Science and Technology/Research and Development [Archive]

amigo32

August 28th, 2005, 02:00 PM

A tagalog Windows OS... Cool! :cheers:

Manila Bulletin (http://www.mb.com.ph/INFO2005082842941.html)

GMA makes surprise pitch for Microsoft’s ‘Bintana’

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo caught everyone by surprise during the tenth anniversary bash of Microsoft Philippines last August 25 when she thanked in her speech the software company for a lowcost and localized version of Microsoft Windows called "Bintana" that it will roll out soon.

The high-powered crowd composed of the country’s top IT executives who gathered for the celebration, held at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, thought the Chief Executive committed an inadvertent blunder when she announced the software product.

"I thank Microsoft Philippines for taking the initiative to lower down the cost of their products, particularly with "Bintana," the Philippine version of the widely popular Microsoft Windows (operating system)," she said.

Majority of the audience, including Microsoft Philippines officials, wondered if the speechwriter of the president made the mistake of inserting unverified information lifted from the Internet. It can be recalled that an email circulated in cyberspace years back poking fun at the Tagalog translations of Microsoft products.

Mark Yambot, corporate affairs director of Microsoft Philippines, admitted he and fellow employees were surprised when Arroyo uttered "Bintana" at the podium. "We all looked at each other and expressed amazement. I know we have a program called Pinoy PC. And if we do have a project of that kind, it will not be called Bintana."

It turned out, however, that Arroyo was accurate all along as it was Microsoft Philippines managing director Antonio "TJ" Javier who personally briefed the president about the "unheard of" product.

Javier sat beside Arroyo in the presidential table together with Commission on Information Communications Technology chair Virgilio Peña, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, and other top Microsoft officials.

Sought for confirmation, Javier admitted "Bintana" is indeed a real project that will be launched "within the year." "It’s just awaiting approval from the company headquarters in Redmond, Washington," the official said.

The true purpose of "Bintana," Javier said, is to fight off piracy and to bring down the cost of the operating system to an affordable level. He explained the main reason why the Windows OS has remained costly is due to the uniform pricing the company follows around the globe.

"We can’t lower down our price here of Windows because, if that were the case, other countries would just buy the product here. That’s the reason why we have a standard price for Windows all over the world," he said.

Windows XP, the company’s flagship product, is currently being sold for $90 per license.

"But a Tagalog version of Windows cannot be used by other countries since it’s only us who understands the language. It’s only in that instance that we can lower the price."

Put bluntly, Javier said the "Bintana" OS was just a way for the local Microsoft office to go around the prohibition of having a standard price for Windows.

Javier is hoping that even for this reason alone, the Redmond headquarters will give the green light for the project.

"Anyway, computers users don’t really care much about the OS, it’s the applications, particularly MS Office, that they are really concerned with," he said. He did not elaborate how programming commands, written in Tagalog, would be recognized by the computers.

Javier said the company hired the services of National Artist Virgilio Almario, a renowned Filipino linguist, who provided the Tagalog translations of various computer terminologies that were used in "Bintana."

But the Microsoft executive clarified that "Bintana" is a full and complete variant of Microsoft Windows unlike the Starter Edition that the giant software maker has introduced as an entry-level version in developing economies such as Indonesia, Thailand, and India.

He said "Bintana" has all the networking features of Windows lacking in the stripped-down Starter Edition. It is also compatible with all Microsoft applications, including English version of MS Office.

Javier refused to say the retail value of the localized OS, which will be targeted primarily for consumers. "But it will be much lower than the current price," he said.

bagel

August 28th, 2005, 02:17 PM

Just click the "Umpisa" button.

Because right after that, you will also get the "Asul na Tabing ng Pakamatayan."

And you know what? The pirates will still pirate this Bintana.

amigo32

August 28th, 2005, 11:12 PM

Just click the "Umpisa" button.

Because right after that, you will also get the "Asul na Tabing ng Pakamatayan."

And you know what? The pirates will still pirate this Bintana.

Hehehehe! it's kinda odd to see windows errors in tagalog.

I would definitely get a licensed copy if the price is less than half of original price.

amigo32

August 29th, 2005, 12:07 AM

Recycle Bin>Basurahan
My Computer>Ang Aking Kompyuter
My Network Places>Ang Aking ?? Lugar

Oh my God! It's really hard working as a translator.

chymera00

August 29th, 2005, 12:53 PM

Half of RP soon to have access to wireless internet

CEBU City – At least half of the country's municipalities will soon enjoy access to high-speed, wireless internet, giving a boost to the growth of information technology-related businesses.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) chief executive officer and president, Napoleon Nazareno, said some 900 municipalities will be covered with a wireless broadband internet in the next 12 months.

There are 1,600 municipalities in the country.

He said in Cebu province, PLDT has already rolled out wireless broadband from Minglanilla town to Danao town.

Cebu province aims to become an information and communication technologies (ICT) hub in Asia. The city is now home to 14 call centers and some business process outsourcing (BPO) firms. Such firms require broadband or high-speed Internet.

The country's economic managers are also promoting BPO and software development services as a way to create high-paying jobs for Filipinos.

BPO covers business lines that can be transformed and delivered through ICT infrastructure. These include customer contact centers, engineering and design, animation and content creation, distance learning, market research, travel services, finance and accounting services, human resource services and other administrative services like purchasing.

In 2003, India had 85 percent of the offshore market, followed by the Philippines, according to Lauro Vives, vice president and country head of the Meta Group Asia-Pacific.

sandrin

August 29th, 2005, 04:56 PM

Meron ba tayong mga scientists na gumagawa ng research tungkol sa Nano Technology sa tagalog puede na rin tawagin na Unano Technology.....

What is Nano Technology?

We found a compelling aggregation of current headlines, feature articles, and related web sites on the subject of nanotechnology, the science of the small. Nano is Greek for dwarf, and nanoscience deals with the study of molecular and atomic particles, a world that is measured in nanometers (billionths of a meter or 10-9 ).
Nanotechnology research has focusly primarily on molecular manufacturing -- the creation of tools, materials, and machines that will eventually enable us "to snap together the fundamental building blocks of nature easily, inexpensively and in most of the ways permitted by the laws of physics." A leading nanotech scientist describes past efforts at molecular level manufacturing as attempts to assemble LEGO pieces while wearing boxing gloves. Nanotechnology, he believes, will enable us to take off the gloves and build extraordinary things.
The timeline of nanotech history usually begins with a talk given in 1959 by physicist Richard Feynman, titled "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom." The next milestone comes in 1981, when MIT graduate student K. Eric Drexler, inspired by Feynman, published an article called "Protein design as a pathway to molecular manufacturing." This is followed by Drexler's definitive 1986 book, Engines of Creation, now available on the Web in its entirety.
The Foresight Institute, founded by Drexler and colleagues, remains a primary source of nanoscience research. Recently, Foresight launched Nanodot, a news and discussion site for the latest nano developments, fashioned in collaborative, up-to-the-minute Slashdot format.
We are still in the dawn age of nanotechnology. Theories and techniques continue to emerge -- captivating scientists, students, entrepreneurs, investors, and even the U.S. government, which is betting that nanotechnology could lead to the next industrial revolution.
With powerful tools like the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), processes like molecular beam epitaxy (a way to build layered materials by "spray painting with atoms"), and brave new materials like fullerenes, the potential for innovation is vast. Nanotechnology is a realm of possibility that reads like speculative science fiction. A richly illustrated PDF brochure titled "Nanotechnology: Shaping the World Atom by Atom" increased our understanding of this "ultimate toy box."

Example ng Nano Technology application:

Introducing Silver Nano Health System (bilis ng mga koreano)

By OWEN A. BAUTISTA

After three years of 30 Samsung Electronics researchers working for its perfection, and with over 10 million US dollars invested in its research and development, Samsung introduces the first of its kind technology employing the safe and sanitizing power of silver – the Silver Nano Health System.

“Samsung specifically created this revolutionary technology to meet the rapidly increasing consumer demand for health-related products. And Southeast Asia is the first region in the world, with the Philippines among the first countries to launch the ‘Silver Nano’ technology,” says Sang Youl Eom, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (SEPCO)
Eom adds, “We have taken a giant leap towards maintaining our consumers’ health-related safety standards through the Silver Nano technology.”
SILVER MARKINGS
Used since ancient times for medicines, jewelry, silverware, water storage and other household goods, sliding into silver carries with it an impression of purity, but it’s more than just a clean impression. In fact, silver has great powers to sterilize and deodorize. This precious metal is toxic to pathogens yet harmless to the human body, food and fabrics. With all these taken into account, Samsung developed a process to create silver ions of nano size to safely coat fabrics, filters and surfaces in a colorless anti-bacterial armor.

“Silver Nano ions have proven their ability to sterilize over 650 types of bacteria and serve a better world in style. Recent advancements in technology and increased consumer demand for health-promoting products are giving rise to many new items that use silver for highly effective sanitization so Samsung has developed a silver spoon for your appliances.”

Through modern technology, Samsung has coated key components inside appliances with silver that directly effect the healthy and well being of its users. Samsung chose to use silver because it is a safe and healthy method of sanitizing and dodorizing surfaces that come in contact with food and skin.

According to Yong Jong Park, Samsung Electronics vice president for Research and Development for Digital Appliance Business, “Silver Nano technology will help prevent bacteria from growing in your washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners. The interior of Samsung refrigerators and filters of air conditioners are now coated with nano-size silver that brings anti-bacteria and deodorization benefits, ensuring that the clothes you wear, the air you breathe and food you eat are fresh and safe for your health and the environment.”
CREATING A PROTECTED ZONE
To further illustrate, Nano Technology deals with molecular and atomic particles that are measured in nanometers (billionths of a meter or a 10-9 meters). When converted to such a level of material may take on new properties and functions or increase the ability of that substance to reach and penetrate different areas. Not only does the nano size allow Ag+ ions to easily penetrate cells of microorganisms, but the positive charge increases surface area and even draws the negatively charged elements toward them increasing their ability to affect more molecules.

Many maybe wondering how this health system works. The process of which begins with free silver ions known to be active antimicrobial agents. Samsung developed a colloidal silver solution of suspended Ag+ sub-microscopic particles (1-100nm) that can easily penetrate cells. Silver Nano particles come into contact with bacteria or viruses and suppress their respiration. This, in turn, adversely affects their cellular metabolism and inhibits cell growth.

“As Samsung Digital Appliance business is projected to post more than 50 percent growth in Southeast Asia due to this technological innovation. In the Philippines, Samsung will take a momentum leap in the home appliances business by introducing the Silver Nano technology. I am sure Samsung this technology will greatly appeal to high income, tech-oriented, health conscious and innovative customers,” Eom ends

Mers

August 31st, 2005, 09:15 PM

I like to have..in the future, kng not implemented pa.

Automated Parking Area
Supermarket na wlang tao except sa bumibili.
An equipment which enables someone to draw anything that came in his mind. Pen is not needed. Lazy na masyado tao nun..hehe

mhe-ann

September 1st, 2005, 10:05 AM

Sinjin P.

September 1st, 2005, 12:43 PM

Robot Cleaners :)

amigo32

September 1st, 2005, 03:14 PM

_zner_

September 2nd, 2005, 02:04 PM

walkalators in malls could be hussle..

_zner_

September 2nd, 2005, 02:05 PM

^^^ it needs a wide space..

marites4

September 3rd, 2005, 08:53 AM

A smooth and better Edsa. after all this is the main artery.

sandrin

September 4th, 2005, 11:54 PM

Tech agencies seek satellite imaging program for resource planning
www.bworld.com.ph

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Using satellite images seven years ago, researcher Jose Edgardo Aban plotted the extent of areas planted with cinchona tree in Lantapan town on Mt. Kaatuan in the province of Bukidnon, northern Mindanao. The bark of cinchona tree produces quinine -- used as a natural cure for malaria since the 17th century.

Mr. Aban, a senior science research specialist of the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development -- an agency of the Department of Science and Technology -- told BusinessWorld that the use of satellite imagery is so important now not only in monitoring plantations such as those in Bukidnon, but in monitoring other natural resources and to determine condition of ecosystems as well.

Instead of doing the usual groundwork in Bukidnon’s plantations, Mr. Aban said resources can be mapped out and inventoried using photos taken from satellites in orbit -- or remote sensing technology -- as well as global positioning system.

While there are many applications of space technology in the country, the government to date does not have any national program to fully harness such applications, Mr. Aban said. Hence, the Science and Technology department plans to convene space technology users, providers, and developers in one big assembly to push for national programs promoting the use of this technology to help spur the country’s development.

Dubbed the "National Congress on Space Technology Applications and Research", the assembly will be held on November 15 at the department’s Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology complex in Diliman, Quezon City.

"Through the (assembly), we expect to draw up an action agenda and propose flagship projects that will address specific problems using space technology applications and research," Dr. Rogelio Panlasigue, Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development’s officer-in-charge, said in a statement. "Space technology, with its applications, has taken an apparently important role in the national economic and social advancement in developed and developing countries. We, therefore, see the need to strengthen and increase the country’s capability in this area."

In preparation for the National Congress on Space Technology Applications and Research, the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development conducted pre-congress workshop in Cagayan de Oro City (northern Mindanao) last September 2. A previous pre-congress workshop was held in Cebu City (central Visayas) and an upcoming pre-congress workshop is scheduled in Baguio City (northern Luzon).

The workshops were held for local stakeholders -- from national agency to private sector executives -- to identify and propose solutions to issues and problems that can be addressed through space technology applications. Covered in the workshop discussions were topics like satellite communication applications, meteorological satellite applications, natural hazards monitoring, disaster management using satellite-based information and communication technologies, and space education development.

Aside from Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development, other agencies are also part of the conference’s organizing group. These are the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Science Education Institute, Advanced Science and Technology Institute, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, University of the Philippines-Diliman’s College of Science and Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry; UP Los Banos College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Office of Civil Defense, the Manila Observatory and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority. -- Ellen P. Red

dancethingy

September 8th, 2005, 12:24 PM

Microsoft developing low-cost starter edition operating system for RP
09/08 3:58:07 PM
MANILA (AP) - Microsoft is developing a low-cost version of the Windows XP operating system to introduce personal computing to first-time Filipino PC users, a company official said Thursday.

The Filipino language starter edition will be a stripped-down version of the popular operating system, said Mark Yambot, director for corporate affairs for Microsoft Philippines Inc.

Development on the system was started this year, and no date has been set for its sale.

"It's to improve access to technology, that's what it's trying to answer," Yambot said, adding that it will be bundled with low-cost personal computers.

He said Microsoft is also in the "final stages" of a parallel project to compile a Filipino glossary of computer and technical terms that would be utilized by the starter edition.

Similar starter versions of Windows XP have already been launched in several countries like Thailand, Malaysia, India, Brazil and Mexico.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo thanked Microsoft for developing the Filipino language operating system in a speech marking the 10th anniversary of Microsoft Philippines last month.

The Filipino starter edition will offer a friendly menu and help system for first time PC users, Yambot said, declining to reveal other details.

Based on similar versions already released by Microsoft, starter editions allow only three applications to run simultaneously and provide access to the internet, but they won't support home networking or sharing of a network printer.

No price has been set for the Filipino starter edition. Those already out in other countries cost about US$30, less than half the amount of a full version of a Windows XP.

thomasian

September 8th, 2005, 01:06 PM

- incinerator na pede sa bahay at environment friendly...para mabawasan ang problema sa basura
- disposable clothes (hehehe...para hindi na mahirap maglaba)..errr... pede ba un?
- more public CRs na well-maintained

Disposable Clothes? Diba some extremely rich UA&P students are known to wear their clothes in school only once, as in parang ginawang disposable na yung damit?

marites4

September 11th, 2005, 10:43 PM

disposable clothes? Para hindi na maglaba well why don't you just become a nudist?

sandrin

September 12th, 2005, 03:20 AM

Has anybody seen the new ad of Ipod Nano?.
Nano technology tend to make all things lite, flat and small. Even the plasma computer screen can be considered Nano. So are the PSP, the new Cannon Camera and alot more.

Apparently, dito sa Pilipinas, yung Utak lang ng oposisyon ang NANO Tech. Sobra sa liit.
Nano Tech would have had been very useful to us when applied to all gadget techies instead of the minds of the oppositionists and their supporters.

dancethingy

September 12th, 2005, 11:36 AM

hey sandrin, how was the commercial. Apples enourmous success and innovation is just mind boggling rite now.

sandrin

September 12th, 2005, 11:48 AM

It's nothing spectacular. Just the usual ad, the Ipod has the same exact design though really small.

kiretoce

February 13th, 2006, 07:55 PM

Pinoy Podcasting
By Jet Damazo

The prolific Jessica Zafra put it succinctly in her maiden podcast: “When you have a podcast, you have your very own radio station.”

The idea of allowing your thoughts, ideas, and experiences to be heard (as opposed to just being read in blogs), free and uncensored, by a public generally known to be reading-averse, may very well be the reason Filipinos from all over the world and from all walks of life are taking up the technology mainstreamed by Apple.

Defined by the New Oxford American Dictionary (yes, the word is in the dictionary) as “a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal audio player,” podcasting is quickly becoming the new trend for Internet-savvy Pinoys.

As of October 2005, based on an article that came out in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, there were just 13 known podcasts by Filipinos. Mostly personal in nature and most done by Pinoys based abroad, these podcasts featured tales of living abroad or their opinion on various unrelated topics and events.

The “oh my gulay show” talks about Pinoy life in the US, while “Sini-Gang” features Pinoys depicting a slice of Filipino-American life in Virginia Beach. A self-proclaimed simple guy living a simple life, Jeric Peña talks about technology, music, Web sites, video games, etc., in “Jeric’s Confessions,” while a regular guy and his friends share their insights on technology, sports, music, food, love, and life in general in “The Michael Josh Show.”

According to a blog entry by Manuel Viloria, who podcasts on Filipino culture while giving Tagalog lessons, the first known Pinoy podcast was done by Shai Coggins, a freelance writer based in Australia. Aired first on Feb. 10, 2005, “Shai in 60 Seconds” featured, well, 60-second podcasts mostly on indie music.

Some, of course, are more intriguing than others. San Francisco-based journalist Benjamin Pimentel’s “Kuwento Kuwento” podcast features conversations with a number of interesting Filipinos. “Mundo ni Sofia,” a podcast on the life of a six-year-old Filipina based in California, is plain cute. Fr. Stephen Cuyos, a Europe-based priest, podcasts about his faith-life experiences, his love for Linux and open-source technology, and about technology from a Christian perspective.

In November 2005, Microwarehouse, a distributor of networking, mobile, and digital lifestyle devices most known for their Apple products, launched over 20 new podcasts from “the country’s industry movers,” which they host on what they say is the first ever Official Philippine Podcasting Channel. These are more targeted and focused podcasts that cater to a wide range of interests.

Politics and others from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, gayspeak from Ladlad editor Danton Remoto, pop culture from lifestyle journalist Pam Pastor, twisted thoughts from Jessica Zafra, mommy talk from parenting guru Maricel Laxa Pangilinan, health and fitness from fitness buff Chinggay Andrada, and poetry from young Atenean poets are among the worthwhile podcasts to listen to.

There are also podcast versions of magazines, like The Philippine Tatler (on Manila’s high society), Metro (on beauty), Marie Claire (on women’s lifestyle), Manual (on men’s lifestyle), T3 (on gadgets and gizmos), mPH (on the mobile tech lifestyle), and PhilMUG (on everything Macintosh).

Not to be left behind, television shows like ABC 5’s The Practical Cook made podcast versions as well. Fully Booked’s podcast features book reviews and excerpts from their hottest bestsellers, while “Red Box” tells you about the latest favorite videoke tunes.

All these can be sourced from Microwarehouse’s Web site, but perhaps due to the sheer weight of all these, the site can be pretty hard to access.

ABS-CBN News has a podcast on “selected soundbytes,” but it’s very rarely updated, which seems strange for a news program. Other famous personalities like Fil-Am stand-up comedian Rex Navarrete and columnist Manuel Quezon III have their own podcasts as well.

There are some, of course, that are plain rubbish, and there are some, since podcasting is censor-free, that are downright irreverent. One of the more famous podcasts on Pinoy culture is, in fact, called “Putanginamo!com Show.”

With all these Pinoy podcasts available, is anyone really listening? Apparently, yes. In PodCentral.PH, an online community for Filipino iPod users, members numbering over a thousand discuss and comment on Pinoy podcasts. Jessica Zafra says she began podcasting after finding out that people were downloading “podcasts” of her former radio show. Podcasters also talk about their subscribers in some of their shows, and listener feedbacks can be read at podcast shows’ respective blogs.

So it seems pretty safe to say that if someone out there’s podcasting, someone somewhere is listening. In an increasingly mobile country where people who are not so keen on reading to begin with now actually have little time to read, podcasting seems to be the way to go.

OtAkAw

February 14th, 2006, 05:02 AM

I believe Philippine technology is a chaotic mixture of stone-aged technicality, uber-cool creativity and modern-aged bootlegging, counterfeiting and piracy!

kiretoce

February 14th, 2006, 03:02 PM

^^ Nicely said Kenneth! :okay: I think so too.

Askal82

February 14th, 2006, 05:31 PM

Actually, Philippine technology can be sophisticated. This is originally posted by Sandrin:

Filipino physicists share Einstein’s drive

As 2005 ended the first International Year of Physics, it also culminated the centennial anniversary of physicist Albert Einstein.

Although Mr. Einstein had formal education in teaching physics and mathematics, he did not get the chance to do physics research.

Surprisingly, he completed a range of theoretical physics publications by working during his spare time, without close contact with any scientific literature or colleagues.

A century ago, the way of teaching and studying science was different. There were quite a few science books, no laboratories and no experienced teachers to give advice and guidance.

Science education has since evolved into a more institutionalized way. In fact, the National Institute of Physics (NIP) at the University of the Philippines-Diliman is an institution run by well-trained professors and equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.

For years, researchers who are also students and faculty members of NIP, have been conducting research in many different fields of physics such as condensed matter, instrumentation, structure and dynamics, theoretical physics, photonics and plasma technology.

The Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCAS-TRD), an agency of Department of Science and Technology, provides funds to support many of NIP’s major research projects and laboratories.

Dr. Caesar A. Saloma, a professor at the institute, is the first from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to be awarded the Galileo Galilei Award from the International Commission for Optics in 2004.

His research has resulted in a device to detect failures in manufacturing electronics and semiconductors in the country.

By using combined capabilities of laser confocal microscope with single-photon optical beam induced current imaging, Mr. Saloma’s team of researchers was able to produce high-contrast layer-by-layer images of semiconductor sites in the integrated circuits at microscopic resolution.

A semiconductor is a tiny material essential in today’s computerized machine systems such as automated teller machines, airplanes and cars. It has electrical elements that work together to do specific tasks.

With Mr. Saloma’s technique, it is now easier to detect which part of the semiconductor failed to do its task because direct observations of the deeper structures and access to hard-to-reach surfaces can be made. Semiconductor device makers can then save themselves from substantial wastage and further revenue loss.

Another physicist is Dr. Arnel Salvador, deputy director for research and extension service at NIP.

His team produced unique semiconductor compounds such as gallium arsenide and aluminum-gallium arsenide applicable in fiber optic communication.

The semiconductor materials allow faster data transmission over long distances. They made use of a thermally controlled evaporation process in an ultra-high vacuum environment known as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).

Mr. Salvador said MBE is considerably essential in creating new structures and crystal materials such as semiconductor laser and light emitting diodes, photodetectors and quantum dots.

All these are useful in fiber optic communication where light is used as major carrier of information through a fiber medium.

Fiber optic communication enables the replacement of the conventional copper cable wires in telephone networks to wireless optical networking for a borderless and global undertaking. With fiber optic technology comes the convenience of video conferencing, internet and an array of wireless electronic gadgets.

Dr. Henry Ramos has developed a state-of-the-art but cheaper coating technology for cutting tools. Cutting tools are useful in metal, wood, and plastic fabrications for producing construction supplies, car and computer parts, and many others.

Mr. Ramos’s low-temperature coating technology can deposit either a gold luster titanium nitride or a diamond-like thin film on metal substrates like knives, scissors, and drill bits that extend their usability three to five times longer.

Basically, he made use of plasma, which is a high-energy state of gases. Instead of going to Singapore or Sweden to avail of technical services, manufacturing firms can now save hundreds of thousands dollars by using these alternative tools available at NIP.

In superconductors, Dr. Roland V. Sarmago leads a team to develop a low-cost material that exhibits superconductivity at higher temperatures or anywhere close to room temperature with the use of crystal oxides.

Superconductors are materials that lose all resistance to the flow of current at low temperatures. They operate extremely fast and produce almost no heat. They are useful in manufacturing materials in electronics, glass and ceramics, and construction supplies.

Mr. Sarmago’s team has prepared and characterized high-criticaltemperature superconductors. This research gives way to further and cheaper studies of the applications of crystal oxides. -- Liza Aleria, NIP

Askal82

February 14th, 2006, 05:37 PM

Here's another one:

Steel fireproofing
prevents building collapse
By Tessa R. Salazar
Inquirer News Service

STEEL is the backbone of modern buildings. It acts as the reinforcement for concrete and the framework of buildings. It literally keeps a building together. Its inherent strength and ductility makes it the ideal structural material.

Experts also praise the incombustibility of steel. However, experts also caution that though steel does not catch fire, it doesn't mean that fire doesn't have an effect on steel and its strength.

Actually, steel loses strength when subjected to high temperatures equivalent to those measured in a fire. As such, during prolonged exposure to structural fires, steel must also be protected from the heat.

In 1983, Filipino mechanical engineer Antonio G. Santos observed how most old building structures collapsed easily during a fire.

An industry practitioner for 50 years now, Santos had been featured in the Inquirer's Property section a year ago for his vacuumatic concrete planer invention now being used in several concrete floors of buildings in the country. That invention won for him first prize at the National Inventors Week in 1995.

Fireproofing structural steel

This time, Santos claims he has devised a way to fireproof structural steel at half the price of imported fireproof steel.

He claims that his Flameshield Fireproofing has undergone laboratory tests at the University of the Philippines, and that results have showed that his one-inch-thick fireproofing material has a fire resistance rating of two hours; the 1.5-inch material a rating of three hours; and the 2-inch-thick material a four-hour fire resistance rating.

A one-inch thick fireproofing material costs P30 per square foot.

Santos' fireproofing material protects beams, columns, trusses, girders, metal decks, joists, bank vaults and other steel and metal structures.

Santos says his materials are composed of lightweight, non-asbestos mineral fibers and inorganic dry binders and are made to conform to the Underwriters Laboratories Inc.'s standards.

His materials are applied by direct troweling and then set into a uniform and consistent monolithic heat-shield envelope to any steel, concrete and other surface requiring fire protection.

At half the price

As to what makes his Flameshield different from other imported materials available in the Philippines, Santos says it would be the cost. At half the price of imported counterparts, Flameshield serves the same purpose.

"It retards heat so it could withstand elevated heat temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit without crumbling," he attests. He says there are builders who have tested Flameshield for themselves.

Noli Bernardo, the architect of Banco Filipino Greenhills, San Juan and Summa Bank Building in Libertad, Pasay, fireproofed the buildings' bank vaults using Santos' Flameshield.

"This is (for) lifetime protection," says Bernardo.

Apart from the two buildings, Santos says the steel beams, trusses and girders of the Central Bank Regional Office Complex in Davao City, the Good Earth Emporium Building in Manila and the Victory Liner Building in Pasay City, and the steel beams and trusses of Marbella II Building Condominium on Roxas Boulevard, Manila, have been fireproofed using Flameshield.

The roofs of the Gotesco Complex on Recto Avenue, Manila and Gotesco Cinema in Caloocan City have also been fireproofed with Santos' innovation.

Santos stresses that all buildings should include fireproofing in its plans. He adds that in America, it is mandatory for a builder to fireproof the structures to be built.

Askal82

February 14th, 2006, 05:54 PM

kiretoce

February 14th, 2006, 05:58 PM

^^ I hope that doesn't turn out like the South Korean fiasco.

Espma

February 15th, 2006, 01:39 AM

Agritechnology:

Philippines to clone the CARABAO (http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2005/09/23/philippines_says_close_to_cloning_water_buffalo/) ?

SUPER RICE (http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/rice/story.htm) ?

Ive read about that ages ago..ITS about time I reckon, even Vietnams doing some interesting genetic engineering projects.

Sinjin P.

August 3rd, 2006, 06:06 AM

About 46% of Filipinos now using mobile phones

Article posted August 3, 2006, 11:06 am
About 46 percent of the Philippine population now use mobile phones and the level of wireless penetration rate is expected to further rise in the coming years as consumer confidence improve and as operators further enhance mobile services.

As of end June, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) remained as the biggest mobile service operator in the country with 22.47 million subscribers to its two mobile brands -- Smart and Talk N' Text.

Second ranked Globe Telecom Inc., which is 45-percent owned by Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel), had 13.894 million subscribers as of the first half to its Globe Handyphone and Touch Mobile services.

Upstart Sun Cellular, which is owned by Digital Telecommunications Inc. (Digitel), had 2.4 million as of end-May.

Nokia Philippines country manager Parikshit Bhasin said the wireless penetration rate in the country has grown tremendously over the past five years.

The Finland-based mobile phone manufacturer said its market share in the country in terms of handsets grew five percent from the start of the year up to end-June 2006.

"It's a great first half for us. We have gained five percent in terms of market share from the end of 2005 up to the end of the first half (of 2006)," he said.

The Nokia official declined to give Nokia's market share in the Philippines and handset sales.

"It's still a growing market. We're confident that Nokia has a lot to offer but it’s difficult to predict an actual growth number considering the different subscriber preference," he said.

"We're absolutely determined to remain a market leader, but we can't say by how much we can grow."

Bhasin said growth will come not only from new users but from existing mobile users, too, who upgrade their handsets or need back-up phones.

"Even existing subscribers have been shown to purchase new handsets regularly, whether to upgrade their existing units or as backup phones," said Bhasin. "As long as there’s growth in the market, logically there will be growth for us."

Ydlar

August 3rd, 2006, 12:56 PM

Disposable Clothes? Diba some extremely rich UA&P students are known to wear their clothes in school only once, as in parang ginawang disposable na yung damit?

Really? This is new to me. :eek2:

*Sana magbagal naman ang Nokia sa paglabas ng bagong phones.
*Sana rin maging mura na brown rice.

mhe-ann

August 4th, 2006, 12:08 PM

^^ filthy-rich kid noh? pati un palit na lan ng palit ng cellphones.
* ok un steel fireproofing.
* un technology na magi-eliminate ng piracy. though minsan may pirated vcd din ako. :D

FlowFlow

August 5th, 2006, 12:14 AM

Agritech sounds good.. I think we should invest in such things na lalong makakatulong sa atin.. not just small, high-tech, nifty gadgets that could spoil us..

rockwell baller

August 5th, 2006, 02:26 AM

may mga bago bang pinoy inventions???

Espma

August 6th, 2006, 05:23 AM

:Repost:

Act like a corporation,’ Pinoy inventor to gov’t

A Filipino, who until recently was based in Cebu, had been granted a patent in the United States for his magnetic levitation car invention.

Jose Guardo Jr., of Maglev Vision Corp. Space Car Technologies in Shanghai, China, was granted a US patent for the invention last June 13.

Guardo said his US patent (number 7,059,252) gives him exclusive rights over all the components of his invention, including the spin stabilized magnetic levitation of permanent magnets, and magnetic-electromagnetic rotary propulsion system of a magnetically levitated vehicle.

“This is an important breakthrough in automotive industry because it is a technological demarcation point in technological or transportation history (that involves not wheels) but non-contact magnetic propulsion using the proprietary technology of Maglev Vision Corp.,” Guardo said, in reply to Sun.Star Cebu’s email. “I can say we have reinvented the wheel.”

Guardo’s invention involves a car without wheels that is able to move on a magnetic track, which provides an opposing force (repulsion) to the magnets attached to the vehicle, causing the levitation. The horizontal movement of the car is done by rotating the magnets at the bottom of the vehicle.

Guardo said his invention does away with rubber wheels, does not require electricity, lessens dependence on oil and fuel, and reduces pollution.

Cheaper

“The wear and tear of the road and the mechanical parts will be minimal. That means this system, in an overall perspective, is cheaper than internal combustion technologies,” he said.

He revealed that he also has pending patent applications for related inventions, such as the magnetic levitation transportation system, toy vehicle, hybrid car and elevator technologies.

Guardo said the principal owner of the US patent is the Maglev Vision Corp., a company created when his firm, Space Car Technologies, partnered with UBC Bearing Co. of America.

UBC Bearing chief executive officer Domingo Penaloza funded Guardo’s work on the magnetic levitation technology.

“I was almost a financial disaster because I spent so much to pursue this dream,” he wrote.

He said his invention is less costly than the technologies used by Japanese and German companies in building magnetic levitation (maglev) trains.

Guardo said he patterned his invention after the maglev (spinning) top of American inventor Roy Harrigan.

While his invention may be a good solution to the rising cost of oil, Guardo said the use of the technology in the Philippines will depend on the government’s priorities.

“It depends on where they will want to focus; they spend billions of pesos on internal security and counter-insurgency, on graft and corruption but our legislators and administration leaders do not have a proactive (stance) on research and development that will promote Filipino ingenuity, inventions and innovation,” he said.

He pointed out that countries like the US, Japan, Germany and China are successful because their governments allot billions of dollars on research and development.

Globalization

“It is not through internal counter-insurgency wars that we will be successful, but (in the ability to address) global economic threats brought about by globa-lization. The government should think and work as a corporation,” he said. “If we are contented with just collecting taxes, squeezing the pockets of the masses, we will have civil war.”

Guardo said he had approached the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (Tapi), an agency under the Department of Science and Technology. But he said Tapi only has an annual budget of about P3 million, which will have to be divided among thousands of Filipino inventors.

He said any monetary assistance from the agency also needs to be repaid in time.

He proposed that the government set up instead a non-monetary assistance to inventors.

Guardo said his team—composed of Cebuano engineers Samuel Cahilig, Michael Enriquez, Rommel Lazala and David Lee—will complete a prototype of the maglev car this month. (LAP)

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ce...r.to.gov.t.html (July 12 2006; SunStar Cebu)

Lili

March 1st, 2007, 01:00 AM

Angel Alcala
Angel Alcala is behind the invention of artifical coral reefs used for fisheries in Southeast Asia.

Arturo Alcaraz
Arturo Alcaraz is a volcanologist specializing in geothermal energy development.

Benjamin Almeda
Benjamin Almeda designed a food-processing machine.

Julian Banzon
Julian Banzon researched methods of producing alternative fuels.

Benjamin Cabrera
Doctor Benjamin Cabrera has developed innovations in drug treatments against diseases caused by mosquitoes and agricultural soil.

Paulo Campos
Paulo Campos built the first radioisotope laboratory in the Philippines.

Magdalena Cantoria
Magdalena Cantoria is a noted Filipino botanist.

Josefino Comiso - Filipino Physicist
Filipino Physicist Josefino Comiso has been warning the world about global warming.

Lourdes Cruz
Doctor Lourdes Cruz has made scientific contributions to the biochemistry field of conotoxins.

Rolando De La Cruz - Filipino Scientist
Filipino scientist Rolando De La Cruz invented an anti cancer skin cream.

Fe Del Mundo - Filipino Doctor
Doctor Fe Del Mundo is credited with studies leading to the invention of an improved incubator and a jaundice relieving device.

Roberto Del Rosario - Filipino Inventor
Roberto Del Rosario is the inventor of the Karaoke Sing Along System.

Daniel Dingel - Filipino Inventor
Daniel Dingel claims to have invented a water-powered car.

Pedro Escuro
Filipino scientist, Pedro Escuro is best known for his isolation of nine rice varieties.

Agapito Flores - Filipino Scientist
Agapito Flores has been acclaimed by some as being the inventor of the first fluorescent lamp - is this true?

Pedro Flores
Pedro Flores was the first person to manufactured the yo-yo in the United States.

Francisco Fronda
Francisco Fronda is know as the Father of poultry science in the Philippines.

Hilario Lara
Hilario Lara helped establish the National Research Council of the Philippines.

Felix Maramba
Felix Maramba built a coconut oil-fueled power generator.

William Padolina
William Padolina has served as the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology for the Philippines.

Eduardo Quisumbing
Eduardo Quisumbing was a noted expert in the medicinal plants of the Philippines.

Francisco Quisumbing
Filipino chemist Francisco Quisumbing invented Quink ink.

Jose Rodriguez
Jose Rodriguez is a noted Filipino scientist and researcher who has invented methods of controlling leprosy.

Eduardo San Juan
Eduardo San Juan worked on the team that invented the Lunar Rover or Moon Buggy.

Alfredo Santos
Filipino chemist Alfredo Santos is a noted researcher in the chemistry of natural products.

Francisco Santos - Filipino Chemist
Filipino Chemist Francisco Santos studied the nutritional problems associated with the Filipino diet.

Gregorio Velasque
Filipino scientist, Gregorio Velasque made intensive studies of bluegreen algae.

Carmen Velasquez - Filipino Biologist
Carmen Velasquez was a noted Filipino biologist.

Gregorio Zara - Famous Filipino Scientist
Gregorio Zara invented the videophone.

Source: http://inventors.about.com/od/filipinoscientists/Filipino_Inventors_and_Filipino_Scientists.htm

Lili

March 1st, 2007, 01:06 AM

By the way, the Banana Catsup was invented by Filipino Magdalo Francisco. He worked as a chief chemist/ food technologist in United Food Company (UFC). He guarded his secret formula for the banana catsup so closely that it was under lock and key and only he can authorize the concoction. He had this stipulation in his contract. When he was separated from work, he discovered that UFC was able to duplicate his secret banana catsup. So, he filed for infringement of patent and trademark against UFC for stealing his formula and using it for its own concoction of banana catsup. He won. Magdalo Francisco then built his own rival brand against soon becoming popular UFC Banana Catsup, which he called Mafran Catsup (the predecessor of Jufran). Mafran was not able to topple UFC in sales. So, he may have gotten some money from the case, but ultimately UFC garnered the rewards of his intellectual property --the famous UFC banana catsup that Filipinos prefer over tomato catsup. :banana:

For the actual case: http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1970/may1970/gr_29155_1970.html

Rajah_Soliman

March 1st, 2007, 01:16 AM

where's Mapua (->lunar module developer during the 60's) and the Tilapiaist ( :lol: -> .. he developed the tilapia "transgendering" method.... gosh i forgot his name.... )

pls. include also Problemsolver (the first Pinoy Maglev developer and advocate :cheers: )

Lili

March 1st, 2007, 01:16 AM

More... there may be some duplicate information.

Karaoke Inventor
Roberto del Rosario, a Filipino is claiming the right for the invention of the Sing-Along-System (SAS) that eventually led to the development of Karaoke, a Japanese term for "singing without accompaniment". Among del Rosario's other inventions were the Trebel Voice Color Code (VCC), the piano tuner's guide, the piano keyboard stressing device, the voice color tape, and the one-man-band (OMB). The OMB was later developed as the Sing-Along-System (SAS).

Inventor of Incubator
Fe del Mundo, the first Asian to have entered the prestigious Harvard University's School of Medicine, is also credited for her studies that led to the invention of incubator and jaundice relieving device. Del Mundo, an International Pediatric Association (IPA) awardee, is an alumna of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine. Since 1941, she has contributed more than 100 articles to medical journals in the U.S., Philippines and India. In 1966, she received the Elizabeth Blackwell Award, for her "outstanding service to mankind". In 1977, she was bestowed the Ramon Magsaysay Award for outstanding public service.

Water-Powered Car
For more than three decades now, Daniel Dingel has been claiming that his car can run with water as fuel. An article from the Philippine Daily Inquirer said that Dingle built his engine as early as 1969. Dingel built a car reactor that uses electricity from a 12-volt car battery to split the ordinary tap water into hydrogen and oxygen components. The hydrogen can then be used to power the car engine.

Dingel said that a number of foreign car companies have expressed interest in his invention. The officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have dismissed Dingel's water-powered car as a hoax. In return, Dingel accused them of conspiring with oil producing countries. Dingel, however, was the not the only man on earth who is testing water as an alternative fuel. American inventors Rudolf Gunnerman and Stanley Meyer and the researchers of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory have been pursuing similar experiments.

Moon Buggy Inventor
Filipinos consider Eduardo San Juan as the inventor of the Lunar Rover, or more popularly known as the Moon Buggy. The Moon Buggy was the car used by Neil Armstrong and other astronauts when they first explored the moon in 1969. Eduardo San Juan, a graduate of Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), worked for Lockheed Corporation and conceptualized the design of the Moon Buggy that the Apollo astronauts used while in the moon. As a NASA engineer, San Juan reportedly used his Filipino ingenuity to build a vehicle that would run outside the Earth's atmosphere. He constructed his model using homemade materials. In 1978, San Juan received one of the Ten Outstanding Men (TOM) awards in science and technology.

