Author Topic: Meet Rico Cruz .....  (Read 10029 times)

Capitan Berong

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Meet Rico Cruz .....
« on: May 27, 2007, 07:33:01 AM »
 :)  ;)  :-*

Here's another outstanding Boholano achiever .......

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

RICO OBLIGADO CRUZ

THE SCIENTIST AS AN ENVIRONMENTALIST

The number one predator in planet Earth is man. He is on top of the food chain, and he reigns supreme in his realm. If self-interest and greed continue to influence his vital moves, this planet is doomed. And he himself is doomed. Nevertheless, this is only a generalization. If he is truly a rational human being, for which reason he is above all other animals, his ability to evaluate, comprehend, evaluate and draw logical conclusions is a Godly blessing. Thus, he still has hope.

Among those who have aspired to give hope to mankind are the devoted environmentalists who have drawn for the quizzical a landscape conducive to the preservation of man and his habitat. Dr. Rico O. Cruz, Ph. D. is one scientist, engineer, and environmentalist who fits the role of savior in the global desire to preserve Mother Earth.

He was born in Aguining, President Garcia, Bohol on January 29, 1958 to parents, Jose E. Cruz, Sr., a native of Aguining, and Demetria Obligado-Cruz of Combado, Maasin, Southern Leyte. After his elementary and high school education in his island municipality, he embarked on a developmental venture to enhance his potentials by enrolling at VISCA (Visayas State College of Agriculture), pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering. He finished the course in 1980 as a Southern Leyte State Scholar, a distinction that was bestowed to him after a series of examinations and interviews, and the fact that his previous scholastic records showed his excellence. He graduated Cum Laude in the five-year course. He also took four years of ARMY ROTC and topped the officers’ training school (advance summer camp training) at Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City.

Right after graduation he was presented with two options for a lifetime career: be an Agricultural Engineer or be a military man. He chose the former. From 1980 to 1984 he was hired as Science Specialist and Instructor by his alma mater. It was also at this time when VISCA became Leyte State University (LSU).
This further linkage with LSU opened another door for advancement. A scholarship grant took him to Silsoe College, Bedford, England where he took and finished Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering in 1983. Because of his qualifications, and his perseverance to enhance his chosen profession, he was admitted as Intern at the Postharvest Institute for Perishables, University of Idaho, USA. For his upkeep he worked as International Graduate Assistant. From 1984 to 1987 he was employed as International Graduate Assistant in the same University.

In 1997 he accepted the job of Assistant in Research at the University of Idaho Agricultural Engineering Department. Simultaneously he enrolled for his Doctorate degree in the said school and finished Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Engineering in 1990. He stayed for two years more in Moscow, Idaho before he became Volunteer Specialist and Bioprocess Engineer at ACDI/VOCA (Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance) based in Washington, DC, a position he retains until today.

Through the auspices of ACDI/VOCA he became involved in international humanitarian work and services. From April 1993 to June 1996 he was assigned in Uganda. In February 1999 he worked in Azerbaijan. From October to November of the same year he was based in Russia. From April 2001 to July 2002 he was working in Bulgaria, and from June to July 2003 he was assigned in Paraguay.

From 1994 to 1999 he worked as a Senior Environmental Specialist at Nez Perce Tribe, Department of Natural Resources, Lapwai, Idaho. It was during this stint that he was tapped for the United Nations Development Programme for TOKEN (Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals) from November to December of 1995. In 1999 he became a Senior Science and Technology Associate of the International Institute for Indigenous Resources Management of Denver, Colorado. A year later he went back to Nez Perce Tribe, Department of Natural Resources of Idaho, as Hanford Cultural Resource Coordinator, a job he held until 2003. After a couple of years he was taken in as Vice President for Operation at S.I.I. LLC in Pendleton, Oregon. Since 2002 he has been President and CEO of Ecoenergy International, LLC of Craigmont, Idaho. In 2004 he was offered the position of Program Manager and Terrestrial Ecologist of Laboratory and Biological Services, CTUIR, Oregon. Dr. Cruz still holds simultaneously the last three positions until today.

