Leave a Nest Philippines Celebrates Its 5th Anniversary Strengthening Collaborations for Science and Technology
MANILA, Philippines – Leave a Nest Philippines proudly celebrated its 5th anniversary last March 10th, marking five years of fostering innovation, strengthening collaborations, and advancing science and technology in the Philippines.
Established on March 10, 2021, Leave a Nest Philippines was founded with the vision of harmonizing Science and Technology stakeholders for the empowerment of Filipinos. Through the years, the company initiated various projects and platforms where students, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders gathered together and connected to solve global challenges through the power of science and technology. Over the past five years, Leave a Nest Philippines has actively contributed to the growth of the local S&T ecosystem by bridging academia and industry, nurturing future talents, and supporting impactful research initiatives.
Leadership Exchange
The continuous growth of Leave a Nest Philippines is driven by its leaders, who have worked in synergy to create platforms that support their shared vision. Late last year, the company underwent a significant leadership transition, appointing Engr. Ronezza Delos Santos as its new Managing Director.
This portion of the program was led by Dr. Yevgeny Dulla, whose passion became the driving force behind the establishment of Leave a Nest Philippines. In his speech, he shared that founding the company in the midst of a global pandemic was initially seen as a “crazy” idea, yet it ultimately became instrumental in advancing the science and technology landscape in the country. It was also during his address that he formally announced the transition of leadership to the new generation of directors.
During Engr. Delos Santos’ speech, she shared her experiences in her first few months as Managing Director, along with her vision of “Unleashing the potential of the Philippines in Science and Technology.” This vision is reflected in her openness to take on new challenges, including leading the company to greater heights in the coming years. She will be supported by fellow directors Mr. Ronrick Arayata and Mr. Bryan Foronda, who were also part of the Leadership Exchange and will serve as key leaders guiding the company forward.
Left photo: Dr. Yevgeny Dulla giving his speech online via Google Meet; Right photo: Engr. Ronezza Delos Santos (middle) accepting her role as the next Managing Director, along with Directors Bryan Foronda (left) and Ronrick Arayata (right)
Partners Through the Years
The company’s diverse platforms, projects, and initiatives are made possible through the unwavering support of its partners. During the celebration, it was equally important to recognize the companies, institutions, agencies, and startups that have been instrumental in continuously upholding the organization’s vision.
Among the many partners, those who shared their messages included Mr. Toyohisa Yamada, President of Yamada Shokai Holdings; Mr. Francis Bernardo, CEO of Focal Labs; Mr. Lenard Bien, Acting Director of the Extension Management Office of QCU; Mr. Gelvie Lagos, Project Leader of Central Philippine University’s CPUGAD; and Ms. Nessie Lumbres, Deputy Principal of Southville International School and Colleges.
The messages from these partners highlighted the immense potential of science and technology in the country, as well as their continued commitment to supporting its growth. Their support reflects how far the organization has come in achieving its vision, while reinforcing its mission to extend its impact to even the most underserved communities across the Philippines.
From Left to Right: Mr. Toyohisa Yamada, Mr. Francis Bernardo, Mr. Lenard Bien, Mr. Gelvie Lagos, and Ms. Nessie Lumbres
Investment Panel Session
As a company that actively supports the growth of startups, the anniversary celebration also featured a panel session to complement the speeches and partner messages during the event. The discussion aimed to provide valuable insights to startups and industry partners on how technology ventures can grow, scale, and create meaningful impact through strong collaboration among science, industry, and investment sectors.
The panel session was moderated by Ms. Haruka Sakurai of Leave a Nest Singapore. The panelists included Dr. Yukihiro Maru of Leave a Nest Co., Ltd., Mr. John Vincent Fiel of WELA, and Ms. Gillian Santos of Anihan Technologies. The session offered meaningful perspectives on startup investments, particularly emphasizing the importance of clearly presenting a venture’s intention, credibility, and trustworthiness to potential investors.
From Left to Right: Ms. Haruka Sakurai, Ms. Gillian Santos, Mr. John Vincent Fiel, and Dr. Yukihiro Maru
Throughout its journey, Leave a Nest Philippines has launched and supported numerous programs, including talent development initiatives, research collaborations, and innovation-driven projects such as the TECH PLANTER and the Hyper Interdisciplinary Communication (HIC). These efforts have empowered researchers and startups to translate their ideas into real-world solutions that address pressing societal needs.
This celebration of the 5th anniversary serves not only as a milestone, but also as a reaffirmation of Leave a Nest Philippines’ commitment to strengthening partnerships with local and international stakeholders. By fostering deeper connections across sectors, the organization aims to accelerate the development of science and technology-driven solutions for a more sustainable and prosperous future.
As Leave a Nest Philippines looks ahead into its 6th year, the team remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of scientists and innovators while expanding its network to create greater impact both locally and globally. Just as the theme of the party says, the organization's main goal for this year is to strengthen the bonds it has formed throughout the years by consistently connecting with them and forming more collaborative projects for the advancement of S&T in the Philippines.