SCIENCE,

TECHNOLOGY,
AND SOCIETY
(STS)
GE3

KEN MIRASOL, LPT, MAED

Instructor
Lesson Objectives

At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to:

§ discuss the role of science and technology in Philippine nation-

building;
§ Evaluate government policies pertaining to science and
technology in terms of their contributions to nation-building; and
§ Identify actual science and technology policies of the government
and appraise their impact on the development of the Filipino
nation.
INTRO
This lesson will discuss the influence of science and technology in
the development of the Philippine society. It identifies government
programs, projects, and policies geared toward boasting the
science and technological capacity of the country. This lesson will
also include discussions on Philippine indigenous science and
technology.
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

SPANISH AMERICAN
PERIOD PERIOD
Pre-Spanish Philippines

Before the coming of Spanish The history of science and

colonizers, the early inhabitants technology in the Philippines
of the archipelago had their own started way back before the
culture and traditions. They had country gained
their own belief system and independence from the
indigenous knowledge system American colonizers.
that keeps them organized and
sustain their lives and
communities for many years.
PRE-SPANISH PHILIPPINES
Scientific knowledge is observed in Technological knowledge is observed
the following: in the following:
v plant their crops that provide them v Building houses, irrigations, and
food developing tools that they can use in
v Taking care of animals to help them everyday life.
in their daily tasks v They developed tools for planting,
v Interpret the movement of heavenly hunting, cooking, and fishing.
bodies to predict seasons and v Fighting their enemies during war or
climates and organizing days into tribal conflicts
months and years. v For transportation (both on land and
v Preparing the soil for agricultural on waterways)
purposes v They developed technologies in
v Discovered the medicinal use of creating musical instruments.
plants
METAL AGE
The period in Philippine prehistory that
coincides with the use of bronze and
iron objects and is approximately dated
from 500 BC to AD 1000. During this
period, social interaction among
various groups in the Philippines and
the broader Southeast Asian region
expanded as evidenced by similarities Source: [Link]
collections/archaeology/philippine-metal-age/
in pottery forms and decoration and
The different archeological artifacts
the occurrence of imported bronze, discovered in the different parts of the
iron, glass and stone artifacts in various country also proved that Metal Age also
had a significant influences on the lives
Philippine archaeological sites. of early Filipinos.
The sophisticated designs of gold and silver jewelries, ceramics, and
metal tools proved that their technological ideas helped in the
development of different tools.

Trading with China, Indonesia, Japan, and other nearby countries

have influenced their lives by providing different opportunities for
cultural and technological exchange.

HOWEVER….
All these ancient practices in science and technology are
considered now indigenous science or folk science.
SPANISH ERA
1 When the Spaniards colonized the country, they brought with
them their own culture and practices.

2 The Spaniards established schools for boys and girls and

introduced the concept of subjects and discipline
It was the beginning of formal science and technology in the country, known now as
school of science and technology.

Learning of science in school focuses on understanding

3 different concepts related to the human body, plants, animals,
and heavenly bodies.

4 Technology focuses on using and developing house tools

used in everyday life.
SPANISH ERA
5 Life during Spanish era slowly became modernized, adapting
some Western technology and their ways of life.

6 Filipinos developed ways to replicate the technology brought

by the Spaniards using indigenous materials.

7 Medicine and advanced science were introduced in formal

colleges and universities established by the Catholic orders.

8 The galleon trade has brought additional technology and

development in the Philippines
Although, it is only beneficial for the Spaniards, these trades allowed other ideas, crops,
tools, cultural practices, technology, and Western practices to reach the country.
SPANISH ERA
9 Some Filipino students who were able to study in Europe also
contributed to the advancement of medicine, engineering,
arts, music, and literature in the country.

The Philippines being one of centers of

Superstitious Beliefs global trade in Southeast Asia during that
time was considered to be one of the most
developed places in the region.

Although the country is blessed with these

developments, the superstitious beliefs of
Catholic doctrines and the people and the Catholic doctrines and
practices during the Spanish era halted the
practices
growth of science in the country.
AMERICAN ERA
The Americans have more influence in the development of science
and technology in the Philippines compared to the Spaniards.

1
They established the public education system, improved the
engineering works and health conditions of the people.

They established modern research university, The University of

2 the Philippines and created more public hospitals than the
Spaniards.

3 The mineral resources of the country were also explored and

exploited during the American times.
AMERICAN ERA
4 Transportations and communication systems were improved
(though not accessible throughout the country).

The Americans did everything to “Americanize” the Philippines.

They reorganized the learning of science and introduced it in

5 public and private schools.

