PHILIPPINE INVENTION

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.

Inventions and Discoveries

Invention: Incubator

An apparatus used to maintain environmental conditions suitable for newborn baby.

Used in pre-term births or for some ill full-term babies

It was proposed by Dr. Fe del Mundo

The first Asian to have entered the prestigious Harvard University’s School of Medicine in 1936 as a
presidential scholar of President Manuel L. Quezon. During World War II she began working with the
International Red Cross, and set up a hospice at an internment camp

She was an Alumna of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine.

First woman to be recognized as a National Scientist in the Philippines (1980)

She founded the Children’s Medical Center, first pediatric hospital in the Philippines, in 1957.

She developed a bamboo incubator that is significantly less expensive and easier to assemble for the
rural communities.

Invention: Videophone

The two-way television telephone or videophone in 1955 patented as a “photo phone signal separator
network.”

This invention paved the way for the discovery of th e modern video calls such as Skype, Messenger, and
many more.

Invented by Gregorio Y. Zara

A renowned Filipino engineer and physicist.

A native of Lipa, Batangas and enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United
States, and graduated with a degree of BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1926.

Invention: Fluorescent Lamp

Agapito Flores is the inventor of the most widely used source of lightning in the world today.

Invention: Super Bunker Formula-L

A revolutionary fuel half-composed of water

Developed by Rudy Lantano Sr., a scientist from the Philippine Department of Science and Technology
(DOST). It won the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) gold medal.

Invented by Daniel Dingel

Invention: Moon Buggy (Lunar Rover)

It was the car used by Neil Armstrong and other astronauts when they first explored the moon in 1969.

Inventor: Eduardo San Juan

A NASA engineer who constructed the model using homemade materials.

Worked for Lockheed Corporation and conceptualized the design of the Moon Buggy that the Apollo
astronauts used while in the moon.

However, he was not listed as the inventor of the rover. It was said that the vehicle is designed and
constructed by a group of space engineers.

Invention: 16-bit microchip

It paved the way for the development of the graphical user interface that make computers work a lot
faster.

Invented by Diosdado Banatao, a native from Cagayan Valley. He graduated in Stanford University in
1972.

His invention has allowed computer users to use graphics for commands and not the usual typed
commands in older computers.

Developed the first single-chip 16-bit microprocessor-based calculator in the 1970s.

Created the world’s first system logic chipsets in 1981, which allowed the integration of all the
computer’s essential data processing features into a small package.

Introduced the first single-chip graphical user interface accelerator that made computers work a lot
faster and for helping develop the Ethernet Controller chip.
In 1989, he pioneered the local bus concept for personal computers and in the following year developed
the First Windows accelerator chip for personal computers which is now used by Intel.

He was considered as the Filipino Bill Gates

Invention: Karaoke (1975)

A sing along system previously called a “minus-one” and was patented in the 1980s.

Inventor: Roberto del Rosario

He claimed the right for the invention of the Sing-Along-System (SAS) that led to the development of
Karaoke, a Japanese term for “singing without accompaniment”

Mango Flowering

Proposed by Ramon Barba, a national scientist, by using a chemical spray called Etherel (2-
chloroethylphosphonic acid).

Led to the proliferation of mango production in the Philippines and was even recognized by the World
Intellectual Property Organization.

Salamander Amphibious Tricycle

A tricycle that can go on land and on water

It can seat six people on land and four on water. It is powered by a 5KW electric engine or a 250cc
gasoline motor. The inventor has two working prototypes with two power plant options: electric or
internal combustion.

The inventor, Atoy Llave, teamed up with H20 Technologies to develop the “H20 Salamander”

Invention: Water Gasoline

Also known as the “Tubig na Gasoline” or “Dazo Water Fuel Hydrogen

It is beneficial to drivers who particularly operate jeepneys and tricycles, since hydrogen fuel has around
“three times the power” as standard petrol or diesel.

