Scientists Recognized During the Philippine Science and Technology Week

This year's National Science and Technology Week held during the last week of July with the theme "Nasa Siyensya ang Pag-asa" (Hope is in Science) featured the recognition of outstanding Filipino scientists in various fields of science and technology. The Order of National Scientist, the highest recognition given to a Filipino scientist for significant inputs in science and technology, was awarded to one university head and one economist during the opening ceremony. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III awarded the title of National Scientist to Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, former president of Ateneo de Manila University, and economist Dr. Raul Fabella, for their notable contributions to Philippine S&T. Dr. Fabella was recognized for his work in the field of Economics as well as his active involvement and impact in many "policy battles" such as the exchange rate policy, tax and public expenditure policy; Dr. Nebres, was awarded for his exemplary work in the field of Mathematics.

Other recognitions given were the Julian A. Banzon Medal for Applied Research to Dr. Lorenza Gonzales-Lirio of the Benguet State University for her work on Job's tears, a tall grain-bearing tropical plant of the family Poaceae which is considered by farmers as weeds. From her research, the medicinal and food uses of Job's tears were rediscovered. In recognition of his development efforts for the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), its Chancellor, Dr. Luis Rey Velasco, was awarded the 2011 NSTW Outstanding Science Administrator (Dioscoro L. Umali) Medal. DOST cited that "Under his management, UPLB has made major investments in the development of its land endowments for income generation, such as the establishment of citronella plantation, rubber plantation and recently plans for alternative energy-generating projects and water impoundment facilities."

The original article about this story may be found in http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=710699&publicationSubCategoryId=63. For more information or updates about Philippine science and technology, particularly on biotechnology, visit www.bic.searca.org or e-mail bic@agri.searca.org.