Eva Cerise Z. Lopez, an incoming third year BS Fisheries student from the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas (UPV-CFOS), has emerged at the forefront of regional youth innovation following her standout performance at the Asian Undergraduate Symposium (AUS), organized and hosted by the National University of Singapore (NUS) from July 5 to 18, 2026.
Lopez leads Project SIKULO, an initiative designed to enhance local food security and promote sustainable livelihoods by introducing cost-effective, small-scale aquaponics systems to coastal communities. The project stood out as one of the top three project groups presented to the full assembly of participants and organizers on the final day of the symposium.
Lopez secured the funding needed for the project’s six-month implementation following her final pitch on July 29. Project SIKULO was officially named one of the 15 initiatives selected to receive a 5,000 Singapore Dollar (SGD) seed grant on July 30.
The project will launch its initial implementation in Brgy. Sapa, Miagao, Iloilo, alongside hands-on capacity-building workshops. The team also plans to publish a guidebook to help other fisherfolk communities replicate and scale the model.
“Project SIKULO emerged to serve small-scale fisherfolk who face unstable income, food insecurity, and limited livelihood opportunities. From that wish to give back to the community, SIKULO grew to begin new cycles. Through the implementation of aquaponics systems and capacity-building workshops on system maintenance, harvesting, post-processing, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, we hope to give the community an alternative livelihood and additional food source,” Lopez stated.
Themed “Communities in Action,” this year’s AUS summer program convened promising youth leaders from across Asia for cultural exchange, networking, and capacity development.
Delegates participated in expert-led discussions on pressing regional issues, collaborative workshops, cultural exchanges, field trips, and hands-on project development alongside NUS students.
Lopez was the sole delegate from UP Visayas following a screening process within the UP System to apply for the program. She revealed that upon acceptance to the program, she already started to brainstorm her project idea to receive the seed grant, dedicated to the fisheries sector, which she hopes to serve.
“I was deeply honored to bring the mantle of Fisheries to this international program. Many did not know what the Fisheries degree program was, and it allowed me to educate people on its importance. Furthermore, it gives me such great pride that my project was seen by hundreds of people and even praised by the organizer of AUS itself. Joining this program, going through all the panel discussions, learning journeys, and project conceptualization, rekindled my passion for creating actionable solutions for the fisheries sector. I was able to use the knowledge instilled in me by CFOS to create something meaningful,” said Lopez.
Lopez’s strategic leadership was central to guiding Project SIKULO through each phase of the program. As the only Fisheries student among approximately 300 delegates from across Asia, Lopez embraced the responsibility of highlighting her field’s vital role in addressing regional challenges.
She hopes to partner with CFOS and partner institutions to turn Project SIKULO into a sustainable reality while pursuing further international opportunities to uplift the local fisheries sector.
“In the span of two weeks, AUS has fostered so much growth in me and reminded me of my�passion for serving the community through my knowledge as a Fisheries student. I hope to make my project possible, and I hope to work with CFOS and other institutions to give back to the fisherfolk. I also hope to earn more opportunities for international linkages, so I may share my own knowledge of Fisheries and, in turn, bring back knowledge to my own country. Truly, I will continue to appreciate my role in this degree program, and strive to use my education not just to uplift myself, but for the purpose of serving others.”
Lopez will represent her team at an upcoming planning meeting and workshop with AUS organizers in Manila on August 5, 2026 to kick-off the implementation of the project.
Written by Lenilyn B. Gallos
Photo credits to Eva Cerise Z. Lopez
