12/08/2026
๐๐๐๐๐ฒ๐๐ฐ ๐.๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ, ๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ
Addressing global issues through innovation, the Madayaw International Multidisciplinary Research Conference launched its 9th installment at the San Pedro College (SPC) Philomene Labrecque (PL) Hall on Aug. 12, simultaneously streaming online via Google Meet.
Day 1 kickstarted dialogue exchanges among global delegates and agencies, beginning first with a walkthrough of the research poster exhibit.
SPC President and Overall Chair Sr. Aida Frencillo officially opened the program with the event ribbon cutting and greeted the delegates in her welcoming address, emphasizing the foundational purpose of discourse and research.
โLet us remember that scientific and technological progress is most meaningful when it uplifts kindness, respects human dignity, cares for creation, and serves the common good,โ she said.
Following her speech, keynote speaker Carlo Irwin Panelo, PhilHealthโs Acting Senior Vice President of the Health Finance Policy Sector and professor from the Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, focused on the Philippinesโ healthcare issues.
Among the challenges, he addressed the wide income disparity of Filipinos to afford healthcare services, and the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth's limited spending capacity to improve service delivery and financial protection.
โThereโs limited financing and the weak coordination in the delivery of financing of careโฆ but momentum exists, and the DOH and PhilHealth, I would say, are in the right direction in pursuing new HC (Health Care) reforms,โ he stated, discussing solutions that bridge technology and innovation towards quality universal healthcare such as advanced data analytics to reduce insurance frauds and electronic health records for care continuity.
Wrapping up the morning session, Panelo answered concerns and comments in an open forum segment and was awarded with a certificate of appreciation.
The afternoon session continued as two plenary speakers tackled global issues related to sustainable development, technology, and marine biodiversity.
Academician Professor Emrita Datuk Asma Ismail, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of IMU University, Malaysia, opened the discussion of Planetary Health and the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR), explaining the interconnection of human health, sustainability, and advanced technology.
โPlanetary health now becomes the core of the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals)โฆ the economy of the country is very much dependent on societal well-being [which is] very much dependent on planetary health,โ she shared, underscoring the connection of global challenges through a systemic lens rather than an isolated case.
She also highlighted the responsible use of technology to uplift planetary health, urging universities to teach students resilient and competent leadership to harness human-centered technology.
Subsequently, Professor Datoโ Aileen Tan Shau from the Universiti Sains Malaysia, also known as the Chair of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
(IOC) Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) and Executive Director of the Asia Pacific University-Community Engagement Network (APUCEN), shifted the focus from technology to the ocean โ underlining its role as a buffer to climate change.
โThe ocean has delayed many impacts of climate change, but its resilience is not unlimitedโฆ the ocean is crying for help,โ she stressed, noting the lack of priority over SDG 14: Life Below Water, and presented a framework that would aid the conservation of marine biodiversity and fisheries.
After their segment, each plenary speaker engaged in an open forum, followed by the โLights, Camera, Researchโ contest, which captured the participantsโ research in a photo.
While day 1 concluded after talks and commentaries, day 2 will introduce the participantsโ research papers through a breakout session for an oral parallel paper and virtual poster presentation.
