Promoting science and technology to Filipino youth through Bato Balani Pinoy Scientist Live!
- Diwa Learning Systems Inc.
- Aug 10, 2021
- 3 min read

Last July 30, Diwa held the first-ever Bato Balani Pinoy Scientist Live! Named after Diwa's flagship Bato Balani for Science and Technology magazine, this virtual event aims to bring science and technology closer to students by giving them an opportunity to meet a real-life exceptional Filipino scientist.
The inaugural run of Bato Balani Pinoy Scientist Live! featured renowned Filipino entomologist Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo, PhD. A leading spider expert in the country, Dr. Dupo has earned her numerous awards, which include Diwa and BBFI's The Many Faces of the Teacher in 2017, for her contributions to STEM education and Philippine biodiversity.
"Science brings us closer to our culture," Dr. Dupo shared as she provided interesting facts about spiders and insects in the Philippines. "So much of being a scientist is also being a good educator. It's very important to be a good teacher and a good communicator when you are a scientist because we not only communicate what we know in terms of publications, we have to be able to communicate the science that we do to the public. And the only way we can appreciate nature is when we understand them."
Dr. Dupo also shared her journey in becoming a scientist in her field of expertise, and gave teachers, students, and parents insights on how to further their studies on science and technology.
The program also gave recognition to the recipients of the Bato Balani Science Excellence Award (BB SEA) for S.Y. 2020-2021. BB SEA is an annual award for outstanding grade six students who have shown exemplary performance in science and technology in their schools.
Bato Balani Pinoy Scientist Live! hopes that by putting a spotlight on an outstanding Filipino scientist and on young science achievers across the country, more Filipino youth would be inspired to pursue careers in science and technology.
"We need as many scientists as we can," Dr. Dupo said to the students in the audience. "At the moment, we have around one scientist to 10,000 people. We need more scientists and more people like you to go into the sciences."
Here are the BB SEA recipients for S.Y. 2020-2021:
North Luzon
Ecumenical Christian College: Denise Margaret P. Policarpio
Holy Rosary Parochial Institute: Gabrielle Denisse M. Galicia
Little Flower Children's Home Foundation Inc.: Wenzyl Merich J. Kil-o
Mother Goose Special School System, Inc.-Bayambang: Karlynn Severa S. Manganaan
Mother Goose Special School System, Inc.-Dagupan: Eunice Dana C. Dela Cruz
Mother Goose Special School System, Inc.-Pozorrubio: Reian Marco C. Caldito
Mother Goose Special School System, Inc.-San Carlos: Primus Jonn D. Magalong
Mother Goose Special School System, Inc.-Urdaneta: Mark Angelo D. Rezonable
Nazarenus College and Hospital Foundation, Inc.: Janiah Khirstein L. Hong
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Montessori: Tiarra Machaella V. De Guzman
Saint Louis University Laboratory Elementary School: Christian Kalel L. Galinato
St. Paul College - San Rafael, Bulacan: Ma. Sophia Margarette M. Alde
St. Paul School of Sta. Maria Inc.: Anaya Gabrielle C. Mendoza
Wonderland School of Dagupan, Inc.: Alexa Gabrielle G. Adatan
South Luzon
Abada College: Renjiro L. Suarez
Emmanuel Christian School: Norton Q. Fumera II
FAITH Colleges: Martin Isidore Q. Mendoza
Harvest in Christ Christian Academy: Nicole Anne N. Noveno
La Purisima Concepcion Academy: Keziah Jamirah M. Emon
Magnum Opus Formation School: John Nathan V. Paran
Naga Hope Christian School: Eliana Kristen N. Resuena
Our Lady of Lourdes School of Bauan, Inc.: Justin Cristoph M. Libertino
Saint Benilde International School Calamba Inc.: Owen Lee B. Carpio
Saint Mary's Educational Institute: Faith Alexandra M. Cueto
St. John the Baptist Integrated School of Camarines Sur Inc.: Julius Uriel J. Bisnar
St. Louie de Marillac College of Sorsogon: Shan Lester J. Zamora
Taysan High School and Child Development Center: Ghail Ayessa M. Hernandez
The Mabini Academy: Mary Camylle M. Poblete
University of Nueva Caceres: Zoe Jinel A. Arcilla
National Capital Region
Academia de Julia Victoria of Cavite, Inc: Solange Penelope F. Gualberto
Academia De San Isidro: Mikiela Rovene S. Ordas
Colegio del Buen Consejo: Alyssandra Martina A. Hayag
Don Bosco Technical Institute of Makati: Rayhan Marcus R. Miranda
Martires Integrated Academy Inc.: Bryle Anthony C. Adawag
San Beda University - Rizal: Jann Ausenyves D. Luzano
St. Mark's Institute, Inc - Annex Campus: Megan Archeia V. Tagle
Unida Christian Colleges: Alexine Jen L. Monzon
Visayas and Mindanao
Brokenshire College - Child Development Center: Henny P. Peñalver
Calinan Lam Adventist Academy, Inc.: Queen Cassandra A. Rodriguez
Capitol University: Connelly Jet C. Yang
Claret School of Lamitan: Maverick C. Baylon
Clarin Adventist School, Inc.: Jay Van G. Uba
Enhanced Childhood Learning Center: Asheera Lee S. Zabala
King's College of Marbel, Inc.: Nick Uzziel V. Umahag
Matutum View Baptist Academy: Princess Nicole B. Tagalogon
Oro Christian Grace School: Madeline Reese A. Ong
Ozamis City Seventh-Day Adventist Elementary School, Inc.: Jhea A. Gultiano
Southern Christian College: Gabriel Angelo M. Jungaya
St. Gabriel English School of Kalibo, Inc.: Marv Andreu M. Olivar
St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban, Inc.: Mary Dwell L. Fronteras
The Notre Dame of Kabacan, Inc.: Jereme Paula L. Tabaosares
This is a fantastic initiative by Diwa! Showcasing Filipino scientists is a great way to inspire the next generation. It's almost like a real-life version of some of the strategy and collaboration you see in fun io games, but instead of conquering a virtual map, these students are equipped to tackle real-world challenges with STEM.
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