Outputs of tilapia research and development (R&D) were showcased during the recently held Tilapia Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) held in Pampanga.
FIESTA is a technology promotion platform initiated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) that aims to promote science, technology, and innovation (STI) in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector.
DOST- and DOST-PCAARRD-funded technologies were featured including SPIN (Saline tolerant tilapia), sex reversion of tilapia through the use of YY/super male tilapia instead of using hormones, and supplementation of tilapia feeds with coconut meal (‘sapal’) probiotics, all of which were implemented by the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV).
Themed, “From Pond to Plate: Celebrating a Sustainable Tilapia Industry,” the Tilapia FIESTA was held on October 21 to 23, 2025 at the Orchid Gardens Resort in San Fernando City, Pampanga. The event aims to enhance and celebrate the resilience of the tilapia farming sector as well as the R&D outputs developed to increase the sector’s productivity.
“[Tilapia production] is a way of life, it begins in the pond–in the hands of our hardworking farmers–and it ends on the plate, where families share the fruits of our labor. When we connect these two, the pond and the plate, through innovation, cooperation, and honesty, we don’t just grow fish, we grow communities,” said PhilTilapia National President Florendo G. Juico, Jr., during his keynote address.
DOST-PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management, and Support Services (ARMSS) Melvin B. Carlos delivered an inspirational message on behalf of DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora. Dr. Carlos highlighted the Council’s continuous support to ensure consistent tilapia production and quality through various technologies.
Aside from the technologies, Dr. Ebora further encouraged the need to capacitate tilapia farmers. “Increasing awareness of tilapia helps to increase production, which ultimately provides for increasing consumption,” said Dr. Ebora
Various tilapia products from different regions were showcased at the exhibit. A media conference with experts and a plenary session were also held towards the end of day one.
As one of the highlights, six technologies that are ready for commercialization were pitched during the second day of FIESTA to which the following investors signed their ceremonial term sheets for the technologies they want to adopt:
1. Kabatoan Farmers Association through Baybay City local government unit (LGU)
- SPIN (Saline tolerant tilapia)
- Sex reversion of tilapia through the use of YY/super male tilapia
- Supplementation of tilapia feeds with coconut meal (sapa) probiotics
- Selected/fast growing tilapia line of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU)
2. KAAGAP
- Tilanggit production of the Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NOMCAARRD)
3. Mr. John Carlos Boyles
- TraPond Design with Automated Sensors and Design Demo of the Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC)
4. Masayag Farmers Association
- TraPond Design with Automated Sensors and Design Demo of CVAARRDEC
Tilapia farmers were also invited at the technology forum towards the last day where they were given the chance to communicate with experts during an open forum.
The Tilapia FIESTA was implemented by the Council’s seven regional consortia from Central Luzon (CLAARRDEC), Eastern Visayas (ViCARP), Cagayan Valley (CVAARRD), Western Visayas (WESVAARRDEC), Central Visayas (CVAARRDEC), Northern Mindanao (NOMCAARRD), and MiMaRoPa (MAARRDEC)