Engr. Lorilyn P. Daquioag
Waste4Good Founder and CEO
Stamina4Space Maya 3 & Maya 4 Satellite
Team Member

Engr. Lorilyn P. Daquioag is a distinguished figure in Philippine space technology, known for her role in developing the brains of the first Philippine university-built satellites, Maya 3 and Maya 4, at the University of the Philippines – Diliman. Her contributions have advanced space technology, making history in Philippine science. In addition to her pioneering work in space technology, Engr. Lorilyn is the founder and CEO of Waste4Good Technologies, a dynamic social enterprise specializing in agri-tech. She addresses food insecurity, championing sustainable waste management, and empowers the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices, benefiting the environment and local communities. Notably, Engr. Lorilyn’s achievements have gained international recognition, as she is set to be featured on NHK-World Japan’s “Asia Insights” program from October 20 to November 20, 2023. This broadcast, reaching 118 countries, further highlights her remarkable contributions and global influence in the fields of technology, innovation, and sustainable development.

Engr. Kevin Facun
Senior Consultant
Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines

Engr. Kevin Ubaldo Facun is an Electronics Engineer by profession. He finished his master’s degree at the University of the Philippines – Diliman specializing in the development of biomedical devices and software at the Innovation and Research Center of the UP Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute. He then pursued his Master of Intellectual Property and Development Property (MIPD) at the Korean Development Institute – School of Public Policy and Management at Sejong City, South Korea graduating Summa Cum Laude and batch salutatorian. He presently works as a Senior Specialist at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and he has recently finished his MBA at Quantic – School of Business and Technology which is based in Washington DC.

Dr. Ria Liza C. Canlas
Executive Member, National Innovation Council
Director of Center for Innovation, National University

Dr. Ria Liza C. Canlas is a Registered Civil Engineer, Accredited Materials Engineer 1, and Certified Patent Agent. She holds degrees in Civil Engineering, Engineering Management, and a Doctorate in Technology. She is a prominent scientist-inventor-engineer-academician-patent professional-entrepreneur-science communicator, known as the Feminine Genius ASEAN Designer and Woman in Science. She is a key figure in innovation and tech startups with 30 years of experience. Dr. Canlas was awarded a prestigious grant by CHED for data-driven research that led to the creation of the ASEANA system, predicting emerging industry landscapes using big data and AI. She’s a leading advocate for green construction and is the CEO/Founder-Inventor of Po Lite Technology Inc., renowned for “Po-Lite,” a socially impactful product utilizing indigenous raw materials. Dr. Canlas is also a Co-Founder of AI CORE, a Silicon Valley-based tech startup focusing on AI, blockchain, and construction technology for a greener future. She mentors professionals and students, emphasizing patent commercialization, startup support, and the protection of Filipino intellectual property. She is committed to Filipinovation and the concept of “Science for Change,” uniting academia, government, civil society, industry, and media. She’s a member of various professional and civic groups, including the Southeast Asia Emerging Industries Consortium, and serves as the Director of the Center for Innovation at National University – Philippines and the Intellectual Property Expert of Spruson and Ferguson (Asia) Ltd. Dr. Canlas has been appointed by the President of the Philippines as an Executive Member of the National Innovation Council, representing the Scientific Community, in accordance with the Philippine Innovation Act (RA No. 11293)

Mr. Rocell Vicente
Acting Chief
Philippine Space Agency Planning and Project Management Division

Mr. Vicente is currently the acting chief of the Philippine Space Agency’s (PhilSA) Planning and Project Management Division (PPMD), leading the provision of centralized and consolidated research administration support services to PhilSA’s technical research bureaus by deploying project managers (PM) to manage the agency’s projects. The PPMD also facilitates the preparation of PhilSA’s budget proposals for the establishment of vital space infrastructure to be submitted to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Finance for foreign-assisted funding and/or public-private partnerships. Through these efforts, PhilSA was able to secure funding to continue the development of the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment Satellite (MULA), a sovereign Earth Observation satellite that can capture images to support the periodic updating of land use, agricultural crops, water resources, and built infrastructure maps in the country. Prior to joining PhilSA, Mr. Vicente was previously affiliated with the Department of Science and Technology – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) where he handled the establishment of the Philippines’ satellite ground stations and facilitated the acquisition of\ NovaSAR-1, a synthetic aperture radar satellite for augmenting the country’s capabilities in maritime domain awareness.

