# BPI-DOST Science Awards

Organized in 1989 by the BPI Foundation, Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the BPI-DOST Science Awards recognizes exceptional science and engineering students from partner universities nationwide. These students are individuals whose efforts made them excel in specialized fields of science such as mathematics, physics, engineering, chemistry, biology, and computer science. The awardees are recognized for their potential contributions to industry and nation-building and selected based on their academic and research performance and nomination from the school.

## Selection process

The preparation for the awards is a very long and tedious process. Every year in June, the BPI Foundation selects three entries from the ten partner universities, and by July, all the invitations, materials, and all preparations are complete. Acceptance of formal nominations closes in October. By February, all the arrangements for the awarding ceremonies are made.
The foundation gathers the three best entries from the ten partner universities each year. These are Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Saint Louis University, Silliman University, University of the Philippines (Diliman and Los Banes), University of San Carlos, University of Santo Tomas, and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.
To qualify, the nominee must be a Filipino citizen and a regular student majoring in the following fields: mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, and biology. Additionally, the nominee must have a consistent and outstanding academic, leadership, and research record in their school.
The schools must submit their nominees to the BPI-DOST Science Committee.
The BPI handles the business feasibility of the research, while DOST assesses the scientific aspect. From 30 research projects, the evaluators trim down the entries to 12 semifinalists. DOST again narrows them down to six finalists.
The finalists then undergo an oral evaluation by a joint BPI-DOST panel of experts. Finally, the experts choose the winners of the Best Project of the Year Awards.
The main criteria for judging projects are adherence to scientific soundness, relevance, impact on knowledge advancement, commercial viability, and the study's originality.
Winners get a P200,000 research grant, a P50,000 cash incentive, and a trophy. First- and second-prize winners receive P30,000 and P10,000, respectively, and a trophy each.
All the original 30 outstanding student awardees chosen get P25,000 cash prizes, trophies, and an invitation to work as BPI junior officers.

## Awardees

From 1989 to 2004, equal awards were given to the top 3 candidates from each university. Note that awards were first given to candidates from Silliman University and Xavier University in 1990, Ateneo de Davao University in 1994, and Saint Louis University in 1998.
| Year | Ateneo de Davao University | Ateneo de Manila University | De La Salle University | Silliman University | St. Louis University | University of the Philippines Diliman | University of the Philippines Los Baños | University of San Carlos | University of Santo Tomas | Xavier University |
| 1989 | - | Joselyn M. Concepcion Elvira P. de Lara Enrique V. de Leon | Catherine S. J. Andaya Arnold Martin E. Ablaza Michael A. Gamo | - | - | Dairene K. Uy Noel G. Mediodia Jose Gregorio C. Labanda | Maria Genalin S. de Borja Edilberto A. Alcanzare$^‡$ | June N. Uy Farley L. Baricuatro Caroline U. Yu | Novaliza V. Valera Michael Paul B. Munarriz Jefferson C. Phi | - |
| 1990 | - | Nina Rosario L. Rojas Neil Raymund Y. Caranto Virgilio B, Velasco, Jr. | Federico L. Obsequio Edwin R. Tajanlangit Robin Michael L. Velasco | Joyce F. Teofilo Ma. Janette G. Ratilla Memee G. Puracan | - | Marlon Rosendo H. Daza Kenrick V. Chua Christine Chua | Rizaldy P. Scott Lygia Emily P. Baskinas Francis L. delos Reyes III | Corazon R. Quimbo Leila P. Andrino Carolyn I. Kho | Eva M. Chua Eugene J. Zshornack Rosanna Florence S. Pascual | Heraldo L. Cañarejo Elvy F. Egama Jeanette B. Fadul |
