Raphael Francis E. Dequilla*, a recent BS Geology graduate from the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) and a member of the Nannoworks Laboratory, won First Place in the Student Poster Presentation category of the Nemenzo Award for Best Student Presentations at the 18th National Symposium on Marine Science (PAMS18), held from July 10 to 12, 2025, at the University of the Philippines Cebu. This marks the second consecutive win for NIGS and the Nannoworks Laboratory at the biennial event organized by the Philippine Association of Marine Science (PAMS), a leading organization dedicated to the advancement of marine science research, education, and sustainable practices in the country.
A) Raphael receiving his certificate for winning First Place in the Student Poster Presentation category of the Nemenzo Award for Best Student Presentations at the 18th National Symposium on Marine Science (PAMS18) (photo from PAMS FB page**). (B) Raphael with the other authors of the paper (left – David Policarpio, right – Dr. Allan Gil Fernando). (C) Raphael with other recipients of the PAMS Student Travel Grant (photo from PAMS FB page(https://www.facebook.com/PhilAssocMarineScience ))
Raphael presented his undergraduate thesis, “Paleontological and Sedimentological Characterization of the Pleistocene Cabatuan Formation (Iloilo Basin)”, which explored the depositional environment, fossil mollusc content, and stratigraphic significance of the Cabatuan Formation. The study offers insights into the basin’s geologic history during the Pleistocene and its implications for regional paleoenvironmental reconstructions. His co-authors include Mr. David C. Policarpio (NIGS Teaching Associate) and Dr. Allan Gil S. Fernando (Thesis Adviser). As part of his award, Raphael received a certificate and a cash prize from the symposium organizers.
This latest achievement follows a similar success at PAMS17 in 2023, where John Paul M. Mondala, former NIGS Instructor and now a graduate student at Toyama University in Japan, won Best Undergraduate Paper (Poster) at the conference hosted by Batangas State University.
*Raphael Dequilla is currently an Instructor and MS Geology student at NIGS. His participation in the conference is supported by the conference organizers through the PAMS Travel Grant