By Misel Emanuelle C. Bravo 

The grand competition of the Meteorology for Young Scientists (Met4You) Innovation Competition – CALABARZON has successfully concluded on February 24, 2025 at CEAT Lecture Hall, University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB). The competition, through the partnership of UPLB-College of Human Ecology (UPLB-CHE) and Philippine Meteorological Society (PMS) encouraged young scientists from various highschools in CALABARZON to propose innovative solutions to climate change and agroecosystem resilience. 

The “MET-Innovation” is a group-based competition for high school students in CALABARZON (Region 4A) that aims to encourage students to propose innovations aligned with the theme. This project is in collaboration with the DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI); the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA); University of the Philippines Los Banos, and the Regional Office of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 4A.

With this year’s theme, “Climate Risks and Resilience of Agroecosystems”, Met4You continues to uphold its commitment in encouraging young minds to take part in the science community through conducting studies and innovating ideas particularly in the areas of atmospheric science, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, and other related fields.                                      

IN PHOTO: Participants, mentors, judges, organizers, and attendees gathered for a photo opportunity after the success of Met4You Innovation Competition – CALABARZON 2025.
Photo by Emanuelle C. Bravo

Dr. Jennifer Marie S. Amparo, Dean of UPLB-CHE, opened the event by proudly sharing a milestone of receiving 56 entries — the biggest number of entries since Met4You’s launch in 2019. She also shared her insights about the importance of a safe and inspiring space for innovation, a recalibrated perspective of failure and a strengthened community spirit and collaboration in science. 

Mr. Rolando T. Bello, Vice Chancellor for Administration of UPLB, also delivered a message on behalf of Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr., where he highlighted that the event is not just a competition, but a platform to demonstrate how young minds address real-world issues through their innovative visions. 

Dr. Joseph Q. Basconcillo, President of PMS, emphasized the important role of the youth in being the hope of the nation through innovation in addressing not just climate challenges but  global adaptation to climate change. 

Dr. John Manalo, Outreach Committee Co-chair of PMS, explained the guidelines including the criteria for judging and the opportunities for winners of the competition. 

The judges were composed of experts from different fields of science namely, Dr. Joseph Q. Basconcillo, President of PMS, Dr. Jennifer Marie S. Amparo, Dean of UPLB-CHE, Dr. John M. Pulhin, Director of UPLB Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (INREM), Ms. Rasmiah M. Malixi, President of the Human Ecology Institute of the Philippines Inc. (HUMEIN Phils), and Dr. Gerry Bagtasa, an atmospheric physicist from the UP Diliman College of Science Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UPD-CS IESM). 

Science and technology filled the hall as various high schools in CALABARZON engaged in an insightful presentation of innovative projects together with some prototypes. 

The top 10 finalists presented their proposals starting with Team AgriJuan (Gen Juan Castañeda Senior High School),  followed by AgroInnovators (Lipa City Senior High School), ALTA (Los Baños National High School), Burning Friendly (Felix Amante Senior High School), CCSIS-SALIMBAY (Calamba City Science Integrated School), CELLMATES-BINHS (Bulihan Integrated National High School), GAIA (Labas Senior High School), Godonians (Godofredo M. Tan Integrated School of Art andTrades), Jefferyi (Gen. Juan Castañeda Senior High School), and NFOT QT (Tropical Village National High School). 

IN PHOTO: Team CCSIS-Salimbay presents the prototype of their SALIMBAY project. Photo by Misel Emanuelle C. Bravo

Before announcing the winners, messages from partners were also rendered. 

Ms. Aira Shane Juarez, Project Manager of Push4Science Campaign of DOST-SEI, introduced features of the STEM Guidebook that will serve as a guide for STEM students to pursue their future careers. 

Ms. Raismah M. Malixi, President of HUMEIN Phils, shared a message of encouragement to participants to continue their meaningful visions. “Pagpatuloy nyo ‘yang puso na ‘yan sa pagmamahal sa pagkatuto,” she challenged. 

After careful deliberation, CCSIS-SALIMBAY secured the first place with their “SALIMBAY Project”, which offers a climate-resilient solution for Philippine agriculture to address droughts and floods focusing on the world’s most disaster-prone nation. The team will also be invited to present their proposal in the PMS Annual Convention in March 17-18 2025 at Quezon City. 

Glenn Solomon Orgen, member of CCSIS-SALIMBAY, shared the importance of trial and error in crafting an innovation project. “[Kasi] hindi naman po kami makakapag come-up ng mappresent namin ngayon kung hindi naman po kami dumaan sa iba’t ibang mga trials po and errors,” he said. 

IN PHOTO: Team CCSIS-SALIMBAY receives certificate of recognition, cash prize, and souvenirs from DOST-SEI for securing first place in Met4You Innovation Competition – CALABARZON. Photo by Misel Emanuelle C. Bravo

Team Alta secured second place with their “ADDAS”, an automatic deterrent device against sparrows which aims to aid Filipinos in rice crop damage. 

Meanwhile, Team Burning Friendly secured third place with their “BIOMOO”, a charcoal made from cow manure and coconut husk. 

The winners also received cash prizes – Php 20,000 for 1st place, Php 15,000 for 2nd place, and Php 10,000 for 3rd place. 

The rest of the finalists received Php 5,000 as consolation prize. 

Special awards were also given to Team Godonians for being the “Best in Long Distance”, with their seven (7) hours of travel from Quezon to the venue, and Team GAIA as “Best Team Presentor”.  

The research abstracts of all finalists will be published in the 8th Volume of the Proceedings of the Philippine Meteorological Society. 

Dr. John Manalo, Outreach Committee Co-chair of PMS, assured that Met4You will continue next year. He is also hopeful that Met4You and universities offering BS Meteorology will expand its reach around the country. “Target namin as much as possible, kung kaya, yung buong Pilipinas..lahat ng regions sana,” he said. 

The event was wrapped up with Dr. Rafaela Jane Delfino, Outreach Committee Co-chair of PMS, encouraging the attendees to inspire the community and recognize collective actions which she highlighted as the heart of the event. Reminding the participants that there is always hope, she ended her message with a quote,  “Keep dreaming big, stay curious, and keep working together”.