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.^[1]

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.^[2]

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[3][4][5]	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		First Runner-up		Second Runner-up
	Student, Course, and School	Project Description	Student, Course, and School	Project Description	Student, Course, and School	Project Description
2005[6]	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[6]	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[6]	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[6]	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[6]	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[6]	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[7]	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[7]	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[7][8]	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 Basic Science Research
	Student, Course, and School	Project Description	Student, Course, and School	Project Description
2016[9]	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[10]	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)