Karaoke Inventor
Roberto del Rosario, a Filipino is claiming the right for the invention of the Sing-Along-System (SAS) that eventually led to the development of Karaoke, a Japanese term for "singing without accompaniment". Among del Rosario's other inventions were the Trebel Voice Color Code (VCC), the piano tuner's guide, the piano keyboard stressing device, the voice color tape, and the one-man-band (OMB). The OMB was later developed as the Sing-Along-System (SAS).
Inventor of Incubator
Fe del Mundo, the first Asian to have entered the prestigious Harvard University's School of Medicine, is also credited for her studies that led to the invention of incubator and jaundice relieving device. Del Mundo, an International Pediatric Association (IPA) awardee, is an alumna of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine. Since 1941, she has contributed more than 100 articles to medical journals in the U.S., Philippines and India. In 1966, she received the Elizabeth Blackwell Award, for her "outstanding service to mankind". In 1977, she was bestowed the Ramon Magsaysay Award for outstanding public service.
Moon Buggy Inventor
Filipinos consider Eduardo San Juan as the inventor of the Lunar Rover, or more popularly known as the Moon Buggy. The Moon Buggy was the car used by Neil Armstrong and other astronauts when they first explored the moon in 1969. Eduardo San Juan, a graduate of Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), worked for Lockheed Corporation and conceptualized the design of the Moon Buggy that the Apollo astronauts used while in the moon. As a NASA engineer, San Juan reportedly used his Filipino ingenuity to build a vehicle that would run outside the Earth's atmosphere. He constructed his model using homemade materials. In 1978, San Juan received one of the Ten Outstanding Men (TOM) awards in science and technology.
San Juan, however, was not listed as the inventor of the Moon Buggy in American scientific journals. It said the vehicle was designed and constructed by a group of space engineers. In Poland, the Moon Buggy is attributed to a Polish inventor. Worse, the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) does not recognize Flores in its roster of outstanding Filipino scientists.
Fluorescent Lamp Inventor
Many Filipinos acknowledge Agapito Flores as the inventor of the fluorescent lamp, which is the most widely used source of lighting in the world today. The fluorescent lamp reportedly got its name from Flores. Written articles about Flores said he was born in Bantayan Island in Cebu. The fluorescent lamp, however, was not invented in a particular year. It was the product of 79 years of the development of the lighting method that began with the invention of the electric light bulb by Thomas Edison.
Among the other inventors who claimed credit for developing the fluorescent lamp were French physicist A. E. Becquerel (1867), Nikola Tesla, Albert Hall (1927), Mark Winsor and Edmund Germer. French inventor Andre Claude was recognized for developing the fluorescent tubular lighting systems. Yet, he was not officially recognized as the inventor of fluorescent lamp. It was reported that the General Electric and Westinghouse obtained Claude's patent rights and developed the fluorescent lamp that we know today.
According to Filipino scientists, fluorescent lamp was not named after Flores. The term fluorescence first cropped up as early as 1852 when English mathematician-physicist George Gabriel Stokes discovered a luminous material called "fluorspar", which he coined with "escence". The National Academy of Science and Technology also dismissed Flores being the inventor of fluorescent lamp as a myth. "No scientific report, no valid statement, no rigorous documents can be used to credit Flores for the discovery of the fluorescent lamp. We have tried to correct this misconception, but the media (for one) and our textbooks (for another) keep using the Flores example," a Filipino scientist wrote in her column at the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The fluorescent lamps were introduced into the U.S. market in 1938. Still, Filipinos recognize Agapito Flores as the inventor of the product that illuminated the world.
Discovered Erythromycin
A Filipino scientist reportedly discovered erythromycin in 1949. He was Dr. Abelardo Aguilar who died in 1993 without being recognized and rewarded for his discovery. Reports said Aguilar discovered the antibiotic from the Aspergillus species of fungi in 1949 and sent samples to Indiana-based pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly Co. The drug firm allegedly registered the propriety name Iloson for the antibiotic in honor of Iloilo province where Aguilar discovered it. In 1952, Eli Lilly Co. began the commercial distribution of Iloson, which was sold as an alternative to penicillin. Erythromycin, the generic name of Iloson, was reportedly the first successful macrolide antibiotic introduced in the US.
Mole Remover
In 2000, Rolando dela Cruz developed an ingenuous formula that could easily remove deeply grown moles or warts from the skin without leaving marks or hurting the patient. His formula was extracted from cashew nut (Annacardium occidentale), which is common in the Philippines. The formula won for dela Cruz a gold medal in International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design and Technology Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur in September 2000. In March 1997, dela Cruz established RCC Amazing Touch International Inc., which runs clinics engaged "in a non-surgical removal of warts, moles and other skin growths, giving the skin renewed energy and vitality without painful and costly surgery."