Dr. Rico Cruz is an active member of various organizations, among them: American Society of Agricultural Engineers, American Nuclear Society, Institute of Biological Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, International Who’s Who of Professionals, International Solar Energy Society, Indian Nursery Council and Lions Club International.

Among the awards and recognition he received are the following: First Place, Advance Summer Camp. Philippine Army Reserve, 31D, 1979; Cum Laude, VISCA, 1980; 5-year state Scholarship, Southern Leyte, 1975; Columbo Plan, British Council Study Fellowship, 1981;; Outstanding Alumnus in Science, The College of Maasin, 2000; 1000 W0orld Leaders of Scientific Influence, American Biographical Institute, 2001.

Through the TOKEN program, he piloted the production of coconut in the Philippines. His work has been recognized worldwide, and he is listed in the 1999 International Who’s Who of Professionals, Gibraltar Publishing Corporation, 1999; and the 1000 World Leaders of Scientific Influence in 2001 by the American Biographic Institute. In 2000 he was chosen by the College of Maasin as Outstanding Alumnus in Science. A Registered Professional Engineer, he has written, published, and presented over 30 technical papers on bioprocessing, biofuels, and environmental management.

Dr. Cruz is married to Consuelo M. Cruz, a Medical Technologist. He is a much sought-after lecturer and has traveled all over the world as seminar, workshop, and convention speaker. A fisherman and hunter during his free time, it is in environmental concerns that he has excelled globally. He has helped NGOs in the Philippines in protecting, conserving, and sustaining the dwindling natural resources. His goal for the nation is to minimize environmental degradation, sustain the resources, and be independent in producing its own energy. Perhaps, far-fetched, but he has dedicated himself to this dream.

From Loy Palapos' Boholano Today series.


Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=408.0

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buenavista

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Re: Meet Rico Cruz .....
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2007, 02:34:06 PM »
:)  ;)  :-*

Here's another outstanding Boholano achiever .......

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

RICO OBLIGADO CRUZ

THE SCIENTIST AS AN ENVIRONMENTALIST

The number one predator in planet Earth is man. He is on top of the food chain, and he reigns supreme in his realm. If self-interest and greed continue to influence his vital moves, this planet is doomed. And he himself is doomed. Nevertheless, this is only a generalization. If he is truly a rational human being, for which reason he is above all other animals, his ability to evaluate, comprehend, evaluate and draw logical conclusions is a Godly blessing. Thus, he still has hope.

Among those who have aspired to give hope to mankind are the devoted environmentalists who have drawn for the quizzical a landscape conducive to the preservation of man and his habitat. Dr. Rico O. Cruz, Ph. D. is one scientist, engineer, and environmentalist who fits the role of savior in the global desire to preserve Mother Earth.

He was born in Aguining, President Garcia, Bohol on January 29, 1958 to parents, Jose E. Cruz, Sr., a native of Aguining, and Demetria Obligado-Cruz of Combado, Maasin, Southern Leyte. After his elementary and high school education in his island municipality, he embarked on a developmental venture to enhance his potentials by enrolling at VISCA (Visayas State College of Agriculture), pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering. He finished the course in 1980 as a Southern Leyte State Scholar, a distinction that was bestowed to him after a series of examinations and interviews, and the fact that his previous scholastic records showed his excellence. He graduated Cum Laude in the five-year course. He also took four years of ARMY ROTC and topped the officers’ training school (advance summer camp training) at Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City.

Right after graduation he was presented with two options for a lifetime career: be an Agricultural Engineer or be a military man. He chose the former. From 1980 to 1984 he was hired as Science Specialist and Instructor by his alma mater. It was also at this time when VISCA became Leyte State University (LSU).
This further linkage with LSU opened another door for advancement. A scholarship grant took him to Silsoe College, Bedford, England where he took and finished Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering in 1983. Because of his qualifications, and his perseverance to enhance his chosen profession, he was admitted as Intern at the Postharvest Institute for Perishables, University of Idaho, USA. For his upkeep he worked as International Graduate Assistant. From 1984 to 1987 he was employed as International Graduate Assistant in the same University.

