RDEsys

Office of the Vice President for
Research, Development, and Extension

buovprde@bicol-u.edu.ph

Bicol University, East Campus, Legazpi City,
Albay, Legazpi, Philippines

Menu

The Bicol University Office of the Vice-President for Research, Development, and Extension – Bicol Regional Food Innovation Center (BRFIC), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology Bicol Region, the College of Industrial Technology BS Food Technology Department, and the Philippine Association of Food Technologists – Xi Chapter, marked a notable accomplishment in the advancement of food science and technology in the Philippines through the successful 2nd National Conference on Food Innovation, themed
“Empowering Food Systems Through Science, Innovation, and Collaboration, ”held on August 14-15, 2025, via Zoom and Facebook Live. The event was attended by participants from the government, industry, academe, and entrepreneurial sector across the Philippines.

The event’s main goal was to promote innovation in food science, technology, and related fields by fostering collaboration and facilitating the exchange of ideas and knowledge. It provided a platform for participants to deepen their understanding of emerging topics and gain insights into the latest research and development findings from academic and research institutions.

The two-day event began with opening remarks from Dr. Lany L. Maceda, Vice-President for Research, Development, and Extension, who emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing food innovation and highlighted the focus on knowledge exchange and partnership-building. Prof. Ma. Janesa A. Reyes, Director of BRFIC, welcomed the participants and gave a brief overview of the conference activities. She encouraged active participation and emphasized the event as a space for learning, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing in food innovation.

One of the highlights of the conference was the keynote address delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pitiya Kamonpatana, faculty member of the Food Technology Department, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University. His presentation, titled “Innovating Toward a Better Food,” explored the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the food industry—particularly in enhancing food safety, developing innovative food processing methods, and applying novel non-thermal preservation techniques.

Dr. Chawakwan Nitikornwarankul, a faculty member from the same department and institution as Dr. Kamonpatana, presented the first plenary session. Her talk, titled “Research to Table: Turning Food Science into Solutions,” highlighted several cutting-edge techniques in food innovation—including Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF), High Pressure Processing (HPP), Shear-Heat Milling, and 3D Food Printing—and demonstrated how these technologies can make a significant impact beyond the laboratory. While applications may differ across settings, including on farms, they share a common goal: transforming scientific understanding into practical, consumer-friendly food solutions.

In the afternoon, the paper presentations commenced with two parallel sessions: Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) and Health and Systems Management (HSM), both conducted via Zoom. Seven researchers presented under the AANR category, while eleven papers were featured in the HSM session, with participants coming from various institutions across the country. Each presentation was followed by a Q&A session, where evaluators with extensive expertise in food technology, innovation, and related fields provided feedback and posed questions to the presenters.

For the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) agenda, the panel of evaluators included:

  • Dr. Myrna C. Biqueja, Retired University Professor, Partido State University
  • Mr. Cristopher G. Millena, Concurrent Laboratory Head, Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory and Regional Metrology Laboratory, DOST Region V
  • Prof. Divinia U. Ramillano, Manager, Zamboanga Peninsula Food Innovation Center; Project Leader, ZamPen Mobile Modular Food Processing Facility; and Project Coordinator, Shared Service Facility–Food Packaging Hub, Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology

For the Health and Systems Management (HSM) agenda, the evaluators were:

  • Dr. Marissa N. Estrella, Former Vice President, BU–Research, Development, and Extension; Former Director, Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development
  • Prof. Rosario S. Sagum, Professorial Lecturer IV, Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila
  • Dr. Dennis Marvin O. Santiago, Professor and Director, Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños

On Day 2,  Dr. Sheba Mae M. Duque, Assist. Professor and Assist. Director of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Food Science at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, delivered an insightful session titled “Partnerships that Power Food Innovation.” She underscored the value of meaningful collaboration, emphasizing that true progress comes from working together toward shared goals—not merely moving in the same direction.

To conclude the two-day event, the best presenters and papers in each category were recognized and awarded. Authors and presenters also received certificates in appreciation of their valuable contributions. In his closing remarks, Dr. Elmer A. Lorenzana, Director of Bicol University’s Research and Development Management Division, emphasized that research’s ultimate value lies in the lives it transforms; knowledge gains meaning as it feeds the hungry, empowers farmers, and sustains communities.