STAR, six others receive science awards

The STAR, its science writer, and six other entities and individuals received this year’s "Kabalikat" award conferred by a research council of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The awardees received plaques and cash prizes at a recent program marking the 22nd anniversary of the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD) at the EDSA Shangri-la Plaza Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro and PCIERD Executive Director Graciano Yumul Jr. handed the trophies and cash prizes to the awardees.

The STAR received the Media Category (Institutional) award for its "invaluable support and contribution in disseminating information on science and technology to the public, particularly PCIERD’s projects and programs."

Its science writer, Rudy A. Fernandez, received the Media Category (Print) award for his regular R&D NOTES which comes out in The STAR every Sunday and for also disseminating other S&T information, including those on PCIERD’s research activities.

A multi-awarded broadcaster, Melly Tenorio of DZRB, won the Media Category (Broadcast) award for her "invaluable support and contribution in disseminating information on science and technology to the public, particularly PCIERD’s projects and services through her radio program ‘Talino Para sa Masa’."

The following were the other awardees:

• Department of Trade and Industry (Government Collaborator category) – for its support and contribution to S&T as "long-time partner of PCIERD in its research and development and commercialization activities, particularly in the "DOST-DTI Processed Food Development Program"."

• BONCON Enterprises (Private Collaborator category) – for its support and contribution to S&T "as partner of PCIERD in the commercialization of the ‘Coconut Milk Beverage’."

• Institute of Food Science and Technology-University of the Philippines Los Baños–for its invaluable support and contribution to S&T as "partner of PCIERD in developing the Coconut Milk Beverage’."

• Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) (Foreign Collaborator category) – for its invaluable support and contribution to S&T in the Philippines "through its partnership with SAGRIC International Pty. Ltd. and collaboration with PCIERD on capability-building programs on environmental planning and management and technology transfer."

• SAGRIC International Pty. Ltd. (Foreign Collaborator category) – for its invaluable support and contribution to S&T in the country "through its partnership with AusAID and collaboration with PCIERD on capability-building programs on environmental planning and management and technology transfer." – Rudy A. Fernandez