Feminine Hygiene Product Inventor
Dr. Virgilio Malang won a gold medal for his invention "Psidium Guajava Effervescing Gynecological Insert", a silver medal for his "Patient Side-Turning Hospital Bed", and three bonze medals for his inventions "external vaginal cleanser", "light refracting earpick", and "broom's way of hanging" at the Seoul International Fair in held South Korea in December 2002. There were 385 inventions from 30 countries that joined the competitions.
Benjamin Almeda: Benjamin Almeda designed a food-processing machine and is one of the first Filipino inventor.
Dr. Arcelia A. Alejar is a dedicated Filipino scientist and researcher in the field of the biological sciences.
Alejar's researches generated fundamental information underlying abiotic stress physiology, particularly hormonal medication, stress alleviation and tolerance which facilitated better understanding of plant root physiology. Her work in the area of mineral nutrition has provided the basis for some important crop production management practices and has fostered important research directions. Her research activities for over forty years have nurtured and developed young minds to appreciate plant physiology and instill critical thinking among them.
Romeo V. Alicbusan (born February 28, 1930) is a Filipino microbiologist.
Contributions
Alicbusan was the research supervisor and head of the Microbiological Research Department of the National Institute of Science and Technology. His studies focused on developing biotechnology for the use of locals in rural areas, which included significant microbial processes important in product preservation. He also proposed post-harvest systems such as solar dryers, which would cut down the petroleum expenses of farmers.
Now retired, Alicbusan currently resides in Laguna, where he started his own mushroom farm.
Dr. Narceo Bajet is a distinguished Filipino plant pathologist noted for his work in plant genetics.
In 2001, the National Research Council of the Philippines awarded Bajet the Dr. Eusebio Y. Garcia award for discovering the genome of the bean golden mosaic virus -- the first discovered plant virus containing a single-stranded DNA; isolation and closing of sub-genome RNA of tungro spherical virus, and determination of the variability of rice tungro bacilli form virus. The award also considered his continuous research on single-stranded DNA infecting Philippine crops that include banana bunchy-top and steak, and Gemini viruses of tomato and squash among others.
Luz Oliveros-Belardo (born November 3, 1906) is a national scientist in the field of pharmaceutical chemistry.
Dr. Belardo focused her attention on the chemistry of natural products and essential oils from Philippine plants. She has extracted 33 new Philippine essential oils and studied their chemical and physical properties, contributing to the creation of new flavors, scents, and herbal medicines.
Her consistent work on phytochemical research brought her honors and 32 awards among which are: The Lunsford-Richardson Award in Pharmacy, USA, 1956; Philippine Pharmaceutical Association Outstanding Pharmacist Award, 1963; Federation International de Abogadas Award, 1979; Waseda University Plaque of Recognition, Japan, 1981; Professional Regulation Commission Award in Pharmacy, 1983; National Research Council of the Philippines Award in Phytochemistry, 1984; Distinguished Leadership Award in Chemistry, USA, 1985; El Consejo Cultural Mundial Award, Mexico, 1988.
She was conferred as a National Scientist in 1987.
Allan B.I. Bernardo is a prolific academic leader, author, researcher and a respected professor.
Bernardo is recognized for his original contributions to the field of cognitive science (human problem solving, mathematical cognition, bilingual cognition, cultural and contextual factors in thinking, and theories of intelligence). His studies on the applications of cognitive science to education have won for him prestigious national and international awards and fellowships for teaching and research.
Benjamin D. Cabrera (born March 18, 1920 ) is a Filipino physician who has done enormous research on medical parasitology and public health.
Focusing on his major, Dr. Cabrera published more than a hundred scientific studies concerning medical parasitology and public health. He also developed innovations in drug treatments against diseases caused by mosquitoes and agricultural soil. In 1961, together with Lee M. Howard, he made the first field study of simian malaria in the Philippines, and found that malaria occurred in 8.6 percent of the animals tested. Although the study was very limited, the report suggested that the simian reservoir of malaria is probably of limited significance for the human population in the Philippines.
For his work on filariasis, Dr. Cabrera received the Philippine Legion of Honor, a Presidential Award in 1996. With the elucidation of the epidemiology and life cycles of filarial parasites, preventive measures in the form of drug treatment of human cases as well as measures against the mosquito vectors can be implemented. Dr. Cabrera also worked on the control of ascariasis. With the model he proposed, hazards produced by these soil-transmitted helminths can be reduced.
Solita F. Camara-Besa is the first Filipina to specialize in physiology biochemistry. She is also known to be the first to conduct a nationwide serum cholesterol survey.
