UNP bags top honors in CHED Region I research competition

The University of Northern Philippines (UNP) clinched 1st place in Technology and Innovation and 2nd place in Education and Learning in the research competition of R1 SHARES 2025: Structuring Harmonized Alignment of Research and Extension Strategies, held on November 25, 2025, at Balai Norte, San Juan, La Union. The event, organized by the CHED Regional Office I, carried the theme “Excellence in Action: Recognizing Outstanding Research Outputs.”
The research competition serves as the third installment of R1 SHARES 2025, a four-part CHED Region I initiative to strengthen research and extension among higher education institutions (HEIs) in the region.
Entries were grouped into Category A: Education and Learning, Category B: Technology and Innovation, and Category C: Policy and Governance, with separate divisions for state universities and colleges and local universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs) and for private higher education institutions (PHEIs). The best entries were judged on originality, significance, rigor, and clarity and coherence, with UNP emerging as one of the strongest performers in the SUCs/LUCs division.
In Category A: Education and Learning, UNP placed 2nd with “Echoes of Heritage: Development and Evaluation of a Culture-Based Storybook” by Dr. Christian P. Peria and Dr. Honorato R. Patubo from the College of Teacher Education, with Dr. Peria as presenter. The study developed a trilingual (Iloco–Filipino–English) storybook featuring intangible cultural heritage from 10 municipalities in Ilocos Sur. Classroom use of the material improved pupils’ reading comprehension while promoting cultural awareness, showing how storybooks can link heritage preservation with literacy development.
In Category B: Technology and Innovation, UNP captured 1st place for “Development and Performance Evaluation of Seismic GAPP Biaxial Portable Shake Table” by Marcus Aurelius T. Alzate, Justine Mae V. Garcia, Kaecee N. Palomares, and Dr. Vincent Pilien from the College of Engineering, with Dr. Pilien as presenter. The low-cost, portable device offers true biaxial earthquake simulation, app-based control, and real-time measurement of floor displacement, making advanced seismic testing more accessible for engineering classrooms and laboratories.
These wins highlight UNP’s strength in both culture-based education and technology-driven innovation. They also reflect the vital support of the University Research and Development Office (URDO), headed by Dr. Edelyn A. Cadorna, and the strong leadership of UNP President Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna, both of whom have been actively championing a more vibrant research culture across the university.