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BICUTAN, TAGUIG CITY – The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) held its virtual Awarding Ceremony last July 15, 2021 as the culminating activity of the 43rd NAST Annual Scientific Meeting.The Awarding Ceremony introduced the new members of the Academy, the Outstanding Young Scientists, and the researchers who won this year’s set of awards. The full list of 2021 NAST Awardees is as follows:

NEW NAST MEMBERS  

Four new Academicians were formally accepted to the Academy during the virtual awarding ceremony: CRISTINA J. MONTIEL, Ph.D. (Peace/Political Psychology), ARVIN C. DIESMOS, Ph.D. (Biology), MANOLO G. MENA, Ph.D. (Metallurgy), and CAMILO C. ROA, JR., M.D. (Pulmonary Medicine). The membership to the Academy is given to resident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to science and technology in the Philippines.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG SCIENTIST (OYS) AWARD 

The OYS Awards are given to young Filipino scientists below the age of 40 years, who have made significant contributions to science and technology. Each awardee is given a cash prize of PhP 150,000.00 and a NAST trophy. Each awardee is also entitled to a research grant of PhP 1M from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for an approved research proposal. This year’s OYS awardees are: REYNANTE L. ORDONIO, Ph.D. Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice); MARVIN A. VILLANUEVA, Ph.D. Veterinary Medicine, Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC); REY DONNE S. PAPA, Ph.D.  Biological Sciences, University of Santo Tomas (UST); PIERANGELI G. VITAL, Ph.D. Biology, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman; AARON DON M. AFRICA, Ph.D. Electronics and Communications Engineering, De La Salle University (DLSU); CHARLLE L. SY, Ph.D. Industrial and Systems Engineering, DLSU; JOMAR F. RABAJANTE, D.Sc. Mathematical and Systems Engineering, UP Los Baños; GAY JANE P. PEREZ, Ph.D. Physics, Philippine Space Agency; JASON VINCENT A. CABAÑES, Ph.D. Communication Studies, DLSU; and ARNOLD R. SALVACION, Ph.D. Environmental Science, UP Los Baños.

NAST AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING RESEARCH IN TROPICAL MEDICINE (NAORTM) 

The NAORTM is intended to recognize outstanding research works that contribute to the advancement of the country’s knowledge and practice in Tropical Medicine. The 2021 awardee was DR. NELIA P. SALAZAR, Ph.D. (Microbiology). She received a cash prize and a plaque of recognition from NAST.

NAST TALENT SEARCH FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS (NTSYS)

The NTSYS is a project of NAST to encourage young people to pursue a career in science. The winners of NTSYS were:First Prize: RENIER G. MENDOZA, Dr.rer.nat. Mathematics, UP Diliman - “A Two-Phase Segmentation Approach to the Impedance Tomography Problem” Second Prize: ANGELO EARVIN S. CHOI, Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, DLSU - “Oxidation by H2O2 of bezothiophene and dibenzothiophene over different polyoxometalate catalysts in the frame of ultrasound and mixing assisted oxidative desulfurization”Third Prize: MARVIN M. FLORES, Ph.D. Physics, UP Diliman - “Constraining Stealth Supersymmetry with illuminated fat jets at the Large Hadron Collider”Special Citations:JHUD MIKHAIL O. ABERILLA, Ph.D. Environment and Sustainable Technology, UP Diliman – " An integrated sustainability assessment of synergistic supply of energy and water in remote communities”; and,NONAWIN L. AGUSTIN, Ph.D. Agricultural Sciences, DA-PhilRice– “WEG1, which encodes a cell wall hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein, is essential for parental root elongation controlling lateral root formation in rice”. The winners received plaques of recognition and a cash prize of P100,000 for the First Prize, P50,000 for the 2nd Prize, and P30,000 for the 3rd Prize. The First Prize Winner will also be receiving a research grant worth P500,000 for an approved proposal. The special citations received P10,000 cash prize each.

