Judges

Director, Br. Alfred Shields FSC Ocean Research (SHORE) Center
Full Professor, Department of Biology, DLSU

Chona Camille VinceCruz-Abeledo is a molecular ecologist and science communicator working at the intersection of coastal ecosystems, climate resilience, and community-based innovation.

Her work spans mangrove ecosystems, microplastics, and marine invertebrates, alongside initiatives that empower coastal communities through inclusive, science-driven solutions. She is also behind SHE-ensya, a platform that makes science more accessible, relatable, and grounded in everyday Filipino experiences.

Executive Director, Center for Environmental Concerns - Philippines (CEC)

I serve as the Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Concerns - Philippines (CEC), a non-government organization working across the Philippines to cultivate environmental awareness and action, create a community of advocates, and contribute to the defense of ecosystems and peoples through empowering education, community-based research, and people-oriented, patriotic, and scientific advocacy. I have supervised, guided, and done communications work for CEC for the past two years. Previously, I also supervised and did communications work, from graphic design, content writing, to social media marketing, for various environmental nonprofit initiatives.

Social Scientist, Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation

As a researcher with a background in Sociology, my work focuses on climate justice, environmental health, and the social dimensions of vulnerability and resilience. I have worked with communities and populations disproportionately affected by environmental and health risks, including women, children, and persons with disabilities. As a science communicator, I believe research should not remain in academic or technical spaces alone. Part of research integrity is ensuring that findings and learnings are translated into forms that are accessible, meaningful, and useful to the people and communities they are meant to serve. I value communication that builds understanding, trust, and action.

Vice President, Science Communicators Philippines
Research Communications Head, Ateneo de Manila University

Timothy James M. Dimacali is a science communicator and futurist who bridges research and public understanding, turning complex scholarship into viral stories. He is the first Filipino Fulbright scholar to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and is a fully-credentialed member of the international Association of Professional Futurists. He is the founder of the GMA News SciTech Section and the UP Diliman College of Science SciComm Team. He is currently the Research Communications Head at Ateneo de Manila University’s Office of the Assistant Vice President for Research, Creative Work, and Innovation (OAVP-RCWI) and Vice President of Science Communicators Philippines (SciCommPH).

National Coordinator, Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines - Fridays for Future PH

Rachelle “Rae” Junsay (she/her) is a young climate defender from the Philippines, amplifying the voices of landless farmers and urban poor in their battles against corporate plunder and ecological destruction. She mobilizes youth toward collective action, community integration, and policy change, fusing activism with sharp analysis rooted in genuine people’s struggles for justice.

@renzomaano on IG/Tiktok, Renzo Maano on YouTube

Renzo Maano is a Filipino documentary filmmaker and environmental storyteller, focused on Philippine biodiversity and endangered species.

With his long-form documentaries on YouTube, Renzo collaborates with NGOs and environmental organizations to produce narrative-led films that raise awareness and support conservation efforts. He also shares short-form reels and excerpts on social media, where he has built an engaged audience passionate about environmental issues.

Through this hybrid model of digital and impact filmmaking, Renzo aims to educate and inspire Filipinos to pursue a more intentional way of living that brings people closer to nature.

Vice Chair, Saribuhay UPD

Rephael knows what it’s like to be a contestant in a contest like Sibol, as they are perhaps most known for being a Top 15 Finalist and the Asia Regional Champion for the 2024 edition of the acclaimed international science communication competition Breakthrough Junior Challenge. Aside from this, their work on making science more accessible to the masses extends to their multi-award winning research project: ChirpyPi, a citizen science device that can identify Philippine endemic birds by their call. Now a student at UP Diliman, they are now the current Vice Chairperson of Saribuhay UPD and uses their skills to arouse, organize, and mobilize youth towards environmental advocacy.