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VICE
President Noli de Castro told Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (Asean) and Philippine scientists the
current problems on food crisis, energy, environment and
natural calamities “appear to be ticking time bombs”
where people do not have the luxury of time, and
challenged the science experts: “this is your ballgame
now.”
“To
ensure that our journey is not derailed, we need answers
that will help our nations not only to cope and survive
but to overcome and fight,” de Castro said in his
keynote speech on Friday at the closing ceremonies of
the Eighth Asean and National Science and Technology
Week (ASTW and NSTW) at the World Trade Center in Pasay
City.
He
added: “The challenges are serious but with science and
technology behind us, the aspirations could be a reality
despite the odds.”
OUTSTANDING achievements in
science and technology were awarded by the Department of
Science and Technology at the end of the weeklong
National Science and Technology Week on Friday. The
awards were handed by Vice President Noli de Castro and
Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro, fi fth and sixth
from left, respectively. The awardees are (from left)
May Pagsinohin and engineer Meneleo Carlos of the
Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology; Virgil
Samonte, physics teacher at the Don Eulogio de Guzman
Municipal High School; science educator Dr. Flordeliza
Mayari; Dr. Alvin Culaba of De la Salle University; Dr.
Nuna Almanzor and Daisy Tañafranca of the Industrial
Technology Development Institute; Dr. Merly Tan and Dr.
Liza Reyes of the University of the Philippines National
Institute for Science and Mathematics Education
Development. -- ROY
DOMINGO
The ASTW
and Philippine NSTW touched on the concerns raised by de
Castro when they held a series of lectures, diplomatic
meetings and other scientific activities last week,
which also coincided with the celebration of the 50th
anniversary of the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST).
Among
the other activities held during the week were the
Science Technology Fair and Exhibits, Science Quiz
Challenge, Annual Young Scientists Convention, National
Academy of Science and Technology Annual Scientific
Meeting, Asean Youth Science Summit and the Techno Gabay
Summit of Pcarrd.
The S&T
week’s theme “Making Science Work for You” was mended
well, according to Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro.
“The
NSTW was designed to showcase the potential and actual
achievement of the country [the Philippines], Asean and
other dialogue partners. The meetings with them have
been very fruitful,” Alabastro said in a speech also at
the closing ceremonies of ASTW and NSTW.
President Arroyo was the keynote speaker at the opening
ceremonies of ASTW and NSTW on July 7.
De
Castro on Friday also led the awarding of Filipino
individuals and institutions who made groundbreaking
discoveries and significant contributions in the science
community. He was assisted by Alabastro; Luningning
Samarita, NAST executive director; and Dr. Ester Ogena,
director of the Science Education Institute (SEI) of the
DOST.
Among
the awards were the:
Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award, or the
Gregorio Zara Medal,
which recognizes the efforts of technology generators
and developers whose technologies have been
commercialized.
The
award was given to the Packaging Research and
Development Center of the Industrial Technology
Development Institute (Itdi) for commercializing the
“Retort Pouch Technology in the Development of Shelf
Stable Rice Meal, Meat and Traditional Snack Food
Preparations.” The technology has been considered the
most advanced in food packaging, which is a potential
alternative to metal can and glass jar.
It
created a big impact on the food and packaging
industries, expanding the market of Philippine foods,
and serves a means to curb the high cost of food
containers like metal cans and glass jars. Goldilocks
and Mega Sardines use the technology for their products.
Dr. Nuna
Almanzor, director of Itdi, and Daisy Tañafranca
received the award for their agency.
Outstanding Science Administrator award or Dioscoro
Umali Medal, for S&T and R&D administrators who made significant
contributions to science and technology through
effective management and implementation of plans and
programs.
Dr.
Alvin Culaba received the award for initiating the
promotion of environmental systems management at the De
La Salle University and other universities in the
Visayas and Mindanao since 1997, resulting in the
engineers’ improved competence, environmental awareness
in industry and increased the members’ graduate degree
holders.
The DOST
said Dr. Culaba exemplifies a new breed of engineering
scientists who demonstrate the applicability of
scientific research in the industry and for shaping
national policies. His work influenced the country’s
biofuel policy.
Gawad
Lider, or the Leadership and Innovations for Development
Relevant to Science Education,
was awarded to two teachers and two institutions. It
recognized outstanding contributions in improving the
quality of S&T education in the country.
§
Dr.
Flordeliza Mayari was awarded for her “exemplary
leadership” for devoting 38 years of teaching experience
in science education. A 2003 Gawad Lingkod bayan awardee,
she made groundbreaking efforts to reach the general
public and teach them in S&T through her Batang Imbentor/Batang
Scientist segment at Bago Yan Ah! radio program in dzMM
and Sineskwela, a now defunct TV science in ABS-CBN.
§
Physics
teacher Virgil Samonte at the Don Eulogio de Guzman
Municipal High School received the award for Innovation
category for his effort to teach students in the basic
construction of electronic devices the easy way, through
a circuit Board trainer which he devised.
§
The
Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology (PFST)
pioneered in promoting S&T to students and teachers. It
started with the Young Scientists’ Quiz and Sci-Art
Contest, a reciepint of Anvil Award for Best Public
Affairs Program in 1987 and a nomination for best
television special in 1992 from the CCP Gawad Award para
sa RAdyo at Telebisyon. Its Philippine Science Centrum
introduced interactive learning and creative ways of
improvising science kits and equipment used in science
test construction.
The award was received by engineer Meneleo Carlos Jr.,
president of PFST, and May Pagsinohin, its executive
director.
§
The
University of the Philippines National Institute for
Science and Mathematics Education Development received
the second award for the institutional category for its
continuously influencing the formulation of policy
reforms in science and mathematics education since its
establishment in 1964.
Dr. Merly Tan and Dr. Risa Reyes received the award.
The
awardees received a medal, certificate or plaques and
P150,000. |
