3-4 June 2026
Benguet State University (BSU), through the Research and Extension sector, held the 10th University Student Research Congress (USRC) with the theme “Pan-aamtaan: Empowering Young Minds Through Science, Technology, Research and Innovation, and Cultural Stewardship.”
The activity was held in various halls of the Research and Extension Building, the Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center, and the Agri-based Technology Business Incubator/Innovation Center. A total of 110 papers were presented under the Science and Technology Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (S&T AANR), S&T Food, Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technologies (FIEET), Social AANR, Social Non-AANR, and Education categories.
During the first day, VP for Research and Extension Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres welcomed Balik Scientist and keynote speaker Flor Crisanta F. Galvez, University President Kenneth A. Laruan, the panel of evaluators, deans, mentors, advisers, guests, and student researchers. He emphasized that the congress marks a decade of student-led inquiry, homegrown ideas, and BSU’s continuing commitment to research excellence. Lumbres also explained that the theme reflects the gathering, sharing, and learning of knowledge rooted in community, culture, and land.
Moreover, University President Laruan congratulated the student researchers for reaching the USRC and thanked the technical evaluators and Galvez for their support. He compared research to planting trees, explaining that its benefits may not be immediate but can grow into meaningful contributions for future generations. Laruan reminded students that research is built on patience, discipline, and continuous learning, and urged them to use their findings to help solve real-world problems in their communities and workplaces.
In her message, Galvez expressed gratitude to BSU for inviting her to the congress and for its commitment to nurturing research, innovation, and cultural stewardship. She shared that research is not merely an academic requirement but a journey of purpose, discipline, and responsibility. Galvez encouraged the student researchers to pursue work that serves people, respects local knowledge systems, and creates real impact beyond publication and academic recognition.
“True excellence is measured by relevance, real-world issues, ethical integrity, respect for communities, and a positive impact your work creates. Research is not just about what we discover, it is about what you would do with that discovery” she said.
Before the paper presentations, the mechanics and evaluation criteria were presented by College of Numeracy and Applied Sciences Dean Ederson G. Bawang, followed by an introduction to the panel of evaluators. All participant researchers presented their papers simultaneously under the different categories.
On the second day, College of Teacher Education (CTE) Dean Divina M. Yango presented the synthesis during the closing program followed by an inspirational message by VP for Business Affairs Josel M. Florentin. He shared a quote from Paulo Coelho’s Book, The Alchemist, which goes “When you want something with all your heart, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” He then congratulated the participants for a job well done and encouraged them to rest and later on, continue the path of research.
“You may now breathe a sigh of relief. I believe you will never forget the experiences you have learned here. That is the wonder of research. Research is to see what everybody else can’t see, I hope that you keep your enthusiasm, as you continue to pursue this journey” Florentin said.
The awarding ceremony followed Florentin’s message. The winning papers are:
S&T Social AANR – GRADUATE
1st BEST PAPER: Perceived Attributes of Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS) and its Adoption Among Rice Farmers in Tarlac Province by KATRINA M. RIVERA, Open University (OU)
S&T Social AANR – UNDERGRADUATE
1st BEST PAPER: Ethnoveterinary Medicine Practices of Backyard Swine Raisers in Besao, Mountain Province by KYZA VINA P. LOPSOTEN, College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)
2nd BEST PAPER: Leng-ag: Mobile-Based Health System for Tuberculosis Prevention, Treatment, Adherence, and Risk Assessment Among Small-Scale Miners in Itogon, Benguet by CHELSEA T. CAMODA, CATHERINE JOY B. COMILA, JOY DIANE S. CRUZ, SANDARA F. DAYOTAO, CLYZAH MAE A. DUPYAWON, BRIAR ROSE T. ESPIRITU, RHEALYN P. GINES, SHAIRA ANN L. LOPEZ, WINSELLE ANN CHRIS S. NUEDA, GWYNETH R. PACIO, DANIELLE PATINDOL, EARL IVAN A. PLACIDO, MARIA KIMBERLIE S. SANTOS, BIANCA DIANE L. TOJENO, & ROSE AIRA P. TOMILAS, College of Nursing (CN)
3rd BEST PAPER: Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Intervention in Enhancing Physical Function Among Young-Older Adults in Selected Barangays of La Trinidad, Benguet by HESSA ANGEL G. ABDALLA, KRISHA MARIE G. APOSTOL, OLIVER M. CAGAN JR., MARY SHANE B. COPES, MARIAN C. DUKEY, KAREN JOY K. DULNUAN, MARK RAINIER C. FERNANDEZ, JANELA L. GUMALOG, EASHA C. ISIONG, ROXANNE P. MADALINO, KATRIN CHOISY D. PASCUAL, & JANELA MARGARET R. SUYAT, CN
