2025 marks the third installment of the recurring campaign banner of the National Women’s Month 2023-2028: “WE for Gender Equality and an Inclusive Society,” which serves as a call to action and renewal of the commitment to the advocacy of the 2016-2022 theme, “WE Make CHANGE Work for Women. " The theme represents the progress in narrowing gender gaps in the Philippines and calls for sustained action. The year 2025 carries the sub-theme “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas,” which promotes women's empowerment, gender equality, and ensures equitable access to resources and opportunities.
The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), joins the nationwide celebration with a month-long series of activities by its various units aimed at promoting women in science, engineering, and research in line with its vision of an inclusive national development.
Kapehan: Celebrating the Power of Filipino Women in Science
21 March 2025
The Kapehan is a series of dialogue between NAST PHL and the press, media, and science communicators to introduce the programs, activities, awardees, and members of the Academy, as well as to discuss the timely issues faced by the country. For March, the episode focused on the theme Celebrating the Power of Women in Science, featuring NAST PHL’s very own National Scientists Lourdes J. Cruz and Dolores A. Ramirez. They talked about their inspirations in pursuing their respective fields, challenges encountered in their scientific journey, especially as a woman scientist, suggestions to address gender disparity in science, and also fun questions such as fictional characters they are interested in exchanging lives with for a day, among many other topics.
PilipNAST KAPEHAN March 2025
In the discussion about scientific literacy among the youth, National Scientist Ramirez pointed out that “We are doing something but not enough. We need to do more for our people to appreciate Science.” Meanwhile, National Scientist Cruz encouraged the audience to “Work on projects that can be appreciated by the community. It should be demand-driven rather than supply driven,” adding that the scientific way of thinking is the most important contribution of science to society.
(top, L-R) National Scientist Dolores Ramirez, National Scientist Lourdes Cruz, and (bottom) Dr. Jillian Gabo-Ratio
The episode ended with National Scientist Cruz and Ramirez’s message to the youth, who are still unsure of which path to take:“Give science a try because once you get into it, it is enjoyable. Once you get into it, you’ll get through,” said National Scientist Dolores A. Ramirez.“If you have an interest in math or science, by all means, pursue a career in science to make use of your talents,” shared National Scientist Lourdes J. Cruz.
The internal creative activity participated in by the NAST PHL Secretariat staff encourages self-reflection, appreciation, empowerment, and an opportunity to recognize the impact of women in society. Through the activity, the staff were encouraged to showcase their vision of an inspiring woman, which may be the woman they aspire to be or the woman they deeply admire. Each staff member was provided with canvas and materials to showcase their own woman, and to briefly explain their works as to who the woman is, their source of inspiration, and their unique trait. Winners were selected by the staff themselves, and prizes were given to the top three.
NAST Secretariat
All the artworks of the staff may be viewed through this link: https://bit.ly/DYOWNAST
Women in Science, Engineering, and Research (WISER) Forum
25 March 2025
In partnership with the Scientific Career System (SCS) and the Department of Science and Technology Region (DOST) XII, NAST PHL held the first Women in Science, Engineering, and Research (WISER) Forum on 25 March 2025 at Avior Hotel, General Santos City.
The event was attended by 74 participants from Mindanao, 95% being female, from various academic institutions and national government agencies. The forum was conceptualized to promote the scientific productivity of WISER in the regions, to enable them to become equally qualified for various awards and opportunities in S&T. The speakers for the activity are the members of NAST PHL’s Gender and Diversity (GAD) Committee, Academician Maribel Nonato, Academician Edward Wang, Academician Aura Matias, and Academician Roel Suralta, with the special participation of the Philippine Association of Career Scientist (PACS) President, Dr. Pierangeli Vital. Also present in the forum is Academician Arvin Diesmos, also a member of the GAD Committee. Various topics were discussed such as Building Inclusive and Supportive Work Environment for Women in STEM, Returning to Science after Career Break From Marriage and Motherhood, Ethics in ST&I and Research, Predatory Conferences and Journals, and the Concept of Gender in Research Integrity, About NAST PHL and Award Opportunities, and the Scientific Career System.