| 1991 | - | Robertson S. Chiang Ibet Marie Y. Sih Anthony P. Suarez | John Paul D. Mijares Rommel O. Salvador Judes B. Sarmiento | Caesar? B. de Leon Isidore Perry L. Loo Maria Althea N. Masangkay | - | Victor Arni D. Sicam Luis G. Sison Nilokai N. Leung Rolando P. Martinez | Jovila A. Marquez Roy Roberto L. Gerona Leopold L. Ilag | Roy Y. Andales Celeste C. Momongan Jacqueline Hayley C. Sim | Jose H. Bergantin, Jr. Roberto P. Santos Henry Villanueva | Ellenitta G. Nuñez Lilibeth L. Perez Mary Ann R. Deveza |
| 1992 | - | Maria Justina L. Bautista Eloisa N. Kempis Francis Ted J. Limpoco | Allan D. Ching Jose Mari L. Jimenez Maite G. Padua | Allan L. Alcober Dominic A. Cedeño Gamaliel N. Garcia | - | Russel Job S. Umandap Frances Joy O. Uy Kirk S. Yap | Emmanuel S. Baja Ma. Xenia U. Garcia Joseph C. Lim | Dia S. Alibo Jack Hess Baricuatro Josefino A. Tapia | Aileen Y. Dujon Loralie Monina A. Gallo Wendell A. Salumbides | Aileen D. Gurrea Zaynab D. Ramirez Llely E. Yana |
| 1993 | - | Cheryl Jasmin T. Manua Rommel G. Regis Luis Francisco G. Sarmenta | Michael F. Garcia Voltaire M. Mistades Charlie R. Salvador | Heartie Hyacinth E. Almirante Leodegario P. Rosales Michael Stanley D. Tan | - | Rowel O. Atienza Mara Milagros L. del Callar Joanne Jill T. Olazo | Mark Jesus M. Magbanua Brian Albert S. Ocfemia Armand M. Yambao | Lydwena R. Eco Al A. Mendoza Peter U. Tan | Cynthia C. Abacan Jeanne Therese P. Hilario Robin K. Mitra | Francisco S. Catigbe, Jr. Roel S. Lawagon Tobias O. Rempillo, Jr. |
| 1994 | Janice F. Bacani Meliza B. Donato Eduardo Tadeo J. Hagad | Raymond Anthony N. Alimurung Jonathan John B. Paz Rommel V. Songco | Yvonne Virginia C. Castro Jenny G. Du James L. Lim | M-May A. Luchavez Marie Teresita E. Patula Jules C. Silva | - | Jennifer G. Dy Jose Ernie C. Lope Agham-Bayan S. Posadas | Aldwin M. Anterola Hipolito M. Custodio III Dorothy June M. Hamada | Ermelindo S. Andal, Jr. Neil M. Antiquina Albert Y. Woo | Rolando Joson Paulino, Jr. Joanne D. Tabora Liza Marie Ylescupidez | Adler F. Ferrer Bruno Antonio C. Siaotong Jennifer N. Sia |
| 1995 | Sonny R. Datoy Melanie C. Labendia Jeffrey R. Sarmiento | John Erwin S. Lavilles Joseph Frederick S. Hans Rico R. Rodriguez | Nelson B. Arboleda, Jr. Ma. Stara C. Cabbab Zelton R. Santos | Jo-an T. Vera Cruz James Francis V. Paraon Anna Marie T. Verzosa | - | Jeffrey G. Chan Alexander P. Reichert Karl Leonhard F. Solis | Romeo E. Capuno, Jr. Jonathan Y. Mane Tricia Mari-len P. Natural | Raoul N. Alo Lee Marie T. Alvarez Theresa C. Maxino | Rolan H. Carreon Jeannette M. Yoingco Li Li Wong | Michael Y. Calo Marlon Godwin T. Echalico Lennie K. Ong |
| 1996 | Alaramanav M. Lorejo | Genevieve Go Co Stephanie Yiu Chua Rhonald Co Lua | Mabel N. Hong Carl H. Oliveros Chimmy C. Young | Mark Jason O. Alcala Carolyn Joy J. Lumapguid Jonathan B. Velasco | - | Wilbin S. Chan Amelita R. Martija Ignatius Gerardo E. Zarraga | Lourdes Pia H. Lopez Neilyn P. Ona Jayson D. Rodriguez | Jerome J. Auza Fe Ellamae S. Cerico Mary Ann O. Dizon | Thadeo G. Catacutan Joseph A. David Girlie D. Miralles | Ricky S. Eran Navvab D. Ramirez Rachelle Marie A. Verdote |
| 1997 | Arnold Rex L. Kintanar Carol B. Aqui Anna Marie M. Ando | Paolo Augustus S. Aranjuez Helen U. Co Rael I. Limbitco | Aimee L. Uy Favian Nelson S. Ong Ariel B. Amarillo | Dinah Rose M. Baseleres Christopher O. Damaso Sundy Lorence C. Lachica | - | Marc C. Llaguno Honesto Franz Maximillian A. Nuqui Cattleya J. Sanchez | Alfonso P. Gonzales III Krishlex Anthony G. Gruezo Abdalin L. Esmade | Lullette S. Yau Mary Chris Y. Damiao Hazel O. Arceo | Neptali P. Cruz Christopher de los Santos Cristy Y. Lao | Tyrene P. Tanaka Michael Jones L. Sia Rizaline C. Leonar |
