National Abaca Research Center

20/08/2026

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦: Big discoveries come in small footprints! Today, our center welcomed little explorers from Learning Basket Center, who took learning outside the classroom and stepped right into the fascinating world of agriculture.

From discovering the magic of local agriculture to seeing real-world science in action, these adorable young learners brought so much joy and energy, proving that you’re never too young to start exploring!

To our curious little explorers, thank you for visiting NARC!

20/08/2026

We would like to congratulate the students of Visayas State University for winning first place in "𝗔𝗻𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧𝘃 𝗞𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗼?" with their entry "𝙃𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙪𝙠𝙖𝙨", featuring the lives of abaca farmers and the current state of the abaca industry in the country.

We're very grateful for featuring our center's goals and services, as well as for encouraging young Filipinos to appreciate agriculture and the abaca industry in the Philippines.

Kudos to you, guys!!

18/08/2026

READ: https://pnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php/2-uncategorised/638-pnri-chemists-abaca-radiation-grafting-technology-2?fbclid=IwY2xjawTwolhwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTdUYTBCaWlEZGtPdFRmWE9zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEefER5An-6pXBQ6d4YyIpX9Rabb2xqnHAKKyAF9WpG762D_9qWSjKhKEVRQ1Q_aem_WT0zaitgoXeiD6pY_FPnOA

RESEARCHERS INVENTED ABACA-BASED FABRIC TO FILTER TOXIC POLLUTANTS

DOST-PNRI researchers developed an abaca-based nonwoven fabric designed to filter hazardous heavy metals from contaminated liquids. Using radiation grafting, the researchers combined natural abaca fibers with synthetic polymers to create a reusable material that was found to be cheaper than commercial resins while performing comparably or better in filtering waste. The technology is also being explored for other applications, including biodiesel production and precious-metal recovery.



Read full story in the comments.

17/08/2026

ABACA AGAINST ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES? 🇵🇭🌱

An abaca-based material developed by researchers from De La Salle University and partner institutions was able to attenuate an average of 74.34% of incident electromagnetic waves within the tested ultrahigh-frequency range, opening possibilities for a more sustainable form of electromagnetic interference shielding.

Published in Scientific Reports in 2025, the study tested woven abaca fibers engineered with polyaniline (PAni) and Carbon Black VXC 72. The best-performing PAni/1CB/Abaca composite achieved an average shielding effectiveness of 5.96 decibels, equivalent to 74.34% attenuation, across frequencies from approximately 500 MHz to 4.5 GHz.

The researchers found that the material primarily dealt with electromagnetic waves through absorption rather than reflection. The composite also showed the lowest electrical resistivity among the materials tested, helping create the conductive pathways needed for electromagnetic shielding.

The work traces back to the 2023 master's thesis of Martin Guillermo C. Fernandez of DLSU's Physics Department, under the supervision of Prof. Gil Nonato C. Santos. Fernandez later co-authored the peer-reviewed study with Santos and researchers from Universitas Gadjah Mada and Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta in Indonesia.

The researchers see potential for natural fiber-based conductive materials in areas such as telecommunications, healthcare, aerospace, smart textiles, and other applications requiring electromagnetic interference shielding. DLSU has also continued highlighting abaca's potential for advanced protective materials.

Important: The 74.34% result applies to the engineered PAni–carbon black–abaca composite, not ordinary untreated abaca. The study specifically shows that the conductive materials added to the abaca were crucial to achieving its shielding performance.

From traditional Philippine fiber to advanced materials science, abaca continues to show how local resources can contribute to new technologies. 🇵🇭

11/08/2026

We would like to ask for support by clicking the React button on the original video. This is an entry of students from Visayas State University featuring the National Abaca Research Center for the DOSTv Siyensikat Competition. Thank you everyone, for all the support!

06/08/2026

Despite the heavy challenges facing agriculture in the Philippines today, we celebrate 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆 to appreciate the unwavering resilience, hard work, and dedication of our local farmers.

But appreciation goes beyond a thank you, so today, let’s use our platforms to amplify the voices of our farmworkers, advocate for their rights, and demand fair support for the real pillars of our soil.

To every magsasaka who pushes forward through the hardest seasons:

"𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒐 𝒔𝒂 𝒊𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒈, 𝒕𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒈𝒂, 𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒔𝒂 𝒃𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒏. 𝑻𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒘𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑷𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆."

30/07/2026

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬?

Abaca is also used as an ingredient for cosmetics?

In Japan, they have 𝗔𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗜.

A blotting paper cosmetic, used to absorb excess sebum and sweat without smudging their makeup.

Moreover, the enzyme of abaca is now being widely used in cosmetics, particularly in the production of organic, hand-crafted therapeutic skin care products such as soap and beauty creams.

These innovations creates the versatility of abaca, expounded its value beyond traditional uses into the growing global beauty and personal care industry.



Graphics and Caption: Jhasmina Bennette Floreno | BCAED Intern

23/07/2026

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄?

When Abaca juice gets on your clothes or pants, it leaves a permanent stain?

According to the Abaca farmers, based on their personal experience. Abaca juice contains natural tannins and plant dyes that turn brown and dark when exposed to air. In their experience, once the stain fully set it can no longer be removed no matter how much you scrub it. Even if you use strong bleach, the stain will not come off!

That’s why they are more careful in getting Abaca juice on their clothing while working in the field. If unavoidable to get stained, they have specific farming clothes for abaca farming.

The next time you go to an abaca farm, or exposed in any process of abaca harvest and post harvest handling, it is not advisable to wear light color clothes and pants.



Graphics & Caption: Jaylou Modina | BCAED Interns

21/07/2026

"𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁?! 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶 𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗶 𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗹, 𝗗𝗮𝗱?" (Girlie Jackstone, 2013)

Think abaca and banana are the same? Twinning? No, beshy, you make isip again!

In 𝗔𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟮: 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿, we’re breaking down the key characteristics that set Abaca apart from its banana relative! From its morphological differences to its purpose and uses, both plants are cultivated differently.

Pindut the play button to learn more about the king of natural fibers!



Video: BCAED Interns

21/07/2026

𝙂𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨?

Today, we proudly celebrate the birthday of the Head Engineer of our Post-Harvest Processing Department, Dr. Feliciano Sinon!!

Thank you, Sir Sonnie, for your visionary leadership, technical expertise, and untiring commitment to elevating our post-harvest operations. From keeping machinery running seamlessly to elevating communities for a more productive harvest, your dedication to agricultural development continues to set the standard for our entire team.

May your special day be filled with blessings and may the year ahead bring you great health, happiness, and even greater professional milestones!