By Mirielle Vacal
2022 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) Winners raised the country’s flag and made us proud by bringing home numerous awards at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (IEIG) last April 17 to 21, 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. From one-thousand thirty-five (1,035) innovators and inventors who participated across forty-five (45) countries around the world; our delegates bagged four (4) silver awards, five (5) bronze awards, and special awards from the King Khalid University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship – from the eight (8) delegates, Prof. Zaldy A. Fernandez, Engr. Mark Kennedy E. Bantugon, Ms. Charito T. Aranilla, and Ms. Lorna S. Relleve were the representatives of DOST-TAPI’s NICE.
Aligned with the mandate of the Institute under Executive Order 128 promoting the commercialization of technologies and market the services of other operating units of the Department and Republic Act No. 11293 also called as the “Philippine Innovation Act”, innovation became the center of the development policies of the government with a long-term set of goals which take into consideration opportunities in the regional and global arena. As provided for in Republic Act No. 7459 or known as the "Inventors and Invention Incentives Act of the Philippines", DOST-TAPI provided travel assistance to winners of national invention contests to other countries where their winning inventions or areas of interest are advanced.
The National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) is a biennial nationwide competition conducted by the Institute to shed spotlight on the best and the brigthest inventions, technologies, and research around the country. Launched in 2008, NICE became the culminating activity of the champions or finalists from the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) wherein different regions across the nation were recognized with the efforts of their local inventors, innovators, researchers including students, as contributors to the national economic and social development in the Philippines.
On June 22 to 24, 2022, Prof. Zaldy Fernandez, Engr. Mark Kennedy Bantugon, and the team of Ms. Charito Aranilla and Ms. Lorna Relleva from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute topped the best of the best innovations in their respective categories in the 2022 National Invention Contests and Exhibit.
Prof. Zaldy A. Fernandez – Multi-Fuel Dryer, 2022 Unlad Award for Outstanding Utility Model
In the Unlad Award for Outstanding Utility Model, a professor from the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) – College of Industrial Technology, Prof. Zaldy Fernandez’ Multi-Fuel Dryer was awarded the winning invention. The multi-fuel dryer is a versatile drying apparatus designed for use in both residential and industrial settings; offering the ability to efficiently dry a diverse array of goods and products – with its debut at the 49th IEIG, Prof. Fernandez’s hard work, and inspired by his wife, it won a silver medal in the international stage.
“Regarding po sa preparation sa aking (aming) exhibition, sobra talagang mahirap – kailangan mo talaga mag-sakripisyo ng oras, everything has to be perfect talaga at syempre para manalo tayo talaga sa contest na ito... Sa ganitong sitwasyon, thousands yung ang kalaban natin. Hindi katulad sa RICE atsyaka NICE na ano lang konti-konti lang ang nakakalaban natin doon. Dito kasi napakarami atsyaka yung pinaka-mahirap talaga na kalaban ay yung trending ng technology which is most likely mga automated... Kailangan po natin talaga ng exposure, hindi lang sa mga national activities pero lalung-lalo na po dito sa mga ganitong international activities ng invention contest.” Prof. Zaldy A. Fernandez said in an interview after the awarding at the 49th IEIG.
In English Translation: “Regarding the preparation of our exhibit, it was hard – we really need to sacrifice a lot of time and everything has to be perfect in order to win this competition. In this kind of event, we are faced with thousands of competitors...This is not just like our local competitions like RICE and NICE – their technologies are based on the trends and most likely automated...We need to have this type of exposure, not just in our national activities (competitions) but also in international invention contest activities.”
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute – New Hemostat Technology, 2022 Likha Award for Outstanding Public-Funded Creative Research
The New Hemostat Technology, developed by Ms. Charito Aranilla and Ms. Lorna Relleve from DOST-PNRI, won the Likha Award for Outstanding Public-Funded Creative Research. The Likha Award for Outstanding Creative Research recognizes the innovative work of researchers and signifies the potential benefits of their creations. It is further sub-categorized into public-funded and private-funded creative research, showcasing diverse contributions to the field. This hemostat technology, based on natural and water-soluble polymers of plant origin, offers fast clotting action and has the potential to revolutionize the industries of healthcare, emergency, and disaster response, defense, and the veterinary sectors. DOST-PNRI was awarded the silver medal at the 49th IEIG for its groundbreaking development.