| 1998 | Marie Fides U. Antig Josie May L. de Castro Rochelle T. Tan | Paul H. Bernardo Zandro Luis M. Gonzalez Jason N. Lunas | Leila H. Castañeda Fernando Rey R. Fernando Vicente Eduardo G. Velarde | Sheila Lynn M. Catacutan Jose Leo C. Mission Rodolfo C. Quibot, Jr. | Marie Antonette T. Jimenez Ace V. Nolasco Mariann A. Tada | Jeffrey T. Angeles Wyant S. Chan May T. Lim | Prudence Mary P. Marasigan Glenn A. Neira Teresita L. Tolentino | Ronn R. Canono Neal Allen Asensi Castro Kathleen Jade D. Lim | Anne C. Buenavista Maria Marilon C. Consulta Amado O. Tandoc III | Angelita P. Alvarado Lilibeth U. Cuaresma Jhody C. Esperante |
| 1999 | Maridith D. Lastimoza Lorelie R. Zapanta Grace V. Migriño | Anne Margot F. Aaron Mia Isadora L. Loyola Erwin M. Sabio | Conrado del Rosario Ruiz, Jr. Edzel Racsa Lapira Richard Naje Marquez | Juvelyn S. Reniva Minette L. Natividad Enriczar T. Tia | Perry A. Agustin, Jr. Ranilo John C. Rabacal Davidson O. Sevilleja | Cinderella T. Chavez Angelo Kris G. Marcos Voltaire Jerome S. Cruz | Aletta Concepcion T. Yñiguez Hilbert M. Libres Gilbert E. Tumambac | Reynor M. Buenaflor Marichel A. Cobcoban Clare C. Maxino | Ma. Criselda R. Cruz Nida C. Pangilinan Noel O. Tecson | Roxanne Rea Piloton Hyacinth Lee Pituc John Paul L. Oliveros |
| 2000 | Marvin M. Dalian Mark Henry T. Wee Antonette S. Meñoza | Richard B. Eden Catherine Denis R. Jayme Duncan Bertulfo E. de Lima | Lewellyn V. Celestino Bryan Christopher N. Que Jek Charlson S. Yu | Karen Rose R. Yocor Stanley R. Galanza Ana Marielle T. Lim | Odette M. Bundang Mary Libeney D. Canlas Emerson G. Toquero | Goldy G. Lim Nikholas G. Toledo Carlo Amadeo C. Alonzo | Aniway A. Duhaylungsod Marivi G. Colle Remil M. Aguda | Wella Marie T. Yu Rudina Ann D. Pescante Catherine C. Maxino | Rhandy E. Regulacion Gardelio P. Malgapo Donnabel P. Kuizon | Jordan K. Cañete Edelita N. Remegoso Basilio M. Cadeliña |
| 2001 | Maria Leah Flor A. Alderite Chito Joseph L. de Castro Diane Faith D. Sanchez | Roselle R. Ambubuyog Lito P. dela Rama Paul Ignatius D. Echevarria | Jan Arman D. Figueroa Faith Victory A. Mejor Donna-Zea T. Rosete | Cecille A. Monton Giselle Ann J. Alcoran Ritchie D. Ramos | Cheryl D. Agdaca Jennifer Rose F. Caluza Lorie Joy P. Mindaro | Mark Ian A. Arcedera Clarina R. de la Cruz Joseph Ryan A. Victoria | Irces T. Galvan Leilani S. del Rosario Ramil G. Mijares | Juvy Anne R. Agravante Lecel C. Ando Giovanni L. Aniñon | Michael G. Baltisoto Ronald Lance M. Mellow Valarie S. Ku | Franz Albert G. Go Mellanie T. Gomez Noel Peter B. Tan |
| 2002 | Christopher M. Jabonero Mary Glen T. Montales Ana Karenina R. Pahimalan | John Matthew T. Ng Paul Dominic B. Olinares Adrian Wendil R. Serohijos | Richard D. Abalos Joel L. Panugayan Tanglaw A. Roman | Vanessa J. Alpeche Jeffrey Joseph Y. Araula Raymund Vincent A Piñero | Michael C. Agustin Rhowella Macay Alexander Basilio Safran | Marko E. Arciaga Ericson G. Chua Karen Kate O. David | Jericho S. Bautista Rosa Paula O. Cuevas Mariefel B. Valenzuela | Annely Jane R. Celecia Emily Joy C. Gobok Karl Owen L. Suan | Francis D. Castro Brian S. Go John Paul B. Lorredo | Rey A. Lumayon Emil D. Malferrari Noel Eddie S. Saracanlao |
| 2003 | Victor V. Landeta, Jr. Benjie B. Manatad Ruby Jane S. Uy | Denis Joseph C. Amparo Sandra Jean V. Chua Katrina Mona M. Santiago | Jose Eduardo O. Ang Karen Joy P. Nomorosa Nicklaus Erick C. Sy | Andres C. Abaño Aubrey E. Maro Roda Vee C. Talingting | Daryl C. Abiog Zander Marius B. Alviar Michelle D. Zarate | Joselito F. Bartolome, Jr. Kathrina L. Marcelo Eugene Alvin S. Villar | Joel Niño G. Bugayong Julius Cesar G. Laban Robenzon E. Lorenzana | Joni Flor L. Monteveros Frederick Norman O. Oplado Philip Maynard O. Ortega | Jaymie Claire G. Ang Carlo S. Isidro Abelyn Methanie R. Laurito | Charity Rose B. Absin Ronald Rey D. Jacalan John Peter L. Paiso |