In her chosen field of biochemistry, Dr. Camara-Besa contributed to and expanded the knowledge of nutrition in the Philippines. Her work on the sodium and potassium content of Philippine foods established the standards of good healthy diets for Filipinos. Her 8 papers on cholesterol levels in relation to diets of the various segments of Filipino population encouraged the idea of the role of fats and cholesterol in the epidemiology of atherosclerosis among Filipinos.
Dr. Camara-Besa had an important role as a medical educator, particularly to women doctors. She also was the chair of the Curriculum Committee of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine for three decades until 1980.
In 2004 she released her memoir, Up Close With Me, published by the University of the Philippines Press.
Dr. Jorge G. Camara is a Filipino ophthalmologist who performed the first teleophthalmology operation.
Camara is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. His paper "Teleophthalmology: The use of real-time telementoring to remove an orbital tumor," published in the medical journal Ophthalmology, marked the first time in history that such an operation was performed. In this surgery, Camara, an orbital specialist, guided general ophthalmologist Dr. Susan Senftin in the removal of a lateral orbital tumor from a site 210 miles away on another island. The doctors employed two-way closed circuit televisions in their communication.
Magdalena C. Cantoria (born on October 25, 1924) is a noted Filipino pharmacist who studied the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of drug plants.
With pharmacy and botany as background, Dr. Cantoria's researches dealt particularly on the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of drug plants. She has done basic studies on the pharmacognosy of agaar, rauwolfia, datura, and mintand piper species.
For her paper on the Morphology and Anatomy Rauvofia vomitoria Afz., Dr. Cantoria received the Edwin Leigh Newcomb Award pharmacognosy given by the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education in 1954, and again in 1962 (with Edward S. Mika) on the growth and development of Datura starmonium L.. She is also the recipient of Phi Sigma Awards for marked distinction in Biology, 1951, and Most Outstanding Phi Sigman, 1977.
Dr. Alendry P. Caviles, Jr. is a Filipino physician noted for his research in the field of hematology and immunology.
A Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Caviles is best described as a humble intellectual and humanitarian. Many have benefited from his proficiency in various aspects of hematology and immunology both in the clinics and in the laboratory. He instilled to his collegues and young medical trainees the concepts and principles of Hematologic-Oncologic-Immunologic -- the most common and basic diseases in the Philippines. And similarly, Caviles' works mainly dealt on the basic intricacies, diagnosis, and rational treatment of blood diseases like childhood leukemia, immunodeficiency diseases, hemorrhagic dengue fever, idiopathic thrombocytic Purpura, and anemia in general.
Dr. Caviles was also the chairperson of the Medical Sciences Division of the National Research Council of the Philippines. He is also a member of the International Society of Hematology.
Dr. Gisela P. Concepcion is a Filipino scientist lauded for her outstanding and creative research work in the use of indigenous Quinone metabolites fron Xestospangia sp. and Zyzzya sp. sponges, correlating its tumor cytotoxicity and DNA topoisomerase II inhibitory activity; isolation and screening of potential anti-malarial marine natural products (Crambescidins), and antimicrobial metabolites of marine microorganisms associated with marine organism.
She obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Currently she is a part of the faculty and researchers of the UP Diliman Marine Sciences Institute.
Onofre D. Corpuz (born December 1, 1926) is a Filipino scientist noted for his contributions to the fields of political science and Philippine social and economic history.
Onofre D. Corpuz's researches were distinguished by their fidelity to the facts and a disdain for unsubstantiated claims, characteristics which brandish the reliability of his work. Corpuz was also famous for possessing the courage to challenge existing orthodoxies and familiar interpretations.
He was elected as Academician in 1999, and later conferred as National Scientist in 2004.
Lourdes Jansuy Cruz, PhD is a Filipina biochemist. She is best known for her research on the properties of toxins found in Conus snails. She was conferred the rank and title of National Scientist in 2006.
Dr. Lourdes Cruz has published over 120 scientific papers, and has contributed greatly to the understanding of the biochemisty of toxic peptides gathered from the venom of fish-hunting Conus marine snails. Her studies contributed to the characterization of over 50 biologically active peptides, which were later used as biochemical probes for examining the activities of the human brain.
In 2001, she established the Rural Livelihood Incubator, a program which aimed to alleviate poverty and socio-political instability in the rural areas by giving job and livelihood opportunities to their people.
Vincent Ricardo M. Daria is a Filipino physicist—professor and researcher from the UP Diliman National Institute of Physics. Daria was recognized for his contributions in photonics and electro-optic instrumentation research. He was also cited for his original contributions in laser microscopy, interferometry, optical signal processing, optical trapping, and laser manipulation of microparticles. With his studies, Daria proved that cutting-edge research in applied physics can be done in the country.
For his efforts, Daria was honored as an Outstanding Filipino scientist by the National Research Council of the Philippines of the Department of Science and Technology.