“Very happy na na-recognize ulit yung aming technology...This is a bigger platform na international convention (49th IEIG) so talagang I feel proud na na-recognize yung technology ng DOST na Hemostat Technology as well yung CMHA and Super Water Absorbent Technology na nakakuha rin ng silver and broze medals...Ibigsabihin na yung ginagawa namin na mga inventions or mga dinedevelop naming technologies ay may kabuluhan at nakikilala ng mga audience at ng mga international jury kaya we are very thankful...” Expressed by Ms. Charito Aranilla after being awarded at the 49th IEIG.
In English Translation: “Very happy that our technology was recognized again...This is a bigger platform for an international convention so we really feel proud that the technologies funded by DOST which is the New Hemostat Technology was recognized together as well with the CMHA and Super Water Absorbent Technology that gained silver and bronze medals...This just means that the inventions we develop has significance and recognized by the international audience and juries, that is why we are very thankful...”
Engr. Mark Kennedy E. Bantugon – Pili Seal: Pili Tree Resin as Sealants and Flame Retardants, 2022 Sibol Award for Outstanding College Student Creative Research
The Pili Seal: Pili Tree Resin as Sealants and Flame Retardants invented by student-inventor from the Mapúa University, Engr. Mark Kennedy E. Bantugon took the spot of the First Prize Sibol Award for Outstanding College Student Creative Research in 2022 NICE. The Sibol Award is given to recognize outstanding inventions and creative research by high school and college students; this aims to encourage young minds to make significant contributions to science, technology, and innovation culture in the country. For instance, Engr. Bantugon conducted a pioneering study for the aviation industry, developing a revolutionary method that utilizes waste material particularly the waste of Pili Tree Resin (also known as spent resin), as the base ingredient for aircraft integral fuel tank sealant production. His invention was awarded a bronze medal and a special award from the King Khalid University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
“It is very important na yung mga Filipino inventors, specifically yung mga fellow youth and students na mag-take space at mag-join ng international competition. Because tayong mga youth and students, we have this innovative and creative idea...and we just need a space and platform in order for us to be able to not only showcase our invention but also represent the country with this tatak pinoy invention...Also show to the world na ang invention - wala siyang age-limit at wala siyang preference...As long as you have this creative ideas, you will be able to participate and also to take space for this innovation landscape.” - Advice from Engr. Bantugon to his fellow youth, student-inventors.
In English Translation: It is very important for Filipino inventors, specifically to my fellow youth and students, to take the space and join international competitions. Because, as youth and students, we already have this innovative and creative idea..we just need a space and platform in order for us to be able to not only showcase our invention but also represent the country with our locally-marked invention. Also to show the world that developing an invention – does not have any age-limit and does not have any preferences – as long as you have creative ideas, you will be able to participate and also take space for this innovation landscape.
2024 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE)
Amidst the year 2023, the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit (RICE) was rebranded as “ClusteRICE” in search of the finest and top-notch breakthroughs around the twelve (12) different regions of the Philippines divided into five (5) clusters: National Capital Region, Southern Luzon, Northern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“In a time where the world continues to face unprecedented challenges, it is in platforms such as ClusteRICE where hope burgeons, as brilliant Filipino inventors from various walks of life - be it seasoned creators or young student researchers, come forward with solutions sculpted from vision, hard work, and the spirit of Bayanihan.” DOST-TAPI’s Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena’s sound bytes from her speech during the ClusteRICE event.
This year, the winners from ClusteRICE will be competing at the 2024 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) this July 16 to 18, 2024. The Institute is inviting everyone to join and witness the Filipino ingenuity wherein twenty-five (25) inventions, innovations, and researches compete from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for these categories: Outstanding Invention Category (Tuklas), Outstanding Utility Model (Unlad), Outstanding Industrial Design Category (Banghay), Creative Research Category (Likha) for Government Funded Category and Private Funded Category, Student Creative Research Category (Sibol) for High School and College.
More exciting news and updates about the 2024 NICE so follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn, and let us continue to support, celebrate, and take pride with the nation’s brilliance and creativity!
