Biotech Updates

Filipino Cartoonists Encouraged to Join BiotechToons Contest

October 14, 2011

Professional and amateur Filipino cartoonists are urged to take part in "BiotechToons: A Contest for Cartoonists on Biotechnology" organized by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture – Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC) in collaboration with the Philippine International Cartoons, Comics, and Animation (PICCA), Inc.

BiotechToons centers on the theme "The Benefits and Potentials of Crop Biotechnology". Cartoonist-participants are to portray the scientifically documented benefits of modern biotechnology in original, hand-drawn editorial cartoons. The entries may also be based on existing studies about the potential benefits, products and impact of applying modern biotechnology in agriculture. In the Philippines, the promising technologies nearing commercialization for farmers are the fruit and shoot borer resistant Bt eggplant, delayed ripening virus resistant papaya, vitamin-A enriched rice, and Bt cotton.

The contest has two categories: professional and amateur. Professional cartoonists are practicing cartoonists who may be affiliated with media networks and/or any professional organizations. Amateur cartoonists could be students, non-professionals or professionals who consider the art of creating cartoons as a hobby. The contestant will choose the category that he or she will enter.

Entries will be accepted on or before November 7, 2011. The winning and selected artworks will be displayed on November 21-26, 2011 as part of the exhibit of the 7th National Biotechnology Week at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Quezon City.

Plaques and cash prizes of Php 50,000, Php 30,000, and Php 20,000 await the top three winners for the professional level. First, second, and third placers for the amateur level will receive corresponding cash prizes of Php25,000, Php15,000, and Php10,000.

For more details about the mechanics of the contest, check-out BiotechToons Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/BiotechToons, visit SEARCA BIC website www.bic.searca.org , or send an e-mail to bic@agri.searca.org or knowledge.center@isaaa.org.