The two-day annual Health R&D Expo held at The Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City had its 5^th year of gathering of researchers and institutions showcasing their completed researches and educating the public.

The activity was formally opened by Dr. Warlito Vicente, Regional Health Research and Development Consortium XI (RHRDC XI) Chairperson and followed by the opening of the Poster Exhibits with the help of Dr. Anthony C. Sales - DOST XI Regional Director and Ms. Carina E. Rebulanan – Philippine Council Health Research and Development (PCHRD) IDD Chief.

During the forum session, guest speakers Dr. Efren John Sabado, Assistant Dean for Social Sciences of Ateneo de Davao University shared his expertise regarding doing qualitative type of research while Dr. Ophelia Mendoza, WHO and DOST-PCHRD consultant, discussed the quantitative methodologies of conducting researches.  This was attended by faculties and students coming from different institutions.

The session was followed by two competitions: Oral Research Paper Presentation and Poster Exhibit Competitions. There are 10 participants for Research Paper Presentation - Undergraduate Category, 13 for Poster Exhibits – Undergraduate Category and 7 entries for both Research Paper Presentation and Poster Exhibits – Graduate and Creative Research Category.

Winners of the said event were as follows: for Best Research Paper (Undergraduate Category) 1^st place- Kristine Mae D. Dorado and J. Novie A. Alviola with study entitled “Utilization of Sago (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) and Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Flours for the Production of Gluten-free Chocolate Crinkles” from University of the Philippines Mindanao, Jublaican L. Lui, Mary Joy C. Puno and Nor-Ain B. Tuda for their study entitled “Antibacterial Activity of Young Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Hust Fiber Extract Against Clinical Isolate of Escherichia Coli” and Arba Al Shawwal M. Calamba, Zenith Joy R. Cayme , Lency T. Dungog, Jyus Kirby D. Mabalot and Irish Jane A. Montecalvo with study entitled “The Antioxidant Property and Antimicrobial Activity of Ripe Banana (Musa acuminata) Peel Extract Against the Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus epidermis Associated with Acne” from Tagum Doctors College bagging 2^nd and 3^rd Place respectively.

Best Poster Exhibits (Undergraduate Category) winners were: 1^st Place- Alexander Ken P. Libranza, Pedro A. Alviola IV, Jon Marx Sarmiento and Harvey M. Niere from University of the Philippines Mindanao with study entitled “COPING WITH ARMED CONFLICT AND VIOLENCE: The Status of Nutrition and Health of Talaingod Manobo Children in Salugpungan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center, Inc., Sitio Dulyan, Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, Philippines”; University of the Immaculate Conception on 2^nd and 3^rd Place - “Hair Growing Potential of Saucer Plant (Nothopanax scutellarium) Leaf Extract Formulated as Lotion” by Nika Calig-onan, Thea Nicole Fontilla, Sittie Johaina Macamismis, Gina Mae Pedrera, Jhovie Mhel Tenorio and Ferlien Mae Baula and “Potential Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Dried Leaf Extract of Lagnub (Ficus septica)”by Maria Liza Belga, Ruby Jean Castillo, Keith Ian Dimaano, Rovie Lae Fuentes, Dan David Odasco and Cherrie Muaña.

Best Research Paper (Graduate and Creative Research Category)winners on the other hand were the following: 1^st Place- Hematologic Effects of Averrhoabilimbi (Kamias) Ethanolic Fruit Extract” by Maria Bea  Lao and Charlie Reyes from University of the Immaculate Conception and San Pedro College; 2^nd and 3^rd Place from University of the Immaculate Conception- “Detection of Campylobacter jejuni in Retail Chicken Meat from Selected Manila City Public Markets” by Lourivy Durano and Alice Alma Bungay and “Screening of Mentha cordifolia Opiz Buffer Crude Extract as Putative HIV-1 Post-Translational Protease Inhibitor” by Alfredo Hinay Jr. and LilenDorothy Sarol.

Furthermore, Poster Exhibit (Graduate Category) winners were: 1^st Place- “Screening of Mentha cordifolia Opiz Buffer Crude Extract as Putative HIV-1 Post-Translational Protease Inhibitor” by Alfredo Hinay Jr. and LilenDorothy Sarol from University of the Immaculate Conception; 2^nd Place- “Hematologic Effects of Averrhoabilimbi (Kamias) Ethanolic Fruit Extract” by Maria Bea  Lao and Charlie Reyes from University of the Immaculate Conception and San Pedro College and 3^rd Place- “Mutagenicity Testing of Calabash (Cresentiacujete) Fresh Fruit Decoction” by Sowmya Ramesh, Kai-Li Ang, Arun Das, Judith Jemima Davis, Elizabeth Saundra Goh, Tareen Jacob, Charles Arputharaj Joshua, Jayaseelan Balakrishnan, Jeevitha Muthi, Nanthinee Thayaneethy and Brandon Rivera Torres  from Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc.

All winners were awarded with certificates, medals and cash prizes.

Powerpoint Presentations of the guest speakers can be downloaded at this website’s Downloads Section.