GOVPH

When two hearts are destined to beat as one, the busy schedules and distant places can do nothing but intertwine their paths in unexpected ways.

Learn the love story of the homebody Bing and outdoorsy Ace, having different backgrounds and living miles apart. With the chance encounters, their fate united and fueled by having shared dreams and goals in the field of veterinary science and medicine.

 Navigating their Individual Journeys

Bing embraces a simple life, she loves staying and spending time at home doing household chores like cooking, baking, and cleaning. She also finds contentment by actively participating in religious activities and services, such as being a volunteer on cleaning the church and practicing in the church choir on Saturdays, as well as being a devoted choir member on Sundays. Aside from being a church person, Bing also nurtures her social relationships with her friends by playing jackstone, sungka, and rubber band games. Sometimes she found happiness in running races with her male friends. Bing enjoys her rustic living in their hometown in San Pascual, Masbate, by having these childhood routines from elementary days to high school days.

 In a faraway place, Ace spends his time outdoors helping his father at the farm. As the only boy among siblings who were on hometown-based schooling, he shoulders the responsibilities of farm work, especially tending the carabaos early in the morning and late in the afternoon. At a young age, he learned the ins and outs of agriculture, as he understood its value in their family’s source of revenue. Aside from being a responsible son, Ace also enjoys having carefree moments in the backyard, such as swimming in the river and playing basketball. He also managed to attend the Sunday services at the church wherein he was captivated by the melodies and messages of the worship songs. Ace had wonderful childhood experiences and memories in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, juggling his duties at the farm and activities at the school from elementary to secondary levels.

 Bing and Ace were responsible children to their families, which led them to excel academically in their primary and secondary education. Also, the two of them got curious about the newly offered course at Central Luzon State University, which is veterinary science and medicine. On the other side, Bing wants to pursue a course close to agriculture, the field of her siblings. Then, Ace wants to grab a course that would benefit their farm. With these, Bing and Ace made life-changing decisions to enter the said course, leaving away from their precious provinces since it was located in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Ace was fated to enter the said course in 1979, while Bing in 1980.

The two became schoolmates. Both focused their attention on their studies, therefore; they remained as acquaintances knowing only their first and last names. Being a year ahead, Ace graduated in 1985 and Bing in 1986.

A Destined Career and Relationship

With a degree in Doctor of Veterinary Science and Medicine, Ace and Bing had the opportunity to acquire their first jobs at the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC), a government institution that promotes profitable and sustainable carabao-based enterprises. Although they had the same aspirations in exploring and developing the carabao industry, Ace was designated at DA-PCC in Central Luzon State University in 1986 and Bing was assigned at DA-PCC in University of the Philippines – Los Baños in 1986. In this situation, there’s only a little chance for them to see each other again.

In a twist of fate, their commitment and investment in the field of veterinary medicine directed them to pursue higher education, Bing and Ace got the same offer of a scholarship from the Monbusho Scholarship Program. They pursued an international doctoral program for Veterinary Medicine at Hokkaido University located in Sapporo, Japan. Being in the same university and same laboratory, they finally recognized their mutual interest in the field of Animal Reproductive Biotechnology and Reproduction. At this time, the stars aligned for their careers and relationships, as having the same activities under the same professors, they became the best partners in and out of the lab.

Having a shared passion for conducting research in livestock reproductive biotechnology, Bing and Ace’s love story immensely unfolded. It started with a professional collaboration and it ended with a personal connection, as they decided to tie the knot on June 18, 2000, in Sapporo, Japan.

A Perfect Combination in the Lab

At present, Bing and Ace are researchers and doctors in the field of veterinary medicine at the DA-PCC National Headquarters located in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Being in the Reproduction and Physiology Section at the DA-PCC, Bing and Ace's nature of work in research and development focused on improving animal productivity, fertility, and reproduction using reproductive biotechnologies. They continuously work for artificial insemination, semen processing, pregnancy diagnosis, and cryopreservation in buffaloes and cattle. Throughout their careers, they made significant contributions in conceptualizing and implementing reproduction strategies to help increase livestock production.

Together, Bing and Ace form a synergistic tandem, combining their expertise in the various research and development undertakings, projects, and programs, which contribute valuable services to the country’s Science and Technology. Their tireless and endless commitment to improving animal production and conservation serves as an inspiration to young science enthusiasts and researchers.

Bing and Ace were praised for being a dynamic duo in the field of Reproductive Biotechnology and Physiology. Through their excellence, they achieved the Scientist I rank given by the Scientific Career System in 2014, and they reached the Scientist II ranking in 2021. Since then, Bing and Ace called themselves as scientists-partners in Lab, in Love, and in Life.

“Nurture the interest and appreciation for Science and Technology at a young age and fix your eyes to an enormously rewarding world of innovative scientists up ahead of you.” – a reminder from a couple-scientists namely Dr. Eufrocina “Bing” Atabay and Dr. Edwin “Ace” Atabay. (By Rhea Mae B. Ruba, DOST-STII and Information from Dr. Eufrocina “Bing” P. Atabay and Dr. Edwin “Ace” C. Atabay from the DA-Philippine Carabao Center)

Excellence in research and service: The work outlook of Dr. Bing and Dr. Ace, as Scientists II with expertise in the field of Animal Reproductive Biotechnology and Physiology at the DA-Philippine Carabao Center. (Photo from Dr. Eufrocina “Bing” Dela Pena-Atabay)