Truong Vo Huu Thien
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
GaraSTEM

Mr. Truong Vo Huu Thien has had a passion for computer technology from a young age. After graduating with his Bachelor degree in Vietnam, he received a scholarship for a Master’s degree in Computer Science at the Institute of Advanced Science and Technology in Japan. After completing his Master degree, he returned to Vietnam and established GaraSTEM Educational Technology Joint Stock Company with his desire of bringing STEM education closer to Vietnamese students. With over 8 years of experience and expertise in the field of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology, he has made GaraSTEM become one of the top STEM education companies in Vietnam. Especially in 2022 where the Computer Science 10 and 11 textbooks – Computer Science Specialty, which he participated in the compilation, was officially put out into a teaching program in high schools in Vietnam.

Lawrence V. Madriaga, PhD
Campus Director
Philippine Science High School Main Campus

Lawrence V. Madriaga is currently the campus director of the Philippine Science High School Main Campus (PSHS-MC). Lawrence graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman with undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Metallurgical Engineering and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. Prior to his current position, he was a member of the faculty of the Mapua University, then became a manager in a semiconductor manufacturing company as well as a telecoms software company.  As an educator, Lawrence handled courses in Thermodynamics of Materials, Mechanical Properties of Materials, and mentored research teams in both undergraduate and graduate levels. In semiconductor manufacturing, Lawrence managed teams that delivered technical training to engineers and technicians and was in charge of the company’s in-house Master of Science program. In telecoms software, he managed the company’s external partners, local and international, in pursuit of various projects. Outside of work, Lawrence is a foodie who spends time cooking local dishes for personal consumption.

Randolf S. Sasota, Ph.D.
Officer-in-Charge
Science and Technology Manpower Education Research and Promotions Division
DOST-SEI

Dr. Sasota is a Supervising Science Research Specialist and the Officer-in-Charge of the Science and Technology Manpower Education Research and Promotions Division (STMERPD) of the DOST – Science Education Institute. He currently leads the division in the promotion of science to the youth, the conduct of research and evaluation studies related to science education and S&T human resource development, and the provision and implementation of the management information system in the Institute. Before heading STMERPD, he led pioneering research projects related to S&T human resource development. He authored the first comprehensive report on S&T professionals in the Philippines. He also played a crucial role in producing the Migration of S&T Human Resources reports. His research article titled “Will-Skill-Tool Model of Technology Integration in Teaching Science and Mathematics in the Philippines” received the 2021 DOST International Publication Award from NAST. Outside his regular government role, he serves as a Senior Lecturer at the UP – Diliman College of Education. Additionally, he works as a research and evaluation consultant for organizations like UNESCO and USAID, and he frequently conducts data analysis training for schools and universities.

BIANCA PEARL R. SYKIMTE
Director, Export Marketing Bureau
Department of Trade and Industry

Ms. Sykimte is the Director of the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau. She oversees the development and implementation of export promotion strategies and initiatives and the provision of exporter services such as trade facilitation, business matching, information services, and market intelligence. Prior to her current role, Ms. Sykimte managed initiatives under the Industry Development Program of the DTI-Board of Investments. These included policy analysis and formulation, industry promotion, and capacity-building programs. Ms. Sykimte also served as Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist of the DTI-Bureau of International Trade Relations. Her work in the Bureau significantly contributed to the signing of the Philippines-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) FTA and the inclusion of the Philippines in the European Union (EU) Generalized Scheme of Preferences-plus list of beneficiaries. As Associate Market Analyst for IDC Philippines, she authored/co-authored papers on: (1) Philippines Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise IT Buying Behavior and Adoption Plans; (2) Philippine Hardcopy Peripherals Industry: A Closer Look at End-User Segmentation; and (3) Philippines 2010 Top 10 Predictions: Year of Recovery and Transformation. Ms. Sykimte obtained her Master’s degree in Applied Business Economics from the University of Asia & the Pacific (UA&P) and her Bachelor’s degree in Commerce major in Economics from the University of Santo Tomas.

LEO D.P. CUBILLAN, M.D., M.P.H.
Vice President for Academic Affairs
University of the Philippines System

Dr. Leo Cubillan is a leading advocate of eye health in the Philippines. He took his undergraduate in the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, majored in biology (magna cum laude). He finished his medical degree from UP Manila College of Medicine (most outstanding intern) and obtained his master’s degree in Public Health from University of California Berkeley (highest honors). He then completed his fellowship on Cornea, Uveitis, and External Diseases at the University of California San Francisco. He was the immediate past Director of the Philippine Eye Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, UP Manila. He spearheaded various eye health projects and policies with both national, regional, and international institutions for the prevention of blindness and improvement of eye health care among Filipinos. He played an active role, in collaboration with the DOH and DepEd, in the policy development of the National Vision Screening Program (NVSP) for the Kindergarten (Republic Act 11358). He is currently the Vice President for Academic Affairs of the UP System.