San Juan, however, was not listed as the inventor of the Moon Buggy in American scientific journals. It said the vehicle was designed and constructed by a group of space engineers. In Poland, the Moon Buggy is attributed to a Polish inventor. Worse, the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) does not recognize Flores in its roster of outstanding Filipino scientists.

Space Engineer
On June 25, 2002, the provincial government of Cavite awarded Edward Caro a plaque of recognition for his 42 years of service at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States where he helped launch the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission or the Explorer. Caro, 70 and a native of Cavite retired from NASA in 2001. In return, NASA during the same year conferred Caro the Distinguished Science medal, reportedly the highest honor it gives to its employees. (Source: Philippine Star)

Fluorescent Lamp Inventor
Many Filipinos acknowledge Agapito Flores as the inventor of the fluorescent lamp, which is the most widely used source of lighting in the world today. The fluorescent lamp reportedly got its name from Flores. Written articles about Flores said he was born in Bantayan Island in Cebu. The fluorescent lamp, however, was not invented in a particular year. It was the product of 79 years of the development of the lighting method that began with the invention of the electric light bulb by Thomas Edison.

Among the other inventors who claimed credit for developing the fluorescent lamp were French physicist A. E. Becquerel (1867), Nikola Tesla, Albert Hall (1927), Mark Winsor and Edmund Germer. French inventor Andre Claude was recognized for developing the fluorescent tubular lighting systems. Yet, he was not officially recognized as the inventor of fluorescent lamp. It was reported that the General Electric and Westinghouse obtained Claude's patent rights and developed the fluorescent lamp that we know today.

According to Filipino scientists, fluorescent lamp was not named after Flores. The term fluorescence first cropped up as early as 1852 when English mathematician-physicist George Gabriel Stokes discovered a luminous material called "fluorspar", which he coined with "escence". The National Academy of Science and Technology also dismissed Flores being the inventor of fluorescent lamp as a myth. "No scientific report, no valid statement, no rigorous documents can be used to credit Flores for the discovery of the fluorescent lamp. We have tried to correct this misconception, but the media (for one) and our textbooks (for another) keep using the Flores example," a Filipino scientist wrote in her column at the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The fluorescent lamps were introduced into the U.S. market in 1938. Still, Filipinos recognize Agapito Flores as the inventor of the product that illuminated the world.

Videophone Inventor
Gregorio Zara of Lipa City and a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology invented the videophone and developed the Zara Effect or Electrical Kinetic Resistance.

He Discovered Erythromycin
A Filipino scientist reportedly discovered erythromycin in 1949. He was Dr. Abelardo Aguilar who died in 1993 without being recognized and rewarded for his discovery. Reports said Aguilar discovered the antibiotic from the Aspergillus species of fungi in 1949 and sent samples to Indiana-based pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly Co. The drug firm allegedly registered the propriety name Iloson for the antibiotic in honor of Iloilo province where Aguilar discovered it. In 1952, Eli Lilly Co. began the commercial distribution of Iloson, which was sold as an alternative to penicillin. Erythromycin, the generic name of Iloson, was reportedly the first successful macrolide antibiotic introduced in the US.

Computer Guru
Diosdado Banatao, a native of Iguig, Cagayan and an electrical engineering graduate from Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila is credited for eight major contributions to the Information Technology. Banatao is most known for introducing the first single-chip graphical user interface accelerator that made computers work a lot faster and for helping develop the Ethernet controller chip that made Internet possible. In 1989, he pioneered the local bus concept for personal computers and in the following year developed the First Windows accelerator chip. Intel is now using the chips and technologies developed by Banatao. He now runs his own semiconductor company, Mostron and Chips & Technology, which is based in California's Silicon Valley. (Source: Filipinas Magazine)

Modular Housing Inventor
Edgardo Vazquez won a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) gold medal in 1995 for developing a modular housing system. Such a system called Vazbuilt is reportedly capable of building within weeks a house with prefabricated materials that can withstand typhoons and earthquakes. Ironically, Vasquez is not getting enough support from the Philippine government to propagate his technology, which could help provide shelter to some five million Filipino families without their own homes. Vazquez is the national president of the Filipino Inventors Society.

Inventor of Fuel Products
In 1996, Rudy Lantano Sr., a scientist from the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST), won the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) gold medal for developing Super Bunker Formula-L, a revolutionary fuel half-composed of water. The mix burns faster and emits pollutants, 95 percent less than those released to the air by traditional fuel products. The inventor said his invention is a result of blending new ingredients and additives with ordinary oil products through agitation and mixing, which is a very safe process. The initial plan was to commercially produce two million liters of Alco-Diesel, two million liters of Lan-Gas and an unlimited quantity of Super Bunker Formula-L each day for customers in Luzon.

Natural Gas Vehicle
The Department of Energy (DOE) has developed a vehicle that runs on natural gas, whose rich deposits remain untapped under the Philippine seabed. The project's main objective is to look into the potential of natural gas as an alternative fuel to conventional petrol and diesel for the transport sector. The natural gas vehicle (NVG) has been road-tested in Isabela where an existing natural gas supply from the PNOC Gas Plant is located. Test runs have also been made in Cagayan, Ifugao and Mountain Province. The test vehicle used was the Isuzu Hi-Lander 4JA-1, direct injected diesel engine. The use of natural gas as a fuel is cheaper. On a gallon-equivalent basis, natural gas costs an average of 15 to 40 percent less than gasoline and diesel. There are over one million NVGs in the world today, according to the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles.

Lamp Fixing Invention
A Filipino inventor has developed a technology, which could revive a busted lamp (pundido) and give it more years of functional life than those of new ones. Acclaimed by the Filipino Inventors Society as timely and revolutionary, the Nutec system can prolong the life of fluorescent lamps up to seven years. Nutec was developed by New World Technology, headed by president Eric Ngo and chosen as the "Product of the Year" at the Worldbex 2000 Building and Construction Exposition held at the Manila Hotel. Engineer Benjamin S. Santos, national president of the Inventors Society, called Nutec a timely invention.

"Tubig Talino"T
The Department of Science and Technology claimed that it has developed "Tubig Talino", an iodine-rich drinking water that treats micronutrient deficiencies responsible for goiter, mental and physical retardation, and birth defects. "Tubig Talino" is actually a mixture of 20 liters of water and 15 ml of "Water Plus + I2". Consumption of five glasses a day of this iodine fortification in drinking water is expected to provide 120 micrograms of iodine, which meets 100 percent of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of a male adult.

Mole Remover
In 2000, Rolando dela Cruz developed an ingenuous formula that could easily remove deeply grown moles or warts from the skin without leaving marks or hurting the patient. His formula was extracted from cashew nut (Annacardium occidentale), which is common in the Philippines. The formula won for dela Cruz a gold medal in International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design and Technology Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur in September 2000. In March 1997, dela Cruz established RCC Amazing Touch International Inc., which runs clinics engaged "in a non-surgical removal of warts, moles and other skin growths, giving the skin renewed energy and vitality without painful and costly surgery."

Feminine Hygiene Product Inventor
Dr. Virgilio Malang won a gold medal for his invention "Psidium Guajava Effervescing Gynecological Insert", a silver medal for his "Patient Side-Turning Hospital Bed", and three bonze medals for his inventions "external vaginal cleanser", "light refracting earpick", and "broom's way of hanging" at the Seoul International Fair in held South Korea in December 2002. There were 385 inventions from 30 countries that joined the competitions.

Who Developed Patis?
Contrary to popular belief, there was no fish sauce or Patis yet during the Spanish occupation. Patis began to become a part of most Filipinos' diet only after the Japanese occupation. Here is an account of how an enterprising lady discovered the fermentation of Patis. Immediately after the war, the family of Ruperta David or Aling Tentay started a dried fish business. One day, Aling Tentay stored in jars some salted fish that turned into fragments even before they dried. While in jars, the fish fragments turned into a liquid substance that tasted like our Patis today. Thus the beginning of the thriving Patis business of Aling Tentay, which was officially registered in 1949 and is known today as Tentay Food and Sauces Inc. (Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer)

A Showcase of Ingenuity
Nothing perhaps has been associated with Filipino technology as much as the country's pride - jeepney. The word "jeep" evolved from the military designation, general-purpose or G.P., of a light vehicle first used by the Americans in World War II. Developed by the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps, this vehicle was powered by a four-cylinder engine and was classified as a quarter-ton truck in carrying capacity. It had served as a command vehicle, reconnaissance car, and ammunition carrier.

The American soldiers brought these vehicles to the Philippines in the 1940s. After the war, these vehicles were left by the Americans and converted by the Filipinos into public utility vehicles. Employing artistic and indigenous designs, the Filipinos came up with a longer, well-decorated, techni-colored and sleeker vehicle, which they later called jeepney. From the standard military jeep, the body was extended to accommodate between 20 to 30 passengers. Modern jeepneys now sport very colorful and intricate paintings, fancy adornments, and metallic decors reflective of Filipino sentiments, values, and culture. The town of Las Pinas has been recognized as the jeepney-producing center in the country. Today, public utility jeepneys or PUJs serve as the primary means of transportation in most provinces. For this, the Philippines came to be known as the "land of the jeepneys".

Other Noted Scientists
Among the other noted Filipino inventors and scientists are Benjamin Almeda who was acknowledged for his food-processing machine; Teodula Afrika for nata de coco; Ramon Agpoon for dragon fire stove; Adriano Alfonso for cultured cement; Laurelio Anasco for "dormitron"; Arturo Baluyot for Philippine-made airplane; Guillermo Barredo for Maharlika water heater; Pelagio Bautista for hydrosil; Dr. George Camara for experiments on teleophthalmology; Carlos Casas, stand-alone amplifier called Voca CDX 1001 Superamp; Gonzalo Catan Jr. for green charcoal; Roberto Celis for multipurpose portable survival kit; Rolando Cruz for emergency water heater;

Ernesto Darang for shake-and-serve nurser; Armen Dator for magic street sweeper; Maria Carlita Rex Doran for ampalaya solution against HIV; Jaime Escolano for fiber-processing machine; Pepito Fajicular for multipurpose routing machine; Leonardo Gasendo for salt evaporator; Ramon Gustilo for artificial bone replacement systems; Oscar Ibarra for studies on algorithm and computing; Samuel Ignacio for early warning device for vehicles; Marc Loinaz for one-chip video camera; Jacinto Ledesma for rocking dental chair; Cipriano Lim for safety switch box; Dr. E. V. Macalalag Jr. for universalurinary stone solvent;

Antonio Madrid for charcoal furnace; Felix Maramba for coconut oil-fueled power generator; Jose Navato for digital fever detector; Maria Ylagan Orosa for developing banana catsup and pineapple vinegar; Francisco Quisumbing for Quink pen ink; Jose Rodriguez for research on leprosy; Felipe Santillan for rotary dryer; Cornelio Seno for "Pressure Fuild Machine"; Manuel Silos for siloscope; Juanito Simon for Tribotech; Camilo Tabalba for telephone electronic; Ned Teves for endotracheal tube cardiac monitor; Juan Urbano for fountain pen; Carmen Velasquez for research on Philippine fish species; and Dr. Gregorio Zara for TV-telephone.

Needing SupportThe Council on Philippine Affairs (Copa) has blamed the government for driving Filipino inventors away from the country. At least four cases were cited for this, namely:

Ben Santos, the inventor of the "zero oil waste recycling" was subjected to interrogation by the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (EIIB) for alleged economic sabotage.
Rudy Arambulo, the inventor of multi-shock bullet, has failed to convince the national police and the military to purchase his product.

Johnson Fong, who has re-engineered carbonless paper, had to export his product first, re-label it and bring it back to the Philippines as an import in order to be accepted in the country.

Roberto del Rosario, the inventor of sing-along system, had to fight for his right over the karaoke system which most Filipinos think was a Japanese invention. The Philippines was reportedly the second largest market of karaoke, yet del Rosario did not receive his due share.

"This is our colonial mentality at work. This reflects how little faith we have in ourselves. We are indeed our own worst enemies. Others may shoot themselves in the foot. We like to chop our own heads in the most unusual way possible," a Copa official said. (Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Source: http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=inventors&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.txtmania.com%2Ftrivia%2Finventions.php

Lili

March 1st, 2007, 01:17 AM

Lili

March 1st, 2007, 01:21 AM

After reading the above. Test your knowledge. (http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=inventors&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fagham.asti.dost.gov.ph%2F1998%2F8th%2Ffun%2Ffun.htm):cheers:

Siopao

March 1st, 2007, 01:25 AM

He Discovered Erythromycin
A Filipino scientist reportedly discovered erythromycin in 1949. He was Dr. Abelardo Aguilar who died in 1993 without being recognized and rewarded for his discovery. Reports said Aguilar discovered the antibiotic from the Aspergillus species of fungi in 1949 and sent samples to Indiana-based pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly Co. The drug firm allegedly registered the propriety name Iloson for the antibiotic in honor of Iloilo province where Aguilar discovered it. In 1952, Eli Lilly Co. began the commercial distribution of Iloson, which was sold as an alternative to penicillin. Erythromycin, the generic name of Iloson, was reportedly the first successful macrolide antibiotic introduced in the US.

Aguilar is probably the greatest Filipino inventor and probably the most noble one out there. He invented a drug which saved millions and yet he didn't received any Nobel Prize or any awards.

Rajah_Soliman

March 1st, 2007, 01:29 AM

More... there may be some duplicate information.

Water-Powered Car
For more than three decades now, Daniel Dingel has been claiming that his car can run with water as fuel. An article from the Philippine Daily Inquirer said that Dingle built his engine as early as 1969. Dingel built a car reactor that uses electricity from a 12-volt car battery to split the ordinary tap water into hydrogen and oxygen components. The hydrogen can then be used to power the car engine.

Source: http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=inventors&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.txtmania.com%2Ftrivia%2Finventions.php

hydro powered cars abound now (x stage nga lang) ... the problem is that it's still expensive to produce this kind of energy for cars and it's still necessary to use fossil fuel in the process of separating both chemical elements ...

Lili

March 1st, 2007, 01:31 AM

Aguilar is probably the greatest Filipino inventor and probably the most noble one out there. He invented a drug which saved millions and yet he didn't received any Nobel Prize or any awards.

Yeah, my father used to prescribe this drug to those with UTI (Urinary Tract Infection.)

Rajah_Soliman

March 1st, 2007, 01:33 AM

Moon Buggy Inventor
Filipinos consider Eduardo San Juan as the inventor of the Lunar Rover, or more popularly known as the Moon Buggy. The Moon Buggy was the car used by Neil Armstrong and other astronauts when they first explored the moon in 1969. Eduardo San Juan, a graduate of Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), worked for Lockheed Corporation and conceptualized the design of the Moon Buggy that the Apollo astronauts used while in the moon. As a NASA engineer, San Juan reportedly used his Filipino ingenuity to build a vehicle that would run outside the Earth's atmosphere. He constructed his model using homemade materials. In 1978, San Juan received one of the Ten Outstanding Men (TOM) awards in science and technology.

Source: http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=inventors&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.txtmania.com%2Ftrivia%2Finventions.php

neil armstrong didn't ride this buggy, it was the succeeding crews who were able to test ride it .... :cheers:

Lili

March 1st, 2007, 01:46 AM

^^ Yes, you are right. That is a wrong entry there.

"The Apollo 15 mission was the first to carry a lunar rover in July 1971, which allowed the astronauts James B. Irwin and David R. Scott to travel much further from their landing site and sample a much wider variety of lunar materials."

Source:
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/space_level2/apollo15_rover.html

From a book entry:

"The Lunar Rover. This is not just any car. This car is special, a genuine first edition, the first car on the Moon. Because there is no atmosphere up here, it cannot use a gasoline engine. Two large batteries power four small one-quarter horsepower electric motors, each about the size of a handyman's electric drill, one driving each wheel. Looking like a stripped down dune buggy, it weighs 462 pounds on Earth but only 77 Moon pounds. In fact, Jim and Dave will occasionally just lift it up and turn it around rather than drive in reverse. There is no way they can turn around in their stiff space suits to see where they would be going. The rover can reach speeds of about 6 miles per hour on level ground with battery power for more than 60 miles of driving. The tires are of woven piano wire. The TV camera and umbrella-like antenna beam pictures of their activities back to Earth.

Later today, Jim and Dave will take a two-hour drive to the brink of a canyon and to the dusty base of a moon mountain. Jim will say: "The ride is bouncy and rolling, a combination of a bucking bronco and a rowboat in a rough sea." Dave will remember, "It's a sporty job to drive and not to run into craters." They will cover 6 miles on this first of three drives - much more than the 3 miles covered by all of us who came before. We were moon rovers, too; but only pedestrians."

jgacis

March 1st, 2007, 03:04 AM

Thanks for this thread Lili. I hope more filipinos can appreciate what other filipinos have contributed to our country and this world.

It almost makes you want to contribute something and be on the list too! :lol:

Lili

March 1st, 2007, 03:12 AM

^^ Yeah, you are welcome. We have some aspiring scientists in our midst here. This thread might inspire them. :)

bitoy

March 1st, 2007, 03:27 AM

Computer Guru
Diosdado Banatao, a native of Iguig, Cagayan and an electrical engineering graduate from Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila is credited for eight major contributions to the Information Technology. Banatao is most known for introducing the first single-chip graphical user interface accelerator that made computers work a lot faster and for helping develop the Ethernet controller chip that made Internet possible. In 1989, he pioneered the local bus concept for personal computers and in the following year developed the First Windows accelerator chip. Intel is now using the chips and technologies developed by Banatao. He now runs his own semiconductor company, Mostron and Chips & Technology, which is based in California's Silicon Valley. (Source: Filipinas Magazine)

http://www.filipinopeople.com/images/content/ipeople/bus-dadobanatao.jpg

I think Diosdado Banatao has more effect in our day to day lives in the community of computing.

Engineer Diosdado 'Dado' Banatao
"The Filipino Computer Guru" (http://www.geocities.com/fasa_usc/culture/banatao.htm)

He should be in the "Richest Filipinos" list also.

jgacis

March 1st, 2007, 03:39 AM

^^ Yeah, you are welcome. We have some aspiring scientists in our midst here. This thread might inspire them. :)

Then they should also read this...

The Real Pride of the Nation - the Filipino Within
By Dennis Reyes

Think about it?

While it is good for us to take pride in our ancestry and roots, we must also remember that the achievements of those who have pledged allegiance to a foreign flag are within the domain and claim of their adopted country. The achievements performed by Filipinos elsewhere are achievements that are not necessarily due to the fact that they are of Filipino descent but that the system in which they now function in provided them with the means to become the best that they could be.

Their only connection to the country is their ancestral roots--that is all.

Great American discoveries were mostly contributed by Amreican citizens of foreign ancestry, but their achievements were never once attributed as a consequence of their ancestral or national roots, or racial origins, but to the fact of America. Germans, Jews, Irish, Italian, English, French, African, Middle Eastern, Asian, Pacific Islanders, Russian, Filipino.

Not once did Einstein reckon his achievements to his German ancestry. The Manhattan project, for example, that introduced the A-bomb was made up of scientists from different parts of the world, but the achievement is American. NASA employs Filipinos in top engineering positions, Microsoft, Oracle, JPL, the US Military, Hollywood. All of these institutions have top notch Filipinos, but they will clearly identify themselves as Americans with Filipino ancestry. That is as far as it goes. Whatever they accomplish in life will always be American. To reference their ancestral roots is trivial at best. The fact is, to even bring up the issue of ancestry or race as a reason for success or failure is unacceptable and taboo in the American system. This is considered prejudicial even if it was meant as a complement.

It is good for us to be proud of those of our heritage that have made significant contributions to society in general, but we need to remember that most have pledged their allegiances to a foreign country who bears the right to lay claim on their achievement by default. Achievements have nothing to do with race or ancestral roots, but has everything to do with the system that provided them the means to achieve.

I could just imagine a Filipino scientist in the employ of the NSA who invents a new encryption technology claiming that because he is a Filipino, the invention must be owned by the Philippines! He would be carted off to federal prison even before he completes his statement. The fact is, this scientist would not be allowed, if he holds any secret credentials, to discuss or disclose any of his inventions as it will serve a threat to American National Security and goes against the interests of the American people. He will even be prevented from the working in the same field should he decide to leave the NSA.

Even among our beloved OFW's who toil without ceasing cannot lay claim to achievements or innovations they may have had participated in as Filipinos, but as individuals in the employ of their foreign company. We can be proud that Filipinos performed great feats, but this does little to encourage (save the bragging rights) our people who similarly toil every single day with the meager resources afforded them IN THE PHILIPPINES.

If we are to truly showcase the Filipino, we need to begin looking inwards, for within the confines of our Fatherland are men and women who deserve to be recognized for achievements. Those that make it big elsewhere are the exceptions that are far removed from the system we are living in. They operate under a different system. If we are to measure or establish a point of comparison, then we need to make sure that the basis of measurement we use is common to the objects or instances being measured. Besides the ancestral issue, nothing else is common between Filipinos living in the Philippines and those living abroad.

Trying to show how great Filipinos can be outside of the country, in fact, adds insult to injury, sends the wrong message about how we value nationalism and the ideals of patriotism, as well as engenders envy, haplessness and despair among those who have no means of moving to another country. It puts material gain and expediency as more valuable than fundamental values, loyalty, fortitude, and tenacity. It sends the message that the most important priority of the individual is his or her family. Bad news. As Filipinos, the most important, the ultimate priority we must have is God and Country...or have we forgotten? The better question is, have we ever been taught?

Do we remember the constructs of the Preamble to our Constitution? The benefit of the family is only implied as a function and fruit of establishing a government that embodies the ideals, but, is not explicit. What is explicit is the reference to establishing a humane society, to promote the common good, etc. Even the reference to posterity is directed to the Filipino posterity as a people and not the particular posterity of a single family.

The pride of one's heritage does not necessarily equate to the pride of a nation. Have we forgotten the result of Ma Roxas' call for Filipino scientists to repatriate and contribute to the betterment of the the nation? It is only in these situations when individual Filipinos return to the Philippines and offer the sweat of their brows that they become the pride of the nation since the nation directly benefits from individual (regardless of current national allegiance) action.

Why not search and showcase greatness from within. Doing so will stimulate belief and confidence among ourselves within our community, and our country. The masses can really identify with them for they know these yet to be discovered men, women or children, operate within circumstances and conditions similar to their own.

Instead of showcasing and belaboring the reality of despair (which exists and is more pronounced elsewhere, why don't we showcase the potential for constructive change. It is a shift from the "kaawa-awa" mentality to the "kaakit-akit" ; from the "ala kang magagawa" to the "mahalaga ang iyong gagawin"; from the "tumigil ka na" to the "huwag kang titigil"; Instead of commiserating we need to instead cooperate and collaborate.

We must look inwards if we are to truly find greatness that is duplicable and contaminating. ..We must celebrate the Filipinos IN the Philippines. The achievements and work performed by Filipinos in the Philippines is unquestionably and undeniably Filipino!

I know that values or loyalty or fortitude does not fill empty bellies, but, it delights and strengthens the heart of the collective body. What we need as a people today is not a full belly but a stronger heart. Stronger hearts results in a healthy body. Bigger bellies result only in obesity and lethargy. Practically, the only reason why these values do not result in material gain for those within the Philippines is because we allow ourselves to continually be subject to deconstructive behaviors and mindsets.

We have a propensity to always show how good it is outside the Philippines rather than show what is good and work towards what can be good in the Philippines. Mindsets, mindsets, and mindsets. Our hospitality is equivocal; it is only good when offered and extended to foreigners, but we have work to do when it comes to how we treat our own. Like chicks in a pen, we peck at our own wounded, at the sight of first blood. It has been said that we have a short memory, yes, indeed we do especially when it comes to remembering the evil we showed and the slanderous remarks we made against our friends or neighbors.

The practice of lauding the accomplishments of those with Filipino heritage is equivocal and useless to our people. It is only good for causal discussions- -nothing more. We need to laud the achievement of Filipinos in the Philippines! We need to invest in Filipinos in the Philippines to give our country a fighting chance to live and not just to exist.

Material gain must only be the result of our action and not the motive for action. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but losses his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

If our country cannot secure the unconditional love, commitment, substance, and life of its citizens, then what good is there to have a country? Is the Philippines simply a necessary inconvenience?

Think about it...

Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino sa Pilipinas!

I agree with most of what he says. I am fil-am and I do believe that the "system" allows one to achieve, but that still doesn't mean that a Filipino-American inventor can't give ANY credit to his filipino heritage. Afterall, the "system" he talks about is an open sytem, with many other factors involved including one's heritage. It really depends on the person and how that person utilizes his or her background into achieving their goals.

Lili

March 1st, 2007, 04:04 AM

^ Yes, we should take pride in all Filipinos from within and without the Philippines. It is not true that lauding of accomplishments of Filipinos abroad has no practical significance to the Filipinos in the Philippines. Pride in heritage and ancestry is carried over to inspire every Filipino everywhere. It is true we need to laud the achievements of Filipinos in the Philippines. Most importantly, we have to provide them with the necessary support mechanisms and environment for them to achieve their optimum without having to leave the country.

kiretoce

March 1st, 2007, 04:07 AM

Has a Filipino won a Nobel Prize before? :dunno: Or came close at least?

bitoy

March 1st, 2007, 05:34 AM

Has a Filipino won a Nobel Prize before? :dunno: Or came close at least?

There were some Filipinos nominated so far...

University of the Philippine professor Edgar E. Escuoltrua has been nominated for the 2005 Nobel Prize for Physics, according to two members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

http://manilamaildc.net/article-print-88.html

jgacis

March 1st, 2007, 10:03 PM

Filipino scientist and inventor......Jose Rizal.

Physician
After impressing the Jesuit friars and finishing his Bachelor of Arts with highest honors at the Ateneo, Rizal transferred to the University of Santo Tomas where he simultaneously took up Medicine and Philosophy and Letters.

In 1882, Rizal sailed for Spain and enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid. He received his licentiate in Medicine in 1884 and his licentiate in Philosophy and Letters the following year.

Because of his mother's failing eyesight, Rizal chose to specialize in ophthalmology and worked in the eye clinic of Dr. Louis Weckert, a famous French ophthalmologist. After his four month training with Weckert, Rizal left for Heidelberg, Germany in February 1886 to work under the tutelage of Dr. Otto Becker, an eminent German ophthalmologist. Rizal completed his studies in ophthalmic surgery in this city.

Rizal himself became a skilled ophthalmologist, later making quite a name for himself in Hong Kong. His most famous patient was of course his mother, Doña Teodora, whom he saved from impending blindness.

Geographer
As a keen student of countries and races, Rizal realized the value of skills in geography. He knew that geography is an important shaper of history for it affects a people's way of life and the events that take place around them.

Rizal acquired his extensive knowledge of geography through his numerous travels abroad; by pouring over geography books and maps; and by mingling with the famous geographers of Europe, including Dr. W. Joest of Berlin. In recognition of his geographical expertise and his deep interest in geography, he was admitted in February 1887 as a member of the renowned Geographic Society of Berlin. He was the first Asian scholar to become a member of the society.

As a geographer, Rizal rendered valuable services to his Austrian friend, Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt. He furnished Blumentritt with vital information on Philippine geography that the latter needed in his ethnographic and linguistic studies. For instance, in November 1886, Rizal corrected Blumentritt's map of Mindanao in southern Philippines by adding Lake Lanao to it.

Rizal considered geography as one of the more useful disciplines and believed that it should be a required subject in school. In the curriculum he made for his proposed college in Hong Kong, he included geography as one of the main subjects together with mathematics, chemistry, physics, history, economics, law, religion, ethics, languages, and physical education.

While in exile in Dapitan, he taught a group of bright boys a wide range of subjects including geography. It is interesting to note that Rizal planned to write a school textbook on geography for children. This was one of the more ambitious projects he failed to realize because of his execution in 1896.

Rizal's expertise in geography aided him in his historical, anthropological, and political researches. Among his writings which required a good grasp of geography were "Ma-yi" (December 1888), "Tawalasi of Ibn Batuta" (January 1889), "The Philippines a Century Hence" (February 1890), "The Indolence of the Filipinos" (September 1890), "The People of Indian Archipelago" (no date), and "Notes on Melanesia, Malaysia, and Polynesia" (no date).

Naturalist
Upon his arrival from Europe in 1892, Rizal was promptly arrested and incarcerated at Fort Santiago. Soon after, he was exiled to Dapitan where he lived for four years. During this period, Rizal immersed himself in the study of nature.

Rizal was a dedicated naturalist. With the help of his Dapitan pupils, he collected numerous species of birds, insects, butterflies, shells, snakes, and plants. His collection of shells was said to be the richest private collection of conchology in the Philippines during his time. It consisted of over 340 shells representing more than 200 species.

Driven by curiosity and an eagerness to contribute to the pool of scientific knowledge, Rizal sent many specimens of animals, insects, and plants for identification to the museums of Europe, particularly the Anthropological and Ethnographical Museum of Dresden.

He however never accepted money for these specimens, only scientific books and magazines and surgical instruments which he needed in Dapitan. In October 1893 for instance, he sent Director A.B. Meyer of the Anthropological and Ethnographic Museum of Dresden 12 snakes, one sea horse, two scorpions, and several butterflies. In subsequent months, he sent more specimens for the museum, including various kinds of insects, birds, and lizards. In payment for these specimens Rizal shipped to Dresden, Meyer sent him scientific books and journals , artificial eyes, microscopes, and surgical instruments.

Three rare specimens of animals discovered by Rizal earned him high praises from European scientists who named them in his honor: the Draco rizali, a small lizard popularly known as a flying dragon; Apogania rizali, a rare kind of beetle; and the Rhacophorus rizali, a peculiar frog species.

Inventor
Rizal was not an inventive wizard like Thomas Edison but he did have a certain talent for invention. He invented a cigarette lighter, which he called sulpakan, and sent it to Blumentritt in 1887 as a gift. The lighter used a compressed air mechanism.

While in Dapitan, Rizal also invented a wooden machine for making bricks which turned out about 6,000 bricks daily.

Jose Rizal contributed many things to the Philippines, including his life. Hope more filipinos find courage and inspiration from his life to help our country progress into the future.

dinabaw

March 2nd, 2007, 03:23 AM

Shall we include the doctor(just forgot the name , his brother a former Secretary of Health) who discovered a cure for Aids w/ coconut products.

Rizal also invented a water piping system using bamboo poles.

tigidig14

March 2nd, 2007, 11:59 PM

nice stuff lil

jgacis

March 5th, 2007, 12:35 PM

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/751/coldango2mn3.gif (http://imageshack.us)
PEOPLE are generally born curious. Our fascination with a lot of things come early. At a young age, we ask a range of simple questions like "What's that?" or "What are you doing?" to the lip-stuttering "How was I born?" or "How did you make me?" which parents find difficulty answering.

And finally through learning, we become inventive. We pile up our knowledge to come up with new things which usually comes from
environment. But little did we know that our path to success sometimes just lies around the corner. Just as what Col. Geronimo A. Dango, the one who gave the world the "magiclip" took.

The simple yet very useful trick started when, in the early 70s, in a small firm in Los Angeles where Dango works as a maintenance engineer, he observed Mexican delivery boys playing with an engineer's T-square and junked ball bearings. The ball bearings when pressed against the T-square can hold up pieces of paper even without tapes, clips, or thumb tacks. This was a neat trick that took Dango's interest and without his knowing brought an overwhelming change in his life. Born with a curious and inventive mind, Dango bought the idea and realised that by using the similar technique, he could come up with a simple device that could bring great help to office workers in holding up paper works. And that was when the "magiclip" came into being.

After years of perfecting his simple invention, Dango had the device patented in America which unfortunately did not do well. Thus, in 1977, when the former President Ferdinand Marcos issued P.O. 819, the Balik-Scientist Program which allows Filipino scientists to come home and be given the privilege to contribute to the economy's development.

Though the market in the Philippines for his magiclip did not do magic with sheer courage and determination, he relentlessly pushed his product and took the risk of putting up his own company, the Herdan Enterprises, which later on became Herdan Corporation, which produces a multiple other products using the "MagiClip" concept. These included copy holders, telephone organizers, flip charts, desk organizers, and holders for negatoscope x-rays.

Through his unprecedented determination and courage, Dango received the Huwarang Pilipino 2001 Award in Science and Technology. He once said that everything will be possible if we learn to expect and not to doubt. Dango is just one absolute example of a person with unparalleled courage who stood trials and rose amidst hardships. His experience is indeed an inspiration to those who wish to tread the arduous path to success. But to be able to tread it fortuitously, courage and determination are your tickets to success.

Magiclip Paper Holder is protected by the following patents:
US Patent Nos.: 236342 & 245989
Canada Patent No. 38232
Phil Patent Nos.: 11754, UM1440
UM5687, UM164 & UM6261

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/6071/orderwheel2tv3.gif (http://imageshack.us)

Geronimo A. Dango use to work here in Los Angeles where I was born. Although I don't see his products popular here today, I'm impressed at the efforts he tried for achieving his dreams.

My favorite line in the article above:

He once said that everything will be possible if we learn to expect and not to doubt. :)

death327

March 6th, 2007, 09:15 PM

I am not sure if Dr Claro Llaguno of Department of Chemistry had been nominated for Nobel... but his work on Quantum Chemistry is well-known... especially the CTL equation of state.

AH-7Raja

March 7th, 2007, 06:54 AM

Industrial Designing courses are also playing some very important role in the Philippines towards the new generation of filipino inventors.

Our government needs to seriously invest in our research & development sector.

If we wanna build our first gunship (AH-7 Raja), 4x4 Jeep (Barako), car (Sakbayan), etcetera, first our government should support our educational system big time, to produce the right people, followed by the Department of Science & Technology (research & development), to produce the right products. We all have the technologies in placed, and all we need to do is copying them and reverse engineer them just like what other countries does specially india & china.

If we do all this, then the last step would be to market them. If we successfully marketed them then we can build up its revenue and then it will go cycle, use it back to boost our economy. This is a potential big time dollar earner, and this is what we call, a self-reliance. :)

AH-7Raja

March 7th, 2007, 07:09 AM

Was it the japanese who bought the rights for the karaoke machines?

Whatever happened to mr. Dingel's invention, is now in the hands of the americans, & the japanese.

The bottom point, it doesnt matter now how much we produced excellent inventors and scientists. If our government continue to neglect them and do not boost the DOTC budget, then we will have nowhere to go. Our nation will continue to import products that we didn't developed, instead of exporting some electronics or even vehicles that are proudly been designed, developed, & made in the philippines.

Rajah_Soliman

March 8th, 2007, 09:00 PM

Electric vehicle goes on trial run in Cavite ecozone
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
The Philippine Star 03/09/2007

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is hosting the trial run of the first locally produced vehicle that runs on batteries and electric power.

PEZA Director General Lilia B. de Lima said the Philippine Electric Vehicle (PEV) will be used first within the government-run Cavite export processing zone. The PEV will transport the 90,000 workers within the zone during the trial run set to begin next month.

The vehicle’s inventor Roel Judilla said each unit will cost P600,000 to make. However, he said they are still ironing out kinks in order to bring down costs to between P300,000 to P400,000.

According to Judilla, the PEV is not yet optimized because it runs only 80 kilometers every four-hour charging session, costing P1,500 per full charge.

In addition, he said the PEV cannot be used commercially or in far places. He said the car may only be used for specific short distances like inside the ecozone, military camps, subdivisions or theme parks. "The use of the PEV must be confined in fixed distances and small places."

But Judilla said he is confident he can come out with a more efficient version in two months’ time. For instance, he said he is developing a model that would run using solar energy to avoid the exorbitant electricity costs.

Initially, he said 50 units will be produced. He said they will market the vehicle to high-end subdivisions, leisure parks and resorts.

The objective of the PEV is to introduce a clean and sustainable urban mass transport service on a limited travel distance. He said the PEV is a cheaper transport service when compared to the jeepney.

The PEV sits 10 passengers. Majority of the parts, or 70 percent, will be sourced in the country. Francisco Motors Phils. designed the body and chassis while the safety glass came from Asahi Glass Philippines.

jgacis

March 15th, 2007, 09:35 AM

Wednesday, March 07 2007 @ 05:19 PM GMT

Technology
To ensure environmental protection and safety of the vast marine resources, the patented works of a Filipino inventor on oil recovery system would be adopted here as part of its emergency response program on sea tragedies.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga said that the patented system developed by Filipino inventor Doroteo Gaerlan on safe oil retrieval operations on sunken vessels would be adopted in case sea tragedies occur in this premier Freeport zone.

"This is part of our holistic risk management and emergency response system particularly on sea tragedies causing destructive oil spills," Salonga said.

Salonga noted that the presence here of the 2.4 million barrels of about 381 million liter-capacity depot facilities for oil, petroleum and lubricant products of the Coastal Petroleum and the PTT Oils of Thailand have been given by the SBMA the importance on its risk management system.

Apart from the Coastal-PTT depots, major players in oil industry such as Petron, Shell and Caltex are regularly utilizing the Port of Subic as its transshipment harbor to import various oil products for local market distribution.

Salonga said that the Gaerlan system would be endorsed for the use of the Philippine Coast Guard and its auxiliary organization during "distress calls" on future oil spill incidents.

"Filipino ingenuities should be given much attention and support from both the government and private sector to encourage our aspiring local inventors to develop worthy and relevant discoveries," Salonga said.

Likewise, the government has identified Subic Freeport as one of the possible future sites to become the country's oil transshipment hub in the Asia-Pacific rim because of its strategic location and oil depot facilities.

For his part, Gaerlan said that he has invented a "sure, safer, easier, cheaper and simpler" way of recovering the oil cargo of sunken tanker which is being touted as the "modern oil recovery system of the world."

"The system has been proven effective based on comprehensive experimental testing and simulations conducted by our experts," Gaerlan said.

Gaerlan revealed that the patent is based on principles of physics and other related branches of science which the oil recovery system could be completed at a maximum speed and velocity rate of 300,000 liters every six hours.

The system could be used in the Guimaras Island to fast track its recovery operations. (PNA)

kiretoce

March 15th, 2007, 03:38 PM

Pinoy named Harvard Scientist of 2007
By Doreen Yu The Philippine Star

A Filipino molecular biologist has been named by the Harvard Foundation as 2007 Scientist of the Year.

Dr. Baldomero Olivera, son and namesake of a former STAR columnist, will receive the distinction at an honorary luncheon on Friday at Harvard’s Pforzheimer House, which opens the annual Albert Einstein Science Conference sponsored by the Harvard Foundation. The foundation is observing its 25th anniversary this year.

Olivera, who was nominated by the Harvard Foundation’s Student/Faculty Advisory Committee, is being honored for his contributions in the field of biology, in particular for his groundbreaking research on neurotoxins produced by venomous cone snails found in Philippine waters. The toxins that he and his team identified are now widely used in neuroscience research.

He is a leading figure in the emerging field of neuropharmacology. Although based in the US, Olivera maintains a laboratory in the Philippines that continues research work on neurotoxins that target specific ion channels in the central nervous system. His work has led to the development of a drug, now in clinical trails, that appears to be more effective against chronic pain than morphine. Knowledge provided by his basic research studies may also shed light on conditions, such as schizophrenia and epilepsy, which involve the function of receptors and ion channels in the nervous system.

"Dr. Olivera is widely respected as a biological scientist for his excellent work in neurotoxicology and his dedication to students in the field," said Dr. S. Allen Counter, director of the Harvard Foundation and associate professor of neurology and neurophysiology.

"In his research, teaching, and social commitments, he is a distinguished role model whom we honor for his fine example," Counter added. Olivera is Distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of Utah. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, summa cum laude, from the University of the Philippines and a doctorate in biochemistry from the California Institute of Technology. He did postdoctoral work at Stanford University with Dr. I Robert Lehman.

Last year, he was appointed a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor. Olivera has published over 250 scientific papers on the biological sciences.

Each year, the Harvard Foundation and members of the science community present a special award to an internationally acclaimed scientist for his or her contributions and achievements in the biological and physical sciences, and particularly their efforts to advance minorities and women in the sciences.

Olivera will receive the award from the dean of Harvard College and the president of Harvard University.

Olivera will speak about his life as a scientist and deliver remarks to encourage college students to pursue careers in the sciences.

On Saturday Olivera will join some 30 Harvard undergraduate students and a hundred boys and girls from Boston and Cambridge public schools for the foundation’s annual Partners in Science program, which features lectures and demonstrations by Harvard science faculty at the Science Center for inner city junior high school students, and interactive science experiments with Harvard College students.

Last year’s Harvard Foundation Scientist of the Year awardee was Dr. P. Uri Treisman, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Texas in Austin, who was recognized for his efforts to improve math and science education, particularly for minorities.

