Catanduanes State University (CatSU) is among the five national winners recognized by the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) during the Gawad Alunig 2025 awarding ceremony, held as part of the 39th TAPI Anniversary Celebration at the Manila Hotel on Friday, January 30.

CatSU received an ‘Honorable Mention’ for its three-minute short-video advertisement titled “Parahag-ot”. 

Gawad Alunig is a nationwide contest that highlights local and national inventions, aiming to give greater visibility to homegrown technologies and their impact on communities.

The CatSU entry was produced by ‘Team CatSU’, led by Dr. Roberto B. Barba, Jr., Vice President for Research, Extension, and Production Affairs, and faculty member of the College of Agriculture and Fisheries. 

Team members include Raymund Sandy S. Barcelon, Director of the English Language and Speech Communication Center and faculty of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Kristopher T. Visaya, University Intellectual Property Rights and Commercialization Director and faculty of the College of Business and Accountancy.

“Parahag-ot” features innovations developed by CatSU retired Professor VI Estrella Tribiana, namely Abaca Sanitizer, Abaca Gel, and Abaca Ointment.

The products carry the tagline: “For the hands that work, hands that sacrifice, hands that provide.”

Beyond product use, the video emphasizes the lives of abaca farmers and workers, highlighting the broader social and economic benefits of supporting local innovations.

Out of 70 submissions nationwide, with 40 shortlisted entries, Team CatSU emerged as one of the top five finalists, announced on January 17, 2026.

During the awarding ceremony, CatSU President Dr. Gemma G. Acedo received the award, along with a ₱25,000 cash prize and a medal, together with Dr. Barba and Mr. Barcelon.

The Grand Winner of Gawad Alunig 2025 was “Taghoy” by ‘Creative Blocks’ from Davao City, while “Nuez Naturals” by ‘Stem Uno Productions’ from Lanao del Norte placed as first runner-up. 

Other honorable mentions include “Dropwise: Where Clean Water Has No Social Status” by ‘Team PATAK’ from Pangasinan and “Project Abiso” by ‘KATIG Productions’ from Bukidnon.