Participants and speakers of the WISER Forum at Avior Hotel in General Santos City
Academician Maribel Nonato, in her talk about Building Inclusive and Supportive Work Environment for Women in STEM, shared some approaches to address the challenges of women in STEM. These are to: (1) provide role models for women in STEM (2) ensure equitable access to resources, training and advancement opportunities (3) offer flexible work arrangement to support women’s career progression (4) foster an inclusive future, and (5) encourage girls’ participation in STEM from a young age.
Dr. Pierangeli Vital, on the other hand, shared her personal experiences as a career scientist who returned to science after marriage and motherhood, and explored the challenges faced by a returning female scientist after a career break. Some of the policy recommendations she shared to ensure a swift return to science is to: (1) review the applicability of the maternity leave or RA 11210 (2) called for the need of having postpartum care facilities in the country (3) increase daycare/childcare facilities in work and communities and breastfeeding awareness and facilities, and (4) provide parental leaves and reorientation upon return, and flexibility of schedule to returning mothers. She also shared some tips to the returning mothers, which are to: (1) acquire insurance for pregnancy and beyond, (2) explore scholarship opportunities, (3) lean on family and external support, and (4) accept changes.
Resource Speakers of the WISER Forum (from left: Acd. Wang, Dr. Vital, Acd. Nonato, Acd. Matias, Acd. Suralta, and Acd. Diesmos)
Academician Edward Wang provided an insightful discussion on ethics in ST&I and research, predatory journals and conferences and introduced the concept of gender in research integrity. Some of his key messages for authorship include: (1) awareness of the guidelines, (2) clear definition of roles and measurement of efforts, (3) transparency, and (4) clear communication. He also touched on some key aspects in research integrity, such as the prevalence of the use of AI machines, such as ChatGPT, which provides both opportunities and concerns for the research community, and emphasized the importance of holding onto human verificatio,n especially on the use of AI machines, but also embracing its benefits. He also underscored the importance of including gender in research integrity to boost diversity, inclusivity, and accuracy of scientific discoveries. He also encouraged the participants to include sex- and gender- specific research data as a routine.
Academicians Aura Matias and Roel Suralta also shared about various opportunities from NAST PHL and the Scientific Career System. Academician Arvin Diesmos shared the closing remarks.
Meet Your Scientist (MYS): Women in Science, Engineering, and Research
28 March 2025 (Carlo T. Teodoro)
The event, organized by the Philippine Science Heritage Center (operated by the NAST PHL), was attended by students and teachers from Bangkal High School, General Pio del Pilar National High School, San Antonio National High School, Maximo Estrella Senior High School, and Makati High School - Senior High School
Resource Speakers and the Participants of MYS: Women in Science, Engineering, and Research
The speakers for the event were: Dr. Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio, an Associate Professor and Deputy Director for Academic Affairs at the National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, and Dr. Marla Maniquiz-Redillas, a licensed Civil Engineer and a Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering in De La Salle University.
Dr. Gabo-Ratio first discussed her profession as an associate professor, academic mentor, and researcher in the field of economic geology and Geotourism, and shared the challenges she experienced and the nature of her current work, which includes but is not limited to data collection, laboratory work, result presentation, and publication. Dr. Gabo-Ratio ended her presentation with some lessons in pursuing their dream careers and advised the participants to stay curious, to communicate, to ask for help, and to share their knowledge and love wherever they are.Dr. Maniquiz-Redillas, on the other hand, shared her inspiring and wonderful journey from being a student to becoming a licensed engineer, a professor, a researcher, and a scientist. She highlighted some takeaways influenced by her journey, which revolved around developing skills through research and studying, emphasizing interaction, creating opportunities and forming partnerships, sharing knowledge, and lastly to stay inspired, empowered, and motivated. She ended her presentation with a quotation that states, “Believe in your dreams, work hard, and never be afraid to explore. Science and engineering are not just for the brilliant—they are for the curious, for the passionate, and for those who dare to make a difference.”
Afterwards, the DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI), represented by Ms. Sheryll Lee Sales, Science Research Specialist II, presented and showcased the scholarship programs being offered by the agency.
With its vision of an inclusive national development, the NAST PHL promotes women's empowerment and continues to pursue equal opportunities for women, men, and all genders in all its activities, propelled by science, technology, and innovation. The series of activities conducted for the National Women’s Month Celebration showcases the agency’s commitment to empowering women scientists, engineers, and researchers in the country, whilst continuing to promote ST&I to the young generation. (Krystel Jade J. Mercader)