Bestlink College of the Philippines (BCP) marked a significant milestone in its commitment to academic excellence and research innovation with the successful return of the 10th SIMP–AAIRI–BCP Multidisciplinary Research Festival (10MRF), held at the BCP MV Campus in Quezon City.
Organized in partnership with Ascendens Asia International Research Institute (AAIRI) and the Singapore Institute of Multidisciplinary Professions (SIMP), this year’s festival carried the theme “Research for Resilience, Innovation, and Sustainability.” The event served not only as a venue for scholarly presentations but also as a driving force in fostering a resilient and impactful research culture among emerging and established researchers.
Strengthening a Culture of Research Excellence
The 10MRF demonstrated exceptional academic engagement, with over 8,000 young researchers presenting across the festival’s parallel sessions. From this extensive pool, approximately 60 high-quality studies were shortlisted for the competitive category, representing diverse academic fields including:
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Business and Education Industry
- Engineering, Information and Communication Technology
- Natural Science, Mathematics, Curriculum and Instruction
Their participation underscores the festival’s role as a venue for intellectual exchange, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Leadership and Opening Ceremonies
The program formally commenced with a welcome address from Dr. Glenn S. Cabacang, President and CEO of Ascendens Asia Group who emphasized the importance of research in addressing contemporary global challenges.
This was followed by the opening remarks of FDr. Dr. Maria M. Vicente, President and CEO of Bestlink College of the Philippines, warmly welcomed participants and highlighted the institution’s continued commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and nurturing future researchers.
Plenary Session: The Metaverse and the Future of Retail
A key highlight of the festival was the plenary session delivered by Dr. Garry Tan Wei Han, a distinguished Singaporean academic with extensive publications in business, economics, and mobile commerce.
In his talk, “The Metaverse Makeover: Transforming Retail in the Digital Age,” Dr. Tan explained the metaverse’s transformative role in reshaping the retail landscape. He traced the evolution of retail from traditional physical stores to immersive digital ecosystems, emphasizing how virtual environments enable interactive, personalized, and experiential forms of commerce.
The discussion further explored the emergence of digital fashion, virtual storefronts, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), as well as shifting consumer behaviors in virtual spaces. Dr. Tan also addressed the opportunities presented by the metaverse—such as global accessibility and innovative marketing—while critically examining challenges related to technological infrastructure, data privacy, and cost barriers. He concluded by outlining future research directions, particularly in sustainability, digital ethics, and long-term industry transformation.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Researchers
A key moment of the 10MRF was the inspirational speeches by Mr. Mark Daniel G. Edillor, 9MRF Champion in Research Paper and BCP Research Conference International Delegate 2025, who shared insights on perseverance and excellence in research, and Ms. Regina Marie B. Nepomuceno, 9MRF 1st Runner-Up and fellow International Delegate, who discussed her experiences and challenges in conducting research. Their stories encouraged participants to embrace curiosity, resilience, and innovation, inspiring the next generation of scholars.
Rigorous Evaluation and Academic Integrity
Ensuring the quality and credibility of the research presentations, the festival convened a distinguished panel of evaluators composed of experts from academia and industry. Their role was instrumental in maintaining fair assessment standards and identifying exemplary research contributions.
Research Panelists
Dr. Michael Angelo C. Alejandro – Doctor in Business Administration, Head of Talent Acquisition, FiberHome Technologies Group, Human Resource Service Delivery Lead, Accenture.
Dr. Michael Bhobet B. Baluyot – Doctor of Hospitality Management 2021 Global Leaders and Educators Awardee Dean, College of Liberal Arts NCR Auditor, Philippine Association of Researchers for Tourism and Hospitality Restaurant Business Operations Consultant.
