GOVPH

A person is considered lucky to find the right partner at the right time. However, the sweetest and luckiest destiny was bestowed upon a couple that shared aligned views and goals in life. Perhaps, they can be called blessed for having a supportive and perceptive partner.

In the countryside, a power duo that transforms their relationships with an exciting and fulfilling era exists in the marriage of Edgar and Nenet. Together, they have become the guide and strength of each other in building their careers as professors and researchers. Beyond their professional duties, they ensure they fulfill their personal commitment to each other.

Cultivating childhood wants and likes

Looking back, Edgar and Nenet were exposed to the realities of life during their childhood days. Their younger selves had to make an effort to learn and contribute to their families' income.

Nenet grew up in San Juan, Batangas, with a large family. Her father, Delfin, worked as a bus conductor, while her mother, Lagrimas, was a housewife. She enjoyed a simple life with her seven siblings, but the size of their family compelled her to assist her mother in selling goods such as rice, suman, tamales, halo-halo, and other sweets in the market. Nenet never complained about their social status; instead, she took it as inspiration to dream of a better future. She told herself that the little vendor in the market would become a successful economist or banker.

On the other side, Edgar was born in San Manuel, Pangasinan, into a smaller family. His father, Dionisio, was a professor, and his mother, Milagros, was a nurse, both employed at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) located in the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija. Due to his parents' employment, Edgar and his three siblings were relocated and raised in the said province. At a young age, Edgar displayed a wide intellect that was recognized by his father, who provided him with hands-on experience in planting rice and raising poultry. This exposure to farming fueled his desire to become a successful agriculturist.

Fortune smiled upon the childhood dreams of Edgar and Nenet. As a clever teenager, Nenet secured a scholarship from the Philippine Coconut Producers Federation (COCOFED), enabling her to study at CLSU. Despite the institution being almost a day's travel from her hometown in Batangas, Nenet seized the opportunity to pursue her desired career by enrolling in the BS Agriculture major in Agricultural Economics.

Meanwhile, the persistent Edgar, a teenager who witnessed the value of crops and poultry, became determined to explore a course related to this industry. Being in the province of Nueva Ecija, where agricultural activities bustled, Edgar knew that this place would be his best training and learning ground. With confidence, he seized the opportunity to pursue his coveted career by enrolling in the BS Agriculture major in Animal Science.

Met through dreams and interests

Edgar and Nenet were students at CLSU from 1976 to 1980, both enrolled in the College of Agriculture. Being in the same college, they had an enhanced chance of getting to know and observe each other, especially when they became classmates in some subjects. Moreover, they were active in sports, leading them to become university varsity players.

Nenet showcased her talent in playing volleyball, while Edgar excelled in developing strategic game plans for table tennis. In the world of sports, they also found themselves inclined and interested in playing basketball. This signifies that they shared the same passion and dedication for being athletes, as well as students in one university.

The paths of Edgar and Nenet consistently intersected as they built their dreams and pursued their interests. Each passing day, week, and month in the university gently sparked an instant connection and attraction. Their identical decisions and likes in life led them to form a mutual feeling and understanding. Together, they thrived in facing the challenges of studies while enjoying their moments in sports.

Upon graduating from college, they embarked on their professional journeys as CLSU instructors. In their initial roles, Nenet was assigned to the Research and Development Center (R&DC), and Edgar was designated to the Department of Animal Science. The simple trial in teaching brought them eternal happiness as they witnessed inspired and empowered students who developed an appreciation for the fields of agricultural economics and animal science.

Whether in the classroom, the field, or the lab, Edgar and Nenet demonstrated the importance and benefits of incorporating research and development in agriculture and its allied fields.

Responsibilities in professions and commitments in relations

After years of being on the same page, Edgar and Nenet officially became one as they walked down the aisle in the CLSU Chapel on March 24, 1984. As the best support for each other in building their careers and strengthening their relationships, Edgar and Nenet promised to create a legacy as educators and researchers, foremost as parents.

