Four students, one mentor, and an oyster’s secret

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On stormy days in Iloilo, when the sea churns and the shoreline brims with stories, four ISUFST students chose to search for answers hidden in one of the ocean’s smallest spaces—the gut of an oyster.

For 20-year-olds Melody Vaughn Ferrer, Johnas Arellado, Romeo Theodore Golez, and Arlene May Linacero, what began as curiosity evolved into work that could impact lives, especially those of fisherfolk who rely on tilapia farming.

Together with the steady guidance of their mentor, Prof. Jason Albances, they formed a research team with a clear purpose and a shared drive.

Just days ago, the team made history.

Named among the Top 10 national finalists in the BPI–DOST Innovation Awards, they earned PHP 60,000 and the chance to increase it to PHP 150,000 if they break into the Top 3.

For ISUFST—the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology—it marks the institution’s first recognition of this level in a national innovation competition.

For the students, it’s both fuel and affirmation that an idea born in Iloilo’s waters can swim far.

The team behind the breakthrough

Their journey reflects ISDA in motion—research done with integrity, for social justice, through disciplined effort, and in pursuit of academic excellence.

Melody, a BFAR scholar from Guimaras, said her drive stemmed from growing up near the sea. “At first, I just wanted to help in research,” she said. “But along the way, I realized how much it fueled my drive to persevere and deepen my passion for discovery.” From high school science fairs to developing oyster-based probiotics, her path mirrors ISUFST’s mission to raise globally competitive graduates who lead with responsibility.

Johnas, a third-year student from Anilao, Iloilo, admitted he wasn’t ready for research at first. But after discovering that microbes from oysters might help fight fish disease, he was hooked. “The idea that something small could save you from creating this large change also delighted me,” he said, smiling. Outside the lab, he unwinds with music and tending to his pet fish—proof that his curiosity flows into daily life.

For Romeo, the project felt like a calling. “The chance to study probiotics from oysters was something I never thought possible,” he said. Though he finds comfort in manga and anime, in the lab he became one of the group’s anchors. He tirelessly repeated technical procedures, embraced failure, and celebrated each success with equal humility. His grit and honesty made him the team’s communicator and market liaison.

Arlene, a BFAR and LGU cooperative scholar from Cabatuan, Iloilo, was drawn by her love for freediving and swimming. “Being underwater connects me to the world we study,” she said. As the team’s organizer, she kept projects on track and balanced the workload. “What I love is our balance—if one of us misses something, someone else calls it out,” she said. She also proposed the team’s research focus on probiotics—an idea that set the entire project in motion.

Each team member took on a distinct role that complemented the others. Melody handled documentation, logistics, and lab clean-up—“the dirty work that keeps everything moving,” she joked. Johnas became the go-to troubleshooter, managing water changes and finding creative solutions amid limited resources. Romeo took care of surveys and purchasing while staying deeply involved in lab work. Arlene managed schedules and communication, ensuring momentum never stalled.

Setbacks, support, and small wins

Their sacrifices were not just measured in hours—they gave entire seasons of their student lives to the project. Melody recalled arriving at the lab at 5 a.m. and leaving near midnight, sometimes skipping meals to track tilapia behavior. Johnas battled water supply issues during holidays and weekends, while Romeo improvised with ill-fitting lab equipment. Arlene often pushed for extra experiments despite exhaustion.

Prof. Albances saw the sacrifices firsthand. “I watched them trade sleep, meals, and weekends for this work,” he said. “We lost three runs to contamination, ran out of clean water, used tools not made for us—but each time, they didn’t sulk; they adjusted the method and came back.” “That’s science: care and perseverance for a higher cause.”

For the students, science was messy, exhausting, and rewarding. “The worst part? Those marathon lab days—no lunch, no breaks,” Melody said. “The best? That moment the data finally clicked.” Romeo added, “That tiny win kept us going.” Even Arlene, the steady one, admitted to nerves. “I’m kinda confident, just trying not to jinx it,” she said. Still, she believed the process spoke volumes. “It proves ISUFST can hold its own in fisheries research.”

