Four UP Diliman Scholars Triumph at 13th ASTHRDP Graduate Scholars’ Conference

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Science is not just about theories written on chalkboards or formulas etched into notebooks—it is the force that powers nations forward, the foundation of resilience, and the hope of a brighter tomorrow. This was the spirit that radiated at the 13th Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP) Graduate Scholars’ Conference, held on September 18–19, 2025, in Cagayan de Oro City. And at the heart of this celebration of intellect and innovation, four young minds from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) rose to distinction, earning Best Presentation Awards and proving once again that Filipino scholars are capable of world-class breakthroughs.

The prestigious gathering, hosted by Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and co-chaired by Central Luzon State University (CLSU), brought together more than 200 of the country’s brightest graduate scholars, scientists, and project leaders. With the theme “Advancing Climate Action and Environmental Stewardship for the Well-being of Every Filipino,” the two-day conference became both a battleground of ideas and a sanctuary for collaboration, where the nation’s most promising researchers shared cutting-edge work across critical fields of science and technology.

The Four Bright Lights of UP Diliman

Among 21 UP Diliman scholars who participated, four emerged as awardees, taking home not just certificates and cash prizes but also the pride of representing the country’s premier state university with brilliance and purpose.

Marsden Badlisan (MS Physics) captured the Best Oral Presentation in Physical Sciences with his groundbreaking research on the “Electrically Controlled Goos-Hänchen Shift of a Light Beam due to a ZnO-GaAs Structure.” His work promises exciting applications in optics and photonics, showcasing how Filipino research can influence global scientific conversations.

Nicole Joy Datu (PhD Mathematics) earned the Best Oral Presentation in Mathematical and Computational Science for her dissertation on “On Strongly Φ-Reversible Elements of the Symplectic Group.” Her victory was not just a triumph of mathematics but also an inspiration to young women aspiring to excel in fields too often seen as the preserve of the few. “Growing up, I was told math was only for the naturally talented,” she reflected, “but I’ve learned that hard work and the right support can take you just as far.”

Miguel Revilla (PhD Meteorology) brought home the Best Oral Presentation in Environmental Sciences for his timely and vital dissertation, “Spatio-temporal and Surface-level Analysis of Tropical Cyclones Maintaining or Intensifying in the Philippines.” His research offers crucial insights that may shape the country’s disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Wendell Manuel (MS Materials Science and Engineering) secured the Best Poster Presentation in Physical Sciences with his innovative study on “Tuned FeO/Fe3O4 Nanoparticles and Superclusters for Enhanced Magnetic Hyperthermia.” “Our study shows how small (nano) things can potentially make a big impact,” he remarked, a powerful reminder of how science turns the invisible into the revolutionary.

Each awardee credited the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and the ASTHRDP program for enabling their research. More than scholarships, these initiatives are lifelines that allow Filipino scholars to transform ideas into discoveries with real-world impact.

A Gathering of Minds and a Call to Action

The conference was more than a showcase of academic excellence—it was a clarion call to use science as a tool for change. In his keynote address, DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. urged scholars to take research beyond laboratories and bring science-informed solutions directly to communities. Plenary lectures delivered by experts such as Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, S.J. of Ateneo de Manila University, Dr. Ronilo Jose Flores of UP Los Baños, Dr. Laura David of UP Diliman, and Dr. Hernando Bacosa of MSU-IIT reinforced the urgent role of science in addressing climate change and environmental challenges.

The event also celebrated the human side of scholarship: the opening performance by the MSU-IIT OCTAVA Choral Society, the fellowship dinner that brimmed with camaraderie, and the spoken word performances by scholars all underscored that behind every data set and experiment lies a Filipino with a dream—to uplift lives and transform society.

Science as Nation-Building

The ASTHRDP, implemented by DOST-SEI in collaboration with the National Science Consortium of 11 universities, is designed to accelerate the production of high-level scientists and researchers in priority fields. By supporting graduate students in science and technology, it strengthens the country’s competitiveness and fuels innovation. For the Philippines, these scholars represent more than academic achievement—they are the torchbearers of progress, pushing boundaries in physics, mathematics, meteorology, and materials science.

For UP Diliman’s College of Science, this recognition is both a triumph and a responsibility: to continue nurturing minds that will lead the country toward resilience, sustainability, and innovation. As Dean Dr. Cynthia Saloma, who led the UPD delegation, emphasized, these victories are milestones that prove how Filipino science can change lives.

In the end, the story of Badlisan, Datu, Revilla, and Manuel is not just about winning best presentation awards. It is about the power of education, the importance of support, and the unyielding spirit of young Filipinos who dare to dream bigger than themselves. It is about science not as an abstract pursuit, but as a lifeline for a nation standing at the crossroads of climate change, technological advancement, and social transformation.