| 2004 | Carla Mae Suner Jalika Mae F. Rosello | Charlotte Kendra G. Castillo | Beauregard Grant Cheng Aldrich Seriales St. Anthony Tiu | | | Mary Rose D. Italia | Mark Lester L. Altoveros | | Warren R. Bacorro Caroline R. Prado Winston R. Wang | |
From 2004 to the present, the format was changed, in which a single winner and 2 runners-up were selected from the top candidates of various universities
| Year | Best Project | Best Project | First Runner-up | First Runner-up | Second Runner-up | Second Runner-up |
| Year | Student, Course, and School | Project Description | Student, Course, and School | Project Description | Student, Course, and School | Project Description |
| 2005 | Johnny F. Balidion B.S. Plant Pathology University of the Philippines Los Baños | Molecular Characterization of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Pryzae Swings et al., from different Rice-Growing Areas in the Philippines | Sarah Camille M. Concepcion B.S. Chemistry University of Santo Tomas | A Preliminary Study on the Potential Anticancer Activity of Turmeric (Curcumin) | Vanessa Grace M. De Villa B.S. Information Technology Saint Louis University | Saprophytic Fungi (Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., and Trichoderma sp.) As Agents for the Biodegradation of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) T-shirt Bags" |
| 2006 | Christian Danve M. Castroverde B.S. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology University of the Philippines Diliman | Molecular Studies on Type Stains Vibrio campbellii and Vibrio harveyi using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Electroporation | Maydeline P. Que B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering University of the Philippines Diliman | Portable Logging Apnea Monitor | David P. Peralta B.S. Chemistry Ateneo de Manila University | Isolation, Purification and Characterization of a 25-35 kDa Glycosidase from Native Ginger Rhizome (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) |
| 2007 | Alexander Edward S. Dy B.S. Biology University of the Philippines Diliman | Development of a Rapid Detection Kit for Amebiasis Patients through Salivary IgA | Kevin Francis U. Ang B.S. Biology University of Santo Tomas | Development of an Immunoassay for the Environment Detection and Monitoring of Blo t? 5 Allergen in House Dust | Paulo Isagani M. Urriza B.S. Computer Engineering University of the Philippines Diliman | Implementation of Space-Time Encoders in Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA's) |
| 2008 | Carla Gisela Ysabel P. Concepcion B.S. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology University of the Philippines Diliman | Cloning of Alcyonium Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) as a Potential Tracker of Cancer Metastasis | Christina Lora M. Leyson B.S. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology University of the Philippines Diliman | Heterologuos Expression of Abaca Bunchy Top Virus (ABTV) Coat Protein (CP) Gene and Production of Antibodies for ABTV Early Detection | Juan Paolo M. Antonio B.S. Chemical Engineering University of Santo Tomas | Extraction, Transesterification and Characterization of Bitaog (Calophyllum inophyllum) Seed Oil as Source of Biofuel |
| 2009 | Mikhail P. Solon B.S. Physics University of the Philippines Diliman | Analysis of Selected Non-linear and Non-local Systems | Stephen Michael H. Co B.S. Biology Ateneo de Manila University | Design and Construction of a Synthetic Coconut Cadang Cadang Viroid cDNA | Marvin C. Masalunga B.S. Biology University of the Philippines Diliman | Genetic Diversity of Philippines Trichomonas vaginalis Isolates using the 5.8S Ribosomal RNA Gene |
