THE FORUM

Study on 'darag' chickens wins Best Paper Award

Christopher M. Millora

Former West Visayas State University Director of Research, Dr. Crisanto S. Lopez Jr. bested other

participants from Regions VI, VII and VIII when his study on “darag” chickens was cited as Best Paper

during the 2007 Philippines Society Scientific Convention, Visayas State University, Baybay City,

Leyte, August 16-18.

Aptly titled “Assessment of the Naturally-Occuring Feed Resources Available to Free-Range 'Darag'

Chicken in Region VI”, the paper aimed to asses the proper food that should be given to indigenous

'darag'–or commonly known as 'native'–chickens to minimize its feared extinction.

When asked about his edge against the other participants in the competition, he said, “I put my heart

into it. I made it with the proper rudiments in thesis.” It took one year before Lopez completed the

award-winning paper.

The same study also received a 2nd Best Paper Award during the Western Visayas Agriculture

Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) where it bested other

participants coming from various member schools in Region VI. The consortium was held at Aklan

State University, August 22-23.

On the other hand, Lopez is presently a professor in the College of Arts and Sciences and a faculty

member of the College of Education Graduate School.