12 aspiring scientists to represent PH at int’l tech fair

MANILA — Twelve aspiring scientists from different high schools nationwide were honored on Friday as representatives of the Philippines at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

ISEF, the largest pre-college science competition worldwide which gathers top young scientific minds from across the globe to showcase their researches on the international stage, will run from May 12 to 17 in Phoenix in the US state of Arizona.

The country’s 12 representatives are the winners of the 2019 National Science and Technology Fair led by the Department of Education (DepEd) last February 18 to 22 in Tagaytay City.

They are John Eric Aggarao, Kathleen Chloie Antonio, Anna Beatriz Suavengco, Maria Isabel Lyson, Neil David Cayanan, Shaira Gozun, E’van Relle Tongol, Maryjoise Karla Buan, Alpha Acain, Lester Sabadao, Lia Denise Tan, and Nathaniel Reyes.

They are from five different schools – Taguig National High School, Iloilo National High School, Angeles City Science High School, Pangasinan National High School and Quezon National High School.

The Gokongwei Brother Foundation (GBF) gave the students the first Gokongwei Brother Foundation Young Scientist Award. The award is given to learners who have shown excellence in the field of Science and Technology, and in producing researches and projects which could improve the lives of the Filipinos or solve the country’s biggest problems.

Apart from the award, the GBF shouldered all the trip’s expenses of the 12 students. It also announced that they will grant each student a scholarship in a Science, Technology, Mathematics or Engineering (STEM) degree at their dream universities.

“We at the GBF we’re inspired with the fact that the previous Philippine teams have won major awards despite being one of the smallest delegations. Sponsoring our young scientists in this competition can boost their confidence in the global standards of scientific research,” said GBF General Manager Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng in her speech.

She said that having representatives in such a prestigious competition is a testament to the Filipino youth’s exceptional ingenuity and potential in STEM.

Meanwhile, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Instruction Alma Ruby Torio said the department is proud of the representatives who will be part of the 1,800 high school participants from more than 80 countries.

“Last year, our team was able to bring home three major awards. For this team this year, congratulations on creating projects, products that will help solve the country’s challenges and improve the lives of others, and, I pray very hard that all your projects will receive positive evaluation at the competition,” she said.

Torio also advised the 12 students to meet other student-researchers at the competition and learn from their best practices and culture.

“Share with them also our unique culture and tell something about our interesting tourist destinations and the Filipino hospitality,” she added.

The Philippine team of young student-researchers, led by DepEd Director Joyce Andaya, will fly to the US for the ISEF on Saturday.