Philippine Senator Moves To Commend Scientists On 2018 AS100 List

Senator Leila de Lima is asking the Philippine senate to give due distinction and support to Filipino academicians, scientists, researchers and inventors.

AsianScientist (May 14, 2018) – The Philippines lies on the superhighway of typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters. It is also host to a number of infectious diseases that plague the public health sector, such as dengue and HIV/AIDS.

Despite being a country in need of scientific solutions to environmental and biomedical problems, reports show that Filipino scientists are rare. Ideally, a country needs about 380 scientists for every million of its population. But the latest UNESCO report (published in 2013) cites that there are only 189 scientific researchers in the Philippines per million. To achieve the UNESCO standard, the Philippines needs at least 19,000 more scientists.

Nonetheless, many Filipino scientists are shouldering the enormous responsibility of helping to build the nation. Working in diverse scientific domains, they continue to probe the fundamental laws of nature and seek practical knowledge to address some of society’s most serious problems, be it in agriculture, seismology, or even space research. Their research findings are making waves not only in the Philippines but also across the globe.

To recognize the contribution of Filipino scientists, a Philippine lawmaker has filed a resolution in the Senate urging her colleagues to commend eight Filipino scientists who were part of the 2018 Asian Scientist 100.

“The eight honorees have shown admirable dedication and commendable commitment in the development and enrichment of science and technology in the country,” said Senator Leila de Lima in a press statement, adding that it is proper and fitting that the Senate give due distinction and support to Filipino academicians, scientists, researchers and inventors to further encourage them in their endeavors.

Get to know these eight award-winning scientists from the Philippines:


  1. Dr. Aletta Concepcion T. Yñiguez


    Photo: University of the Philippines Diliman

    Yñiguez won the 2017 National Academy of Science and Technology Outstanding Young Scientist Award for her work on modeling the dynamics of the ocean ecosystem to build early warning systems.


  2. Dr. Phillip Alviola


    Photo: University of the Philippines Los Baños

    Alviola, who has described at least ten new species in the Philippines, received the 2017 National Academy of Science and Technology Outstanding Young Scientist Award for his research on biodiversity and bat virology.


  3. Dr. Rogel Mari D. Sese


    Photo: Asian Scientist Magazine

    Sese, the head of the Philippines’ space program, was commended for his outreach efforts at the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Educational Institute’s 30th Anniversary Celebrations.


  4. Dr. Mario Antonio L. Jiz II


    Photo: Mario Antonio Jiz II.

    Jiz was recognized as a 2017 National Academy of Science and Technology Outstanding Young Scientist for his contributions to the understanding of immunity to schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection affecting millions of Filipinos.


  5. Jeffrey S. Perez


    Photo: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

    Perez received the 2017 National Academy of Science and Technology Outstanding Young Scientist award for helping to update the active fault map of the Philippines.


  6. Dr. Lanndon A. Ocampo


    Photo: Lanndon Ocampo



    Ocampo received the 2017 Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the National Academy of Science and Technology for his contributions to manufacturing sustainability and risk analysis.


  7. Dr. Lucille V. Abad


    Photo: Civil Service Commission of the Philippines

    Abad received the Julian A. Banzon Medal as a 2017 Outstanding Research and Development Awardee for her research on using irradiated seaweed as a plant growth supplement.


  8. Dr. Nathaniel P. Hermosa II

    Photo: Nathaniel Hermosa II

    In addition to the 2017 National Academy of Science and Technology Outstanding Young Scientist Award, Hermosa also received the 2017 Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal for his research on the fundamental properties of light and light-matter interactions.


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    Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine; Photo: Shutterstock.
    Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

Shai Panela is an award-winning freelance science journalist based in the Philippines. She was part of the Asian Science Journalism fellowship program of the World Federation of Science Journalists in 2013 and covers stories in science, health, technology and the environment.

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