Kamangha-mangha ang trenta’y ocho anyos na si Dr. Melbourne Talactac na tubong Tanza sa lalawigan ng Cavite.
Siya ang pinakabatang naging Vice President for Research and Extension ng Cavite State University – main campus sa bayan ng Indang.
Bago naging VP, nagsilbi ring Affiliate Faculty, Associate Professor at College Dean si Doc Melbourne.
Kuwento ni Doc Melbourne, hanggang ngayo’y hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala sa kanyang puwesto sa unibersidad.
Paglalahad niya, “I still have some reservations with decision-making but I am fortunate that I am surrounded by senior officials who are willing to share knowledge and management best practices and colleagues who inspire me to be the best version of myself everyday”.
Beterinaryo si Doc Melbourne. Nagtapos siya ng Veterinary Medicine sa UP Los Baños sa Laguna. Sa ibang bansa naman kinuha ang kanyang Masters at Doctorate degrees sa pareho ring larangan.
Kamakailan lang, pinarangalan si Doc Melbourne ng National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP). Ginawaran siya ng Achievement Award in Veterinary Medicine. Bagay na lalong nagpasidhi sa kanyang damdaming ituloy ang kanyang mga nasimulan.
Dagdag ni Doc Melbourne, “Being named an achievement awardee in Veterinary Medicine is a great honor not only for me but also for the whole veterinary industry. Although I still believe I can share more not only in the academe but to our community as well.”
Umaasa si Doc Melbourne na maging inspirasyon sana ng HS students ang mga research work niya para magpursige sila sa pagkuha ng science and technology-related courses.
Dagdag niya, “Although I hope my research journey will inspire more students to take STEM curriculum because what we need right now in our country to be fully sustainable and have societal equity is innovation. And research is a big part in innovative ways to solve simple to big societal issues.”
Sa kabila ng kanyang busy schedule sa trabaho, may oras pa ring mag-enjoy si Doc Melbourne. Katunayan, enjoy na enjoy raw siyang maglaro ng computer games. Mahilig din daw siyang manuod ng professional DOTA2 games.
Siyempre, hindi rin niya nakalilimutan ang bonding with his family. Tuwing may free time, lagi raw silang kumakain ng kanyang pamilya sa mga samgyupsalan. Paborito rin niyang pumapak ng tokwa at makipagkulitan kasama ang kanyang mga pamangkin.
May payo si Doc Melbourne sa kabataan, “When you are given a chance to do your best, you should always do your best, as if it is your last chance to succeed.”
Tama si Doc Melbourne. Gaya niya, naniniwala rin akong ang susi sa tagumpay – tiyaga, determinasyon at dasal.
