by Jund Rian A. Doringo
The MIMAROPA region witnessed the new roster of winners who will represent the region in the national contest in 2022 through the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) conducted on 10-12 August 2021.
Jointly conducted by the Technology Application and Promotion Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-TAPI) and the DOST Regional Office MIMAROPA, RICE is a nationwide activity that recognizes the indispensability of Filipino inventors.
RICE in MIMAROPA was conducted on 10-12 August 2021 to recognize the inventors and researchers in MIMAROPA region
Through a form of a competition, the event presented the contributions of inventions and research to national economic development and encouraged local inventors and researchers to showcase their inventive capability.
“Technological innovations contribute to business sophistication and market competitiveness in the local and global settings,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña.
He also added that inventions and innovations contribute to economic growth and more importantly, ease the lives of our people in various activities.
As a means to adapt to the new normal, RICE has shifted to using the digital platform for the very first time where the platform mimicked the usual physical setup by incorporating a virtual centerpiece, virtual exhibits, and even a virtual plenary hall.
Eleven finalists vie for the chance to represent their region to the National Invention Contest and Exhibits where all the regional winners come together to compete for the World Intellectual Property Office medal, cash incentives, awards, and bragging rights.
“For years, RICE has been a viable component for the many lives of our Filipino inventors who have competed in the coveted contest – from a budding inventor to a household name in their chosen industry,” said Romeo M. Javate, Officer-in-Charge of DOST-TAPI.
In MIMAROPA, the board of judges scrutinized the entries which qualified to three out of the five categories: “Unlad Award for Outstanding Utility Model Award,” “Likha Award for Outstanding Creative Research,” and “Sibol Award Outstanding HIgh School Student Creative Research.”
Moreover, the Best Video Presentation special prize was introduced this year as a means to appreciate science communication as a re-emerging strategy suited for the new normal.
“We have achieved our goal to bring together the best and brightest the region can offer in one venue as we celebrate scientific and technological breakthroughs,” said DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang.
The GL-AA Antibac Solution and PECSAN: Development and Characterization of Pectin/Chitosan-Based Film Derived from Mucilaginous Substance of Nalta Jute and Long-Spined Sea Urchin Exoskeleton Wastes were announced regional winners under the Likha Award and Sibol Award, respectively, and received twenty thousand pesos each.
For the complete list of the winners in MIMAROPA region, refer to the list below:
Unlad Award for Outstanding Utility Model
- Second Prize Winner: A Convertible Distillation Apparatus by Henley F. Galiga
Likha Award for Outstanding Creative Research
- First Prize Winner: GL-AA Antibac Solution by Romnick M. Ureta
- Second Prize Winner: A Process of Producing Coconut Rhinoceros Larvae Noodle by Mischelle F. Puntod, Romnick M. Ureta, and Siegfred M. Mejico
- Third Prize Winner: Enhancing the Operation and Acceptability Evaluation of an Electric and Gasoline Powered Tiger Grass Pollen Remover Machine by Virne B. Dalisay, Bilshan F. Servañez
Sibol Award for Outstanding High School Student Creative Research
- First Prize Winner: PECSAN: Development and Characterization of Pectin/Chitosan-Based Film Derived from Mucilaginous Substance of Nalta Jute and Long-Spined Sea Urchin Exoskeleton Wastes by Mary Faith M. Hernandez, Nelissa Merrycon Marasigan, and Franklin U. Razon
- Second Prize Winner: LINGAP Biomask: Enviro- safe Re-wear Respiratory Cloth Mask Fabricated from Musa acuminata (Banana) Pseudo-stem and Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) Bast Fiber with Self-cleaning Property by Krizzie Eve Grace P. Alzate, Justine Rose M. Oropesa, and Hillaenna Heart D. Delmo
- Third Prize Winner: SOTERIA: A Risk Preventive Mesh Wireless Fidelity System by Raybert O. Cruz
The next roster of regional winners will be revealed on 25-27 August 2021 as RICE goes to Region VII: Central Visayas.
