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Archives (2003)
Making his mark
by Virginia A. Duldulao |
January-March
2003
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 He
looks back to see the road he traversed. It has been a rugged
and stony way and he had no choice, for there was no other
way. Now he heaves a sigh of triumph and relief as he scans
his surroundings. Could all these be true? The nine-year old
boy who carried the burden of taking over where his father
left off is now a man whose feet are firm on the ground, certain
of what he wants, and whose vision is focused on a better
tomorrow not for himself but for the greater majority of those
who have less in life.
Today, on the shoulders of this man is a different
burden, no longer mundane and personal, but on a wider scale
and proportion and the responsibility is great. This time
he is ready to carry that burden steadfastly and unfaltering.
His preparation is solid. He is tempered by experience. He
is inherently endowed with potentials and with faultless humility.
Dr. William C. Medrano, the once nine-year old
boy who realized early the cruel meaning of poverty and experienced
responsibility at a tender age is now one of the stalwarts
of Philippine agriculture today. His stint as director of
the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) may be short but
like those positions where he had been assigned through the
years he will surely make a mark.
The relationship between Dr. Medrano and the
Isabela State University (ISU)had been mutual. The ISU was
his benefactor and training ground and in return he gave his
school the best of his professional life. His school provided
him job while struggling financially for his college education
and he did not leave it for better opportunities after graduating
cum laude but grew with it from instructor to the highest
level of professorship. Even after finishing both his Master
of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University
of the Philippines at Los Banos, his loyalty to ISU remained
strong. He was chairman of the Department of Animal Science
and director for Research, Extension, and Development.
When he was tapped to become the director of
BAR, he was Professor VI at ISU and concurrently vice president
for research, development, extension and training of the same
university and director of Cagayan Valley Agriculture and
Resources Research and Development (CVARRD) center. The consortium
is composed of 17 government line agencies in Region 2. He
was in the last position since 1991 to the present and for
that period he brought prestige and honor to the consortium
by capturing the Ugnay Award in 1998 and for three more consecutive
years (2000, 2001 and 2002) from the Philippine Council for
Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).
His appointment to head a research institution at the national
level was understandable since he was already moving about
in familiar grounds.
Director Medrano shared his expertise and leadership
to various institutions. He was livestock specialist to the
Orient Integrated Development Consultants, Inc. from 1990
to 1996; team leader or member of projects by PCARRD, ISU
Development Foundation, Inc., Commission on Higher Education,
and the European Union-Department of Agriculture. He was author
or co-author of technical papers published in various publications.
He has gone to many places including that of Korea, Netherlands,
and Australia, either to share what he knows or to learn some
more. He has garnered many awards and citations as a student,
professional and leader. Presently he is the president of
PCARRD Scholars Association, the Philippine Society of Animal
Science (Cagayan Valley Chapter) where he is a life member,
and president-elect of the Philippine Association of Research
Managers (PHILARM).
Learning is a lifetime endeavor for people who
love to learn. Sharing one's knowledge is a commitment to
those who realize that they can contribute something to make
this world a better place to live in. Learning and sharing
thrive best where humility is a virtue that is in the heart.
Usually, people with the common touch manifest these attributes.
And Medrano has that touch. 
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2003 Articles]
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