A skin cancer treatment cream made of cashew nut and kakawate (Gliciridia sepium) scraped first place in the recent National Inventions Contest held at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City last Nov. 17-21.
Rolando dela Cruz of the famed DeWart and DeMole skin care products developed the new cream that can treat basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common type of sin cancer, by non-invasive, direct application. The cream called DeBCC, though introduced for the first time in the country, has actually picked up awards in invention tilts abroad. Dela Cruz received P150,000 as part of the prize from the Department of Science and Technology.
The second placer with P100,000 cash prize is the Rapid Rice Beer (beer made from rice syrup) which, according to those who tasted it, is more flavorful than sake, the Japanese rice wine. The husband and wife team of Virgilioand Yasmin Malang developed the rice beer.
Third place went to the Multi-purpose Handicapped Wheelchair, a highly practical hospital or hospice gadget. It is basically a wheelchair with a portable bedpan underneath the seat equipped with contraptions for shower, towel, medicines, hygiene items, among others. The chair can also transform into a reclining bed while the upper hood can also be used as dining tray.
I have seen how difficult it is to care for wheelchair-bound patients,” says inventor Antonio Mateo who was inspired by his brother to come up with the design. He received P50,000.
Outstanding utility model
Top prize in the outstanding utility model category went to the Plastic and Metal Separator System for Biodegrable Waste invented by Dominador Rosales Jr., whose invention can separate the biodegradable from non-biodegradable wastes. When sorted, the biodegradable items can go straight to composting while the non-biodegradable can be sold immediately, he explained.
Another environmental product capable of recycling the ubiquitous styropore and sando bags scattered all over the metro clinched second prize. The equipment called Modified Plastic Block from Polystyrene and Low Density Polystyrene, was developed by researchers from the Department of Science and Technology’s Industry and Technology Development Institute including Manuel Navarro, Nelson Davelos, Elinor Bedia, Araceli Monsada, Perfecto Braganza Jr., Ruben Loberiano, Redondo Magdaleno, and Efren De Chavez.
Third placer was Yasmin Espiritu’s PovWonderful (Povidone-Iodine Effervescing Foaming Vaginal Insert).
Outstanding industrial design
This year’s best industrial design went to the A Gas Burner – GS3 by Meland Dilodilo. Malang’s WeldE-Zmask (welding mask with offset lenses and breathing port) and Pinoy Tagay Mug, a big three-handled communal drinking glass with three partitions (a handle for each) reflective of the Filipinos’ penchant for “tagayan” (sharing a drink in one glass) placed second and third, respectively.
Outstanding creative research
Topping the list is the research on “Method of converting landfill plastic waste into fuel (gasoline, diesel, gas)”, which is Jayme Navarro’s pitch for solving the mounting garbage problem and in making the environment cleaner. “Para na rin hindi na mag-away sina Bayani at mga mayors,” he teased, alluding to Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando’s running squabble with local government officials over waste management.
The research also bagged the Chemrez Green Chemistry Award (professional category) launched this year and carted P60,000 and a trophy.
The ITDI research team’s “Calamansi dietary fiber powder” developed by Annabelle Briones, Wilhelmina Ambal, Bella Redublo, Cesar cortez, Norvina Deocampo, and Merle Villanueva took the second place.
Third place went to Michael Poblete’s “Aerial reconnaissance drone” that could monitor land-based activities such as traffic and rescue or military operations. The small remote-operated aircraft can take real-time video and near real-time, very high resolution images. With Poblete are Ivan de Vera, Charles Rico, and Leonard Canoza.
Student inventions and researches
DOST gives equal recognition to works of scientists-in-the-making from both high school and college levels that show promise of making an impact in the country’s economy.
Touted most promising in the high school level is the research “Novelty items (leather products) from the skin of Abalistes stellaris (pakol) and Pinjalo lewisi (maya-maya)” of Navotas National High School’s Mariecar Romero, Chen Ramos, and Joemar Salmorin.
“We thought that instead of making maya-maya skin into chicharon, why don’t we make it into leather items instead to generate higher profit?” Romero mused. The research also won the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) award.
An environment friendly research titled “Utilization of checen feathers as fiberglass creation” by Jeoffrey Celso Mari Rafael of The Quantum Academy, Inc. earned second place.
Third place went to “iText Mo Switch: Innovative Text Message Operated Switch” developed by Eddie Francis Cesar Plaza and Gilbert Ocampo of the Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas.
Meanwhile, in the college level, the top pick was “The potential of potato starch extract as an alternative serum separator gel and its effects in glucose testing” by Donna Dane Aldana of St. Louis University in Baguio City. Aldana’s research also received the WIPO award and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc award with a P10,000 cash prize.
Second place went to the research “The feasibility of using tapioca (cassava) starch in making bioplastic packaging methods for seedlings” submitted by a team of Polytechnic University of the Philippines students including Hilda Albis, Germine Christa Amansec, Jennnifer Amoyan, Anna Margarita Bascon, Crezyl Berbedel, Arsenio Boado Jr., Sydney James Bukas, Regie Lynne Camizola, Christine Joy Caranto, Angelyn Concepcion, and John Paul dela Cruz.
The third place went to “In vitro and in vivo biosorption of heavy metals using phytomass of selected brown algal species in Ilocos Norte” by Janill Magano of Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte. The research also received the Chemrez Green Chemistry Award (student category) with a P40,000 and trophy.
The FFCCCII also awarded the research “Hydroelectric generator” by Talavera National High School’s Glenn Delson Gabriel and Malvin Duldulao with a P10,000 and trophy.
DOST awarded P100,000 (first prize), P50,000 (second prize), and P25,000 (third prize) for the Most Outstanding Utility Model, and the Most Outstanding Utility Design. Cash prizes for the Likha and Sibol Awards were P50,000 (first prize), P25,000 (second prize), and P15,000 (third prize).
National inventors week
The inventors contest is the highlight of the National Inventors Week held every November. The annual event gives opportunities to inventors to create business arrangements and prepare their inventions or researches for commercialization, DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro said.
“Inventors should put their products in the market because that is how benefits are realized,” she adds. “Through the NIW, we encourage our inventors not only to invent and innovate but to create wealth to benefit the country and the people.”
