The Likhaan Group Celebrates 35th Anniversary
July 10, 2008 – 3:13 am
Likhaan Newsletter No. 46 July 2008
Join the teachers’ and students’…
CREATIVITY NETWORK
… and we will help develop your creative mind by providing you creativity training that will encourage you to learn to think creatively.
Start using creativity in your everyday life. Build your insight and intuition – common sense, sensitivity, and ‘luck.’ Start solving problems in an unfamiliar way. Look more closely at related and ‘unrelated’ things. Observe what leads to learning. Learn to perceive patterns. And improve your inventive thinking skills.
Joining the CREATIVITY NETWORK will get you involve in The InventSchool program, the InventClubs and inventive activities, social inventions, geographic studies, information analysis, and creatological research.
For more information, email us: likhaangroup@likhaan.com, likhaangroup@yahoo.com or likhaangroup @gmail.com or call/text Mobile: +0639272957076 or Mobile +0639184956535.
Likhaan Newsletter Year 23 ▪ Number 46 eMail Edition QUEZON CITY, METRO-MANILA, PHILIPPINES July 2008 Celebrating Creativity, Social Productivity and Development
The Likhaan Group Celebrates 35th Anniversary
The Likhaan Group is celebrating its 35th anniversary on 07 July 2008, foundation day of The InventSchool. Since 1973, the Group has been promoting human creativity, developing social productivity and encouraging inventive activities in the Philippines.
The Celebration starts with short workshop-meetings of the Board of Directors on July 2 and the working team on July 7, launching of the Likhaan website on July 18, and a half-day lecture-workshop on “Creativity and Thinking” to be held on August 16 at the World Citi Colleges (WCC) Aurora Boulevard near Anonas Avenue, Quezon City. The lecture-workshop is open to all educators, teachers and student leaders in Metro Manila.
Backdrop. The germ of “The Likhaan Group” began in 1967 with an on-the-spot painting contest at the National University sponsored by the Engineering & Architecture Group later to become Samahang Maharlika. It was formally organized in July 1968 and incorporated as Samahang Maharlika, Isp.* (Samahar) in 1969. Thus, Likhaan Group traces its history from these events, which ultimately led to the setting up of Imbensyon Pilipino in May 1973 and the establishment of The InventSchoolä on 7 July 1973 the first organization under Likhaan. Thereafter, other organizations were subsequently established. Eventually, The Likhaan Group, Inc. (TLG) was organized on 7 July 2006 to consolidate and strengthen the capacity of its incorporated, affiliated, associated and allied organizations or partner institutions. TLG serves as an umbrella organization, which provides broad range of administrative resources, management-executive support and secretariat services to its member-institutes and associated organizations. [* Isinipan (Isp.) is a Tagalog word equivalent to the English word “incorporated” (Inc.)]
Institutional growth and changeover. The first orientation seminar under The InventSchoolä entitled “Creative Dynamics” was held in August 1973. In 1975, Imbensyon Pilipino was transformed into a non-profit corporation called the Creativity Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (CRADFI) and carried out the seminars on creativity and invention development. Afterwards, the Technology for Human Development Foundation, Inc. (TECHUD) was organized in 1978 and established the Likhaan Institute as its research and training center for human creativity and social productivity. On November 30, 1980, Likhaan Institute Foundation (LIFI) was organized and initiated the re-establishment of the InventSchoolä Program in 1981 at the Philippine Invention Development Institute (PIDI). When PIDI was abolished in 1987, Likhaan took over the sole operation, implementation and management of the InventSchoolä. On 21 September 1988, Likhaan established The InventSchoolä International, Inc. (TISI), to fully operate The InventSchoolä Program in the Philippines.
In late 1988, Likhaan began to evolve as a community service and development institution. It created a development planning and research service group. To fully integrate its social research and community development efforts, Likhaan formed a new incorporated organization known as the Social Inventions and Community Innovations, Inc. (SICI) on 24 October 1989.
From late 1989 to 1996, Likhaan organized project management teams and support groups that implemented LIFI’s funded-projects. Likhaan has relatively fewer projects from 1997 to late 2005. Still, this period saw the setting up of several institutes/centers, manned by one or two members, such as: Environment & Natural Resource Institute (ENRI), 1991; The Creatology Centre (TCC), 1993; Development Planning & Research Centre (DPRC), 1994; Centre for Education, Training & Development (CETD), 1995; Social Productivity Centre (SPC), 1996; The Creativity Network (TCN), 1997; Likhaan Resource Information Centre (LRIC), 1998; Centre for International Studies & Understanding (CISU), 1999; The Human Settlements Institute (THSI), 2000; Management & Governance Institute (MAGI), 2001; Special Projects & Development Concerns (SPDC), 2002; affiliated The Energaeaä Institute (TEII) organized in 2003; Centre for Simulation & Gaming (CSG), 2004; and Likhaan Volunteer Corps (LVC), 2005.
