Innovation and communications experts lead Gawad Alunig x Dalumat’s panel of judges

Ilonggo innovation strategist and businessman Ken Lerona and National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) Education Section Chief Rita Dela Cruz led the panel of judges for the fourth edition of the Gawad Alunig x Dalumat (GAxD) campaign.

Organized by the Technology Application and Promotion Institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-TAPI), the GAxD campaign awards science visual storytelling through creative advertising.

Development and Innovation Experts for Gawad Alunig

Ken Lerona, founder of Visayas-based consulting firm, Cornelius Magnate Engagement & Consulting, led the Gawad Alunig panel of judges. He’s an experienced marketing leader and seasoned communication executive. His vast experience in innovation gave him a special eye for identifying what makes a short-form video advertisement truly remarkable.

He was joined by Museo Pambata consultant Katrina Angela May Mallillin, a creative industry leader with over a decade of experience in design, education, and entrepreneurship. Development communication professional John Gabriel Almera also lent his expertise. He’s a development communication professional specializing in strategic communication and knowledge management.

Another member of the panel was Celso C. Santiago Jr., a Communications Consultant at Vital Strategies, a lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University, and a former PCOO Assistant Secretary with leadership roles across several sectors.

​​Completing the Gawad Alunig panel of judges was Vonn Vincent Tanchuan, a Social and Behavior Change Communication expert and media strategist. He has led over 40 campaigns on plastic pollution, the circular economy, tobacco control, and youth engagement in partnership with organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Science Communications Giants for Gawad Dalumat

Leading the panel as Gawad Dalumat Head Judge was Rita Dela Cruz, the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute’s (NFRDI) Education Section Chief and Assistant Division Chief of its Training Division. She is a multi-awardee with an extensive background in communication and photography.

Joining her was Christine Ingrid Espinosa, a Chevening alumna and a multimedia science communicator who brings clarity and creativity to complex ideas. The panel also included Grace David, founder and general manager of Waymaker, whose work has helped young people navigate education and career pathways.

Another member of the panel was Mel Patrick Kasingsing, founder of Kanto.ph, Brutalist Pilipinas, and Modernist Pilipinas. He is an art director, photographer, writer, and heritage advocate. Completing the panel of judges for Gawad Alunig was Gian Nealega, a Creative Director at Dentsu Creative Philippines, bringing industry perspective and creative leadership to the panel.

Determining the Best Creative Advertisements

The 2025 edition of Gawad Alunig x Dalumat campaign focused on science visual storytelling through creative advertising. The Gawad Alunig and Dalumat shortlists were announced on the DOST-TAPI Facebook page.

The Gawad Alunig entries were judged based on the following criteria:

• Concept and Message: 35%
• Creativity and Originality: 30%
• Advertising appeal: 25%
• Audience engagement: 10%

Meanwhile, Gawad Dalumat entries were evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Storytelling, Cohesion, and Narrative Flow: 30%
• Visual Impact: 25%
• Brand/Product Communication: 20%
• Technical Excellence: 15%
• Audience Engagement: 10%

Each member of the panel of judges agreed to take part in the GAxD as an individual, driven by the campaign’s alignment with their personal advocacies and ongoing initiatives. Their participation was made in their personal capacity and does not represent the organizations or institutions with which they are currently affiliated.

The GAxD campaign has been a platform for Filipinos to use their creative storytelling and leverage shareable and engaging content to propel Filipino technologies to the national stage. It also provided and will continue to provide an opportunity for DOST-TAPI to extend support to innovations featured in selected GAxD entries.

Before the announcement of the grand finalists, all entries submitted to DOST-TAPI underwent verification and quality checks. Only shortlisted entries were then forwarded to the panel of judges for evaluation. The judges’ scores, combined with those of DOST-TAPI management, determined the final rankings, culminating in the announcement of winners during the agency’s 39th anniversary celebration on January 30.

The 2025 GAxD campaign would not be possible without the help of industry storytellers and communicators. As an institution that encourages innovation, TAPI continues to welcome collaboration with industry experts to help hone aspiring creatives’ skills while promoting homegrown ingenuity.

For more information about the GAxD campaign, please visit the DOST-TAPI website (TAPI.DOST.gov.ph) and follow the DOST-TAPI Facebook page.