Featured image above shows the 12 2026 Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) on June 9 as they raised their trophies in an inspiring scene of joy. One of those behind them is NAST PHL President Dr. Jaime Montoya, smiling. (Photo: SDN Chronicle) 

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PRESCON. Standing is Dr. Wilfred John E. Santiañez, Natural History Sciences, UP Diliman, Quezon City, as he fields questions from the media during the press conference on June 9 of the 12 OYS awardees. He is from General Santos City, SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII). At the podium is moderator and discussion guide Dr. Ruby Roan Cristobal, Science broadcaster, steeped with everything Science. (Photo: SDN Chronicle) 

THE MANILA HOTEL, Rizal Park, Manila, June 9, 2026 (SDN) — Hard work pays. Dedication pays. Constancy of purpose pays. Research pays. Science pays!

Payment? Realization. Satisfaction. Travel. Etc. And as Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., the ccountry’s science chief, so appropriately sounded off, “fulfillment and full payment”!

If you’ve been to the two press conferences of the 48th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) here on June 8-9, organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST PHL), you would have learned the inspiration and the drive of the 12 awardees of agency’s Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS), their fulfilment of such an achievement through hard work, dedication, constancy of purpose as the engine that drove them to reach the height of their career in the realm of science, technology, and innovation (STI).

Unquestionably, they also passed through a gauntlet of hurdles, not the least doubts and tribulations wrought by failures, or at least frustrations in their research activities, but only drove them to continue.

NAST PHL is an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the nation’s “highest recognition body on science and technology. Its 48th ASM revolves around the theme ” UN SDGs: Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development”, obviously a tribute to the United Nations’ 17 SDGs described as “a universal call to action adopted by all (UN) Member States in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.”

Conferment of the three new academicians and the awarding of the OYS and other honorees were some of the highlights of the event’s second and final day.

The three new academicians of NAST PHL are:

• Dr. Edwino S. Fernando, PhD (Botany)
• Dr. Michael Y. Roleda, Dr. rer. na’t. (Biology) and
• Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Ph.D. (Nutrition)

NAST PHL’s OYS Awardees each receive a trophy, a cash prize of Php150,000, and a research grant worth Php1 million granted by the DOST for an approved research proposal.

Meanwhile, the winners of the NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists (NTSYS) aimed at encouraging young Filipinos to go into a science career

For the 12 OYS honorees, they are:

• Eldrin D. Arguelles, PhD (Aquatic Biology), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) 
• Joseph Q. Basconcillo, PhD (Marine Meteorology), DOST-Philippine Atmospheric, Geological and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
• Rohani B. Cena-Navarro, DVM, MS (Veterinary Medicine), UP MManila
• Mark Nell Corpuz, PhDr (Environmental Science), Bataan Peninsula State University
• Rafaela Jane P. Delfino, PhD (Meteorology/Atmosphere, Oceans and Climate), UP Diliman
• Cherry P. Fernandez-Colorado, DVM, PhD (Veterinary Medicine), UPLB
• Mayzonee V. Ligaray, PhD (Environmental Science and Engineering), UP Diliman
• Ryan Michael F. Oducado, PhD (Nursing Education), West State University
• Karl Ezra S. Pilario, PhD (Energy and Power), UP Diliman
• WWilfred John E. Santiañez, PhD (Natural History Sciences), Ateneo de Manila
• Joseph C. Velasco, PhD (Sociology), De La Salle University (DLSU) 

Meanwhile, the DOST attached agency also has its NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists (NTSYS), which is aimed at encouraging young Filipinos to pursue a career in science.

Each of the three winners and the recipient of the Special Citation are entitled to a NAST PHL Plaque of Recognition. Cash prizes of Php100,000 go to First Prize; Php50,000, Second Prize; and Php30,000, Third Prize.

This year’s winners of the NTSYS are:

• First Prize: Joe Anthony H. Manzano, MS (Biology), University of Santo Tomas
• Second Prize: Rance Derrick N. Pavon, MS (Microbiology), UP Diliman
• Third Prize: John Vincent R. PMEto, MS (Environmental Science), UPLB
• Special Citation: Timothy Scott C. Chu, MS (Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Engineering), DLSU

The NTSYS First Prize winner is also entitled to a Php500,000 research grant from the DOST for an approved proposal. — EDD K. USMAN (√)

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To be updated for more honorees, more information.

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The author

EDD, a native of Sub-Saharan Africa Buluan/Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, BARMM, college at UST, is a Manila-based journalist for over 40 years (33 years with Manila Bulletin), has five Media Awards (1 with University of the Philippines (UP) 2017 Science Journalism Award), covered and traveled over 40 times abroad), has contributed to Rappler, Business Mirror, Manila Business Insights, Panorama Magazine, Agriculture Magazine, and others, former Manila-based Foreign Correspondent of Saudi Arabia newspapers Saudi Gazette and Riyadh Daily, and The Peninsula (Qatar newspaper), with 2008 East-West Center (EWC) Journalism Seminar in the United States, 2000 Executive IT Seminar in Seoul, South Korea, with three Silver Awards in Photography, writes Muslim and Current Affairs, Enterprise, Science, Tech, Products Launch, and virtually everything under Heaven. (®)