Casimiro V. del Rosario (June 13, 1896-September 15, 1982) is a foremost Filipino physicist, meteorologist, and astronomer.
Dr. del Rosario is known for his researches on ultraviolet light of different wavelengths, effect of radioactive radiation on Euglena, high voltage electrical discharges in a vacuum, and many others. His works have been published in international journals such as the American Physics Review and the Journal of Franklin Institute.
He is the co-founder of the Bartol Research Foundation in Philadelphia, an institution which did pioneering researches in physics.
Dr. del Rosario was the recipient of a Presidential Award in 1965 for his contributions to physics. He was made Director of the Philippine Weather Bureau for 11 years, and the first vice-chairman of the National Science Development Board in 1958. He was conferred as a National Scientist in 1984.
Prof. Fabian M. Dayrit is a Filipino scientist famous for his studies on the phytochemistry of well-known Philippine medicinal plants. Dayrit is also praised for his outstanding work on the homogeneous catalysis of carbon-carbon bond formation that was later used in commercial drug synthesis and in an environmental remedial process. Likewise, he was honored for his leadership in upgrading chemistry/chemistry education in the Philippines through the sponsorships of the DOST-ESEP, the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines, the National Chemistry Instrumentation Center, and the UP-DLSU-ADMU Science Consortium.
Currently Prof. Dayrit is also the Dean of the Ateneo School of Science and Engineering, and the President of the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines. 1993 TOYM Awardees for Chemistry.
Felicita R. Fojas a Filipino pharmacist commended for her significant research works on chemistry and biological activity of Philippine medicinal plant since 1961. A retired pharmaceutical researcher from the Department of Science and Technology’s Industrial Technology Development Institute and was also involved in biological testing and assay of pharmaceuticals, plant drugs, and water in ITDI.
Edito G. Garcia
Born on September 16, 1921. Dr. Garcia, Professor of Parasitology at the UP Institute of Public Health, has done work in the areas of immunology and parasitic infections. Since 1979, Dr. Garcia has been conducting studies on the immunology of Schistosomiasis Japonica especially on the development on the development of vaccines. A hypothesis has been developed which enabled Dr. Garcia and his associates to identify an immunologic mechanism which leads to granuloma modulation and consequently disease abatement in schistosomiasis. To date 18 scientific papers on the progress of this research have been published in foreign journals and a vaccine against infection is being developed.
Dr. Garcia's most important award's include: Distinguished Alumnus award for medical research, UP (1977), San Miguel Brewery Professorial Chair (1982) and the NRCP Achievement award for research on immunology(1984).
PRESCILLANO M.ZAMORA, Ph.D. Plant Anatomy-Morphology
Born last January 4,1933, Dr. Zamora finished his study in B.S.Agriculture, at the University of the Philippines,Los Baños,last 1960,his M.S.Agronomy, also at the same school (UPLB) last 1964 while his Ph.D.(Holiculture), at Rutgers-the State University,1966.
Dr. Zamora is recognized for his contributions to plant anatomy-morphology, pteridophyte biology, and the conservation of environment and natural resources policy research. His work on the xylem elements of vascular plants is the basis for the basis for the formulation of the two-phase wall deposition concept now accepted universally. His studies on the taxonomy of Philippine ferns led to the discovery for more species of the group.
Dr. Zamora was a Rockefeller Foundation fellow at Cornell University (1961-65), NSF Research grantee (1962-65) and UP Professorial Chair holder (1977-80).
Benito S. Vergara (born June 23, 1934) is a National Scientist who specialized on the field of plant physiology. He is most famous for his work on rice research.
Dr. Vergara contributed significantly on rice research, particularly on studies on deep water rice, flood-tolerant rice, and cold-resistant rice, varieties which are valuable to increased rice production. He also focused on the physiology of rice plant flowering, and developed rapid generation methods for rice. He also clarified basic principles involved in the photoperiodism of the rice plant.
In addition, Dr. Vergara published a technical bulletin on the flowering response of the rice plant, which became a major reference for agriculturists and a model for growth phases of other crops. He also authored the Illustrated Farmer's Primer on growing rice, which has been translated into more than 36 languages.
For his outstanding efforts, Dr. Vergara received the Outstanding Phi Sigma award in 1977; the BIOTA Achievement award in 1980; and in 1986 he became a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy. He finally was conferred as a National Scientist in 1998.
Prof. Lourdes L. Garcia, In recognition of her significant researches on the Isolation and identification of the chemical constituents of Philippine plant drugs, activities which she has perseveringly pursued since 1953 at the Medical Research Center, National Institute of Science and Technology, later, the Standards and Testing Division of the Industrial and Technological Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology. She has also served as an analyst of pharmaceutical products and plant drugs in the same agencies of government.
