27/06/2025
๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฐ๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐
๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฒ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐
Over a hundred partners, collaborators, and supporters from across the Philippines gathered for the Filipino Genomes Research Program (FGRP) Symposium 2025, held on 10-11 June at the Institute of Biology Auditorium, University of the Philippines Diliman.
With the theme "Pagtanaw: Reflecting on the Journey and Shaping the Future of Inclusive Filipino Genomics,โ the event brought together a diverse network of researchers, institutions, and agencies to celebrate the milestones of FGRP Phase 1 and prepare for the exciting work ahead in Phase 2.
As part of FGRPโs tiered validation process, initial results and outputs were presented for collaborative review and discussion, in preparation for upcoming community reporting and validation with our most vital partners: the Filipino volunteers and communities who make this work possible.
One of the highlights was a panel featuring long-time collaborators who shared their field experiences to guide partners gearing up for recruitment and sampling in Phase 2. Sessions also tackled research utilization, ethical engagement with Indigenous communities, and future directions, including expanded partnerships and broader inclusion of Filipino ethnolinguistic groups.
As Phase 1 draws to a close, the symposium stood as both a celebration of achievements and a springboard for whatโs to come, reaffirming FGRPโs commitment to an inclusive, ethically grounded, and community-driven approach to Filipino genomics.
We are deeply grateful to all who joined us, including:
๐ฅ Key leaders:
UP President Angelo Jimenez, UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II, UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao, NSRI Director Elmer Estacio, NSRI DDRES Maria Auxilia T. Siringan, former NSRI Directors Dr. Windell Rivera and Dr. Jonas Quilang, UPD CS Dean Giovanni Tapang, and Dr. Saturnina Halos, Founding Head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory
๐ผ Funding agency:
Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOSTโPCHRD)
๐๏ธInstitutional partners:
UP Diliman and UP Manila Research Ethics Boards, Philippine Genome Center, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Ministry of Indigenous Peoplesโ Affairs, and other collaborators from government and civil society organizations
๐ซ Academic partners from Luzon to Mindanao:
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University โ South La Union Campus, Cagayan State University โ Carig Campus, UP Baguio, Pampanga State Agricultural University, UP Los Baรฑos, Mindoro State University โ Calapan Campus, Romblon State University, Western Philippines University, Bicol University, UP Visayas, UP Cebu, UP Tacloban College, Western Mindanao State University, Mindanao State University (MSU) at Naawan, Central Mindanao University, UP Mindanao, MSU-General Santos, Caraga State University, and MSU-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography.
๐ค And above all, we thank the Filipino individuals and communities who volunteered and partnered with us. Your generosity and trust are the heart of this work.
We hope this gathering strengthened the partnerships that continue to drive the FGRP forward.
See you in Phase 2! ๐