OUTSTANDING BOOK/MONOGRAPH (OBM) AWARDS 

The OBM Awards are given annually for books and/or monographs published by Filipino publishers based in the Philippines within five years preceding the award with majority of the authors of publication being Filipinos. Each of the awardees received a cash prize of PhP25,000.00 and a plaque of recognition. This year’s OBM recipients are:

  1. Pelikulang Komiks: Toward a Theory of Filipino Film Adaptation” by Joyce L. Arriola published by the University of the Philippines Press, 2019.
  2. Philippine Politics and the Marcos Technocrats: The Emergence and Evolution of A Power Elite” by Teresa S. Encarnacion Tadem published by Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2019.
  3. Matyag: State of Coastal Habitats in the Six Philippine Marine Biogeographic Regions” by Laura T. David, Wilfredo Roehl Y. Licuanan, Talna Lorena P. Dela Cruz, Bayosa Aya B. Cariño-Valdez, and Hazel O. Arceo published by University of the Philippines Diliman, 2020.
  4. Tuklas Lunas® Protocols for Drug Discovery and Development” by Rita Grace Y. Alvero and Amelia P. Guevara (Editors) published by Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, 2019.

Special Citation:
“2016 Philippine Climate Change Assessment (PhilCCA):  The Physical Science Basis” by Jose Ramon T. Villarin, John Leo C. Algo, Thelma A. Cinco, Faye Abigail T. Cruz, Rosalina G. de Guzman, Flaviana D. Hilario, Gemma Teresa T. Narisma, Andrea Monica D. Ortiz, Fernando P. Siringan, and Lourdes V. Tibig published by Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation Inc. and Climate Change Commission, 2016.
“2017 Philippine Climate Change Assessment: Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Adaptation” by Rex Victor O. Cruz, Porfirio M. Aliño, Olivia C. Cabrera, Carlos Primo C. David, Laura T. David, Felino P. Lansigan, Rodel D. Lasco, Wilfredo Roehl Y. Licuanan, Fely Marilyn E. Lorenzo, Samuel S. Mamauag, Eileen L. Peñaflor, Rosa T. Perez, Juan M. Pulhin, Rene N. Rollon, Maricar S. Samson, Fernando P. Siringan, Lourdes V. Tibig, Noralene M. Uy, Cesar L.  Villanoy published by Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation Inc. and Climate Change Commission, 2017.“2018 Philippine Climate Change Assessment: Mitigation of Climate Change” by Leandro V. Buendia, Rodel D. Lasco, Jose Bienvenido B. Biona, Robert B. Badrina, Maria S. Baviera, Agnes C. De Jesus, Daniel Mark G. Dela Torre, Rex B. Demafelis, Florencia B. Pulhin, Sandee G. Recabar, Clarissa D. Ruzol, Evelyn Gayle T. Tamayo, Maricel A. Tapia, Benradette Tongko-Magadia, Lorena L. Sabino, Noel G. Sabino published by Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation Inc. and Climate Change Commission, 2017. OUTSTANDING SCIENTIFIC PAPER (OSP) AWARDThe OSP Awards given annually for papers published in Clarivate/Web of Science or SCOPUS listed journals in the Philippines within five years preceding the award. The winners of this year’s OSP Awards are:

