Filipino ingenuity results in low-cost technologies

The Filipino talent for innovation was highlighted recently at the Bayanihan Center, United Laboratories Inc., in Mandaluyong City, where start-up companies were honored at the Second Filipinnovation Award.

The winners, who got cash prizes and gift packs, produced creative and economical technologies that would benefit the agriculture, industry and ordinary Pinoys here and abroad.

Ahcil Laboratories makes nontoxic pesticides for flowering and other ornamental plants. The products, which primarily control fungus and bacteria, are inexpensive and environment-friendly. They can be sprayed directly on plants, or used for dipping after harvest.

Daikkha Dehumidifer Mechanical Dryer makes dryers for farmers and cooperatives. Their machines can dry rice and corn in any weather with high-quality results and at low cost.

Barbalite Technologies makes solar-powered road markers that recharge in the day and light up automatically at night.  The rechargeable batteries last three to five years.  The markers can save lives, especially during calamities.

Crisologo Concrete Precast Enterprise makes—well, concrete precasts that can substitute for wooden door jambs.  Products are as smooth as wood and do not warp in hot weather. More importantly, they are termite-, fire- and water-proof.

Filimagineers, formerly Mayad-Web 3D, makes realistic three-dimensional models that can be accessed through the Web. Real-estate developers use the technology to show houses and other projects to potential customers abroad, like overseas workers.

The Filipinnovation Award was also sponsored by Petron Corp. and the Department of Science and Technology’s Technology Application and Promotion Institute, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, and Regional Office-National Capital Region.

Davao inventions

Creativity down south was evident at the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit held at the NCCC Mall in Davao City.

Manolo Tamparong built the Compressed Air Thermal Fuel Oil Dryer that converts used cooking oil into biofuel for engines. He won the Likha Award for Outstanding Utility Model. Cheap and efficient, the dryer can be mass-produced locally and, best of all, it can solve the problem of how to dispose of used oil properly so it does not clog waterways.

Mary Jane Baluado has created the Squash Seeds Sunblock Lotion (Vitamin E- enriched) that won the Sibol Award for Outstanding Creative Research. Baluado says squash seeds, which are delicious snacks, are a rich source of zinc, making them ideal as sunblock.

“Zinc protects cells, heals wounds and prevents skin inflammation,” Baluado says.  Nine volunteers, who tried her lotion, reported that the sunblock worked as well as, or even better than, expensive brands.

The University of Mindanao, led by Kris Logie Mallorca, John Mark Coloma, Rae Reyes and Edezon Virtudazo, won the Outstanding Student Creative Research Award, college category, for its Line Disconnection System.

“Disconnection of power lines due to theft and tampering of electric meters and power lines has always been a big problem of power distribution companies,” the students say. The line disconnection system, when embedded into current grids, enables companies to  disconnect and reconnect easily the electric lines of customers.

Compostela National High School students Lovely Asur and Angelou Angway, with advisers engineer Maria Christina Conez and Debbie Teruel, won the same award, high school category, for producing natural fiber from the leaves of the snake plant.

After doing sensory evaluation tests, the students discovered that the fiber of snake plant, which is endemic to the region, was as strong and durable as commercial ones, making it a potential money-earner for Mindanao.

“The gold mine of Davao is not only its natural resources,” said Intellectual Property Office Philippines Director Ricardo Blancaflor. “What will make Davao rich are the creative minds of Davaoeños.”

The face of God

Allan Reyes of Metrobank Foundation forwards humor pieces for teachers:

Little Ana was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because, even though it was a very large mammal, its throat was very small.

Ana said Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher repeated that it was impossible.  Ana said, “When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah.”

The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?” Ana replied, “Then you ask him.”

Another time, the teacher asked Ana what she was drawing.   Ana said, “I’m drawing God.”

The teacher said, “But no one knows what God looks like.”

Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, Ana replied, “They will in a minute.”

During lunch, the children lined up in the cafeteria. At the head of the table was a large pile of mangoes. The teacher made a note: “Take only ONE. God is watching.”

At the other end of the table was a large pile of cookies. Ana had written a note, “Take all you want. God is watching the mangoes.”

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