A book entitled “Science Drama: Five Plays with Emphasis on Biotechnology and Nanotechnology” by playwright, Palanca awardee, and UPLB professor Layeta Pinzon Bucoy was launched last November 29 at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) in UPLB.

The event was graced by several well-known personalities in the field of Philippine biotechnology and nanotechnology, such as National Scientist and former UP President Emil Q. Javier, National Scientist Dolores A. Ramirez, and founding director of the UPLB Nanotechnology Program, Dr. Milagros A. Peralta.

According to Prof. Bucoy, she herself had almost “zero aptitude” for math and science and called the book her “argument to the world.” She went on to emphasize that arts and sciences should not be considered separate but parts of one broad “family” of disciplines.

“Arts and sciences were never apart” Bucoy said.

Also present was Dr. Maribel Dionisio-Sese, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), who shared a few words on the “marrying of the arts and sciences” and said that the Filipino words for art (sining) and science (agham), when combined, formed the word sinag, meaning ray of light or illumination.
To bring the plays to life during the book launch, a dramatic stage reading of excerpts from the plays was also conducted by the THEA 151 acting class under the direction of Jeremy dela Cruz, faculty member at the CAS-Department of Humanities. (Albert Geoffred B. Peralta)