Their victories remind us that every breakthrough—whether in beams of light, theorems of math, patterns of storms, or clusters of nanoparticles—brings the Philippines one step closer to a future where knowledge is not just preserved but lived, shared, and used to uplift the lives of every Filipino.

The Art of Measured Discovery: How Conrad Hotels is Revolutionizing Luxury Travel One Hour at a Time

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

In the gilded corridors of luxury hospitality, where champagne wishes and caviar dreams have long defined the guest experience, a quiet revolution is unfolding. It's not about adding more marble to the lobby or threading higher counts into Egyptian cotton sheets. Instead, it's about something far more precious in our hyperconnected age: time itself.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts has just unveiled what may be the hospitality industry's most thoughtful response to modern travel anxiety—the Conrad 1/3/5 program. In a world where luxury travelers increasingly crave authentic experiences but find themselves paralyzed by endless options and research fatigue, this innovative approach offers something revolutionary: the art of measured discovery.

The Modern Traveler's Dilemma

Picture this: You've just landed in Tokyo after a grueling 14-hour flight. Your smartphone buzzes with a dozen travel apps, each promising the "real" Tokyo experience. Your inbox overflows with pre-trip research—restaurant recommendations from friends, must-see temples from travel bloggers, hidden gems from Instagram influencers. The weight of choice, that modern curse, settles heavily on your jet-lagged shoulders.

This scenario plays out millions of times annually across luxury destinations worldwide. According to Hilton's latest research, 56% of discerning travelers now work closely with travel advisors, while 43% turn to hotel concierges for guidance. The message is clear: even the most seasoned globetrotters are drowning in options, desperately seeking curation over chaos.

Conrad's response is elegantly simple yet profoundly sophisticated: offer experiences tailored not just to taste and preference, but to that most finite of resources—time.

The Philosophy of Intentional Travel

The genius of the 1/3/5 framework lies not in its mathematical simplicity, but in its psychological sophistication. By offering one-hour, three-hour, and five-hour experiences, Conrad acknowledges a fundamental truth about modern luxury travel: meaningful connection doesn't require marathon commitments.

Consider the one-hour offerings: At Conrad Tokyo, guests can embark on an "Omakase Coffee Experience," where rare beans from exclusive farms are transformed into liquid art by master craftsmen. In Singapore, the "Basilico Bar Negroni Hour" becomes a meditation on Italian aperitivo culture, complete with cicchetti pairings and hands-on mixology. These aren't rushed tourist traps—they're concentrated essences of place and tradition.

"We believe that luxury travel is about how you experience a destination throughout your stay," explains Dino Michael, SVP & Global Head of Hilton Luxury Brands. This philosophy represents a seismic shift from quantity-based to quality-focused travel experiences.

The Theater of Authentic Discovery

What makes Conrad 1/3/5 particularly compelling is its commitment to authentic cultural immersion. Take Conrad Tokyo's three-hour "Ukiyo-e Masterclass," where guests watch Hokusai's "The Great Wave" come alive through the hands of a Certified Master of Traditional Craft. This isn't cultural tourism—it's cultural theater, where guests become active participants in living traditions.

At Conrad Bali, the five-hour "Foraging & Forest Bathing" experience transforms guests from passive observers into engaged participants in Balinese ecological wisdom. The journey—by vintage off-road vehicle to kayak to forest trek—reads like adventure fiction but delivers profound cultural understanding.

These experiences succeed because they solve a critical luxury travel paradox: how to feel both pampered and challenged, comfortable yet transformed.

The Science of Experiential Memory

Neuroscience tells us that our most vivid memories form during moments of heightened attention and novel experience. The Conrad 1/3/5 program seems designed around this principle. By offering structured time frames, the experiences create natural boundaries that intensify focus and enhance memory formation.

The one-hour "Crystal Sound Healing & Chakra Balancing" at Conrad Bali isn't just spa treatment—it's concentrated mindfulness that many guests will recall more vividly than entire previous vacations. Similarly, the three-hour "Manhattan Bar Rickhouse Cocktail Experience" in Singapore transforms guests into temporary artisans, creating both product and memory simultaneously.

Cultural Depth Over Tourist Breadth

Perhaps most impressively, each Conrad property has localized the 1/3/5 concept to reflect its unique cultural context. Conrad Beijing's offerings range from the contemplative "Listen to the Sound and Music at the Temple of Heaven" to the immersive "Explore the Forbidden City" experience. These aren't generic luxury add-ons—they're love letters to place, written by local experts and delivered through Conrad's hospitality expertise.

The program acknowledges that modern luxury travelers—particularly the 70% who prioritize active experiences—seek transformation over transaction. They want to return home changed, not just rested.

The Economics of Experience

From a business perspective, Conrad 1/3/5 represents a masterstroke of value engineering. By offering tiered experiences, the program captures guests across different time commitments and price points while maintaining Conrad's luxury positioning. More importantly, it transforms the hotel from accommodation provider to experience curator—a far stickier and more profitable relationship.