In 1997 he accepted the job of Assistant in Research at the University of Idaho Agricultural Engineering Department. Simultaneously he enrolled for his Doctorate degree in the said school and finished Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Engineering in 1990. He stayed for two years more in Moscow, Idaho before he became Volunteer Specialist and Bioprocess Engineer at ACDI/VOCA (Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance) based in Washington, DC, a position he retains until today.

Through the auspices of ACDI/VOCA he became involved in international humanitarian work and services. From April 1993 to June 1996 he was assigned in Uganda. In February 1999 he worked in Azerbaijan. From October to November of the same year he was based in Russia. From April 2001 to July 2002 he was working in Bulgaria, and from June to July 2003 he was assigned in Paraguay.

From 1994 to 1999 he worked as a Senior Environmental Specialist at Nez Perce Tribe, Department of Natural Resources, Lapwai, Idaho. It was during this stint that he was tapped for the United Nations Development Programme for TOKEN (Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals) from November to December of 1995. In 1999 he became a Senior Science and Technology Associate of the International Institute for Indigenous Resources Management of Denver, Colorado. A year later he went back to Nez Perce Tribe, Department of Natural Resources of Idaho, as Hanford Cultural Resource Coordinator, a job he held until 2003. After a couple of years he was taken in as Vice President for Operation at S.I.I. LLC in Pendleton, Oregon. Since 2002 he has been President and CEO of Ecoenergy International, LLC of Craigmont, Idaho. In 2004 he was offered the position of Program Manager and Terrestrial Ecologist of Laboratory and Biological Services, CTUIR, Oregon. Dr. Cruz still holds simultaneously the last three positions until today.

Dr. Rico Cruz is an active member of various organizations, among them: American Society of Agricultural Engineers, American Nuclear Society, Institute of Biological Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, International Who’s Who of Professionals, International Solar Energy Society, Indian Nursery Council and Lions Club International.

Among the awards and recognition he received are the following: First Place, Advance Summer Camp. Philippine Army Reserve, 31D, 1979; Cum Laude, VISCA, 1980; 5-year state Scholarship, Southern Leyte, 1975; Columbo Plan, British Council Study Fellowship, 1981;; Outstanding Alumnus in Science, The College of Maasin, 2000; 1000 W0orld Leaders of Scientific Influence, American Biographical Institute, 2001.

Through the TOKEN program, he piloted the production of coconut in the Philippines. His work has been recognized worldwide, and he is listed in the 1999 International Who’s Who of Professionals, Gibraltar Publishing Corporation, 1999; and the 1000 World Leaders of Scientific Influence in 2001 by the American Biographic Institute. In 2000 he was chosen by the College of Maasin as Outstanding Alumnus in Science. A Registered Professional Engineer, he has written, published, and presented over 30 technical papers on bioprocessing, biofuels, and environmental management.

Dr. Cruz is married to Consuelo M. Cruz, a Medical Technologist. He is a much sought-after lecturer and has traveled all over the world as seminar, workshop, and convention speaker. A fisherman and hunter during his free time, it is in environmental concerns that he has excelled globally. He has helped NGOs in the Philippines in protecting, conserving, and sustaining the dwindling natural resources. His goal for the nation is to minimize environmental degradation, sustain the resources, and be independent in producing its own energy. Perhaps, far-fetched, but he has dedicated himself to this dream.

From Loy Palapos' Boholano Today series.


wow! great...hope to hear u!