S&T FIEET – UNDERGRADUATE
1st BEST PAPER: Development and Performance Evaluation of a Semi-Automated Cabinet-Type Dryer for Small-Scale Daing Production by LOIS JEHOIKIM E. AGLIAM & EDILBERTO B. BUSTILLO III, College of Engineering
2nd BEST PAPER: Characterization, Optimization, and Biomedical Applications of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Aspergillus fumigatus Isolated from Coffea arabica Mucilage by EZRAEL D. BALISONG, CHRISTIAN JOSEPH R. SORIANO, & JANIELLE D. TACIO, College of Natural Sciences (CNS)
3rd BEST PAPER: GIS-Based Analysis and Development of Forest Fragmentation Indices in the Abra River Basin in Northern Luzon, Philippines by RIZALDY C. UMAGING, RISALOU B. SITENG, & KYLA FAYE B. DALLIGOS, College of Forestry
S&T AANR – GRADUATE
1st BEST PAPER: Growth Performance, Carcass Yield, and Sensory Characteristics of Benguet Native Pigs Fed Partially Dehydrated Black Soldier Fly (Hermitia illucens) larvae by MINERALITA F. SIMON, College of Agriculture (CA)
2nd BEST PAPER: Effects of Amino Acid Supplementation to Low-Crude Protein Diets on the Growth Performance of Hubbard Broilers Raised in a Deep-Litter System by NELSON P. BACAWAT, CA
3rd BEST PAPER: Physiological Responses, Grain Yield, and Quality of High Protein Corn (Zea mays L.) Varieties Applied with Nanofertilizer by ARNOLD V. DAMASO, CA
S&T AANR – UNDERGRADUATE
1st BEST PAPER: Ameliorative Effects of Coffea arabica, Cymbopogon citratus, and Moringa oleifera on Lead and Chlorpyrifos Induced Neurotoxicity in Zebrafish Larvae and Gut Microbial Dysbiosis in Mice by REGIE BOY ALFONSO, STEPHANIE B. MANAS, & OWDEE SHANE A. ORDOÑO, CNS
2nd BEST PAPER: Nicotine-Based Vape Smoke on Sperm Quality and Testicular Histopathology of male Sprague-Dawley Rats (Rattus norvegicus) by ANDREI METATRON M. RAHON, CVM
3rd BEST PAPER: Angiogenic Inhibitory Potential of Bulak-Manok (Ageratum conyzoides L.) Leaves Ethanol Extract Using In Ovo Duck Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay by ISMAEL D. BAS-ILAN JR., CVM
EDUCATION – GRADUATE
1st BEST PAPER: Registry of Accessible Web Resources (RAWR): Using a SUS-Based and WebCLIC Evaluation for a Developed Discovery Tool for HEI Libraries by DANIEL S. BALBIN JR., College of Information Sciences (CIS)
2nd BEST PAPER: A Sustainable Internationalization Framework for Higher Education Institutions by CIPRIANO Q. MENDOZA JR., CTE
3rd BEST PAPER: Para Saan ang Trigo? Exploring Mathematics Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives on Importance and Application of Trigonometry by SUNSHINE KATE C. PADEO, CNAS
EDUCATION – UNDERGRADUATE
1st BEST PAPER: Ecological and Psychological Predicators of Horizontal Career Mismatch Among College Graduates by AMBER-LYN D. DEL ROSARIO, FERILYN B. DULAWAN, IRENE C. GENERALO, & MARYANNE ALEXIS YASMIN L. ROMERO, College of Social Sciences
2nd BEST PAPER: Self-Efficacy to English Language for Instructional Effectiveness (SELFIE): Development and Validation of a Scale for English Pre-Service Teachers by NELSON F. PADCHONGA, CECIL G. ABILANG, NOVELYN L. ALITAN, CERIA MAE G. SIMALONG, & MATHEW O. LUZANO, CTE
3rd BEST PAPER: News Credibility Judgement on Facebook: The Role of Heuristic Shortcuts Among BSU Library and Information Science Students by KATRIELLE E. ALAWAS, JEZRIEL D. ALICAY, SHARMIN D. DELMAS, SHARMAINE P. MADARANG, & MARY GRACE B. ORQUIZA, CIS
S&T SOCIAL NON AANR – GRADUATE
1st BEST PAPER: Landscaping Urban Green Spaces: Modeling Functional Frameworks for a Greener Baguio City by PATRICK JOHN F. SANTIAGO, CA
S&T SOCIAL NON AANR – UNDERGRADUATE
1st BEST PAPER: More Than a Provider: First-Time Fathers’ Roles and Adaptation During the Postpartum Period in La Trinidad, Benguet by EDRIENNE KC D. DOSDOS, DANIELLE DENIZE F. BACASEN, UNIX F. TAD-AWAN, RYZLE KHATE B. MADINNO, MIKE REYNE A. BAGULOD, RAEGIL MAE R. PAGAL, ALYSSA MARIE T. GARAO-E, FHEUZZ JIANN L. SABANGAN, CHRISTINE A. BANIAGA, RIZA B. COMCOM, JACOB DYLAN E. VILLAFUERTE, HANNAH LOU L. ABAD, & CLYDE MAE P. MAURICIO, CN
2nd BEST PAPER: An Institutional History of the Mountain Province Broadcasting Corporation: DZWT and DZWR on the Air (1965-2023) by STEFFY GWYNETH L. RAFAEL, College of Social Sciences
3rd BEST PAPER: Enhancing Sexual and Reproductive Health Through Family-Centered Communication: Designing and Pre-Evaluation of Nurse-Led Intervention Study by CHARLENE ANNE P. SAPDOY, GWYNETH ANGEL D. FIANZA, MIRAE CLAIRE P. COLAS, MARQUE D. HIPOLITO, SYLVIA MAE M. VALERIANO, KEZIA V. COYTOP, KEZIAH JOSH A. LUIS, VALESCA O. PELICO, NICHOLE ANN P. BALINANG, ARSLIE T. ANGEL, & ABDULRAHMAN AL-HADDAD, CN
In her closing message, Office of Research Services Director Ruth S. Batani said that joining the 10th USRC is already a milestone in the students’ research journey. She described the congress as a space for learning, unlearning, and relearning, and reminded participants that they are already winners for making it this far. Batani also encouraged the students to prepare for the Regional Student Research Congress and to continue growing academically, professionally, and personally through research.//EBawang
📸USRC Documentation Committee, Blanche Bataqueg (UPAO Intern), and Chirrie Ann Colte (UPAO Intern)
