Four science communicators will flourish more in elevating the science and technology campaigns of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) after emerging as winners of the recently-concluded Pinoy Science STAR Camp spearheaded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development of DOST (DOST-PCIEERD) and social media giant TikTok.
According to DOST-PCIEERD, winners were selected through a series of workshops and judging stages on their ability to effectively communicate information about PCIEERD-funded projects with TikTok as their platform. Out of the 103 STAR Camp hopefuls, the winners were named:
- Romieleth Espillardo of the Rizal Technological University who featured A Game-Based Mobile Learning Platform for Social Studies;
- Jess Gabriel Belleza of the DOST-Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory who featured Lactic Acid Technology;
- Lloyd Baliado of Cavite State University who featured Design and Development of a PLC-based High-Capacity Tissue Culture Growth Chamber; and
- Mark Angelou Siega of the Center of Green Nanotechnology Innovations for Environmental Solution (CGNIES) who featured Gitara ni Juan. He also earned the DOST-PCIEERD Choice Award.
Meanwhile, Maricon Clyde Liwan of the University of the Cordilleras was hailed with the TikTok Choice Award and the University of the Cordilleras earned the distinction of Star Institution Award.
The winners will be the main content creators of the Pinoy Science social media channels and feature PCIEERD’s projects and programs and other S&T and research and development (R&D) initiatives.
They will receive TikTok perks amounting to $2000, certificates, as well as Tiktok and Pinoy Science exclusive merchandise. “We are excited to collaborate with our new science communicators in TikTok. We look forward to working with our Pinoy Science STARs in shining the light to science, technology, and innovation in the country,” DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit said.
For his part, TikTok Head for Public Policy Kristoffer Rada lauded the new content creators of Pinoy Science and expressed optimism over the partnership with DOST-PCIEERD.
"Pursuing truth and knowledge through science can be fun, creative and entertaining -- and this has been demonstrated by the Pinoy science students, researchers and advocates who have been chosen as TikTok's Pinoy Science STARS this year. We at TikTok Philippines congratulate their achievements in promoting scientific literacy and awareness through TikTok, and we are pleased to continue working with the Department of Science and Technology to further help our students and the Filipino community through our platform,” he said.
In October 2020, PCIEERD forged a collaboration with TikTok Philippines to further promote scientific innovations to the public.