By Heherson Valdez
Aside from dominating the international stage with gold, silver, and bronze awards, the Philippines continues to exemplify its world-class performance in the global innovation ecosystem, with 12 Filipino inventions receiving special awards at the Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF) 2024, held from November 27 to 30 in Seoul, South Korea. Get to know three of them by diving into their stories, from ideation to international recognition.
1. Turbo Rice Steamer by Francisco Gecosala
Francisco Gecosala, a 66-year-old inventor from Barangay Paraiso, Koronadal City, South Cotabato, proves that age is no barrier to innovation. Driven by a deep desire to create something meaningful for his community and industry, Gecosala set out to solve a practical problem. His most notable invention, the Turbo Rice Steamer, was born from a casual conversation with friends about their mechanical skills, which sparked his curiosity and challenged him to design a device capable of cooking large quantities of rice quickly and efficiently, without sacrificing quality. This innovation has since transformed traditional rice cooking, offering a more sustainable and innovative solution.
What sets the Turbo Rice Steamer apart from other rice cookers is its ability to cook large quantities of rice with minimal resources. The steamer features five trays, each holding up to 3 kilos of rice, allowing it to cook up to 15 kilos at once. It can also run on multiple fuel types, including rice hulls, wood, charcoal, used oil, and LPG, making it an eco-friendly option for diverse users. Designed for high-capacity cooking, the Turbo Rice Steamer ensures even cooking without the risk of burnt rice, unlike traditional methods. Its sustainability features include lower electricity consumption and durable, reusable components. The steamer’s potential applications extend to homes, restaurants, hospitals, schools, and military services, where large-scale food preparation is essential. With support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Gecosala hopes to see his invention reach global markets, revolutionizing food preparation worldwide.
Gecola’s invention won the 2024 First Prize in the Outstanding Utility Model Category of DOST-TAPI’s Unlad Award. Beyond national recognition, he also reached the international stage and bagged the Best International Invention and Innovation Award from the National Research Council of Thailand at SIIF 2024.
2. Equipment System and Process for Treating Wastewater from Wet-type Finishing Spray Booth (DOST- Forest Products Research and Development Institute)
Filipino inventors continue to lead the charge in developing innovative solutions to environmental challenges. One such breakthrough is the Equipment System and Process for Treating Wastewater from Wet-type Finishing Spray Booths, an invention that addresses the harmful wastewater produced by furniture manufacturing companies. This system effectively controls the spread of excess varnish and paint, preventing toxic chemicals from being released into the environment and reducing water pollution risks.
The invention is the brainchild of a team of dedicated inventors from the Department of Science and Technology - Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI). The team is composed of Engr. Edward Paul S. Marasigan, Aralyn L. Quintos-Cortiguerra, Benjo S. Salvatiera, Jeremiah Vi R. Dumalaon, Jason P. Esguerra, and Liza P. Patacsil. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in a system that not only addresses environmental compliance but also supports industries in managing their wastewater efficiently.
The technology works by processing the wastewater generated in wet-type finishing spray booths to neutralize harmful substances like aromatics, benzene derivatives, and alcohol, ensuring that the discharge meets environmental standards. This allows furniture manufacturers to comply with government regulations while promoting sustainability. With crucial support from DOST-TAPI, the system's visibility has grown, helping the technology gain global attention, particularly through events like the Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF).
Looking ahead, the team is excited about the technology's potential for expansion into industries beyond furniture manufacturing, such as handicraft production. Their goal is to commercialize and license the invention, making it a globally-recognized solution for wastewater treatment. Engr. Marasigan’s advice for aspiring inventors is to "work hard and develop solutions to the problems of our stakeholders," as innovation will always be needed to address the challenges we face.
DOST-FPRDI‘s technology was also one of the recipients of the Best International Invention and Innovation Award from the National Research Council of Thailand.