In basic education, science education focuses on nature studies

6 and science and sanitation, until it became a subject formally
known as “Science.”
AMERICAN ERA
7 The teaching of science in higher education has also greatly
improved and modernized.

Researches were done to control malaria, cholera, and

8 tuberculosis and other tropical diseases.

9 The Protestant church missions in different places in the country

also brought hospitals and schools to far-flung areas.
 The World War II has
WORLD WAR II destabilized the development
of the country in many ways.

Institutions and public

facilities were turned into
ashes, houses were burned,
and many lives were
destroyed.

The country had a difficult

Source:[Link]
time to rebuild itself from the
eration-of-philippines-cecilia-gaerlan ruins of the war.
WORLD WAR II
The human spirit to survive and to
rebuild the country may be strong
but the capacity of the country to
bring back what was destroyed was
limited.

The reparation funds focused on

building some institutions and public
facilities like schools, hospitals, and
transportation systems.

The reparation money from Japan

was also concentrated on building
highways and in providing
Source:[Link] technological training and human
eration-of-philippines-cecilia-gaerlan
resource development in the country.
NEW REPUBLIC
Since the establishment of the new republic, the whole nation has
been focusing on using its limited resources in improving its science
and technological capability.

It has explored the use of Overseas Development Allocations

1 (ODA) from different countries to help the country improve its
scientific productivity and technological capability.

Human resource development is at the heart of these efforts

2 focusing on producing more engineers, scientists, technology
experts, doctors, and other professionals in the country.
 The development of
Internal Influence External Influence
science and technology in -Foreign Colonizers
-Survival
the Philippines based on its -Culture -Trades with Foreign Countries
brief history, is shaped by -Economic Activities -International Economic Demands
several factors and
influences. Like in the
history of science in other
countries, it is always
shaped by human and Development of Science and Technology
social activities, both in the Philippines
internal and external.
Figure 1. Influences in the Development of Science
and Technology in the Philippines
 Science and technology may have significant impact on the
lives of the people in the development of the Philippine
society. However, improving the quality of science education
still remains as a big challenge in the country. School science
from basic to graduate education is improving slowly, and
there are only few students enrolling in science and
technology courses.
 THINK ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS
1. What are the significant contributions of the Spaniards and
Americans to the development of science and technology in the
Philippines?
2. What can you say about the state of science and technology
during the Spanish and American period?
3. How does school science shape science and technology in the
country?
 GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
The Philippine government introduced and implemented several
programs, projects, and policies to boost the area of science and
technology. The goal is to prepare the whole country and its people
to meet the demands of a technologically driven world and
capacitate the people in a world driven by science.

In response to ASEAN 2015 Agenda, the DOST has sought expertise of the
National Research Council of the Philippines (NCRP) to consult various sectors in
the society to study how the Philippines can prepare itself in meeting the ASEAN
2015 goals (Padilla-Concepcion, 2015).
 NCRP POLICIES
SOCIAL SCIENCE, PHYSICS, ENGINEERING AND
HUMANITIES, EDUCATION, INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH,
1 INTERNATIONAL POLICIES 2 EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES,
AND GOVERNANCE AND MATHEMATICS
-Integrating ASEAN awareness in -Emphasizing degrees, licenses, and
basic education without adding to the employment opportunities.
curriculum. -Outright grants for peer monitoring.
-Emphasizing teaching in the mother -Review of R.A. 9184.
tongue. -Harnessing science and technology
-Developing school infrastructure and as an independent mover of
providing for ICT broadband. development.
-Local food security.
 NCRP POLICIES
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES,
MEDICAL, CHEMICAL, AND
3 PHARMACEUTICALS 4 AGRICULTURE, AND
FORESTRY

-Ensuring compliance of drug-manufacturing -Protecting and conserving biodiversity

firms with ASEAN-harmonized standards by by full implementation of existing laws.
full implementation of the Food and Drug -Use of biosafety and standard model
Administration. by ASEAN countries.
-Creating an education council dedicated to
standardization of pharmaceutical services
-promoting indigenous knowledge
and care. systems and indigenous people’s
-Empowering food and drug agencies to conservation.
conduct evidence-based research as pool of -Formulation of common food and
information. safety standards.
-Allocation two percent of the GDP research.
-Legislating a law supporting human genome
project.
 OTHER EXISTING PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE DOST
Providing funds for basic research and patents related to science
and technology. The government funds basic and applied
researches. Funding of these research and projects are also from
Overseas Development Aid (ODA) from different countries.

