-based, holistic and adaptive.
Activities include:
- Himig Kawayan: Tradition and Innovation in Indigenous Bamboo Music - screening of two short films featuring indigenous bamboo musical instrument (BMI) masters from the Majukayong tribe in the Cordillera, and T’boli tribe from South Cotabato. The event will also feature performances from DOST-FPRDI’s Himig Agham Kawayan, a home-grown group that uses BMI prototypes crafted by the Institute (July 3, 8am-12nn, D.L. Umali Auditorium, UP Los Banos).
- LIKHA Exhibit - displays select DOST-FPRDI creative products such as bamboo musical instruments, flavors and fragrances from the forests, bamboo furniture, and carved items using alternative wood species. It also features the Institute’s technical services such as wood identification, testing, and technology transfer (July 3, 8am-12nn, D.L. Umali Auditorium, UP Los Banos).
- Ilawang Kawayan Design Contest - exhibit highlighting ten innovative bamboo lighting fixtures designed by young creatives from universities in Region IV-A and NCR (July 3-7, Sining Makiling Gallery, UP Los Banos).
- 17th F. Tamolang Technical Poster Contest - features select R&D and technology transfer projects of the Institute (July 3, 1:30pm, DOST-FPRDI hallway).
- Foresee, Foresea Exhibit - showcases different sustainable designs made from sawmill wastes and other underutilized materials from the forest (July 4, 10am, Forest Products Innovation Center, DOST-FPRDI).
- SINAG: Kaalaman sa Sining at Agham ng Mapanlikhang Produktong Gubat - a webinar featuring Filipino artisan perfumer Oscar Mejia III, and industrial designer and UP Professor Fortunato Tito de la Peña, Jr. (July 4, 1:30PM via Zoom).
“The DOST-FPRDI has always been at the forefront of sustainable forest products utilization. From focusing on the more known uses such as construction and furniture, our agency is exploring forest products’ other potential uses, such as food, essential oils, and musical instruments, among others. With sustainability in mind, we are also tapping other viable materials like bamboo, vines, and tree plantation species,” said DOST-FPRDI Director Romulo T. Aggangan.
“We will not stop reimagining, creating and finding opportunities to merge science and technology, innovation and art to benefit our client industries and the Filipino public,” Aggangan added.
Foresee, Foresea exhibit highlights sustainable designs made from forest wastes.
BMI Masters from the Majukayong tribe (top) and T’boli tribe will be featured in the “Himig Kawayan: Tradition and Innovation in Indigenous Bamboo Music” film screening in July 3.
Interested in attending any of LIKHA activities? Pre-register here: http://bitly.ws/Iga5. ### (Apple Jean C. Martin- de Leon, 19 June 2023)