Past Harvard Foundations honorees include Nobel Laureate in chemistry Dr. Mario Molina, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, former chair of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, astronauts Dr. Ellen Ochoa and Dr. Mae Jamison, mathematician Dr. Jonathan David Farley, and distinguished mathematics teacher Jaime Escalante of the Stand and Deliver project.

The annual Harvard Foundation Albert Einstein Science Conference: Advancing Minorities and Women in Science, Engineering and Mathematics aims to bring together a diverse group of professors and students with interest in the basic, applied, natural and biological sciences. It is named after the distinguished scientist who visited historically black colleges to demonstrate his commitment to equal education and civil rights, and who spoke out against racism and anti-Semitism in American and around the world.

death327

May 6th, 2007, 12:24 AM

Research and Development Facilities in the Philippines

I am not sure if we already have a thread like this but I think it is necessary for us to have one as to assess and check our capabilities in terms of research and development in all fields.

This thread will showcase all establishments we have, private and government funded, local and international, dedicated for research and development in the field of pure sciences, applied sciences, mathematics, engineering, information science and technology, social sciences, economics, public governance and administration, history, archaeology, anthropology, paleontology and origin studies, environmental studies and weather studies, transportation studies, urban planning and development theology, and even linguistics and language studies, etc. We can include all institutes under the academe, offices of the government dedicated for research development and private entities that works on this kind of mission. Also, we can include small facilities such as observatory, weather stations, and research stations. Or in short... this includes all institutions that had published articles in intenational, regional and local journals and institutions that had developed technologies for both scientific and common uses, but this excludes educational institutions as a whole such as univerisities and colleges (however we can include individual units dedicated to R&D of these institutions such as center of excellence, school of something, etc.).

Let me start with the following.

1. Philippine Nuclear Institute
2. SEAFDEC
3. IRRI
4. National Engineering Center
5. Marine Science Institute

death327

May 6th, 2007, 12:26 AM

Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
http://www.pnri.dost.gov.ph/about.html

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/pnri_map_big.gif

PNRI in Brief

The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) is mandated to:
undertake research and development activities in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, to institute regulations on the said uses and to carry out the enforcement of said regulations to protect the health and safety of radiation workers and the general public.

Functions

The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), formerly the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), is the sole agency of the government mandated to advance and regulate the safe and peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology in the Philippines. It is one of the research institutes under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Under Executive Order 128, PNRI is mandated to perform the following functions:

• Conduct research and development on the application of radiation and nuclear techniques, materials and processes;

• Undertake the transfer of research results to end-users, including technical extension and training services;

• Operate and maintain nuclear research reactors and other radiation facilities; and

• License and regulate activities relative to production, transfer and utilization of nuclear radioactive substances.

Facilities

1. Irradiation Facility
2. Dispenser
3. Radioactive Waste Treatment
4. Machine Shop

PNRI Nuclear Services

The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) extends nuclear and allied services to clients from industry, business, health, government and the academe to encourage and widen the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear technology in various fields.

I. Radiotracer and Sealed Source Applications

Radiotracer applications in industry such as leak detection, flowrate measurement and geothermal well reinjection tests
Sealed source applications in industry such as gamma column scanning and neutron backscatter gauging.

II. X-Ray Spectrometry Applications

The PNRI performs rapid multielement analysis of materials using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. Some of the samples that have been analyzed using this technique included food and agricultural products, soil, water and solutions. XRF spectrometry is also being used by PNRI as a tool in the quality control of fine jewelry and even in fashion jewelry. For more information on the application of this technique in the jewelry industry, click XRF in Jewelry Industry.

III. Cytogenetic Analysis

CYTOGENETIC ANALYSES FOR RADIOLOGICAL REASSURANCE AND GENETIC COUNSELLING

Through its Cytogenetics Research Group, the PNRI extends the following services to various clients:

Genetic Analysis for Radiological Reassurance. This involves the monitoring/ calculation of the accidental or occupational exposure of radiation workers and nuclear researchers to ionizing radiation through blood sample analyses.
Genetic Analysis for Genetic Counselling . This involves the determination/confirmation of the presence or absence of clinical disorders such as Down?s syndrome, Turner?s syndrome, Kleinfelter?s syndrome, primary amenorrhea, testicular feminization, infertlity, delayed growth, and seizures.

IV. Engineering Services

The Engineering Services Group renders the following services:
- Repair of nucleonic equipment/instruments for PNRI and non-PNRI clients
- Decommissioning of radiation device/facility
- For PNRI : Repair and maintenance of electro-mechanical devices and equipment fabrication jobs of mechanical parts, tools and devices; and participation in the construction, repair and upgrading of PNRI facilities.

PNRI Research and Development Projects

PNRI's research and development programs are focused on the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear techniques, materials and processes to help in the government's efforts of increasing agricultural and industrial productivity as well as ensuring health security and safeguarding the environment.
The Institute in particular, initiates and promotes nuclear related research and development programme thru the development and demonstration activities in nuclear S & T in the areas of: 1.) Agriculture and Natural Resources; 2.) Biomedicine including Radiobiology, Radiation-related Biomedical Technology and Public Health and Safety; 3.) Health Physics and Ecology; 4.) Physics, Chemistry, Analytical Measurements and Geo-Nuclear Materials; and 5.) Industrial application of Radioisotopes and Nuclear Techniques.

Food Irradiation
Induction of Beneficial Mutation Through Irradiation for Rice Varietal Improvement
Biological Nitrogen Fixation
Random Monitoring
Environmental Radioactivity Surveillance
Pollution-Related Studies
Radiation Polymerization
Applications of X-Ray Analyses in the Characterization of High Technology Materials
Radiation Exposure Assessment
Radioprotectors/Radiosensitizers
Radiation Studies of Carageenan
Survey for Nuclear & Other Industrial Materials
Siting Study
Cytogenetics Studies
Fruit Fly Control
Agricultural Research
Dairy Cattle Production
Tracer and Sealed Sources Applications
Urban Waste Management
Biological Markers
Radiation Vulcanization of Natural Rubber Latex
Technetium-99m Generator Production
Hepatitis B-Markers
Radiation Sterilization of Amnion Membranes
Red Tide Studies
Hydrogeochemical Process Studies/Environmental Surveillance
AFLP-PCR Molecular Screening
RN52

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/PNRI.jpg

death327

May 6th, 2007, 01:16 AM

SEAFDEC – AQD

Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines
http://www.seafdec.org.ph/index.html

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/aqd1.jpg

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SEAFDEC/AQD was established in 1973 to conduct research, develop technologies, disseminate information, and train people in the farming of fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, and seaweeds for food, livelihood, equity, and sustainable development.

The Philippines, as host, provides AQD the physical facilities and the funds for operations and the salaries of researchers, scientists, and service personnel. The Philippine Technical and Administrative Committee (PTAC) for SEAFDEC is a special committee of the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. PTAC oversees the operations of AQD.

AQD works closely with various universities, fishery schools, and government agencies in the Philippines. AQD also has strong linkages with foreign research and academic institutions and international agencies.

SEAFDEC/AQD is mandated to:

Promote and undertake research on aquaculture relevant and appropriate to the region

Encourage human resource development in aquaculture through training and extension

Disseminate and exchange information in aquaculture

With these functions, the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department will implement programs comprising research, training and information dissemination, and technology versification and commercialization activities as approved by the Council of Directors, in order to promote sustainable aquaculture development in Southeast Asia.

Facilities

The Tigbauan Main Station (TMS) is the AQD headquarters situated right on the beach on the south coast of Panay Island, where brackishwater pond aquaculture has historically been a big industry. The 40-hectare complex includes various research laboratories, hatcheries, and broodstock tanks for experiments in artificial propagation, feed development, and health management. TMS also houses the training facilities, library, FishWorld, administration and finance offices, and medical clinic. On-campus housing and cafeteria cater to resident staff, trainees, and guests.

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http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/aqd20cc.jpg

The Binangonan Freshwater Station (BFS) is at Tapao Point along the north shore of Laguna de Bay, the largest freshwater lake in the country. BFS conducts research and training in hatchery and grow-out of tilapia, carps, catfish, and freshwater prawn.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/binangonan1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/binangonan.jpg

The Dumangas Brackishwater Station (DBS) is located about 50 km east of Iloilo City in west central Philippines. DBS is a 16-ha pond area used for verification and demonstration of various farming technologies. It has field laboratories for routine chemical and microbiological analyses.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/Brackish.jpg

The Igang Marine Station (IMS) is situated in a coral reef cove in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Island south of Panay. IMS is home to broodstocks of milkfish, grouper, sea bass, snappers, and other fishes in floating cages. In these cages, fishes mature and spawn spontaneously during the normal breeding seasons. It is a demonstration and training facility for the promotion of sustainable cage farming technology for marginal fishers.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/igang1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/igang.jpg

AQD also maintains a Manila Office at 17 Times Street, West Triangle, Quezon City.

Biotechnology Laboratory

Molecular Microbiology Laboratory

Develop rapid and sensitive techniques for detection and identification of pathogens of farmed fishes, crustaceans, and mollusks

Establish fish cell lines for use in the diagnosis of viral diseases

Find alternatives to antibiotics

Develop vaccines and immunostimulants against aquatic pathogens

Find microbes for treatment of aquaculture wastewater

Molecular Endocrinology and Genetics Laboratory

Develop strategies to enhance the reproduction and growth of aquaculture species

Examine genetic variation among wild and domesticated stocks of animals and plants in aquaculture

Find molecular markers for parental pedigree analysis to facilitate selective breeding and genetic improvement

Algal Production Laboratory

Develop improved seedstocks of seaweed for the industry

Optimize use of algae for industrial and medical applications

Find algae for pollution control and wastewater treatment

Fish Feed Technology Laboratory

Find alternative protein sources to reduce feed costs

Develop low-pollution or environment-friendly feeds

Improve feed conversion and growth of farmed species

Improve feeds for genetically superior breeds

death327

May 6th, 2007, 01:40 AM

IRRI
Los Banos Laguna

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/20/IRRI_aerial_view.jpgPhoto from wikipedia

Based in the Philippines, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the oldest and largest international agricultural research institute in Asia. It is an autonomous, nonprofit rice research and training organization with staff based in 14 countries in Asia and Africa.

Our mission is to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure that rice production is environmentally sustainable. We work closely with most rice-producing and -consuming countries and their national agricultural research and extension systems as well as farming communities and a range of international, regional, and local organizations. In partnerships with these national systems, we conduct research and provide training and education for those helping rice farmers by disseminating information and proven, sustainable technologies.

IRRI was established in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations in cooperation with the Philippine government. Our headquarters—which feature modern laboratories, training and accommodation facilities, and a 252-hectare experimental farm—lie next to the main campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, about 60 kilometers south of the Philippine capital, Manila.

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http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/IRRIDB0210_irri.jpg

To know more about IRRI check these websites:

http://www.irri.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Rice_Research_Institute

death327

May 6th, 2007, 02:11 AM

I cannot find good photos of NEC and MSI in the net. I need to go to UP today to take photos of these centers. Meanwhile:

DNA lab does more than just CSI
by Francezca C. Kwe

For University Research Associate and 2007 Gawad Chanselor para sa Natatanging REPS recipient Gayvelline C. Calacal the big things are the size of molecules. And it is at the microscopic level where she and fellow researchers at the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the Natural Sciences Research Institute in Diliman look to when all else fails.

It is DNA, these coiled helical molecular strands called “the building blocks of life, “which bear the entire genetic information of living organisms, determining cellular processes and to a major degree, individual traits. In the field of forensics, DNA typing is a powerful tool for human identification. The core of the biological sciences, the study of DNA, has been ceaseless for the UP-NSRI DNA Lab since its creation in 1997. Currently headed by Dr. Maria Corazon A. De Ungria, the UP-NSRI DNA lab is now the foremost center for DNA typing research in the country. It is one of the top three facilities for forensic DNA analysis, the two others being run by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police. “We do the same procedures as the PNP and NBI labs, but primarily as part of an academic institution, we are mandated to conduct researches, basically, on the application of DNA typing to aid in forensic investigations. The government laboratories, however, handle most of the criminal cases that necessitate the use of DNA typing,” Calacal says. Aside from research, the UP-NSRI DNA lab also offers services for such purposes as parentage testing, sexual assault cases, and identification of human remains for agencies and individual clients.

An MS Microbiology graduate of UP, Calacal has been involved extensively in all the lab’s research projects, notably in research geared toward forensic applications.

DNA is a powerful tool and a highly reliable source of data relevant to criminal cases, so we have to be constantly in-formed about and updated in terms of the technology, says Calacal. Her research is directed toward validating procedures in DNA typing, the process of extracting and analyzing DNA from various biological samples obtained in sources as varied as tissues to bone to old bloodstains.

DNA forensic technology in the Philippines is incorporated into judicial procedures and results admitted as evidence at the level of the Supreme Court. Mindful of the importance of properly collecting and preserving the evidence, the DNA Lab’s team developed a sexual assault kit, which is now being used by the Child Protection Unit-Network in child sexual abuse cases. Moreover, the team set up a system for handling DNA evidence with provisions for proper documentation, custody, and transportation of samples.

One of the most challenging projects for Calacal came in the form of a tragedy—a fire that had gutted an orphanage in Paco and reduced 23 children to cinders. A team of researchers from the UP-NSRI DNA Lab, forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun of the College of Medicine, Dr. Danilo Magtanong of the College of Dentistry, and Dr. Francisco Datar of the Department of Anthropology, collaborated and succeeded in identifying all but two of the victims. “The two unidentified children are of the same gender, were of similar age range and no parents claimed the bodies, so we were not able to differentiate the remains,” Calacal said.

Calacal’s body of work has won a substantial list of awards from scientific institutions such as the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and the Philippine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The University of the Philippines has honored her with five International Publication Awards, and two Gawad Chancelors, one of which was the best paper award.

“The most recent conferment on me of the Gawad Chanselor did intensify my drive to do my best every time,” Calacal confesses. “Even with limited resources, we have to be creative to solve the challenges presented by our work.”

Currently, she is part of the lab’s biggest project—the generation of the Philippine genetic database. The first of its kind in the country, the project aims to build a database of genetic profiles of different population groups. “Through this study, we will hopefully generate data and determine the relationship of the various population groups at the genetic level. Incorporated with other disciplines, this data could expand and enhance our under-standing of our history as a nation.” she says. “Right now we are working on the collection and analysis of samples from our indigenous population and different ethnolinguistic groups. The DNA data-base is also useful in forensics, as an aid to investigation. The DNA generated from the evidence may also tell us the rarity or frequency of a DNA profile in the Philip-pine population,” she says.

With scientific excellence down pat, the UP-NSRI DNA lab still has financial limitations to contend with. “Molecular biology research is very expensive to conduct,” reveals Calacal. “The reagents alone cost a lot not to mention the price of the equipment we need for the analysis. We try to get support from different agencies, like the European Commission, which gave us a grant in 2001. We also get grants from the University, such as for an ongoing project on the validation of procedures in forensic analysis.”

As for extension services, the lab gets a number of requests for paternity testing. “We’ve handled around 30-40 cases a year.” The lab has also had to accede to more unorthodox requests entailing the exhumation of remains for identification purposes.

“We don’t necessarily service high-profile cases. We want everyone to be able to avail themselves of our services, especially the indigents who approach us for help.” But the high cost of lab procedures is inevitably transmitted to clients.

“Our research is also aimed at decreasing costs to make DNA tests available to all without compromising results,” Calacal says. “We are a research lab, so the funds are basically for research work. But ideally, we want our services to be available to those in need. That is why we are also seeking the assistance of other agencies in support of these endeavors. Only then can we truly say that we have put science at the service of society.”

Caption: Research as usual in the UP DNA Lab for Gawad Chancellor awardee Gayvelline Calacal for Natatanging REPS

ivanc

May 6th, 2007, 06:34 AM

lexmark research and dev (http://www.lexmark.com/uncomplicate/sequentialem/home/0,7070,239619618_673865304_0_en,00.html) in cebu

existing facilities:
@ innove it plaza and keppel center:
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/d/d4/Keppel_and_innove.jpg

u/c 8 story lab and 22 story tower, will rise at the back of innove:
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/815/lexmarkcb7.jpg
(status - lab now on 4th floor, tower will start construction when lab finishes)

death327

May 6th, 2007, 07:24 AM

another Lexmark Facility in Cebu

Photo by Bernie

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Cebu/Image00010-1.jpg

diehardbisdak

May 6th, 2007, 07:38 AM

^^ in Cebu, there is also NCR's Research & Development ...one of their products is the software for Cash Registers being used in the supermarkets all over the world..

death327

May 6th, 2007, 08:17 AM

NEC
UP-Diliman QC
http://www.engg.upd.edu.ph/nec/index.html

The NEC is the fulfillment of what members of the University of the Philippines-College of Engineering (UP-COE) faculty envisioned in the early 1970s. A center fully dedicated to the provision of research, consultancy and continuing education services in the engineering and allied fields. Created through Presidential Decree 1295 (P.D. 1295) on January 27, 1978, the NEC was a response to the country?s continuing efforts at national development. The NEC was envisioned to help bring about national growth that require progressive and adequate utilization and diffusion of technology, as well as a steady supply of technical manpower with expertise in the various fields of technology and engineering.

P.D. 1295 provided the transfer of five (5) centers from the U.P. COE to the NEC organization. These are: the UP Industrial Research Service Center; the National Hydraulic Research Center (NHRC); the Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry (TCAGP); the Transport Training Center (now the National Center for Transportation Studies, NCTS), and; the Building Research Service. The idea was to have a one-stop center where government and industries alike could turn to for solutions to problems in the engineering field. A center separate from the UP-COE was necessary. With the creation of the NEC, the UP-COE was to focus on purely academic functions. The NEC on the other hand, was to cater to the needs of both industry and government agencies.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/NEC02.jpg

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National Transportation Studies Center

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/soulmaker27/NCTS01.jpg

Insanedriver

May 6th, 2007, 05:52 PM

Hala @ Soulmakerbakit daw nagkikiss si batman and robin sabi ng Pamankin ko :lol:
Justice League Fanatic pa naman siya

JustHorace

May 6th, 2007, 06:59 PM

We also have the Philippine Institute for Pure and Applied Chemistry (PIPAC) inside the Ateneo's Loyola campus.

death327

May 7th, 2007, 01:16 PM

@CosmoManila - is it possible for you to take some photos of the facilities. I remember seven years ago, a friend of mine told me that the PIPAC facility is air-locked in the evening (as in sealed or vacuumized), is it true?

@insanedriver - hindi ko nga rin alam... pero the thought of it is cute... ;)

death327

May 7th, 2007, 02:03 PM

DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco
The Philippine Star 05/07/2007

One of the best things the present UP administration has done is to push through the long planned conversion of a portion of the UP campus into a technology park. Not only will UP earn some money to augment its extremely modest budget, it will provide opportunities for UP scientists that would hopefully encourage them to stay rather than go elsewhere to keep body and soul together.

It is difficult to understand why the campus leftists have been opposing this move for quite a long time now. They would rather that UP progressively lose its land to squatters and land grabbers. Luckily, even with the regular change in UP’s top leadership, the idea of putting up a technology park was never given up.

It is just as well too that Ayala has remained patient through the years. Now, Ayala Land has started to build a $120 million science park at the UP campus and the first buildings are due to be finished soon. Hopes are high that the UP-Ayala science park can be a catalyst for change, most specially in how we regard science’s role in our economic development.

In an era of instant everything, it seems we do not have the patience to invest in science. Yet, the lessons learned from Taiwan and from Vietnam, indicate that it’s important to incubate science and technology if we want to join the league of tiger economies around us. In Taiwan, it was only after they invested in developing their science and technology did their GDP start to skyrocket.

Some months ago, I wrote about how we lost a billion dollar investment of Intel to Vietnam and I wondered how we could have fumbled that one. The reason we lost that is now perfectly clear... the Intel executives said so themselves that the one big attraction of Vietnam is the importance its government is giving to the development of its manpower resources in science and technology.

Rey Vea, Mapua president and an outstanding UP alumnus, explained in his recent commencement address before graduating UP students why such an investment in S and T is important today. "We have upon us a knowledge-based economy and in such an economy nothing could be of greater strategic value to a country than the capability to generate new knowledge and technologies." Vea cites Lester Thurow of the Sloan School of Management who wrote in his book Building Wealth, that one of the more robust conclusions of economics is the high social returns of R & D spending.

Vea warned that "if we are not content to be the modern-day equivalents of ‘hewers of wood and bearers of water’, then not having R & D capability is not an option." He pointed out that as early as 1957, MIT economist Robert Solow calculated and showed that technology is responsible for about 80 percent of growth. "According to Fortune magazine, when the Pentium chip came out, ounce for ounce, it was about 40 times more expensive than gold. It was not due to the material because the chip was mainly just plain silicon, one of the most abundant materials on earth. Rather, it was the technology and the knowledge embodied in the chip that made it so valuable."

The thing is, Filipino scientists have always been world class but have also been frustrated at the lack of importance Philippine society gives to science. When was the last time a television network covered live the release of the results of the board examinations in engineering with the same excitement and hoopla that ABS-CBN gave the release of the last bar examinations? Society thinks lawyers are more important, so we get a surplus of lawyers!

Thus, it isn’t surprising that the discovery of several ground breaking technologies by Filipino scientists found their way abroad for commercialization. The local scene ignored their entrepreneurial promise. It is often recalled Erythromycin, a common antibiotic from Philippine soil bacteria and originating research from the country based on Filipino scientist Dr. Abelardo’s sample, was first commercialized abroad by New York Stock Exchange-listed Eli Lilly, a global research-based pharmaceutical company.

Filipino scientists Dr. Baldomero Olivera and Dr. Lourdes Cruz were the first to study prialt ziconotide, a pain killer 1,000 times more powerful than morphine and is non-addictive. But this was patented by Neurex of the US and developed by Elan Pharma PLC. It was a Filipino, Dr. Juan Salcedo that discovered that milled rice mixed with Vitamin B1 was a good cure for Beri-beri.

And who has not heard of Dado Banatao, the wealthiest Filipino in America today? When the world’s most powerful mainframe computer was the IBM 360, Banatao’s innovative new chip-set design produced 10 times more power at a thousandth of the cost.

Banatao’s other technological innovations include: developing the first single-chip; the 16-bit microprocessor-based calculator while working for Commodore International in ’76; the first single-chip MicroVAX while working for Digital Equipment; the first 10-Mbit Ethernet CMOS with silicon coupler data-link control and trans-receiver chip; getting 3Com into the Ethernet PC add-in card business while at Seeq Technology in early ’80s; the first system logic chip set for the PC-XT and the PC-AT while at Mostron in ’84 and Chips & Technologies in ’85; the first enhanced graphics adapter chip set while at Chips & Technologies in ’85; pioneering local bus concept for PC while at S3 in 1989, and the first Windows accelerator chip while at S3 in ’90.

All these came to mind as I was reading the graduation address of Mikaela Fudolig, that 16-year old UP summa cum laude Physics graduate before her fellow graduates of UP’s College of Science. She asked the question: how do we, as scientists, help in nation building?

"I have noticed, again, from the many talks that I have attended, that the common idea of "community service" is Sangguniang Kabataan. Red Cross. Gawad Kalinga. Opinion leaders view community service, which they correlate to nation building, as using physical energy to help the poor. You want to do community service? Solicit money from your congressman and donate a school building. You want to do community service? Help during calamities. You want to do community service? Build houses for the poor.

"Again, let me make this clear: These ways are indeed community service. But are these the only ways to do community service? Should community service simply be giving something for nothing? Should community service necessarily involve a lot of legwork? Should the effects of community service be immediate?"

She cited the work of another fellow UP scientist. "When our very own Alexander Edward Dy made it possible for amoebiasis to be tested based on salivary IgA instead of stool, was that community service? Current conventional wisdom would answer: NO... And how can Alexander Dy’s amoebiasis test serve the poor in the squatters’ area? His method will definitely not give jobs to them. It wouldn’t give them shelter. And it’s not FREE.

"Mr. Dy’s amoebiasis test would probably not be given for free. It would not give them shelter, and most probably, wouldn’t give jobs, at least not to the usual recipients of charity. But if amoebiasis can be diagnosed faster simply by getting the saliva of a patient, something which can be readily obtained, then more amoebiasis patients would be cured. More lives would be saved.

"The community service of scientists is often underestimated. Our discoveries are often tagged as having no practical applications, of no use in calamities, and of no immediate help to the poor... if Alexander Dy, now magna cum laude, insisted on tutoring every single kid in his barangay FOR FREE, then they would be considered by the majority as excellent servers of the community. But they would not have done what they have done. Where would we be now?"

Well, hopefully we all see our scientists in a whole new light. They are essential to our economic development. Nurture them... incubate their ideas... or else as Rey Vea puts it, be content to be the modern-day equivalents of "hewers of wood and bearers of water."

------------------------------

I hope the philippine government will have some realization on this.

waketrex

May 8th, 2007, 05:04 AM

^^ you have to move from an agricultural society, to a industrial, to technological... finally happening. They should set up a department outside the DOST to support the scientist and inventors of the country. Also they should also setup a department for the advancement internet technology. The internet is really next generation phone system not only carrying voice but also data.

ritche

May 8th, 2007, 04:43 PM

The program on marine protected areas undertaken by Silliman University in Dumaguete City was adjudged the Best Higher Education Institutions (HEI) Research Program in the country by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) during an awarding ceremony yesterday (January 25) at the Philippine International Convention Center, Manila.

Silliman received P1 million after it bested 11 other entries with its entry, “The Marine Laboratory Program on Marine Protected Areas”, which details the efforts of the SU Marine Laboratory, now Institute of Environment and Marine Sciences (IEMS), at fishery enhancement and biodiversity conservation in the Visayas and Mindanao. This program pioneered the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the country.

All 12 entries for the national award were limited to the winners in the regional search in Regions I, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and X and CARAGA, CAR and NCR. The regional winners received plaques and cash awards of P300,000, P200,000 and P100,000 for the first, second and third placers, respectively.

University of the Philippines-Diliman placed second in the national awards for its entry, “Application of Nuclear Techniques to Address Specified Red Tide”, while Mariano Marcos State University placed third for its entry, “Integrated Kawayan R&D Program of the Ilocos Region”. The second and third placers received P500, 000 and P300, 000, respectively.

“This award is a result of consistent, quality research being undertaken by Silliman University focusing on one critical component of our people’s development, and this is our coast and their resources,” Silliman President Dr. Ben Malayang III said.

He said the award “proves that Silliman University is among the best institutions in the country.”

According to Malayang the driving force behind the research activities at Silliman “is the commitment and creativity if our own faculty”. And he said research is what the university is encouraging its teachers to pursue.

In his opening remarks, CHED Chairman Dr. Carlito Puno emphasized the value of research.

“Research plays a very crucial role so that young professionals, or even academicians, or even administrators will not become “prisoners of what it is”, Puno said.

As academic institutions are trusted to generate and disseminate knowledge, Puno encouraged HEIs to contribute also to national development as they pursue their respective research programs and projects.

This was reinforced by the keynote address of Congressman LuisVillafuerte of the Second District of Camarines Sur who emphasized the importance of research in technology development and pledged support for R & D programs.

The SU IEMS’ program on marine protected areas has the longest record of research, extension and development work on the subject of marine protected areas (MPAs) among academic institutions in the country, having been the first to established an MPA (Sumilon Island) in 1974.

It has established 20 MPAs for fishery enhancement and biodiversity conservation in the Visayas and Mindanao and has extended to 61 others in the form of habitat and resource assessments, biodiversity enhancement, and capacity building.

Dr. Angel Alcala, SU Research Director and former Silliman President and Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and CHED Chairman said the winning program on marine protected areas “is the only program on the country that has a long-term involvement of so many people, including local communities, which has an impact on policy and curriculum development.”

Supporting Puno’s statement, he said: “Research plays a large pat in the academe. Teaching should be supplemented, complemented by actual practical data derived from research.”

“Your teaching becomes a live when you talk about the local situations using local examples,” Alcala said. “If you do not do research, you will be stagnant, you will be repeating all the things that you have learned in your graduate school years.”

MPA Program Leader and SU IEMS Director Dr. Hilconida Calumpong said the award provides an opportunity for the Institute to continue with the research it is doing on MPAs.

“We hope to use the monetary award to look at connectivity among MPA using genetic markers and oceanographic tools,” she said.

Calumpong said that this kind of research will enable Silliman to help further promote the management of coastal resources among communities for food security. Furthermore, she emphasized that this kind of research is actually the product of collaboration among many faculty and staff of Silliman and other universities here and abroad. She also acknowledged the important role that the communities, LGUs, NGOs, NGAs, PO’s, and other stakeholders have played in the data gathering.

Despite Silliman’s financial challenges, Calumpong said that the research was possible through the support of funding agencies, both from government and private funding agencies here and abroad.

The national winners were determined by the five-member 2006 National Evaluation Committee headed by Dr. Emil Javier, President of the National Academy of Science and Technology and National Chair, AGHAM. The other members included Dr. Saturnino Ocampo Jr., CHED Commissioner, Dr. Filemon A. Uriarte Jr., Academician, National Academy of Science and Technology, Dr. Fortunato de la Pena, Undersecretary for Science and Technology Services of the Department of Science and Technology, and Dr. Mario Lamberte, Micro Finance Manager, EMERGE USAID.

ritche

May 9th, 2007, 08:01 PM

No to global warming! Yes to clean and green environment!Vote for partylist...

AGHAM

death327

May 9th, 2007, 08:08 PM

ritche

May 9th, 2007, 08:09 PM

I am just a supporter...

estella

May 12th, 2007, 09:09 PM

Lili,

Thanks for remembering my father, Magdalo V. Francisco, Sr. and his legacy. He truly was a remarkable and gifted inventor. He was also one of the very few if not the only chiropractor in the Philippines in his time.

By the way, the Banana Catsup was invented by Filipino Magdalo Francisco. He worked as a chief chemist/ food technologist in United Food Company (UFC). He guarded his secret formula for the banana catsup so closely that it was under lock and key and only he can authorize the concoction. He had this stipulation in his contract. When he was separated from work, he discovered that UFC was able to duplicate his secret banana catsup. So, he filed for infringement of patent and trademark against UFC for stealing his formula and using it for its own concoction of banana catsup. He won. Magdalo Francisco then built his own rival brand against soon becoming popular UFC Banana Catsup, which he called Mafran Catsup (the predecessor of Jufran). Mafran was not able to topple UFC in sales. So, he may have gotten some money from the case, but ultimately UFC garnered the rewards of his intellectual property --the famous UFC banana catsup that Filipinos prefer over tomato catsup. :banana:

For the actual case: http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1970/may1970/gr_29155_1970.html

death327

May 13th, 2007, 02:45 AM

CS recognition speech/ B.S. valedictory address
STAR SCIENCE By mikaela irene d. fudolig

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Pinagpapala ang Pinagpapalà:
The Role of the Scientist in Nation Building
2007 UP Diliman College of Science
B.S. Valedictory Address
Good afternoon.

Let me start my speech with this quote: "Pinagpapalà ang pinagpapala, at pinagpapala ang pinagpapalà."

For those who didnâ€™t get that, let me literally translate it in English: "Blessed are those who shovel, and those who are blessed are made to shovel." Of course, it loses its lyricism, so I repeat: "Pinagpapalà ang pinagpapala, at pinagpapala ang pinagpapalà."

From the various talks that I have attended, I noticed a general theme: that aside from being good students, which is the primary reason why all of us are here today to be recognized by the College of Science, we should have leadership capabilities and social responsibility. Of course, the fact that weâ€™re from UP sets great expectations.

Do I agree with that? I will make this clear: yes, I do agree. Academic excellence alone is a joy that you will most likely keep to yourself, and if not put to good use, then the University has invested on something for nothing.

The question now is: how do we, as scientists, help in nation building?

I have noticed, again, from the many talks that I have attended, that the common idea of "community service" is Sangguniang Kabataan. Red Cross. Gawad Kalinga. Opinion leaders view community service, which they correlate with nation building, as using physical energy to help the poor. You want to do community service? Solicit money from your congressman and donate a school building. You want to do community service? Help during calamities. You want to do community service? Build houses for the poor.

Again, let me make this clear: These ways are indeed community service. But are these the only ways to do community service? Should community service simply be giving something for nothing? Should community service necessarily involve a lot of legwork? Should the effects of community service be immediate?

Let me ask you now: When Michael Faraday discovered magnetic induction, was that community service?

When James Hutton developed and Charles Lyell promoted the theory of uniformitarianism, was that community service?

When our very own Alexander Edward Dy made it possible for amoebiasis to be tested based on salivary IgA instead of stool, was that community service?

Current conventional wisdom would answer: NO. Faraday had been criticized before for discovering something without practical use. And so what if slow geological processes occurred eons before and continue until now? And how can Alexander Dyâ€™s amoebiasis test serve the poor in the squattersâ€™ area? His method will definitely not give jobs to them. It wouldnâ€™t give them shelter. And itâ€™s not FREE.

But Faradayâ€™s discovery of magnetic induction is what led to using AC power in our homes. It is the reason we can power this microphone. It is why you have lights at home and in the classroom. It is why you can power your refrigerator.

The concept of uniformitarianism did nothing to help the poor, but it helped gain more understanding of the Earth. And it is uniformitarianism that influenced Charles Darwin in formulating his theory of evolution. And I think you know how influential Darwinâ€™s theory of natural selection has been.

Mr. Dyâ€™s amoebiasis test would probably not be given for free. It would not give them shelter, and most probably, wouldnâ€™t give jobs, at least not to the usual recipients of charity. But if amoebiasis can be diagnosed faster simply by getting the saliva of a patient, something which can be readily obtained, then more amoebiasis patients would be cured. More lives would be saved.

The community service of scientists is often underestimated. Our discoveries are often tagged as having no practical applications, of no use in calamities, and of no immediate help to the poor. If Faraday had concentrated on donating blood, if Hutton and Lyell focused on building houses, if Alexander Dy, now magna cum laude, insisted on tutoring every single kid in his barangay FOR FREE, then they would be considered by the majority as excellent servers of the community. But they would not have done what they have done. Where would we be now?

Fellow scientists, do not be disheartened. Our efforts may be devalued by those who seek immediate, visible, and tangible results. But the fact remains: science drives the technology that makes lives better all over the world. Our devotion to our craft, our unceasing search for our holy grail, that piece of knowledge that will change the way things are, is as much community service as the more popular and immediately recognized forms of giving. Let not the pressure to be recognized make us stray from our efforts to improve the life of humanity in the best way we can.

Thank you. * * *
Mikaela Irene Fudolig obtained her B.S. Physics degree (summa cum laude) from the University of the Philippines in April 2007. At barely 16 years old, she is the youngest B.S. graduate in UP history. This article was delivered during the 2007 College of Science Recognition Program where she was recognized with the Excellence Award in Undergraduate Studies. She trained at the National Institute of Physics, College of Science under the supervision of Dr. Jose Perico Esguerra. E-mail her at mikkifudolig@yahoo.com

Source: http://www.philstar.com/index.php?p=49&type=2&sec=36&aid=1225 (STAR)

Lili

May 14th, 2007, 01:46 AM

^^ Oh, it is good that you discovered that entry @estella. I have always been fascinated when I first read this story that was memorialized in Philippine Supreme Court reports. The fascination was also an offshoot of the fact that I so preferred Philippine banana catsup over tomato catsup when eating fried chicken. Thanks to the invention/concoction of your father. :)

So, he is also a chiropractor. If he had been a practitioner in this time, it would have been more lucrative because people now realize the value of the practice of chiropractors in treating musculo-spinal and bone ailments. During his time, I have read that the legitimacy of chiropractor was also questioned by medical associations. They also questioned the practitioners of "hilot". Now, massage and physical therapy are integral parts of the practice of both mainstream medicine and alternative healing. Truly, your father is a trailblazer who thought outside the box.

averatec3200

May 26th, 2007, 01:10 PM

There's also Philippine Engineering and Technology Center loacated at MEPZ2 Lapu-lapu City

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i176/vanvin/18602353362912l-1.jpg

The center is involved in the development of automotive junction boxes and harnesses.

death327

May 27th, 2007, 04:38 AM

Thank you averatec. Is it private or government funded?

averatec3200

May 28th, 2007, 08:20 AM

It is a private institution owned by Lear Corporation (http://www.lear.com). A US automotive supplier.

death327

May 28th, 2007, 11:35 AM

^^ thanks. Nest week ko na update yung thread na to. Medyo busy pa ako.

ritche

June 2nd, 2007, 03:40 AM

http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/9136/marinelabvp0.jpg

http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/311/96355826mm2.jpg
Scientists here conduct researches with national and international impact.

death327

August 3rd, 2007, 03:55 AM

Kraft Foods opens P67.9-M R&D Center

By Mia M. Gonzalez
Reporter

PRESIDENT Arroyo on Thursday inaugurated the P67.9-million Research and Development Center of Kraft Foods Philippines Inc. in Sucat, Parañaque City, which will serve as a regional hub for food product research and development services.

The President, with US Ambassador Kristie Kenny and Kraft officials led by Kraft Philippines president and general manager Ma. Victoria Tiongson, toured the facility which has a state-of-the-art pilot plant and packaging innovation laboratory for testing new products and packaging materials. The facility is fully staffed by Filipinos.

Tod Gimbel, Kraft Foods Asia-Pacific director for corporate affairs said Kraft decided to build the center as a manifestation of Kraft’s confidence in the Philippine economy.

“This new R&D center symbolizes our continued commitment to research and development because our future growth is built on innovation and breakthrough products. It also serves as a testimony to Kraft Foods’ commitment and confidence in the Philippines’ continued economic growth and development,” Gimbel said.

Tiongson said in a statement that the facility “boasts of an all-Filipino talent” and “shows how confident Kraft is in the Filipino’s abilities, which we believe is at par with those from other developed countries.”

Kenny told reporters after the tour that Kraft’s decision to establish a research and development center in the Philippines is a recognition “of great Filipino talent.”

“You have wonderful engineers, food safety specialists. I think it’s a pretty exciting example of great American companies and products being done here by talented Filipinos,” she said.

James Andrade, Kraft Foods Asia Pacific vice president for research and development, said in a press briefing that the Philippines was chosen to host the new facility because of Kraft’s long history with the country which just entered its 44th year, and the Philippines’ strategic location in “supporting product development across the region.”

“The Southeast Asian market continues to be an important one for Kraft food and we’ll continue to try to develop that market, and provide the products that will [respond to] consumers needs and expectations,” Andrade said.

He added that another factor for setting the center in the Philippines “are the people who make up our workforce here at all levels in all functions,” which he said he mentioned to President Arroyo during the tour of the new facility.

“We have a tremendous groups of people who work here,” Andrade said.

He said that the Philippines R&D center will be Kraft Asia’s “center of excellence for beverages technology,” which will complement other Kraft “centers of expertise” in the region, such as its center for cheese and dairy in Melbourne, Australia, “biscuit-type products” in China, and joint ventures in Seoul, Korea and Tokyo, Japan.

Asked how the Philippines managed to position itself as a center for Kraft’s beverage technology in the region, Andrade explained that in Kraft, areas of expertise are developed based on the available skills in a particular area.

“Over time, we developed our [Philippine] researchers and scientists in addition to producing cheese and biscuit products, to get a very deep knowledge and understanding of powdered beverages [and] flavors as [they relate] to powdered beverages that can be supported across Asia and the region,” he said.

Andrade said that such research has led to the development of products that are unique to the Philippines, such as Mango Tang—which is popular in the Philippines but not in the West.

The inauguration of the R&D Center coincided with the 44th year of Kraft Foods in the country.

For another article check this: Crafting food (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0803&042007/perspective01.html)

le Reine

August 3rd, 2007, 01:55 PM

^^this is good news indeed. not to mention that it would be built in my beloved city!

death327

August 3rd, 2007, 07:43 PM

And an additional job for researchers! At least to lower down underemployment. :)

tigidig14

August 4th, 2007, 06:22 AM

neat compilation, soul

kiretoce

August 11th, 2007, 05:08 AM

Philippines’ lack of a culture of research and science (http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view_article.php?article_id=81647)

I agree with Prof. Flor Lacanilao (Inquirer, 7/30/07) in his observation about the Philippines’ poor record in science and technology. There is indeed hesitance among Filipino scholars, both in the social and natural sciences, to publish in internationally reviewed journals. A practical reason for this is the acute lack of resources for research and publications in all local universities.

The government’s lack of support for science and technology is well documented although there have been significant improvements lately. The Balik-Scientist Program, long dormant, has been renewed, hoping thereby to attract overseas-based scientists back to the Philippines. The proposed 2008 budget for the Department of Science and Technology has been significantly increased.

