Dr. Dana G. Vera Cruz, the proponent of Tilapia Ice Cream won the Best R&D Paper Award under the development category of the National Symposium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) awarded during the DOST-PCAARRD 51st Anniversary held last November 10, 2023 in Los Baños, Laguna.

Their paper entitled “Upscale Production and Commercialization of Daerrys Tilapia Ice Cream and Cookies” focused on the journey of the internationally acclaimed tilapia ice cream and its partnership with the tilapia fisherfolks and carabao raisers in Nueva Ecija making them an inclusive enterprise. Dr. Vera Cruz also presented their contribution in terms of creating job opportunities and fostering international partnerships showing the potential and future of the commercialized tilapia ice cream.

Dr. Vera Cruz led the research and development team composed of Dr. Pablo J. Rafael, Jr., Dr. Venus Q. Lagmay, Dr. Celyrah B. Castillo, Ms. Ervee P. Landingin, Ms. Pamela Denise V. De Ramos, Mr. Remarjay V. Neypes and former CLSU President Dr. Tereso A. Abella.

The NSAARD award aims to encourage Filipino researchers to strive hard in achieving quality R&D ouputs, and therefore, package better technologies for countryside’s sustainable development. Meanwhile, the development category includes the use of innovative modality or strategy in determining end-users’ response to the introduction of package of mature and improved technologies and in providing researchers and technology transfer agents with feedback to better technology dissemination, utilization, and adoption.