Two teams from UP High School in Iloilo (UPHSI) secured spots in the Top 20 Research Competition of the UP Alchemes Research Fair 2025, held from January 16- 18 at UP Diliman’s Melchor Hall.
With the theme “Golconda: Polishing the Innovative Facets of the Filipino Youth,” the research fair gathered junior high school and senior high school students nationwide for a three-day event featuring a Research Competition, National Science Conquest, and Youth Science Convention.
The UPHSI teams competed in the Physical Science Category, one of three categories alongside Life Science and Applied Science. Out of 193 research entries, both teams secured a place in the Top 20, marking the school’s first-ever participation in the competition.
The teams presented their research posters, with Alyssa Jane Gimeno, Theodore Alexis Juliano, and Julia Zacal presenting “Raw Kapok Fiber and Dried Luffa Sponge as Composite Materials for Natural Oil Adsorption,” while John Emmanuel Ocastro, Reese Klyde Malaki, and Venetta Jane Rodrigo presented “Efficacy of Green Mussel Shells as an Adsorbent in Coconut Oil Refinement.” The teams were accompanied by their research adviser, Asst. Prof. Myla Fe Pinuela.
The competition followed a three-stage process, beginning with poster presentations by the Top 20 teams. The Top 6 then advanced to a closed-door defense, with the Top 2 competing in a final presentation. Despite the rigorous selection process, the UPHSI teams delivered outstanding performances, with Gimeno et al. placing 11th and Ocastro et al. ranking 15th.
Since its establishment in 2001, the UP Alchemes Research Fair has provided a platform for young Filipino researchers to explore the limits of scientific innovation and excellence. With UPHSI’s strong debut, the school has set a promising precedent for future participants.
The teams were coached and supervised by their research advisers, Prof. Raphael Belleza, Prof. Leopoldo Ayukil III, and Prof. Myla Fe Pinuela, and their research consultants, Prof. Pilar Mercedes Retiracion and Prof. Nathaniel Añasco.