However, despite these positive signs, a more basic problem lies unexamined -- the lack of a culture of research. An Inquirer editorial nearly a decade ago -- Oct. 20, 1999 -- asked: “As a nation, then, are we forever consigned to backwardness and pre-modernism, bound to commit errors of judgment and short-sightedness because we have failed to develop a scientific attitude that can explain the world and predict its vagaries?”

The theme of this year’s meeting of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) -- “A Progressive Philippines Anchored on Science: Building a Culture of Science” -- is unlikely to succeed until we know the basis for building a culture of science. Such a culture will first of all require a stronger separation between private beliefs and scientific knowledge. Only if the world is perceived in certain ways (e.g., unambiguous realities, regularity and predictability, falsifiability, disenchantment, a present-constitutive future) is it likely to result in a scientific attitude.

While culture is only one element that shapes this perception, its salience is undeniable. For many Filipinos, including scientists, private beliefs and public knowledge are inextricably entwined. Nature is seen as animated by supernatural forces, thereby preventing its rational amenability. A high level of achieved competence rather than the common practice of ascribed privileges through membership in networks or systems of patronage is necessary for science and technology to prosper.

A paradox presents itself -- there are many Filipino scientists despite the absence of a culture of science. This indicates that culture, however important, is only one factor for science and technology. However, without a culture of science, the Philippines will lag behind its more ambitious neighbors in the global search for technical progress and equitable development.

Sinjin P.

August 20th, 2007, 06:22 AM

STI to build academic center in Global City (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/08202007/economy03.html)
EIGHT-STORY P250-M COMPLEX TO HOUSE MODERN SCHOOL, R&D CENTER AND GYM

By Honey Madrilejos-Reyes
Reporter

STI, one of the leading and largest educational institutions in the country, is building a P250-million academic center in the posh Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

The eight-story complex will house a modern school, a research and development center and state-of-the art gymnasium.

“After being awarded the lease contract by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority for the Campus Gateway property, STI is now geared up for the construction of the building due to be completed in 2008,” said STI president and chief executive Monico V. Jacob.

The facility forms part of the P1.5-billion expansion program of STI, which also includes the recent establishment of the Delos Santos-STI Megaclinic in SM Megamall, investments in Delos Santos-STI Medical Center and the ongoing expansion of STI campuses through acquisition of properties in several areas all over the country.

Earlier, STI and ePLDT, through Ventus Contact Centers, signed a memorandum of agreement to help address the fast-growing manpower requirement of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the Philippines.

Under the agreement, ePLDT will provide a Customer Service Representative (CSR) training program that will be embedded as an elective in the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology curriculum of STI.

This special elective course focuses on call-center fundamentals (with special focus on English proficiency). The program will run for two semesters and will include a training program for teachers that will ensure that STI graduates will be equipped with skills that meet the standards of the BPO industries.

Graduates of the program can take the preemployment qualification exam of e-PLDT to immediately be employed as CSRs or technical support representatives in one of their seven sites. They also have the option to use their training to have job-placement opportunities in other call centers.

The BPO industry here generates around 200,000 jobs or more every year.

kiretoce

August 24th, 2007, 04:30 AM

Pinoy scientists develop device to monitor patients' heart activity level (http://www.bayanihan.org/html/article.php/20070823160659270)

A new activity monitoring system was developed to help heart patients achieve success from their post surgical rehabilitation program.

Axel activity monitor, a small device worn on the wrist of a patient, is capable of measuring the level of activity of a patient undergoing post surgical rehabilitation, said Allan N. Estrella, one of the developers and winners of 2007 Magsaysay Future Engineers/Technologists Award.

The competition aims to encourage Bachelor of Science (BS) students whose research outputs would be significant contribution to research and development in Science and Technology specifically on engineering and technology.

Heart illnesses affect Filipinos more than any other diseases.

In 2003, it affected 67,696 per 100,000 population or a mortality rate of 83 percent, data from the Department of Health said.

In 2004, the ailment, also known as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) was one of the leading causes of morbidity in the country affecting a total of 37,092 Filipinos, separate data from the National Statistics Office said.

Around 1,035 open heart surgeries were performed at the Philippine Heart Center last year.

In the wake of absence of locally-made activity monitoring system, Axel was conceived, Estrella said.

"By the use of an activity monitor, it is possible to assess more completely and accurately the frequency, duration, and intensity of a patient's physical activities. It will help the doctor objectively determine if the current rehabilitation treatment is working or if changes are necessary," he said.

Physical activity monitoring is crucial in the post surgical rehabilitation program. It helps patients regain strength and mobility and to prevent their condition from getting worse.

"It can classify an activity as sedentary, light, moderate, or vigorous," it added.

The device, which runs on three AAA battery, is a low-cost yet reliable compared to the imported gadgets that are already commercially available.

An imported device costs roughly P98,000, whereas Axel is economically-accessible to Filipinos at P8,800.

Composed of a memory card that stores the logged activity measurement of patients undergoing post surgical rehabilitation, the device downloads and analyzes the summary of the patient's daily physical activity.

The components of Axel system is the Axel monitor, a device which is worn on the wrist, the Axel reader which downloads data to the PC and the Axel viewer which provides a graphical presentation of data to the user.

Aside from post surgery rehabilitation, activity level monitoring can be used in treatment of sleeping disorders, obesity and diabetes, and exercise energy expenditure calculations.

The technology, fresh off the oven, was completed last April 2007.

It is not yet commercialized, and has no patent yet, he said.

Estrella's team is composed of colleagues from UP, Sheila Marie Baticulon and Sheryl Anne Joson.

kiretoce

October 1st, 2007, 04:29 PM

People around the world use cellphones as wallets (http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/252955.html)

SAN MIGUEL, Philippines -- It's Thursday, so Dennis Tiangco, 18, is off to the bank to collect his weekly allowance, zapped by his mother who's working in Hong Kong to his electronic wallet: his cellphone.

Sauntering into a branch of GM Bank in the town of San Miguel, Tiangco fills out a form and sends a text message via his phone to a bank line dedicated to the service.

In a matter of seconds, the transaction is approved and the teller gives him 2,500 pesos ($54), minus a 1 percent fee. He doesn't need a bank account to retrieve the money.

More than 5.5 million Filipinos use their cellphones as virtual wallets, making the Philippines a leader among developing nations in providing financial transactions over mobile networks.

Mobile banking services, which are also catching on in Kenya and South Africa, enable people who don't have bank accounts to transfer money easily, quickly and safely. It's spreading in the developing world because mobile phones are much more common than bank accounts.

The system is particularly useful for the 8 million Filipinos -- 10 percent of the country's citizens -- who work overseas and send money home, like Tiangco's mother, Anna Tiangco.

She used to send money via a bank wire transfer, which costs $2.50 and takes two days to clear.

The cellphone method costs 13 cents and is nearly instantaneous.

"The good thing here is, wherever my children are, they can text me, and I can send money immediately," she said by telephone from Hong Kong.

Consumers can also store limited amounts of money on their cellphones to buy things at stores that participate in the network, although the practice isn't widespread in the Philippines.

"Even if we are far apart, it's like we are still together," Anna Tiangco said. "This is like my wallet now."

kiretoce

October 1st, 2007, 04:42 PM

Philippines Leads In Electronic Money (http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008680104)

Philippines (AHN) -- Nearly six million Filipinos now use mobile telephones to move electronic cash, a leader among developing countries in the brave new world of e-wallets.

The technology works best in developing countries where there are more cellphones than there are bank accounts. One does not need a bank account in so-called mobile banking to transfer money electronically.

All it takes in electronic money transfer is to use short messaging services, or text messages, at a cost of about P1 per transaction.

It is a boon to eight million Filipinos who work abroad and send cash home, according to the Associated Press. Overseas Filipinos sent home US$12.7 billion last year.

Globe, one of the country's major telecoms players, generates about US$100 million a month in money transfer. It has about half a million users of the electronic cash transfer.

At home, many use cellphones to send "loads" to replenish the value of prepaid subscribers. More than 41 million cellphone use mobile phones to send text messages.

Meanwhile, SMART Communications, the country's other major telecoms player, has been permitted by the Central Bank to access US$50 million in foreign loan for the expansion of its third-generation services.

The loan would be used to expand SMART's 3G services from its present 800 sites in 119 cities and towns, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

bariQ

October 2nd, 2007, 01:57 AM

^^ thats cool to know
advanced talaga ang pinoy basta sa cellphone... sana makagawa tayo ng cellphone din kahit basic like my nokia 1100. very basic

kiretoce

October 2nd, 2007, 03:31 AM

^^ That'd be cool! :okay: What do you think will be the name of the brand? It has to be something Tatak Pinoy though. :colgate:

Askal82

October 2nd, 2007, 03:38 AM

^^ Bokia :lol:

bitoy

October 2nd, 2007, 04:26 AM

^^ Bokia :lol:

Pinoy cellPong - Battery-less (just use a jumper cable and throw it on the power lines) Plus the added feature - (Rotary Dial) :bash:

:lol: Bo-Kia = That's my grade in Chinese school classes.

bariQ

October 2nd, 2007, 04:43 AM

AH-7Raja

October 10th, 2007, 06:46 AM

when it comes to tech theres no match for the pinoy baby-making machine :lol:

i also believe that we should more on bio and agri sciences since we dont have the capability to create high tech money making equiment.

Yes we do. Its just a matter of how much political-will that our government officials have. Although corruptions are demonizing our leaders...

I give you an example, like to develop an indiginous fighter jet may cost us about P100-200 Million. Marketing phase is just another story, but a political-will may bring it into a reality. Developing our own electronic equipments, robotic and computerized machines, commercial vehicles or aircrafts and even ships/warships are one of the top dollar earners.

I guess we should start developing atleast one of those potential dollar earners NOW. :)

MirageBistro

October 13th, 2007, 06:17 AM

Traffic lights.
agreed 100%

icarusrising

February 15th, 2008, 04:53 PM

RP urged to take lead
in GM crop growing

By Jennifer A. Ng
Reporter

THE International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications (ISAAA) challenged the Philippines to take the lead in the production of genetically modified (GM) crops in Asia.

Clive James, chairman and founder of ISAAA, said the Philippines is considered one of the 23 leading countries in the world that continues to expand the planting of biotech crops.

“This is not the time to be modest. This is the time to be bold,” said James in a press briefing in Makati City Thursday.

In its latest report entitled “2007 Global Status of Commercialized GM/Biotech Crops,” ISAAA disclosed that the biotech-crop area grew by 12 percent to 114.3 million hectares, the second-highest area increase in the past five years.

ISAAA noted that the number of developing countries planting biotech crops (12 against 11) surpassed the number of industrialized countries, and the growth rate in the developing world was three times that of industrialized nations (21 percent compared with 6 percent).

Last year the Philippines was considered as one of the growth areas as farmlands planted to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn expanded to 250,000 hectares of farmland or 25-percent more than areas planted to Bt corn in 2006.

James noted that Asia will be a key growth area in GM crop production during the second decade of biotech commercialization, or from 2006 to 2015.

“If we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] of cutting hunger and poverty in half by 2015, biotech crops must play an even bigger role in the next decade,” he said.

ISAAA noted that biotech crops have delivered unprecedented benefits that contribute toward the MDGs, particularly in countries like China, India and South Africa.

MDGs are eight goals to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world’s main development challenges.

In 2007 ISAAA report noted that the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India and China continue to be the principal adopters of biotech crops globally.

“I predict that the number of biotech countries, crops, traits, area and farmers will all grow substantially in the second decade of adoption,” said James.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0215&162008/economy03.html

icarusrising

February 16th, 2008, 06:57 PM

Underwater robot tops DOST tech contest

By Rudy A. Fernandez
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Philippine Star

An underwater robot crafted by Filipino engineers won the top award in the annual Aquatic Technology Competition and Marketplace (ATCOM) sponsored by a government research council.

A research titled “Cream of Tilapia” placed second, while another on a vaccine that could protect tilapia from bacterial attack was third.

The researchers of the new award-winning technologies recently received cash prizes and plaques during a program marking the observance of the 20th anniversary of the Los Baños-based Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (DOST-PCAMRD).

ATCOM, according to PCAMRD executive director Rafael Guerrero III, is an annual activity of the council during which outstanding technologies are cited for their significant contributions to the country’s aquatic and marine industry and to the national economy as a whole.

With Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro as its guest speaker, the anniversary celebration had for its theme “Innovative Strategies for Technology Commercialization.”

Named Angel One ROV or Angel I Mk. 2, the remotely operated underwater robot was manufactured by Roboteknik, a start-up company formed by former students of the Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) and Indiana Aerospace University.

It was the robot’s first generation that won the ATCOM first prize, which carried a cash prize of P150,000 and a plaque of recognition. Michael Poblete of Poblete Inc. in Kawit, Cavite received the award.

Perlita Tiburcia of the Nueva Vizcaya State University in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya received the award (P100,000 and a plaque) for the second prize (Cream of Tilapia).

Third placer was the research project titled “Autogenous Multivalent Vaccine against Fish Bacterial Pathogens such as Aeromoenas hydrophila and Streptococcus Inise” by the researchers of the Central Luzon State University-Freshwater Aquaculture Center (CLSU-FAC) in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Apolinario Yambot received the P30,000 cash prize and plaque.

The underwater robot was the result of years of extensive testing and engineering.

The operator or pilot who controls the robot remains safely on the ship or boat while the ROV transmits live video footage.

The vehicle can extensively monitor coral reefs with convenience and ease and its operation is much less expensive than that of human divers.

Moreover, it can spot possible areas that may leak and thus prevent oil spills. It can also scan pipelines and detect sources of leaks, and those that need repair.

Further, the robot can more extensively inspect offshore and inland structures (reservoirs, dams, potable water tanks, dikes, and canals) than human divers, thus better protecting the structures from failure through early detection of possible failure points.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Science%20and%20Technology&p=49&type=2&sec=36&aid=2008021376

icarusrising

February 22nd, 2008, 10:35 AM

RP-made Intel processor powers
newly launched MacBook Air

By Victor Sollorano
Senior Editor
The Business Mirror

SINGAPORE—Intel processors that power the MacBook Air launched by Apple Corp. last month are assembled and tested in the Philippines.

The silicon wafer that is at the heart of the Intel Core 2 Duo processor of the notebook computer is made in Israel and the US. They are then shipped to a plant in Gateway Business Park, General Trias City in Cavite, where Intel Corp. runs an assembly and testing facility, said William TY Wu, regional marketing manager of Intel Technology Asia Pte. Ltd.

Wu said the processor for the MacBook Air was custom-built by Intel to specifications ordered by Apple Corp. MacBook Air is the thinnest notebook computer in the world today at a thickness of 0.16 inch to 0.76 inch.

Wu spoke to BusinessMirror late Wednesday during the closing dinner for Microsoft’s Asia-Pacific launch summit that introduced the software giant’s Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 to reporters in the region.

An executive of Intel Technology Philippines Inc., who spoke on condition that he not be named, said in January that 96 percent of the manufacturing process of the Intel Core 2 Duo for the MacBook Air “go through the hands of Filipino assemblers in Intel Cavite.”

Filipino assemblers refer to the processor as the Santa Inez, a code used specifically for the processor that Apple has ordered.

“[The Filipino assemblers] didn’t have a clue what they were building at that time, until Apple unveiled the MacBook Air,” the Intel Philippines executive said.

The Santa Ines is about 50-percent smaller than the normal Intel Core 2 Duo other notebook makers like Acer, Compaq and HP use in their laptop computers.

Intel, however, can sell the Santa Inez to other laptop makers as “Apple lets us sell to other notebook manufacturers,” Wu said.

The Core 2 Duo for the MacBook Air has an on-chip Level Two cache that runs at full processor speeds of 1.6 Gigahertz (GHz) and 1.8 GHz, according to Apple documents available to the public.

Intel Cavite also hosts facilities for product engineering and design, apart from the assembly and testing aspects of the manufacturing process for computer processors.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0222&232008/headlines05.html

chocolato1000

February 22nd, 2008, 10:59 AM

^^ ang galing ng pinoy! sana continuous na ang take-off ng Intel sa Philippines!

sana magkaroon narin ng Apple Store sa Pinas! :dance:

johnmizer

February 22nd, 2008, 02:00 PM

intel is a foreign brand, buti sana kug gumagawa tayo ng pc parts na sariling atin, yung taiwan, dami nilang gawang sariling moherboard, at mas maganda pa boards nila sa intel

Wind Shear

February 22nd, 2008, 03:22 PM

By the way. Don't you know the parts of the iSight and Apple keyboard are made in Cebu?

chocolato1000

February 22nd, 2008, 06:44 PM

not only that, alam nu ba na maraming components ng mga apple products gaya ng Ipod ay gawa sa pinas? saka electronics ang main export natin, nakapanghihinayang nga lang kasi puros foreign multinationals ang brand.

johnmizer

February 23rd, 2008, 12:18 AM

talagang bang yung promac lang ang pinoy brand na gumagawa ng electronics? asides sa mga karaoke mics? aanhin natin yang mga componenets, ang pinapayaman niyo lang ay ang mac at intel.

flymordecai

February 23rd, 2008, 06:47 PM

Where are the Filipino inventors and innovators? I remember there was an article about that, saying innovation is the most important thing in the field of Science and Technology. But why don't see our own Filipino computer and technology companies? It seems instead of creating, we only offer services (such as manufacturing or BPO) while we leave it to other nations to innovate and invent. I want my own Filipino-made cell phone. With the celphone-centric Philippines, I'm sure we'd design a nice one. :D

chocolato1000

February 23rd, 2008, 07:11 PM

^^ it's either they're working overseas or working for a foreign company in the philippines. maraming mga filipino inventors wala lang support ang gobyerno. :cheers:

johnmizer

February 24th, 2008, 03:57 PM

yeah, what ever happend to the h20 pwered car ni mr tingel? from what i heard, na benz na sya at yun na daw ang ginagamint ng benz

icarusrising

February 26th, 2008, 10:15 AM

DOST’s Balik Scientist Program:
Brain drain becomes brain gain

Opinion from the Business Mirror
by Atty. Patricia A. O. Bunye
On Firm Ground

The Philippines is a nation of wanderers. Our Malay and Indonesian ancestors wandered into Philippine shores, possibly in search of the fabled greener pastures. It is no wonder that Filipinos today are tracing their footsteps.

With continued emigration of not only skilled manpower but also Filipino professionals, the Philippines now faces the problem of “brain drain,” with many of our highly educated countrymen leaving for distant shores to seek better opportunities. There are many stories of engineers, doctors, scientists and scholars going overseas, where they eventually make names for themselves, allowing us back home to bask in their reflected glory.

Such “brain drain,” however, does not necessarily mean that our country is at the losing end, nor does it mean that we will not eventually benefit from what appears to be an exodus of Filipinos.

A distinct and endearing custom of ours is the pasalubong—the gift that you bring back when you return home, a nice present from abroad that is usually not locally available. When a Filipino leaves his home, it never is a loss. He will surely someday come back, whether for a visit or for good, and will bring something welcome and beneficial when he returns.

This tradition is embodied in the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Balik Scientist Program, which encourages science and technology experts to return to the Philippines in order to share their expertise, thereby accelerating our country’s growth through the development of academic, public and private institutions. The DOST is currently encouraging the return of scientists particularly in the fields which have the greatest impact on our economy, namely, biofuel, biotechnology, environment, information and communications tecnhology and pharmaceuticals.

Among the incentives for the Balik Scientist awardees are: rountrip airfare for the Balik Scientist Awardee, his/her spouse and two direct minor dependents; duty-free importation of professional implements and tools; travel-tax exemption; reimbursement of freight expenses; grants in aid for research projects; exemption from visa, immigration and registration fees; and registration/ licensure exemption assistance.

Balik Scientists who have availed of the program include physical/inorganic chemist Dr. Teresita Frianeza-Kullberg, immunologist/biophysicist; Dr. Eduardo A. Padlan from the US National Institute of Health; and chemist Victor C. Gavino from the University of Montreal, Canada.

These Balik Scientists are expected to revitalize Philippine science and technology by providing fresh insights and ideas which may be incorporated into local research and development. They are also expected to transfer the skills they have honed abroad to their local colleagues to hasten the technological and scientific developments.

The horizons these Balik Scientists have been exposed to provide them with broader perspective, the ability to think out of the Filipino kahon. The technology they have been exposed to, as well as the skills they have mastered, may be directed toward problems and challenges faced by the Philippines today.

The task of encouraging the return of scientists and technology experts to repatriate is not a unique one. Similar programs have been implemented in other Asian countries.

In China, for example, the phenomenon has been called “the march of the sea turtles,” since the Mandarin word hai gui for “returnee” sounds the same as that for “sea turtle.”

China has offered its scientists its “Action Plan to Vitalize Education in the 21st Century,” its “Senior Creative Talents Project,” as well as the “100 Talents” program which provides generous salaries and research budgets to promising returnee scientists.

Thailand, through its Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, also has a similar “Reverse Brain Drain Project” in order to attract foreign-educated Thai talent, especially those from Japan, North America and Europe.

Singapore has also embarked on a scholarship program for Singapore students to study abroad and to obtain experience for several years from a leading research institution.

These programs are not limited to Asians alone. Even Western countries have established similar programs to retain and attract scientists, such as the program launched by the British government in cooperation with the Wolfson Foundation, which aims to attract Britain’s leading expatriate scientists as well as top young researchers into the United Kingdom.

France, on the other hand, tracks the return of homegrown talent through an information portal for expatriates, and provides fiscal services to assist expatriates who wish to move back to France, as well as retirement plans for former residents returning to France.

In Australia fellowships have been created to identify outstanding Australian expatriates to encourage them to return home. Other Western countries have set up similar programs to repatriate their scientists.

Clearly, there is a global competition for scientists and technologists, in view of a projected increase in demand for their skills. The Philippines will need to step up its efforts to make the return of Filipino scientific and technical talent more attractive. The Balik Scientist Program is certainly a timely and strategic move by the Department of Science and Technology to turn “brain drain” into “brain gain.”

****

Atty. Patricia A. O. Bunye is a Partner at Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco (www.cvclaw.com). Her areas of specialization are intellectual property (particularly IP commercialization, including licensing and franchising) and mining and natural resources. She is the president of the Licensing Executives Society Philippines. She may be reached at po.bunye@cvclaw.com

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/02262008/opinion02.html

icarusrising

February 26th, 2008, 11:19 AM

From the opinion is more of Science, Teachnology and Society...

Philippine Silicon Valley

BY DENNIS POSADAS
The Business World

Technology & democracy
When we Filipinos revolted against Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, one of the things that kept us together was Radio Veritas. Although AM radio still keeps a large part of our population in touch, to a certain extent information technology has supplanted many of our mass media tools. SMS text for example, helped to bring Joseph Estrada down from power. In both these cases, technology helped to keep us united and act as one. Which brings me to the next question. How does media and these new information technology tools shape what we as a people think of our government, our leaders, and our nation as a whole?

* * *

In a feudal society such as the Philippines, where most of our citizens live below the poverty line, people at the bottom have traditionally been influenced by their "amo" (boss) who gives them employment and takes care of them. In many cases, the amo tries to influence his underlings who they should vote for. This is to ensure the survival of the interests of the amo. Some bosses are enlightened but oftentimes, it is the personal interests and not the nation’s interest that comes first. Coupled with the fact that our electoral process is so slow and relies on thousands of people to do their jobs to make it work properly, it is no wonder that our government has suffered year in and year out from distrust. All this has resulted in a boiling cauldron that has not really been cooled by our previous "so-called" revolutions.

* * *

With many Filipinos (even from the C and D sectors) living abroad in developed societies where egalitarian values under the law are practiced, and with the advent of ubiquitous or easily available technologies like the Internet and cellphones, Filipinos of various ages and social groupings are now able to freely exchange ideas. Before, free speech was really only mostly for the journalists and the public figures who talked regularly before the public. Now, everyone can blog or react to an e-group. Most people were merely readers or listeners before, except perhaps if they joined rallies or distributed flyers. But now everyone makes his or her thoughts and ideas known to everyone in their e-mail list or social networking group. Democracy exists in the Philippines, to the extent that we can say what we want, given the limitations set forth by our Constitution and laws.

* * *

The current clamor to bring down Gloria Arroyo, is again following the same line as 1986, and that of Joseph Estrada. It will keep happening because we have never learned from the lessons of EDSA. It will keep happening because technology makes it even easier for all of us to go to the streets. What is scarier is that in the future, we may no longer need a Cardinal Sin to ask us to go to the streets. It may be someone we do not know, operating through Friendster or some other group, who triggers groups within our society to revolt. Developed societies like the US, France and Russia have only had one revolution each. All their revolutions were bloody. Because they were bloody, their people resolved that they did not want to have another one. Their revolutions were real because more than just a change of leadership, they actually changed their values and their form of government. This is why these countries have processes that they stick to, in order to change their leaders. So before the time comes when we no longer know who is asking us to go into the streets, because we know it is getting much too easy to get sucked into one, let us first consider changing ourselves. Technology may have made it easier for us to get together and exchange ideas which is why we should be more responsible in how we use it. Once the ideal conditions are set for a conflagration to spread, we may no longer have the means to stop it in the future.

E-mail the author at dennisposadas@yahoo.com

--------------------

Story Location: http://www.itmatters.com.ph/columns.php?id=posadas_022608

odyssey

March 30th, 2008, 08:58 PM

Neo Explore: breaking barriers for laptop users
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/03312008/headlines02.html
By Alma Anonas-Carpio
Correspondent

IN a joint effort to “break the barriers of affordability and availability,” local computer maker Neo Manufacturing and Services Inc. and Intel Technology Philippines Inc. launched over the weekend a “netbook” computer that is less than a third of the price of a conventional laptop computer.

According to Mariel Que, business development manager of Neo, the Neo Explore netbook was designed as a “ruggedized” laptop for children in primary school.

At the launch, Intel country manager Ricky Banaag said the netbook, though primarily designed for a “very young market,” is versatile enough for first-time PC users who wish to buy and use a laptop computer only for “Internet-centric” activities such as chatting, web phone and surfing, as it is “focused more on web consumption than [photo or video] editing.” It has the capacity for a webcam.

The Neo Explore netbook is “highly portable,” Banaag said. It weighs only 1.45 pounds. It comes with a 10-inch screen, a full querty keyboard and touchpad designed for the hands and fingers of children.

The netbook is slightly wider in dimensions than a typical grade-schooler’s lunch box. It packs a 30-gigabyte flash memory—in lieu of a hard drive—512 megabytes of RAM, WiFi, USB 2.0 jack, basic Windows XP Startup operating system and an Intel Atom processor chipset. It has a battery life of four hours, with components that are “highly power-efficient,” including its Intel Atom chipset, Que said.

“All in all, with the 45-nanometer Atom processor, which is the smallest processor in the world, the Neo Explore provides an affordable laptop for children and adults alike,” Banaag said. The suggested retail price for the Explore is P16,999.

Que said the Neo Explore’s 30-gigabyte capacity is “7.5 times larger than the [data] storage capacity offered by other netbooks [in] the market.”

Neo’s primary position is that the Explore is a “personal learning device for students and that it is an easy-to-carry communications gadget,” she added.

Banaag said that while the Atom “was not specifically designed for netbook devices, he expects the newest and smallest Intel chip to find its way into an “array of computing devices, specifically highly portable devices that demand greater energy efficiency” and lower heat emissions.

The Atom processor “is the name for a new family of low-power processors designed specifically for mobile Internet devices and a new class of simple and affordable Internet-centric computers,” according to Intel.

Banaag said Intel sees a “tremendous opportunity for PC users to have access to more affordable laptop PCs,” adding that demand for the Neo Explore “is very strong.”

Nabartek

March 30th, 2008, 09:17 PM

At last finally found my thread..nirelocate pala?

Anyway...my proposals...
1. PREPAID JEEPNEYS, sana swipe card na para no prob na si bosing sa pagkolekta ng pamasahe natin.
2. JEEPNEYS w/ BUZZERS (some jeepneys in Cebu are having this para alam na ng driver's pag may bababa...)
3. Automated Toilets (especially public toilets...people are too lazy to flush these toilets...)
4. More visible street signs (especially in EDSA, when my dad drove the first time, one mistake in the driving it will take you a long way back especially when the roads split and those big buses are in front of you..too annoying)
5. New mix in malls (i don't know what this mix is yet...)

Dapat ala-MRT yung dating ng Jeepney natin(sa pamasahe)

Yung ibang Jeep namin, may buzzer. Hehehe

Dapat ang meron, alarm kapag may tumapak sa bowl sa ladies rest room. Sobrang kadiri kasi eh, walang respeto sa public rr.

odyssey

March 30th, 2008, 10:01 PM

The Neo Laptop looks cool! Tatak Pilipinas using Intel technology.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/03312008/images/index-1stpic.jpg
CHILDREN check out the Neo Explore, the “netbook” launched by Neo Manufacturing and Services Inc. and Intel Technology Philippines Inc. targeted at students and first-time laptop buyers. Those behind it tout it as a joint effort to “break the barriers of affordability and availability.” --ROY DOMINGO

Neo Explore: breaking barriers for laptop users
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/03312008/headlines02.html
By Alma Anonas-Carpio
Correspondent

IN a joint effort to “break the barriers of affordability and availability,” local computer maker Neo Manufacturing and Services Inc. and Intel Technology Philippines Inc. launched over the weekend a “netbook” computer that is less than a third of the price of a conventional laptop computer.

According to Mariel Que, business development manager of Neo, the Neo Explore netbook was designed as a “ruggedized” laptop for children in primary school.

At the launch, Intel country manager Ricky Banaag said the netbook, though primarily designed for a “very young market,” is versatile enough for first-time PC users who wish to buy and use a laptop computer only for “Internet-centric” activities such as chatting, web phone and surfing, as it is “focused more on web consumption than [photo or video] editing.” It has the capacity for a webcam.

The Neo Explore netbook is “highly portable,” Banaag said. It weighs only 1.45 pounds. It comes with a 10-inch screen, a full querty keyboard and touchpad designed for the hands and fingers of children.

The netbook is slightly wider in dimensions than a typical grade-schooler’s lunch box. It packs a 30-gigabyte flash memory—in lieu of a hard drive—512 megabytes of RAM, WiFi, USB 2.0 jack, basic Windows XP Startup operating system and an Intel Atom processor chipset. It has a battery life of four hours, with components that are “highly power-efficient,” including its Intel Atom chipset, Que said.

“All in all, with the 45-nanometer Atom processor, which is the smallest processor in the world, the Neo Explore provides an affordable laptop for children and adults alike,” Banaag said. The suggested retail price for the Explore is P16,999.

Que said the Neo Explore’s 30-gigabyte capacity is “7.5 times larger than the [data] storage capacity offered by other netbooks [in] the market.”

Neo’s primary position is that the Explore is a “personal learning device for students and that it is an easy-to-carry communications gadget,” she added.

Banaag said that while the Atom “was not specifically designed for netbook devices, he expects the newest and smallest Intel chip to find its way into an “array of computing devices, specifically highly portable devices that demand greater energy efficiency” and lower heat emissions.

The Atom processor “is the name for a new family of low-power processors designed specifically for mobile Internet devices and a new class of simple and affordable Internet-centric computers,” according to Intel.

Banaag said Intel sees a “tremendous opportunity for PC users to have access to more affordable laptop PCs,” adding that demand for the Neo Explore “is very strong.”

odyssey

March 31st, 2008, 07:08 PM

eXplore X1: New netbook to compete with Asus eeePC

NEO recently announced the availability of the first locally branded, Internet-centric netbook PC called the NEO eXplore X1, The new Intel-powered portable computing device, based on the Intel classmate PC design, aims to reduce the affordability gap for PC ownership and to compete directly with the commercially successful Asus eeePC. The 1.4Kg Neo eXplore X1, with a Celeron 900MHz CPU, Windows XP Starter Edition, 7" LCD screen, 512MB RAM and 30GB Flash-based HDD, is priced at P16,999.00.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/mar/31/yehey/techtimes/20080331tech9.html

IAMME

April 4th, 2008, 04:10 PM

urban Iegend

April 4th, 2008, 07:19 PM

http://www.lsu-visca.edu.ph/cuts/web_bg.jpg
Visayas State University
Baybay, Leyte
Visayas State University was formerly named the Leyte State University (LSU) in Baybay City, Philippines. It continues to specialize in agricultural research and education, including work in jatropha propagation and development of a dwarf macapuno coconut. The university also hosts a program on reforestation, and features an annual pig-skinning competition.

RD&E Programs:
National Coconut Research Center - Visayas
Philippine Root Crop Research & Training Center
National Abaca Research Center
Visayas Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Program
Farm and Resource Management Institute

http://www.nmp.gov.ph/images/logosun2x.jpg
National Maritime Polytechnic
Cabalawan, Tacloban City

Research Services - RESEARCHES CONDUCTED/ COMPLETED BY NMP 2001 - 2006

1.Benchmarking the Maritime Training Centers in the Philippines (2006)
2.The Management Level Training and Development Plan: An Examination of Training Requirements, Training Availability and of the NMP's Role (2006)
3.Stress Management Profile of Filipino Seafarers (August 2006)
4.The Human Factor in Marine Casualties and Incidents in the Philippines(April 2002)(Revised Research, June 2006)*
5.Factors Affecting Career Progression of Filipino Merchant Marine Officers to STCW '95 Management Level Positions(October 2005)
6.Can the Philippines Produce a Greater Number of Officers to Comply with Global Demands?
7.Profile of Employed Filipino Ratings (July 2003)
8.Survey on the Health-Related Problems of Seafarers in the Workplace(September 2002)
9.Profile of Women Executives in the Maritime Sector(May 2002)
10.Mixed Nationality Crews: The Filipino Seafarers Experience (April 2002)

3D-CAD

April 12th, 2008, 10:58 PM

Here's what's been keeping me busy since last year:

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5609/logoblueax1dg0pk6.jpg (http://www.seafdec.org.ph)
Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
Aquaculture Department
C8W4a0v008k

I hope you like it. My favorite part is towards the end.
Scenes were shot in Iloilo, Guimaras, Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon City.

Very Promising ! I liked it. I suppose, the Philippines being an archipelago, has an inherent advantage for aquaculture. This could be our niche in the industry.

PINOYmeat

April 14th, 2008, 02:53 AM

Lexmark deems Cebu fit for R&D operations
Monday, April 14, 2008

American developer and manufacturer of printing solutions, Lexmark, recently completed its research and development facility at the Cebu Business Park which houses its state-of-the-art multi-million dollar technical facilities.

In a press conference held recently, Lexmark president and chief executive officer Stan Combs said that their expansion in Cebu was the result of their company’s satisfaction over the “kind of work” that their employees have done throughout the start of their operations in the Philippines.

Lexmark International Philippines, Inc. was started in 1999 with the establishment of an inkjet cartridge assembly plant at the Mactan Export Processing Zone II (MEPZ 2).

Their new investments in the Cebu Business Park will be composed of two new facilities: Lexmark Plaza 1, a 23-floor facility which is still under construction and will be completed by the end of this year and Lexmark Plaza 2 which houses its research and development center.

“We consider our investments carefully and we have seen enough successes in our Cebu operations so we felt very good about these major investments,” said Combs.

The newly completed Lexmark Plaza 2 said the general manager of Lexmark’s hardware development Chris Burdette will enable their Cebu operations to conduct full product development as it contains the “most advanced” technical facilities for product development, printer software development, embedded code and networks, packaging and system test.

These advanced facilities include an acoustic lab that performs extensive testing to meet the standard noise level of their products to become competitive in the world market as most countries have become stringent to product noises. There is also a packaging laboratory, temperature and humidity chambers, and the first EMC (electromagnetic capability) chamber in the Philippines. All these facilities will perform different tests that will ensure that their products conform to international standards.

Burdette added that Lexmark Research and Development Center Cebu will be the base of Lexmark's R&D operations in the Asia-Pacific region and it will specialize in software development for printer drivers and network adapters and in rebranding of Lexmark printers for original equipment manufacturer partners worldwide.

“This is the most advance technology center in the Philippines and even in some parts of the world. It’s a full development process-capable building where we can develop products from start to finish,” added Burdette.

There are several reasons cited as to why Lexmark opted to establish a major commitment in Cebu by putting up their second biggest research and development laboratory next to their main office in Lexington, Kentucky.

Combs said that these are due to the city’s strategic positioning being the center of the country which will enable an easy access from all areas in the Asia-Pacific region where they have business partners such as China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

Since Cebu has several universities with a good education system, another core reason is the “skilled, talented, trainable and degree-qualified” Filipino workforce. Also a factor is that “English is the second language in the Philippines,” making it easy for an American company like Lexmark to communicate with its Filipino workforce. And Combs also stressed that the Philippine government has a “pro-business investment climate.”

“We found the Philippines and Cebu to fit with all the desired qualities for investment so we have invested heavily on facilities and people and this is our major commitment to Cebu and the Philippines as a location of our operation,” he pointed out. —Rhia de Pablo

HERE (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=52&type=2&sec=71&aid=20080413167)

shaKEIRa

April 20th, 2008, 07:57 PM

Here's what's been keeping me busy since last year:

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5609/logoblueax1dg0pk6.jpg (http://www.seafdec.org.ph)
Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
Aquaculture Department
C8W4a0v008k

I hope you like it. My favorite part is towards the end.
Scenes were shot in Iloilo, Guimaras, Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon City.

nakapunta na ako sa SEAFDEC Iloilo... very nice... we tried electrophoresis... grabe.... sana diyan ako work after graduation...

LordCarnal

April 25th, 2008, 05:13 AM

Lexmark Research and Development Center (under construction)

Photos by slemarken

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/gibbster1/SSC%20Cebu/LexmarkCreativo0424200801.jpg

IAMME

April 26th, 2008, 04:44 PM

Very Promising ! I liked it. I suppose, the Philippines being an archipelago, has an inherent advantage for aquaculture. This could be our niche in the industry.
I'm glad you liked it. Yes, the Philippines has so much potential for aquaculture.. if only people would invest in it more, and follow environment-friendly and science-based technologies.

nakapunta na ako sa SEAFDEC Iloilo... very nice... we tried electrophoresis... grabe.... sana diyan ako work after graduation...
What's your course and when are you graduating?

boy muscovado

April 28th, 2008, 10:33 AM

http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/9136/marinelabvp0.jpg

http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/311/96355826mm2.jpg
Scientists here conduct researches with national and international impact.

This would make me believe that Siliman University of Dumaguete is the country's premiere marine biology research and training center :cheers:
:banana::banana::banana:

shaKEIRa

April 29th, 2008, 07:14 PM

I'm glad you liked it. Yes, the Philippines has so much potential for aquaculture.. if only people would invest in it more, and follow environment-friendly and science-based technologies.

What's your course and when are you graduating?

marine biology...:)

IAMME

April 30th, 2008, 06:09 AM

nakapunta na ako sa SEAFDEC Iloilo... very nice... we tried electrophoresis... grabe.... sana diyan ako work after graduation...

marine biology...:)
If you were serious, we might need more people here in SEAFDEC in the coming months. Stay tuned to your PM inbox! :okay:

shaKEIRa

April 30th, 2008, 04:57 PM

If you were serious, we might need more people here in SEAFDEC in the coming months. Stay tuned to your PM inbox! :okay:

s you mean... you are from SEAFDEC? wow naman... really... oh my... sr... hmmmm... :banana::banana:

barrera_marquez

May 1st, 2008, 10:50 AM

I have a news not sure for you if it is good or bad...

We have a sample of SARS coronavirus here in Manila along with New York, Toronto, Hong Kong and San Francisco.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARS_coronavirus

I guess we have minds that are intelligent enough to be able to keep a sample of that highly dangerous virus.

shaKEIRa

May 1st, 2008, 03:26 PM

kiretoce

May 27th, 2008, 11:13 PM

RP universities, R&D institutions urged to patent good ideas (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20080527-139084/RP-universities-RD-institutions-urged-to-patent-good-ideas)

Saying that patent applications provide a good indicator of the country's technological innovation, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of the Philippines urged local universities and research and development institutions to patent good ideas, and not be content in merely publishing them in academic papers.

Records of the IPO showed that about 97 percent of the patents applied for and granted by their office belonged to foreign applications, while the rest belonged to Filipinos, said Adrian Cristobal, director general of IPO, during the first National Conference on Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization.

Cristobal said that only 21 patents were granted to universities and research and development institutions (RDIs) from 1948 to 2006. He added the total number of patent applications from universities and RDIs reached only 43 applications from 1995 to 2005.

Cristobal said the lack of knowledge and understanding of the IP system has been seen as one of the factors hindering patenting in the country.

"We discovered that, among universities and R&Ds, knowledge on IP is very limited," he said.

He stressed that the prevailing culture of "publish or perish" remained in local universities and RDIs, encouraging most scientists and researchers to publish their work in scientific and technical journals to maintain tenure rather than develop their work and obtain IP protection through patents.