Dr. Cayetano A. Nicolas – Doctor of Education in Educational Management, Doctor of Technology, Dean, College of Computer Studies, IT Lecturer, Applied Systems Design & Development, MIS, Software Engineering, and Capstone Development in Universities and Colleges
Presenter Evaluators
Mr. Aylmer D. Barongo – Assistant Vice President for Information Systems and Services of Ascendens Asia Group, leading strategic technology initiatives that enhance digital transformation, strengthen IT governance, and ensure reliable, secure, and innovative information systems that support organizational excellence.
Mr. Jhon Erlix R. Barrion – Lecturer and Resource speaker with a demonstrated history of working in the Higher Education Industry. He is skilled in Research, Psychology, Statistical Data Analysis, Teaching, and Psychological Assessment, serving as an Assessment and Data Analyst at the Department of Education and a Lecturer at De La Salle Araneta University.
Mr. Christopher C. Bactong – Teacher from the Department of Education, Schools Division of Negros Occidental, specializing in Social Sciences. He is dedicated to upholding educational excellence through thoughtful evaluation, professional collaboration, and a strong commitment to learner-centered development.
Ms. Josie G. Carlos – Teacher from the Department of Education, Schools Division of Silay City, is committed to fostering academic excellence through insightful evaluation, collaborative learning, anddeveloping empowered and future-ready learners in a dynamic learning environment.
Ms. Charisa C. Dumlao – Program Head of BA Communication and the Coordinator of the Center for Research and Development at St. Mary’s College Inc., Quezon City, leading research excellence through strategic direction, rigorous evaluation, and remaining actively involved in various national and international professional communication organizations.
Mr. Joash J. Goboy – Senior High School educator from National University – MOA Campus, with over seven years of teaching experience specializing in research and academic writing. In this role, he mentors student research groups, organizes research initiatives, and leads the campus research congress, successfully partnering with Ascendens Asia International Research Institute for their first student abstract publication.
Ms. Danicon D. Macayana – Growth and Partnership Head for Business Development of Ascendens Asia Group, driving strategic collaborations, expanding market opportunities, and delivering insightful evaluations that foster innovation, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate sustainable growth.
Spotlight on Innovation and Global Opportunities
A significant highlight of the 10th Multidisciplinary Research Festival (10MRF) was the recognition of outstanding research contributions across key academic disciplines. As the executives of BCP and AAIRI announced the Best Research Paper winners, honoring exemplary studies in Information and Communication Technology under the Senior High School category and in the Business and Education Industry discipline under the College category.
In addition, the festival recognized excellence in research presentation by selecting four Best Research Presenters—two from the Business and Education Industry discipline and two from the Engineering and Information and Communication Technology discipline. These distinguished individuals have been granted the opportunity to represent the institution at the forthcoming International Research Conference in Singapore, scheduled on May 29–31, 2026.
In recognition of their invaluable contributions to the festival’s success, plaques of appreciation were presented to the plenary and inspirational speakers, research panelists, presenter evaluators, and award winners. Their expertise, guidance, and dedicated efforts ensured the integrity, rigor, and quality of the event, exemplifying the collaborative spirit that drives scholarly advancement.
This recognition not only highlights the academic rigor and innovation demonstrated by the participants but also reflects the institution’s enduring commitment to research excellence, to promoting global academic engagement, and to celebrating those who support the growth of emerging scholars.
Advancing Research for Impact
The 10MRF concluded with distinguished remarks from S. Domnina Basquinez, Campus Ministry Coordinator of BCP, who extended heartfelt appreciation to the presenters, students, mentors, research advisers, and organizers for their unwavering dedication, invaluable contributions, and commitment to advancing scholarly excellence.
Throughout the festival, participants actively engaged in scholarly discourse, responded to critical inquiries, and received constructive feedback from expert panelists. This collaborative environment fostered not only academic growth but also research that contributes to innovation and sustainable development.
The 10th Multidisciplinary Research Festival stands as a testament to BCP’s enduring commitment to research excellence and its role in shaping future scholars who can address real-world challenges through evidence-based inquiry.
For more information on upcoming research festivals and collaborations, stay connected with Ascendens Asia International Research Institute.
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