By Chloe Beatrice C. Lomboy
The Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI) hosted the 16th SyenSaya from March 11 to 13, 2025 at the Charles Fuller Baker Memorial Hall with the theme “Teknolohiya at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Kinabukasan.” Organized by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the event featured interactive Wonderama exhibits from over 20 partner agencies which promoted Accelerating Growth through One Research and Extension in Action (AGORA), a UPLB initiative fostering research-driven solutions for societal challenges.
Aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the exhibits focused on five key areas namely Food Security and Sovereignty, Resilience and Sustainability, Social Justice and Cultural Flourishing, Future Communities and Institutions, and One Health. Through hands-on displays, demonstrations, and discussions, participants saw how science and technology play a role in boosting the economy, protecting the environment, and improving daily life.
Students learn how to conduct CPR at the Los Baños Doctors Hospital (LBDH) One Health booth. (Photo Taken by Chloe Beatrice C. Lomboy)
A One-Health booth from the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showcased a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction booth, showing participants how to extract DNA through household items. “It is a great way to show students, at a very young age palang, ano ba yung mga meron sa science, at anong career ang pwede nilang i-take sa future,” said the ERDB staff in-charge of the booth.
An exhibitor from the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) showcases DNA extraction. (Photo Taken by Chloe Beatrice C. Lomboy)
An exhibitor from the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) also expressed her insights on the booths featured. According to her, “The exhibits show how we can be resilient and future ready with the ever-changing situation of our environment through science and research.”
The UPLB College of Development Communication (CDC) proudly presented their Co-Creation Studio, where participants enthusiastically shared their insights from the engaging Wonderama exhibits. Their experiences were reported through a live broadcast on the CDC Facebook page for a segment called “Balitang SyenSaya.” Assistant Professor Avril Madrid, director of the CDC booth, highlighted that the booth “encompasses all the Wonderama exhibits,” making it a unique and comprehensive experience beyond the SDG sectors.
A student reporting his SyenSaya experience at the CDC Co-Creation Studio for Balitang SyenSaya. (Photo Taken by Chloe Beatrice C. Lomboy)
“Because it’s AGORA, right? I walk around the booths, and then, there’s one about agriculture, there’s one about technology, there’s one about social sciences, which was presented by a professor, which became viral. Masasabi ko siya na engaging and fun siya kasi marami din mga tao dito na kumbaga passionate at nag-e-explain at nag-e-elaborate ng kanilang research project sa mga high school students or elementary students,” said Eunice Umandap, a UPLB student, on her experience with the Wonderama booths.
With global challenges such as climate change and food security becoming more prominent, events like SyenSaya provided a venue for discussions and knowledge-sharing on scientific and technological advancements. The festival brought together experts and community members to showcase research, innovations, and strategies related to sustainability.
The Wonderama exhibits concluded on a high note as Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan, UPLB Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, claimed that the 16th SyenSaya theme and AGORA “perfectly align with each other through their natural interaction.” He also emphasized that, “SyenSaya 2025 is fun and games, making science experiential and practical.”