Cristobal also pointed out the absence of a sound IP policy in the community as another factor hampering patenting in the local universities.

"Very few universities and RDIs have an internal IP policy that lays the parameters, rules, rights and obligations that guide the ownership, use and allocation of benefits over innovations. Moreover, there is no institutionalized mechanism, much less an office, that is equipped to assist innovators in protecting these technological innovations and promote them. In many universities abroad, these offices are called Technology Licensing Offices (or TLO)," he said.

In short, Cristobal said that the country's universities and RDIs have no institutionalized effort to patent any university researches and commercialize the same.

He said publicly funded universities also have to contend with legal questions on whether they can commercialize technological innovations and profit from these considering they were supported by public funds.

Cristobal said that IPO has been conducting conferences in local universities to reach out to them, and teach them about the value of IP.

"Universities and R&D institutions must start developing and implementing IP policies within their communities to lay down the rules of ownership, rights and obligations that will guide innovators. Only when these rules are clarified will commerce participate in technological innovation and commercialization," he said.

odyssey

June 1st, 2008, 01:13 AM

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/01/yehey/images/mainphoto.jpg
DOST aided in improving the production systems of small companies making jewelry, bags, precision equipment, metal posts, computers, nuts and bolts, and woven materials.

Tech upgrade aid boosts 35,984 small enterprises
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/01/yehey/top_stories/20080601top1.html
By Rene Q. Bas, Editor in Chief

FEW Filipinos realize that, counting just from 2003, as many as 35,984 small enterprises have received aid—from the government’s science and technology department—to become more efficient, productive, profitable and globally competitive through the use of scientific and technological innovations.

This is one of the achievements the Department of Science and Technology proudly points out as it begins tomorrow, June 2, its year-long celebration of its 50th or Golden Anniversary.

For the first time in the Philippines, 50 scientists and science/technology-driven entrepreneurs will be given public recognition—like movie stars. This and other activities are designed to dramatize the importance of sci-tech as the key factor in our country’s deliverance from mass poverty, food security and global-competitiveness problems.

DOST Golden Jubilee

This will happen as one of the major events the Department of Science and Technology has lined up to observe the Fiftieth or Golden Anniversary of the formal creation of the government’s scientific establishment in 1958 as the National Science Development Board, which became the National Science and Technology Authority in 1982 which soon enough became the Cabinet’s Department of Science and Technology.

Tomorrow the Golden Jubilee celebration starts at the DOST Plaza in Bicutan, Taguig City, with the launching of the new DOST hymn and the opening of the “Milestone Exhibit” which displays pictures and memorabilia of the great events in the development of science and technology in the country.

SET-UP Program

The 35,984 firms were assisted by DOST under its “Small Enterprises Technology-Upgrading Program” (SET-UP) which was launched in 2003 and that year had only 1,307 clients. The SET-UP participants more than doubled—to 3,675—in 2004. In 2005, there were 8,884 small-enterprise clients, in 2006 10,540 and last year 11,578.

Veritably all clients have become better achievers in the domestic and export markets with DOST help, which means they have achieved global competitiveness. They account for 99,355 good jobs. In all, the DOST gave or performed 4,392 scientific-technological interventions to help improve these enterprises.

Obviously, DOST will need more than the P250 million it has been given to fund this undertaking whose clientele is growing every day.

(See related story “Gov’t spices up technology transfer to Filipino firms.”)

50 Men and Women of Science

These science and technology notables include scientists who started the government’s science and technology establishments as well as entrepreneurs who made their companies globally competitive using innovations like the co-proprietor of Lety’s Buko Pie of Los Baños, Laguna, Mrs. Leticia O. Belarmino.

The awardees are scientists, researchers, administrators, educators, “technopreneurs” and “innoventors” as communicators who have made an impact on science technology development, specifically in connection with the DOST’s efforts.

On June 11 President Gloria M. Arroyo will give them their awards in fitting ceremonies in Malacañang Palace.

Asean and EU participation

In July, the DOST anniversary celebrations will revolve around the activities scheduled for the 2008 Asean and National S&T Week.

Delegates from the Asean countries and Asean dialogue partners (the USA, China, Japan and Russia) will attend the various activities.

Among these are the Asean and the National Science and Technology Awards, the Asean Youth Science Summit and the Asean/National S&T Fair and Exhibits, and a ministerial Asean-European Union S&T Dialogue and an informal Asean ministerial meeting on S&T.

DOST officials and the scientific community in general hope the publicity and glamour given to scientific and technological concerns will make the masses of Filipinos learn to appreciate the need to become science and technology adepts for their own and the common good.

SIN-AG cultural program

A cultural (song and dance) program is scheduled at the UP Theater in Diliman on June 9. The program is a specially choreographed production titled “Gabi ng Ginintuang SIN-AG.” The Tagalog word “sinag” is playfully spun to show the first sylabbles of sining (art) and agham (science).

odyssey

June 1st, 2008, 01:17 AM

Angara: RP future lies in technology
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/01/yehey/top_stories/20080601top4.html
By Efren Danao, Senior Reporter

“The creative technical men, not the meek, will inherit the earth,” Sen. Edgardo J. Angara said ex-cathedra as he stressed the importance of science and technology in the modern world.

“The global economy is being spearheaded not by the traditional movers and the old economy but by creative people and technological innovators,” he added.

Are Filipinos among the chosen heirs of the earth? Angara shook his head, gave out a wry smile and answered softly: “No, not yet. We are in the bottom third of the global competitiveness list of 117 countries. We need to improve our capacity for innovation if we want to inherit the earth,”

He recalled a remark by a Singaporean friend that hurt and saddened him but he knew to be true.

“There is no reason why the Philippines is still a Third-World Country. You have the talent, the land area and natural resources, yet you are still in the Third World. Singapore has none of these but it is a First-World country,” he quoted his Singaporean friend as saying.

Angara attributed this laggard status to the Filipinos’ general failure to keep up with the advancement in science and technology and with social and commercial progress throughout the world He has been pushing with moderate success for the use of improved technology in fishery, more post-harvest facilities, more investment in research and development and the modernization and improvement of the quality of education.

“Every day, new things are discovered, and with the increase in scientific knowledge, there is a corresponding increase in the demand for educated students. Yet, the educational system is not designed to meet the demand for technological or scientific skills” he lamented.

He cited a study by the Department of Labor and Employment showing that firms engaged in science and technology would generate 4 million jobs in the next five years, yet, the educational institutions could produce only 2.7 million graduates from these fields within that period. He believed that one of the first reforms to be undertaken to make the country more competitive should be in education.

Angara, former president of the University of the Philippines and the top legislator on educational reforms, said that many college graduates—even from excellent schools—are either unemployed or underemployed despite the high cost of education.

“We have doctors working as nurses, teachers employed as housemaids, engineers hired as draftsmen, and marine engineers functioning as seamen or ship stewards,” he enumerated.

He noted that while education enjoys the biggest slice of the annual budget pie, there is still insufficient fund for the educational fields that matter most in this modern world.

“The educational system could give the Philippines a competitive edge if it focuses on math, science, technology and engineering,” he contended.

He immediately recognized as one of the biggest problems the lack of competent teachers in these fields.

“Some 75 percent of Physics teachers are non-Physics majors. About 50 percent of teachers of Chemistry, Biology, Math and General Science did not major in these subjects. It is like the blind leading the blind. No wonder our students are faring badly in international studies on math, science and technology!” he said.

Angara, one of the visionary leaders of the country, has gone beyond criticizing what is wrong around him to proposing how to make things better. He has conceived of a program to train abroad the brightest and most promising Filipinos on science or technology “to provide the Philippines with a continuing supply of highly trained leaders for industry, research and academe.”

He noted that while existing local and overseas scholarship and training programs have produced a sizeable number of high-level professionals for the country, these programs have also resulted in a significant brain drain.

“Some of the returning scholars have not found the opportunity to use their acquired knowledge and training to the maximum, so many of them leave the country in search of greener pastures abroad,” Angara said.

He believed that the returning fellows could be put to maximum use by providing them with an office, laboratory, library and conference facilities for their continuing activities .

However, his most impressive and most ambitious work in seeking to enhance Philippine competitiveness is the creation of the Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE). He authored the law creating this commission and is now its co-chairman with Rep. Joseph E.A. Abaya of the First District of Cavite.

“COMSTE will make a comprehensive review and assessment of our state of competitiveness in math, science, engineering and technology. It will recommend the road map for the next 10 to 15 years that will reinvigorate science and technology and make the Philippines more competitive globally,” Angara explained.

COMSTE, with a budget of P10 million was formally organized in February. To speed up its work, Angara and Abaya decided to form different panels that would concentrate on areas where science and technology matter and are urgently needed in the Philippine setting—food and agriculture, energy and environment, information and communication technology, basic science, math and engineering education; health.

The panels will make their initial recommendations on June 11 but Angara estimates that it would take up to two years for COMSTE to complete its work.

“The time is overdue that we undertake a comprehensive review and assessment of the state of competitiveness of the nation’s math, science, engineering and technology to stem the decline of our most precious resource—our people,” he urged.

He is confident that with enhanced technology through COMSTE, there will no more questions like that of his Singaporean friend on why the Philippines is still a Third-World country despite its abundance in talent, area and natural resources.

“COMSTE will put math, science, technology and engineering on the right footing so that the Philippines could adequately face the 21st century,” Angara predicted.

odyssey

June 1st, 2008, 02:20 AM

Gov’t spices up technology transfer to Filipino firms
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/june/01/yehey/top_stories/20080601top3.html
By Nora O. Gamolo, Senior Desk Editor

Transferring technologies from the academic to the real world is a primary task of government. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which has in its stable some of the country’s best scientific brains, has been doing a good job of it.

DOST has been assisting some of the country’s most noted small and medium enterprises (SMEs) since 2002 when it launched its flagship Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) for this sector.

“SET-UP is actually a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist SMEs adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and boost productivity and competitiveness,” said DOST’s Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro.

The program enables firms to adopt a science and technology oriented production set-up. Entrepreneurs and their workers get free advice from DOST scientists and consultants to address various technical problems, enabling technology transfer and technological innovations to improve productivity.

Improving productivity means the production of more quality products, manpower development through technical training courses for workers/employees, cost reductions, management of wastes and observance of environmental standards, and improvement of other operations-related activities.

For 2008, SET-UP is allocated a measly P250 million in locally generated funds. These are funds well-spent. Among others, the program supports companies involved in food production, manufacture of furniture, gifts, toys, house wares, handicrafts, natural fibers and dyes, development and utilization of marine and aquatic resources, horticulture, metals and engineering.

Eligible to apply are entrepreneurs and companies based in the Philippines and wholly owned by Filipino citizens. These must be small- and medium-scale businesses that can be classified under the identified priority sectors. The owners and managers must be willing to apply technological improvements in their existing operation.

Those interested to apply can send a letter of interest to the nearest DOST office, identifying current problems, improvements, and potential technological interventions needed. If the project is found viable, the DOST Regional Office endorses it to the National Program Management Office for evaluation and final approval.

Once approved by the NPMO, the Regional Technical and Evaluation Committee (RTEC) to identify and provide the most suitable technological intervention specific for each firm visit the enterprise.

If the entrepreneur or enterprise is willing to become a “technology adoptor” of new or advanced technologies developed by DOST scientists and consultants, these are commercialized or transferred to companies for commercial use.

SET-UP program beneficiaries acquire, among others, new equipment to mechanize and/or improve their production line through venture capital funding from various sources. DOST and other government agencies help the entrepreneur amass the funding. Properly capitalized to use the new technologies or innovations, they can then improve the quality of their products according to the best international standards that make products exportable.

DOST consultants even help design functional packages and labels, and assist in the establishment of product standards.

The SET-UP program, for example, assisted three furniture-making firms in Central Luzon: Country Accents Inc. (wood and rattan), Furnitureville Inc. (classic and handcarved furniture), and Walch Furniture and Home Furnishings (quality furniture for local and export markets).

The firms upgraded their facilities, increased productivity, and improved product quality during the program’s first year of implementation. Some facilities the firms acquired were the furnace-type wood kiln dryer for Country Accents and Walch Furniture; and additional machines and equipment, including a dust collector, for Furnitureville.

The intervention improved production efficiency and reduced raw material wastage. The working environment for employees became healthier.

Consequently, the firm-beneficiaries realize additional income and increased their labor force, helping to reduce unemployment in the region. With increased productivity and cost efficiency, the firms also exhibited very good track records in loan repayment.

In 2003, four new firms were assisted in Central Luzon. For these firms, SET-UP paved the way for the acquisition of a dust collecting system (More Than A Chair), woodworking machineries (DECO Crafts), mango dryer (Green Thumb Agri-Products), and a mechanical mixer for dyeing, blocking machine and gas-fired dryer (Aurora Hats and Crafts).

“Since 2002, SET-UP made it possible for firms to acquire modern production equipment and upgrade the quality and marketability of their products,” said DOST Assistant Secretary Carol Yorobe, acting head of the work combine that implements SET-UP.

A survey has shown that DOST assistance has resulted in the participating firms’ increased productivity on their first year by an average of 550 percent per firm, and enabled them to generate 23,397 new jobs.

DOST and DOST-accredited laboratories all over the country now provide testing and calibration services to various clients, enabling companies to meet international market standards and make their products more sellable to local and foreign markets.

With assistance, proper packaging and storage prolong shelf life of products, giving both entrepreneurs and buyers more protection. Proper labels provide detailed information needed by more demanding environment- and health-conscious consumers.

SET-UP has also supported hundreds of training programs attended by thousands of participants from all over the Philippines. Training courses focused on key industrial production issues and standards such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) for food processing, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Quality and Environment Management Systems (QMS/EMS).

Specific trainings on machining for furniture, handloom weaving, seaweed culture and tissue culture production, among others, are also provided under SET-UP. Technical and consultancy services were also given to participating firms to ensure the successful adoption of technologies.

The program is still being improved. In 2006, the Inter-Agency Design and Engineering Assessment (IDEA) Team, consisting of eight research and development institutes under DOST. It was created to assist in the development, assessment, and standardization of efficiency and performance indicators of various equipment, tools, jigs and fixtures associated with DOST-generated technologies that can be utilized by small and medium firms.

For improvement in client firms’ marketing expertise and methods DOST links up with other government agencies. The Department of Trade and Industry sponsors market encounters to bring together product buyers and sellers or suppliers, completing a cycle of assistance for entrepreneurs.

That is, until the next innovation is developed and commercialized anew.

neverwinter

June 1st, 2008, 03:51 PM

University of the Philippines Los Baños National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/10246/2479964980103085752S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/31577/2290177190103085752S600x600Q85.jpg

The National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) offers its Research, Development and Extension (RDE) strategies to provide Filipinos with safer, nutritious and cheaper food,medicinal and health promoting ingredients, sustainable and clean industrial technologies, and new/efficient sources of renewable energy.

BIOTECH is the premier national research and development (R&D) institution applying traditional and modern biotechnologies in innovating products, processes, testing and analytical services for agriculture, health, energy, industry and the environment.

ABOUT US

The National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), formerly known as the National Institutes of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology, was established on December 20, 1979 by the UP Board of Regents as a research and development institution based at UP Los Baños. Letter of Instruction No. 1005 from then president Ferdinand E. Marcos on March 1980 instructed the National Treasury to release P10 million out of the Energy Special Fund for the institute. BIOTECH originally served as an integrating mechanism to mobilize the various departments and disciplines in engineering, chemistry and applied microbiology for research, training, and extension.

BIOTECH serves as the national research and development (R&D) organization specializing in agricultural, environmental, food and feeds, and health biotechnology. The institute capitalizes on the use of the country's diverse collection of microorganisms, rich natural resources and agro-industrial waste and by-products to develop and advance alternative technologies and products towards improved agro-industrial productivity.

VISION

BIOTECH envisions to be a premier biotechnology research institution developing and commercializing globally-competitive and environment-friendly products, processes, and services from the country’s diverse resources, that resolve societal problems on agriculture, food, health, and environment.

MISSION

As such, BIOTECH is committed to contribute in enhancing the quality of life of the Filipino through the growth and development of biotech industries. Biotechnology will be exploited as an enabling technology for the country’s agro-industrialization and people empowerment.

MANDATE

BIOTECH will develop globally-competitive and environment-friendly biotechnology-based products, processes and services from diverse resources in order to fulfill its mission and attain the vision it has formulated.

GOALS

1. To contribute to increased productivity and global competitiveness of commodities through the creation of high-value products, processes and services;
2. To lead in the use, protection and conservation of biodiversity;
3. To be at the forefront in waste management research through biotechnology;
4. To develop a nationally recognized information and education center on biotechnology;
5. To fast track commercialization and transfer of biotechnologies through models, mechanisms and policy instruments; and,
6. To efficiently and effectively manage BIOTECH as a research, development, service, and extension (RDE) organization.

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RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

lll Agriculture and Forest Biotechnology

Agriculture and Forestry Biotechnology Program is the country's incubator of agribiotechnology researches on biofertilizers, microbial biodiversity for reforestation and agricultural waste treatment. BIOTECH, with full support from the University, leads in the active promotion, demonstration and commercialization of biofertilizers towards food security and contribute in the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission.

Biofertilizers & Plant Materials

BioFix, BioGreen, Biogroe, BioN, BioQuick, Brown Magic, Cocogroe, Mycovam, Mycogroe, Nitroplus, VAM Root Inoculant

Virus-free Abaca and banana, Orchids, and Aloe vera

lll Biotechnology Program for Food, Feeds and Specialty Products

Biotechnology Program for Food, Feeds and Specialty Products discovers and upgrades technologies to produce high value foods, feeds, additives, specialty products, and develops efficient detection kits to ensure quality and safety. The program explores sources, properties and application of functional foods (e.g., nutraceuticals, probiotics from GRAS Lactic Acid Bacteria and yeast). Nutraceuticals are the functional foods such as omega-3, 6 and polyunsaturated fatty acids from structured lipids like coconut and local seed oil. The institute also intensifies improvement, application and commercialization of existing DNA-based detection kits and industrial enzymes.

lll Bioinformatics and Drug Discovery Program

Bioinformatics and Drug Discovery Program applies modern and conventional scientific techniques to discover pharmaceutically-important compounds produced from local isolates and to develop plant cell culture systems as a source of high-value secondary metabolites (drugs). The program uses bioinformatics, computational software, and tissue culture technology for the identification and mass production of identified novel compounds. Continuing efforts are exerted to promote and commercialize BioVac-HS and BioVac-FC, the vaccines against Pasteurella multocida which causes fatal hemorrhagic septicemia and fowl cholera, respectively.

lll Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology

Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology revives its bioethanol research projects in search for cost-effective and renewable fuel sources and help lessen the impact of oil price increases. The program focuses on the discovery and development of robust microorganisms to improve biofuel production. It also develops biological binders or biosurfactant,biopolymers,and heat-resistant enzymes,for wastes degradation and bioremediation. Likewise,the program extends analytical services and technical assistance on environment and waste management.

lll Communication and Technology Utilization

Communication and Technology Utilization Program packages BIOTECH information and facilitates its proactive exchange among the scientists-researchers and the Institute clients. The program, likewise, embarks on various technology transfer and commercialization approaches. Among its services include biotechnology promotion, training and internship, product and technology marketing, database management and communication support services.

lll Administrative Support Unit

Administrative Support Unit provides enabling mechanisms and logistics support services BIOTECH Program and Service Laboratories.

BIOTECH conducts custom-designed contract research and training on biotechnology areas related to agriculture, food and feeds, health, environment and the industry.

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SERVICES

Aside from breakthrough discoveries, BIOTECH has income-generating service laboratories that provide technical information and support services to the institute's projects and other clients such as private individuals and companies, NGOs, regulatory agencies, research institutions, and students. BIOTECH consistently rate as one of the top generators of resources within UPLB mainly from income earned by its service laboratories.

It is the only government-owned and operated R&D Institute which offers complete facilities that include microbial depository, testing laboratory, and pilot-plant services.

Laboratories are accredited and recognized by Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR), Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), Department of Health (DOH), and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

BIOTECH's laboratories serve as the venue for research and development activities of the university as well as for its partners and clients. They contribute significantly in the generation of additional funds to propel its RDE projects.

llll Philippine National Collection of Microorganisms (PNCM)

PNCM is a national repository of microorganisms recognized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) since 1996 for having the biggest general collection of its kind. It maintains a total of over 2000 strains of bacteria, yeasts, filamentous fungi, algae and protozoa

It is a member of the World Federation of Culture Collections (WFCC) and the headquarters of the Philippine Network of Microbial Culture Collections (PNMCC). PNCM has an active linkages with culture collection laboratories here and abroad.

Services

1. Anti-microbial analysis
2. Detection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSR) through PCR
3. Identification of microorganisms: unknown isolates shall be characterized using series of morphological, cultural and physiological tests
4. Microbiological analysis of water for drinking purposes
5. Microbiological analyses: microbial counts, evaluation of general microflora, enumeration of coli forms and Salmonellae
6. Preservation of cultures
7. Pure cultures

llll Central Analytical Services Laboratory (CASL)

CASL handles routine chemical analysis of food, feeds, plants, soils, fertilizers, water, wastewater, raw materials, by-products of fermentation processes, and even cosmetics. It modifies and standardizes analytical methods for applications to specific samples, as well as develops new analytical techniques.

The laboratory implements and maintains a high quality system based on ISO 17025 guidelines for laboratory competence. CASL is accredited/recognized by the Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR), Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), Department of Health (DOH), and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

llll Electron Microscopy Service Laboratory

The scanning electron microscope and (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) find their home in the Electron Microscopy Services Laboratory (EMSL). This laboratory provides structure analysis of biological and non-biological samples by light photomicroscopy and the ultra-structure analysis of samples by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

It houses both the transmission electron microscope (TEM), Hitachi Model H-300 and the scanning electron microscope (SEM), Hitachi Model S-510. Other equipment include the ultramicrotome (Ultracut E), the critical point drying apparatus, the ion sputter and the high vacuum evaporator. EMSL is capable of developing and improving species (biological)-specific sample preparation techniques suitable for magnification using the electron and light microscopy.

llll Enzyme Laboratory

Offers services to determine the different enzyme activities or samples for food, feeds and other industrial applications. Enzyme assay indicates the effectiveness of a given enzyme to a specific substrate and serves as a quality control tool.
Accepts contract researches on the production and application of industrial enzymes.

ASSAY SERVICES

Amylases
Beta-glucanases
Cellulases
Glucoamylases
Lipases
Pectinases
Phytase
Proteases
Mannanase
Xylanases

llll Fermentation Engineering and Service Laboratory (FESL)

BIOTECH Pilot Plant, a vital facility instrumental in testing the industrial requirements of the Institute’s researches and technologies is maintained and operated by the Fermentation Engineering and Service Laboratory (FESL). It provides technical support for the optimization of upstream process parameters through R & D collaboration and the optimization of product recovery and downstream process parameters.

llll National Immunological Testing Laboratory

The National Immunological Testing Laboratory (NITL) is the diagnostic center for the rapid detection of mycotoxins and plant, food, and feed pathogens. The laboratory can determine the concentrations of the mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1 and M1, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, fumonisin and red tide toxins to as low as 5 ppb.

NITL provides monoclonal antibody-based diagnostic kits for economically important crops, in-vitro mass propagation of virus-free banana, and training programs on disease control and management.

from UPLB-BIOTECH (http://www.uplb.edu.ph/biotech).

odyssey

June 12th, 2008, 04:50 AM

Government grants for R&D activities continue to rise
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/06122008/economy04.html
By Max V. de Leon
Reporter

Government grants for research and development (R&D) activities continue to increase as universities and R&D institutions become more active in pursuing new discoveries in numerous fields, particularly biotechnology, agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Graciano Yumul Jr., Department of Science and Technology undersecretary for research and development, informed the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines.) that grants in aid (GIA) given to schools and the R&D sector reached P700 million in 2007.

The figure, Yumul said, is a huge improvement from the P400 million given in 2006 and P250 million in 2005.

Last year, the universities and R&D sector received P375 million of the P700 million total grant. Other GIA programs include science and technology promotion (P175 million) and technology transfer and utilization (P150 million).

The six priority R&D fields, Yumul added, are biotechnology, information and communication technology, health and pharmaceuticals, environment, alternative fuels and agriculture.

“Intellectual-property and technology-transfer issues are increasingly becoming important. Universities and research and development institutions [RDI], though starting, already have some success stories,” Yumul said.

The good thing, he said, is that IP initiatives, programs and platforms are currently provided and nurtured by the government.

The IP Philippines recently conducted the First National Conference on Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization to teach universities ways to take advantage of the economic benefits of their inventions and innovations.

“Universities and research and development institutions are the country’s centers of innovation. Linking their innovations with the market will attract more investments, generate employment and enhance the country’s competitiveness,” Adrian Cristobal Jr., director general of IP Philippines, said.

Cristobal said universities and RDIs must start developing and implementing IP policies within their communities to lay down the rules of ownership, rights and obligations that will guide innovators.

“Only when these rules are clear will commerce participate in technological development and commercialisation,” he added.

odyssey

June 15th, 2008, 03:54 AM

Japan’s Komatsu to put up HRD training center in RP
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
Sunday, June 15, 2008
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2008061429
Japanese manufacturing firm Komatsu Ltd. will put up a human resource development (HRD) training center in the Philippines, a top company official said.

Kunio Noji, Komatsu president and CEO, said the training center will help transfer service engineering skills, particularly in the field of heavy equipment and mechanic training, to Filipinos.

“With the growing number of deliveries of Komatsu construction and mining equipment in all areas of the world, the organization has decided to strengthen its product support capabilities from medium to long-term perspective by investing in local manpower training,” Noji said.

Komatsu has entered into an agreement with the Construction Manpower Development Foundation, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to use the Construction Manpower Development Center (CMDC) in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Komatsu will provide comprehensive training to new college graduates with a curriculum that include Komatsu’s quality control and assurance systems, expertise in knowledge of products and basic to advanced know-how concerning technical service, and support skills.

For his part, Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila said the opening of the training center will help develop the construction industry of the country.

“This program of Komatsu will contribute to the DTI-CMDF human resource development program by means of skills-enhancement training designed to update and upgrade the technical knowledge of Filipino engineers and laborers,” he said.

“The training is an effective way of improving our manpower qualification especially with the scheme developed for laborers that will familiarize them in handling and operating power tools or modern construction equipment to make them more competent,” Favila added.

CMDF is mandated to draw up an overall construction manpower development plan and relevant strategies, and develop and implement manpower training programs for the construction industry.

Komatsu is one of the world’s leading manufacturer and retailer of construction and mining equipments, utilities and industrial machineries.

3D-CAD

June 15th, 2008, 07:26 AM

^^
A delightful succession of good news indeed !

Late-industrializing economies pursued similar approach in technology as they planned their roadmap to progress. Though, devoid of proprietary knowledge, they immersed themselves into stages of pure learning from the West/Japan and subsequently broke down the barriers of global competition and gained world market share using commercialized technology.

We can do it, we have the talents. Let’s nurture and sustain it with sound government policies.

jpdm

June 15th, 2008, 08:30 AM

Indeed, as one of the few late-industrializing countries in Asia..the Philippines should intensify technology transfer....

...more local firms should tap available technology to improve their capabilities and bring better products to pinoy consumers....

...academic institutions on the other hand should promote research and development in the area of harnessing available local resources efficiently....

....R&D should focus on the development and modernization of our local metal, machining, automotive, electronics, pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries....

....New but safe technologies should be applied to our agricultural sector.

...New technology should be tapped by Pinoys to enable us to produce our own locally made vehicles that are cheaper to buy and maintain because locally made parts are available...(i.e. TATA NANO the cheapest small car in the world--is an Indian creation)...

shaKEIRa

August 7th, 2008, 03:13 PM

what happen... para atang na stop ang funding sa mga researches...

etienne

August 8th, 2008, 07:15 PM

diba currently may marine research dito sa pilipinas. they are hoping to find medicines parang painkillers yata in sea creatures. nabasa ko lang months ago.

iloilocitykid

August 9th, 2008, 03:42 AM

^^ Most likely that marine research facitility would be SEAFDEC in Iloilo or UP Visayas - Miagao, Iloilo branch.

Chong

August 9th, 2008, 10:18 AM

I wish our govt would prioritize scientific research. I think philippines has the potential to be the pioneering scientific community in southeast asia!

China is already mass funding its scientific community and Japan is already comparable to any western nation. Hope the Philippines will not lag far behind.. (depende) given the economic status if makaya! :)

kiretoce

November 30th, 2008, 08:06 AM

Robotics Pinoy Style (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/nov/30/yehey/weekend/20081130week1.html)

Additional photos courtesy of Genetic Computer Institute in 1978, two Japanese anime series featuring giant robots, Mazinger Z and Voltes V, captured the imagination of a generation of Filipino children. Today’s youths relish Hollywood reboots of decades old anime fare such as Transformers. Pinoy kids are still hooked on robots. But now they are creating their own robots for real, tweaking their engines and designing their functions using computer programs.

Purveyor of a new science

No longer just a passive recipient for foreign fantasy entertainment, today’s youths are pioneering cutting edge technology and making it patently Filipino. Much more than child’s play, building robots hones skills necessary for the true industrialization of the country—currently just an assembly point for many foreign manufacturers with no meaningful technology transfer. The future of the Philippines lies with these whiz kids.

At the helm of the burgeoning robotics craze in the Philippines today is the Genetic Computer Institute. Pinky Legaspi, marketing manager of Genetic, explains that they are currently offering robotics as an elective. Legaspi states that Genetic’s robotics camps, which have been held as often as 20 times in a year, have been a huge success for the past three years.

Expounding on the character and credential of the organization, she points out that Genetics is unlike most regular computer schools in the country for the reason that it is mainly an information technology (IT) solution provider. “Besides offering regular IT courses, we provide support to local schools in implementing their IT course curriculum,” Legaspi narrates. She says that such task encompasses the development of course content to the installation of the necessary hardware.

Legaspi relates that Genetic is part of the Genetic Educational Group, which was founded in Singapore in 1987. The group has now branches in 37 countries worldwide and affiliations with 40 universities in various nations including the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

The fun and challenge of robotics

Learning the fundamentals of robotics at Genetic is both fun and challenging. Legaspi says that each student is issued a robotics kit that contains generic parts that can be assembled any way a person may like it, a computer motherboard and a miniature engine.

Students, says Legaspi, are briefed on the factors that affect the functionality of a robot such as physical design, gravity, friction and other fundamental concepts of physics. There are basically two ways to program the robots: participants belonging to the elementary school level use a click-and-drag mode of programming while high school students were taught Basic C+ programming language.

The students are then given certain themes that will serve as a guide in designing the intelligence and decisional skills of their robots. A garbage-collecting robot for instance must be able to decide which object to pick up and which object to junk.

These skills are put to test in the various events of the annual National Robotics Competition sponsored by Genetics. The obstacle race is a basic robotic system game where robots would be identifying hurdles and avoiding collision. Taken from the sport of Japanese Sumo, the Sumobot game mimics a typical sumo match using robots. The most challenging contest in the yearly robotics game is the exploration challenge where robots are programmed to explore a playing field and collect target objects.

Genetic puts a premium in keeping its instructors abreast in the latest developments in the field of robotics. Just recently, it invited Chaiwat Limpornchitwilai, a robotics expert from Thailand, to brief the Genetic staff on the latest progress in the field. Chaiwat is also the owner of Inex Global, a manufacturer of robotics kits, electronic tools, digital boards and other IT related electronic products.

Making robotics affordable

Legaspi agrees that the cost of pursuing robotics as a hobby would prove prohibitive to most Filipino children. “The price of a usual robotic kit is from P30,000 to P40,000, an amount that is beyond the reach of most Pinoy kids,” she admits. Legaspi points out that Genetic is aware of this problem hence it made the cost of its robotic kits way below lower than what is offered in the market. “Our robotics kit cost only around P9,300 to P12,000, still substantial but definitely a lot lower than what is sold in shops,” she stresses.

Legaspi says that Genetic is currently working on a big project that will bring robotics to the masses. “This program aims to teach basic robotics to 60 deserving students from various public schools,” she relates adding, “Genetics will provide the kids both tuition and robotic kits free of charge.” Legaspi discloses that they are working closely with Quezon City Councilor Franz Pumaren for the initiative to push through. “All that we’re asking from the local government is to set aside one public school in the city as the venue for the event,” she points out.

World-class

A proof of Pinoys’ prowess in robotics is the winning of the Philippine team in the recent World Robot Olympiad in Yokohama, Japan, this month. The Gracean Whizkids, composed of Joseph Aldrin Chua (Grade 6), Edrich Hans Chua (Grade 5) and Dominique Hannah Sy (Grade 5), all students of Grace Christian Elementary School bagged the silver medal prize in the contest’s open category. Two more Filipino teams, the Benigno Aquino High School and the International School of Manila both landed on the 6th place in the open category for high school and elementary levels. The South Korean team won the gold while the Malaysian team got the bronze in the open category for the elementary division.

The Gracean Whizkids’ entry, dubbed “The G-Tech Robot Engineering a Better World,” is a set of 12 different robots programmed to accomplish environmental tasks. Participants in the competition fashioned their robots out of LEGO toys. An annual event, the World Robot Olympiad attracts contestants from different countries including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Commenting on the feat of the Gracean Whizkids, Legaspi says the Grace Christian High School is investing heavily to beef up its robotics elective. “It’s been working with a number of institutions that are experts in this field including Genetic,” she narrates. Grace Christian High School has been in continuous partnership with Genetic for the past six years.

It is commendable that the Philippine government recognizes the Filipino youth’s potential in robotics. In a recent media announcement, Dr. Ester Ogena, Director of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute intones that her agency will support the Philippine robotics team in preparation for its participation in the World Robotics Olympiad 2010, which will be held in the country.

Future potential

While some may look at robotics as a mere rich kid’s hobby, it is important to note that in developed countries particularly Japan, the creation and utilization of robots for utilitarian tasks is in full swing. Japanese companies are known to employ industrial robots in jobs too dangerous, too dirty or too dull for humans to accomplish such as manufacturing, assembly, packing, transport, earth and space exploration, surgery, weapons development and laboratory research. In a highly automated world, there will be little use of for cheap labor. Robotics may be a chance may offer the next generation of Filipinos an opportunity for true industrialization.

The Philippines have everything to gain and nothing to lose in supporting the nurturing of its young science and technology enthusiasts. There is no question that we are good in this game. Four decades ago, a Filipino engineer by the name of Eduardo San Juan helped design the Lunar Rover, the first wheeled vehicle to roam the surface of the moon. Given the right support and proper exposure, it’s just a matter of time before the present breed of Pinoy robotics wizards come up with something that will surprise the world.

death327

December 2nd, 2008, 11:20 AM

junjou_rabbit

December 5th, 2008, 12:17 PM

i dont really know where to post this...but the news is really inspiring...the change that we need! innovation and invention!..i dont know how to post pics..hehe...

for further info just search inovent through the net...

RP firm unveils interactive device

By Alexander Villafania
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:39:00 12/05/2008

MAKATI CITY -- After keeping it under wraps for months, the group of young Filipino engineers and designers have unveiled a prototype of what it claims to be the next generation interactive device.

It is called the "Ilumina" interactive television and it already has one patent pending for its curved design.

Inovent (inoventrevolution.wordpress.com) showed an "ultra-alpha prototype" of the Ilumina last Sunday in a simple gathering with the goal of highlighting the concept of research, development and design (RDD) in the Philippines.

Inovent is composed of no more than eight people, some graduates from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo De Manila and De La Salle University.

The Ilumina is a television panel integrated with computer components installed in a handmade fiberglass bezel. It is the bezel's inward curved design that Inovent has patented with the Intellectual Property Office Philippines.

The Ilumina's basic component is its 32-inch LCD TV panel. Inside it are computer parts that run a scaled-down version of Ubuntu Linux operating system.

With a flick of a button, the TV interface changes to the Iluma's user interface that provides access to features, such as video and music playback and Internet.

While the TV source still requires a physical cable, the Internet connectivity only requires a wireless fidelity (Wifi) access point, as the Ilumina has a built-in Wifi receiver. It also has a web camera that will allow users to do video chat while accessing the web or watching TV.

Apart from the regular TV remote, the Ilumina also uses wireless keyboards and mouse for computer applications.

It also has a USB (universal serial bus) port for connection to other external peripherals.

The Ilumina concept has not been used in other commercial products. Inovent Chief "Inoventor" Brian Quebengco said the idea is not new. Some of the parts used in the Ilumina are off-the-shelf electronic components that were pieced together to fit in a slim casing.

"You will be surprise at how our developers made these components fit together. The parts had to be modified to make them work well," Quebengco said.

Quebengco said the main highlight of the Ilumina is its design, which the local company has filed for patents early this year, as well as its software.

The bezel design, which is curved inwards, allows the unit to stand on its own, removing the need for a removable stand normally used in many LCD TVs.

While still in its "ultra-alpha" prototype stage, the developers will be adding new features in the Ilumina, which Quebengco declined to describe.

"It's not something new as well but when you see it in a well--packaged product, it becomes an innovation. There's still a lot we're working on but this is to just highlight what we can achieve," he added.

Quebengco said they are looking at a six- to eight-month period for the launch of a commercially ready Ilumina model. He is hoping that the price of the device will not go above five digits.

"What's to be proud here is that we have people who are innovating and designing things for a global market. We also hope to encourage and inspire others to do the same," Quebengco said.

MatudNilaBaby

December 6th, 2008, 05:48 AM

dr. angara is thinking way above his head. go look down and compare our educational system with singapore. they attend the university at 19 or 20 yrs old while our college entrants are aging 16 or 17. there is a two year gap in the formative training that we pinoys lack. thats a big learning difference. we do have smart and intelligent students but since we are at a disadvantage against first world countries in terms of educational opportunities, we will never be at par with them. and if you hear of pinoys doing good in the global arena, that person has either gone back to school from another country. there's very few i know that is really a homegrown genius thats a product of our local universities and that he/she became known worldwide.

Cloud9

December 30th, 2008, 12:03 PM

Pinoy inventor designs mobile recycling machine

An award winning inventor of the Department of Science and Technology has designed and initially sold his mobile “all-in-one” shredder, mobile organic fertilizer mixer and rotary aerobic composter.

Arthur A. Benedicto, an inventor based in Compostela Valley has come up with mobile machines that could potentially boost production of organic fertilizer and recycling of biodegradable and organic materials for individual livelihood purposes.

Benedicto’s invention will also contribute to various end-users including local government units of Panabo City, Asuncion in Davao del Norte, Trento, Agusan del Sur and the Davao Oriental provincial government to contain the country’s pestering waste management problem.

“The shredder can shred organic materials from kitchen refuse, banana stalks and fruit peelings, rice straws to inorganic ones like plastics and cellophanes,” Benedicto said.

He said the plastic shreds can then be used as cushions for pillows or a mixture of hollow block, the peelings or rice straws for fertilizer for one’s livelihood.

But to make complete organic fertilizer, the mixer and composter of Davao Techno Craft, Benedicto’s firm, are best appendages to the shredder.

“The mixer on the other hand mixes your own organic fertilizer formula in only 10- to 15-minute mixing time,” he said.

Both the shredder and mixer run on fuel-efficient 7-horsepower diesel engine.

The aerobic composter does a mechanized way of composting that shortens the composting period by 50 percent.

“It is safe and eliminates harmful bacteria to avoid spread of diseases. Besides that it eliminates the unwanted weed seeds,” he said.

A customer entrepreneur, Ely Miguel of Trento town, said he has recently sold his first 1,000 bags of fertilizer in his new livelihood out of Benedicto’s shredder and mixer which he bought last September.

Benedicto’s latest three machines are now positioned in the market to be the processing machine requirements of an operational material recovery facility (MRF) that has been required in every barangay or cluster of barangays under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, that until now lags behind in the government’s full implementation target to address the country’s continuing garbage crisis.

“The cost of each machine is just within a small barangay budget,” he said.

Cloud9

December 30th, 2008, 12:37 PM

Alternative water softner discovered

The Department of Science and Technology’s Forest Products Research and Development Institute has discovered cashew nut extract is an alternative water softener.

Researchers found that liquid from cashew nut shell or CNSL can be converted into a biopolymer resin to soften the water fed into boilers in different industries.

“CNSL is a viscous dark liquid found in the thin honeycomb structure between the softer outer skin of the nut and the harder inner shell. The biopolymer resin developed from this liquid can be an affordable substitute to imported chemical water softeners,” the DOST said.

Water softening is an important process because the hardness of water in different applications is reduced during this process.

When water is hard, it can clog pipes, damage boilers, heat exchangers and many other devices. It has also damaging effects on household machinery such as laundry machines.

“Results of the FPRDI study showed that CNSL biopolymer resin is as effective as commercial synthetic resin,” the DOST said.

