Pinoy innovators feted at 2018 National Invention Contest and Exhibits

An all-in-one veterinary table, an anti-mosquito bracelet, and a treatment system for solid waste were among the many Filipino-made innovations featured at the recently concluded 2018 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE), held at the Le Pavillon Metropolitan Park in Pasay City from August 14 to 16.

Organized by the Department of Science and Technology’s Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), the annual NICE supports Republic Act 7459, also known as the Inventors and Invention Incentives Act of the Philippines.

It honors the best creations from Pinoy inventors and innovators and aims to encourage Filipinos to come up with new products and processes that are both beneficial to society and commercially viable.

The NICE’s participants are comprised of the various Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit (RICE) winners from the previous year, from both the private and public sectors.

With the theme “Invention and Innovation for Collective Prosperity,” this year’s NICE was recognized and endorsed by the International Federation of Inventors’ Association (IFIA), as well as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Nice rewards for NICE innovations

DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña and DOST-TAPI Director Engr. Edgar I. Garcia led the awarding ceremony on the final day of the event.

The competition features six categories as well as special awards, which this year were handed to Dr. Raul V. Destura of UP Manila and Dr. Nestor Michael C. Tiglao of UP Diliman for their winning entries at the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva; they won gold medals at the international event last April for their respective inventions, the Biotek-M Aqua Dengue Kit and the Smart Surface learning platform.

From left: DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, Dr. Raul V. Destura, Dr. Nestor Michael C. Tiglao, and DOST-TAPI Director Engr. Edgar I. Garcia

The list of 2018 NICE winners is as follows:

• Creative Research for High School Students (SIBOL)

First Place: Pectin-Carboxymethyl Cellulose Biocapsule for Potential Colon-Targeted Oral Drug Delivery (Felix Arthur C. Dioso, Jeremae Aira M. Moderno, and Coleen A. Quirim, Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus)

Second Place: pinDOT: Low-Cost Arduino-based Braille Printer (Xyz Phoelane Beth-Amiel C. Dagum, Ysadell V. Bernardo, Bea May Clarisse A. Tacdoro, and Ericka Michelle L. Factor, Philippine Science High School SOCCSCKSARGEN Region Campus)

Third Place: Anti-Diabetic and Antioxidant Tea from Garcinia Binucao (Leann Patrice A. Ganzon and Anne Nicole Occeña, Iloilo National High School Special Science Class)

• Creative Research for College Students (SIBOL)

First Place: Flame Emission Photometric Determination of Iron via Digital Imaging Based Detection (Sandra Mei M. Branzuela, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila)

Second Place: Facade-Integrated Fog Collector: A Supplementary Residential Water Supply (Jireh Grace E. Pihoc, Jay-arr N. Urbano, John Carlo G. Marquez, Julienne Cristy D. Saliwan, Reina Joy H. Alip, Sydneyton Barri P. As-il, and Micah Joy A. Baldonado, St. Louis University Baguio)

Third Place: Electric Mosquito Repellent Bracelet (Kenny Walter Ceriales Diolola, Notre Dame of Kidapawan College)

• Outstanding Creative Research (LIKHA)

First Place: Impeller Compact Ricemill (Michael A. Gragasin, Romualdo C. Martinez, and Jayvee P. illustrisimo, Nueva Ecija)

Second Place: Development and Utilization of Actinomycetes (ACTICon) as Biocontrol Agents Against Panama Wilt Causing-Fusarium oxysporum TR4 in Cavendish Banana (Irene Papa and Teofila Zulaybar, University of the Philippines Los Baños Biotech)

Third Place: Nanoscaled Polyaniline Films for Smart Packaging Application (Dr. Joel G. Fernando, Western Mindanao State University)

• Outstanding Industrial Design

First Place: Interlocking Block/Ecoblock (Justino Arboleda, Quezon City)

Second Place: Baby Chair (Romulo C. Sanchez, Region II)

Third Place: Multi-Purpose Chair-Table with Lamp Designer (Vito Angelo Selma, Region VII)

• Outstanding Utility Model

First Place: Portable Unihoused Water Purification and Sterilization Apparatus (Engr. Rodrigo P. Duque, CAR)

Second Place: Renewable Resource-based Biodegradable Thermoplastics (Marissa A. Paglicawan, Blessie A. Basila, Ma. Teresa V. Navarro, Carlo S. Emolaga, Delmar D. Marasigan, and Rosito P. Cerbito, NCR)

Third Place: A System for Treatment of Municipal Solid Waste (Genovevo Sebastian, Region III)

• Outstanding Invention (TUKLAS)

First Place: Lamp Primers for White Spot Syndrome Virus (Dr. Mary Beth Maningas, University of Santo Tomas)

Second Place: Veterinary Medical Table (Aurora Amante El-estwani, Filipino Inventor Society of the Philippines)

Director Garcia and Secretary de la Peña pose for photos with the Outstanding Invention (TUKLAS) awardees, Aurora Amante El-estwani and Dr. Mary Beth Maningas

After inspiration, perspiration

DOST-TAPI encourages the NICE winners and participants to take their creations to the next level by aggressively pursuing their commercial development and release.

“There are new programs from the DOST which we have started to launch this year, and many of our inventors are qualified for those particular undertakings,” shared Director Garcia during the awarding ceremony.

“I would like to encourage our participants, the inventors, the innovators, the researchers, to always be updated with the different programs of the DOST-TAPI.” — LA, GMA News