Dr. Windell Rivera, associate professor of microbiology of the University of the Philippines, won the Eusebio Y. Garcia Recognition Award for Molecular Biology and Molecular Pathology by the National Research Council of the Philippines. 

Dr. Jaime Montoya was cited for his pioneering efforts in developing the country’s health research system by setting up the Regional Health Research Development Consortia; supporting the development of diagnostics kits for life- threatening diseases such as leptospirosis and dengue through genomic and molecular technology; and working for the creation of the Association of South East Asian Nations’ Network for Drugs, Diagnostics and Vaccines Innovation (ASEAN-NDI).

The man wears multiple hats. He plays guitar and drums in a band called Unconformity Band. He plays forward striker in his football team during the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Science Sportsfest. He swims, plays table tennis and other ball sports. And, he also teaches in UP.

 As DOST Secretary from 1995-1999, Padolina, campaigned for the country’s global competitiveness via technology management, actively pushing for partnerships between government, the private sector, and the academe to utilize the power of the Internet, a revolutionary concept at that time, and make the Philippines at par with the rest of the word. He was instrumental in the increase of Internet awareness in the government sector as well as the growth of e-commerce in the country.