Dedicated to fortifying academic research and development in agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR), they decided to deepen and strengthen their knowledge by pursuing higher education. It was good timing for them to attend together for their master’s degrees at the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB) from 1986 to 1989. For their doctoral degrees, Nenet continued her studies at UPLB, while Edgar ventured into an international program in Japan.

This avenue of pursuing graduate studies and raising a family became very challenging yet fulfilling for the couple.

With their teamwork, balancing personal time for work and professional time for the family was achievable in the journey of Edgar and Nenet. After completing their master’s and doctoral degrees, they returned to CLSU with their three lovely children, Bj, Kristel, and France. At this moment, they became even more eager to apply all their learnings and experiences with the hope of contributing to the advancements of AANR through research and development.

Combined vision results in work success

Through their commitment to service excellence, Edgar and Nenet ascended from the ranks of Instructors to Assistant Professors, then to Associate Professors, and eventually attained the prestigious status of University Professors at CLSU. Notably, Edgar was recognized as the youngest University Professor at the institution. Despite having different fields of expertise—Nenet in Agricultural Economics and Edgar in Animal Science—this diversity served as their advantage in becoming a well-known couple, combining their ideas and concepts to establish various R&D projects at CLSU.

One of their significant contributions to the institution was the development of programs and projects for small ruminants. In 2008, they initiated the “CLAARRDEC Regional R&D Program for Sustainable Goat Enterprise in Central Luzon.” Under Edgar’s leadership and with support from Nenet and their team, they created pellet feeds for goats and portable pelletizers, aiding farmers in meeting goats’ nutrient requirements. Among their accomplishments was the publication of a training manual for goat raisers, researchers, and extension workers titled “Manual on Farmers Livestock School-Goat Enterprise Management (FLS-GEM).”

This manual was established with the assistance of experts from state universities and colleges (SUCs) and the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). To bolster the industry growth of small ruminants, they authored the book titled “Mineral Profile of Dominant Forages: Its Influence on Goat Nutrition,” which earned the NAST Outstanding Book Award in July 2016.

Meanwhile, Edgar and Nenet also ensured individual prominence in their respective fields. Leveraging her proficiency in Agricultural Economics, Nenet served as the program leader of the Socio-Economic Research and Data Analytics Center (SERDAC) in 2017, funded by DOST-PCAARRD.

The establishment of SERDAC as an up-to-date facility for socio-economic R&D paved the way for enhancing competency in socio-economic R&D to build a pool of experts and leaders in the future. On the other hand, leveraging his prowess and competence in Animal Science, Edgar served as the project leader of the Crop-Animal System Research and Extension Network (CASREN) in 2003 and the Rural Enterprise Development on Sustainable Goat Production (RED) in 2007-2010, both funded by DOST-PCAARRD.

The operation of CASREN assisted farmers in increasing the productivity of their crops and livestock by utilizing technologies, while RED supported farmers in building enterprises and generating opportunities in small ruminant production.

Mission accomplished

Edgar and Nenet can proudly and happily say that they fulfilled their childhood dreams more than they ever dreamed or expected. Their showcased efforts and smart work in R&D activities paid off. Nenet was appointed as the Director of the Research Office from 2016 to 2023, while Edgar was named as the 10th CLSU President from 2019 to 2023.

Moreover, the couple received numerous awards for their R&D projects in the past. As project leaders, Edgar, Nenet, and their team received the 2nd and 3rd best papers in development and research, respectively, during the 2017 DOST-PCAARRD National Symposium in Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARD).

Foremost, in November 2023, Edgar received the Pantas Award for Outstanding Research Administrator from DOST-PCAARRD. This recognition acknowledged his unwavering support and contribution to position CLSU’s R&D in AANR at the forefront.

This is the story of a power duo named Edgar A. Orden and Maria Excelsis M. Orden. They served not only as professors, project leaders, and heads of offices for the development and betterment of the university but also embodied the role of parents who always care for their children and five grandchildren. (By Rhea Mae B. Ruba, DOST-STII)