For most teenagers, high school is a time to figure out what the future holds. But for one senior high school student in Antipolo, it has already become the starting point of something far greater. At just 17 years old, Cheska Mikaella N. Supangan is leading a movement of young changemakers, using science, innovation, and resilience not just to build her dreams, but to uplift others along the way.
A senior STEM student at La Salle College Antipolo, Cheska’s name has been making waves in both local and international circles. From being featured in the globally distributed Innovation Insider Magazine to becoming the youngest Mentor Judge at the prestigious International Creativity & Innovation Awards (ICIA) 2025, she is turning heads—and hearts—with a journey defined by passion, purpose, and perseverance.
A girl with questions, a mission, and a spark
Cheska’s love for science wasn’t born in a lab or classroom—it started under the stars. “Ever since I was a young girl po, I’ve been fascinated by the wonders of the universe,” she shared with TGFM. “From stargazing as a five-year-old to conducting my first solo research by the age of 13.”
But her path wasn’t without difficulty. Diagnosed with asthma, she could have let the limitations of her health hold her back. Instead, it became fuel. “Every breath felt like a reason to keep going,” she said. “To keep exploring, and to turn challenges into purpose.”
That purpose took shape through rigorous research and consistent advocacy. At just 14, she completed a solo case study titled Resiliency Over Cancer: In-depth Analysis of Work Efficiency and Coping Mechanisms of Teachers with Cancer. It was a pioneering effort, presenting the quiet strength of Filipino educators who kept showing up despite a life-threatening illness.
“I was only in Grade 9 when I wrote that study,” she recalled. “But I knew it was bigger than a requirement. It was about telling stories that deserve to be heard.”
She presented her work at the National Research Congress by the InstaBright International Guild of Researchers and Educators, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with professionals and degree holders. That moment marked a turning point. Cheska was honored as the youngest case study investigator and received accolades for Best Oral Research Presenter and Best Research Paper—milestones that validated not just her ability but her impact.
Behind her strength, she credits her father. “He’s my first mentor, my biggest cheerleader,” she said. A Guronasyon awardee and educator himself, her dad introduced her to science, encouraged her to ask better questions, and shaped her idea of success. “Watching him lead with humility and integrity shaped how I see success—not as something you gain, but something you give back.”
Standing out in the global arena
In 2023, Cheska’s breakthrough came when she joined the Global Innovation Field Trip (GIFT), presenting her innovation to a global audience. What began as a student presenter role soon expanded into co-emceeing events in 2024 and 2025, positioning her not only as a researcher but as a youth leader in the global innovation space.
Her feature in Innovation Insider Magazine soon followed. It wasn’t just about the recognition—it was about the platform. “It felt surreal,” she said. “But it wasn’t about being young and featured; it was about representing the voice and dreams of Filipino youth in the world of innovation.”
The opportunity came after Juli Shively, Founder of Innovation World, discovered Cheska’s work online and personally invited her to contribute. Despite initial doubts about what she could write, Cheska found the courage to share her story—one that revolved not around perfection, but authenticity.
“I realized I didn’t need to write something perfect,” she said. “I just needed to tell my story—the honest journey of a young girl who once dreamed of becoming an astronaut and who found her purpose here on Earth.”
But it didn’t end there.
This year, Cheska was appointed as the youngest Mentor Judge in the history of the ICIA. Sitting on a virtual panel with experts, she evaluated projects from college students, professionals-in-training, and fellow youth innovators from around the world. Some were older, others were even younger—but all shared a drive to solve real-world problems.
“I gave feedback not just with knowledge, but with empathy,” she said. “Innovation isn’t defined by age or experience. It thrives when young minds are given the platform to shine.”
For Cheska, being a judge wasn’t about power. It was about perspective. “I saw myself in them—the same wide-eyed curiosity, the same determination to make a difference.”
Her experience reinforced something she lives by: lifting others as you rise is one of the most powerful forms of leadership. “I walked away just as inspired,” she said. “Reminded of the ripple effect of believing in one another.”
Juggling roles, staying grounded, and dreaming forward
Balancing life as a student, researcher, youth advocate, and global delegate is not something Cheska takes lightly. “Of course po, it’s definitely not easy,” she admitted. “Especially since I also have a health condition. There are moments when the workload gets overwhelming.”
But organization, discipline, and perspective keep her focused. “I’m a huge fan of planners and to-do lists,” she said, laughing. “Not just for staying organized, but for visualizing my goals clearly.”
Time management is essential, but so is community. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the support system I have,” she said. Her family, friends, mentors, and teachers have all played crucial roles in uplifting her throughout the journey.
“I believe that passion is a powerful spark,” she shared. “But what keeps the spark going is discipline, consistency, and a sense of purpose.”
That purpose is deeply rooted in service and advocacy. Her work reflects the values of Sustainable Development Goal 3—Good Health and Well-being—not just as an abstract goal, but as a lived principle. Whether through her cancer resiliency study or her involvement in mental health conversations, Cheska’s projects are consistently centered on human dignity.
With every milestone, she carries a message to fellow youth: you’re never too young to begin.
“I always go back to what I said during my keynote at the STE Research Congress: ‘Let your voices be heard, your ideas be explored, and your passion be contagious.’”
To Filipino students across the nation, she offers this reminder: “Innovation doesn’t begin in a lab or on a stage. It begins with a question, a spark, and the bravery to act on it.”
Her advocacy is clear: creativity and science should never be separated from empathy and action. “Use your voice to advocate for truth. Use your creativity to solve real problems. And most importantly, use your heart—because innovation without empathy is incomplete.”
What’s next for a rising star
As she enters Grade 12, Cheska remains grounded, but the horizon keeps expanding. She’s preparing for upcoming International Olympiads in science and research and continues to represent the Philippines in global youth conferences and platforms.
“The road is unfolding slowly,” she said. “But I know for sure that research and innovation will always be at the core of my journey.”
For now, she’s still exploring what comes next. But her mission remains the same: to use her work to ignite change, empower others, and create something meaningful that leaves a mark.
And she’s already doing just that. At 17, Cheska Mikaella Supangan is not only shaping the future of science—she’s shaping the spirit of an entire generation.
“To be given this platform, and to share my story—it means so much,” she said. “I hope it inspires others to pursue their goals with courage, purpose, and heart.”
From the classrooms of Antipolo to the virtual stages of international forums, Cheska is proving that dreams don’t wait for adulthood—and that the pursuit of purpose, even when started young, can ripple out into extraordinary change.
