Kamayan para sa Kalikasan

EDITORIAL

Let us 'Re-invent the Force':

Our Bayanihan Spirit

THE INVENTION that we urgently need as Filipinos would be more appropriately called a re-invention, because this was an assumed part of the way of life of our ancestors.

Yes, “The Force” was always with them. This was the strong centripetal force, a strongly-unifying force which we may now refer to as the bayanihan spirit, our sense of community, our sense of collectivity of weal and woe. Much like our ancestors who were riding those giant bancas called barangay, we could move forward and survive only by working together, affirming and helping one another.

Long ago, community members would gather, after hearing the tambuli, to meet a common danger. They would work closely together to overcome the challenge. They wouldn’t dream of saviors from the outside; neither would they depend on their leaders and be ever-ready to applaud them. Instead, they would have an “all hands on deck” situation.

The continued acceleration in the rate of environmental destruction should be enough to jolt all of us from passivity and indifference, to make us offer whatever each one of us could offer in solving this collective problem: our common home is crumbling, decaying. We can criticize fake leaders who are even worsening these problems, but we cannot afford to be paralyzed into inaction by their bad example. All who have already come to their senses have to start working, and working together!

We have all the ingenuity. Unfortunately, we have been using this genius more in activities that benefit only our narrow group, family or individual interests. How often do we use our abilidad, our well-known capacities for ingenious diskarte for the sake of the common good, for our collective survival? Not often enough, we have to admit. Let us rediscover and relive bayanihan. Let The Force be with us, with or without any laser swords.

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FORUM FOCUS

‘Inventions and Innovations for the Environment’

Filipinos’ natural ingenuity

can save our natural homeland

Indigenous ancestors had earlier shown the way

FILIPINOS have enough innate ingenuity to usher in environment-friendly technologies, or reinstate them, as the case may be, for the sake of our natural homeland and generations to come. This has long been proven in the construction and sustained utilization of the Ifugao Rice Terraces since more than a thousand years ago.

It is still being proven in amazing Filipino inventions and innovations that have come from the country’s largely unsupported inventors’ sector. Can the Filipinos’ natural ingenuity save our environment? The Kamayan para sa Kalikasan environmental forum tackles this topic in its 148th monthly session on June 21, with Filipino inventors, environmentalists and media persons invited to come.

Among the inventors invited to this session are Engr. Daniel Dingel, whose engine powered by hydrogen from water is now being mass-produced with Swiss capital; Gonzalo Catan Jr., chairman of the Filipino Inventors Federation, who invented “Green Charcoal”; Orlando Marquez, president of the United Inventors Association, who invented the airconditioned jeepney equipped with the aero-gas power injector that makes it completely pollution-free; and Dr. Ermesto Gonzales who invented home and industrial detergent products that are based on food-grade acids and are therefore environment-friendly.

Ms. Erly de Guzman of the Galing Pilipino Movement and Mr. Jose Eduardo Velasaquez of Kamalaysayan (Kampanya para sa Kamalayan sa Kasaysayan) were also invited to be panel members.

They are expected to relate the ironic plight of the Filipino inventors – specifically the gross lack of support and protection from government – to observations on the contemporary national psyche, marked by a collective lack of self-confidence and a tendency to be mere admirers of foreign technologies and products.

Held monthly since March 1900, the Kamayan para sa Kalikasan forum has been fully sponsored by Kamayan-EDSA, owned and operated by the Triple-V Group headed by Mr. Vic-Vic Villavicencio. Since March 2001, the forum has been presided by Vic Milan and Ding Reyes of the Communicators’ League for Environmental Action and Restoration (CLEAR) and Marie Marciano of Sanib-lakas ng Inang Kalikasan (SALIKA), a synergism-oriented environmental organization.

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FORUM ECHOES

‘Anak ng Kamayan Forum’

Covenant for local ‘Ugnayan’ bodies

signed at World Environment Day Festival

LEADERS from the country’s cooperative, scouting and local government sectors signed last June 2 the Ugnayang Pamayanan covenant, pledging best efforts to help build barangay-level committees among their grassroots units for environment conservation and sustainable development.

Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC) Chairman Roberto Pagdanganan, Girl Scouts of the Philippines National President Cynthia Zagala, and Romblon Mayor Pacifico Mayor, executive director of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), signed the Covenant at the World Environment Day 2002 “Green Families and Communities Festival” which had Puerto Princesa ex-mayor Edward Hagedorn and ecological anthropology expert Dr. Ernesto R. Gonzales of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) and Lambat-Liwanag network, as main speakers.

The Covenant signatories also gave brief remarks, along with WED-Philippines network convenor Luis V. Torres, information officer of the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) in Manila; WED-Philippines chairman Ed Aurelio C. Reyes, of SanibLakas Foundation; Environment Secretary Heherson T. Alvarez; and inventors Daniel Dingel and Orlando Marquez.

