By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
The Department of Education (DepEd) has lauded six innovations that explore the sustainable development and preservation of the country’s natural resources in this year’s National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF).
The 2019 NSTF, held recently at the Tagaytay International Convention Center in Tagaytay City, featured 66 research projects by 126 student-researchers. The participants competed in the following categories: Life Science, Physical Science, and Robotics and Intelligent Machines.
(photo courtesy of DepEd / MANILA BULLETIN)
Best 6 Projects
The Best 6 Projects (team and individual) were awarded to John Eric Aggarao, Kathleen Chloie Antonio, and Anna Beatriz Suavengco of Taguig Science High School (National Capital Region) for “Isolation, Characterization, And Screening Of Endophytic Bacteria For Biocontrol Potential Against Brown Eye Spot In Coffee”; and Maria Isabel Layson of Iloilo National High School (Region VI) for “Bioactive Component, Antioxidant Activity, and Antidiabetic Properties of Muntingia calabura Linn, An In Vitro Study” in the Life Science category.
Awardees for the Physical Science category were: Neil David Cayanan, Shaira Gozun, and E’van Relle Tongol of Angeles City National Science High School (Region III) for “Hibla: An Alternative Sound Absorption Material” and Nathaniel Reyes of Quezon National Science High School (CALABARZON) for “Ex-Situ Evaluation Of Magnetic And Non-Magnetic Zea Mays Stalk Biochar Composites: Its Adsorptive Capability in the Treatment Of Phosphate Contaminated Aquaculture Ponds.”
For the Robotics and Intelligent Machines category, the awardees were: Alpha Kassandra Leonille Acain, Lester John Sabadao, and Lia Denise Tan of Cagayan National High School (Region II) for “Automated Temperature and Humidity Monitoring System for Quality Content, Drying, and Storing of PSB RC82, RC152, NSIC RC132H, and Hydra Rice Varieties” and Maryjoise Karla Buan of Pangasinan National High School (Region I) for “Arduino-based Solar Powered Anti-illegal Logging and Anti-Kaingin Alerting Device Through Global System for Mobile Communications.”
Gokongwei Brothers Young Scientist Award
DepEd said that the proponents of the “Best 6 Projects” are set to undergo a rigorous review and a boot camp to ensure alignment with international standards. The final delegates of the Philippines to the 2019 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) will be selected who, henceforth, will be known as the recipients of the Gokongwei Brothers Young Scientist Award.
The NSTF was held in cooperation with Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), who committed to support this year’s winners in their journey to Intel ISEF in Phoenix, Arizona, USA in May.
“The goal of the Gokongwei Brothers Young Scientist Award is to respond to your call for opportunities and to recognize our globally competitive young scientists who, amid adversity and the challenges in our country, did not use that as a stumbling block to achieve great work and excellence in STEM ,” said GBF Executive Director Grace Colet. “I think that represents not only great intelligence but strength of character as well,” she added.
Special awards
The NSTF also recognized the creativity and innovativeness of more student-researchers through several specials awards.
There are also winners of special awards or the “Top 3 Projects” per category.
For Life Science (individual), the awardees were: Maria Isabel Layson of Iloilo National High School (Region VI); Erika Minguez of Valencia NHS (Region X); and Angela Mae Apolonio of Las Piñas NHS-SHS (NCR).
For the Life Science (team), the winners were: Pristenz Honey Corpuz, Franzine Anne De Guzman, and Lyanne Nicole Castillo of Juan R. Liwag Memorial High School (Region III); Arielle Estrella, Edwin Umiten, and Anton Matthew Quilantang of Ilolilo NHS-Special Science (Region VI); and John Eric Aggarao, Katheleen Chloie Antonio, Anna Beatriz Suavencgo of Taguig Science High School (NCR).
For the Physical Science (individual), the awardees were: Mikael Sagun of Muñoz National Science High School Main-JHS (Region III); Nathaniel Reyes of Quezon NHS (CALABARZON); and Carmelo Fidelino of Landy NHS (MIMAROPA).
