Organized by the Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI), the 16th Los Baños SyenSaya Science Festival showcased events, competitions, and exhibits that featured member-agencies' science, technology, and innovation (STI) programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) and services last March 11-13, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-CALABARZON participated in the festival, at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Laguna.
DOST-CALABARZON's programs, projects, and services
Anchored to the DOST's National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW), the festival adopted the theme "Teknolohiya at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Kinabukasan." One of its highlights was the Wonderama Exhibit, which showcased STI PPAs designed to engage and inspire high school students.
As part of the celebration, DOST-CALABARZON featured several innovative programs, projects, technologies, and services, under the following focus areas:
Food Security and Sovereignty
- Revitalization of the Makapuno Industry in CALABARZON
- Leveling-Up of Quezon's Bagsakan Agri-Processing Capability Through Adoption of the Smart Food Value Chain Framework Project
- Fabrication of Prototype Deployable Mushroom Growing House as Complementary Technology to Enhance Livelihood and Food Security Project
Resilience and Sustainability
- Solar Isotropic Generator of Acoustic Wave (SIGAW)
- BoatBox: Cost-Effective Tracking and Distress Message Sending System for Local Small Fishing Vessels (SFV)
Future Communities and Institutions
- Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosks (STARBOOKS)
- Scholarship Programs and Services
One Health
- Invisible Threats: The Power of Clean Hands in Food Safety
- DOST-CALABARZON's Laboratory Testing and Calibration Services
STI Collaboration and Innovation
"SyenSaya is more than just an annual celebration of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in Los Baños—it serves as a regional platform that strengthens collaboration among LBSCFI's 25 member-agencies. Through partnerships, we not only promote STI but also enhance its practical applications for the benefit of communities," said Engr. Francisco R. Barquilla III, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations of DOST-CALABARZON.
He emphasized the importance of partnerships in advancing research and technology, stating, "Collaboration is a cornerstone of progress, and through LBSCFI, a DOST-certified science foundation, we can work together not just to popularize STI but to ensure its meaningful impact to and for the people."
Awarding and Closing Ceremony
The celebration concluded during the Awarding and Closing Ceremony on March 13 at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Umali Auditorium where Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Chancellor of UPLB and President of LBSCFI, expressed his appreciation to all member-agencies for their contributions to the event's success.
Furthermore, the winning research of the Youth Science Awards (YSA) and the M.S. Swaminathan Outstanding Research Award were recognized, after which was followed by an acknowledgment of member-agencies that participated in this year's Wonderama Exhibits.
The event also recognized outstanding research contributions, including winners of the Youth Science Awards (YSA) are following: first place is the Vehicle Accident Alert and Prevention System of students from the Bucal National Integrated School (BNIS); second place is the Citrus Peel Essential Oils (CPEO) Spray System of students from The Mabini Academy (TMA); and third place is the Safety Electrical Outlet, also from students from BNIS.
Additionally, Rhowell N. Tiozon, Jr., Alisdair R. Fernie, and Nese Sreenivasulu from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) were awarded the M.S. Swaminathan Outstanding Research Award.
Dr. Camacho then officially closed the celebration by recognizing participating LBSCFI member-agencies which contributed to the Wonderama Exhibit and to the general program of the SyenSaya Science Festival.