ERNEST TROYSS B. PILAPIL
CEO and Co-founder
CP Health Innovations Inc.

Ernest Troyss B. Pilapil is a co-founder and CEO of CP Health Innovations, a health tech startup that creates digital health solutions to advance health equity in the Philippines. The company has worked with local and international health authorities to develop digital interventions for public health investment planning, automating health information dissemination, and strengthening health financing and operations in private clinics, and rural health units. CPHI’s products and projects are deployed in five regions and multiple facilities in the Philippines, impacting the health of thousands of Filipinos.  Through this Troyss was recognized as a Gen T. Leader of Tomorrow by Tatler Asia in 2022 for making rural healthcare more efficient and comprehensive. He was an immunology researcher at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine where he gained expertise in recombinant vaccine development and antibody production. He took MSc Microbiology from UP Diliman and BS Biology from UP Manila.

MODERATOR

YEVGENY ASTER T. DULLA, PhD
Frontier Development Division, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Managing Director, Leave a Nest Philippines, Inc.

Yev was born and raised in Iloilo City, Philippines. He graduated with a degree in BS Chemistry from the University of the Philippines – Visayas, after which he worked as an instructor at the University of the Philippines – Manila. He came to Japan in 2013 to pursue graduate studies through the HIGO Program of Kumamoto University, and acquired his Masters in Health Life Sciences in 2015 and his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2018. He worked at a business consultancy company in Tokyo in 2019 to help bring biotechnology and medical companies from abroad into Japan. In 2020, he joined Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. and is currently under the Frontier Development Division. He is also a Balik Scientist Awardee for 2021. In the same year, he co-founded the Leave a Nest Philippines office and is its current Managing Director.

MS. JESSEBEL GADOT
Centralized Analytical Testing Laboratory (CATL)
University of Antique

Asst. Prof. Jessebel V. Gadot completed her Bachelor of Science and Masters in Chemistry, at the University of Philippines – Visayas. She also earned a Master of Science in Animal Nutrition and Feed Safety at Szent Istvan University in Kaposvar. Ms Gadot has further developed her technical skills in material science and nanotechnology as a University Researcher in Material Science and Nanotechnology Laboratory of Regional Research Center (MSNL-RRC) of UP Visayas until 2021. Currently, she pioneers the establishment and operationalization of the first research and testing laboratory in Antique, Centralized Analytical Testing Laboratory (CATL). She is working as an Assistant Professor I and designated as Director of Integrated Research Centers in the University of Antique with involvement in DOST-PCIEERD funded, externally and in-house funded research projects. One of its current research projects focuses on the exploration of plants and animals in Antique province that has delightful sensations.

DR. JOANNA OREJOLA
Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy
University of the Philippines Manila

Dr. Joanna Orejola graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from University of the Philippines Manila in 2002. After obtaining her pharmacist license, she pursued a Master of Science in Biochemistry while serving as an instructor in the same university. She furthered her studies abroad and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Natural Products Chemistry) from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Nagasaki University. Currently, she is continuing research on the chemistry of natural products in the Philippines while working as an Associate Professor under the College of Pharmacy in the University of the Philippines Manila.

DR. MARY ANN BAUTISTA
Botanist
Center for Conservation Innovation Ph Inc. (CCIPH)

Dr. Mary Ann C. Bautista is a botanist from the Center for Conservation Innovations Ph, Inc. She earned her Ph.D. in Botany from the South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her research interests include biodiversity, plant systematics, taxonomy, phylogenomics, species conservation, and forest restoration. She is also an associate member of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP). Currently, she is working on projects related to high conservation value assessments (HCVAs), forest restorations, and recovery planning (especially in typhoon-hit areas). She is also involved in the development of the HCVA framework for the Philippines with DENR. Her other works are mostly related to taxonomic and conservation studies of Philippine plants.

MODERATOR

DR. YUKO UENO
General Manager, Group Development Division, Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. (Japan)
Director, Leave a Nest Philippines, Inc.

Dr. Yuko Ueno received her Ph.D in Ocean microbiology and joined Leave a Nest in 2013. She has experience in creating new projects by encouraging collaboration between academia and industry as a Science Bridge Communicator. With the experience of tech-startup accelerator, she is bridging Japanese tech startups to global tech-startup platforms to interconnect the technology and social issues. Dr. Yuko also holds the position of Director at Leave a Philippines, Inc.