Rev 01.

JRAG 10292018

DOST 6: instill patriotism among Ilonggo Scholars

The “Filipino Patriot Scholars Project” comprises of various activities that will allow the junior scholars to
interact with the different sectors or community and identify problems and provide solutions. In Western
Visayas, around 6,000 undergraduate and graduate level of scholars who specialize in the fields of
science math, science education and engineering are being supported by Department of Science and
Technology–Science and Education Institute (DOST-SEI) while there are over 30,000 nationwide.

DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo said that the DOST-SEI will hold a two-day program on November
23-24 In Iloilo City to instill patriotism and core values of “professional excellence, social responsibility and
servant leadership” among its scholars.

DOST 6 will conduct a two-day program that will include Problem Tree Analysis to instill critical thinking
among the scholars. This activity will determine the root cause of the problem that exist in a specific village
or community. Moreover, the director added that the junior scholars will also be able to identify what
agencies can assist them in solving problem through the series of lectures of several lessons per module.

Dr. Biyo and her team of professionals eye different areas in Iloilo City to be the prospect subject of their
program. The team also aims to promote local heroes of Iloilo and as well as invite Ilonggo scholars who
have really made contributions not only in the Philippines but in the world

The director convinced young professionals to join her for the effective implementation of the program
namely Ma. Nerissa Nicolas, Susana Esquivel and Robby Reyes.

Nicolas, a robotics champion who has represented the Philippines in world competitions started her journey
after she achieved recognitions when she was still a student. The first time she engaged with robotics
competition, her team won the Philippine Robotics Olympiad in 2009 in which they were qualified to join the
international level in Korea and won as 9th placer. Moreover, she pursued to coach grade school student
while on her college days, and her team placed second and grand champion both in Indonesia and
Malaysia. As she goes on challenging herself, Nicolas met Dr. Biyo who convinced her to work with her in
the program. In 2015, she was also awarded as one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines.

On the other hand, Esquivel had been working with the DOST-SEI for 24 years already.

Meanwhile, Reyes is a fresh graduate of the University of Philippines-Diliman was convinced to be part of
the team because of the project’s vision. Reyes said that DOST-SEI do not just capacitate students
financially but holistically and that he is able to form certain values that scholars should have.

Dr. Biyo further said that people will see the change in the perspective of the students. Now, they are
citizens of the country who have care and willing to do something for the country, which the people don’t
usually find nowadays. (DOST6/JRAGabiota)

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