The result of her studies are recorded in scientific and technical papers published in reputable journals. She has coauthored two Handbooks on Signs of Toxicity and Lethal Dose of Some Medicinal Plants.
In her phytochemical investigation on Philippine medicinal plants at the DOST, she involved younger pharmaceutical scientists. With her retirement as Supervising Science Research Specialist in 1990, her researches are assured of continuity by her colleagues who had the opportunity to work with her.
Gregorio T. Velasquez (September 2, 1901-July 29,1989) is a Professor emeritus of botany in the University of the Philippines. He is known for his pioneering research in phycology, or the study of algae.
Known as the Father of Philippine Phycology, Dr. Velasquez pioneered the intensive study and collection of the Philippine green algae species. He studied and investigated algal specimens in Oriental Mindoro, Eastern Palawan, Sulu, Batangas and Bataan under the classes Euglenophyceae, Chlorophyceae, and Myxophyceae. He was able to produce 47 basic and 77 valuable scientific papers on the subject.
He received the following honors and awards: Distinguished Science Medal and Diploma of Honor from RP 1956; John Simon Guggenheim Memoiral Foundation Fellowship, 1956-57; R.P. Cultural Heritage Award, 1972; citations by the Carnegie Institute of Technology, USA and the Max Planck Institute of Zellbiologie in Germany and Emeritus Membership in the New York Academy of Sciences. In 1982 he was conferred as a National Scientist by Former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Dr. Ramon B. Gustilo,an orthopedic surgeon by profession. Fixing broken bones and joints and replacing them. He invented different hip replacement systems for hip joints, to ease the pain victims of accidents or chronic arthritis experience. One of these hip replacement systems is the Prime Cemented Hip System. He also designed replacements for the knees that companies like Smith and Nephews Richards of the United States of America distribute. These knee replacement system are called Exodus and Genesis.
Carmen Velasquez (August 7, 1913-October 16, 1994) is a National Scientist in the Philippines known for her pioneer studies of tropical fish parasitology in the Philippines.
Dr. Velasquez discovered 32 species and one genus of digenetic trematodes in 13 families from Philippine food fishes; two from birds and three from mammals; three species and a genus of Monogenea from marine fishes eight life cycles of Digenea in seven families and three of nematodes from fresh water and marine fishes. In addition, she found Capillaria philippinensis inside the intestine of a Filipino man, which was the first of its kind in the entire world. She also published "Digenetic Trematodes of Philippine Fishes," which became a valuable regional reference to fish parasitology and aquaculture management.
Dr. Velasquez is recipient to numerous academic honors and Presidential awards. She is listed in the American Men and Women of Science, International Scholars Directory, International Who's Who of Intellectuals and World Who's Who of Women. In 1983 she was conferred as a National Scientist by Former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Dr. Saturnina C. Halos, pioneering work in molecular biology on cloning of cellulose genes, restriction mapping of plasmids, and the development of simplified method of examining gene products.
Jose R. Velasco (February 4, 1916-January 24, 2007) is a Filipino plant physiologist known for his researches on soil and plant nutrition.
Dr. Jose Velasco is a renowned plant physiologist noted for his various researches on plant physiology, soil ecology, and even photoperiodism of the rice plant as early as 1950s. He is most regarded for his interest in coconut research, particularly on the cadang-cadang or the coconut blight disease, which is known to plague coconut trees. His works contributed significantly to crop science and became the basis of some crop production management practices.
For his scientific achievements, Dr. Velasco received: the Guggenheim Foundation fellowship (1963); the UP Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award (1971); the Planters Products Achievement award for crop science teaching (1974) and the PCCP Distinguished Award in pest management (1974).
Bienvenido O. Juliano (born August 15, 1936) is a National Scientist who focused on the properties of starch and protein in relation to rice grain quality. He is one of the 1964 TOYM Awardees for Science.
Dr. Juliano was in charge of grain quality research at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) from 1961-1993, and he contributed much to the basic knowledge in differences between varieties of grain quality of rice. He showed that the amylose content of starch determines the quality of milled rice in Asia. In addition, he also developed new and improved methods for grain quality evauluation. He continues his rice research as a senior consultant at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Los Baños since his voluntary retirement from IRRI in June 1993.
Juliano is author or co-author of over 370 scientific papers on rice chemistry and quality and edited and contributed to several chapters of the 2nd edition of the American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC) monograph "Rice Chemistry and Technology" in 1985, wrote "Rice Chemistry and Quality" for PhilRice in 2003, "Rice in Human Nutrition" for FAO in 1993, and compiled IRRI quality data on world rice. His IRRI laboratory trained chemists from national rice breeding programs of many countries. He was MS and PhD theses adviser to scholars, fellows and research assistants; several post doctoral fellows and visiting scientists did research in his laboratory.