Cleaner and more powerful compared to diesel or gasoline

Since it fully ignites standard fuel going inside the engine, it has better improved power that needs less
fuel to produce the same speed as a standard gasoline or diesel engine.

It produces a lot of steam, which will cool the engine and get rid of old carbon deposits inside.
Discovered by Noli Dazo, a graduate of Southern Nevada in Computer Science and Engineering. His
discovery made him an “Outstanding Filipino Inventor of the Philippines” in the field of Innovative
Products Invention.

Highmax and Eagle Eye Security System

Highmax Turbo Power Simulator (HTPS)

It works just like a power booster that allows a car to run faster without adding more fuel.

Converts atmospheric air into ozone and hydrogen/nitrous oxide before it enters the engine to enhance
burning efficiency. It would result to a less fuel consumption.

Awarded with financial and technical assistance by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Call Alert Security System

It can be used in cars and businesses

It works by setting off an alarm after 25 seconds, and then stopping the engine for good. This allows the
owner to look for his stolen vehicle with a tracking device via a mobile phone.

Self-charging car

Known as the Long Distance Electric Vehicle (LDEV)

Uses two battery chargers: the KEC and KER.

It converts wheel vibrations and cruising speed into electricity, thereby charging the on-board battery
during transit.

In going downhill, the LDEV is able to convert the earth’s gravity into electricity to charge the on-board
battery with zero consumption of electricity.

Invented by Dr. Leonardo Gasendo, a US-based chemical engineer but he was born in Bacolod City and
graduated from Adamson University. His invention was granted a U.S. Patent by the United States
Patent and Trademark Office.

iBus (Intelligent BUS Utility System)

a traffic invention system that allows buses to do the following:

Load and unload only in their designated areas;

Use Real Time Location System to track buses’ time of departure and arrival;

Lessen bus stoppage duration;

Customize bus doors to open and close only in their allocated designation; and
Trace and monitor buses via machine-readable tags.

Invented by Elma Alboleras with her co-inventor, Rodel de Guzman

Won the gold medal for Consumer Category at the prestigious 11th British Invention Awards in London
(2011) for “outstanding contribution and application of innovation for the public sector transport
system.”

Anos Fire Ambulance and Rescue Vehicle (AFARV)

Invented by the late Alfredo M. Anos Sr., the “Godfather of Filipino Inventors”

A 3-in-1 truck used as a recue vehicle, fire truck, and an ambulance

Erythromycin

An antibiotic used in treating infections of the respiratory tract, Legionnaire’s disease, and diphtheria, as
well as urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis. The drug was also
available to those who were allergic to penicillin.

It was discovered by Dr. Abelardo Aguilar in 1949. He worked for the pharmaceutical company, the Eli
Lilly and Company, as a researcher. In 1949, he submitted samples of his works to the company’s
research team who in 1952 declared that they had discovered a new kind of antibiotic. Eli Lilly called it
Ilosone which was derived from the place where Aguilar discovered the medicine, Iloilo

Jeepney

A modified military jeep and is the most common form of transportation in the country.

Led to the innovative transformation of the modern “E-Jeepney” which is a nature-friendly vehicle that
uses electricity.

SALt Lamp

Made by a scientist named Aisa Mijeno and it stands for Sustainable Alternative Lighting Lamp

It is an environment-friendly and sustainable alternative light source that runs on salt water making it
suitable to those people living in coastal areas.

With just two tablespoons of salt and one glass of tap water, this ecologically designed lamp can run for
eight hours.

Yoyo

Invented as a hunting weapon by ancient people. It was also used as a combat weapon by the native
Filipinos 400 years ago against Spaniards and other intruders
Popularized by Pedro Flores, a Filipino inventor and businessman. He first established a Yoyo company in
America in 1928. His production of yoyos was a success that is why a famous toy company owned by
Donald F. Duncan was interested. Flores sold his Yoyo company to Duncan Toys worth $750,000.