10 Winners of 2026 PhilAASTI Awards in Science, Technology, and Innovation Revealed at DOST’s PSHS in Quezon City

edd1994

3 weeks ago

**PhilAASTI President Fortunato T. De La Peña, former DOST secretary. (Photo: SDN)**

| X (Twitter): @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 |Facebook: SDN Chronicle

PSHS, Quezon City, Sept. 09, 2026 (SDN) — Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) took the center stage today, Wednesday, here at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) with the revelation of the 10 2026 PhilAASTI Awardees

Headed by Fortunato T. De La Peña as president, PhilAASTI is Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science, Technology, and Innovation. De La Peña is former secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

He opened the 75th Annual Convention Press Conference as he welcomed this year’s new STI achievers in research.

The 75th Annual Convention of PhilAASTI is scheduled on September 10, at The Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park (Luneta Park), Manila.

**Raymund E. Liboro, 2026 PhilAASTI Award winner for Ramon Dimacali Award for Information Technology. (Photo: SDN)**

As announced by PhilAASTI Vice President, Division G, Dr. Reynaldo E. Dela Cruz, the new awardees are:

Dr. Allan S. Gilles, Jr., Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Science Research;
Sci. Fides Marciaa Z. Tambalao, Gregorio Y. Zaide Award for Applied Science Research;
Dr. Janus P. Ong, Paulo Campus Award for Health Research;
Dr. Donnabelle L. Balela, David M. Consunji Award for Engineering Research;
Dr. Victoria O. Espaldon, LEADS Agri Award for Agricultural Award;
Dr. Beatriz A. Belmonte, Michael R.I. Purvis Award for Sustainability;
Dr. Michael Y. Roleda, Ceferino L. Follosco Award for Product and Process Innovation;
Dr. Maria Rosario D. Singh, Lourdes E. Campos Award for Public Health;
Dr. Laura T. David, Francis I. Ferrer Award for Productivity Through Technology; and,
Raymund F. Liboro, Ramon Y. Dimacali for Innovation Technology.

Let’s hear from some of the awardees:

Liboro, the pioneer and former commissioner of the National Privacy Commission (NPC), expressed profound honor in receiving the Ramon Dimacali Award, which recognizes a career devoted to turning science and emerging technology into trusted institutions and practical public service.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Ramon Dimacali Award. I accept it not simply as recognition of what we have done, but as encouragement for what we Filipinos can still do.

“I have always believed that technology must begin with a human problem and end with a human benefit. Innovation is not about having the newest technology — it is about making people’s lives better.

“As we enter the age of AI, I believe our challenge is no longer simply to become good users of technology. Filipinos must become creators of technology that the world can trust.

“That is the work I want to continue: build technology, build Filipino capability, and above all, build trust.

“Technology must solve a human problem.

“Innovation is not about having the newest technology. It is about solving an old human problem in a better way.

“The future of digital technology will not be won by those who collect the most data, but by those who earn the most trust.

“For me, technology has succeeded only when ordinary people feel its benefit. Innovation must ultimately improve lives, strengthen institutions and serve the public good.

“Build technology. Build Filipino capability. Above all, build trust.” — (EDD K. USMAN / SDN)

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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. (®)