Moreover, the biopolymer resin can be washed with a slightly acidic solution and reused for boiler water treatment, it said.

“It is a natural resource that could help industries reduce their energy and maintenance cost. The material is environment-friendly, as it helps reduce the accumulation of cashew nut shells normally regarded as waste,” the DOST said.

Water has many impurities in the form of minerals or salts, acids, organic matter, oil, grease, and others. These cause sludge or deposits, scales, corrosion, priming, foaming, and make boiler metal brittle.

Removing these impurities is necessary especially to manufacturing industries. When impurities precipitate on hot boiler tubes, scales and deposits form and these insulate boiler tubes requiring more fuel to generate the same amount of steam.

Lime-scale deposits build up and block pipes and thus lower the efficiency of boilers and tanks. They reduce the efficiency of heat exchangers and other equipment and raise energy use.

kiretoce

January 8th, 2009, 06:52 AM

Where are our DOST scholars? (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/jan/08/yehey/opinion/20090108opi4.html)

The Science and Technology Scholarship Act or R.A. 7687 was enacted in 1994 for the purpose of “strengthening the country’s science and technology manpower by creating a pool of scientists, engineers and technicians who shall fill the needs of industrialization.” According to R. A. 7687, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) budget is to be increased by an amount of sixty million pesos (P60M) a year until it eventually reaches the amount of P300 million to sustain the recipients of the scholarship during the duration of their study.” This is the Filipino people’s money allocated by government to finance poor but deserving students to pursue a degree in science and technology who will, in return, “fill the needs of industrialization.”

According to the DOST, in 2004 or 10 years after the passage of the law, “the program produced a total of 9,088 scholar-graduates in various areas of study.” In July 2004, the estimated Philippine population was 86,241,697; so in that year the DOST would have had contributed a total of around 1.05 new scholar per 10,000 Filipinos. Yet the DOST itself admits that it is increasingly difficult for a DOST scholar graduate to get jobs relevant to his or her education, thus failing in the objective to “fill the needs of industrialization.”

Where are these scholars? Many of these graduates find jobs in transnational or multinational companies outside of their chosen field of specialization or worse, end up unemployed. I count myself lucky after I finished my degree in Electronics Engineering with a DOST scholarship. After passing the board, looking for jobs related to my degree was frustrating because of the very low salary offered to starting employees and also because of the fierce competition. When I graduated, there were several thousand other graduates competing for a limited number of vacancies.

Without any other choice, I decided to look in other areas outside of the specialty my DOST scholarship had trained me for. I shifted to the erstwhile popular field of information technology (IT). I was then hired by a large IT multinational company involved in various business process outsourcing activities. After almost three years of working in the field, it became harder to convince myself to go back to my electronics or communications career for various reasons, salary and career opportunities included.

Sometimes I ask myself whether what I am doing in servicing outsourcing tasks for foreign clients is still within the ambit of “paying back” the people who financed my education. Am I still contributing my skills and talents for the “needs of industrialization” if I am “programmed” to provide these IT services for the needs of our foreign clients instead of local needs? Almost all of my known fellow scholar-graduates are in a similar situation. Some of them paid their service obligation bonds in cash in order to be able to leave the country after graduation because there are no better jobs in the local economy.

To support the goal of national industrialization means not only providing human resources for science and technology but also to establish local or domestic industries that will absorb and provide meaningful employment for these graduates. Providing scholarships to science graduates to drive the growth of manpower in science and technology can largely contribute in the R&D sector. Yet the current push for foreign investment led development sponsored by the government makes it impossible to establish domestic industries. Coupled with trade liberalization, it even kills some existing small local industries and entrepreneurs.

It is therefore easy to see the one-sidedness of our science manpower development because the government is aiming for increasing our skilled scientists and engineers while allowing the decline of our domestic industries. With such a condition, it is almost impossible for scholar-graduates to be able to participate in the development of national industrialization since there are no vacancies waiting for highly trained scientists or engineers in local industries. It is thus not surprising why the government itself cannot deny the fact that scholar-graduates are finding it hard to enter occupations relevant to their education and training.

When we have no opportunities to participate in genuine nation-building, scholar graduates have no better choices left but to be exploited by foreign capital. Worse, many find it convenient to go abroad and leave our country altogether. What is achieved in fact is the opposite of “filling the needs of industrialization”—the science scholarships available to students become a talent producing program so that the multinationals and foreign firms could feast on the surplus local labor and exploit the crisis that they created in the first place.

kiretoce

March 1st, 2009, 11:14 PM

Filipinos have the ability to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) (http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6797:filipinos-have-ability-to-develop-ai&catid=44:science&Itemid=69)

Mazinger Z and Voltes V, two Japanese animé series characterizing giant robots, grasped the imagination of a generation of Filipino children about three decades ago. Children of all ages could not help but fancy Hollywood reboots of decades-old animé fare such as Star Wars.

Filipino children are not just passive receiver of fantasy entertainment. They are now building their own robots for real, tweaking their engines, scheming their functions, using computer programs and making them patently Filipino.

Building robots fine-tunes skills essential for the true industrialization of the country. This means that the fate of the Philippines lies with these genius children.

But Lance Co Ting Keh, a robot whiz child from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS), thinks of this as a hulking responsibility.

“We’re being too idealistic when we say that the youth is the future of the country. But the system that’s running now is not so well. Fix the system and the youth would be able to do something extraordinary,” says Co Ting Keh.

Robotics in the Philippines is still in its infancy. It would take years before the country can start its own “robot evolution,” says Joshua Malapit, another robot enthusiast from PSHS.

“The problem, I guess, is we don’t invest in long-[term] things because technology research would take a lot of effort and time before it gets through,” explains Co Ting Keh.

Another student, Catherine Angangco, believes that the Philippines has the potential of making large contributions to the robotics industry worldwide. Robots in the country, she says, may not be on a par with those of Japan and the US, but the Filipinos’ ability to develop complex software for artificial intelligence (AI) is.

“We’re pretty resourceful people. We’re pretty resilient people,” adds Angangco, leader of the team which called itself Lagablab (flame).

Team Lagablab is a group of third-year students of the PSHS who have designed and programmed a robot named after a wild breed of chicken native to the country—Larry Labuyo.

Outsmart and outplay

The robot will be entered into the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition in Hawaii from March 26 to 28.

The Philippines is the only member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to be invited to the competition.

Creating Labuyo involved a team of 32 students, who received guidance from four advisers from the University of the Philippines, two from PSHS and four from De La Salle University.

The four-foot-tall robot is equipped with a web camera and parts near the wheels are covered with soft padding for protection in the heat of battle.

Labuyo, says Co Ting Keh, would try to outsmart and outplay the competition in a game called “Lunacy,” where participants would try to place as many “moon rocks” into the trailer of the opposing robot.

The robots are expected to bump hard into each other, but he says Labuyo is ready to take such a beating.

For the first 15 seconds of every two-minute round, Labuyo should be able to move independently and take directions from a software programmed by the students and transmitted wireless to the robot from a computer.

Then the robot should be able to see its environment and its opponent with the help of a vision recognition system. After the first 15 seconds, the students can now take command from the computer and manipulate Labuyo by remote control.

Another difficult part of the competition is the slimy surface of the game area.

“The hardest part of building our robot was learning everything from scratch in the six weeks we were given to design and build our entry,” says Angangco.

Work with what we have

Dr. Ester Ogena, director of the Science Education Institute, said the robot, which has the feature of a trailer truck, could be used in robotic farming.

The building of Labuyo had so far cost the team some P2 million, she adds, appealing for donors in the government and public sector to give the students “the motivation and the inspiration” to become scientists and engineers.

Science Undersecretary Fortunato de la Peña noted how significant these researches in robotics to the country’s agriculture, manufacturing and health sectors—especially in transporting hazardous materials.

“With robotics, we can really contribute some ecology-friendly technologies,” says Angangco. “We can work things with what we have and not import things from all over the world.”

Lagablab will win

“We are confident that Team Lagablab with its robot, Larry Labuyo, are [on a] par with the students and mentors in the international community. Our ingenuity and versatility as a team will help us win in the FRC [FIRST Robotics Competition],” Ogena said as she expressed optimism that the team of Filipino students would win in a robotics competition in Hawaii in March.

FRC is a unique varsity sport of the mind designed to help high school-aged young people discover how interesting and rewarding the life of engineers and scientists can be.

Ogena said the Philippines would be participating in the FRC to allow the students to learn from play with the “pros” of the science and engineering world; apply math and science concepts to design, build, test and compete with robots; gain hands-on experience in solving real-world problems; and discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology careers.

“Students are involved in design, building and driving the robot; computer animation and programming; research; fundraising; and even public relations and marketing,” she said.

Each year FIRST unveils a new game for the students to solve using a common kit of parts where they are asked to build a robot that would perform based on the rules of the game.

For this year, the students would be engaging the robots in a game called Lunacy, which simulates the conditions on the moon. Robots would be using a special kind of wheels rolling over regolith, a material which is almost frictionless.

Winners of the FRC are awarded the Chairman’s Award, the highest honor given in the regional and final competitions.

Ogena added the Philippines is participating in the FRC to entice students to venture into careers in robotics.

“We want our students to have the motivation and inspiration to become scientists and engineers by making them experience what it is like to be in the real world. We hope that through the FRC, we would be able to give them an insight into the scientific community,” she said.

Other countries participating in the FRC are Brazil, the United States, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Mexico and Turkey

amras

March 4th, 2009, 07:00 AM

R&D planned for energy, electronics
By Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:55:00 03/03/2009

Filed Under: Research & Development, Semiconductors & active components, Energy & Resources, Energy
Most Read
With an initial fund of P200 million, the government and the private sector will set up a research and development facility that will allow the Philippines to determine which technologies it should get into for future growth, an industry official said.

The plan stems from a recently signed memorandum of understanding with Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), a research organization tasked to boost Taiwan’s competitiveness in industrial technology, said Arthur Young, chairman of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc.

Young said ITRI would help the Philippines “pick the right areas where we should be in.”

“ITRI has the best model to fit what we have in the country,” he said. “It’s something that we can adopt. Taiwan will guide us in the process of how they did it, and on how ITRI also eventually became self-funding.”

“The focus of the facility will be on R&D,” Young added. “It should give us an idea where technology needs to go, as far as the country is concerned. It will help determine where the Philippines can put enough R&D to grow the country.”

At the onset, the facility will get funding from the government — P100 million for the electronics industry and P100 million for energy, Young said.

The facility should eventually become self-funding and should be run by the private sector, he said.

“It’s important that this institution is privately run. We have to professionalize this technology think tank,” he added. “ITRI will initially provide us with the right platform to get us going in the right direction. Now, we’re kind of listless on where we want to go in terms of technology. This facility will allow us to have focus.”

A group of Filipino scientists under the country’s Engineering Research and Development for Technology program recently visited technology firms in Taiwan, to discuss possible cooperation agreements and talk about the rollout of new technologies.

The 18-person team went to high-tech firms located within the Hsinchu Science Park, including ITRI, National Applied Research Laboratories, National Nano Device Laboratories, the Systems on Chip Center at the National Chiao Tung University Innovation Incubation Center, and the Tsing Hua University Incubation Center.

source (http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20090303-192155/RD-planned-for-energy-electronics)

TambayBlues

March 6th, 2009, 09:19 AM

One of the R&D priorities that we need to focus on is better birth control methods to find the best technology suitable for the poor to reduce our birth rate which is still high compared to our resources and stage of development. A lot of our problems are also due to our overpopulation considering the small size of our country and scarcity of industries to support jobs. The device called Norplant which is good for 5 yrs is the best right now. What we can do is to reverse engineer this technology and develop a cheaper alternative and disseminate them among the masses. Here's the study of it's effectiveness vs other birth control methods;

http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/birthcontrol/methods.htm

death327

March 21st, 2009, 03:02 AM

Our best minds are not here. They are scattered around the world.

Sayang!

death327

March 21st, 2009, 05:52 AM

I believe we have to re-structure our Science and Technology department. We are missing certain new fields.

Like for example PHILVOLCS and PAGASA, I suggest, remove Atmospheric and Geological aspect from Pag-asa and merge them with PHILVOLCS... afterall these fields are related to each other, geophysical phenomenon. And the Astronomy part should be separated to take care of our stake in space race.

Also, I can't find sense in having separate councils from services... parang redundant having agencies like Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), etc..

I suggest, services and councils must be integrated into one body.

Another thing we can also do is eliminate PTRI and other research institutes and put them in one Institute, like Innovation Institute, to cater innovative products from indigenous materials and aqua-agro materials.

Also, I believe it is time for us to strengthen the Computing research (I am not sure if NCC is under DOST), Biotechnology and Genetics, and Nuclear research (this can be pushed through PNRI), high-energy research, information technology research.

We don't have centralized agencies addressing emerging global trends in science and technology.

In my opinion, we really need to restructure our thrust in S&T, by restructuring DOST.

kiretoce

April 6th, 2009, 05:12 AM

Pinoy youths shine in US robotics tilt (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/april/06/yehey/techtimes/20090406tech1.html)

A 20-person team of Philippine Science High School (PSHS) students and their mentors has qualified to take part in the FIRST Robotics competition in Atlanta, Georgia this April 16 to 18 pitting teams from 48 US states as well as teams from Brazil, Canada ,Chile, Germany, Israel and Mexico.

But if sufficient funding fails to be raised, the PSHS team dubbed as Lagablab will be representing the Philippines and playing as the only team from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with only as few as 10 team members. With this reduced number, they shall be operating Larry Labuyo, a robot they themselves designed and programmed, in robotic contests at the Georgia Dome with over a thousand science and technologically savvy teenagers.

The Philippine teams’ participation in this tech Olympiad for youth, whose acronym FIRST means For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, announced at a press briefing held recently by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at the PSHS main campus in Diliman, Quezon City. The DOST operates the PSHS system spread in various campuses throughout the country.

At the briefing, DOST Science Education Institute Director, Dr. Ester Ogena told reporters that the Lagalab team’s participation in the Atlanta robotics tournament was due to the fact that it had earlier qualified in the FIRST Robotics Competition elimination held last March 26 to 28 at the Manoa campus of the University of Hawaii.

PSHS team Lagablab displayed its strategic and robotic skills in contests that involved 33 other teams, all from US high schools. Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle and Lt. Gov. James Aiona watched as the participants guided their programmed robots through various games that involved mazes and moves somewhat similar to that of basketball.

All the robots’ programs were written by the teams’ various members with LABVIEW as the developer tool. A proprietary program of the Texas-based National Instruments Corp., it is a software used by professional programmers to develop software to operate machines in high tech and highly automated factories.

LABVIEW is also the software the US National Aeronautics and Space Authority uses to develop programs to guide a number of operations in space shuttles.

The contests were designed to simulate moves a robot would have to make if it were to travel on the moon. All robots used a wheel rolling over rogolith, a material which is almost frictionless.

The objective: place as many “moon rocks” into the opponent’s trailer within 2 minutes and 15 seconds. In one game, Larry Labuyo dumped seven rocks into the opposing team’s trailer within three seconds.

Team Labuyo finished 17th of 33 qualifying it for the Georgia championship with its record in Hawaii of five wins, five losses, and one tie.

At the briefing, DOST Undersecretary Fortunato de la Peña told reporters that Larry Labuyo had already been shipped to Georgia from Hawaii to cut down on shipping costs. He said that the DOST had already raised from various donors P1.5 million to ensure that at least half of the 20-person team would take part in the finals.

He said another P1.5 million had been verbally promised already by other donors as of the press briefing.

At the briefing, DOST Secretary Alabastro told reporters that PSHS Team Lagablab’s performance in Hawaii showed that the Philippines could be globally competitive in the field of robotics. She praised the contest as an activity that could encourage more Filipinos to take up careers in science and technology.

kiretoce

April 6th, 2009, 07:49 AM

PAGASA chief wants more Filipino Galileos (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090402-197495/PAGASA-chief-wants-more-Filipino-Galileos)

"The Philippines does not give importance to scientific discoveries, more so in the field of astronomy,” said Frederick Gabriana, an instructor at the Rizal Technological University’s Department of Astronomy. He also noted a “low awareness” of science and technology among Filipinos.

To illustrate his point, he cited the discovery of a second red spot on Jupiter in February 2006 by Christopher Go of the University of San Carlos in Cebu.

He said the discovery merited front-page treatment in the New York Times and was big news in the scientific community in other countries, but was not even reported in the Philippines.

To get Filipinos, particularly the youth, interested in science and technology, we should first get them interested in astronomy, according to the chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astrological Services Administration (PAGASA).

At the launch Wednesday of the Philippines’ participation in the worldwide celebration of “100 Hours of Astronomy” on April 2-5, PAGASA chief Prisco Nilo observed a waning interest in the pursuit of science and technology as a specialized field in the country.

“Most of the graduates we have today are in nursing. In fields like engineering and agriculture, we are noting a sharp decline,” Nilo said.

Oldest science

He said that through astronomy, “we can generate interest in the youth to pursue the other sciences as well.”

“Astronomy is the parent of other sciences like physics, and is the basis for space discovery. It is the oldest science. So we need to increase awareness in science and technology and make Filipinos more scientifically aware. And we can do that through astronomy,” Gabriana said.

Astronomy has wide appeal, he said, adding: “You put up a telescope anywhere and people from all walks of life will come and take a look. It’s our natural inclination to be curious. A telescope can catch attention and lead to interest in other sciences.”

The Rizal Technological University is the only school in the country that offers astronomy as an undergraduate course, Gabriana said. It also offers a master’s degree in the same field.

Scientific revolution

According to Gabriana, the global observance of “100 Hours of Astronomy” is aimed at spurring deeper interest in the sciences.

The exercise coincides with the first time Galileo Galilei peeked into his telescope 400 years ago.

“That act of Galileo started the scientific revolution. Many scientific breakthroughs are credited to Galileo’s act,” Gabriana said.

tonight

April 13th, 2009, 11:34 AM

Filipino scientist to clean up mining mess (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20090413-199075/Filipino-scientist-to-clean-up-mining-mess)
By Alexander Villafania

MANILA, Philippines—A Filipino returning scientist is proposing to develop a solution to clean up areas that have been ruined by mining contamination.

Agustine Doronila, a University of Melbourne senior research fellow, said that he was willing to help establish a “phytoremediation” research group that would harness plants to recover contaminants from the ground and water, thereby restoring ecological balance in a mining area.

Doronila is now part of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Balik Scientist Program.

Doronila said the research, dubbed the Philippine Metalophyte Research Consortium, would be based in Ateneo De Manila University.

He said there are endemic plants in the country that could be used for phytoremediation. These include the spurge plant or Euphobiaceae (scientific name Phyllanthus balgooyi), which has been described in a study by botanist Domingo Madulid as a "hyper accumulator" or a plant that could absorb large quantities of heavy metals.

Other plants considered for phytoremediation are the Meliceae, Ochnaceae and Dichapetalaceae.

The Filipino scientist said the yield of contaminated farmlands is only about P5,500 per hectare. But farms that have undergone phytoremediation could produce P165,000 of crops per hectare.

The Philippines produces various metals, including chromite, copper, nickel and gold.

Statistics from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau show there are 24 operating medium to large scale metallic mines in the country, up from 18 in 2006.

There are also about 800 abandoned mines all over the country.

Doronila said that mining contamination could affect people's livelihood and health.

regjeex

April 13th, 2009, 02:20 PM

IMO lang sa "where are our DOST scholars?"

ang ibang applicants para sa DOST scholars na masasabi natin na may future talaga at walang kaya sa buhay mga parents nila, ay hindi pumasa dahil mga pinapasok nila is yong mga kamag anak at kakilala ng agensya na yan.... san ngaun ang mga matatalino na hindi nakapasa... ayon nag bubungkal ng lupa... sayang talaga.. dapat bigyan ng pansin yon kse malaking tulong sa atin yan.... maraming mga deserving students na willing talagang mag tapos na meron future... un sana dapat ang tulungan...

tonight

April 23rd, 2009, 01:46 PM

New raw materials for textiles eyed (http://mb.com.ph/articles/203411/new-raw-materials-textiles-eyed)
By MADEL R. SABATER

The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) is looking at lichens as a possible new raw material for producing textiles. Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) science research specialist II Julius Leaño, Jr. said that lichens may be a possible local raw material for textile production in the future.

Lichens has a symbiotic association with fungus. It covers some trees mostly in the arctic tundra, hot deserts, rocky coasts, and toxic slag heaps. It is also abundant on leaves and branches in rain forests and temperate woodland, on bare rock, including walls and gravestones, and on exposed soil surfaces.

Lichens are long-lived and is used in making perfumes and traditional medicines aside from dye-making. Lichens are also useful to scientists in assessing the effects of air pollution, ozone depletion and metal contamination. "These are sustainable raw materials," Leaño pointed out.

Leaño also encouraged the public to plant more trees, particularly those which are tapped as raw materials for natural dyes. He said the Philippines needs to be at the forefront in the global textile industry as the international market, particularly in the US and Europe, are pining for organic materials even in textile production.

Natural dye colorants are extracted from natural resources using equally eco-friendly extraction methodologies. To date, some 75 indigenous plant sources have been recognized by Philippine Textile Research Institute as good sources of natural dyes.

These include indigo for blue natural dye, cogon grass for yellow natural dye, achuete and anato for orange, mahogany for brown, talisay for gold, silver and black; sampaloc for peach, coconut for shades of pink and brown, mayana for green, and kawayang tinik, also for yellow.

PTRI targets to have identified 100 indigenous plants as natural dye sources by end of this year. (with source from en.wikipedia.org)

tonight

April 24th, 2009, 09:40 AM

Robotics tilt eyed for science schools (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20090424-201154/Robotics-tilt-eyed-for-science-schools)
By Alexander Villafania

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) is eyeing to hold an annual robotics competition among the country’s science high schools.

The competition would allow science high school students to show their prowess in creating a robot, in the same manner as “Larry Labuyo,” the robot created by a group of students from the Philippine Science High School in Quezon City, which joined the prestigious FIRST Robotics competition in Hawaii and Atlanta, Georgia in the US.

The competition is set to be officially announced sometime in June or July, in time for the upcoming National Science and Technology Week (NSTW).

In an interview, SEI Director Ester Ogena said the robotics competition is aimed at encouraging young science high school students to pursue technical courses related to the creation of robotics, particularly in the areas of software programming, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.

Ogena said the Philippine robotics team recently sent abroad with “Larry Labuyo” are examples of young people working together to build a complex machine. “Obviously, our intention is to develop communities among our students.”

Ogena said the SEI is still finalizing the guidelines for the competition. She said that the development kit for each school participating in the competition would have to be composed of parts mostly purchasable from local shops.

“We’re still working on what the development kit would have. They won’t have to be expensive but they have to be workable,” Ogena said.

tonight

April 26th, 2009, 10:15 AM

BAR bioethanol research finished (http://mb.com.ph/articles/203711/bar-bioethanol-research-finished)
By MARVYN N. BENANING

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) says the results of its research and development (R&D) on bioethanol production and utilization are now available to the public.

BAR has commissioned feasibility studies on sweet sorghum and cassava as biofuel feedstock and said the comprehensive work covered production of bioethanol from cassava, postharvest activities, processing, marketing, organization and management, and its financial aspect.

According to the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences (ISSAAS), which conducted the studies, cassava is a low-maintenance crop and has a very high starch-to-sugar conversion ratio.

"Potentially, feedstock from cassava can be produced at the lowest cost. With high feedstock yield levels, ethanol yield from cassava becomes comparably better than those from sugarcane or sweet sorghum. However, cassava can also be the most expensive among the major feedstock depending on prevailing prices of tubers or derived products," according to the study.

On the other hand, the feasibility study on sweet sorghum showed several advantages of growing the crop for bioethanol.

Sweet sorghum is not yet popular in the country but is considered as one of the most important cereal crops as it is a viable source of human food and animal feed.

tonight

April 28th, 2009, 12:33 PM

DoST study using sea currents for power (http://mb.com.ph/articles/204030/dost-study-using-sea-currents-power)
By MADEL R. SABATER

An equipment to measure the velocity of currents in the San Bernardino Strait is now being used to study the possibility of one day harnessing the wave and currents to generate electricity for provinces in the Visayas, a Department of Science and Technology official said.

In an interview, Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD) senior science research specialist Albert Marino said an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) has been installed at the Totoog Pt. in Capul Island to measure the velocity of currents in the San Bernardino Strait.

The P800,000 equipment was placed 80 to 100 meters off the shoreline at a depth of 25 meters. A similar equipment lent by the Italian government was installed in the Tanon Strait, south of Cebu. Marino said they are looking for sites that where currents are measured at more than two meters per second (m/s). Data revealed that San Bernardino Strait could produce 4 m/s current velocity but this needs to be verified.

Tanon Strait could produce 2m/s current velocity. He said other sites being considered are Calintaan Pt., Calayura Pt., and Juac Pt. in Sorsogon. The project is being concentrated in the Visayas because the area is known to have strong marine current.

The DoST plans to use a 300,000 Euro “Kobold Turbine” to harness the energy of sea currents. The project is being undertaken in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with funds from the Italian government.

The DoST will be providing a counterpart fund worth P6-million for the mooring expenses and the barge if the project will be proven viable.

Marine current energy is a type of renewable energy derived from those sources that can be tapped without depleting reserves. It is mostly generated by tides and to a lesser extent, by thermal density affects.

Its benefits include predictable water velocities and power outputs; its resource has four times the energy density of a good wind site; water turbines need not be designed for extreme atmospheric fluctuations but rather, can be better cost-optimized unlike wind turbines.

Its greatest resource is in close proximity to coastlines and many areas with high population densities; and the technology is potentially modular and does not need large civil engineering works.

tonight

May 2nd, 2009, 06:00 AM

DoST boosts researches on transport packaging (http://mb.com.ph/articles/204487/dost-boosts-researches-transport-packaging)
By MADEL R. SABATER

The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) is bolstering its researches on transport packaging to reduce export rejects as it aims to help increase the country’s export revenues and aggressively compete in the global packaging market.

Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD) science research specialist II Katrina Batang told the Manila Bulletin that the PCIERD and the Packaging Research and Development Center (PRDC) under its sister agency, Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), are currently conducting researches that focus on transport packaging.

Unknown to many, packaging is also a science aimed at enclosing and protecting products from shock, vibration, compression, temperature, among others, for distribution, storage, sale and use.

Transport or distribution packaging is important in shipping, storing and handling the product or inner packages.

Batang said improving transport packaging in the country is important as it will reduce rejects, especially from the food, furniture and ceramics industries, as well as other exported products like Christmas and home decors.

“The cost hinders small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) to become more competitive,” she said, adding that there is a tendency to over-package products being exported by bulk.

She said the research includes the development of improved corrugated boxes, simulation testing from point of design to point of destination, among others. The research for ceramics transport packaging has already started while the research for furniture transport packaging is still on the pipeline.

In ceramics alone, there has been a 23-percent decline due to the country’s stiff competition with Vietnam and China. The Pottery Exporters and Manufacturers Association of Pampanga, Inc. reported a 35 percent loss on export orders due to high cost and poor transport packaging.

tonight

May 3rd, 2009, 09:14 AM

Experts claim success with ‘green water’vs bacteria (http://mb.com.ph/articles/204616/experts-claim-success-with-green-water-vs-bacteria)
By MARVYN N. BENANING

Two University of the Philippines (UP) biotechnology experts have finally succeeded in battling the pesky luminous bacteria that have caused untold losses to shrimp growers.

Dr. Jesse D. Ronquillo of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and Prof. Valeriano L. Corre, Jr. of the Institute of Aqualculture (IA), College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) said their research has shown that using "green water" technology eliminates the bacteria that had caused high mortalities in prawn grow-out areas.

Research on the problem started in 1999 but the technology was perfected only in the last three years.

Ronquillo and Corre said the project aimed to prevent and control aquaculture diseases like the spread of vibrio or luminous bacteria, which broke out in 1993 and exterminated shrimps in Visayas farms.

Chlorination had long been used to reduce pathogens in the water but the impact was short-term since rapid repopulation of seawater occurred upon dechlorination.

Another method was to use vaccines and antibiotics but no vaccine has been available to eliminate most shrimp diseases. Moreover, the use of antibiotics is suspect since it can have collateral effects on consumers.

Modifications in management techniques were suggested to address the problem posed by luminous bacteria but the semi-intensive farming method and the use of modular ponds proved to be rather expensive and laborious.

Since the completion of the project in 2002, shrimp production has been enhanced.

The new technology uses green water to culture shrimps. It is a technique that relies on phytoplankton-rich water. In this system, saline tilapia is also propagated in fish cages to produce green water, which controls the growth of luminous bacteria.

Green water technology is the most functional solution, Ronquillo and Corre said.

Through this technique, pathogen growth can be inhibited, water quality can be improved and the immune system of the cultured species can be stimulated. The use of biocontrol agents like living microorganisms, aside from being a biological method, costs much less.

The propagation of green water technology is funded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) through its biotechnology research and development (R&D) program.

tonight

May 4th, 2009, 11:28 AM

UK technology to help save energy (http://mb.com.ph/articles/204689/uk-technology-help-save-energy)
By MADEL R. SABATER

A technology fabricated from the United Kingdom will soon be available in the Philippines to help reduce industrial power consumption from air-conditioning use.

Conditionair Energy Services, Inc. has developed an energy-saving control device, dubbed “Conditionair Energy Saving Control,’’ which, it said, could help reduce power consumption, particularly from air conditioning use, by 30 percent.

“It reduces energy consumption through more effective control of the compressor, (thus) improving cooling efficiency and saving energy. The (technology) closely monitors the internal operation of the existing air-conditioning unit,” it said.

“It measures the length of time the unit takes to complete a cooling cycle, not the temperature. This allows the control to interrupt the compressor when further cooling would be wasteful, without adversely affecting comfort conditions for the area being served,” it added.

The use of air conditioning units reportedly accounts to 70 percent of a building’s energy consumption.

“Initial studies estimate that for a commonly used five-ton split-type unit, the monthly savings could be as much as P5,075 per month and P60,900 a year. Multiply this by the number of units and the savings can really reduce the total electrical consumption for each user,” it said.

The national government, through the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), has been promoting energy conservation among industry players as it aims to lessen energy cost and increase energy efficiency from industrial operations all over the country.

Survey made by experts at the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD) revealed that economic barriers such as lack of capital to invest on energy-efficient technologies and lack of information on the importance of energy efficiency and conservation hampered industries to bring down their energy cost from operations.

spearhead

May 9th, 2009, 07:25 AM

Techtrends: Pasig has RP's first robotic carpark
ShareThis05/08/2009 | 10:07 PM
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/41297/Techtrends-Pasig-has-RP's-first-robotic-carpark

tonight

May 13th, 2009, 12:51 PM

RP ‘technology incubators’ identified (http://mb.com.ph/node/200462)
By MADEL R. SABATER

The Department of Science and Technology, in partnership with a German organization, have identified five institutions all over the country with potentials to successfully operate a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) to spur economic growth, including job generation.

DoST’s Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD), in partnership with Germany’s Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung GmbH (Inwent) or Capacity Building International, said the institutions would be utilized to successfully commercialize technologies and thus generate more jobs in the country.

The institutions are the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), identified for TBI in agri-processing; University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), for biotechnology and agriculture; UP Cebu College, for information technology (IT); UP-Visayas Miag-ao campus in Iloilo, for agriculture and fisheries processing; and DoST Region XI (Southeastern Mindanao), for TBI on food processing.

“These institutions have been identified to have the potential for success in operating a TBI,” PCASTRD Research Information and Utilization Division chief Dr. Virginia Novenario – Enriquez told the Manila Bulletin.

TBI is an initiative of the Department intended as a strategy to commercialize technologies and promote locally grown technology-oriented enterprises, Enriquez said. This includes support in the establishment of facilities and the operational and marketing processes.

“We will provide the right set-up, environment and support for the program,” she said.

The program started in 2007 and will end in 2010.

Aside from the Philippines, Inwent also provided trainings for TBIs in Thailand and has similar ongoing trainings in Indonesia and Vietnam. Enriquez said Inwent has a “positive” evaluation for the Philippine TBIs.

xandro

May 25th, 2009, 08:51 AM

RP firm to preview newer ‘Ilumina TV’ (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20090525-207022/RP-firm-to-preview-newer-Ilumina-TV)

By Alexander Villafania
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:51:00 05/25/2009

Filed Under: Innovation (invention), Technology (general), Television, Internet

MAKATI CITY, Philippines--After several months of keeping quiet, a Filipino company that showcased a homegrown all-in-one widescreen TV is ready to show the next iteration of its creation.

Inovent has scheduled a closed-door preview of a second prototype of the Ilumina TV for select public and media and electronics engineers from different universities on June 12.

Inovent Chief “Inoventor” Brian Quebengco said the preview would give the company an idea of possible audience reception to the Ilumina.

He also hopes to get some feedback from the engineers who will attend the preview.

“We’re already expecting negative criticisms but that’s the whole idea because we want this to be a better product when it comes out,” Quebengco said.

The “alpha prototype” version of the Ilumina, unveiled in December last year, featured a 32-inch LCD integrated with a small-form factor computer motherboard that allowed it to work as a computer.

It had a webcam that can connect to the Internet via cable or WiFi and it runs on Ubuntu operating system.

Quebengco said the newer version would have additional features, particularly an enhanced graphical user interface, new applications and a new TV receiver.

The executive said that since they announced the Ilumina in 2008, they have been in talks with several local companies for parts and assembly.

He said they have been in discussions with Intel’s office in Singapore to provide them with some components that would power their creation.

pi_malejana

May 26th, 2009, 07:41 AM

^^ wow... i thought they were affected by the financial crisis; after kasi nung first unveiling nila, wala ng news...:okay:

absinthe_888

May 27th, 2009, 03:40 AM

Maxxclip

May 27th, 2009, 07:50 AM

i feel sorry for this thread...:( napagiiwan ng panahon...halos pamahayan na ng iba't-ibang insekto dahil madalang pa sa patak ng ulan kung ma-update

dapat ito ang pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng ating gobyerno. itong mga pasilidad na ganito ang syang huhulma ng magandang bukas para sa ating lahat.

adgaps

May 29th, 2009, 09:41 AM

OtAkAw

May 30th, 2009, 10:29 AM

^^Filipinos are largely unaware of the importance of R&D, producing inventions and breakthroughs in Science and Technology. Wala man lang tayong Nobel laureates. Naku kawawa talaga.

bakasaurus

May 30th, 2009, 04:17 PM

^^Filipinos are largely unaware of the importance of R&D, producing inventions and breakthroughs in Science and Technology. Wala man lang tayong Nobel laureates. Naku kawawa talaga.

Nakow, this is a long shot. Haha. R & D facilities would not be very productive if our education system is not really revitalized itself. Kulang na kulang ng research kasi ang teachers din hindi adept at research and statistics. Pwera lang sa mga S&T schools. It would have to start with reforms in our educational system, and strengthen the culture of research in our schools. Competent researchers start to acquire skills at school.

MatudNilaBaby

May 31st, 2009, 03:08 AM

tonight

May 31st, 2009, 12:23 PM

New hybrid orchid named after Atienza (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=471899&publicationSubCategoryId=75)
By Katherine Adraneda

MANILA, Philippines – The man known for his signature floral-printed tops now has an orchid species named after him.

On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Biodiversity recently, orchid breeder Rolita Spowart and Dr. Mundita Lim, director of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), turned over to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza the hybrid flower with yellow-orange blossoms.

The launching and turnover ceremony was held at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City where the Plant Show and Philippine Fauna Exhibit was also showcased.

Spowart said she chose the particular hybrid — now called Spathoglottis Lito Atienza — because it stood out from the rest of thousands of hybrids she has bred.

“It has extraordinarily large flowers borne on fixed stems. The color, yellow-orange, is also much sought-after in orchids,” Spowart said.

“This orchid, like Secretary Lito Atienza, is a true Filipino, born and bred in the country,” she added. “And like him, this orchid has many unique and outstanding characteristics that make it worthy of being the foundation parent of the future.”

Atienza was thankful for the recognition. “I am deeply honored and humbled at the same time to have been given the honor of having the identity of this very beautiful, exotic, original and endemic type of flower that is truly a Filipino variety,” he said.

Atienza noted that the Philippines is endowed with many varieties of endemic species of flora compared to other countries.

He said the country has 15,000 species of flora, half of which are endemic.

Atienza said the Philippines is known to grow among the world’s most beautiful orchids with 141 genera and more than 1,000 species of the monocotyledon family.

There are around 600 to 800 genera and 25,000 to 35,000 species of orchids known the world over. These are mostly found in tropical countries

The country’s most popular orchid is the waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana).

Askal82

May 31st, 2009, 09:09 PM

neverwinter

June 1st, 2009, 09:49 AM

^^ i agree...

kelangang pagtuunan ng pansin itong mga R&D facilities sa bansa para mas umusad ang level ng technology dito sa Pilipinas...

sadly, it seems our politicos don't even know what our scientific facilities do... baka nga hindi pa nila alam na merong mga ganito eh... :ohno::ohno:

Oo nga e. Ang maituturing pa lang na research university dito sa bansa ay UP Los Baños at UP Diliman. Nakakalungkot mang isipi'y hindi talaga nabibigyan pansin ang ating mga researchers at scientists.

^^ Filipinos are largely unaware of the importance of R&D, producing inventions and breakthroughs in Science and Technology. Wala man lang tayong Nobel laureates. Naku kawawa talaga.

We have several good scientists, too.

Six Filipino scientists are members of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UN-IPCC) which won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 with Albert Arnold Gore, Jr. They are:

1. Dr. Felino P. Lansigan, Professor, UPLB Institute of Statistics and The School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) and a SEARCA Fellow;
2. Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz, Professor and Dean, UP College of Forestry and Natural Resources;
3. Dr. Juan M. Pulhin, Associate Professor, UP College of Forestry and Natural Resources;
4. Dr. Rodel D. Lasco, Coordinator for Southeast Asia, World Agroforestry Center and UP College of Forestry and Natural Resources;
5. Dr. Rosa T. Perez, Retired Climatologist, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA); and
6. Fr. Jett Villarin, President, Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City.

That makes them Nobel laureates. :)

Also, I can't find sense in having separate councils from services... parang redundant having agencies like Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), etc..

I don't think they're redundant. PCAMRD specializes its research thrust in marine and aquatic studies--that is, freshwater and saltwater. On the other hand, PCCARD, generally, gives focus in our natural resources which its direct study leans to agriculture and forestry since this two areas largely affect or are the main source of our natural resources.

To tell you the truth, I think there's a need to break up PCARRD to Agriculture and Forestry Research and Development and Natural Resources Research and Development. Nevertheless, of all the councils and research institutes of DOST, PCARRD and PCAMRD is the most productive.

---------------------------------------------------------------
To stick to the thread topic:

UP Los Baños holds distinction of having the most number of important science research institutes and facilities in the country. Some of research facilities in this university are:

National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH)
National Crop Protection Center
(National) Farming Systems and Soil Resources Institute
Postharvest and Horticulture Training and Research Center
(National) Institute of Plant Breeding
(National) Institute of Animal Science
Dairy Training and Research Institute
(National) Institute of Food Science and Technology
La Granja Research and Training Station
UPLB Limnological Research Station
Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems
Training Center for Tropical Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability
Forest Development Center
Parasite Collection and Reference Center
Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center
International Rice Research Institute
Philippine Carabao Center
Philippine Rice Research Institute
DOST Forest Products Research and Development Institute
DENR Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
SEAMEO Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture
World Agroforestry Center
Center for Philippine Raptors
Institute of Renewable and Natural Resources

Six of them were recognized as National Center of Excellence through Presidential Decree; four are research centers of DOST; and five are international research institutes. These research institutes are all productive and publishes monthly or quarterly journals.

Also, the university has numerous laboratories and some offers services for private research, among others:

Animal Nutrition Analytical Service Laboratory
Biotechnology Central Analytical Service Laboratory
Chemical Analytical Service Laboratory
Chemical Control and Pesticide Toxicology Service Laboratory
Crop and Soils Analytical Service Laboratory
Electron Microscopy Service Laboratory
Biomedical Illustration and Microphotography Facility
Environmental Remote Sensing and Geo-information Laboratory
Instrumentation Service Laboratory
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Vaccine and Virology Laboratory

Those were inside the UPLB campus alone. In fact, the Science and Nature City of Los Baños is also dotted by research facilities and centers like the PCAMRD and the PCARRD.