For the Physical Science (team) the winners were: Neil David Cayanan, Shaira Gozun, E’van Relle Tongol of Angeles City Science High School (Region III); Betti Mae Mendoza, Neil Ian Magalang, Aurora Blanca Lalo of MIMAROPA Regional Science High School-SHS (MIMAROPA); and Rozel Bonaobra II, Hanz Joshua Salvacion, Noel Irvin Titong of Masbate National Comprehensive High School (Region V).
For the Robotics and Intelligent Machines (individual), winners were: Maryjoise Karla Buan of Pangasinan NHS (Region I), Allysa Ericka Alcaide of Holy Infant Academy (MIMAROPA), and Sheris Angel Casurao of Negros Occidental High School (Region VI). For the Robotics and Intelligent Machines (team), awardees were Alpha Kassandra Leonille Acain, Lester John Sabadao, Lia Denise Tan of Cagayan NHS (Region II); Keilah Bagares, Kyle Anthony Nierras, Felmark Ian Villamayor of Western Leyte College of Ormoc City (Region VIII); and Jeanne Loise Pempeña and Allan Jey Torres of Digos City NHS (Region XI).
Best Presenter
Meanwhile, the Best Presenter (per category) were Maria Isabel Layson (Iloilo NHS, Region VI) for Life Science (individual) and Anna Beatriz Suavengco (Taguig Science High School, NCR) for Life Science (team); Carmelo Fidelino (Landy National High School, MIMAROPA) for Physical Science (individual) and Jade Karrie Palma (Iloilo NHS, Region VI) for Physical Science (team); Allysa Ericka Alcaide (Holy Infant Academy, MIMAROPA) for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (individual); and Quinn Adrienne Fabresis (Iloilo NHS-Special Science, Region VI) for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (team). The best presenter for the Innovation Expo was Kyla Czarina Cello of Muntinlupa NHS (NCR).
Best Project Poster Display
Winners for the “Best Project Poster Display” (per category) were also recognized.
For Life Science (team), the awardees were Mark Michole Hernandez, Florence Mae Recesio, and Hannah Loise Del Castillo (Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy-JHS Department, MIMAROPA); and Maria Isabel Layson (Iloilo NHS, Region VI) for Life Science (individual). For Physical Science (individual), the awardee was Carmelo Fidelino (Landy National High School, MIMAROPA) and Jade Karrie Palma and Maezelle Ferrer (Iloilo NHS, Region VI) for Physical Science (team).
For Robotics and Intelligent Machines (individual), the awardees were Allysa Ericka Alcaide (Holy Infant Academy, MIMAROPA); and Angelique Kyla Ramirez, Gianna Marinela Vega, and Kyla Reyes (Mindoro National High School, MIMAROPA) for Robotics and Intelligent Machines (team).
Meanwhile, the “Best Shoutout” award went to CARAGA while the “Best Regional Poster” was awarded to Region II.
First Gawad AGLITEKNO
The NSTF 2019 also featured the first Gawad AGLITEKNO by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The recipients were Bianca Ma. Krista Angeles and Jan Mackenzie Guese (Information Communication Technology High School, Region III); Haris Engka, Haikal Kasim, and Ronnie Joy Moabon (Canizares National High School of Arts and Trade, Region XII); and John Lloyd Balantac, Rodge Carl Vea, and Regine Parico (Bacarra National Comprehensive High School, Region I).
Excellence in Energy Research Award
Furthermore, the One Meralco Foundation, Inc. also surprised the student-researchers with the Excellence in Energy Research and Innovation Award. One Meralco Foundation Jeffrey Tarayao led the recognition of eight projects and each awarded a certificate and cash prize worth P10,000.
The winners were Rozel Bonaobra II, Hanz Joshua Salvacion, and Noel Irvin Titong (Masbate National Comprehensive High School, Region V); Haris Engka, Haikal Kasim, and Ronnie Joy Moabon (Canizares National High School of Arts and Trade, Region XII); Joriz Booc, Kamille Buenafe, and Psalm Avery Pagarigan (Iligan City East NHS, Region X); John Rey Ramos, Raybert Cruz, and Faye Aila Lagan (Narra NHS, MIMAROPA); Neri De Asis, Jr. (Davao City NHS, Region XI); Bianca Ma. Krista Angeles and Jan Mackenzie Guese (Information Communication Technology High School, Region III); Maryjoise Karla Buan and Jeremy Fortaleza (Pangasinan NHS, Region I).