SUNFLOWER BLOOMS ANEW AT CLSU

 “Let sunflower blooms again here in CLSU” said President Tereso A. Abella two years ago. In response, the Research Extension and Training (RET) program thru the initiatives of the Research Office put up a 4000m2 Sunflower Garden in the vicinity of the new RET Complex along the Research Avenue. This is the second year of sunflower blooms in CLSU.       Looking back, it was in the early 70’s during the presidency of Dr. Amado C. Campos and research leadership of Dr. Filomena F. Campos when CLSU started its Sunflower Research and Development (R&D) Project with funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) formerly the National Science Development Board (NSDB). As an output was the development of a sunflower variety, named CLSUN.       Despite earlier efforts, the enthusiasm to continue R&D on sunflower in CLSU slowly vanished. But now is the time to revive and showcase sunflower production and R&D in the university.       According to Dr. Maria Excelsis M. Orden, Director for Research and Dr. Mario B. Agustin, Chief of Special Projects Division, series of studies/activities will be conducted under the leadership of Mr. Marcial A. Gonzales, the office’ breeder to further improve sunflower production. Among the future activities are seed selection, hybridization and development of new sunflower variety.     Sunflower was planted anew last December 2017. Since then, it has gone viral thru facebook and other social networking sites. Hundreds of students, employees and guests from various places are visiting the sunflower garden to take selfies/groupies, and to experience the positive vibes and relaxing ambiance amidst the beautiful yellow sunflowers.        “Very romantic, nakakakilig lalo na pag kasama mo ang mahal mo!” shared by Mr. Harvey James Paguilian, 20 years old from Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija during an ambush interview. He added that it was already his fourth time to visit the garden together with his girlfriend, and they continue to be fascinated by the beauty of the flowers.       “Instagrammable! Para kang dinadala sa ibang mundo, masarap ang hangin, nakaka-relax at talagang malilimutan mo ang problema mo” stated by Mr. Prince Partacalao, 20 years old from San Jose City.       “Very strategic yung area, kasi along the highway yung garden kaya halos lahat ng dumaraan ay talagang napapalingon” uttered by Mr. Wowie De Guzman, 27 years old, faculty of the Department of Psychology, CLSU.       “Perfect for taking pre-nup photos” according to the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Gesmundo Paez of Cabanatuan City, during their photoshoot at the sunflower garden.               The Research Office assures the continued production of sunflower to serve as its agri-tourism site not only in CLSU but in the whole Central Luzon. The office also promises to produce more sunflower to create beauty within CLSU, and to provide background for selfies/groupies.