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=408.0

Koddi Prudente

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Re: Meet Rico Cruz .....
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2008, 12:43:02 PM »
I know this guy. Very intelligent, unassuming, "kengkoy", and a born leader. This low-key inventor of biodiesel was a schoolmate of mine at ViSCA. Let me just correct the article particularly the statement about ViSCA becoming Leyte State University in 1984. Our alma mater became LSU only recently (early 2000s). It is now Visayas State University. Some Boholanos in ViSCA (name retained as equivalent of a barangay, as in VSU, ViSCA, Baybay, Leyte) include Dr. Oscar B. Posas (Loon; former dean of the College of Agriculture); Prof. Thelma C. Zafra (Clarin; Director, VSU Folkloric Dance Troupe); Dr. Justiniano Lopez Seroy (Loon; former head of the Department of Arts and Letters); Bert Cagande (Duero; staff of the Physical Plant Office); Dr. Ma. Juliet Poquita Cañete-Ceniza (Clarin; Director, Institute of Tropical Ecology); Dr. Remberto Andoy Patindol (Batuan; head of the engineering and applied math department); Nazario Sinon (Cortes; researcher of the National Abaca Research Center); and MANY MORE.  One of the school's alumni is Dr. Marife Corre - Veldkamp (TOBAW awardee, like Dr. Rico O. Cruz). She is a native of Alicia and now based in Germany as a soil scientist.   

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jose al

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Re: Meet Rico Cruz .....
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2008, 06:50:40 PM »

rubenf24

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Re: Meet Rico Cruz .....
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2010, 08:27:22 AM »
I think I know this guy, but he doesn't remember me. I know his parents well, my grandfather - Rustico dela Cruz being Boholano, and from Aguining, Bohol. Hope to visit and see my relatives when I come to Philippines nexr year.

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Koddi Prudente

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Re: Meet Rico Cruz .....
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2010, 10:27:12 PM »
From the main article: “. . . After his elementary and high school education in his island municipality . . . ”

Correction: Dr. Cruz finished high school not in Aguining but in Maasin, Southern Leyte.

From the main article: “ . . . From 1980 to 1984 he was hired as Science Specialist and Instructor by his alma mater. It was also at this time when VISCA became Leyte State University (LSU).”

Correction: ViSCA was transformed into the Leyte State University (LSU) by virtue of RA No. 9158 issued on August 11, 2001.


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fdaray

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Re: Meet Rico Cruz .....
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2010, 07:03:01 AM »
Another OUTSTANDING BOHOLANO ACHIEVER

ROGELIO IROY CALUNSAG

IN WAR AND PEACE A HERO
By: Loy M. Palapos

Boholanos prosper admirably in all professions, be it derived from decade-long courses or instinctive inclinations and talents. By land or in the air, they excel even without caring for celebrity status. At sea they are at their best. It does not come as a surprise that the first recognized school for seamen was founded by a Boholano.

In the military hierarchy, most particularly in the Navy, a Boholano stood out in brilliance of performance that was spanned for 33 years. His devotion to his tasks earned him several recognitions and awards, but as far as Rear Admiral Rogelio I. Calunsag is concerned, they are only icing in the cake. He never asked for them, but were freely given as accolades for his exemplary performance which brought him all over the country and in some foreign shores. Being awarded one of the Ten Outstanding Boholanos Around the World (TOBAW) last July was another feather to his cap. Last Friday, December 8, he was promoted the new flag-officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy.

Rogelio Calunsag was born in Loay, Bohol on August 2, 1952 . His father, Exequiel Calunsag, was involved in trading tobacco, which he sourced from Mindanao and retailed in Bohol . His mother, Emiliana Iroy, from Alburquerque, tended a store to help in the family upkeep. He is married to Imelda Benavides, a Nurse by profession, who was a Chief Nurse in the Perpetual Soccur Hospital , at the same time Head of the School of Nursing , until she resigned in 1987 to put up a placement agency for nurses and caregivers, most particularly in USA , Canada , Malaysia , and the Middle East .

The Calunsags are blessed with three children. The eldest, Rommel, finished BS Biology, and is now employed in a call center based in the Mall of Asia. Michelle took up Journalism, and now works in a Makati publishing house, involved in the production of books and magazines. The youngest, Joy, studied Foreign Service and, while preparing to take a consular examination, teaches nursery pupils in Fort Bonifacio .

