To introduce the programs, activities, awardees, and its members, the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST PHL) on Tuesday, June 29, held this year’s first “kapehan” with the country’s outstanding young scientists.
Dubbed, “#PilipiNAST Virtual Kapehan,” the event is a series of online dialogue between the NAST PHL and the press, media, and science communicators to introduce the programs, activities, awardees, and members of the Academy.
NAST PHL is an attached agency to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It also serves as the country’s premier recognition and advisory body on Science and Technology (S&T).
This year's first Kapehan features the 2021 Outstanding Young Scientist (OSY) awardees.
Aside from their achievements and projects, the dialogue during the virtual “kapehan” also focused on timely issues faced by the country.
Marvin A. Villanueva (Ph.D. Veterinary Medicine), DA-Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) explained that he is currently “working on advanced technologies for early detection of diseases” on water buffalo while -Rey Donne S. Papa (Ph.D. Biological Sciences), University of Santo Tomas (UST) is focusing on freshwater biology.
Pierangeli G. Vital (Ph.D. Biology), University of the Philippine (UP) Diliman is focusing on environmental biology while Aaron Don M. Africa (Ph.D. Electronics and Communications Engineering), De La Salle University (DLSU) focuses on Artificial Intelligence.
“We are very competitive in artificial intelligence, our research works are at par with other countries,” Africa said.
Meanwhile, Charlle L. Sy (Ph.D. Industrial and Systems Engineering), DLSU shared that being included in this year’s OSY “was a day to remember” for her because she officially learned about the good news when her parents were recovering from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and she received full professorship during that time.
For Jomar F. Rabajante (D.Sc. Mathematical and Systems Engineering), UP Los Baños (UPLB), the award is very significant for him. “Personally, it motivates me to do better and do more and for my colleagues, it can motivate them - this is somehow a testimony that we can have an impact in the Philippine society,” he added.
Gay Jane P. Perez (Ph.D. Physics), UP Diliman, a Physicist by training, is currently, focusing on space and earth sciences - particularly on the use of satellite data for different applications.
For her, the award should serve as an encouragement especially to the younger generation or scientists in the making. “I hope they will be inspired to pursue science and do good in it,” Perez added.
The work of Jason Vincent A. Cabañes (Ph.D. Communication Studies), DLSU, on the other hand, involves digital media and how it is transforming the everyday lives of people, globally.
Cabañes said that digital media plays a much bigger role in the lives of people especially at this time. “It’s really a fascinating time, we see the possibilities and challenges it offers and how it becomes the center of our lives,” he added.
Arnold R. Salvacion (Ph.D. Environmental Science), UPLB, is currently working on national integrity of lands and mapping boundaries. “What I do is that I use maps to help local government units in planning disaster mitigation and others,” he added.