GOVPH

MANILA, Philippines – The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), the highest recognition body for science and technology, successfully conducted the awarding ceremony for the different award categories of the 2025 NAST PHL awards on July 10, 2025. The ceremony was part of the most anticipated 47th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) held at The Manila Hotel on July 9-10.

The Awarding Ceremony recognized new members of the Academy, the 2025 Outstanding Young Scientists, and researchers who have demonstrated significant scientific contributions to science and technology in the country. The detailed list of the 2025 NAST PHL awardees is as follows:

INVESTITURE OF NEWLY ELECTED NAST MEMBERS

Membership in the Academy is by peer recognition and carries with it the title of “Academician”. Elected as Academicians are resident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to science and technology and have advanced its cause in the Philippines.

Three (3) new Academicians were conferred during the awarding ceremony:

• WILFREDO ROEHL Y. LICUANAN, PhD (Marine Ecology)

• LEOCADIO S. SEBASTIAN, PhD (Plant Breeding)

• CHARLES Y. YU, MD, MS (Pulmonary/Infectious Disease)

 

OUTSTANDING YOUNG SCIENTIST (OYS) AWARD

The Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) Award is given to young Filipino scientists aged 40 and below who have made significant contributions to science and technology.

For this year, the recipients of the Outstanding Young Scientists award are:

• ROWALT C. ALIBUDBUD, MD, MH (Psychiatry and Health Social Sciences) – De La Salle University

• GARRY A. BENICO, PhD (Aquatic Bioscience) – Central Luzon State University

• JAKE ROM D. CADAG, PhD (Geography and Spatial Planning) – University of the Philippines Diliman

• MARK S. CALABON, PhD (Biological Sciences) – University of the Philippines Visayas

• ROLANDO T. CANDIDATO, JR., PhD (Ceramic Materials and Surface Treatment - Physics) – Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology

• FRESTHEL MONICA M. CLIMACOSA, MD-PhD (Molecular Medicine) – University of the Philippines Manila

• MAY ANNE E. MATA, PhD (Interdisciplinary Studies - Applied Mathematics) – University of the Philippines Mindanao

• EXCEL RIO S. MAYLEM, PhD (Animal Science) – Philippine Carabao Center

• ANDRES PHILIP MAYOL, PhD (Mechanical Engineering) – De La Salle University

• MELISSA P. MONTECALVO, MS (Plant Pathology) – University of the Philippines Los Baños

Each awardee was given a NAST PHL trophy and a cash prize of PHP 150,000. Each awardee is also entitled to a research grant of PHP 1 million from DOST for an approved research proposal.

(From left) Dr. Jake Rom D. Cadag, Dr. Rowalt C. Alibudbud, Dr. May Anne E. Mata, Dr. Rolando T. Candidato, Dr. Fresthel Monica M. Climacosa, Dr. Andres Philip Mayol, Dr. Mark S. Calabon, Dr. Garry A. Benico, Ms. Melissa P. Montecalvo, and Dr. Excel Rio S. Maylem celebrate their significant milestone,

OUTSTANDING BOOK/MONOGRAPH (OBM) AWARD

The Outstanding Book/Monograph (OBM) Award is given annually for books and/or monographs published by Filipino publishers based in the Philippines within five years preceding the award, with the majority of the authors of the publication being Filipinos. Each awardee received a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of PHP 25,000.

This year’s Outstanding Book/Monograph awardees are:

• Fernando, E.S. and Quimado, M.O. (2023). Ultramafic Flora of the Philippines- An Introduction to the Seed Plant Diversity on Philippine Ultramafics. University of the Philippines Los Baños, 274 p.

• Mallari, N. A., Rosales, R. M., Castillo, G., Delos Angeles, M., Francisco, H., Orbeta, E., Predo, C., Arcenas, A., Balangue, T., Lasmarias, N., Coroza, O., Masigan, J. P., Bautista, M. A., Edaño, J. W., Jimenez, J. P., Palermo, F., Parr, R. A., Shiraishi, J., Tee, C. K., Abdao, D. R. (2024). Sukat ng Kalikasan. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

• Ferrera, C.M., San Diego-McGlone, M.L., Santos, M.M., Foronda, J.B., Santiago, J.A., Lagman M.C., Lagumen, M.C., & Gotanco, R.J.R. (2022). Guidebook on coral reef-associated organisms collected from Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) in the Philippines: A tool for capacity building in monitoring biodiversity at selected reef sites in the Philippines. University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, Volume 1, 221 pp.

• Guevara, A.P., Villaseñor, I., Reyes, M., Dalisay, D., & Alvero, R.G.Y. Tuklas Lunas: A Decade of Research Innovation, and Technology Advancement in Health Products. Philippine Council for Health Research and Development

• Dacudao, Patricia Irene. 2023. Abaca Frontier: The Socioeconomic and Cultural Transformation of Davao, 1898-1941. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press.

• Orbeta, Aniceto, Kris Ann Melad, & Nina Victoria Araos. “Reassessing the Impact of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program: Results of the Third Wave Impact Evaluation.” Research Paper Series, December 2023. https://doi.org/10.62986/rps2023.06.

• Raymundo, A. D. 2023. Abaca Virus Diseases: Epidemics and Control. The University of the Philippines Press, E. de los Santos St., UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, 286pp.

NAST AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING RESEARCH IN TROPICAL MEDICINE (NAORTM)

The NAST Award for Outstanding Research in Tropical Medicine (NAORTM) is intended to recognize outstanding research works that contribute to the advancement of the country’s knowledge and practice in Tropical Medicine. The winner, PILARITA TONGOL RIVERA, MD, PhD (Medical Science), received a plaque of recognition and a PHP 150,000 cash incentive.

For more details on the various awards and nominations requirements, you may visit the NAST Awards website at awards.nast.ph, and the NAST PHL official Facebook page, @nastphl. The submission deadline for the 2026 NAST PHL Awards nominations is on or before the last working day of November 2025.

The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) is an attached agency to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), mandated to recognize outstanding achievements in scientific research and development, advise the President and the cabinet on matters related to S&T, and engage in projects and programs that promote scientific productivity.