INSTAT celebrates 29th National Statistics Month
In celebration of the 29th National Statistics Month last October, the Institute of Statistics conducted various activities in line with the theme, “Exploring Philippine Wonders in Numbers: Statistics Towards Sustainable Tourism Development”.
INSTAT kicked-off the celebration with the opening of a weeklong exhibit highlighting the tourism industry in Laguna. Three posters were exhibited. The first poster, “Laguna in a Snapshot,” focused on the demography of Laguna. The poster included interesting facts such as sex ratio, education profile, and populous municipalities and cities in the province. The second poster, “Tara! Mag-Food Trip sa Laguna,” presented the most famous food delicacies that each municipality can offer. These delicacies include: buko pie for Los Banos, puto for Binan, monay in Bay, pineapple in Calamba, “itlog na pula” or salted egg in Victoria, “kesong puti” or white cheese in Lumban, bibinka de macapuno in Sta. Cruz, and espasol in Pagsanjan. The third poster, “Biyahe Tayo sa Laguna,” focused on the tourism statistics of the province. These statistics included total tourist arrivals and total tourist establishments. It also showed that tourists from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia are the top visitors in the province. The poster also showed that the top tourists attractions: hotspring resorts in Calamba, the amusement park and international companies in Sta. Rosa City, the Seven Lakes in San Pablo City, the St. John the Baptist Church, Pasalubong Center, and Footwear Trade Fair in Liliw, and Makiling Botanic Gardens and the BSP Makiling Camp in UP Los Banos.
Dr. Lansigan reappointed as CAS Dean
The UP Board of Regents (BOR) in its January 26 meeting (1332nd) has renewed the appointment of Dr. Felino P. Lansigan as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, UP Los Baños. This will be Dr. Lansigan’s second three-year term as Dean, since his first appointment to the office in 2014.
For the last three years, the college under the helm of Dean Lansigan has experienced significant progress in the areas of instruction, research and extension, internationalization, infrastructure, faculty, staff, and student’s development. The General Education Program, in particular, and a number of curricular programs (e.g. graduate degree programs in Math, Applied Math, Physics, and Applied Physics) have been developed, revised or instituted. Research project proposals with funding from UPLB Basic Research, UP EIRDG, DOST- PCAARRD, PCIEERD, DA-BAR, etc. were forwarded. The CAS Student-Faculty Research Conference was held as a boost to the academe to continue to undertake researches. Funding of attendance to conferences thru the CAS World Class Fund (WCF) and Global Competitiveness Fund (GCF), collaboration of the UPLB Graduate School with the Language Instruction Towards Excellence (LITE) program, and the emergence of the Fusion of Arts and Sciences Program of the Digital Humanities were the advances in extension programs gained by the college. LITE Training courses
INSTAT marks its 20th year
The Institute of Statistics celebrated its 20th year in a series of activities in February. With the theme, “20 Years of Responsive and Innovative Statistics Education: Development of Environmental Statistics in support of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)”, the institute highlights the significance of its field in the attainment of the SDGs.
A homecoming of alumni and friends kicked off the celebration on February 16 for which participants joined a parade on foot, bicycles, or electric motorcycles to promote a cleaner and greener form of motorcade. The rest of the day was spent on formally opening this year’s exhibit in the INSTAT lobby and on socialization.
The highlight of this year’s celebration, INSTAT annual seminar series was held on February 21. Michelle M. Viernes, Senior Statistical Specialist of the Poverty and Human Development Statistics Division of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) discussed the “Challenges in the Monitoring of Environment Statistics in the SDGs” while Arvin R. Reginio, Statistician II from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shared the DENR’s perspective on “Addressing the Data Needs of the Data-Driven SDGs”. Both speakers are graduates from the institute.
Two INSTAT faculty members win 2017 CAS Outstanding Faculty Awards
The recipients of the awards – Dr. Nancy A. Tandang and Mr. Rocky T. Marcelino
pose with INSTAT faculty members, CAS Dean Dr. Felino P. Lansigan,
INSTAT Director Dr. Consorcia E. Reano, and Former CAS Dean Dr. Zita VJ. Albacea.
Every year, the College of Arts and Sciences honors faculty members, student, and staff who have made valuable contributions for the advancement of the ideals and aspirations of the college. The 2017 CAS Araw ng Parangal that was held on November 24, 2017 at the CAS Auditorium also served as one of the highlights of the 45th Foundation Day anniversary celebration of the college. During the awarding ceremony, two faculty members from the Institute of Statistics were recognized as 2017 CAS Outstanding Faculty.
INSTAT mourns the loss of one of our pillars, DR. MARIANO B. DE RAMOS. Doc Nano as he is fondly called will be remembered for his lifelong service to the INSTAT even beyond his retirement. He was our walking reference for any question we may have in statistics whether it be in experimental designs or statistical data analysis. He was a champion for mentoring as he always enjoined a junior faculty to work with him in any consulting task. He is immortalized in the INSTAT through the Mariano B. De Ramos Statistical Excellence Award (Best Undergraduate Special Problem) that was launched during a special testimonial program for him in 2017.
We bid you goodbye, for now, Doc Nano, but we are sure in our hearts that you will ever be watching over us from heaven where angels like you belong! We send you off with all our love and prayers! 