The program also addresses a critical challenge in luxury hospitality: differentiation in an increasingly commoditized market. While competitors compete on thread counts and amenity arms races, Conrad has chosen to compete on something far more valuable: the curation of meaningful moments.

The Future of Mindful Luxury

As the program rolls out across Conrad's global portfolio of nearly 50 properties, it signals a broader evolution in luxury travel. We're witnessing the emergence of what might be called "mindful luxury"—hospitality that acknowledges the psychological needs of modern travelers, not just their material wants.

The Conrad 1/3/5 program succeeds because it offers something that no app, algorithm, or artificial intelligence can replicate: human curation combined with local expertise, delivered within a framework that respects both tradition and time constraints.

A New Paradigm

In an age of infinite choice and finite time, Conrad Hotels & Resorts has created something remarkable: a framework for meaningful discovery that feels both luxurious and authentic, structured yet spontaneous. The 1/3/5 program doesn't just offer experiences—it offers a new way of thinking about travel itself.

As travelers increasingly seek connection over collection, depth over breadth, the program represents more than innovative hospitality programming. It's a manifesto for intentional travel, a blueprint for how luxury brands can serve not just their guests' desires, but their deeper need for meaning and transformation.

In the end, Conrad 1/3/5 succeeds not because it offers more, but because it offers better. In a world overwhelmed by options, it provides that rarest of luxuries: the confidence that your time—however much you have—will be beautifully, meaningfully spent.

The revolution isn't in the marble or thread count. It's in the recognition that true luxury, in our age of endless distraction, might just be the gift of curated, intentional time. One hour, three hours, five hours at a time.

Philippine Commission on Women Honors Top-Performing Agencies in GAD Budget: A Stronger Push for Gender-Responsive Governance

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a defining moment for the nation’s continuing fight for gender equality, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) is set to recognize government agencies that have stood out in their unwavering commitment to gender-responsive governance. The prestigious Recognition of 2024 Top-Performing Agencies in the Gender and Development (GAD) Budget unfolded on September 25, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Ballroom A and B, Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City—an event that promises not only to celebrate excellence but also to strengthen the country’s resolve in mainstreaming gender equality across all levels of governance.

The recognition ceremony ran from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, followed by a press conference from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, bringing together media, government leaders, and gender advocates in one powerful gathering.

A Policy Rooted in History, Strengthened for the Future

First introduced in the 1995 General Appropriations Act as the so-called “Women’s Budget,” the GAD budget policy has since been fortified by Republic Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women. This landmark law requires all government agencies to allocate at least 5% of their total budget to GAD Plans and Budgets—investments designed to dismantle systemic inequalities and ensure women and men benefit equally from government programs and services.

But beyond compliance, PCW champions Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB), a progressive approach that aligns entire budgets with gender-responsive principles. Through the Gender Mainstreaming Monitoring System (GMMS), the PCW works with oversight agencies to ensure accountability, transparency, and measurable progress in gender mainstreaming.

Recognizing Champions of Gender-Responsive Governance

The event goes far beyond a ceremonial pat on the back—it aims to spark a culture of accountability and shared responsibility. Specifically, it will:

Honor top-performing agencies for their GAD budget allocation and expenditure for FY 2024.

Highlight best practices and lessons learned, setting models that other agencies can replicate.

Promote accountability and transparency in GAD budgeting and implementation.

Engage the media and the public, ensuring stronger awareness of the government’s commitment to gender equality.

Foster stronger inter-agency collaboration, scaling up gender-responsive budgeting and mainstreaming practices nationwide.

This recognition is not merely symbolic—it is a reminder that gender equality is a non-negotiable pillar of good governance.

Building a More Inclusive Future

By recognizing agencies that go above and beyond in their GAD budget implementation, the PCW underscores the urgent need to weave gender equality into the very fabric of governance. This initiative sends a clear message: gender-responsiveness is not a side project, but a fundamental duty of every institution that serves the Filipino people.

Only 30 slots are open for media representatives, underscoring the exclusivity and importance of this event. Journalists, advocates, and stakeholders are invited to witness this milestone in governance—where transparency meets accountability, and where the vision of gender equality takes another bold step forward.

A Call to Action

The PCW’s upcoming recognition ceremony is more than just an awards event—it is a rallying call to all government agencies: to not only comply with the 5% mandate but to embrace a deeper culture of inclusivity, fairness, and responsiveness.

For a nation long scarred by inequality, these top-performing agencies serve as beacons of hope and proof of what is possible when governance puts equality at the core of its mission.

As September 25 approaches, all eyes will be on the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria—where champions of gender equality will be recognized, and where the vision of a more inclusive Philippines will burn brighter than ever.