EVSU officially hosted the 9th international STEAM+ Research Congress last May 21-22, 2026 at the Summit Hotel, Tacloban City.
Now in its ninth iteration, the iSTEAM+ research congress continues to serve as an avenue for research synergy. Originally focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Agri-Fisheries, and Mathematics (STEAM), the congress now follows a broader “STEAM+” approach that also includes health, social sciences, humanities, and economics to help address complex global challenges.
The event gathered delegates from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) worldwide. Anchored on the theme, “S&T for Humanity: Advancing Ethical, Inclusive, and Sustainable Innovations,” the congress explored rapid digital transformation and environmental shifts, while emphasizing more on the human element of progress.
Keynote speakers included Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla; Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Dr. Desiderio R. Apag III; and Acd. Dr. Alvin B. Culaba. Their keynote addresses set the tone for the congress by emphasizing the need for scientific and technological advancements to be guided by ethics, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability.
The congress featured insightful plenary sessions led by distinguished scientists and academicians across two days.
On the first day, Dr. Nguyen Thi Huong Giang presented “How Are the Flavors in Chocolate Developed?” offering a food scientist’s perspective on chocolate manufacturing. The subsequent open forum explored the broader economic dynamics of the global chocolate industry, including the supply chain and trade distributions of cocoa-producing nations. Dr. Giang’s discussions were followed by Dr. Lizan E. Perante-Calina’s talk on “Hiraya Foresight: An Indigenous Framework for the S&T Community Towards Ethical, Inclusive, and Sustainable Development.”
Following day one’s plenary talks, participants joined breakout sessions for the congress’s aligned streams: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, Applied Science, Management, and Education and Social Sciences.
The second day featured a simulation by Prof. Amporn Nueangjaknak showcasing her “Gamified Interactive Movies for Managing Suicide, Anger, and Violence through E-Scenarios (SAVE).” Dr. Mohana Sundaram Shanmugam then presented his study on “Spatial Downscaling of Satellite-Derived Soil Moisture for Precision Agriculture.” Next, Dr. Wan Nur Fazni Binti Wan Mohamad Nazarie discussed “Social Crowdfunding for Humanity: Advancing Ethical, Inclusive, and Sustainable Innovation for Social Impact and Entrepreneurship.” Mr. Jemar Jude Maranga concluded the plenary sessions with “Better Assessments for Better Academic Outcomes,” highlighting his educational platform, CodeChum.
Following the presentations, the congress recognized outstanding contributions across its aligned streams:
Science
- Best Presenter: Bryan Joseph Matillano (University of San Carlos) – “Lurking, Luring, Lethal Box Jellyfish Studies in the Philippines”
- Best Paper: John Christopher Nolial and Amiel Jay S. Socorro (Camarines Norte State College) – “Sex Ratio, Growth Pattern, and Relative Condition Factor of the Three-Spotted Crab (Portunus sanguinolentus Herbst, 1783) in Northwestern San Miguel Bay, Philippines”
Technology
- Best Presenter: Raven C. Tabiongan (Samar State University) – “Project TANAW: 3D-Printed Urban Model with Geohazard Simulations Using Virtual Environment and AR Projection Mapping”
- Best Presenter: Ryan Rey Daga (University of the Philippines Tacloban College) – “TradeLENS: CNN-Based Trading Strategy with Integrated Technical and Macroeconomic Representations”
- Best Paper: Raven C. Tabiongan, Lhimarose A. Tanseco, Catherine Joie B. Carcellar, Ma. Yvonne S. Chui, James R. Cortel, and Sonny Boy R. Llema, Jr. (Samar State University) – “Project TANAW: 3D-Printed Urban Model with Geohazard Simulations Using Virtual Environment and AR Projection Mapping”
Engineering & Mathematics
- Best Presenter: Marichu Itang (EVSU Main Campus) – “Application of an Empirical Peat Depth Model and GIS for Thickness Estimation in Two Largest Peatland Landscapes in the Philippines”
Applied Science
- Best Presenter: Lea Arnie Villacrusis (Palompon Institute of Technology) – “Screening and Optimization of Danggit (Siganus spp.) Kropek Formulation”
- Best Paper: Evelyn B. Vista, Maria Cristina L. Dela Cruz, Judy Ann O. Valen, and Liza G. Diente (University of Eastern Philippines) – “Microplastic Contamination of Commercially Important Crabs (Scylla spp) in Rosario Wetland System, Northern Samar, Philippines”
Management
- Best Presenter: Rose Anna L. Refuerzo (EVSU Main Campus) – “Lived Experiences of Online Shoppers: A Qualitative Exploration of Trust and Satisfaction in E-Commerce”
- Best Paper: Carmee Lyn B. Paylangco, Stephen Dave M. Dupo, Ronielyn F. Pinsoy, Dhealyn Decee V. Sabit, Mark Julius C. Seloterio, Carmee May L. Balneg, April Geraldine M. Quiñonero, Ma. Karysa F. Garcia, and Jeconi Joice T. Paler (University of Southern Mindanao Kidapawan City Campus) – “Biological and Anthropogenic Profile of Fisheries in Lake Buluan, Philippines: Basis for Sustainable Management”
Education and Social Sciences
- Best Presenter: Clint Abygyl Serdon (University of Southern Mindanao-Kidapawan City Campus) – “The Language Vitality of the Obo-Manobo Language in Barangay Manobo, Magpet, Cotabato”
- Best Presenter: Jovito B. Madeja (EVSU Main Campus) – “Assessment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: An Autoethnographic Account of Language Teacher in a State University”
- Best Papers: Rafael I. Baynosa, Ricky R. Salem, and Ralph R. Magumpara (EVSU Carigara Campus) – “Revisiting Galileo’s Experiment Using PhyPhox Acoustic Stopwatch to Verify Acceleration due to Gravity”
- Best Paper: Jake L. Peras, Ma. Cristina B. Balingit, and Laurelee B. Cabacungan (Bukidnon State University) – “Cultivating Rural Prosperity: A Multiple Case Study of Agri-Microfinance Service Implementation in Agrarian Reform Cooperatives”
The congress also awarded the title of Best Overall Paper to “Biological and Anthropogenic Profile of Fisheries in Lake Buluan, Philippines: Basis for Sustainable Management” by Carmee Lyn B. Paylangco, Stephen Dave M. Dupo, Ronielyn F. Pinsoy, Dhealyn Decee V. Sabit, Mark Julius C. Seloterio, Carmee May L. Balneg, April Geraldine M. Quiñonero, Ma. Karysa F. Garcia, Jeconi Joice T. Paler of University of Southern Mindanao Kidapawan City Campus.
The 9th iSTEAM+ Research Congress officially concluded with the announcement of the 10th International STEAM+ Congress. The milestone event is scheduled for May 2027 under the theme: “Charting the Next Decade of Research, Technology Transfer, and Community Impact for Industry 5.0.”
This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 09: Industry, Innovation, Technology and Infrastructure; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
via JS Beleña | UMDC
