[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”7973,7972,7974,7976,7979,7975,7978,7980″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_post_title categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Dr. Gladys Mae R. Laborde, Graduate Public Health department chair, received the 2025 Outstanding Scientific Paper Award from the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL-DOST) during the 47th Annual Scientific Meeting at the Manila Hotel on July 11, 2025.<\/p>\n
Laborde received recognition for their pioneering study, \u201cBrown Rice Consumption and Changes in the Metabolic Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases in Selected Overweight and Obese Filipinos,\u201d published in the Philippine Journal of Science. This milestone marks a historic first for the Adventist University of the Philippines, as it receives its inaugural NAST recognition, highlighting its growing role in nutritional science and public health research.<\/p>\n
Dr. Laborde shared that the research journey began as a challenge from Dr. Jolly Balila, the University research director, to pursue studies that would make meaningful contributions to the university. She noted that her inspiration came through prayer and a providential encounter with existing research on brown rice.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring a seminar, I prayed for direction and was drawn to a brown rice study on lab rats. The idea of conducting human trials felt daunting, but Philippians 4:13 reassured me,\u201d Laborde said.<\/p>\n
She added that a remark from a Korean friend also shaped the mission behind the study. \u201cMy friend observed that Filipinos seem to love their pets more than themselves, pointing out that pet feeds were brown and nutrient-rich, while people continued to eat nutrient-stripped white rice,\u201d she explained. \u201cThat realization helped spark the research.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Filipinos, \u2018rice is life.\u2019 So why not make life healthier?\u201d Laborde expressed. The study\u2019s findings showed that individuals who consumed brown rice experienced more significant improvements in body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol compared to those who only shifted to a vegetarian diet. The results affirm the value of whole, plant-based foods in disease prevention, aligning with biblical health principles. \u201cThis affirms God\u2019s original design for nourishment in Genesis 1:29 and the health counsel found in The Ministry of Healing<\/em> by Ellen G. White,\u201d she said. \u201cBrown rice isn\u2019t just a healthier alternative\u2014it\u2019s a wiser choice your body will thank you for.\u201d<\/p>\n Laborde emphasized that the recognition reflects scientific integrity, faith, teamwork, and mission. She acknowledged the guidance of her co-authors and mentors, Dr. Miriam Estrada and Dr. Marissa Romero, supported by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research, PhilRice, and the involvement of the participants and research team.<\/p>\n As Laborde concluded, \u201cIt\u2019s still the same kanin<\/em> we love, packed with fiber, vitamins, healthy oils, and phytochemicals, which are lost in refining.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dr. Gladys Mae R. Laborde, Graduate Public Health department chair, received the 2025 Outstanding Scientific Paper Award from the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL-DOST) during the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":7975,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7969","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-19 06:09:15","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aup.edu.ph\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7969","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aup.edu.ph\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aup.edu.ph\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aup.edu.ph\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aup.edu.ph\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7969"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.aup.edu.ph\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7969\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7982,"href":"https:\/\/www.aup.edu.ph\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7969\/revisions\/7982"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aup.edu.ph\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7975"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aup.edu.ph\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7969"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aup.edu.ph\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7969"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aup.edu.ph\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7969"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}