Providing scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies of

students in the field of science and technology. Saloma (2015)
pointed out that the country needs to produce more doctoral
graduates in the field of science and technology, and produce more
research in these fields, including engineering.
 OTHER EXISTING PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE DOST
Establishing more branches of the Philippine Science High School
System for training young Filipinos in the field of science and
technology.

Creating science and technology parks to encourage academe and

industry partnerships.

Balik Scientist Program to encourage Filipino scientists abroad to

come home and work in the Philippines or conduct research and
projects in collaboration with Philippine-based scientists.
 OTHER EXISTING PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE DOST
Developing science and technology parks in academic campuses to
encourage academe and industry partnerships.

The establishment of the National Science Complex and National

Engineering Complex within the University of the Philippines
campus in Diliman. These aimed to develop more science and
technology and engineering manpower resources needed by the
country. They also aimed to produce more researches in these fields.
CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAM AS IDENTIFIED BY THE
PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
AND ENGINEERING

Establishment of national center of excellence.

Manpower and institutional development programs, such as the

Engineering and Science Education Program (ESEP) to produce
more PhD graduates in science and engineering.

Establishments of regional centers to support specific industries that

will lead the country in different research and development areas.
CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAM AS IDENTIFIED BY THE
PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
AND ENGINEERING

Establishments of science and technology business centers to assist,

advise, and incubate technopreneurship ventures.

Strengthen science education at an early stage through the

Philippine Science High School system
 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Science-related programs and projects were created to develop the
scientific literacy of the country.

Special science classes were organized and special science

elementary schools were established in different regions.

Science and mathematics in basic education were continuously

improved.

The current K to 12 education program included Science,

Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as one of its
major tracks in the senior high school program to encourage more
students to enroll in science-related fields in college.
 COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION

CHED launched its Philippine-California Advanced Researched

Institutes (PICARI) Project to allow several higher education
institutions in the Philippines and some US-based laboratories,
research institutes, and universities to work on research and
projects related to science, agriculture, engineering, health, and
technology. This project is hoped to strengthen the STEM
competitiveness of the country.
OTHER AREAS AND FIELDS THAT THE COUNTRY IS
LOOKING FORWARD TO EMBARK VARIOUS
RESEARCH AND PROJECTS
§ Use of alternative and safe energy.
§ Harnessing mineral resources.
§ Finding cure for various diseases and illness.
§ Climate change and global warming.
§ Increasing food production.
§ Preservation of natural resources.
§ Coping with natural disasters and calamities.
§ Infrastructure development.
 PHILIPPINE CONGRESS
The Philippine Congress has also created various laws related to
science and technology. These laws serve as a legal framework for
science and technology in the country.

These laws vary according to different themes such as conservation,

health-related, technology-building, and supporting basic research.

Some laws and policies are in line with international treaties such as
the United Nations (UN), United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) and other international agencies.
 NATIONAL
GOALS

INTERNATIONAL
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
TREATY
Policies
LEGAL Programs
FRAMEWORKS Projects

SOCIAL NEEDS,
ISSUES, AND
PROBLEMS
Figure 2. Development of Science and Technology Policies in the
Philippines
 FAMOUS FILIPINOS IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE
School science is filled with names of foreign scientists: Einstein,
Galileo Galilei, Newton, Faraday, Darwin, and many others. We rarely
hear of Filipino scientists being discussed in science classes.

Lee-Chua (2000) identified 10 outstanding Filipino Scientist who

have made significant contributions in Philippine science. These
scientists are also famous abroad especially in different science
disciplines: agriculture, mathematics, physics, medicine, marine
science, chemistry, engineering, and biology.
1 RAMON CABANOS BARBA
Significant and outstanding scientific and technological
contributions to Philippine Agriculture including the
discovery of a very effective and practical flower induction
treatment which is considered as the most significant
breakthrough in mango research in the country. His
technology of using potassium nitrate to stimulate flowering
is a milestone in the study of tropical tree physiology and is
the main stimulus to the growth of the local mango industry.
His researches on tissue culture of bananas, sugarcane,
cassava, and many other horticultural crops have resulted in
the development of valuable methodologies in plant
physiology and plant breeding.

High School - University of the Philippines Diliman 1954

B.S. Agronomy - University of the Philippines Los Baños 1958
[Link]. Horticulture - University of Georgia, U.S.A. 1962 August 31, 1939-October 10, 2021
Ph. D. Horticulture - University of Hawaii, Hawaii 1967 82 years old
2 JOSEFINO CACAS COMISO
A polar science expert, climatologist and satellite remote
sensing scientist. Among his outstanding scientific
contributions are the establishment of the warming trends in
the Artic, the rapid decline in the Artic sea ice over, and
important inputs in the highly acclaimed IPCC-2007 report
which was the basis for the Nobel Peace Prize award to the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007.