Again, to comply with the thread topic, here are some of their pictures:

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/43028/2243370520103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2243370520103085752qFdszf)
National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH)

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/13808/2251943270103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2251943270103085752MaoUoK)
(National) Institute of Plant Breeding

http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/42494/2406242020103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2406242020103085752lwQTIS)
National Crop Protection Center

http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/34258/2131319580103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2131319580103085752KOJYtn)
(National) Institute of Food Science and Technology

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/45360/2795500620103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2795500620103085752yHKJub)
(National) Institute of Animal Sciences

http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/42847/2605529000103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2605529000103085752euyZoi)
Dairy Training and Research Institute

http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/44637/2228726750103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2228726750103085752ROQJxH)
Postharvest and Horticulture Training and Research Center

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/41904/2790433690103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2790433690103085752sPOmCU)
Training Center for Tropical Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability

http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/35385/2365145450103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2365145450103085752jqGeWp)
Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center

http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/33849/2501745870103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2501745870103085752uTbHVd)
International Rice Research Institute photo credit (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricephotos/)

http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/3090/2820095970103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2820095970103085752oeiYkD)
DOST Forest Products Research and Development Institute

http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/40947/2167407330103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2167407330103085752kymgsy)
DENR Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/11689/2854643150103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2854643150103085752OKuDHO)
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/41068/2852582920103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2852582920103085752uJYfSo)
Institute of Renewable and Natural Resources

http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/42876/2650991490103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2650991490103085752SWqgeC)
Center for Philippine Raptors

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/42544/2887699600103085752S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2887699600103085752JLWuyX)
SEAMEO Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture

UPLBRDE News Service (http://rdenews.uplb.edu.ph/) - The website dedicated to news concerning science and technology updates of UPLB. It's a good thing it's updated regularly.

:)

tonight

June 1st, 2009, 10:10 AM

RP seen as lucrative market for UPS (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20090601-208185/RP-seen-as-lucrative-market-for-UPS)
By Alexander Villafania

MANILA, Philippines - Business process outsourcing and manufacturing industries are lucrative markets for UPS (uninterruptible power supply) provider Chloride.

In a press briefing, Lamberto Tassara, president of UK-based Chloride Group, said the UPS market in the Philippines is worth around US$60 million based on Frost and Sullivan estimates.

“According to the study, Korea is highest with US$150 million. It shows a huge potential business in the Philippines,” Tassara said.

According to him, the Asia Pacific market represents 25 percent of the worldwide UPS market but accounts for about 12 percent of Chloride’s annual global revenue.

Chloride officially opened its local office and promises to grow its workforce here.

The company has been expanding their operations in Southeast Asia, opening facilities in Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea.

Chloride provides small-office-home-office and industrial grade UPS. It competes with other companies such as APC- MGE.

It has also hired Didier Chalumeau – formerly heading the APC-MGE Philippines operation -- as its country manager.

Chalumeau said Chloride will also operate an online systems monitoring facility called LIFE.net in the Philippines to service local customers.

This feature allows the local office to perform remote preventive maintenance and diagnostics of its customers’ UPS.

Said Chalumeau: “Even with the economic crisis. we expect that more companies will continue to invest on their IT equipment to be able to prepare themselves for an upturn.”

tonight

June 1st, 2009, 10:12 AM

SMBs should look into ‘smarter solutions’ (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20090601-208184/SMBs-should-look-into-smarter-solutions)
By Alexander Villafania

MAKATI, Philippines – Small and medium businesses are expected to continue surviving amid the present economic slowdown and thus, invest more on technology for operational improvements.

Despite rosy forecasts, IBM Philippines country manager Pia Azarcon said SMBs would still have to look for IT solutions that would ensure not just short-term reliability but also long-term efficiency, or what she calls “smarter solutions.”

These smarter solutions can solve multiple problems within and outside companies, according to IBM.

This means that the IT infrastructure itself can handle specific operational workloads while ensuring that no other problems are encountered that would affect primary operations.

A combination of hardware, software and technical services mark smarter solutions.

Azarcon said that SMBs, with the promise of faster growth despite the economic crunch, must be familiar with the latest best practices and not just with IT solutions being offered.

“The SMB market is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors and they have to leverage on the technical innovations that deliver business differentiation and spur growth,” Azarcon said.

IBM is aggressively targeting the SMB market including a Southeast Asia wide competition that aim to reward companies who can make create the best proposal on how to build their own smart solutions.

The contest is open to SMBs with no less than a hundred workers. At stake is US$30,000 (or around P1.5 million) worth of IBM equipment, software, and services.

Maxxclip

June 3rd, 2009, 06:18 AM

^^too many to mention...few things done

^^ i agree...

kelangang pagtuunan ng pansin itong mga R&D facilities sa bansa para mas umusad ang level ng technology dito sa Pilipinas...

sadly, it seems our politicos don't even know what our scientific facilities do... baka nga hindi pa nila alam na merong mga ganito eh... :ohno::ohno:

i doubt:D na nasa vocabulary nila ang mga salitang "Research" & "Development"

^^Filipinos are largely unaware of the importance of R&D, producing inventions and breakthroughs in Science and Technology. Wala man lang tayong Nobel laureates. Naku kawawa talaga.

totoo yan, most pinoys are not aware of the importance of R&D...

at least pinahalagahan ito ng Chowking:lol::crazy: Chicken Lauriat?:D

Nakow, this is a long shot. Haha. R & D facilities would not be very productive if our education system is not really revitalized itself. Kulang na kulang ng research kasi ang teachers din hindi adept at research and statistics. Pwera lang sa mga S&T schools. It would have to start with reforms in our educational system, and strengthen the culture of research in our schools. Competent researchers start to acquire skills at school.

right:okay: with that...1000 light years away tayo sa mga nangungunang bansa sa asya :D

tonight

June 4th, 2009, 12:30 PM

Sea cucumber research underway (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=474223&publicationSubCategoryId=75)
By Helen Flores

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has allotted some P2.2 million for a research project that would help improve the production of sea cucumber in the country.

Sea cucumbers, known as bêche-de-mer in French, have long been a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Philippines and other Asian countries export sea cucumber in large quantities to China and other markets.

The three-year research project, headed by marine biologist Ruth Gamboa of the University of the Philippines-Mindanao, aims to boost production of sea cucumber, particularly in Davao.

The research team said they applied “low technology” for the project, which means using cost-effective procedures.

“We mix the sperm and the egg to come up with a new generation of sea cucumbers,” Gamboa said. “Experiments showed that H. scabara spawns three nights after the first quarter, while another variety called Bohaschia simillis spawns three nights after the full moon.”

“Timing is very important,” she said.

Gamboa said they used this new generation of sea cucumbers in determining the best way to grow sea cucumbers and develop steps to improve sea cucumber production.

“We found out through experiments that the sea cucumbers could manage to thrive by feeding on just one kind of algae,” Garcia said. Sea cucumber hatcheries commonly use or feed three kinds of algae, which makes the venture expensive.

Sea cucumbers are fast gaining recognition among European chefs, helping countries like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines export large quantities to China and other markets.

Asia and the Pacific are the top sea cucumber producing regions, generating some 20,000 to 40,000 tons per year.

Data from the FAO showed that the Philippines produced 1,079 tons of sea cucumber in 2004 valued at $2,176,000, which is 21.9 percent of the total world output.

Sea cucumber trading in the country dates back to late 18th century. It was shipped away in dried form called “trepang” to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.

The DOST, however, said the supply of sea cucumber is declining as a result of overfishing, lack of fishing regulations, and poor understanding of its ecology.

In a report, the FAO also identified other threats to sea cucumber populations such as global warming, habitat destruction and illegal fishing.

neverwinter

June 5th, 2009, 05:17 AM

^^too many to mention...so few things done

Maybe you should remove that "so". Yes, if we'll see carefully, given all these research institutes (add other research institutes from other universities), the output is not that proportionate. Such a case may be testified by our ultra-low ratio of PhDs to our population (sourced from UNESCO, 2004).

Yet, we need not be so pessimistic over it as to equate our research and development to futility. There's a number of scientists and people there who devote their lives in uplifting their fellow Filipinos lives through research and innovations. Be enlightened by our research outputs. Sometimes, ignorance pays major role in seeing our research capabilities as nothing but a piece of pancake which, in the end, seems comparable with the quoted politicos. :shifty: :)

Just recently, though, UP held a system-wide conference titled “The Challenge of Being a National University: Looking Toward UP’s Second Century” at the Subic Holiday Villas in Olongapo City. One of the top priorities issued there is the importance of research and further support to it.

Maxxclip

June 5th, 2009, 06:50 AM

Maybe you should remove that "so". Y
done:D

paano hindi magiging proportion ang output e hindi rin naman proportion ang "input" ng government sa R&D. Yes. Sinasabi nila na ganito tayo, na meron tayong ganito, ganire, etc. e hanggang salita lang... asan ang pondo, asan ang seryosong pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga institusyon na patuloy inaamag sa sobrang outdated na pasilidad.

nakakahiya, pero eto na naman... kung yung ngang Philippine Rice Research Institute hindi masolusyunan ang crisis sa bigas, paano na ang iba?

pessimistic... no, reality check, yes

Maxxclip

June 6th, 2009, 02:50 AM

done:D

paano hindi magiging proportion ang output e hindi rin naman proportion ang "input" ng government sa R&D. Yes. Sinasabi nila na ganito tayo, na meron tayong ganito, ganire, etc. e hanggang salita lang... asan ang pondo, asan ang seryosong pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga institusyon na patuloy inaamag sa sobrang outdated na pasilidad.

nakakahiya, pero eto na naman... kung yung ngang Philippine Rice Research Institute hindi masolusyunan ang crisis sa bigas, paano na ang iba?

pessimistic... no, reality check, yes

IRRI-bred rice varieties for the Philippines

Three new rice varieties (http://beta.irri.org/index.php/IRRI-bred-rice-varieties-for-the-Philippines.html)designed to help Filipino farmers grow more rice in difficult conditions have been officially recommended for approval for release in the Philippines. Developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), one variety is flood-tolerant variety, one is drought-tolerant, and one is salt-tolerant.

juandecervantes

June 6th, 2009, 04:44 AM

Once elected, Fernando mulls an engineering-based country
By Johna Baylon Updated May 20, 2009 04:21 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando intends to run an engineering-based country if he is elected as president in May 2010.

"The country needs engineering-based solutions," said Fernando, who was a guest at the 21st Induction Ceremony of the Confederation of Filipino Consultants Inc. this afternoon in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Fernando said a developing country like the Philippines needs to develop infrastructures such as roads and bridges in order to progress. While streets and sidewalks need to be cleared to improve traffic, he said people must also respect public property.

"If you want to change people's social behavior, you need to change his social environment," he said.

Claiming credit for the achievements of the MMDA, which under his leadership improved traffic infrastructures in Metro Manila, Fernando said the country "needs an engineer as president."

He added that he would provide more job opportunities for engineers when he becomes president.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=469595

:banana::cheers:

tonight

June 6th, 2009, 10:02 AM

RP youth still hopeful on science (http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20090605-209008/RP-youth-still-hopeful-on-science)
By Alexander Villafania

MANILA, Philippines—Despite the lack of major long-term interests on the country’s scientific community, many young Filipinos are still hopeful that science will play a key role in improving the country’s economy.

Still in their teens, four students who scored awards in the recent Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) said young people such as them should look to science and engineering and be part of the country’s development.

Angeli Joyce Yap-Dy, Jovani Tomale, Kevin Jer David and Orven Jules Dumaoang won in the recent Intel ISEF in Nevada, USA. Yap-Dy and Tomale were second place awardees for the Special Award division while David and Dumaoang won the higher Grand Award division.

The four joined the ranks of over a dozen other Filipinos winners of previous Intel ISEF competitions in the last 12 years.

The anti-bacterial 'bangus'

Yap-Dy is a second year student from the Capiz National High School. Only 14 years old, Yap-Dy said that students must build an interest on science not just for one’s own interest but for that interest to be shared to others.

Yap-Dy’s entry in the ISEF is a study on the possible utilization of certain compounds from the bile of milkfish, locally known as “bangus,” for medicines against cancer, specifically lung and colon, as well as for antibacterial use.

This project landed Yap-Dy a second special award from the American Association for Clinical Chemistry.

Yap-Dy said her interest on the project stemmed from what she had known about cancer, which she said is a global killer disease. The milkfish project itself was started by another student who was also a previous ISEF winner.

“I wanted to continue this project because it holds so much promise and since milkfish is familiar to us,” Yap-Dy said.

Gender sensitive math

Meanwhile, Tomale, a graduate of the Davao City National High School also won a second place Special Award given by the American Statistical Association. His project centers on creating a mathematical model to determine the gender of the country’s endangered Philippine eagle.

Tomale said he had worked with Davao’s Philippine Eagle Foundation to create the mathematical model, which should give the foundation some better understanding on how to breed captive Philippine eagles.

“I’ve already given the mathematical model for free. I want to be part in ensuring the survival of these birds,” Tomale said.

The 16-year-old Tomale is already an incoming freshman of the Ateneo De Davao University and said he hopes to publish his work in the US-based statistics magazine Chance.

Biotech geniuses

David and Dumaoang, both from the Philippine Science High School in Quezon City, also worked on creating an antibacterial compound, just like Yap-Dy’s milkfish bile. But instead of creating a compound that killed bacteria, David and Dumaoang went further and targeted the bacteria’s ability to communicate.

“Bacteria have the ability to group together, which makes them stronger. By inducing a quorum sensing inhibitor compound to confuse them, they are unable to communicate and thus organize an attack,” David said.

Dumaoang noted that the compounds they tested are from local red seaweed (Halymenia durvillaei), which is also a familiar type of edible nori.

Dumaoang and David stressed that many types of bacteria have become resistant and have rendered many commercially available antibacterial medicines useless.

Instead of killing bacteria with chemicals, targeting their communication is a key aspect in preventing their spread and attack on other living organisms.

Both students, who are gunning for a medical course in the University of the Philippines, said that they hope other students could continue their project and perhaps branch out to other similar areas.

Young inspirations

Department of Education Undersecretary Vilma Labrador said that despite the tough challenges faced by Filipino students in elementary and high school, they are still able to develop skills at par with their foreign counterparts, as proven by the four students’ victory at ISEF 2009.

“They showed that they are able to accomplish their goals even without the proper tools. They should inspire our children to also focus on science,” Labrador said.

She said that the DepEd is already implementing a new project to create special science schools at the elementary level. She said these science schools should serve as “feeder” institutions for high schools.

Currently, the Department of Science and Technology manages all of the science high schools in the country.

Intel Philippines Corporate Affairs Manager Arlita Narag said in a interview that Intel is working on building a database of all the previous ISEF winners from the Philippines. The database should provide information on the continuation of some of the projects on a commercial level.

“Some of the projects went on to become real projects. One example was the janitor fish project in 2006 and is being implemented by the city of Marikina,” Narag said.

She is referring to a project by 2006 ISEF winner Raymond Joseph Amurao whose project was to create an alternative biofuel source from the oily Hypostomus plecostomus, otherwise known as janitor fish.

Narag said that they are also working with the Philippine Intellectual Property Office to help ISEF participants patent their projects, which could be further developed into commercially viable projects.

“One of the contentions is to have scientific projects become income-generating activities. With so many projects thought of by our young people, we could create an industry that the Philippine economy can benefit from and be a source of pride,” Narag said.

ritche

June 9th, 2009, 08:39 AM

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1647/picture2yxt.png
Full article. (http://www.su.edu.ph/features/spotteddeer.htm)

neverwinter

June 11th, 2009, 05:13 PM

pessimistic... no, reality check, yes

Alas, reality check need be backed up by credible research that, in turn, pours knowledge over certain subject of interest.

--------------------------------------------------

Flipping the other side of the coin, I think I must put some research news* here so as to give, well, another point-of-view to our country's research and development status:

Filipino scientists hope to release GM sweet potato in 2011
by Mediatrix P. Cristobal

MANILA, May 28 (PNA) -- Scientists are delving deeper in producing more high value crops, this time genetically-modified sweet potatoes, in anticipation of bigger market demand attributed to increasing population and emerging innovations done by the food industry.

Scientists from the Visayas State University (VSU) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB) are now working on the development of virus resistant sweet potato (VRSP) through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, which is set for release in 2011.

“Currently, we already have our gene of construct for the VRSP, and it is being validated. The transformation and tissue culture components are under optimization and hopefully, we expect to have the field trials of VRSP by 2011,” shares Ms. Lolita Dolores, a virologist and project leader from UPLB-IPB said.
Out of the fifteen known sweet potato viruses worldwide, eight of these can be found in the country. The most widely spread and important among these, is the sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) which is associated with leaf curl, a disease known as “Kamote Kulot” in Luzon.

“The virus disease complex has been reported to reduce yield of sweetpotato by 40-60 percent in Leyte and 85-98 percent in Albay”, says Dr. Manuel Palomar, VRSP project leader of VSU.

The Philippines ranks eighth in the world in terms of sweet potato production led by China, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD) said.

Sweet potato is planted in more than 120,500 hectares in the Philippines, where Bicol region has consistently led domestic production in terms of volume and hectarage.

In 2006, sweet potato contributed P4.4 billion in domestic earnings.

According to Dr. Palomar, VRSP sweet potato can be developed through the transfer of coat protein gene of the SPFMV into local varieties of sweet potato through “cross-protection.”

Cross protection of plant viruses is a phenomenon in which plants infected with one strain of a virus are protected from the effects of superinfection by other related strains.

Sweet potato is traditionally used as food: boiled, roasted, fried, and as unprocessed feeds.

Technologies available have made it possible to make flour/starch, catsup, fruitlike products, jam, snack chips, and beverage out of sweet potato.

Semi-processed products are further processed into other food products while flour is used as material for cakes, pastries and noodles.

Sweet potato starch is used for the manufacture of paper, ink, paint, chemical products, feed stuff and accelerant. The by-products from starch processing can also be used for alcohol and organic fertilizer production.

There is a growing demand in the local and export markets for sweet potato and its products, the PCARRD said that is why initiatives/enterprises for the production of starch and flour for various high-value processed products are now in place.

The Philippines has been developing seven GM crops, with four already approved for planting or cultivation.

It includes disease-resistant Bt eggplant, and papaya ring spot virus (PRSV)-resistant papaya with delayed ripening trait.

-----------------

UPLB researchers target bioethanol from grass, wood and by-products in 5 years
by Florante Cruz

The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) has recently organized a group of biotechnologists and chemical engineers to conduct scientific investigations in a bid to produce ethanol from so-called 3rd generation biofuel feedstocks.

Leading this group is Dr. Fidel Rey P. Nayve, Jr of UPLB-BIOTECH who has set eyes on producing fuel ethanol from lignocellulosic materials readily available in the Philippines—grass, wood and agricultural by-products.

Rice straw, rice hull, sugarcane bagasse, corn stover corn cobs, and even dried wood, cogon and talahib are jam-packed with lignocellulose, which is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.

Lignocellulose can be fermented to produce ethanol fuel. Meanwhile, dimethyl ether, another by-product of lignocellulose fermentation, is a promising fuel source for diesel and petroleum engines and even gas-powered turbines.
Dr. Nayve recently reported that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCASTRD) will be granting the UPLB scientists P10 M in research funds to develop technologies for cellulosic fuel ethanol production.

According to him, there is a good prospect of having a mature technology within the next five to 10 years. The UPLB-BIOTECH has already in its care several microorganisms which can be used to process grass, wood and agricultural by-products into ethanol.

It is just a matter of identifying which materials can be suitable for ethanol production and developing and optimizing the organisms’ capability to ferment the materials into ethanol.

-----------------

Philippines’ quest for diesel from microalgae
by Florante Cruz

With focus on Jatropa, sweet sorghum and cassava, biofuel research and development is fast gaining momentum in the Philippines. Just recently, the drive to produce diesel fuel from renewable and non-food biodiesel feedstock such as microalgae has gotten a big boost.

With this boost, Professor Emeritus Milagros R. Martinez-Goss of the University of the Philippines Los Baños has got the approval of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Resources Research and Development (PCAMRD) to for fund her proposal to mass cultivate freshwater microalgae for biodiesel feedstock.
Microalgae organisms can be easily grown and used to produce a wide range of commercially interesting by-products. Of particular interest to many researchers is that microalgae can produce enormous amounts of lipids which can be converted into diesel fuel.

In 2007, Yusuf Chisti of Massey University, New Zealand estimated that microalgae can produce as much as 136,900 liters of oil/ha compared to only 1,892 liters/hectare from Jatropha. Coconut, according to Chisti’s study, can only give a slightly better oil yield than Jatropha with 2,689 liters/ha.

With an initial funding of P 4.5M from the DOST-PCAMRD, Dr. Goss will be mass cultivating promising species of freshwater microalgae such as Chlorella vulgaris, Scendesmus obliques and Nitzschia palae. She states that the three species have the potential as biodiesel feedstock because of their growth rate, lipid content and lipid profile.

Dr. Goss’ project is part of a larger research program, aimed to characterize, optimize and genetically and physiologically modify microalgae for mass cultivation to be used for biodiesel production. The program will be facilitated by UPLB in cooperation with the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of Santo Tomas.

Source (http://rdenews.uplb.edu.ph/)

*on a regular basis

tonight

June 16th, 2009, 04:22 AM

World's 1st plant oil-fueled stove now commercialized (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=477325&publicationSubCategoryId=77)
By Rudy A. Fernandez

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte, Philippines - The world’s first plant oil-fueled stove is now being commercialized on Leyte Island and adjoining places.

Named Protos, the cooking device was developed by a German firm, BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgerate GmbH, in collaboration with research partners, among them the Visayas State University (VSU) in this seaside city situated 120 kilometers southwest of Leyte’s capital city of Tacloban.

Protos has been envisioned to help solve energy problems in cooking; eliminate health problems associated with open fires, especially for women and children; reduce deforestation for firewood or charcoal; promote effective cooking systems that use renewable fuels; and protect biodiversity.

Its cheap fuel sources are used vegetable oil from restaurants and diverse plant oils such as those of coconut, jatropha, peanut, cotton seeds, and others.

Protos is not yet a final product and the observations and suggestions of those using it are being addressed.

These include the noise it creates during cooking, cost of some of the stove’s parts available locally, and refinement of the used vegetable oil as fuel.

VSU said Protos is turning out to be the most environment-friendly stove because it uses plant oil, which is renewable, as fuel; it reduces dependency on fossil fuel imports; and it can reduce deforestation by substituting wood as fuel for cooking.

Health-wise, it has no hazardous emission and it protects the family’s health owing to its very low greenhouse gases emission.

Carbon dioxide emissions of Protos is more than 10 times lower than those of liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene, and almost 70 times lower than those of wood and charcoal.

A family of four or five consumes only two liters per week or about 100 liters per year of used vegetable oil to operate the stove.

“Local production of plant oil and stove parts can also create employment opportunities in the rural areas,” VSU added. Finally, Protos cooks faster owing to its high power output.

jpdm

June 16th, 2009, 05:05 AM

^^^^Good news so that we can reduce our dependence on LPG sold by these greedy and exploitative oil companies!:)

jpdm

June 19th, 2009, 03:30 AM

Business Mirror

Govt to invest P2.5B in R&D for nanotech development in RP

Economy
Written by Jonathan L. Mayuga / Correspondent
Wednesday, 17 June 2009 22:15

THE government is eyeing to invest some P2.5 billion for the development of nanotechnology in the Philippines through research and development within the next 10 years.

A team of experts from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is now in the process of finalizing a road map for the development of nanotechnology in the Philippines.

Five areas of nanotechnology application in the Philippines which need particular focus, namely, ICT and semiconductors, energy, agriculture and food, medicine and environment, have been identified as priority areas of development for nanotechnology under the proposed road map.

The research and development of nanotechnology will be conducted by the DOST, in collaboration with public and private research institutions with technical expertise and capacities.

The group, led by Dr. Fabian Dayrit, chairman of the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD), presented a proposed road map for the development of nanotechnology, or nanotech, at the Sulô Hotel in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Dayrit said the Philippines has the technical expertise and capacity to conduct extensive research and development on such nanotech areas or discipline.  He said it is only wise for the Philippines to invest now, or it may end up lagging behind other countries.

“We don’t want to be left behind,” he said.

Nanotechnology is the study of the control of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with structures of the size 100 nanometers or smaller, and involves developing materials or devices within that size.

Nanotechnology is very diverse, ranging from novel extensions of conventional device physics, to completely new approaches based upon molecular self-assembly, to developing new materials with dimensions on the nanoscale, even to speculation on whether we can directly control matter on the atomic scale.

To jump-start research and development of nanotechnology in the Philippines, the DOST has already requested from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) an initial amount of P50 million.

Such research and development will cover the five identified priority areas, plus education, Dayrit said.

In 2001 the United States National Nanotechnology Initiative invested about $220 million toward research and discovery. The budget for 2008 went up to $1.5 billion.

Other counties have invested for nanotechnology. The European Union allotted €1 billion in 2004. Japan invested $800 million in 2003. South Korea allotted $2 billion for 10 years, while Taiwan allotted $600 million for a period of six years. China has allotted $100 million in 2003.

As of 2008, the total worldwide investment in nanotechnology reached more than $10 billion, Dayrit said.

Dayrit said the scope of nanotechnology is not limited to miniaturization. “It involves the exploitation of new phenomena which arise at the atomic and molecular levels,” he said.

According to Dayrit, nanotechnology can be applied to biotechnology, materials science, and ICT.

“Nanotechnology is already with us,” he said. However, research in nanotechnology is essential “so that we can explore the potential of this technology.

According to Dayrit, nanotechnology is not a completely new field. As far as the Phiulippines is concerned, “we are not starting from zero
capabilities.”

I hope they can focus too in developing our capability metal and machinery manufacturing (simple machinery)

oreotm

June 19th, 2009, 05:55 PM

^^ wow what a great news..... i also hope we invest more in research and development, sana iprioritize din ng government ang Science and math sa Curriculum sa elementary and high school

tonight

June 20th, 2009, 03:51 AM

Agri institute urges innovations to conserve land, water resources (http://mb.com.ph/articles/207477/agri-institute-urges-innovations-conserve-land-water-resources)
By RIO ROSE RIBAYA

Scientists and researchers need to use cutting-edge scientific innovations to conserve natural land and water resources that would continuously sustain and increase crop productivity in the country, an international research institute on agriculture urged Friday.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) at the same time shed light on land degradation and desertification, using their research products and outcomes as examples on how to defend the agriculture industry against its harmful effects.

"The health of our lands is the basis of our food chain and climate, and the livelihoods of our small farmers and poorest people. The positive impact on combating land degradation can come only with the development and application of good science," ICRISAT director-general William Dar said.

Desertification reduces the ability of lands to support life, which makes it as one of the world's most serious contemporary challenges that resulted from abuses on earth's resources, degrading plant, animal, and more than 1 billion human lives all over the world.

The decrease in plant life that goes along with desertification leads to accelerated soil erosion, land fertility reduction and degradation, which has become a global phenomenon that makes around 12 million hectares of land useless for cultivation every year.

But Dar said this can be prevented by producing and using ICRISAT's cutting-edge scientific innovations that can benefit the poor people living in the dry lands and help small farmers in semi-arid tropics to fight against its adverse effects.

Celebrating the United Nation's World Day to Combat Desertification, Dar urged agriculturalists and concerned local government agencies to use research products and scientific innovations that will help prevent it so as to provide sustained livelihood and income security to farmers.

Citing examples, he said, that ICRISAT integrated watershed management strategy in India, China, Thailand, and Vietnam has brought together improved agronomy and natural resource management practices for the benefit of dry land farmers in Asia.

tonight

June 25th, 2009, 04:55 AM

RP to host robot fest in 2010 (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20090625-212328/RP-to-host-robot-fest-in-2010)
By Jerry E. Esplanada

MANILA, Philippines -- Robots of all shapes and sizes from at least 30 countries will try to outsmart and outclass each other during the World Robot Olympiad (WRO), which the Philippines is hosting for the first time in 2010.

Mylene Abiva, president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Robotics Olympiad (PRO), announced on Wednesday that after three tries, the country finally won the right to host the international competition.

More than 1,200 foreign students and coaches are expected to participate in the Manila edition of the WRO, according to Abiva, who also heads Felta Multi-Media, Inc., which runs the local robotics contest.

The WRO aims "to bring together young robotics scientists from all over the world to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills through computer technology, basic engineering, mechatronics, and communications," said Abiva.

It will be "another challenge for local robotics experts to show the world that they can be the best," added Ruby Cristobal, head of the science and technology culture development program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Aside from DOST and the Department of Education, PRO is also backed by SM Foundation, SM North Edsa Mall, McKester's peanut butter, A-Z Direct Marketing, and No Curfew watch.

In the past seven years, "the Philippines has won two WRO gold medals, courtesy of robotics entries from FAITH (First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities) in Tanauan City, Batangas and Grace Christian High School in Quezon City. The Philippine contestants also won two silvers and a bronze, Cristobal.

All five medals were bagged in the theme-based "open" category of the contest.

Both Abiva and Cristobal expressed confidence that Filipino students would again win medals in this year's WRO in Gyeongbuk Pohang, South Korea.

"We're aiming high. That is, to finally win medals in the regular category of the WRO," said Abiva.

Over 20 countries took part in the 2008 World Robotics Olympiad in Yokohama, Japan.

Aside from the Philippines, participants came from Russia, China, India, Singapore, Denmark, Sweden, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, among others.

For 2009, the Philippine Robotics Olympiad will be held in September to determine who will represent the country in the WRO in early November in South Korea.

Robotics teams from over 300 public and private elementary and high schools nationwide are expected to take part in the local contest.

The PRO is open to elementary students aged 10 to 12 and high school students 13 to 15 years old.

Preliminary and final judging of entries will be held on Sept. 23 and Sept. 25, respectively, at SM North Edsa Mall in Quezon City.

Last year's Philippine team was composed of students from Grace Christian College, FAITH, Nemesio Yabut Elementary School, International School Manila, Philippine Science High School (Bicol), and Benigno Aquino High School.

Robotics, a technology that uses computer-controlled robots to perform various tasks, has been integrated into the curriculum of many private elementary and high schools nationwide. Robotics clubs have also been formed in these schools.

absinthe_888

June 26th, 2009, 03:18 AM

^^ Asa office na namin ang proposal nito...

tonight

July 30th, 2009, 01:27 PM

Search on for RP representatives to international biotech meet in Cambridge (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=491325&publicationSubCategoryId=75)

MANILA, Philippines - The search is on for two Filipino students who will represent the country in the prestigious Novartis International Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp).

Organized annually by leading research-based pharmaceutical company Novartis, this year’s International BioCamp will be held on Oct. 27-31 at the Novartis Institute for Biological Research (NIBR) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

At this prestigious gathering, 60 selected students from 24 countries will have the opportunity to learn from leading biotech experts, interact with professionals and work together with other students from various cultures.

The students will also be able to explore career opportunities and network with global leaders in the biotechnology sector.

Students who believe they deserve to join the International BioCamp should sign up in advance for the Novartis Philippines Biotechnology Leadership Camp (Local BioCamp), which will be held on Aug. 12, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the AIM Conference Center, Benavidez corner Trasierra streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

At the end of the local BioCamp, Novartis, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), will select two Filipino students who will participate in the International BioCamp in Cambridge.

The selection will be based on academic excellence and professional focus.

BioCamp is open to Filipino postdoctoral or master students and researchers with background in the life sciences, biotechnology, and business management.

Qualified applicants should submit the a number of requirements to the Graduate School Dean/Director’s office or to biocamp.ph@novartis.com on or before Aug. 7. Early submission of application requirements is encouraged.

The application requirements are the following: resumé and documentation of individual work/project; one-page (regular bond paper) essay on “Why you want to participate in BioCamp” and “How you would like to develop your career in biotechnology”; two recommendation letters from employer and/or school; and transcript (official transcripts from all undergraduate/graduate schools are required).

Based on the requirements submitted, the top students will be selected for the initial interview.

The names of short-listed candidates will be announced during the local BioCamp; short-listed candidates will be asked to present the business case of their current research project to the panel of judges.

The finalists will be informed by the BioCamp Secretariat. The cost of the International BioCamp participants’ meals and lodging will be shouldered by Novartis.

In last year’s local BioCamp, Jun Ryan Orbina, a Masters in Public Health student from UP Manila, and Christina Leyson, a Masters in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology student from UP Diliman, were chosen to represent the country in the International BioCamp held at the Hong Kong Science Park on Oct. 24-27, 2008.

The 2009 Local BioCamp is sponsored by Novartis Healthcare Philippines in cooperation with the DOST and supported by Intellectual Property Rights Philippines and Hybridigm Consulting Inc.

federalist

August 1st, 2009, 08:52 AM

Lexmark

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/995/178j.jpg

Maxxclip

August 1st, 2009, 09:22 AM

Alas, reality check need be backed up by credible research that, in turn, pours knowledge over certain subject of interest.

--------------------------------------------------

Flipping the other side of the coin, I think I must put some research news* here so as to give, well, another point-of-view to our country's research and development status:

Filipino scientists hope to release GM sweet potato in 2011
[I]by Mediatrix P. Cristobal

UPLB researchers target bioethanol from grass, wood and by-products in 5 years
by Florante Cruz

Philippines’ quest for diesel from microalgae
by Florante Cruz

Source (http://rdenews.uplb.edu.ph/)

*on a regular basis

it seems that most of our scientists are concentrating more on agricultural byproducts and food development...which is good[by the way] but what about on technological aspect?

we must not concentrate on one field... we need to expand our studies to enhance our expertise in R&D.

tonight

August 10th, 2009, 04:14 AM

Potential vs Mango Fungal Disease: 2 microorganisms tested as 'biocontrol agents' (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=493353&publicationSubCategoryId=75)
By Helen Flores

MANILA, Philippines - Researchers from the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte have discovered the potential of two microorganisms commonly found in soil as “biocontrol agents” against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the most serious fungal disease of mango.

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, a causal organism of anthracnose, is the most serious fungal disease in mango, according to the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development.

Dr. Thelma Layaoen, MMSU professor and study leader, said the microorganisms — Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis — were able to control and reduce the infection caused by anthracnose.

In the Philippines, anthracnose and stem-end rot are considered the most serious and destructive diseases of mango.

Anthracnose infects almost all mango parts, including floral panicles, twigs, leaves, and fruits of mature and immature trees, PCARRD said.

On the other hand, stem-end rot is considered a major problem limiting the storage and shelf life of mangoes, it said.

“To test the fungicidal effect of the microorganisms, suspensions of pure cultures were sprayed on anthracnose-infected mango seedlings every two weeks,” Layaoen said.

She said the fungicidal effect of the microorganisms, 12 to 14 weeks after treatment, is comparable with the use of commercial fungicide and could be used as an alternative.

The researcher also recommended that the technology could be part of an integrated pest management program for mango to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.

The result of the cost analysis study, however, showed that the use of the microorganisms as biocontrol agents is 20 percent more expensive than commercial fungicide.

“Hence, it is recommended that low-cost materials for the production or multiplication of the microorganisms be studied further to reduce the cost,” Layaoen said.

PCARRD said the MMSU researchers also noted that the microorganisms are sensitive to heat, so they recommended that application be done in the late afternoon.

“The researchers see potential for these biocontrol agents and stress the long-term beneficial effect of the microorganisms on the environment and human health,” PCARRD said.

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said the Philippine mango industry supports nearly 2.5 million farmers nationwide.

Mango is the third ranking Philippines fruit export next to bananas and pineapples, with exports going predominantly to Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Philippines ranks seventh as a global mango exporter, well behind India, which exports more than half of the world’s mangoes, FAO said.

tonight

August 13th, 2009, 04:14 PM

Biotechnology now a course in RP (http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20090813-220108/Biotechnology-now-a-course-in-RP)

MANILA, Philippines—Biotechnology is now a course in college in Philippine state universities and colleges, it was learned Thursday.

This, after the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program, in cooperation with the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB) and the Commission on Higher Education, developed a general education biotechnology course syllabus.

According to NIMBB director Dr. Cynthia R. Hedreyda, the course aims to boost biotechnology education and awareness in the country.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the introduction of the biotechnology course aims “to equip Filipino teachers, students, and other interested individuals with the basic knowledge, and enable them to make informed decisions on biotechnology products and latest breakthroughs and developments, and related issues on human health, and the environment, and ethical concerns.”

“Further, through this initiative we hope to encourage more Filipino youth to pursue a career in the field of biotechnology, either as researchers and scientists or entrepreneurs,” he added.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo Serrano said the course will help educate students, and prepare them for their future roles as leaders, journalists, entrepreneurs, scientists, or even as private citizens. “Hopefully, the integration of biotechnology course in college curriculum will help transform biotechnology education into something we can benefit more from,” he said.

The course syllabus was completed with the support and contribution of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications, the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, Searca Biotechnology Information Center, the Commission of Higher Education, University of the Philippines-Diliman, and the 16 state universities and colleges.

Maxxclip

August 27th, 2009, 07:07 AM

May 14, 2009

Dr. Virginia Cuevas of the Institute of Biological Sciences of UPLB and her co-researchers have recently identified Xylaria mutants that can be potentially developed into a product capable of degrading plastic bags usually found in dumpsites. Xylaria is a fungus that grows on dead wood, utilizing the latter’s components such cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin as food. In 2001, Dr. Cuevas showed evidence of Xylaria colonizing polyethylene (PET) plastic strips. Most plastic bags, including garbage bags, are now made of PET.

The UPLB researchers have been busy in helping the town’s waste processing program by studying fungi that degrade plastic and compost biodegradable materials.

In an experiment at the Los Baños Eco Waste Center, Dr. Cuevas and her team found out that white mutant strains of Xylaria are most effective in degrading plastic wastes. The experiment evaluated wild and mutant strains of Xylaria for their capability in decomposing organic matter and plastic materials.

The project also tested the capability of mixed cultures of Xylaria and Trichoderma for rapid composting of the town’s wastes that included plastics. Also a fungus, Trichoderma is a proven compost activator. Dr. Cuevas, in fact, has already developed a rapid composting technology using Trichoderma.

According to the project’s results, composting using the mixed cultures took only 30-35 days. After 35 days, the compost is ready for use. Ripe compost produced by the project did not harbor harmful E. coli and Salmonella and did not contain heavy metals such as copper, arsenic, cadmium and mercury.

A field trial using the compost for Baby’s Breath (Aster) production is now ongoing. Field trials will also be done on rice, corn and other vegetables starting May this year.

Philippines Today (http://www.philippinestoday.net/index.php?module=article&view=1626)

Maxxclip

August 27th, 2009, 07:10 AM

by Flor Lacanilao

“Our talented men have died bequeathing to us nothing more than the fame of their name.”
-Jose Rizal

Whereas Filipino artists are not only busy with their artistic work but also advance national art and defend its institutions, Filipino scientists have been largely concerned only with doing research to advance their name in science. Perhaps Jose Rizal was thinking of our scientists when he said, “Our talented men have died bequeathing to us nothing more than the fame of their name.”

The naming of National Artists and National Scientists in the Philippines has been continually threatened or beset with fake artists and scientists. Surprisingly, however, our respected artists have always protested such farce that dishonors art; but at all times that such fraud is done on science, our scientists have been silent.

The past and recent uproar in the selection of National Artists is a healthy sign of our artists’ concern for art. It happens when the selection did not meet the agreed process, or the candidate did not deserve the title, or both. It is an admirable demonstration of defending the profession and its national institutions.

Recent media commentaries from the artist community, editorials, and opinion columns show the lack of established selection process, definition of art, or criteria for judging artistic work. Whereas disputes with the selection process may be resolved in time because these are local procedural problems, perhaps it is more difficult for artists to agree on a definition of art. This may be true also in establishing an accepted procedure for judging art work.

For example, computer search will give you various definitions of art and a lot of disagreement. A recent legal review shows arguments why judges should not judge art. And evaluation studies by educators in Europe doubt the reliability of art teachers judging works of art. Despite these obstacles, however, respected Filipino artists have always shown not only their dedication to their trade but also their vigilance and united opposition against any actions making a travesty of Philippine art.

On the other hand, Filipino scientists have remained mute when nonscientists are named National Scientists, which happens every time the Award is given. There have been no protests from the science community or media commentaries from editorial and opinion columns. Unlike in the case of art and artists, the criteria for defining science and judging a research output — the work of a scientist — are well established. Yet over 30 National Scientists have been named, but most of whom are nonscientists or second-rate scientists.

The scientists’ silence is the main reason for a situation like that — increasing number of nonscientist National Scientists. In addition, their failure to promote the public’s understanding of science has made the media people incapable of making commentaries on anomalies in science. This situation is unfortunate because despite the importance of some fields to national progress, only science is essential in saving the Philippines. These two — the scientists’ silence and media’s incapability to report science anomalies — enable nonscientists to escape public criticism and to continue holding important science positions to the detriment of Philippine science and education.

Why are columnists allowed to criticize politicians with bad words, but media would not print valid criticisms of fake scientists? The reason is public ignorance of science, which is the fault of scientists. Hence, Filipino scientists are the root or basic cause of our national problems.