2. HormoGroe(R) Nanoformulated Plant Growth Regulators by Dr. Lilia M. Fernando-Corpuz
As agriculture faces growing demands, innovative solutions like HormoGroe® are helping shape the future of plant growth. Developed by Dr. Lilia M. Fernando-Corpuz and her team at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), HormoGroe® is an eco-friendly plant growth hormone derived from naturally-occurring soil bacteria. Unlike synthetic plant growth regulators (PGRs) that are often imported, this technology uses locally-sourced plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), offering a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to traditional growth hormones. Through MakilingTek Inc., Dr. Corpuz has helped commercialize this groundbreaking technology, making HormoGroe® known within the innovation ecosystem, and positioning it to revolutionize agricultural practices both in the Philippines and abroad.
One of the outstanding features of HormoGroe® is its unique nanoformulation, which delivers plant hormones (auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellin) more efficiently, requiring up to 90% lower dosage compared to conventional methods. This results in faster, more precise growth, particularly for plantation crops like coffee, cacao, and sugarcane. The use of naturally derived regulators aligns with the global movement toward sustainable agriculture, promoting healthier soil and crops while reducing dependency on imported materials. Supported by the Department of Science and Technology’s Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), the team has faced challenges such as scaling production and obtaining regulatory approvals, but with continued support, HormoGroe® is poised for commercialization.
Winning the special award as the Best Inventor from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) at SIIF 2024 is one of the biggest milestones for HormoGroe®. “I was surprised to receive the special award as Best Inventor from WIPO on stage. I am also proud to raise the Philippine flag for this award. It’s an honor to be included in the Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF 2024) with the support of DOST-TAPI,” Dr. Corpuz shared.
Dr. Corpuz also shared her plans for the technology: “I plan to focus on the commercialization and adoption of our technologies by stakeholders. I will be concentrating on partnerships with industry players and the continuous promotion and marketing of the technology. I pray that the technology will not only succeed in the Philippines but also reach other countries,” she added.
Meanwhile, Pili Seal by Engr. Mark Kennedy E. Bantugon was declared the Innovation Award Winner from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Best Inventor of the Year award from the Korea Invention Promotion Association (KIPA). Smart Helmet: The Head Covering Emergency Alarm System, Life Saver, and Monitoring Device by Peter John R. Bacani and Miraleih S. Jaime was proclaimed the Innovation Award Winner from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. MAKE-roscope by Engr. Jeremy De Leon was announced as the Innovation Award Winner from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. IET Pro: The Effective and Affordable Impulse Excitation Technique Prototype by Beatrice V. Bayan also received the Best International Invention and Innovation Award from the National Research Council of Thailand.
DEBCC Cream by Lorena B. Dela Cruz-Chiu secured the Outstanding Innovation Award from Singapore and the Best International Invention award from the Malaysian Association of Research Scientists. iPOND by the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) was awarded the Best International Invention by the Malaysian Association of Research Scientists. Smarter and Integrated Local Health Information System (SMILHIS) - eHATID by Jaztine A. Calderon won the Special Prize for the Best International Invent from SIIF 2024. Lastly, the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute’s Covert Security Yarns & Markings for Anti-Counterfeiting Applications and the Bamboo Textile Fiber Technology brought home the Best Inventor Award from the Takharuj Law Firm, Saudi Arabia.
These accolades not only reflect the ingenuity of Filipino inventors but also mark a significant step forward for the Philippines' position in the global innovation ecosystem. They open doors to international collaborations, attract foreign investments, and inspire future generations of Filipino innovators. As these inventions gain global recognition, they have the potential to positively impact various industries, from agriculture to manufacturing, and contribute to a more sustainable and innovative future.
** This article is part of the "SPICE: Science and Technology Promotion for International Contest and Exhibits" campaign for the Seoul International Invention Fair – SIIF 2024. For more information and event updates, please visit the DOST-TAPI website at www.tapi.dost.gov.ph.**