Nevertheless, on 30 November 2000, all organizations and affiliates of Likhaan were consolidated into the Likhaan Groupä of organizations (LGO). LIFI was reorganized as the lead institution and executive organization of the Group. Finally, The Likhaan Group,ä Inc. (TLG) was instituted on 7 July 2006, the 33rd anniversary of The InventSchoolä to coordinate the human creativity and social productivity programs and projects of TISI, LIFI, SICI and other organic institutions and affiliated organizations. TLG was incorporated in Manila on 18 December 2006 at the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) with Registration No. CN200619363. In mid-2007, TLG established the Creative Institute for Arts and Literature (CIAL).
Likhaan Today Today, the Likhaan Group as a consolidated group continues to conduct and provide creative education. It offers creativity and social productivity training for professionals, managers, supervisors, engineers, technicians, and researchers as well as community development workers, farmers, fishers, rural workers, urban poor and industrial workers; and teachers, students, youth and children.
It implements The InventSchoolä course programs, social inventions and community innovations projects, and specialized education, training and development programs.
It conducts development planning, policy research and strategic studies. It undertakes developmental projects for local government units, housing and human settlement designs, agri-business studies and the promotion of rural enterprises. It supports innovative research and scientific investigations.
On 22 August 2007, Likhaan created the Creative Institute for Arts & Literature (CIAL). It also developed new course programs, social inventions and community innovations projects, and specialized education, training and development programs.
During the first quarter of 2008, Likhaan undertook a summary review and re-evaluation of available Likhaan plans/programs and updating of institutional development plans of incorporated organizations, organic institutes, operating centers and units for incorporation in the new TLG Strategic Development Plan (SDP). In April, Likhaan redefined its restarting points for organizational reactivation. In May, creativity research activities were reactivated. In June, TLG prepared its implementation program in line with the TLG-SDP. Likhaan will also re-start developing community innovation models and agro-industrial villages in small island, coastal, lowland, upland and highland agro-ecological resource zones. In July, as Likhaan celebrates its 35th anniversary to unfold its new strategic plan.
Likhaan offers free lecture-workshop on “Creativity and Thinking”
The Likhaan Group is offering free lecture-workshop entitled “Understanding the Nature of Creativity and the Structure of Thinking” or ‘Creativity and Thinking’ for short.
The lecture is given free, on a first come first served arrangement, to any school, college or university, business companies, civic/social clubs, religious organizations, professional associations, non-government organizations, and similar groups in Metro Manila and nearby cities and towns.
All requests for free lectures must be submitted by email to: likhaangroup@likhaan.com, likhaangroup@yahoo.com or likhaangroup @gmail.com
CHRONOLOGY OF THE LIKHAAN GROUP: Part 1 – 1967-1994
1967 – October, germ of Likhaan began with an on-the-spot painting contest at National University (NU) in Manila sponsored by a group of engineering & architecture students later to become Samahang Maharlika.
1968 – July 7, Samahang Maharlika (Samahar), the forerunner of Likhaan (as it is known today) organized.
1969 – Samahar reorganized by young professionals, fresh college graduates and students from several universities in the ‘university belt’ in Manila and incorporated as Samahang Maharlika, Isp. (Samahar). Samahar Roving School launched, the only school that go around the university belt conducting short courses for college students.
1970 – Roving School moved from NU to University of Manila (UM). May 11, the Philippine Inventors Commission (PIC) and Filipino Inventors Society (FIS) implemented creativity training program for inventors and young inventive talents, and organize “creative societies” (student inventors’ associations). June 24, PIC-FIS launched the creativeness and inventiveness development program to promote technological creativity. The program enlisted the organizers and principal lecturers of Samahar.
1971 – May 2, first seminar on “creative thinking” under the PIC creativeness program held at St. Louis University in Baguio City. The roving school activities interrupted; the time and efforts of Samahar members were spent on creativity training. The germ of likhaan—as a creativity center and invention institute—began to evolve, principally around the concept of “developing human creativity and improving social productivity.” [The word “Likhaan” is derived from Pilipino (Tagalog) likha, to create, to bring forth new ideas; ‘likhaan’ literally means “a place for creating, inventing.”]
