Career Scientist from the Countryside Inspires DOST Scholars in Western Visayas

ILOILO CITY — A career scientist who started with a childhood fascination with dinosaurs and the movie Jurassic Park is now inspiring the next generation of scientists and researchers in Western Visayas.
Dr. Casiano H. Choresca Jr., a DOST-SEI scholar graduate and career scientist, shared his journey from the countryside to international research laboratories during the 2026 DOST Scholars Exit Conference of Western Visayas and Negros Occidental.
Choresca earned his undergraduate degree from the Iloilo State College of Fisheries (ISCOF), now known as the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST). From his humble beginnings, he dreamed of pursuing graduate studies abroad and earning a degree from one of the world’s prestigious universities.
Through determination, perseverance and a commitment to continuous learning, Choresca eventually turned that dream into reality.
His career in research brought him to various parts of the world, opening opportunities to expand his knowledge, skills and experiences. But behind his accomplishments was a journey marked by challenges, particularly in the demanding environment of laboratory research.
Choresca candidly told DOST scholars that life abroad and working in laboratories were not always easy. Research, he said, requires patience, resilience, curiosity and an open mind.
He emphasized that challenges are an important part of the scientific journey because they provide opportunities for growth, discovery and meaningful contributions to society.
His story served as a reminder to scholar-graduates that success is not merely about reaching a destination but also about embracing the journey, learning from setbacks and continuously striving for improvement.
“I encourage everyone to excel, be the best in your field of expertise, and become the best version of yourself,” Choresca told the scholars.
He urged the graduates to dream bigger, explore the possibilities available to them and develop the right skills, abilities and attitude needed to succeed in their chosen fields.
For the DOST scholars preparing to enter their professional careers, Choresca’s story demonstrated how opportunities supported by education and perseverance can help transform a countryside student’s aspirations into a career that reaches far beyond the Philippines.
His journey also underscored the importance of producing scientists who can use their expertise and global experiences to contribute to the country’s scientific and technological development.
(RMJabian/STHRDS; Photo by JRDAdorador/KMO)
#DOSTWesternVisayas #DOSTExitConference #ScholarsofExcellence #OneDOST4U #SolutionsAndOpportunitiesForAll
If you want, I can also make this �⁠more newspaper-style with a stronger headline and lead, or a �⁠shorter Facebook-ready version.