Young Filipino inventors win big at international science exhibition
The two winning products, “Rauvolfia Serpentina Delicious and Nutritious Tea Drink” and “Coconut Oil, Basil, and Beeswax Anti-Bacterial and Mosquito Repellent Lotion Bar”—invented by students with ages ranging from 10 to 12 – won Gold and Silver prizes, respectively at the Hong Kong International Invention, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship Exhibition, held at the City University of Hong Kong and organized by the China Business Strategic Alliance.
TIS’ Kier Sean D. Cadag, Brian Ivan B. Santiago, Franzes Keisha G. Joven, and Lance Ulryck F. Corpuz took home the gold award while Tracy V. Gonzales, Chizel Anne M. Liwanag, Patricia Marites O. Sanga, and Elise Gabriel Santos won silver. The teams were led by research advisers and TIS faculty members Rosenda Puno and Georgie Amaranto.
The two homegrown products also earned additional awards, with the former winning a Special Award from the World Invention Intellectual Property Associations (WIIPA), and the latter also earning a Special Award from the Indonesia Invention and Innovation Promotion Association “in honor of the highest standard of excellence.”
The Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate foundation of the Aboitiz Group, provided the teams financial support during the three-day exhibition as part of its broader and strong commitment to the Department of Education Special Science Elementary Schools (DepEd SSES) Project.
The SSES Project—first launched by DepEd in 2007 to 57 public elementary schools (expanded to 43 more in 2009)—is a research and development project designed to develop Filipino children who are equipped with scientific and technological knowledge, skills and attitudes; who are creative and have positive values; and have lifelong learning skills to become productive partners in the development of the community and society.
The students explained that their inventions were inspired by their aim to resolve real-world challenges in their community: to create a tasty yet healthy children’s beverage, and to help fight disease-causing mosquitoes from a school-side creek.
“It was a very interesting competition. We got to meet new friends and exhibit our inventions,” said Santos. “After the competition, I am further encouraged to explore and study science, because indeed, science is everywhere,” added Cadag.
“These achievements by our student beneficiaries from TIS are a result of perseverance and preparation, and are truly an inspiration to all of us. We will continue supporting important educational initiatives, particularly the strengthening of SSES and technical-vocational high schools, as we help communities feel empowered, safe, and be sustainable,” said Maribeth L. Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation First Vice President.
The Aboitiz Group has long been supportive of the country’s public education system, believing this is where the Group can make the biggest impact. The Aboitiz Foundation’s most important goal is to achieve universal public education by establishing more Aboitiz BetterWorld schools that promise a better learning environment. This, in turn, supports one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically on Quality Education (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all).
