Organizational Profile

Introduction

The UPLB Genetics Society, also known as GeneSoc, is an academic organization that was established in 1983, pioneered by 23 Biology and Agriculture majors. Through the years, the organization strives to promote and create awareness about the science of Genetics in the country; to facilitate the interaction between the faculty and members of the organization; and to give each member an opportunity to discuss trends, activities and ideas in Genetics and its related fields. For more than 30 years of existence, GeneSoc has accomplished several prestigious achievements not only in UPLB but in the whole country as well. The organization regularly sponsors activities including the regular BIO 30 Tutorials, annual BIO 30 InterLab Quiz Contest, IQlympics General Info-IQ Quiz Contest, the annual Genetics Week, National Intercollegiate Genetics Quiz Contest and Genetics Camp. Aside from these academic ventures, the organization has been conducting outreach programs in different communities and has also been participating in a number of athletic events within the University. And, recognizing its significant role in the advancement of the nation, GeneSoc has been affiliated to the networks and alliances which embody principles and advocacies that are ultimately heading towards nation building.

Vision

• To be the leading organization in upholding academic excellence and promoting the science Genetics in the Philippines.

Objectives

• To promote and create awareness about the science of Genetics in the Philippines;
• To facilitate the interaction between the faculty and the members of the organization;
• To function as a study group for students interested in Genetics and its related fields in the University; and
• To give each member an opportunity to discuss trends, activities, and ideas in Genetics, and its related sciences.

History

It was on December 20, 1983, when The UPLB Genetics Society first breathed its way into history. It was pioneered by 23 Biology and Agriculture majors, headed by Paulino Daniel Cepeda (BS Biology - Genetics). Through the years, the organization has been promoting and creating awareness about the science of Genetics in the Philippines, facilitating the interaction between the faculty and the members of the organization, functioning as a study group interested in Genetics and its related fields in the University, and giving each member an opportunity to discuss trends, activities and ideas in Genetics and its related sciences.

Charter Members

see Members of The UPLB Genetics Society.

1. Bonga, Danilo

2. Cepeda, Paulino Daniel R.

3. Concepcion, Julie M.

4. Conducto, Noel C.

5. Davide, Jorge R. Jr.

6. Javier-De Jesus, Resa G.

7. De los Reyes, Benildo G.

8. Dela Rosa, Ma. Teresita C.

9. Dela Cruz, Norberto

10. Enriquez, Francisca

11. Fernandez, Angel

12. Guzman, Peter S.

13. Ilag, Leodovico L.

14. Ledesma, Ma. Gemma S.

15. Manalili, Karima

16. Manuel, Adolfo C. Jr.

17. Moran, Daniel

18. Reyes, Elva

19. Reyes, Melquiades

20. Salacup, Senen

21. Samonte, Stanley Omar Pb.

22. Sta. Iglesia, Drina DD.

23. Umali, Reynato P.

Official Seal

The seal of the organization consists of the stylized profile of a man’s silhouette with the graphic representation of a plasmid placed inside it. A plasmid refers to an extrachromosomal circular double stranded DNA capable of independent replication. The head being the seat of mental capacity resonates the thrust of the organization towards fostering academic excellence. It also represents the founding president of the organization, Mr. Paulino Daniel Cepeda.

This silhoutte is enclosed inside two concentric rectangles with rounded corners. The inner rectangle represents the organization's involvement within the University while the outer signifies the organization's work outside the University. The four corners of the border signify the four emerging fields during the establishment of the organization - Microbiology, Agriculture, Genetics and Systematics. The rounded edges depict another thrust of the organization, molding well-rounded students and leaders.

In between the rectangles, printed in bold letters is the name of the organization and year of its establishment (THE UPLB GENETICS SOCIETY 1983). All lines, letters, and symbols are rendered in GeneSoc blue (HEX####) against a white background (HEX####).

“We, the members of the UPLB Genetics Society, recognizing the importance of an organization in order to contribute to the advancement of the nation, by encouraging creative appreciation of the science of Genetics in the context of social relevance, by fostering excellence in our every undertaking and by involving ourselves with the University constituency, do hereby promulgate this Constitution, attesting to uphold its integrity.”

