14 Filipino Scientists honored in Asian Scientist 100 for 2023

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Fourteen Filipino scientists have been honored to be listed among the most outstanding scientists and researchers in the 2023 edition of the Asian Scientist 100 of the Asian Scientist Magazine.

According to a Singapore-based institution, "the Asian Scientist 100 list celebrates the success of the region’s best and brightest, highlighting their achievements across a range of scientific disciplines.”

“To be acknowledged on the Asian Scientist 100 list, the honoree must have received a national or international prize in the preceding year for his or her research. Alternatively, he or she must have made a significant scientific discovery or provided leadership in academia or industry,” the magazine said.

Glenn Banaguas, a multi-awarded science diplomat and one of this year’s honorees said in his social media accounts, “We will continue to bring science closer to the hearts of our people and use science to transform their lives.”

Here are the fourteen Filipino scientists on the 2023 Asian Scientist 100 list:



1. Glenn S. Banaguas

Field: Sustainability

Award Classification: International

Banaguas received the United Nations’ (UN) Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction Award in 2022 for his work with Climate Smart Philippines, a centralized, multi-stakeholder platform that supplies data for an evidence-based approach to address climate change and reduce disaster risk.



2. Roel R. Suralta

Field: Agricultural Sciences

Award Classification: National

Suralta was one of the recipients of the Achievement Award at the 2021 National Research Council of the Philippines’ (NCRP) awards for his significant contributions to understanding root science leading to robust high-value crops in the face of climate change.



3. Beverly Lorraine Ho

Field: Biomedical Sciences

Award Classification: National

Ho was named one of the 2022 Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service awardees for her work in public health. Her research has contributed to policies like the sugar- sweetened beverage tax, universal health care and the implementation of health technology assessment processes.



4. Pia Bagamasbad

Field: Biomedical Sciences

Award Classification: National

Bagamasbad has been recognized as one of the 2022 Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service awardees for spearheading an RT-PCR training program for the detection of SARS- CoV-2, to support the Department of Health’s COVID-19 response.



5. David P. Penaloza, Jr.

Field: Chemistry

Award Classification: National

Penaloza, Jr. was named the Achievement Awardee for the NRCP Division of Chemical Sciences for his notable contributions in polymer chemistry research.



6. Joseph Auresenia

Field: Chemistry

Award Classification: National

Auresenia was awarded the Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (KSBB) Research Exchange Award for his contributions and supporting role to further the collaboration among Asian researchers in the field of biotechnology research.



7. Erika Fille Legara

Field: Engineering

Award Classification: National

Legara was named one of the 2022 Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service awardees in recognition of her work advancing the field of data science in the Philippines.



8. Keisha Alena Mayuga

Field: Engineering

Award Classification: National

Mayuga was named one of the 2022 Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service awardees for her work on transport planning and improving mobility in Manila.



9. Rinlee Butch M. Cervera

Field: Engineering

Award Classification: National

Cervera received the David M. Consunji Award for Engineering Research from the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology for advancing research on energy storage and conversion devices, waste to energy applications and green materials.



10. Aletta Yñiguez

Field: Environmental Sciences & Geology

Award Classification: National

Yñiguez was named one of the 2022 Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service awardees for her contributions to marine science research. Yñiguez works with local communities to advocate sustainable fishing practices.



11. Allan Gil S. Fernando

Field: Environmental Sciences & Geology

Award Classification: National

Fernando was awarded the 2022 National Research Council of the Philippines’ Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to earth and space sciences.



12. Anna Oposa Del Rosario

Field: Environmental Sciences & Geology

Award Classification: National

Del Rosario is a recipient of the 2022 TOWNS Award for her work in marine ecology conservation. Through SPS, she has organized the Save Sharks Network Philippines to lobby a roadmap for shark and ray protection in the Philippines.



13. Mario Juan A. Aurelio

Field: Environmental Sciences & Geology

Award Classification: National

Aurelio was conferred the Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Research by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST) for his contributions to structural geology and geodynamics education.



14. Edwin Atabay

Field: Life Sciences

Award Classification: National

Atabay was conferred the National Research Council of the Phillippines (NRCP) Achievement Award in the field of veterinary medicine. He oversaw the implementation of Intensified Reproductive Management Program,

Celebrating Father’s Day with Camella

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




With Father's Day drawing near, our hearts overflow with immeasurable love and a deep connection to our dads. Hence, we are delighted to introduce not just one but two exceptional ways to celebrate Father's Day!

In collaboration with Dear Joe, the first-ever letter-writing cafe in the Philippines, Camella is delighted to announce their Father's Day Letter-Writing Contest that will present a special opportunity to pay tribute to all our hardworking fathers through heartfelt letters while also sharing love with the world. This competition will be followed by an exciting Father's Day Quiz that will determine your dad's personality and the perfect gift to make his day!

Come, celebrate with us, the unbreakable bond between fathers and children as we forge lasting memories and offer the thrilling opportunity to win a brand-new smartphone for your dad!
The best letter-writers will win an HONOR mobile phone and gift certificate from Dear Joe as a special gift for their dads!

Fire in Manila Central Post Office Building, accidental in nature - BFP

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The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) ruled that the cause of fire that gutted the historic Manila Central Post Office Building in Liwasang Bonifacio is purely accidental in nature and declared that the investigation is considered closed and solved.

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) already got hold of the fire clearance certificate issued by the BFP saying that the fire originated at the southern part of the basement, more particularly at the Mega Manila Storage Room (GSS) where office supplies, thinners, paint cans where piled in close proximity to the car batteries stored inside the room.

The BFP report stated that the combustibility of the load contents and its enclosed set-up greatly influence heat build-up that explains the explosion and subsequent conflagration. This led to the full development of fire and subsequent damage of the nearby structures.

On the determined cause of fire, it has been established based on the pieces of evidence gathered, that the statement of the witness and the result of the laboratory examinations, that the cause of fire is attributed to sudden self-discharge of car battery (sulfation) resulting to thermal run-away, causing sudden build-up of heat and pressure and eventually cause the explosion.

Moreover, the presence of the internal short circuit, the hydrogen and the volatile gases contained in the battery and the presence of oxygen as the oxidizing agent initiated the ignition. The contributory factors and the combustibility of materials fueled and sustained the ignition sequence.

Arson investigators from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) immediately conducted their investigation on the fire that damaged the 97-year-old structure, which is regarded as National Historical Landmark.

“We welcomed the result of the investigation from the BFP to know exactly what really happened. We will now move on and concentrate primarily on the recovery and rehabilitation of the iconic building”, said Postmaster General Luis Carlos.

Built in 1926, the historic Manila Central Post Office was designed by Filipino architects Juan Arellano and Tomas Mapua. It was damaged during World War II, during the Battle of Manila and was restored in 1946, right after the war.