Who the real scientists are can easily be determined by their research publications that meet internationally accepted criteria, or published in journals covered in the major indexes of Thomson ISI. Number of publications in these journals is used in ranking nations (e.g., evaluation studies published in the leading journals Science and Nature) and ranking universities (e.g., Academic Ranking of World Universities, http://www.arwu.org/rank2008/EN2008.htm). But these widely-used, 50-year old criteria have been ignored in selecting National Scientists.

How can nonscientist National Scientists serve as role models or mentors for the next generation of Filipino scientists? The younger generation of Filipino researchers is the only hope to strengthen our science institutions, which have been undermined by the past and present generations of Filipino scientists.

(Fortunately, unlike before, today's graduate students, by search engines now available, can find out whom among their teachers and officials are scientists — have properly published research papers. This sends a message to the faculty and institution to insure that graduate students get the proper training they deserve. With the information accessible in the internet, they are by themselves learning about research and development — the meaning of scientific publications and their importance to national progress.)

All developed countries recognize the importance of science in reducing poverty, raising income levels, and economic transformation. And the poor state of Philippine science is the main reason why an increasing number of neighbor countries have been leaving us behind. When will our scientists take a stand to save the country or set an example for the next generation of scientists?

They can learn a lesson or two from Filipino artists.

federalist

August 29th, 2009, 08:47 AM

UP Cebu soon to be research university
(The Freeman) Updated August 29, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Philippines Visayas Cebu College (UPVCC) will soon become Cebu’s research university, an institution providing graduate education that foster research.

With new strategies and curricular restructuring, UPVCC Dean Dr. Enrique M. Avila said UP seeks to improve the quality of their graduates.

“We want our graduate programs to be research-oriented to know what is really going on in Cebu because we believe that a university must generate new knowledge. We don’t intend to compete with other universities who already have their own expertise. UP will find its niche in the region which is where we are going,” Avila said.

Since the college has been recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as the Center of Excellence in Information Technology Education in 2007, “this development has paved the way for the adoption of the Master of Science in Computer Science program that enhances our stature as COE and helps us to undertake programs that will help upgrade other education institutions in the region,” Avila said.

Another development was the adoption of the Masters in Business Administration program which “has been a sensible response to catch up with Cebu’s economic growth and cater to the needs of its vigorous business sector.”

Avila also said part of their curricular restructuring is an ongoing effort to streamline and liberalize current undergraduate programs in which students will be free to chose courses while their fundamental knowledge on basic courses are being strengthened.

Avila believes a student’s education will be strengthened in the field of major disciplines such as math, science, arts and languages because if he knows all of these, he will be able to find a job immediately once he graduates.

This is the current trend of the industry today, Avila said, which is evident in students resorting to taking jobs offered by the business process outsourcing industry.

Efforts have also been made for UP Cebu to become the center for the promotion of Cebuano culture and language.

“The college is likewise fully aware that the fruits of these academic developments can only be felt and utilized by the public that it is meant to serve if the Continuing Education Program (CEP) that bridges the two sectors is strengthened and mobilized,” Avila said.

Training and extension programs under CEP will be expanded in the proposed UP extension or graduate school to be constructed in the South Road Properties (SRP).

A 51,372 square meter lot donated by the Cebu City government will be developed by UP Cebu once the application for the transfer of title is approved. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/LPM (FREEMAN NEWS)

Maxxclip

August 29th, 2009, 09:11 AM

^^that's nice:okay: so the UP Visayas Cebu College will become the counterpart of UP Los Baños:)

ruralvillage

September 4th, 2009, 02:18 AM

Smart enhances security features of e-wallet service (http://www.mb.com.ph/node/218895/)
By EMMIE V. ABADILLA
September 3, 2009, 5:23pm
Manila Bulletin (http://www.mb.com.ph/node/218895/)

SMART Money has installed a security lock, requiring cardholders to key in a Personal Identification Number (PIN) via their mobile phone to signify that an online purchase transaction has been authorized.
SMART Money has installed a security lock, requiring cardholders to key in a Personal Identification Number (PIN) via their mobile phone to signify that an online purchase transaction has been authorized.

Targeting the “unbanked sector” - the majority of the Philippine populace who have no credit cards, as well as consumers wary of transacting online due to Internet fraud and identity theft, Smart Communications, Inc’s e-wallet service, Smart Money, recently expanded its security feature.

Now, Smart Money installed a security lock, requiring cardholders to key in a Personal Identification Number (PIN) via their mobile phone to signify that an online purchase transaction has been authorized. They also receive SMS notification each time transactions are made on their account.

The e-commerce industry in the Philippines has not completely taken off, according to Anna Marie A. Cruz, SMART Financial Services Domestic Alliance Department Head. Aside from the fact that Filipinos still prefer the physical experiences associated with shopping, comfort level with online transactions have yet to improve as well.

According to the first in-depth study on the Internet habits of Filipinos conducted by Yahoo! and Nielsen in March 2009, only 3% of the total 20 million Internet users in the Philippines, engage in online transactions.

With regards to Smart Money, only 8 percent, or 6 million, of Smart’s 38.5 million subscribers buy online and the volume of transaction is growing at the rate of 5 to 10 per cent.

“We hope to activate all of our 38.5 million subscribers. That’s our immediate target,” she disclosed.

Now, Smart Money users, who do not own a credit card and as young as 12 years old, can have access to over two million MasterCard retail partners found in the Internet and 25 million MasterCard partners all over the world. Users need only have a P300 to P500 minimum to transact.

The average purchase online is P5,000 and Smart Money can service most requirements. A Smart Money card can hold as much as P50,000. Users are entitled to have 2 cards each, or a total balance limit of P100,000.

Smart Money cardholders can withdraw from over 7,000 bank ATM machines all over the country, perform peer-to-peer mobile money transfers and payments, pay utility bills, buy prepaid load and make purchases from millions of MasterCard locations around the world.

“Our alliance with MasterCard, our partnerships with the country’s leading banks, and now, this pioneering safety feature will allow Internet shoppers to manage their cash and account security online,” according to Danilo J. Mojica, SMART Wireless Consumer Division Head. “It empowers account holders, at the same time, gives them peace of mind when buying online.”

“This new, accessible payment channel should also help modify existing market behavior and drive e-commerce activities in the Philippines,” Jojo M. Malolos, SMART Financial Services Head noted.

Smart Money was the first reloadable payment card linked to a mobile phone with a SMART SIM. It combines the strength of SMART's mobile commerce services and MasterCard's wide merchant acceptance network, enabling consumers to enjoy an extensive array of goods and services.

SMART has been at the forefront in promoting mobile commerce services in the Philippines since 2000. Smart Money, the world’s first electronic wallet card linked to a mobile phone, won the 2001 3GSM Award for “Most Innovative GSM Wireless Service for Customers.” It was also cited as the “Best Product Innovation” award at the MasterCard Marketing Awards in Australia

c6josh

September 4th, 2009, 06:46 AM

c6josh

September 4th, 2009, 06:55 AM

Comelec vows electronic transmission in 2010

By Anna Valmero
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 21:45:00 09/03/2009

Filed Under: Technology (general), Elections

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and telecom industry stakeholders are working on plans to ensure electronic transmission of election results from 80,000 precincts nationwide in next year's polls.

Comelec Advisory Council (CAC) member Renato Garcia said telcos vowed to ensure nationwide network coverage by creating a multi-platform contingency plan so that all election results from clustered precincts nationwide are transmitted to canvassing
and consolidation centers from the municipal to national levels.

“In the automated elections, the transmission stage is priority," said Garcia. "We have to ensure all polling precincts, especially in the provinces can transmit their results immediately after close of polls to speed up
the canvassing and prevent tampering of votes."

Telcos are public entities that can be "deputized" by Comelec to help ensure successful automation, according to Garcia, who also sits as commissioner in the Commission on Information and Communications Technology.

Garcia disclosed the poll body is working on a contingency plan to enable precincts in areas with limited network coverage to transmit results to the four Comelec national servers designated for the Senate, House of Representatives, Comelec national board of
canvassers and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.

The contingency plan will focus on four areas: use of high power transmission or realignment of sectoral antennas, use of high-gain antennas, use of emerging technologies such as SMS or text messaging,
WiMax, WiFi and two-way radio, to transmit results to
neighboring cell sites and the use of mobile satellite.

Comelec plans to tap all existing technology platforms
to deliver the election results from precinct count optical scan machines (PCOS) to national servers.

Each computerized election result would have an approximate size of 50 kilobytes or comparable to one multimedia messaging service sent via mobile phone, and requires only a few seconds to transmit, Garcia said.

Present in Thursday's meeting at the Comelec headquarters in Manila were representatives from telecom firms Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, PLDT, Digitel, Eastern Telecoms and Mabuhay Satellite.

Also represented were the National Telecommunications Commission, Telecommunications Office, Philippine
Association of Private Telco Companies, Federation of International Cable TV Association and Philippine Cable TV Association.

c6josh

September 4th, 2009, 09:10 AM

Siemens offers to automate Metro Manila traffic systems

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS provider Siemens, Inc. is interest in public transport projects in the country, aside from a bid to corner water and wastewater treatment deals announced by key executives last week.

In an interview late last week, Siemens Philippines President and Chief Executive Adrian K. Wood said the company had discussed with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) the automation of traffic systems in the capital.

Automation is necessary to reduce road accidents and decongest traffic, especially along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, the metropolis’ main thoroughfare.

"We had a couple of talks with MMDA in synchronizing traffic lights as well as installing CCTV units in major streets in Metro Manila," Mr. Wood said.

Car park systems also need to undergo a major rehabilitation as these contribute to heavy traffic in Makati, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City, he added.

"[Traffic systems in other countries in Asia tend] to be quite similar with that of the Philippines," Mr. Wood said, but noted that the country is behind in the region as regards traffic management.

Still, the success of automation and other projects aimed at decongesting roads will highly depend on how people abide by traffic rules and the extent of government support for these projects, he said.

Siemens participated in the bidding for the 5.4-kilometer Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT 1) North Extension project and had signed a memorandum of understanding with R-II Builders to develop the LRT 1 South Extension Project, Mr. Wood said.

It had also entered into the "airport solutions" market as Siemens was invited by the Department of Transportation and Communications to submit proposals for the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport Terminal 2 and a temporary terminal in the same airport.

Last week, the local unit of Siemens, Inc. called for more water and wastewater treatment facilities for industries and municipalities to sustain the supply of clean water.

The German engineering company started operations in the Philippines in 1910. It now has 1,200 employees in three facilities in Makati, Alabang in Muntinlupa, and Eastwood in Quezon City. — J. F. de Guzman

c6josh

September 6th, 2009, 11:27 AM

E-vehicles, hydro, wind power, clean energy in PowerTrends 2009
September 6, 2009, 4:47pm
Manila bulletin

The country’s largest event on renewable energy, PowerTrends 2009, will be held on September 9-11, 2009, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila.

PowerTrends 2009 is focused on the latest technology, products and services available to investors, funders, engineering and architecture professionals, and technology and equipment suppliers interested in energy projects that meet their criteria for economic demand, cost efficiency, environmental safety and high returns.

PowerTrends 2009 is held side by side with the business forum PowerTech 2009 (September 9-10). Both are organized by Leverage International. Interested parties may contact the events secretariat at leverage@leverageinternational.com.

These two events are expected to be visited by ministerial and private sector participants to the Ministerial Conference on Green Industry in Asia: Managing the Transition to Resource-Efficient and Low Carbon Industries by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

On display in PowerTrends 2009 are e-vehicles including the e-Jeepney, an electric jeepney that seats 14 people; e-Quad, a vehicle designed similar to electric tricycle /tuktuk but with four wheels; e-bike, a bicycle with a small electric motor; and e-car, a small two-seater electric car.

The exhibition will feature also offerings of Alstom Philippines, subsidiary of the global Alstom group, for hydro and wind power.

Alstom’s range of hydropower products include turbines, generators, control systems and hydromechanical. With more than 400 gigawatts of turbines and generators, Alstom has the largest worldwide installed base accounting for 25 percent of the world’s hydro facilities.

Alstom’s wind power offerings allow its customers to manage wind farms as standard power plants. With its unique drive train concept and innovative features such as electrical pitch controls, Alstom brings a highly reliable and proven product range to the market.

The Renewable Energy Association of the Philippines pavilion will display different models and technologies of wind turbines including micro turbines, solar panels, pico-hydro, micro hydro, solar heat collector, solar-assisted air-conditioner, batteries, inverters, solar street lights, waste conversion to energy and municipal solid waste to diesel (a very new technology).

c6josh

September 9th, 2009, 10:24 AM

BlackBerry launches affordable model in RP
By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT
September 8, 2009, 4:53pm
Manila Bulletin

BlackBerry is taking advantage in the gradual shift in consumer preference for smartphones from the traditional mobile phones with the launch of its most affordable new model, but which would be possibly available only through post paid subscriptions.

Launched yesterday was BlackBerry Curve 8520 by Research in Motion (RIM), the manufacturer, designer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market.

RIM regional vice-president for Asia-Pacific Gregory Wade expressed confidence of the acceptability of the new BlackBerry model in the country citing a growing market preference for smart phones from the traditional mobile phones.

“The Philippines is a ready market because most users are utilizing data for and for their social networking in the mobile space,” Wade said.

The BlackBerry series of smartphones will be available from Globe and Smart at the end of this month.

He refused to give out details of their market share over its closest competitor in the local saying they are publicly listed and would rather that the data comes from the official data of the industry.

Wade, however, said that in the US, BlackBerry is the number one smartphone.

While saying that BlackBerry Curve 8520 is the most affordable, Wade could not give out the exact price of the new model saying the marketing of the BlackBerry in the country is largely tied up with the local carriers.

He expects the carriers to come up with the most affordable packages for Philippine consumers to encourage those who want to go into smartphones.

At present, however, telcos are offering BlackBerry through post-paid subscriptions only.

Wade could not also tell if the telcos would offer the BlackBerry now to pre-paid market, which accounts for the bulk of the total mobile phone market in the country.

He could not also confirm if RIM would push for the inclusion of the pre-paid market in the marketing plan of the telcos.

tonight

September 12th, 2009, 06:37 AM

Rice varieties that can withstand drought, floods being developed (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=503765&publicationSubCategoryId=75)
By Helen Flores

MANILA, Philippines - Faced with the threat of climate change to the country’s crop production, Filipino scientists are developing rice varieties that can withstand drought and floods to ensure adequate supply of the staple.

Researchers from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), UC-Davis, Nagoya University and University of the Philippines-Los Baños, are developing seed varieties that can withstand drought or floods.

Reports said climate change threatens to affect rice production worldwide, adding that poorer countries in the tropics — many of them reliant on rice to keep their populations from hunger — would be worst affected.

PhilRice’s Dr. Antonio Alfonso said they are developing the new rice varieties from existing strains.

He said rice is such a crucial food item for the country since 86 percent of the entire population depends on it and it accounts for 35 percent of consumers’ daily caloric intake.

Alfonso, a plant breeder and biotechnologist, stressed such varieties would help to increase income for 2.4 million rice farmers with an average of six household members. A farmer tills an average of 1.14 hectares, he said.

“In the process of developing the best variety, PhilRice scientists will work on various combinations and permutations, testing the strains as to output, ease and timeliness in production and adaptability to both climatic and agronomic conditions,” Alfonso said.

He said the major aspects of the research and development efforts in rice are increased yield, resistance to pests, better physical and milling qualities, abiotic stress tolerance, and good quality for consumption.

Alfonso said these varieties must also be acceptable to farmers, millers and consumers, must show stability of traits, adaptable to all weather conditions and must grow quicker.

Other considerations are the number of productive litters, increased number of grains per panicle, grain weight, weed competitiveness, resistance to lodging, adaptability to crop establishment and management practices and genetic diversity.

“The target growing environment is important in setting the breeding objectives and this covers irrigated lowlands, areas for transplanting, direct-seeded irrigated lowland, wet-seeded, dry-seeded and even flood-prone areas,” Alfonso said.

He said the varieties must also grow in rainfed upland areas, cool elevated land, saline-prone zones and other types of soil.

The Department of Agriculture earlier reported that rice production this year is expected to meet, if not surpass, the target of 17.48 million metric tons (MT).

Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Jess Paras had said that based on current planting reports, certified seeds have already exceeded the 2008 wet season performance and significant production gains are expected in Western Visayas, thus high-yield increment is expected.

The total area planted to rice this season is 2.66 million hectares, higher than the 1.95-million hectares that yielded 7.4 million MT during the dry season in the first half of the year.

tonight

September 12th, 2009, 06:39 AM

c6josh

September 16th, 2009, 06:52 AM

Adobe to buy Omniture for $1.8 billion
09/16/2009 | 07:36 AM

NEW YORK - Adobe Systems Inc. said Tuesday it will buy Web analytic software company Omniture Inc. for about $1.8 billion, giving the maker of content-creation software a way to let marketers measure the effectiveness of such content.

San Jose, Calif.-based Adobe, which makes Flash, Acrobat and Photoshop software, said it will buy Omniture for $21.50 per share in cash, a premium of 24 percent to Omniture's closing stock price Tuesday. Omniture shares jumped nearly 26 percent in extended trading.

The announcement came as Adobe said it earned $136 million, or 26 cents per share, in the fiscal third quarter that ended in August, down 29 percent from the same time a year earlier.

Excluding one-time items, Adobe earned 35 cents per share, a penny above what analysts polled by Thomson Reuters were expecting.

Revenue fell 21 percent to $697.5 million, inching past analyst expectations of $686.2 million.

The recession has slowed demand for Creative Suite 4, the most recent version of the software package that brings in the bulk of the company's revenue. But analysts say this will likely mean more pent-up demand for Creative Suite 5 when it launches.

For the current quarter, Adobe forecast earnings of 23 cents to 29 cents per share and adjusted earnings of 33 cents to 39 cents per share. The latter compares with analyst expectations of 37 cents per share.

Adobe expects sales of $690 million to $740 million for the quarter, bracketing Wall Street's estimates of $719.2 million.

Omniture, based in Orem, Utah, offers a variety of Web traffic analysis and other products for companies to improve their marketing over the Internet. Its customers include Apple Inc., Time Warner Inc. and Walt Disney Co.

The acquisition would marry Omniture's services for figuring how to best deliver messages with Flash and other Adobe tools for creating Web sites and ads. Omniture services could then be used to monitor how effective the messages are.

"Adobe's Creative Suite products and Flash platform help customers create and deliver engaging experiences. The addition of Omniture's online marketing suite will help customers measure, analyze and optimize the impact and value of those experiences," said Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen in a conference call with analysts.

Trip Chowdhry, an analyst with Global Equities Research, said the deal would allow Adobe to create new streams of revenue even as its existing businesses face a decline. The recession and the corresponding decline in technology spending has hurt Adobe's profit and revenue, as many companies have put off upgrading costly software packages.

Though he called the deal "very timely," Chowdhry believes Adobe is overpaying for Omniture, especially because that company's paid products have been losing market share to Google's analytics service, which is free. He said $12 to $13 per share — rather than $21.50 — would have been a fair value for the company.

Adobe expects the Omniture deal to close by November. The company will operate separately under Adobe as a new business unit, with Omniture CEO Josh James working as senior vice president reporting to Narayen.

Adobe's shares took a hit in after-hours trading, falling $1.64, or 4.6 percent, to $33.98. The stock had closed regular trading up 43 cents at $35.62 before the report.

Omniture's shares, meanwhile, soared $4.47, or 25.8 percent, to $21.79 after-hours. The stock closed earlier at $17.33, up 33 cents.- AP

Miguel

September 19th, 2009, 12:19 AM

After establishing the first Marine Protected Area in the country in 1974 which serves as a model for marine biodiversity conservation around the world now comes another first, the first-ever constructed wetland in the country.
***************

Silliman University wins Best Paper in Regional Symposium

A collaborative research, discussing the advantages of the first-ever constructed wetland in the country, by two Silliman University (SU) faculty members and an engineer from Bayawan City was judged Best Paper during the 22nd R & D Symposium of Completed Research and Development Projects for 2008-2009.

Robert Guino-o II, assistant professor of Biology; Dr. Enrique Oracion, professor of Sociology and engineer Antonio Aguilar Jr. of Bayawan City presented their paper entitled "The Efficiency and Social Acceptability of the Constructed Wetland of Bayawan City" at the symposium held last August 18 under the Central Visayas Consortium for Integrated Regional Research and Development (CVICIRRD).

Guino-o said the paper looks at the ecological and social aspects on the constructed wetland in Bayawan City, the first LGU-established wetland in the country.

He said a constructed wetland is an artificial swamp that treats wastewater discharges. Swamps function as natural filters, so since they are natural treatment systems. They do not require the use of chemicals but make use of the filtering activities of an inidgenous grass commonly called "tabun-ak" in Negros Oriental.

"Wastewater from 700 households in Bayawan will go to the wetlands. These are being treated by the wetlands," Guino-o said.

Moreover, the paper also recommends the planting of aromatic plants like ilang-ilang near the treatment facility to counteract the foul odor of the wastewater.

The paper will be the official entry of SU as a member of the CVCIRRD for the National Symposium on Agriculture and Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on November 2009.

The symposium will involve the presentation and recognition of outstanding research and development studies conducted in different parts of the country. The researchers and scientists of acclaimed studies will receive plaques of recognition and cash prizes.

http://su.edu.ph/jpg/CHED_Award.jpg
Silliman University Marine Laboratory's program on marine protected areas was adjudged as the Best Higher Education Institutions (HEI) Research Program in the country by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on its inaugural staging in 2006

Miguel

September 19th, 2009, 12:26 AM

IEMS Professors Conduct Research in India

Two professors of Marine Biology at Silliman University were in Tamil Nadu, India from August 22 to 30 for a research collaboration project funded by the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.

Drs. Hilconida Calumpong and Janet Estacion, Director and Graduate Coordinator of the Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences (IEMS), respectively, met with their counterparts in Madras Christian College (MCC) in Chennai and Lady Doak College (LDC) in Madurai.

Covered by an UBCHEA Joint Research and Monitoring Grant, their trip included a site visit to Pulicat Lake, the site of biodiversity studies of MCC. They observed MCC’s sampling procedures, collected seagrasses and algae for identification and pressing, and visited interventions (artificial reefs, lobster age culture) undertaken by non-government organizations in the area.

Their next days were spent at LDC where a Silliman biology professor, Socorro Parco, is pursuing her graduate studies in microbiology. At LDC, Dr. Calumpong was the keynote speaker at the inauguration of their Research Centre. One of LDC’s faculty, Dr. Rachel Daniel, was a visiting scholar at Silliman under a leadership program funded by UBCHEA.

The trip to India of Drs. Calumpong and Estacion also reinforced the partnership of Silliman with LDC and MCC. It was agreed that the three parties will pursue faculty exchange, expand the Regional Consortium in Marine Science to include LDC, and share research progress reports.

davaob4now

September 19th, 2009, 02:11 AM

http://www.philippineeagle.org/photo/thumbs/thumb_1228376651.jpghttp://www.philippineeagle.org/photo/thumbs/thumb_1228376378.jpg http://www.philippineeagle.org/photo/thumbs/thumb_1229325581.jpg
http://www.philippineeagle.org/_images/programs/cb.jpg http://www.philippineeagle.org/_images/programs/fr.jpg

The Center is home to 36 Philippine Eagles, 18 of which are captive-bred. It also houses 10 other species of birds, 4 species of mammals and 2 species of reptiles. Simulating a tropical rain forest environment, the Center offers the visitor a glimpse into the country’s forest ecosystem. Although the exhibits are used primarily to help educate the Filipino people on conservation, the facility is also considered a major tourist attraction in Davao City.

Philippine Eagle Foundation Programs
The Foundation takes a comprehensive approach to conservation, engaging in research, off-site and on-site protection, community-based efforts, and public education to promote greater understanding and achieve results in the preservation of the eagle and its habitat.

CONSERVATION BREEDING PROGRAM
The program is directed at developing a viable gene pool and propagating the target species ex situ. The goal of this program is to release offspring back into the wild to help complement wild populations.

The program has been primarily responsible for producing fourteen captive-bred Philippine Eagles to date. The animal caretakers and biologists of the Conservation Breeding team have also been heavily involved in the planning and execution of the Foundation’s eagle release projects, including the preparation of eagles targeted for release. The work also involves rehabilitating injured eagles recovered from the wild and the care and management of other raptors and animal species housed at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City.

FIELD RESEARCH PROGRAM

Our research agenda is focused on addressing the many biological questions concerning the eagles that will provide the basis for the hands-on management of the eagles in the wild. The work involves locating active nests, monitoring the breeding status of wild eagles, tracking to establish pattern in home ranges, juvenile dispersal, habitat use, and other aspects of the bird’s life history. The program is also responsible for the retrieval and rescue of wildlife captured by local people. Recent developments in field research include the design and execution of habitat management plans and the establishment of forest corridors to bridge the small patches of forests remaining in Mindanao.

COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES PROGRAM

We work with marginal income families in the uplands to build local capability in addressing issues impacting their welfare and to provide them with sustainable economic enterprises as livelihood alternatives. We operate on the premise that long-term solutions to sustainable resource management involve the empowerment of the upland communities. The Community-based Initiatives program has also been heavily involved in the implementation of the habitat management and forest corridor projects of the Foundation.

CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM

This program targets urban and rural communities in developing public awareness and understanding of wildlife conservation issues. Our partners and linkages include teachers, students, local government units, private business corporations, and indigenous cultural communities as well as the print and broadcast media. We provide venues and develop materials such as the Open Classroom Project with which to educate the nation about our wildlife resources and the need to conserve them. The Conservation Education team facilitates tours of the Philippine Eagle Center, field trips, school visits, and public exhibits on a regular basis. An Advocacy and Extension Services team also works closely with local government units, and communities for the implementation of eagle and habitat protection measures.

Philippine Eagle Center (http://www.philippineeagle.org/index?pageval=thepecenter)

Philippine Eagle Center

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1279/25667581655cba1485eebnr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2029/2509728825b62bfb40eawe3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

tonight

September 25th, 2009, 02:52 AM

Local spinach's anti-inflammatory properties studied (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=507976&publicationSubCategoryId=75)
By Helen Flores

MANILA, Philippines - A recent study done by a university professor in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur discovered the anti-inflammatory properties of kalunay (amaranthus spinosus L.), a plant commonly found in tropical countries like the Philippines.

Mercita Queddeng, a professor at the University of Northern Philippines, said tests revealed the presence of alkaloids and saponins in the roots and leaves of the plant. These are chemical substances that are used in developing anti-inflammatory drugs.

Queddeng’s study was entitled, “Phytochemical, Microbiological and Antifungal Testing of Kalunay Leaves and Roots.”

Queddeng said the extract was screened against staphylococcus epidermitis, microsporum canis, and pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Staphylococcus epidermitis is a major cause of nosocomial infections, including sepsis in premature infants.

Infection caused by S. epidermidis is usually associated with medical devices, such as in-dwelling catheters and often occurs in people with weakened immune systems.

Microsporum canis, on the other hand, is a zoophilic dermatophyte, a frequent cause of ringworm in humans, especially children. It affects the hair, skin and rarely nails.

Meanwhile, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common bacterium which can cause disease in animals and humans.

The leaf extract, however, showed weak antimicrobial act against staphylococcus epidermitis, Queddeng said.

Kalunay, known as local spinach, is usually cooked along with other vegetables on an Ilokano recipe called dinengdeng.

Studies also showed that kalunay can be used as herbal remedy for kidney and other health problems.

In Cambodia, it is called pti banlar and used as a gray dye for cloth.

tonight

September 25th, 2009, 02:53 AM

Studies: Cup of coffee rich in beneficial antioxidants (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=507978&publicationSubCategoryId=75)

MANILA, Philippines - It is said that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but how about a cup of coffee? As more and more international studies show that a cup of coffee is rich in health-giving antioxidants, somebody may soon come up with a new health proverb about coffee as well.

The Institute of Coffee Studies in Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA, has found that a cup of coffee is rich in antioxidants — natural substances that slow down the effects of premature aging and may help prevent degenerative diseases.

What are antioxidants and how do they help us stay healthy? First we have to understand what oxidation is. Oxidation happens at the molecular level inside our cells. Essentially, it’s a process where an atom of oxygen is added to the molecules in our cells. Oxidation is a natural, unavoidable process.

It’s ironic that we all need oxygen to breathe and stay alive, but at the same time, it also causes oxidative stress oxidation — which is a result of cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen molecules called free radicals. It is a toxic chemical reaction in the body that produces harmful molecules called “free radicals.”

Scientists believe that the oxidation process and the resulting free radicals may cause the symptoms of aging as well as many diseases. Since we are exposed to oxygen constantly, the process of oxidation occurs every day and may even increase with stress, excess physical activity, illness, and other factors.

However, there is a way to counter the negative effects of oxidation process and that is mainly through a proper, nutritious diet. This is because certain foods are naturally high in antioxidants. They are called antioxidants precisely because they fight the oxidation process and help repair damage caused by oxidation.

There are many types of antioxidants and are classified into two: micronutrients and polyphenols. Well-known micronutrient antioxidants include vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherol), vitamin A (carotenoid), and mineral selenium.

Polyphenols are plant-based antioxidants which are found in fruits, vegetables, soya beans, red wine, green and black tea, spices like sage and rosemary, citrus fruits, onions and olives and, yes, in coffee as well.

Antioxidants in coffee

The most abundant antioxidants in coffee are polyphenolspolyphenols known as chlorogenic acids or CGAs. According to Professor Peter Martin of the Institute of Coffee Studies, these chlorogenic acids in coffee have been studied, the results of which indicate potential beneficial effects on human health.

These beneficial effects include potential “positive effects on chronic degenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, according to the study “Chlorogenic Acids and Lactones in Regular and Water-Decaffeinated Arabica Coffees” (published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 2006) that Martin authored with four other researchers.

The same study also mentioned that there are indications that CGAs are observed to also help improve the liver “burn” or use up glucose uptake (glucose is the form that sugar takes in the body after digestion).

This indicates that CGAs may be beneficial among type 2 diabetics. However, more studies need to be made to validate these findings.

Coffee has most polyphenols

A study conducted in Switzerland (“Comparison of the Antioxidant Activity of Commonly Consumed Polyphonic Beverages [Coffee, Cocoa, and Tea] Prepared per Cup Serving,” The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 2001) shows that in comparison to a cup of green tea, herbal teas and cocoa, a cup of coffee contains the most amount of polyphenols.

The study shows that a cup of coffee still retains a large amount of polyphenols — despite of the process of roasting the coffee beans, decaffeination or adding milk. According to the study, a cup of coffee has up to four times more polyphenols than a cup of green tea.

According to Martin, “(The) latest evidence indicates that in moderation (2-4 cups per day) not only is coffee not bad for you, it may offer some health benefits.”

While further studies on polyphenols and other antioxidants are still needed to fully understand their health benefits, present scientific findings indicate that a nutritious diet of foods and beverages — including coffee — containing antioxidants may help in slowing down the effects of aging and prevent serious diseases.

As further studies reveal the health benefits of coffee, coffee drinkers might find themselves not keeping their doctor away, but instead inviting him or her for a cup of coffee.

IAMME

October 2nd, 2009, 08:48 AM

nowT4nFGsM0

tonight

October 3rd, 2009, 03:33 AM

Pride of Philippine science (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=509991&publicationSubCategoryId=75)

MANILA, Philippines - Scientists greatly help in the economic development of a country. In the Philippines, we have a number of renowned scientists and technologists whose exemplary works and discoveries have contributed to the progress of different industries.

Here are five of the country’s scientists and their contributions:

Juan Salcedo Jr.

Dr. Juan Salcedo developed “Enriched Rice,” a rice variety fortified with vitamin B1, which helps prevent beriberi. His discovery helped reduce the cases of beriberi in the Philippines and in other countries.

A former secretary of health, Salcedo also became the chairman of the National Science Development Board in the 1960s. Through his efforts, a science community complex was built in Fort Bonifacio and a special funding system was created for technological research and development programs.

Salcedo received several awards such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Health, Republic Heritage Award for Science, Pro Patria Award, and the rank of National Scientist.

Josefino Comiso

Josefino Comiso was the first person to discover a recurring polynya, a semi-permanent area of open water in sea ice, in the Cosmonaut Sea. He is a senior research scientist in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Earth Sciences Directorate.

Many of his studies involved polar processes and the detection of climate change in the polar regions. He has contributed in studying sea ice, evaluating the ice cover in Arctic and Antarctic regions, and determining the extent and scope of global warming.

Comiso recently agreed to lead a project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that will monitor the effects of global warming in the Philippines.

Fe del Mundo

Fe del Mundo is a world-renowned pediatrician who founded the Children’s Medical Center — the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines. She also developed a low-cost incubator and a jaundice-relieving device.

Del Mundo’s career started during the Japanese occupation by organizing a children’s home, helping Allied internees, and training medical personnel. Today, she works as the concurrent medical director of the Dr. Fe del Mundo Hospital.

Her devotion to her profession earned her a number of awards such as the Elizabeth Blackwell Award for outstanding service to mankind (1966) and Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service by a private citizen (1977).

Ramon Barba

Horticulturist Ramon Barba is known for inventing techniques to promote crop flowering. His work, which has helped develop the local mango industry, is the only invention in Southeast Asia that the World Intellectual Property Organization recognizes.

Barba’s other researches, meanwhile, focus on tissue culture of bananas, sugarcane, and other horticultural crops to develop methodologies in plant physiology and plant breeding.

Barba has received awards such as the Outstanding Young Men Award in 1974, IBM-DOST Award in 1989, and DA-Khush Achievement Award in 1995.

Edgardo Gomez

Edgardo Gomez is a distinguished marine biologist who pioneered work on the biology, reproduction, and conservation of giant clam (Tridacna gigas). He is credited for saving the shelled mollusk from extinction.

Gomez is a professor emeritus of the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI). Under his leadership, UP-MSI has generated achievements in biodiversity, biotechnology, and sustainable use of marine bio-resources.

Gomez was named an Academician by the National Academy of Science and Technology in 1993 and became a Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee in 2000.

They are only some of the great scientists of our country. Apart from promoting the growth of the national economy through their works, they also serve as inspirations of our future scientists — the Filipino youth.

Haldir07

October 9th, 2009, 01:57 PM

Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC)
(Tigbauan, Iloilo)

http://i35.tinypic.com/23jlilx.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/2usdifn.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/rhqww9.jpg

jpdm

December 1st, 2009, 03:32 PM

This is what we need to revive our textile industry, develop our capability of harnessing indigenous fiber, reduce importation and more income to our farmers!:cheers::cheers:

PTRI starts indigenous fiber
processing for textiles

By Dwight Sarga
Dec. 1, 2009
Malaya Business Insights

The Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) has developed a pre-treatment technology that converts the hard, coarse and stiff fibers of local plants into soft and pliant spun yarns.

PTRI chief Carlos Tomboc said the pretreatment technologies for abaca, banana, pineapple and kenaf will be commercially available in two or three years.

Pretreatment uses a combination of alkali chemicals and mechanical processing using fluted rollers to make the fibers "spinnable" into yarns with counts of medium to coarse gauges.

"Blended with polyester, cotton or silk, yarns from the fibers are applicable for apparels, home textiles and industrial uses," Tomboc said.

With the fiber pretreatment technology, textile and garments businesses would be able to use fibers from native plants and use it in manufacturing clothes and garments.

"Garments made from indigenous materials and environment-friendly processes have found their place in select markets penetrated by local designers of haute couture," PTRI said.

Importation of yarns and make-up articles was at $748 million, apparel accessories at $80 million, synthetic fibers at $83 million and cotton fibers at $36 million in 2005, PTRI said.

The pretreatment of abaca, banana and pineapple fibers would also lower its production cost by 35 percent, PTRI said.

Moreover, the production costs of abaca, banana and pineapple fibers could be lowered by 35 percent through "degumming."

"The modified degumming processes translate to production savings of 20 to 35 percent," Tomboc said.

Senior science research spcialist Marites de Leon said reducing chemical inputs in pretreatment of pineapple fibers cuts cost by about 25 percent.

"Banana fibers, which are degummed immediately after ‘oolenization,’ record a residual gum content of 10 percent, which is comparable to the established 10.53 percent, 35 percent lower processing cost, and 14 percent shorter treatment time.

Residual gum content affects the fineness of fibers. The fibers go through a series of chemical and mechanical treatment to achieve the crimp property of wool for better processing" De Leon said.

De Leon said modified processes for abaca fibers are more effective in reducing gum content than the standard process.

Processed fibers have residual gum content of 6.81 percent, 21 percent reduction in pretreatment cost and 12 percent less treatment time.

PTRI also noted that maguey (Agave cantala Roxb) can be used as alternative source of home and industrial fabric material.

The textile institute said maguey fiber is a good raw material for the production of home and industrial textiles when blended with polyester staples.

Ph Man

December 2nd, 2009, 06:19 PM

Studies: Cup of coffee rich in beneficial antioxidants (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=507978&publicationSubCategoryId=75)

I'm hoping this research did not get its funding from a coffee empire.

Sometimes, it's difficult to believe all that research are telling us. Some say coffee is not good for health. Some will say soy based milk is a better alternative to cow's milk. :nuts:

hakz2007

January 7th, 2010, 05:19 AM

Pinakamahabang solar eclipse, masasaksihan (http://bomboradyo.com/newsdetails1.asp?ID=126517)
1/7/2010 4:33:11 AM

Masasaksihan sa Pilipinas pinakamahabang solar eclipse ngayong dekada.

Ito ang sinabi ng Pagasa, kung saan magaganap umano ang naturang phenomenon sa darating na Enero 15, 2010.

Ayon sa ulat, ito na ang ikalawang eclipse na matutunghayan para sa taong kasalukuyan matapos maranasan ang kauna-unahan lunar eclipse kasabay ng paghihiwalay ng taong 2009 at pagpasok naman ng 2010.

Ilan sa mga lugar sa mundo na makakakita sa kakaibang kaganapang ito ay ang Central Africa, mga nasa may Indian Ocean at Eastern Asia.

Sa Pilipinas, bagama’t mamamasdan lamang ito bilang partial solar eclipse, mapalad naman umano ang ating mga kababayan dahil makikita ito mula sa Laoag, Tuguegarao, Baguio, Calayan Island, Pampanga, Puerto Princesa, Metro Manila, Palawan, Quezon, Albay, Iloilo, Cebu, Zamboanga, Sulu, Davao at General Santos City.

Kintoy

January 11th, 2010, 05:32 PM

CERN accelerates RP’s physics research

Written by James Mendoza / Researcher: Business Mirror (http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/20741-cern-accelerates-rps-physics-research.html)
Sunday, 10 January 2010 20:34

THE country will finally have the chance of further training its pool of researchers in high-energy physics through an agreement made with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) on Friday.

The agreement “confirms the interest” of the two parties “in developing a formal framework [agreement] for scientific, technical and educational cooperation between them, on a basis of reciprocity.”

It was signed by Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro and CERN director Dr. Emmanuel Tsesmelis.

Alabastro said the project can accelerate human-resource-development efforts of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), building up capacity by enabling researchers from the Philippines to complete their advance degrees by participating in CERN’s research programs.

She said what’s exciting with the agreement is finally linking up the Philippines’ universities and institutes involved in physics research—particularly, University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute—with CERN, “which is a very prestigious research organization,” she added.

Alabastro said the country no longer offers degrees in nuclear research, and CERN does not grant degrees because it is only a research organization, but she underscored the value of training in CERN: “If we develop expertise in these technologies, we can apply it wherever.”

UP has ceased offering courses in nuclear physics after the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) was mothballed in 1986. But owing to the possible opening of the BNPP or any other nuclear-power plant in the country, the DOST has been training new experts on the field by sending scholars abroad.

CERN physicist Albert de Roeck said the country could participate in CERN’s experiments if it decides to do so.

These experiments include the search for Higgs Boson—the theoretical particle that gives mass to all other existing particles—in CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The LHC is located beneath the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva, Switzerland.

Applications of these experiments go beyond the LHC. According to Roeck, there is a commercial interest in these experiments once they work. One of these is CERN’s push of detector technologies.

“Beyond what has been done before,” said Roeck.

“For example, some of these detectors are already being used for the design of next-generation PET Scans,” he said.

“If you want to be part of these experiments you have to join the collaboration,” Roeck said. “You have to do something for the good of the collaboration itself.”

Roeck said there is currently a “certain interest” in particle-physics analysis in the country.

“In the Philippines, they have some idea of what specifically they want to look at,” he said.

For instance, Roeck cited UP’s interest in studying the nature of the top quark.

“It is still a mystery why it is so heavy,” he said. “The detailed study of that is one of the aspects where they would be interested in doing.”

CERN is one of the world’s largest and most respected centers for scientific research. Its expertise is fundamental physics, finding out what the universe is made of and how it works.

It uses the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments to study the constituents of matter—the fundamental particles. By studying what happens when these particles collide, physicists learn about the laws of nature.