BPI-DOST Innovation Awards 2025 celebrates breakthrough ideas from Young Filipino Innovators

Press Release

Dec 04, 2025

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), through its social development arm, BPI Foundation (BPIF), has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology – Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII), and the DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP), for the BPI-DOST Innovation Awards 2025, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing young innovators who are creating science- and technology-driven solutions to national issues.

Finalists of the 2025 BPI-DOST Innovation Awards pose with esteemed guests, speakers, and representatives from BPI Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology during the BPI-DOST Innovation Awards 2025.

This year’s Awards showcased the outstanding projects of the top 10 teams from leading universities, putting a spotlight on transformative ideas that address critical challenges in energy efficiency, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and food security. From AI-powered technologies to eco-friendly materials and biotech-driven agriculture, these groundbreaking solutions reflect the creativity and vision of Filipino youth in shaping a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.

“Through the BPI-DOST Innovation Awards, we continue to champion the ingenuity and determination of Filipino youth in addressing some of the country’s most pressing challenges. These innovations reflect the transformative power of science and technology in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future. At BPI Foundation, we believe that empowering young innovators is key to driving meaningful progress and contributing to the nation’s long-term development,” said Carmina Marquez, BPIF Executive Director.

The BPI-DOST Innovation Awards 2025 officially began in September with an immersive Innovation and Business Workshop, featuring resource speakers from the government, the industry, and the academe, who shared insights on design thinking and research application:

Presentation Skills – Dr. Francis Baleta
Design Thinking – Dr. Pocholo James Loresco
Innovation & Creative Entrepreneurship – Dr. Nerisa Paladan
Patent – Engr. Armando Reosura
Collaboration and Networking – Dr. Ramon Christian Eusebio
Business Model – Mr. Jefferson Marcelo
Technology Marketing & Commercialization – Dr. Nelson Guillen, Jr.

DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. visits the finalists’ exhibit, taking time to learn about their projects and innovations.

A distinguished panel of judges evaluated this year’s finalists:

Carmina Marquez, Executive Director, BPIF
Ira Estropia, Ph.D., Associate Professor, De La Salle University
Dr. Roel Suralta, Scientist, Department of Agriculture-PhilRice
Jacinto Asuncion, Jr., President of JazzyPay and BetterPay PH
Professor Fortunato Dela Peña, Former Secretary, DOST
Dr. Cherry Casuat, Preliminary Judge

Three teams emerged as winners, each receiving Php 150,000 in cash prizes, while the top 10 finalists were awarded Php 60,000 each.

DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. delivers an inspiring message to the student finalists during the event.

DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. encouraged the young finalists to pursue innovation with courage and purpose.

“Innovation is our pathway toward a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future. The BPI–DOST Innovation Awards show what we can achieve when we provide our youth with the support, platforms, and opportunities they deserve. True progress begins when we fall in love with the problem, not the solution, because real innovation must address real-world needs.”

The event was also attended by Napoleon K. Juanillo, Jr., OIC of DOST-STII and Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization, and Dr. Bernardo Sepeda, Executive Director of DOST-NRCP.

Students from the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology received recognition for their project titled “Isolation of Probiotics from Placuna ephippium’s Gut to Inhibit the Growth and Prevent Infection of Aeromonas hydrophila.” With them are (L-R) Gina Eala, BPI Chief Human Resources Officer; Cathy Santamaria, BPIF Trustee and BPI Chief Customer and Marketing Officer; DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr.; and Carmina Marquez, BPIF Executive Director.

Students from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines are recognized for their project, “Cardioscope: A Deep Learning-Integrated Device for Non-Invasive Heart Disease Detection via Cardiac Sound Analysis.”

Students from University of Santo Tomas received recognition for their project titled, “Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Enhanced FTIR Spectroscopy for Affordable Breast Cancer Subtyping.”

Since 1989, when BPI launched the BPI Science Awards, the program has continuously evolved to uplift and inspire the next generation of Filipino innovators, expanding into the BPI-DOST Science Awards in 2005 and later reintroduced in 2022 as the BPI-DOST Innovation Awards. The competition is open to universities nationwide.

Visit the BPIF website to learn more about the BPI-DOST Innovation Awards and other initiatives.