Prof. Albances balanced discipline with support. After failed experiments, he sometimes brought snacks or cracked jokes, but other times he pushed harder. “Kung gis-a, ga latigo ’ko sa ila,” he said with a laugh—“sometimes, I have to crack the whip.” “There’s no spoon-feeding—just guided grit.” “Their edge is resilience—they kept finding ways to improve.”

ISUFST backed them at every step, providing lab access, equipment, transportation, and even moral support. “Even if the facilities aren’t always perfect, the environment pushes us to innovate,” Arlene said. For Johnas, the experience affirmed his path. “ISUFST gave me not just aquaculture knowledge but the chance to do real research early,” he said.

Their recognition marks a historic first for the university. “This is the first time a group from ISUFST made it to the Top 10 of a national innovation competition,” Albances said. He noted that as third-year students—who began the research as sophomores—the team showed they could compete with peers from larger, more resource-rich universities.

Family and community support were also key. Melody, a first-generation college student, credited her family’s encouragement. Johnas cited his strict but supportive parents and sister. Romeo was grateful for a home grounded in education and service. Arlene said simply, “My parents supported me all the way.” Prof. Albances emphasized that the school did its part. “All we asked for, the school supported,” he said.

Oyster probiotics for tilapia: impact on fisherfolk

The team’s study, based on samples from Barangay Palaciawan in Barotac Nuevo, aimed to answer a pressing question from fish farmers: “How do we stop the disease?” Aeromonas bacteria, which resist antibiotics, endanger small-scale tilapia farms. Using bay-ad (oysters) as a low-cost probiotic, the team showed that local solutions can work as well as expensive imports. If adopted at scale, the approach could reduce farming costs, improve fish health, and boost the income stability of fishing communities.

The study was funded by the Department of Science and Technology–PCAARRD, with Dr. Mary May Payne as project head, and supported by ISUFST resources. The team managed costs by using existing school facilities and shared resources. Their work, part of their undergraduate thesis, will be presented internationally in December 2025, with Dr. Payne joining the team and Prof. Albances already in Tokyo pursuing his PhD at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology. “The results are in place for presentation,” Albances confirmed.

BPI stands for Bank of the Philippine Islands; BFAR, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; DOST, Department of Science and Technology; NFRDI, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute; and PCAARRD, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development.

Why this matters to families

The team’s work goes beyond the lab. “It’s not just about fish,” Melody said. “It’s about the people who depend on them.” By developing a natural, oyster-based alternative to antibiotics, the team offers safer food, better incomes for fisherfolk, and healthier aquatic ecosystems. Their study aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—specifically SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Romeo said it best: “Our project can help a lot of small fish farmers by producing a natural way to reduce disease and boost fish health.” Johnas added, “This doesn’t just help aquaculture—it helps fisherfolk families whose livelihoods depend on it.” Arlene highlighted its dual impact: “It’s about supporting local communities through science.”

The students carry forward not just hopes but lasting lessons. Melody, once an athlete, learned that sacrifice fuels discovery. Johnas found strength in asking for help. Romeo emphasized diligence and balance. “Ask questions,” he said. “The world promises more if you look for answers that solve problems for the marginalized.” Arlene distilled it into time management and rest: “Always manage your time, list the work, distribute it well—but never forget to rest.”

Prof. Albances said the greatest takeaway is how far interest and grit can take students. “They’re only in their third year, but they’ve learned far beyond the curriculum,” he said. He continues to mentor younger students through free Friday lectures, building a culture of curiosity. What began as a plan to help seniors has sparked a deeper tradition of discovery.

At its core, this is more than a research success story—it’s a testament to possibility. When curiosity meets resilience and mentorship, meaningful change can happen. Science lives not only in the lab, but also in the hearts of dreamers, in the hands of fisherfolk, and in the guidance of mentors who believe.

“As a university, this directly advances the SDGs and affirms ISUFST’s leadership in marine science,” said Dr. Nordy Siason. “Four students and a mentor are walking away with more than data—they carry grit, service, and hope.”

He put it simply, with a fisherman’s wisdom: “ISDA isn’t just fish—it’s our promise of shared progress.” “Care for the fish, feed families, strengthen communities.” “From an oyster’s gut to the nation’s tables—that’s how science should feed the future.” (Herman Lagon/PAMMCO)