1972 – First working paper on “creatology” entitled “Towards a Positive Understanding of Creativity—Creatology, The Science of Creativity” co-authored by Rafael Nelson M. Aboganda and Ricardo S. Cortez published by PIC on October 24. [“Creatology” was derived from Latin creat- the past participle stem of creare. “to bring forth, produce,” and Gr. creatus, “creative” + Latin logus, “study” and Gr. logos, “reason”.]
1973 – February, an “Institute for Creative Studies and Technological Innovations,” a proposed school for young inventors, was conceptualized. May, Imbensyon Pilipino (IP) was organized to engage in creativity training, invention development and technology promotion. July 7, IP launched The InventSchoolä (Philippines) as its creativity training center. On August 5, 12, 19 & 26, first orientation seminar entitled “Creative Dynamics” was held in Quezon City.
1974 – “Special Report on Creatology” submitted in January to Gen. Florencio Medina, then Secretary of Science & Technology per his memorandum. [Gen. Medina was all praises about the report. He said, “This was the best thing that ever happened to PIC.”] “Creative thinking and problem-solving” seminars conducted in major cities in the Philippines. Creatology introduced in the seminars utilizing initial ‘creatological’ research reports.
1975 – Imbensyon Pilipino transformed into Creativity Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (CRADFI) and carried out the seminars on creativity and invention development.
1976 – PIC and CRADFI, individually and/or jointly, conducted seminars on creativity, creative thinking and invention development.
1977 – PIC with CRADFI continued undertaking seminars on creativity and invention development. By mid-year, however, PIC concluded its creativity training program.
1978 – May, a new foundation named “Likhaan Institute for Technological Innovations” proposed by staff-members of the Community Resource Management & Development Department (CRMDD) of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). June 28, Likhaan Institute was organized later renamed Technology for Human Development Foundation, Inc. (THDF). PIC and THDF jointly conducted a special creativity training course for the agricultural officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food in Leyte. From then on THDF continued the creativity training activities.
1979 – January 16, THDF incorporated at SEC. Techud (new acronym of THDF) continued undertaking seminars on creativity and invention development, particularly for teachers and students of the UP College-Baguio in Baguio City and other schools in Benguet Province.
1980 – Early 1980, Techud started study of the “wedge concept” (developed by Carlos A. Fernandez) and development management systems (D·M·S)ä framework for rural development planning, social investigations and community research studies. May, started Sakahang Bayanihan project, a compact-cooperative agricultural production, undertaken in Capas, Tarlac covering 32 hectares of rice farms (lasted for more than one year). October 3, Techud proposed the revival of the creativeness and inventiveness program to PIC called “The InventSchoolä Program.” November 30, Likhaan Institute was organized as a training unit of Techud primarily to continue The InventSchoolä. Research studies on Creatology as a new science of creativity set in motion.
1981 – January 6, Techud-Likhaan submitted updated proposal to revive the creativeness program providing details about its operations and training courses. January 15, Techud-Likhaan and the Philippine Inventions Development Institute (PIDI), formerly PIC, agreed to revive the creativity training program. February 4, the creativeness program based on The InventSchoolä Concept formally revived. April 21-22, the new The InventSchoolä Concept and Program Framework presented in a workshop sponsored by PIDI, during the celebration of 1981 Inventors’ Week. April 27-29, a trainer’s course for PIDI training staff conducted by Likhaan. May, Techud conducted a seminar-workshop on “Techno-Ventures Management and Packaging of Commerciable Matured Technologies” at the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST). June to October, PIDI staff—as part of their training—prepared course designs and instructional materials under the direction and guidance of Likhaan. July, Techud started training programs for 28 government hospitals in Region 4 (Southern Tagalog), which continued until 1984. October 12, Likhaan Institute Foundation, Inc. (LIFI) was formally organized as a separate foundation. December 9-11, PIDI-Likhaan started the “Seminar-Workshop on Creativity & Invention Development (SWCID)” for students, and December 12-13, the SWCID for faculty members―both held at NSDB’s J. Paustino Garcia Hall, Taft Ave., Manila.
