Dr. Renato G. Reyes, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and recipient of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Regional Professional Chair, delivered a lecture on the recent advances of the Domestication and Mykopharming of Wild Edible Mushrooms in the Philippines held on March 6, 2023, at the Research and Extension Amphitheater, CLSU.
In his lecture, Dr. Reyes shared the story of their expedition and discovery of the various mushroom species found in the Philippines, including the kabuteng saging or "Volvariella volvacea", Ligninolytic mushrooms, kabuteng dimonyo or “Coprinus comatus, and Chinese mushrooms among others.
He also emphasized the presence of nutrients and medicinal properties found in mushrooms. Moreover, he also listed numerous mushroom-based foods like mushroom chips, mushroom powder, mushroom paste, and mushroom based-soya drinks.
Aside from the on-site participants composed mainly of faculty and staff, the lecture was also attended by students, government employees, private-sector employers, farmers, retirees, and mushroom growers online through Zoom and Facebook live. It also drew local and international participants from Cambodia, Canada, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia.
Meanwhile, following Dr. Reyes' lecture, an open forum was held to hear recommendations and questions from the attendees. Before he ended his lecture, he conveyed his inspirational advice to the young scientists.
“Engaged in the field, go down to the community, because that’s where you can get an inspiration but never forget to enjoy what you are doing and be passionate about your job” he added.
Gracing the event on-site were University President Edgar A. Orden, Dr. Shunsuke Nozawa, Dr. Kyoko Watanabe, Dr. Tsurumi Yasuhisa, and Dr. Ishizaki Takayuki from Tamaga University together with other CLSU Executives.
The program concluded with the awarding of a certificate of professorial chair to Dr. Reyes in honor of his contributions to the field of mycology.
