Four Filipino scientists and researchers were awarded for their outstanding achievements in research and development (R&D) and technology commercialization during the opening program of the National Science and Technology Week on July 24 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. They are (from top): Dr. Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro from University of Sto. Tomas, awarded the Outstanding Research and Development Award for Basic Research known as Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal; Dr. Rhodora V. Azanza from the Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman who received the Outstanding R&D Award for Applied Research known as the Julian A. Banzon Medal; Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, director of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at UP Los Banos who was honored as Outstanding Science Administrator or the Dioscoro L. Umali Medal; and Tessie C. Nunez of the National Coconut Research Center-Visayas who received the Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award known as Gregorio Y. Zara Medal for her commercialization of the soft-endospermed coconut known as makapuno. The awardees each received plaques, medals and a cash prize of P150,000.00. With them in photo are DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo and the chairman of the Board of Judges, namely, National Scientist Lourdes Cruz (for the Quisumbing and Banzon awards), Dr. Quintin Kintanar (for the Umali Award) and Dr. Edgar Garcia (for the Zara Award). (S&T Media Service)