  • Resistance Gene Analogs of Mango: Insights on Molecular Defenses and Evolutionary Dynamics” by Darlon V. Lantican, Cris Q. Cortaga, Anand Noel C. Manohar, Fe M. dela Cueva, and Maria Luz J. Sison, published in Philippine Journal of Science, Philippine Journal of Science, 149 (3-a): 915-934. 2020.
  • Resistance Screening and Influence of Fruit Physico-biochemical Properties of Carabao and Other Mango Varieties Against Oriental Fruit Fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae), in the Philippines” by Maria Luz J. Sison, Cris Q. Cortaga, Ana Kristine S. Barcos, Nino R. Laurel, John Marty C. Mateo, Fe M. dela Cueva, published in Philippine Journal of Science, 149(4): 1175-1187. 2020.
  • Diversity and Bioactivities of Mangrove Fungal Endophytes from Leyte and Samar, Philippines” by Carlo Chris S. Apurillo, Lei Cai, and Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, published in Philippine Journal of Science, Science Letters, 12 (Special Issue): 33-48. 2019.
  • RAD51 135G>C Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Risk of Breast Cancer in Selected Filipino Cases” by Gabriel Phillip Ragudo, Beatriz Soneth Pureza, Denise Anne Rimando, Mikael Remus Manrique, Teresa Sy Ortin, Kin Israel Notarte, and Pia Marie Albano, published in Philippine Journal of Science, 149(4): 1209-1215. 2020.
  • “Simulating National-scale Deforestation in the Philippines Using Land Cover Change Models” by Jean Meir Jardeleza, Charlotte Kendra Gotangco, and Maria Aileen Leah Guzman, published in Philippine Journal of Science, 148(4): 597-608. 2019.
  • Mobility-guided Modeling of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Metro Manila” by Bernhard Egwolf and Nicanor Austriaco, O.P., published in Philippine Journal of Science, 149(3-a): 857-868. 2020.
  • An Analysis of the Effects of Foreign Ownership on the Level of Tax Avoidance Across Philippine Publicly Listed Firms” by Ailyn A. Shi, Francis R. Concepcion, Cheri Mae R. Laguinday, Trisha Amber T. Ong Hian Huy, and Angelo A. Unite, published in DLSU Business & Economics Review, 30(1): 1-14. 2020.
  • Green Behavior and Generation: A Multi-Group Analysis Using Structural Equation Modeling” by Reynaldo A. Bautista, Jr, published in Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, 19(1): 1-16. 2019.

Each awardee received a cash prize of PhP15,000.00 and a plaque of recognition.BEST SCIENTIFIC POSTER Lastly, the eight (8) winners of the Best Scientific Poster selected were:

  1. Development of SPIDTECH for Digital Identification and Remote Monitoring of Insect Pests and Plant Diseases of Major Crops in the Philippines” by Angelo C Guiam, Carl Vincent D. Gapasin, Reigner D. Gutierrez, Reymark P. Matalog, Melvin D. Ebuenga (Institute of Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños; National Crop Protection Center, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños)
  2. Profiling of Phytoplankton and Harmful Microalgae in Eastern Visayas, Philippines” by Mark Leonard S. Silaras (Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College, Tacloban City, Leyte)
  3. Chemical Composition and In vitro Study of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Sargassum cristaefolium Agardh (Sargassaceae, Ochrophyta)” by Eldrin DLR. Arguelles and Arsenia B. Sapin (Philippine National Collection of Microorganisms, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), University of the Philippine Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines, 4031)
  4. “Synthesis of Polyhydroxybutyrate/Starch/Triethyl Citrate Filaments for 3D Printing Applications” by Joemer A. Adorna Jr, Ruby Lynn G. Ventura, Fidel Rey P. Nayve Jr., Jey-R S. Ventura (Biomaterials and Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Engineering Science, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños)
  5. Modulation of Oxidative Stress and biological markers of Osteoarthritis by the Philippine Endemic Plant A. Elegans (C. Presl) K. Schum Leaf Extracts” by Mae Lee T. Tumaneng, Agnes L. Castillo (The Graduate School, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas)
  6. A Mathematical Model and Optimal Control of Schistosomiasis in Agusan del Sur, Philippines” by Jayrah Bena E. Riñon, Victoria May P. Mendoza, Renier G. Mendoza, Aurelio A. delos Reyes V, Vicente Y. Belizario Jr. (Department of Mathematics, College of Science, Bicol University)
  7. Coconut Fiber-Derived Multi-Layered Graphene for Thin Film Applications” by Nick Aaron A. Raymundo, Jennifer B. Ricohermoso, Rogelio G. Dizon (Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa, Manila)
  8. Low Glycemic Index Rice and Rice-Based Products: Consumer Awareness, Knowledge, and Behavior” by NAlcel B. Atanacio, Rosaly V. Manaois, Riza G. Abilgos-Ramos (Philippine Rice Research Institute, Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija)

The awarding was broadcasted live at the NAST PHL Facebook Page and 43rd NAST ASM Virtual Platform (43rdasm.nast.ph).  Recorded video can be viewed from the same page until October 7, 2021.NAST PHL, through its Recognition Function, is mandated by law to recognize outstanding achievements in science and technology. The Academy is the nation’s symbol of commitment to science and its contributions to society come from the cumulative achievements of its members over a lifetime under less than encouraging circumstances.