Biotech Is Real—Put It on a Reel and Join the Competition!
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Ready to turn science into a 60-90-second reel? Calling all Filipino content creators: Join the Biotech for Reel competition!
Science isn’t just something to read about. It’s something to see, understand, and share. With short-form videos taking center stage in how we discover and consume information, biotechnology gets its own spotlight through Biotech for Reel, a reel-making competition that challenges students, educators, and aspiring content creators to bring biotechnology to life through creative, engaging, and scientifically accurate short-form videos.
On August 18, 2026, ISAAA Inc. and the Department of Agriculture - Biotech Program Office (DA BPO) officially launched Biotech for Reel: Reel-Making Competition on Agri-Biotech Applications. As a buildup activity for the 2026 National Biotechnology Week (NBW) happening on September 21-24, Biotech for Reel is all about showing how biotechnology connects to agriculture, the environment, food, and even our everyday lives.
The webinar launch provided a crash course in biotechnology, along with practical tips on how to communicate science in ways that are clear, relatable, and engaging. The webinar was attended by 132 participants via Zoom and reached more than 500 views on Facebook and YouTube. The recorded webinar and the speakers’ presentations are available for viewing on the ISAAA website.
Now that the competition is officially underway, here’s everything you need to know about how to join, create your entry, and make your reel stand out.
Who can join the reels competition?
The competition is open to all Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines. Participants may join individually or as a group of up to five members. Each individual or group may submit only one original reel.
Employees, staff, and immediate family members of ISAAA Inc., DA-BPO, and all DA Biotechnology Centers are not eligible to participate.
The best part? There is no participation fee. Joining the competition is completely free, with no registration required.
What should your reel be about?
Your reel should showcase how biotechnology is applied in everyday life, particularly in ways that support agriculture and food production. Whether you choose to explore a familiar agricultural application, explain a biotechnology concept, or highlight its benefits to society, your entry should communicate information that is accurate, science-based, and easy for audiences to understand.
Participants are encouraged to let their creativity take the lead. Reels may use live-action footage, animation, motion graphics, stop-motion, or a combination of different techniques. Entries may be created in Filipino, English, or Taglish.
There is just one important rule: your story must be your own. The reel must be an original work that has not been previously published, awarded, or submitted to another competition.
How long should your reel be?
Each entry must be 60 to 90 seconds long and formatted vertically using a 9:16 aspect ratio. Videos should be submitted in MP4 or MOV format and optimized for viewing on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
What do you need to submit?
Participants must submit their entry through a Google Drive link sent to meetings@isaaa.org. The folder should contain the following:
- Video
- Caption (in Google Docs or DOCX format)
- Participant details, including:
- Full name
- Age
- Affiliation, organization, or school, if applicable
- Contact number
- Email address
- Signed Informed Consent Form (in PDF format)
Don't forget the hashtags! Your caption must include the official contest hashtag #BiotechForReel, together with #NationalBiotechnologyWeek2026 and #PinoyBiotek.
Is the Informed Consent Form required?
If any individuals appear in or can be identified from your video, including through their voice, the participant must obtain their permission before submitting an entry. For participants below 18 years old, permission must also be obtained from a parent or legal guardian.
By submitting the reel, participants confirm that everyone featured in the video has agreed to their appearance and to the recording, use, reproduction, and public dissemination of the content for the competition and related promotional activities.
What are the criteria for judging?
A panel of three judges will evaluate the entries based on four key areas:
- 35% - Accuracy and relevance to biotechnology applications
- 30% - Creativity and originality
- 20% - Storytelling and audience engagement
- 15% - Overall production quality and visual appeal
What are the prizes?
The top three finalists will take home cash prizes:
- First place - PHP 15,000
- Second place - PHP 12,000
- Third place - PHP 10,000
Applicable taxes, if any, will be shouldered by the winner in accordance with existing government regulations.
Mark your calendars!
The entries must be submitted on or before September 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM Philippine Time. Following the submission period, entries will be evaluated from September 13 to 18, 2026.
The winners will be officially announced during the 2026 National Biotechnology Week celebration on September 21-24. Further details about the announcement will be released through the organizers' official communication channels. Winners will also be notified through their registered email address and/or contact number.
Ready to join? Download the full mechanics of the Biotech for Reel competition and follow Know the Science PH on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok for the latest updates and announcements.
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