A world authority on rice grain quality, Juliano has been recipient of many awards and citations, including the Ten Outstanding Young Men Award in Science in 1964, the JP Rizal Pro Patria Award for Rice Chemistry in 1976, the Japanese society of Starch Science Medal of Merit in 1982, the Thos B. Osborne Medal Award from the AACC in 1988, the National Research Council of the Philippines National Researcher Award in Physical Sciences in 1993, the ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologists Award in 1998, and the Rank and Title of National Scientist conferred by the President of the Philippines in 2000. In 2004, he was included in the Institute of Scientific Information Highly Cited Researchers. He is in the Editorial Board of Journal of Cereal Science and Food Reviews International.
Dioscoro L. Umali (November 17, 1917-July 1, 1992) is a scientist, educator, research organizer, development administrator, and a science statesman. He is known as the Father of Philippine Plant Breeding.
Dr. Umali, or DLU to his colleagues, is known for breeding improved varieties of food grains, legumes, fruits, and ornamental plants. He has produced numerous writings which inspired programs such as the rainfed and upland agriculture, social forestry, environmental conservation, and rural poverty alleviation programs.
Under his leadership, the UP College of Agriculture became Asia's premier institution of higher learning in Asia, at the time having the densest population of M.S. and Ph.D. degree holders in Southeast Asia. He restructured the college's system in order to consider the difficulties experienced by farmers and fishermen. He also held the position of Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations from 1972-1981.
Because of his innumerable contributions to science and human development, he received five Honoris causa degrees from national and international universities. He also was the recipient of a Presidential Award in 1969 and the title of Distinguished Educator and Scholar Meritissimus, among others. In 1986, Former President Corazon Aquino conferred him as a National Scientist.
Joventino D. Soriano
Dr. Soriano is recognized for his studies on plant cytogenetics and mutations research some of which found publication in international journals. by using radiations and chemical mutagens. Dr. Soriano contributed to the eludication of the mutation pr...
Born on February 8, 1920. Dr. Soriano is recognized for his studies on plant cytogenetics and mutations research some of which found publication in international journals. by using radiations and chemical mutagens. Dr. Soriano contributed to the eludication of the mutation process.
Among the honors and awards received by Dr. Soriano are SEATO Research award, 1963; International Atomic Energy Agecy Fellowship, 1962; Proffesorial Chair Botany at the University of the Philippines, 1974-76; and UNESCO association in genetics such as the Genetics Society of America, American Genetics Association and the Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
DR. LILIAN LEE, medical sciences, a neurologist who discovered the causes of a brain disorder known as Recessive Dystonia Parkinsonism that became prevalent in the Islands of Panay. Dr. Lee’s discovery is instrumental to the understanding and classification of RDP. Medical scientists, technologists, and researchers from international scientific communities recognized this discovery and its importance to other medical researches.
Dioscoro L. Umali (November 17, 1917-July 1, 1992) is a scientist, educator, research organizer, development administrator, and a science statesman. He is known as the Father of Philippine Plant Breeding.
Dr. Umali, or DLU to his colleagues, is known for breeding improved varieties of food grains, legumes, fruits, and ornamental plants. He has produced numerous writings which inspired programs such as the rainfed and upland agriculture, social forestry, environmental conservation, and rural poverty alleviation programs.
Under his leadership, the UP College of Agriculture became Asia's premier institution of higher learning in Asia, at the time having the densest population of M.S. and Ph.D. degree holders in Southeast Asia. He restructured the college's system in order to consider the difficulties experienced by farmers and fishermen. He also held the position of Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations from 1972-1981.
Because of his innumerable contributions to science and human development, he received five Honoris causa degrees from national and international universities. He also was the recipient of a Presidential Award in 1969 and the title of Distinguished Educator and Scholar Meritissimus, among others. In 1986, Former President Corazon Aquino conferred him as a National Scientist.
Dr. Bernadette D.L. Libranda-Ramirez, won the 2003 search for the DOST-NRCP for her significant contribution as research team leader that produced new knowledge and understanding of the molecular epidemiology of hepatitis G virus infection in the Philippines.
She was one of the 2000 TOYM Awardees for Medical Science.
Francisco O. Santos was born conferred as National Scientist in 1983 and elected as Academician in 1980. The main concern of his studies is the improvement of nutrition of the Filipinos. He made studies on the nutritive values and chemical composition of Filipino foods, amount of nutrients and vitamin contents of traditional Philippine food materials and Philippine nutrition problems.
Clara Lim-Sylianco (born August 18, 1925, in Guihulngan, Oriental Negros) is a Filipina National Scientist widely regarded for her contributions in the fields of biochemistry and organic chemistry.
