The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) is set to introduce its new members and recognize various outstanding Filipino scientists for their significant scientific contributions to the country.
The Department of Science and Technology - National Academy of Science and Technology (DOST-NAST) 2023 Awardees share their inspiring stories and answer the media during a forum dubbed #PilipiNAST Kapehan at a hotel in Quezon City on July 4, 2023. (Noel B. Pabalate)
NAST PHL, the highest recognition body on science and technology, held a forum dubbed as the PilipiNAST Kapehan with the 2023 NAST Awardees in Quezon City on Tuesday, July 4, taking turns sharing scientific knowledge in various areas.
NAST PHL's awarding ceremony will be held on July 13, 2023, as the culminating activity of the 45th NAST Annual Scientific Meeting, held on July 12 to 13 in Manila.
According to NAST PHL, four new academicians will be conferred during the awarding ceremony:
- ELMER P. DADIOS, Ph.D. (Manufacturing Engineering) – De La Salle University
- MARIA CORAZON A. DE UNGRIA, Ph.D. (Microbiology) – University of the Philippines Diliman
- GIL S. JACINTO, Ph.D. (Chemical Oceanography) – University of the Philippines Diliman
- ROEL R. SURALTA, Ph.D. (Agricultural Sciences) – Philippine Rice Research Institute
The agency said that membership to the academy is given to resident Filipino scientists elected as Academicians who have made exemplary contributions to science and technology in the Philippines.
In addition, one new Corresponding Member will also be conferred:
- LEODEVICO L. ILAG, Ph.D. (Microbiology and Immunology)
The NAST PHL Corresponding membership is conferred on non-resident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to the advancement of science and technology and must have continuing connections and contributions to Philippine science.
Meanwhile, the Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) Award is given to young Filipino scientists below the age of 40 years old, who have made significant contributions to science and technology. Each awardee is given a NAST trophy and a cash prize of P150,000.00. Each awardee is also entitled to a research grant of PHP 1 million from DOST for an approved research proposal. The nine Outstanding Young Scientist awardees are:
- NONAWIN L. AGUSTIN, Ph.D. (Agricultural Science) – Philippine Rice Research Institute
- JOHN JAMIR BENZON R. ARUTA, Ph.D. (Counseling Psychology) – De La Salle University
- FULGENT P. CORITICO, Ph.D. (Biology) – Central Mindanao University
- RONNIE S. CONCEPCION II, Ph.D. (Electronics and Communications Engineering) – De La Salle University
- JILLIAN AIRA S. GABO-RATIO, D.Eng. (Earth Resources Engineering) – University of the Philippines Diliman
- REINABELLE C. REYES, Ph.D. (Astrophysics) – University of the Philippines Diliman
- ALBERT REMUS R. ROSANA, Ph.D. (Microbiology and Biotechnology) – University of the Philippines Los Baños
- MOISES NEIL V. SERIÑO, Dr.rer.pol. (Economics) – Visayas State University
- OURLAD ALZEUS G. TANTENGCO, M.D., Ph.D. (Molecular Medicine) – University of the Philippines Manila
NAST PHL also mentioned the Outstanding Book/Monograph (OBM) Award which 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 publication being Filipinos. Each of the awardees will receive a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of P25,000.00.
This year’s Outstanding Book/Monograph awardees are:
- The Philippines’ Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Learning from the Experience and Emerging Stronger to Future Shocks. (Celia M. Reyes, ed., Michael Ralph M. Abrigo, Jose Ramon G. Albert, Arkin A. Arboneda, Ronina D. Asis, Roehlano M. Briones, Carlos C. Cabaero, Maria Margarita Debuque-Gonzales, Charlotte Justine Diokno-Sicat, Kris A. Francisco, Nel Jason L. Haw, Adoracion M. Navarro, Aniceto C. Orbeta Jr., Ma. Kristina P. Ortiz, Francis Mark A. Quimba, Sheila V. Siar, Aubrey D. Tabuga, Valerie Gilbert T. Ulep, Jhanna Uy, Anna Rita P. Vargas, and Jana Flor V. Vizmanos). Philippine Institute for Development Studies, 2022.
- Transfiguring Mindanao: A Mindanao Reader. (Jose Jowel P. Canuday and Joselito T. Sescon, eds.) Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2022.
Meanwhile, the Outstanding Scientific Paper (OSP) Award is given annually for papers published in Thompson Reuters or SCOPUS-listed journals in the Philippines within five years preceding the award. Each awardee will receive a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of P15,000.00.
This year’s Outstanding Scientific Paper awardees are:
- Vulnerability to Climate Change of “Giant Squid” (Thysanoteuthis rhombus) Fishery in Marinduque, Philippines. (Paloma D. De Chavez, Gilda Joannah A. Calderon, Sherwin B. Santos, Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz, and Mudjekeewis D. Santos). The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, 28 (2), 171-180, 2021.
- Social support, well-being, and involvement of fathers with transnational families in the Philippines. (Melissa R. Garabiles). Asian and Pacific Migration Journal, 4 (29), 492-510, 2020.NAST
On the other hand, the NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists (NTSYS) is a project of NAST to encourage young people to pursue a career in science. After the finalists’ paper presentation held on April 21, 2023, the winners of NTSYS are:
- First Prize: JAYSON G. COSME, Ph.D. (Physics) – University of the Philippines Diliman
- Second Prize: MICHAEL T. CASTRO, M.S. (Chemical Engineering) – University of the Philippines Diliman
- Third Prize: ANN FRANCHESCA B. LAGUNA, Ph.D. (Computer Science and Engineering) – De La Salle University
Special Citations:
- NEIL JEROME A. EGARGUIN, Ph.D. (Mathematics) – University of the Philippines Los Baños
- IVAN HENDERSON V. GUE, Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) – De La Salle University
- JOHN PAUL MATTHEW D. GUZMAN, M.S. (Microbiology) – DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute
- CHARLON A. LIGSON, M.S. (Marine Science) – University of the Philippines Diliman
The winners will receive plaques of recognition and a cash prize of PHP 45,000 for the First Prize; PHP 30,000 for the 2nd Prize; and PHP 20,000 for the 3rd Prize. The First Prize Winner will also be receiving a research grant worth PHP 500,000 for an approved proposal. The special citation winners will each receive PHP 10,000 cash prize.
Lastly, the NAST Environmental Science Award (NESA) is intended to recognize outstanding scientific and technological research work that contributes to environmental protection and conservation The winner of the award will receive a plaque of recognition, a P150,000 cash incentive, and a P2 million research grant.
This year’s NAST Environmental Science Award winner is:
- DRANREB EARL O. JUANICO, Ph.D. (Physics) – Technological Institute of the Philippines, “Does mangrove restoration imply coastal protection? A prospective simulation study”
The submission deadline for the 2024 NAST Awards nominations is on or before the last working day of November 2023.