He has continually contributed to science and technology in

the country through key initiatives. He co-founded the
Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering
(PAASE) which has attracted more than 200 highly achieving
scientists, engineers and scholars with Filipino background
from different parts of the world to harness this resource in
strengthening S & T in the country.
September 21, 1940 - Present
83+ years old
2 JOSEFINO CACAS COMISO
As Balik Scientist since 1995, he has helped develop and
strengthen knowledge, skills and awareness among Filipino
scientists, students, and policy makers on rocketry and
satellite remote sensing, climate change, adaptation and
mitigation through lectures, hands-on demonstration and
workshops. He helped organize the Philippine Remote
Sensing Society (PRSS) that has become the focal point for
joint projects and collaboration among scientists in the
Philippines.

Ph.D. Physics - University of California 1972

M.S Physics - Florida State University 1966
B.S. Physics- University of the Philippines 1962 September 21, 1940 - Present
83+ years old
3 JOSE BEJAR CRUZ JR.
In appreciation of his scientific and technological contributions
to electrical engineering through the progress of several
methods for the understanding study of dynamic systems with
respect to parameters variations; founding of the idea
comparison sensitivity matrix that captures the result of
feedback on shifting the influence of parameter distinction on
system output errors in multi-variable feedback system; and
the preservation of system optimality for a range parameter
standards even when the feedback control structure is set.
He implement the Master of Engineering programs in several
association of engineering schools he helped to expand; the
appointment of many ESEP scholars in PhD. sandwich
programs in the US and the agreement for short stay and
observations to the US by officials and scholars from the
engineering faculty of different universities in the Philippines.
With all that, Dr. Jose Cruz has enormously contributed to the
development of the quality of engineering education in the September 17, 1932-Present
Philippines. 91+ years old
4 LOURDES JANSUY CRUZ
Dr. Cruz has made significant contributions to the biochemistry
of toxic peptides from the venom of fish-hunting Conus marine
snails. Her studies led in part to the biochemical
characterization of over 50 biologically active peptides from
Conus venom, and the development of conotoxins as
biochemical probes for examining the activities of the brain. w-
Conotoxin is now one of the most widely used tools for
studying neuronal calcium channels, and u-conotoxin is the
reagent of choice in neuroscience when muscular activity must
be controlled to examine events at the synapse.

For her achievement in science, Dr. Cruz is recipient of the

NAST Outstanding Young Scientist Award (1981), the NRCP
Achievement Award in Chemistry (1982) and the Outstanding
Women in the Nation's Service Award(Biochemistry) (1986).

•B.S. Chemistry - University of the Philippines Diliman 1962

•M.S. Biochemistry - University of Iowa City, U.S.A. 1966 May 19, 1942-Present
81+ years old
•Ph.D. Biochemistry - University of Iowa City, U.S.A. 1968
5 FABIAN MILLAR DAYRIT
He is recognized for his significant achievements in the field
of chemistry, spectroscopy and environmental science
which have contributed to the growth of science and
science education in the country. He isolated and identified
new pharmacologically active bioactive compounds in
indigenous plants, particularly, lagundi. With students and
co-workers, he explored the use of nuclear magnetic
resonance for chemical analysis as well as structural analysis
of polysaccharides, especially carrageenan from Philippine
seaweeds. His researches established standards for
essential composition and quality factors of commercial
virgin coconut oil and how VCO can be differentiated from
refined coconut and copra oil.

Post-doctoral Research Associate – Oxford University - 1982

PhD Chemistry - Princeton University - 1981
MA Chemistry - Pirnceton University - 1978 December 4, 1953-Present
BS Chemistry - Ateneo De Manila University - 1975 70+ years old
6 RAFAEL DINEROS GUERRERO III
He was recognized because of his scientific and
technical contributions to the growth of Sex
Reversal and Hatchery Techniques that help the
commercial fabrication of high yielding market-size
tilapia in the Philippines and other nations.

He observed that one of the most prominent

problems in tilapia culture is overpopulation. Tilapia
matures after two to three months from its fry stage
and can produce as much as 5,000 eggs every three
months depending on its size.

August 7, 1944-Present
79+ years old
6 RAFAEL DINEROS GUERRERO III
When he took his doctorate degree in Auburn
University in the early 1970's, he focused his
dissertation on the production of monosex tilapia
into male using synthetic androgens.

