Today is :

Editorial

This year marks a new beginning to celebrate life, a life of peace, joy, happiness, contentment, love, and sacrifice.  The life that is described here is similar to the life in colors.  The colors are seen in flowers and flowers as the symbol of life.

Flowers have always been there for us.  When we were born, the first gift we received from our father was a bouquet of flowers given to our mothers who bravely endured the laborious birth pain just to give us life.  As we grow older, our family, relatives, and friends gave flowers to show that they care.  I received my first bouquet of flowers when I was six years old.  It was a gift from my parents because I was sick then of typhoid fever.  For me, it symbolized much care and love from my family and a special offering to God, thanking Him for making me healthy and safe.

Flowers really say it all.  No matter what you are up to, it brightens up your face, changes your mood, and brings color to life.  Since then, I have considered flowers as the great symbol and meaning of life.

The colors of flowers are now the living testimonies of our dynamic life.  We celebrate life with brilliant colors.  We express our feelings with flowers and make it real to the person receiving them.

As we look forward and start this year of the pig, we provide an avenue to show that we have lots of memories to reminisce.  Also, with that of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) as an institution that oversees the management of research and development (R&D) system of the country.  Each of us makes this effort to add spice into the challenging world of agriculture and fisheries development.

The 2007 BAR R&D Digest first quarter issue shows that the first three months of the year are full of colors.  We welcome the New Year through celebrations with food, fireworks, flowers, family, and friends.  February is a celebration of love and to express it, we give flowers and chocolates to show that we care.  Finally, March is a celebration of our success in our academic life celebrating graduation and accomplishment of the past year.

We review and present our accomplishments to institutions and individuals to justify our existence in the modern world, much more to tell to the world that we are ready to face another set of challenges that lie ahead of us.The colors of flowers are just minor details of our life personally and professionally.

At BAR, we are now moving to a better and productive year as we celebrate our 20th year of managing R&D to achieve excellence.  The colors of the past are decorations that made us stand the test of time.  The flowers are our accomplishments that we would like to share.  May this issue find meaning to life, the colors that make us stronger, brighter, smarter, and healthier and above all a celebration of happiness.

Join us, as we strive to be more responsive to the needs of the sector and the challenges of our time!