Official Publication, GENEWS

Official Mascot, Genoc

Genesoc is one if not the only academic organization in UP Los Baños with a mascot. The mascot was created by Leonel Cadapan (Genome) and named "Genoc". The mascot is a male fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster M.). In genetics and developmental biology, the fruit fly is used as a model organism making it one of the most studied organism in biological research. The female counterpart of Genoc was named Sophie and their offspring was named Maggie, the maggot.

Genoc. The Official Mascot of The UPLB Genetics Society (left).

PalaCASan 2013 rendition of Genoc (right)

Taglines and Slogans

• Redefining passion (since 1983)
• Passion, Redefined
• Replicate passion. Transcribe excellence. Translate brilliance.
• Excellence is an understatement
• Living 360
• Born to be extraordinary
• It's in the GENES!
• The sky is the limit

see the organization's Shirt Gallery

Awards and Achievements

see Awards and Acheivements of The UPLB Genetics Society.

Activities, Programs and Advocacies

see Activities of The UPLB Genetics Society.

see Programs and Advocacies of The UPLB Genetics Society.

Notable Members

• Academician Dr. Glenn Gregorio (PhD) (Recombinants). Director, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture; Former Senior Scientist/Plant Breeder, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI); Principal investigator for IRRI's project on developing stress-tolerant rice for Asia and Africa, as well as for the other CGIAR challenge programs; 30th Grand Alumni Homecoming Distinguished Alumnus; Conferred the rank and title of Academician by the National Academy of Science and Technology - Philippines (2018)
• Dr. Joseph C. Lim (MD, PhD)+ (Eugenics). 4th Place Physician Licensure Examinations (1999), First Filipino to win the Gates Cambridge Scholarship (2004)
• Dr. Peter Guzman (PhD) (Charter) College of Agriculture Distinguished Alumnus in Science and Technology, 97th Loyalty Day (October 2015); Commercial Pipeline Breeder of Monsanto; Former UPLB assistant professor; Responsible for the development of the graduate course in molecular plant breeding and implementation of a seed production and distribution program for yellow and white corn varieties, benefiting around 20,000 resource poor farmers in the country
• Dr. Benildo de los Reyes (PhD) (Charter) Professor of Molecular Genetics and cooperating faculty member of the Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, arrived at the University of Maine
• Dr. Leodovico Ilag (PhD) (Charter) Involved with early stage biotechnology companies worldwide with focus on recombinant antibodies
• Dr. Sylvia Briones-de Guzman (F1) City Health Officer of Calbayog City, Samar; Recognized together with the city government for being one of the first to bring complete response and relief to the City of Tacloban, Leyte after Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)
• Mr. Jose Alden Arellano (SNURPS) Founder of DIAMED Enterprises, one of major local players in life sciences, molecular biology, clinical diagnostics products.
• Mr. Paul Benjamin Hilario (Exons) artist; curator of the Riceworld Museum and Learning Center of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI); curator of IRRI-collected and donated artworks and performs the role as IRRI’s historian
• Mr. Cherubim Tito Cecilio (Gene Pool) Winner, MTV-Philippines Fashionista Model Search (2002); Prince Model of the World, and Philippine representative to the Best Model in the World contest in Instabul, Turkey (2002)
• Mr. Ryan John Pascual (Regulon) First National President of Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health - Philippines (2011-2012); Folic Acid Campaign coordinator during the formation of VYLH-Philippines (2009-2010); One of the Outstanding Volunteers of VYLH recognized during its 10th Year Anniversary (VYLH-Philippines)
• Mr. Rufus Thomas Adducul (Enhanceosomes) Third National President of VYLH-Philippines (2019- present)
• Honorary Members Dr. Rita Laude, Dr. Adelina Barrion; Dr. Merlyn Mendioro, Dr. Raquel Fortun, Dr. Carmencita Padilla, Dr. Rhodora Aldemita, Dr. Gabriel Romero; Dr. Maria Corazon de Ungria (8 as of November 2015)
• Six (6) out of the 14 Summa Cum Laude Graduates of the BS Biology Program
• Ten (10) BPI-DOST Awardees
• Roster of GeneSoc Alumni UP Faculty