Beyond Planet Biyo

a not-so-well-off family, and was thus able to study only through scholarships. Despite having a doctorate and already teaching at De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines Manila, she returned to teach in 1995 at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) West Visayas campus in Iloilo under the DoST. During the panel interview at the Science Fair in Kentucky in the US, she was asked: “You have a PhD in biology, why do you teach in high school and not even in the capital city?” She quipped: “And who will teach these kids? I did not get my PhD just to check papers.” She eventually became campus director and then executive director of the whole PSHS system, adding various PSHS campuses around the country. In 2014, she became director of the SEI, which takes care of the science scholarships of the government.

Dr. Biyo, who retires today, was able to increase the number of DoST scholars from 13,000 scholars (maximum of 3,000 new undergraduate slots, 700 for MS and 250 for PhD every year) to 55,000 in 2024. There are 11,000 new undergraduate slots, 4,000 MS slots, and 2,000 PhD slots every year. She began with three scholars sent to foreign universities in 2014; more than 500 Filipino scholars are now in 29 countries. Data also show that her brainchild, The Filipino Patriot Scholars Project, which conducted these formations, volunteer programs and leadership camps, was able to decrease the number of scholars leaving the country.

Each number, a changed life. A nation transformed toward kaginhawahan.

To Dr. Biyo and the people at the Filipino Patriot Scholars Project, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our nation with you.