STARBOOKS, Stronger than Ever @13

June 25, 2024

by STARBOOKS

by Precious T. Biraquit | by Rommel M. Azucena, Jr.

Pasay City, 11 June 2024 – STARBOOKS held its 13th anniversary, dubbed “STARBOOKS@13: Stronger Together”, at The Heritage Hotel to celebrate the progress and milestones the digital library-in-a-box reached since its inception in 2011.

Going stronger in its 13th year, the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS, or STARBOOKS, marked another significant milestone in disseminating S&T information to geographically isolated areas nationwide. Thus, on its anniversary, STARBOOKS recognized the people involved in its continuous growth, including its deployment officers, partners, and newly named ambassadors.

Following the number 13, STARBOOKS bestowed awards to its 13 strongest and longest deployment officers who have been devoted to the cause of delivering S&T information to far-flung communities across the country.

“Come hell, or high water, ide-deliver natin ang STARBOOKS.” proclaimed Richard P. Burgos, Director of the Department of Science and Technology - Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII).

The deployment officers recognized were the following: Michael John S. Rivera, DOST III (8 years); Kristine Mae N. Solis, PSTO-Antique (8 yrs.); Arnaldo T. Amosco Jr., PSTO – Eastern Samar (8 yrs.); Jeric F. Gagama, PSTO – Davao Oriental (8 yrs.); Anorly R. Narca, PSTO-Northern Samar (9 yrs.); Kristal Joy M. Guevarra, PSTO-Camarines Sur (10 yrs.); Eunice Raiza R. Panagsagan, PSTO-Aklan (10 yrs.); Florentino L. Quiñones Jr., DOST-VIII (10 yrs.); Benjie T. Francisco, DOST-XII (11 yrs.); Venus D. Retuya, DOST-VII (12 yrs.); Reynel T. Revilla, PSTO-North Cotabato (13 yrs.); Nabil A. Hadji Yassin, PSTO-Sarangani Province and General Santos City (13 yrs.); and Dr. Michael T. Mayo, PSTO-North Cotabato (13 yrs.).

Afterward, STARBOOKS acknowledged its strongest partners, who have been actively improving the project’s system and content by donating educational materials, ICT equipment, and a vehicle.

“Our partnership allows us to combine strengths because we all have areas where we excel, but by working together, we can leverage each other’s skills to achieve something greater. Our partnerships also help us to fill the gaps,” said Dir. Burgos.

The valued partners were the following: FrontLearners, Inc.; FlipScience; Governor Ferrer Memorial Integrated National High School (GFMINHS); Atty. Gilbert T. Arbon of PSTO-Negros Oriental; Asia Pacific College; Enchanted Kingdom, Inc.; Quipper Philippines, Inc.; BPI Foundation, Inc.; Pagbilao Energy Corporation; Local Government of Pagbilao, Quezon; Programa Genio of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc.; Mountain Support PH, Inc.; Association of Science and Mathematics Educators of Philippine Private Schools (ASMEPPS); Hyundai Motor Philippines, Inc.; Presidential Communications Office; DOST-Philippine Science High School System; Unilab Foundation, Inc.; DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute; VST ECS Phils., Inc.; Saint Louis University; DOST-Food and Nutrition Institute; DOST- Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development; and DOST-Science Education Institute.

Five (5) people were declared as the STARBOOKS Ambassadors for their steadfast support and dedication to the project.

STARBOOKS Ambassadors: Edric C. Calma, Director of Operations, Knowledge Channel; Maria Elaine P. De Velez, CEO and Co-Founder, FrontLearners, Inc.; Eloisa E. Olivera, President, ASMEPPS; Maricar B. Estole, Program Head, Programa Genio of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc.; and Richard P. Burgos, Director, DOST-STII.

With Dir. Burgos’ retirement coming on the 20th of June, STARBOOKS honored him for all his contributions during the eight years he served as the director of DOST-STII. His strong public relations personality brought people together and opened doors of opportunity to everyone affected by the STARBOOKS project.

Aside from the awarding ceremonies, STARBOOKS hosted three contests for the event: STARBOOKS Spoken Poetry in TikTok, STARBOOKS Fanart, and STARBOOKS Deployment Video Story. The winners received cash prizes, laptops, and a tablet sponsored by Quipper Philippines, Inc.

Spoken Poetry winners: Viewer’s choice, Hannah Competente; third place, Carl John Griño; second place, Tricia Mae Rosario; and first place, Charles Ivan Solis.

Fanart winners: Viewer’s choice, Christian Biay; third place, Michelle Saro; second place, Migs Maaba; and first place, Johnry Cornico.

Deployment Video Story winners: Viewer’s Choice, PSTO-Nueva Ecija of DOST Region III; third place, Davao City Science and Technology Office of DOST Region XI; second place, PSTO-Pangasinan – DOST Region I; and first place, PSTO-Tarlac of Region III.

As one of the DOST-STII’s flagship projects, STARBOOKS has been deployed to 8,034 sites nationwide as of 18 June 2024. Along the way, it has achieved numerous awards, the most special being the 2022 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award from the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Aside from the prestigious accolade, STARBOOKS has been included in the National Priority Plan (NPP) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for eight ( consecutive years.

To learn more about STARBOOKS, visit starbooks.ph. Follow the official STARBOOKS Facebook page or email us at starbooks@stii.dost.gov.ph.

Full albums here:

Opening Ceremony [ https://tinyurl.com/mvzxtpem ]

Strongest Deployment Officers [ https://tinyurl.com/4ptn7t34 ]

Strongest Partners [ https://tinyurl.com/2s44xdh2 ]

STARBOOKS Ambassadors [ https://tinyurl.com/2wbw3amk ]

DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute

#STARBOOKSat13StrongerTogether #STARBOOKSPH #OneDOST4U #ScienceForThePeople

Source: https://www.facebook.com/StarbooksPH/posts/pfbid0x...