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines president, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, could not attend the signing affair but the Covenant had earlier been endorsed for his signature by BSP Secretary-General Carlos Escudero. Most of the major national cooperative groups had signed earlier.

The cooperative sector signatories were: Obet Pagdanganan of the Philippine Cooperative Center and National Cooperative Movement, who was subsequently appointed Presidential Adviser on Cooperatives; Felix Borja of the Cooperative Union of the Philippines, Lou Fernandez, representing Guillermo Cua, of the National Confederation of Cooperatives; Rodolfo Dalangin of the National Market Vendors’ Confederation of Cooperatives; Nelon Alindogan of the Katipunan ng mga Kooperatibang Pansasakyan ng Pilipinas; Nancy Marquez of the Philippine Federation of Women in Cooperatives; and Clarissa Santos Trampe, representing Richard Arceňo, of the National Youth in Cooperatives Network.

Ugnayang Pamayanan is the long-lasting product of World Environment Day commemoration in the Philippines this year. The idea for it was first broached during the 12th anniversary of the Kamayan para sa Kalikasan Forum last March, with scouting and cooperative leaders attending. The cooperatives joined the Ugnayan project is in line with the theme of the 6th National Cooperative Summit to be held in Cagayan de Oro City in November 2002, which calls for “empowering the communities.”

(The scheduled World Environment Day 2002 activities went through as announced, excepting some of the weather-sensitive ones like the photo exhibits and the martial arts exhibitions. MoFE's simulated mountain climbing was one of the biggest hits throughout the day. Despite the intermittent rains, however, a much bigger turnout was attained this year compared to WED-2001. Hundreds of boy scouts and girl scouts in uniform came from all councils of BSP and GSP in Metro Manila. Hundreds of ordinary people jeeploads of delegations from three communities came to show support for the Ugnayang Pamayanan signing, and there were also the cooperative leaders and members. All these people were not with us last year. A full report is still being prepared.)

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BOXED FEATURE

Filipino Inventors All!

Aside from the relatively well-known Agapito Flores, who invented the fluorescent lamp in the early 1940s, there have been dozens more:

Eduardo San Juan, Filipino concept inventor in 1969 of the Moon Buggy, the first vehicle run by NASA on the Moon. Diosdado Banatao, a Cagayano engineer made GUI (graphical user interface) possible. Before that computers only had green monitors that only displayed text. Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III showed that tilapia's fry fed with sex hormones can turn female potential fry into male. Abelardo Aguilar, Filipino doctor who co-created the drug Erythromycin (Ilosone). Gonzalo Catan Jr. invented the water-based insect-buster called Household Insecticide (HI) and won the Silver Medal at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Switzerland (1999). Filipinos Engr. Cornelio Seño and Rolando dela Cruz garnered golds at the International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design and Technology Exhibition in Malaysia in 2000, for "Pressure Fluid Machine" and "Topical Formulation in Removing Warts, Moles and the Like Using Cashew Nuts (Annacardium occidentale). UP developed an anti-cough medicine (Ascof) and a diuretic (Releaf) from Philippine herbs lagundi and sambong, respectively, and won a silver at the 1997 International Inventors' Fair in Switzerland. The papers were organized by Dr. Francis Gomez.

Maria Carlita Rex-Doran invented the banana vinegar, and an ampalaya concoction for diabetes mellitus and HIV infection. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) conferred her the Gold Medal in 1989, four years after another Filipina inventor, Olympia Gonzales, achieved the same award. Pinay Maria Ylagan Orosa first made the banana catsup and the pineapple vinegar. Dr. Ramon Barba discovered that spraying mango trees with potassium nitrate induced flowering all year round, and made our country a leading exporter of mangoes and mango products. In 1971, a team led by Dr. Emerita V. de Guzman made the first makapuno (coconut mutant variety) harvest from a test tube. A student at the University of Santo Tomas named Teodula K. Africa made the first nata de coco (fermented coconut gelatin) in 1979. Milagros A. Ramos invented the submerged method of cultivating edible mushroom mycelium (the vegetative stage of mushrooms) in liquid medium in 1963. Dr. Rodolfo Aquino, was one of the scientists who developed IR8, the strain of the rice variety that launched Asia's "Green Revolution."

Dr. Ricardo Lantican led a corn research that saved America's corn industry from the Southern leaf blight. Dr. Nic Liquido pioneered the research on light-activated dyes that control fruit flies. Dr. Baldomero Olivera, a UP summa cum laude graduate, discovered conotoxins, a bunch of biomolecules in Philippine marine snails now used in international neuroscience research. Dr. Florante Quiocho, a Filipino scientist, solved the structure of calmodulin bound to its ligand (calcium).

