Siklab Legends clinch top awards at International Research Forum ‘26

Grade 11 Siklab Legends bagged both the Best Oral Presenter and Best Poster Presentation awards at the International Research Forum 2026, entitled "The Praxis of Harmony," held at the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) – Davao City on March 4, further solidifying their reputation for excellence in research.

Despite being the only senior high school participants in the competition, the student researchers confidently presented alongside delegates from the UIC (Davao City, Philippines), Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala (Surabaya, Indonesia), and İbn Haldun Üniversitesi (Istanbul, Türkiye).

Chloe Louise R. Restauro from STEM 11-Java earned the Best Oral Presenter Award for the study, “Beating the Odds: A Narrative Study on the First-Ever Open-Heart Surgery in Region 12,” standing out among the other research presenters. The research was conducted alongside her groupmates: Jasmine A. Limjap, Micanne G. Banol, Izak Yosu A. Zambra, Christian Arllie B. Mariquit, and Styvyn L. Sayson.

Restauro explained that despite the limited preparation time, their group managed to beat the odds by earning both the award and praise from the panel.

"Knowing that this was my first international competition makes it even more special and unforgettable. I am so grateful to my groupmates for helping me prepare and for trusting me to represent our group. I am also very thankful to our research adviser, Sir Ralph, for pushing us to always do our best and for guiding us in refining our work. Thank you as well to Ma’am Jorge and Sir Algem for being there with us during the competition and for their constant support and encouragement throughout. I really hope we made the SHS Department proud,” Restauro said.

Meanwhile, the study entitled "Running Against the Wind: A Narrative Exploration of the Sporting Journeys of Athletes With Asthma," by Al Zworykin A. Guibon, Haned P. Kanda, Kienth Lester F. Bautista, Julianne Rain C. Rivera, Fraulein Andi Guilas, and Aryam G. Adil of STEM 11-Python, emerged as the Best Poster Presentation awardee among 14 competing entries.

In an interview, Guibon shared that winning the award was both humbling and exciting. He also expressed his gratitude to his co-researchers and research adviser.

“When our study was called for the Best Poster Award, it felt overwhelming and very humbling. I’m very grateful to my partner Haned and our whole team, including Liam, for the hard work and sleepless nights; talagang sulit ang pagod. I would also like to sincerely thank our research adviser, Sir Ralph, for his constant guidance, patience, and dedication in helping us improve our research. To Ma’am Jorge and Sir Algem, thank you so much for your constant support, encouragement, and for accompanying us,” Guibon stated.

The 2026 International Research Forum was organized by the UIC College of Arts and Humanities and College of Teacher Education, in partnership with Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya (Indonesia), bridging borders and championing transformative reciprocity through service-learning. With the theme "Cultivating Transformative Reciprocity in Research Through Service-Learning,” the event served as a platform for both local and international researchers to showcase their studies.