1982 – The SWCID training courses for faculty and students (renamed Technological Creativity & Invention Development, TCID for short) conducted in January. Subsequently continued in different schools in Metro-Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. February 1982 Inventors’ Week, the 1st National Conference on Technological Creativity & Invention Development featuring the 1st National Congress of InventClubs held. February 25, the InventOrganization of the Philippines (IOP) was organized. TCID text book prepared. December, PIDI Commissioner Fidelino Adriano visited the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva Switzerland. Commissioner Adriano submitted a proposal prepared by LIFI for the full implementation of The InventSchoolä Program. WIPO suggested transforming The InventSchoolä into a regional training program “in substance and orientation”. Thus, The Asia-Pacific InventSchool (TAPI) was conceived.
1983 – February 22, The Asia-Pacific InventSchoolä (TAPI) launched through an audio-visual presentation during the 17th National Inventors Week, dubbed as Philippine Inventions Expo ’83, held on February 20-26. The 2nd National Conference on Technological Creativity & Invention Development highlighted by the 2nd National Congress of IOP (InventClubs) held on February 21-23. The IDEA BANK for Technological Inventions set-up by LIFI for The InventSchoolä.
1984 – The 3rd National Conference on Technological Creativity & Invention Development held February 21-22, 1984 during the 18th Inventors’ Week. February 22, IOP renamed InventClubä Federation of the Philippines (ICF). TCID training courses continued in different schools, colleges and universities throughout the country. Mid-1984, PIDI started offering basic and primary TCID courses to business and industry sector. LIFI started putting into concrete terms the establishment of The InventSchoolä International for developing countries.
1985 – January, LIFI formulated the general institutional scheme of The InventSchoolä International. Developed “systems framework model” for country development anchored on the Wedge Concept. Likhaan began to evolve as a community service and development institution. July 23, Likhaan Inventerprise, proposed to serve as one of the business arm of LIFI, registered as a single proprietorship with the Bureau of Domestic Trade re-establishing the original Imbensyon Pilipino (IP).
1986 – Lecture-workshop guide on TCID Intermediate course completed. August 18-20, the first and only TCID Intermediate course of The InventSchoolä conducted at the training school of Telestar Industries in Davao City by R.N.M. Aboganda.
1987 – January 30, PIDI abolished. TCID training, however, continued up to middle of the year. Likhaan Institute took over The InventSchoolä during the second semester. ICF divided into two associations, the InventClubä Federation (ICF) composed of student InventClubsä, and the InventSchoolä Faculty Organization (ISFO) composed of faculty members involved in the TISI program. Scientific & Technological Creativity (SciTeC)ä course replaced TCID (basic and primary) training courses. Implemented the “Skills Enrichment Program for HADP Field Personnel in Organizing and Mobilizing Upland Communities” for Highland Agricultural Development Project (HADP), Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 1 (Ilocos Region) and the “Database Development Project for Uplands and Highlands”– a computer-oriented program for identifying appropriate crops for specific land area anywhere in the country with Region 11 as pilot region under DA Special Concerns Office.
1988 –Likhaan called for the revival of the celebration of Philippine Inventors’ Week and proposed holding a Festival of Filipino Inventions. May 20, Inventech Management Corporation (IMC) was registered as a new business arm of Likhaan and initiated the organization of the 3rd Festival of Filipino Inventions; by August, LIFI and FIS agreed to co-sponsor the 3rd Invention Festival. Atty. Art Borjal, columnist of Philippine Star (a national newspaper) headed the fund campaign for the event, while Inventech provided managerial and technical support. September 21, The InventSchoolä International, Inc. (TISI) repositioned as a corporate institution of Likhaan and registered with SEC. Started new SciTeCä Course Program―basic and primary courses. Likhaan started to develop as a community service and development institution as well as a policy research and strategic study center. Worked out details of “Development Management System (D·M·S)ä”. Techud reactivated for the implementation of “Training on Agricultural Project Preparation and Management,” DA Regional Office No. 8 (Eastern Visayas).
