Cebu Technological University (CTU) once again demonstrated excellence in research and community extension as 17 faculty members from various campuses were recognized as Best Research Presenters during the 2026 Philippine Association of Extension Program Implementers (PAEPI) Central Visayas Chapter International Extension Symposium and Technology Forum (IESTF), held on May 21–23, 2026, at the CTU-Main Campus CebuTech Gymnatorium.
Anchored on the goal of showcasing university-led extension programs that contribute to sustainable development and community empowerment, the symposium gathered local and international scholars, speakers, practitioners, and extension advocates to promote evidence-based and community-centered initiatives that create long-term impact across diverse sectors.
Throughout the three-day event, CTU researchers and extensionists dominated multiple thematic areas, securing top recognitions for extension projects and research initiatives that addressed pressing societal, environmental, educational, technological, and economic concerns.
Under the Agriculture, Food, and Environment thematic area, Associate Professor Eddalin Q. Lampawog of CTU Main Campus secured first place for the paper titled “Food Waste Reduction Towards Sustainable Consumption: A Carbon Literacy Program in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, Philippines.” Dr. Joed E. Caballero followed with a second-place finish for “Community-Based Capacity Building in Mangrove Propagation and Nursery Operations for Coastal Ecosystem Rehabilitation in Bagong Silang, Inayawan, Cebu City.”
In the Health, Nutrition, and Wellness category, Main Campus researchers Dr. Michelle P. Trangia and Dr. Francis Dindo G. De Lara earned first and third place, respectively. Dr. Michelle P. Trangia’s study titled “Wellness and Support Experiences of Menopausal Women: An Exploratory Study on Status, Needs, and Received Care” received high commendation from participants and evaluators. Meanwhile, Dr. Francis Dindo G. De Lara presented the paper “From Awareness to Adoption: A University-Led Extension Initiative on AMR-Safe Food Handling Practices in the Philippine Food Service Sector.”
For the Education thematic area, Ms. Marivel B. Glinogo-Cañete of CTU Argao Campus claimed first place through the paper “From Preservation to Pedagogy: The HISTORYA Extension Project as a Model for Integrating Hinablon Heritage in Elementary Education.”
Meanwhile, the Humanities, Cultures and Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences thematic area showcased strong performances from CTU researchers across two groups. In Group A, Associate Professor Bejay V. Bolivar of Main Campus earned first place for “Reading the Mangroves: Eco-Framing and Affective Expression in Photovoice.” Ms. Hazel Inoc and Dr. Reah G. Fabrica secured second and third place, respectively, for their papers “Community Tour Guide Training and Its Effect on Service Quality, Tourism Readiness, and Visitor Satisfaction in Olango Island, Cebu.” and “MEN (Men Engaging Narratives) A Community-Based Awareness and Support Program on Male Perspectives toward Menopause”
In Group B of the same thematic area, Dr. Ritchie L. Gahob of CTU Daanbantayan Campus placed first for “Post-Extension SERVQUAL Assessment of Tricycle Services: A Case in CTU Daanbantayan Campus.” Dr. Anesito L. Cutillas and Dr. Mary Ellen C. Camarillo of CTU Argao Campus placed second and third, respectively, with their studies “BUILD LEAP: Enhancing Research Writing and Publishing Competence in Higher Education” and “Household Behavioral Compliance in Waste Management using the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior.”
CTU also excelled in the Engineering, Smart Analytics, and ICT thematic area. In Group A, Main Campus Professor Dr. Ronald M. Galindo achieved first place with the paper “Empowering STEM Education Through Renewable Energy: The STEM-BIKE Initiative for Community Engagement in Cebu,” while Engr. Teresita B. Capin earned second place for “Enhancing Cooperative Capacity through Operations Management Training.”
For Group B, Mrs. Mariel H. Remo of CTU Argao Campus won third place for “Design, Fabrication, and Evaluation of a 3D-Printed Pick-Up Shed Gauge for Intricate Design Integration in 2-Pedal Handlooms.” The first-place award in the category was awarded to Dr. Donald R. Lalican of CTU Danao Campus for the paper “Evaluating Community Acceptance And Overall Equipment Effectiveness Of The Mobile Water Treatment Devices In Barangay Lupa, Compostela, Cebu, a Community Extension Project Initiative.”
In the Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy thematic area, Mrs. Mariel H. Remo once again received recognition, earning third place for “Assessing the Microenterprise Readiness of 4Ps Graduates: A Theory of Planned Behavior Approach to the DSWD Exit Strategy,” making her the only presenter to receive awards from two different thematic areas. Meanwhile, Ms. Desiree S. Reyes of CTU Daanbantayan Campus secured third place for “Extension-Based Capability Development in Graphic Designing and Product Packaging: An Evaluation among Arapal Nature Farm Beneficiaries,” while Dr. Maria A. Nudalo of CTU San Francisco Campus achieved second place for “Eco-Creation of Souvenirs as a Livelihood Extension Initiative Promoting Environmental Sustainability.”
The accomplishments of the faculty researchers and extensionists underscore CTU’s continuing commitment to delivering high-quality extension programs and impactful community-based initiatives. Al Rayan Tomalondog, CTU Main BAEL intern