When he returned in the Philippines , he continued

his experiment on tilapia sex reversal at the Central
Luzon State University in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija where
he served as the first dean of its college of fisheries.
And he was successful.

Now, the technology he developed has been

adopted not only in the Philippines fish farmers but
by other fish farmers in the globe. August 7, 1944-Present
79+ years old
7 ENRIQUE MAPUA OSTREA JR
He was recognized for his significant contributions
in the field of pediatrics, specifically in neonatal
hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal drug addiction and his
pioneering work on the detection of fetal exposure
to drugs, tobacco smoke, alcohol and
environmental toxicants by analysis of meconium.

Among his outstanding works are the development

of the meconium drug test, one of the most
sensitive tests to detect fetal exposure to illicit drugs
by the analysis of meconium; the development of
an affordable Philippine-made ventilator for sick
newborn infants.
June 23, 1941-Present
82+ years old
7 ENRIQUE MAPUA OSTREA JR
Also his US NIH funded studies in the Philippines on
fetal exposure to environmental pesticides and its
long term effect on the neurobehavioral
development of infants and children and his
collaborative study on food supplementation of pre-
school Filipino children with Moringa-enriched
snacks which resulted in improvement in their IQ.

Although he has chosen to live abroad, he has

remained committed to the advancement of science
in the Philippines. A significant portion of his
research works were done in the Philippines
beginning in 2002 in collaboration with local
hospitals and the UP National Institutes of Health. June 23, 1941-Present
82+ years old
7 ENRIQUE MAPUA OSTREA JR
This collaboration served as impetus for local
scientific activities and has opened many
opportunities for Filipino neonatologists and young
pediatricians to be trained under his tutelage and
obtain training abroad.

A.A. (with High Honors) - University of the Philippines

B.S. (Cum Laude) - University of the Philippines 1961 June 23, 1941-Present
M.D. (Cum Laude) - University of the Philippines 82+ years old
8 LILIAN FORMALEJO PATENA
She was recognized for her contribution for doing
research on biotechnology. She discovered a breed
of calamansi and seedless pomelo and discovered
the micropropagation which established the banana
industry in the Philippines. She is also the inventor of
leaf-bud cutting in cassava. She was recognized as
one of The Outstanding Women in the Nation's
Service (TOWNS) in 1998, Women of Distinction for
Science and Technology in 1995 and Outstanding
Young Scientist in 1990.

September 16, 1953-Present

70+ years old
9 MARI-JO PANGANIBAN RUIZ
Specializing in graph theory and operations research,
Mari-Jo was an educator par excellence. She was
given the Most Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award
by the Ateneo Schools Parents’ Council (ASPAC) in
1991, the Metrobank Outstanding Teacher Award
(Tertiary Level) in 1992, and the Metrobank Award for
Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES) in 2004. In
2009, she was conferred the title of Professor
Emeritus by the Ateneo de Manila University, and in
2014, she received the Lux-in-Domino award, - a
testimony to her being a light to others, an inspiration
that kindled the lights of many others to shine brightly
for many more.
December 1, 1953-December 29, 2022
69 years old
10 GREGORY LIGOT TANGONAN
He is a Filipino inventor of analog messaging in
sending messages using Fiber Optics and
Digitalization for its processing. His patent is called
Stress bimorph mems switches and methods of
making same. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts on
October 26, 1947, to Tomas and Aurea Ligot
Tangonan. Greg grew up in Honolulu and La Puente,
California. He studied at the Cathedral School in
Hawaii and went on to finish High School at the La
Puente High School in California in 1965.
 OTHER OUTSTANDING FILIPINO
SCIENTISTS

EDGARDO D. GOMEZ WILLIAM G. PADOLINO CAESAR A. SALOMA ANGEL C. ALCALA

Famous scientist in Chemistry and president Internationally Famous in

marine science of NAST Philippines renowned physicist Marine science
There are other scientists in the Philippines who were not identified in
the lists. Yet, Philippines still need more scientists and engineers, and
there is a need to support scientific research in the country.
UP Los Baños
Agriculture, forestry, plant and animal
science, and veterinary science

UP Visayas
National center for marine science,
fisheries, and other related sciences

UP Diliman
National science and engineering
complex to develop more research
and produce more scientists and
engineers in the country.
 INDIVIDUAL
INTERESTS IN
SCIENCE SCHOOL
SCIENCE SCIENCE
LABORATORIES
FAMILY Teachers and
Learning Real-life Context
Environment
NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT

FILIPINO SCIENTISTS

Figure 3. Factors that Influence the Development of Filipino Scientists