In his welcome remarks at the 11th Scientific Symposium and Assembly of the Philippine Society for Probiotics and Functional Foods, Inc. (PhilProFF), University of the Philippines (UP) Manila Chancellor Michael Tee emphasized the importance of the collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to address the nation’s nutrition issues, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and overnutrition. He was optimistic that researchers would explore probiotic and functional foods to manage various health conditions, but he saw the regulatory challenges of classifying food supplements as medicines. He, therefore, encouraged the combined experiences of the seasoned scientists with the innovations of the emerging ones to find solutions and advance healthcare and scientific research in the country.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Rodney Perez, president of PhilProFF and a university researcher at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), UP Los Baňos (UPLB), underscored the crucial roles that functional foods and probiotics play in promoting overall well-being. He noted that the hybrid symposium aimed to foster innovation through collaboration of the academy and industry while thanking the lecturers, organizers, and participants for their contributions.

PhilProFF, in partnership with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the College of Medicine, UP Manila, held the 11th Scientific Symposium and Assembly: “Functional Foods and Probiotic Microbes: Up Close and Personal”  on October 19, 2024, at the Ramon S. Ang Auditorium, Henry Sy Sr. Building. The plenary lecture 1: “Philippine Indigenous Probiotic Sources: A Sustainable Preference for Functional Food” was discussed by Dr. Lotis Mopera, professor of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, UPLB, and moderated by Dr. Francisco Elegado, research professor IV of the BIOTECH, UPLB. The plenary lecture 2: “Gut Microbiome Personalization: A Key to Lifelong Health and Wellbeing” was presented by Dr. Massalin Nakphaichit, associate professor of Kasetsart University, Thailand, and was moderated by Dr. Leslie Michelle Dalmacio, UP Manila’s vice chancellor for research. The plenary lecture 3: “Working Out What You Should Eat: A Look at How Gut Bacteria and Secondary Metabolites Influence Our Health” was explored by Dr. Myra Villareal, a Balik Scientist on Functional Food Research of the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and a professor at the Sophia University, Japan, and was moderated by Dr. Maria Auxilia Siringan, chair and Biological Safety Officer (BSO) of the Natural Sciences Research Institute, UP Diliman. The final plenary lecture, “Probiotics Quality Control Challenges,” was explained by Mrs. Jocelyn Pamplona-Manipon of Yakult Philippines Inc. and was moderated by Dr. Marian de Leon, director of the UPLB Museum of Natural History. An open forum was held after every lecture. 

Dr. Maria Auxilia Siringan led the awarding of appreciation certificates to the sponsors; Dr. Rodney Perez presided over the oath-taking of new PhilProFF members; and Mr. Joel Cornista, vice president of PhilProFF, delivered the closing remarks. Dr. Maria Llaine Callanta, associate professor of the College of Medicine UP Manila, served as the master of ceremonies.

The exhibit of the product sponsors was held at the Unilab Hall and Vicente Tiu Lim Conference Room of the Henry Sy Sr. Building.

Text by Cherry Madrideo

Photo by Joseph A. Bautista