BAGUIO CITY – DOST-CAR and the DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) virtually showcased the ingenuity of the region’s local inventors and researchers at the 2021 Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) in CAR on November 22-24, 2021.
With the theme, “Imbensyon at Inobasyon Para sa Kalusugan, Kabuhayan, Kaayusan at Kinabukasan” this year’s celebration, which was conducted virtually for the first time, highlights the role of science, technology, and innovation in shaping prosperity and sustainability in different sectors of the society.
“With all that we do in Science, Technology and Innovation in various fields, we are on the right track in contributing to the improvement of our quality of life even beyond,” said DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog in her message during the Opening Ceremonies held on-site at the Newtown Hotel in Baguio City and webcast via the DOST-CAR’s Facebook Page on November 22, 2021.
DOST Secretary Prof. Fortunato T. de la Peña, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang and DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena virtually graced the ceremonies, which was followed by a Press Conference held in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-CAR).
This year, the agencies received 33 entries for three of the six contest categories and 15 of which proceeded as regional finalists after the preliminary judging held last month. Below are the regional winners: Unlad Ward, Outstanding Utility Model: Regional Winner: Geo-bio Method for Soil Stabilization by James Solano, 2nd prize: Biological Fungicide and Method by Teresita Masangcay, Jophr Galian and Cynthia Kiswa, 3rd prize: A Process of Making Powdered Sun-Dried Pork by Cynthia Garmbas, Sherilyn Balauro, Rolando Tawana, Jr., Charity Joy Dulma, and May Gumihol.
Likha, Outstanding Creative Research (Government-funded): Regional Winner: Analysis of Dengue Cases using GIS Evidence from Baguio City, Philippines by Nathaniel Vincent Lubrica, Carlo Jay Valdez, Judale Quianio, and Ruben Rubia
2nd prize: Fermented Heirloom Rice “Binudan” by Lesly Dale Umayat, Norma Banania and Elizabeth Dom-ogen.
3rd prize: Development of a Garden Tiller-mounted Potato Digger by Maribel Jimenez, Chrysler Organo and Leonardo Dumalhin.
Likha, Outstanding Creative Research (Government-funded): Regional Winner: Modified Bicycle Frame and Drivetrain by Inoc Broncano.
2nd prize: A Device using Flamethrower to Control Soil-borne Insect Pests, Diseases and Weed Control by Philip Chan.
Outstanding Student Creative Research for High School (SIBOL-HS) Regional Winner: Sweet Potato Peelings and Lakatan Peelings as a Component in Making Edible Waste Cutlery by Shyne Jasmin Dicam, Shan Dicam and Desny Dicam.
2nd prize: Treadle Glass Bottle Crusher by Jimber Lee Camareg and Nixon Sean Labiang
3rd prize: Toys and Scraps by Jay-at Domen
Outstanding Student Creative Research for High School (SIBOL-College): Regional Winner: Geocall: Emergency Hotline Application by Karel Cassandra Cruz, Wyli Charles Olivette and Hannah Caranto
2nd prize: Motorized Pulverizer for Dried Cassave and Sweet Potato by Alfredo Lagmay, Jr., Rovilyn Tulian and Milagros Onalan
3rd prize: Growing Chamber for Oyster Mushroom with Light Emitting Diodes by Jef Bangcawayan and Judemy Jillord Vergarda
Best Video Presentation: 1st prize: A Composition of Lemongrass Herbal Tea flavored with Freeze-dried Fruits by Kathlyn Aragon and Jaojao Somyden
2nd prize: Treadle Glass Bottle Crusher by Jimber Lee Camareg and Nixon Sean Labiang
3rd prize: Sweet Potato Peelings and Lakatan Peelings as a Component in Making Edible Waste Cutlery by Shyne Jasmin Dicam, Shan Dicam and Desny Dicam
Winners received cash prizes and certificates. First-place winners will also represent CAR to the National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) in 2022.
As part of the three-day virtual event, DOST-CAR conducted a forum on Intellectual Property to help inventors and researchers in protecting and commercializing their research outputs. Speakers from DOST-TAPI discussed the intellectual property system and its importance as well as the various available programs, services, and facilities that could help bring inventions to the market.
Moreover, DOST-TAPI unveiled its new program Youth Empowerment through Technopreneurship (YET), which focuses on collaboration, capability-building and funding for students and institutions regarding their techo-researches.
Inspiration and experiences in invention and innovation at the local scene were shared by Dr. Carlito P. Laurean, former Vice President for Research and Development at the Benguet State University, and Dr. Vic Palabay of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University during the “Inventors ni Amianan.”
Meanwhile, a new initiative called the “Transforming R&D Outputs into Innovations through Technopreneurship and Customer Validation (TransDI), which will run from September 2021 to April 2022, will help to fully capacitate willing and interested RICE winners by providing technopreneurship training to develop technopreneurial capability; give assistance to patent searching and patent drafting to facilitate application for IP protection of technologies/entries and provide an avenue to link with potential adoptor-investors and to relevant/appropriate programs of DOST and their respective SUCs.