Dr. Lim-Sylianco focused on mutagens, antimutagens, and bio-organic mechanisms on her research. Her numerous discoveries of environmental mutagens earned her laboratory at the University of the Philippines the designation of being an international training center for the detection of chemical mutagens by the Research Planning in Biological Sciences, Washington D.C., USA in 1986, as well as her appointment as a member of the International Advisory Committee on Antimutagens in 1989. She is also the author of five books in organic chemistry, biochemistry, genetic toxicology, and molecular nutrition, which are used as references by college chemistry students all over the Philippines.
For her contributions, Dr. Lim-Sylianco received the Gregorio Y. Zara award, 1977; the UP Endowment Professorial Chair in Chemistry, 1974-1977; and was a Fellow of the Royal Society, 1958. She was conferred as a National Scientist in 1994 by Former President Fidel Ramos.
Alfredo Santos (August 15, 1900-April 11, 1990) is a National Scientist who devoted his career on the study of the chemistry of natural products and the properties of Philippine medicinal plants.
Dr. Santos was a professor of industrial pharmacy at the University of the Philippines. He conducted several researches in the isolation and elucidation of the phaeantharine and other alkaloids from Philippine medical plants. His goal was to alleviate the high prices of drugs through reducing the use of costly import materials.
In recognition of his original experimental researches in numerous alkaloids isolated from Philippine medicinal plants, Dr. Santos received Pres. Magsaysay's Distinguished Service Star in 1954. He is also recipient of the 1953 Outstanding Pharmacist Researcher of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Association and the 1973 PhilAAS Outstanding Scientist Award. In 1978 he was conferred as a National Scientist by Former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Dr. Melencio S. Magno, b. May 24, 1920 - d. - has done studies on the absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy of crystals, specifically rare-earth crystals; effects of typhoons on the distribution of atmospheric ozone; sky luminosity; atmospheric radiation; gravitation; and the philosophy of science. He is a co-author of University Physics, a textbook in physics at the University of the Philippines.
Juan Salcedo, Jr. ( September 29 , 1904 - October 25 , 1988) is a National Scientist known as an outstanding figure in nutrition and public health.
Dr. Salcedo, a native of Pasay City, contributed largely to the areas of biochemistry, nutrition and physiology. He spent much of his career studying health factors, ranging from fatty acids to vitamins. He is an advocate of science policy development, science promotion and scientific manpower development, and stressed the need for the proper utilization of science toward nation building. He has published 265 works in Philippine and foreign science journals.
During the time of Pres. Quirino, Dr. Salcedo served as Secretary of Health. He was also chairman of the National Science Development Board (NSDB) (1963-1970) and chairman of the National Research Council of the Philippines (1961-1976).
Dr. Salcedo is recipient of many awards including the Ramon Magsaysay award for outstanding public health nutritionist in 1957; Republic Cultural Heritage award in science, 1966; and the Presidential Pro Patria award, 1969. He was conferred as a National Scientist in 1978 by Former President Ferdinand Marcos.
DR. JOSE A. MARASIGAN, b. May 26, 1943. d. - ,mathematics, is one of the primary movers in the establishment of Philippine Mathematical Olympiad and the force behind the Program for Excellence in Mathematics. Dr. Marasigan has developed a special program of instruction for mathematically gifted youth, many of whom pursued successful careers in mathematics and the sciences.
Alfredo Villa-gracia Lagmay (b. August 14, 1919- d. December 15, 2005) is a Filipino pioneer psychologist, academician,clinician,philosopher and national scientist. He was conferred as National Scientist in 1988 for his studies relation to experimental analysis of behavior. He is also the first filipino to be the first elected chair of the University of the Philippines Department of Psychology in 1970.
Dr. Genaro T. Marzan,awarded for his outstanding achievements in Cartography and Photogrammetry through more than thirty years of research and pioneering leadership that have resulted in the widespread application of the sciences throughout the country for the expeditious and less costly production of land information maps—cadastral, topographic, soils, forestry, engineering, and other special maps. He chairmaned the Department of Geodetic Engineering and Director of the Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry in the University of the Philippines, He was instrumental in the creation of the National Cartography Authority which later became the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the central mapping agency of the country today.
FAUSTINO T. ORILLO PH.D.
Born March 15,1940, Dr. Orillo, finished his study at the University of the Philippines,1944,with a degree of B.S.A.(Plant Pathology). His M.A.(Mycology),at Harvard University in 1948, while his Ph.D.(Mycology) also in Harvard University last 1950.
