BICUTAN, TAGUIG CITY – The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) successfully conducted the 2025 Outstanding Research and Development Award (ORDA) Paper Presentation of Finalists on 22 September 2025 via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Ten (10) nominees vied for the highly coveted award for basic and applied research categories. This year’s selected nominees and their entry papers were:
I. Julian A. Banzon Medal for Applied Research
- DR. CHRISTINA A. BINAG, University of Santo Tomas – “Polypyrrole on pineapple (Ananas comosus) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) polyester blended textiles as promising electrode materials for supercapacitor applications”
- DR. MARIA VANESSA BARIA-RODRIGUEZ, University of the Philippines Diliman – “Notes on the distribution, ecology, and open sea mariculture trials of the Philippine blue sponge, Xestopongia sp. (Porifera)”
- DR. FLOIRENDO P. FLORES, University of the Philippines Los Baños – “Physicochemical, Textural, and Protein Digestibility Properties of Extruded Meat Analogs Prepared from Rice Bran Protein Concentrate and Black Soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Tudela)
- DR. ANDREW D. MONTECILLO, University of the Philippines Los Baños – “LAMPPOST: Livestock and Avian Molecular Pathogenomics for Precision Outbreak Surveillance and Tracking”
- DR. DAVID P. PEÑALOZA, JR., De La Salle University – “Modified abaca fiber prepared by radiation-induced graft polymerization as a reinforcement for unsaturated polyester resin composites”
II. Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal for Basic Research
- DR. JOSEPH Q. BASCONCILLO, Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration – “Influence of Multiyear Variability on the Observed Regime Shifts in Philippine Climatology”
- MR. DEO CARLO E. LLAMAS, Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology – “Surface Rupture and Fault Characteristics Associated With the 2020 Magnitude (Mw) 6.6 Masbate Earthquake, Masbate Island, Philippines”
- DR. REY DONNE S. PAPA, University of Santo Tomas – “Shifts in the feeding ecology of the endemic and Endangered Sardinella tawilis in Lake Taal, Philippines”
- DR. BETCHAIDA D. PAYOT, University of the Philippines Diliman – “Melt generation and magma storage conditions of primitive arc lavas in the Macolod Corridor, southwestern Luzon arc, Philippines”
- DR. WILFRED JOHN E. SANTIAÑEZ, University of the Philippines Diliman – “Molecular-assisted taxonomic study on the Sargassum C. Agardh (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) in northwestern Luzon, Philippines”
The event was presided over by the Board of Judges, headed by National Scientist Lourdes J. Cruz (Chair), with members Academician Rhodora V. Azanza, Academician Ruben L. Villareal, Academician Angel L. Lazaro III, Academician Jaime C. Montoya, and Engr. Alex Sy. Dr. Andres Philip Mayol, 2025 Outstanding Young Scientist, served as the moderator and master of ceremonies.
The awards are given to individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions through basic and applied research. The winners will receive plaques of recognition, medals, and a cash prize of PHP 200,000 during the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week on November 18, 2025, in Ilocos Norte.
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. For more details, visit NAST Philippines’ social media accounts @nastphl.