1989 – LIFI in association with FIS, supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), celebrated the 3rd Festival of Filipino Inventions on February 19-26 at the Ninoy Aquino Nature’s Park in Quezon City managed by Inventech. February 20, a “Conference of The InventClubä Federation on Young Inventors and The InventSchoolä Program” was held with Mr. Farag Mousa, head of WIPO’s Section for Relations with International Organizations & Promotion of Innovation in Developing Countries, as special guest speaker. The conference was attended by students and faculty representatives from Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) InventClubsä, the only active clubs at that time. May 11-13, conducted the 1st Summer Institute on Scientific & Technological Creativity at MIT, Manila. October 24, Social Inventions & Community Innovations, Inc. (SICI) organized to fully integrate Likhaan’s social research and community development efforts and pay attention to community-based projects and innovative development programs in selected agro-ecological zones of the country. LIFI conducted the “Training on Agricultural Project Preparation for Municipal Agricultural Officers of Ilocos Region” for DA Region 1 (Ilocos Region), while Techud managed two projects: 1) “Tribal Assistance and Agricultural Support Services Program Evaluation” for DA Central Office, and 2) “Training on Agricultural Project Preparation and Management,” DA Region 7 (Central Visayas).
1990 – LIFI-InventSchoolä continued conducting SciTeCä course program―basic and primary courses―at irregular intervals. Developed the “Small Island Ecosystems Development Program” for DA Special Concern Office. March 22, decided to restructure Likhaan Institute into Likhaan Group of Organizations (LGO) as a development group providing training, research and development planning services. (Plans were prepared but never implemented for lack of funds.) Techud conducted policy study and economic research on tobacco farmers and their farming communities. May 17, Likhaan Alliance Network (LAN) system installed. Likhaan National Capital and Northern-Southern Tagalog Alliance (for Metro-Manila, part of Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and nearby areas) in Quezon City established. November 30, first Manila Conference on Social Inventions held in Club Filipino, San Juan City, Metro-Manila as the major activity of LIFI 10th anniversary celebration. The IDEA FACTORY for Social Inventions set-up by LIFI-SICI, later to be under the administrative coordination of TLG-TISI.
1991 – LIFI-InventSchoolä continued developing Intermediate SciTeCä course design and training materials. May 17, organized Environment & Natural Resource Institute (ENRI). Started implementation of development projects for DA, DENR, UNEP-UNDP, ADB & others, like the “Training on Enterprise/ Entrepreneurial Development and Management” for the Highland Agricultural Development Project (HADP), DA Cordillera Region with Asian Development & Management Philippines (ADMP) as lead agency. Likhaan conducted desk studies on Ekistics and Development Planning (research studies on human settlements and community development). Continuing studies on social inventions and community innovations. (Note: In late 1991, Techud became dormant; consequently, defunct. LIFI-SICI, thereafter, assumed all its functions and activities.)
1992 – LIFI-InventSchoolä continued updating Intermediate SciTeCä course materials. Soon after, the intermediate course was divided into two: Intermediate and Advanced courses. Started developing Advanced SciTeCä course design and training materials. LIFI-ENRI implemented “Training Programme on Ozone Depleting Subtances (ODS)” for UNEP-UNDP-DENR―a series of workshops and training courses for industry representatives, technicians and service people in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. [The first project on ozone depletion in the Philippines, sponsored by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and funded by Development Programme (UNDP) in coordination with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).] August 21, Likhaan North Luzon Alliance in Baguio City covering Northern and part of Central Luzon; September 17, Likhaan Visayan Alliance in Cebu City; September 24, Likhaan Mindanao Alliance in Davao City covering Mindanao and Sulu archipelago; and October 17, Likhaan Bicol Alliance in Legazpi City were established.
1993 – April-May, prepared working paper on “Nagcarlan: Municipal Profile and Situationer – A brief historical background, recent developments and possible directions for development.” August, “1st Orientation Seminar Workshop on Thinking, Creativity and Creative Teaching for Teachers & Educators” at Lourdes School of Quezon City. Continued SciTeCä courses―basic and primary―for students on limited scale at MIT and PUP. In spite of lack of funds, the InventClubä at MIT and PUP, coordinated by Atty. Mario Pantoja and Dr. Pedro Yunzal, respectively, organized annual school-based invention contests until 1996. August 14, The Creatology Centre (TCC) instituted. LIFI, assisted by SICI, carried out project “Mount Data Gardens – Case Study and Development Research” for DA/HADP; and started implementing “Second Palawan Integrated Area Development Project (SPIADP): Community Organization Building and Enterprise Development & Training Project,” for DA and Asian Development Bank (ADB). Preliminary studies on environmental management scheme (E·M·S) for municipal and barangay LGUs.
1994 – Continued implementation of “Second Palawan Integrated Area Development Project (SPIADP): Community Organization Building and Enterprise Development & Training Project” for DA, funded by ADB. May 17, Development Planning & Research Center (DPRC) established. Continued Continuing/Specialized SciTeCä course design and training materials. [Continued next issue]