Dr. Orillo's researches in plant pathology helped pave the way to minimizing losses suffered by crop producers attributable to plant diseases. Noteworthy of his scientific publications are on the coffee rust, blight affecting kenaf and leaf spot of Maize caused by Helminthosporium maydis.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Philippine agriculture, Dr. Orillo received the Distinguished Alumnus award given by the UP College of Agriculture, in 1974. He is Also a member of several professional and learned societies namely: Botanical Society of America, American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Phytopathological Society.
Dr. Marco Nemesio E. Montaño, Chemical scientist, as a chemist he characterized the algal polysaccharide contents of some species of Philippine seaweeds. His research findings had helped the government in informing and educating many Filipinos especially those living in coastal areas on the food uses and processing of sea vegetables present in their areas. His work contributed a lot in the development and progress of the country's seaweed industry.
Dr. Luis Ma. Guerrerob.1874 - d.1950 was an uncontested authority on Tropical Medicine, Bacteriology and Pediatrics. He was appointed professor in Clinical Pediatrics in the University of Santo Tomas and later succeeded Dr. Joaquin Quintos as head of the Department. After repeated requests by the University authorities, he accepted the Deanship of the college of Medicine. He possessed an amazingly keen memory and a pair of clinical eyes which aided him in making a snap diagnosis – rarely using a stethoscope. Dr. Guerrero’s diagnostic ability was termed legendary for he oftentimes could visualize what many physicians failed to recognize. His unusually sharp sense of perception was a distinguishing mark through which he had achieved fame.
Dr. Guerrero in his younger days was a writer, a contemporary of such foremost Filipino authors as Cecillo Apostol, Rafael Palma, Fernando Ma. Guerrero, Manuel S. Guerrero. Most of his literary works appeared in several short stories revealing his keen sense of humor and his mastery of the Spanish language. His love for the Spanish classics and literature in its varied forms revealed his rich literacy background. He was multi-lingual; his mastery of English, French, Chinese and Italian languages were fruits of his intense desire to learn. These languages were all self-taught and these proved that diligence and patience were so much a part of him.
The literary field was not to be his career for long. As a student, he finally turned to medicine only after completing in 1893 his Bachelor of Arts degree at the Ateneo de Manila.
Filipinas F. Natividad is recognized for her outstanding research work on the molecular biology of various protozoans, including ciliates and parasitic as well as opportunistic amoebae; her dynamic leadership in establishing and managing the modern biomedical research facility at St. Luke Medical Center, a unique venue for the application of emerging technologies in molecular biology and biotechnology in a hospital setting; and for establishing effective international linkages that have resulted in expansion of research orientation and upgrading of molecular biology research in the country.
Dr. Quirino O. Navarro, a Filipino chemist born March 29 1936, graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines in 1956, He recieved his Ph.D. in Nuclear Chemistry at the University of California in 1962.
Dr. Navarro's significant contribution to science is the determination of nuclear properties in the isotopes of californium, einsteinium and dysprosium using cryogenic techniques. His findings were cited in two books and three international tomes of nuclear science and later confirmed at the University of California at Berkeley with the use of advanced instrumentation. Dr. Navarro has also worked on neutron spectrometry and crystallography; and electronics and instrumentation process.
FLORINA E. MERCA – Professor/Researcher from the National Institute of Chemistry, UP Diliman and is recognized for her groundbreaking work on the survey, isolation, and characterization of lectin, which led to the discovery of cytotoxic lectins with anti-cancer and other biological activities. Among her other worth-mentioning breakthroughs are: the utilization of seaweeds and mature sugar palm nuts in the production of high value emulsifiers and stabilizers with potential use in the food industry; the use of rice amylodextrin as fat replacer which is considered to lead eventually in the development and production of mayonnaise and similar products with low fat content.
Dr. Eusebio Y. Garcia, was a world-renowned scientist graduated from his Doctor of Medicine and Certificate in Public Hygiene in 1932 and 1933 at the UP College of Medicine and Institute of Hygiene, University of the Philippines, respectively. He was also a guest scientist at the School of Tropical Medicine of Tulane University of Louisiana and research fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation Malaria Research Laboratory, Talahassee, Florida. An international scholar by election to international scholastic fraternity of Phi Kappa Phi, he had been faculty member of UP College of Medicine and Manila Central University until he retired and was given a “Merit Award” the highest award for the most outstanding professor of the university. He published more or less 250 research works in both local and foreign scientific journals. One of these won the competition “The First Asian Winner of the International A. Cressy Morrison Prize for Natural Science, the highest award of the New York Academy of Sciences in 1947 while another one won a gold medal and diploma of merit for an invention of “salva ara” in the first annual convention of a Filipino inventors in 1965. In 1985, Dr. Garcia observed the death of local research on molecular biology and molecular pathology that is critical to the development of strategies in combating emerging diseases and bacteria. He donated Php100 thousand as initial funds for the award program that NRCP later named after him.