| 2010 | Ma. Ivy S. Dela Cruz B.S. Chemical Engineering University of the Philippines Los Baños | Removal of Chromium from a local Chrome-Tannery Wastewater by Sodium Sulfite Reduction Coupled with Sodium Hydroxide Precipitation | John Carlo M. Malabad B.S. ? University of the Philippines Los Baños | Genetic Diversity in Representative Accessions of Cultivated Rice Species Using Grain Quality Candidate Genes through EcoTILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes) | Michael A. Casas B.S. Chemistry Ateneo de Davao University | Optimization of Pectin Extraction from the Peels of Citrus microcarpa (Kalamansi) and Proximate Analysis of the Residue for Selected Parameters |
| 2011 | Ahmed C. Abdullah Khayef B.S. Information Technology Saint Louis University | Translating Words through Synthesized Sign Language Avatar | Jomuel A. Velandres B.S. Electrical Engineering University of the Philippines Los Baños | Selective Recovery of High-purity Silver from a Local Gold smelting Wastewater | Kimberly B. Lucero B.S. Biology University of San Carlos | Effects of Two Entomopathogenic Fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae, on Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella) Larvae under Varying Temperatures |
| 2012 | Sarah Jane M. Calpo B.S. Information Technology Saint Louis University | iSketch: A web-enabled Facial composite Illustration System employing the feature-based Approach | Chiliast B. Juan B.S. Electrical Engineering University of the Philippines Los Baños | Analysis on the Effect of Various Factors to the Voltage Drop of a Single-wire Earth Return (SWER) Distribution System in Lipa Soil Series | Maxine Andrea T. Garcia B.S. Life Sciences Ateneo de Manila University | Identification and Assessment of Bacterial Bioaerosols present in Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Stations using Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T- RFLP) of 16S rRNA Gene |
| 2013 | Jann Adriel C. Sy B.S. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology University of the Philippines Diliman | a "personalized" system to improve drug metabolism | Jose Paolo P. Aguilar B.S. Biology University of Santo Tomas | Remediation of Hexavalent Chromium by Immobilized Microorganisms Coupled with Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles (nZVI) | Napoleon Salvador B. Antonio B.S. Chemistry Ateneo de Manila University | Towards Affordable Solar Cells: Fabrication of Photovoltaic Devices Incorporating Doped Graphene from Graphite and Doped Carbon from Pyrolyzed Glycerol |
From 2016 to 2017, the format was changed, in which 2 winners were awarded Best in Applied Research and Best in Basic Science Research as selected from the top 30 candidates of various competing universities:
| Year | Best in Applied Resesarch | Best in Applied Resesarch | Best in Basic Science Research | Best in Basic Science Research |
| Year | Student, Course, and School | Project Description | Student, Course, and School | Project Description |
| 2016 | Joselv E. Albano, BS Biology, Ateneo de Davao University | Molecular Detection and Expression of merA and Mercury Reduction by Pseudomonas putida | Jerome Alan S. Japitana, BS Chemistry, University of Santo Tomas | Using Non-Precious Materials in the Development of a Cost-Effective Cathode Catalyst for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells (Best Project) |
| 2017 | Ervin Luis M. Jayag, BS Chemical Engineering, University of Santo Tomas | Optimization of Co-Catalyst Loading Parameters and Design of a Photocatalytic Reactor for Hydrogen Production Using Modified Titanium Dioxide and Visible Light Irradiation | Sheena Gumantay, BS Biology, University of Santo Tomas | Using RNA interference to silence the viral gene VP9 which impairs the white spot syndrome virus (Best Project) |