Commodore Calunsag is a distinguished product of the Philippine public school system. He enrolled at the Alegria Elementary School in Loay, and was a government scholar at the Philippine Science High School at Dilliman where he derived his secondary education. In 1970 he passed the examination for admittance to the Philippine Military Academy where he finished Bachelor of Science in Military Sciences in 1974. He ranked ninth among 114 graduates. He holds two masters degrees: Master of Science in Business Administration from the Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Business in 1980, and Master in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines in 2000.

Right after his graduation from PMA, he experienced his “baptism of fire” as a young Philippine Marine Officer in the battlefields of Sulu during the campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 1974. Shortly thereafter he joined the Philippine Navy, rising through the ranks while at the same time honing his administrative and command skills at the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard (which was then attached to the Philippine Navy) headquarters as well as in various types of Philippine vessels.

He became the first commanding officer of BRP “Apolinario Mabini” (PS-36), one of three Peacock Class offshore patrol vessels that the Philippine Navy acquired from the British Royal Navy. Commodore Calunsag's achievements in his Command at Sea were highlighted exemplary achievements when he became the Naval Task Force 41 Commander from 1998 to 1999. As Naval Task Force Commander, he was instrumental in safeguarding Philippine territorial waters and marine resources in Kalayaan Islands and Scarborough Shoal against maritime intruders, smugglers and marine poachers.

He had various special trainings abroad. In 1983 he was in Fort Bragg , New Connecticut, USA . He attended the General Staff Course “SESKOAL CL 33” in Jakarta , Indonesia . In 2002 he went schooling in Monterey , California , USA. Battle-tested and a prominent figure in time of peace, Commodore Calunsag is a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, among them are: 4 Military Merit Medals, 7 Military Commendation Medals, 3 Campaign Medals for his distinguished service in the Visayas, Luzon and Mindanao, 2 Distinguished Service Stars, Presidential Unit Citation Badge and 6 other Badges, and other commendations from the Department of National Defense.

His services are not limited to his officially assigned tasks. He participated in numerous search and rescue operations of vessels and persons lost at sea, and several disaster relief and rehabilitation missions in many parts of the country. From 1989 to 1992 he arranged the repatriation of Filipino fishing crew-members in Indonesia . He also participated in several civic action programs such as environmental clean-up activities and projects, which brought him to the Manila Bay , Sangley Point in Cavite , Coregidor Island , and many other places in the nation.

He initiated, as Commander of Navy Forces in Eastern Mindanao, the “cleaning and greening” of the naval headquarters in Sasa District, Davao City, and spearheaded the construction of “backyard fishpond” for tilapia breeding to augment the food supply and diet of camp personnel and members of their families. Commodore Rogelio Iroy Calunsag was Assistant Chief of naval Staff of the Philippine Navy in 2002. In 2004 he was promoted Commander of the Assault Craft Force of the Philippine Fleet. On April 14, 2004 he was assigned Commander of the Naval Forces of Eastern Mindanao, and later, Naval Inspector General of the Philippine Navy with the rank of Rear Admiral.

It has been a long and tough grind for this living hero, both in war and in peace, from the moment he left the portals of PMA. His varied assignments brought him all over the country. His special mission to Japan , Malaysia , Indonesia , and some other nations, helped shape his determination to be of service to the nation he loves. His commitment to his responsibilities can only be equaled by his dedication to the oath he upholds all throughout the years. In the high position he now perches himself on, he can view a panorama that includes his struggles as a neophyte in a life-and-death drama that fiction cannot encompass. His reality is more intense than the ordinary man. More breath-taking, and more hazardous. Nonetheless, on his lofty peak he has remained a God-loving naval top brass, aware that he is only an individual the Almighty has bestowed blessings on. This Rear Admiral of the Philippine Navy never forgets that he is a Boholano.
 

l

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