Dr. Enrique Ostrea discovered that the use of meconium (the baby's first stools) was more sensitive for drug tests since the drugs taken by the mother accumulate in the fetus' intestines. Dr. Jorge Camara, a UP graduate, was the world's first doctor to use teleophthalmology when he guided a doctor in removing an eye tumor via two-way, closed circuit television in 1999. In the 1970s, immunologist Eduardo A. Padlan used x-ray crystallography to study the antibody, which was helpful in diagnosing cancer cells and in understanding the immune system. Ned Teves, a anesthesiologist, invented the endotracheal tube cardiac monitor. Wilmo Orejola, a Filipino surgeon, created the harmonic scalpel, an ultrasonic surgical knife that doesn't burn flesh. Francis Duhaylongsod, a Filipino heart surgeon, invented an operation called minimally-invasive cardiac surgery, using smaller cuts into the body, reducing much the recovery period. Ramon Gustilo, a Pinoy orthopedist who authored the ''Fracture Classification Manual'' now widely used all over the world. He holds nine patents for artificial bone replacement systems. Dr. E. V. Macalalag Jr., a Filipno urologist, discovered that water from young coconut could be used as universal urinary stone solvent. He named this procedure as bukolysis. The anti-cancer drug Taxol was invented by Filipinos using Philippine yew (Taxus matrana) but patented by Americans.

Francisco Quisumbing, a Filipino chemist, invented Quink pen ink which he sold to Parker for international consumption. The ink cleans the pen as it writes, dries quickly on paper, but stays liquid in the tube.

Juanito A. Simon formulated the Per'tua motor lubricant internationally known as Tribotech. This product is now used by McDonnell Douglas in AH-65 Apache combat support helicopters. A rust-proofing and water-coating material rolled into one called Marglue Marcoat was invented by Margie Centeno of the Philippines. Arquillo Melano Sr. created a gadget that tells the contents of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank and automatically shuts off gas flow to the burner once a hose or tank leaks. Felix D. Maramba Sr. invented the power generator fed by charcoal and coconut oil. Dr. Antonio Mateo made the double-flaring tool (DFT) for plumbing installation for airtight sealing of joints. He was awarded the WIPO Gold Medal in Geneva, Switzerland in 1994. Edgardo Vazquez invented the modular housing called Vazbuilt, for building fire-, termite-, typhoon- and earthquake-proof houses in less than a month using prefab posts and panels. Rodolfo Arambulo developed Multishock, a bullet type that increases the firepower and stopping power of an ordinary gun with multiple hits in a single shot, first of its kind in the world.

Engr. Leonardo Gasendo of Manila made the super windmill as well as the salt evaporator. Architect Eddie Urcia, invented the world's fastest bike with 48-gear combinations. Filipina Margie Talaugon made the first car seat pillow for a child. . Filipino inventor Daniel Dingel invented a water-powered car and prototype in 1969. His hydrogen reactor uses electricity from a 12-volt car battery to transform tap water with salt into deuterium oxide or heavy water. Roberto del Rosario invented the piano tuner's guide, the piano keyboard stressing device, the voice color tape, and the one-man-band (OMB), which was copied by the Japanese who named the device karaoke. Ironmate, a device that automatically shuts off electricity when a flatiron is rested on it, was designed by Rodolfo Biescas Sr. of Albay. Camilo M. Tabalba headed a team to make the telephone electronic in 1970. By 1975, had developed the dynamic transducer (a transmission circuit replacing the carbon transmitter). Engr. Jose Zafaralla of Ilocos Norte invented a machine that makes straight bamboo poles for use in making furniture and other bamboocrafts. The 22-watt reflectorized circular lamp was built in a wooden box by Eduardo Sta. Ines. The auxiliary is a plastic diffuser and a stainless-steel reflector that gives a bright and wide illuminator. Dr. Josefino Comiso, a Filipino physicist with NASA, first discovered a recurring polynya (semipermanent area of open water in sea ice) in the Cosmonaut Sea, south of the Indian Ocean. Filipino Eugene Resos designed the pilot seat for Boeing 747 jumbo jet in 1968.

Dr. Gregorio Zara invented the airplane with an alcohol-powered engine. He also made the TV-telephone (videophone), a device that enables callers to view each other onscreen. Filipino astronomers Edwin Aguirre and Imelda Joson discovered Asteroid 6282 (called Edwelda after their first names), an asteroid orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter. Dr. Jose B. Cruz used engineering and mathematics to devise the comparison sensitivity matrix for evaluating changes occurring in different components - from the parts of an ordinary flashlight to the automatic control and feedback of a Patriot missile. He graduated Summa cum Laude from the University of the Philippines. Dr. Carlos H. Ibarra pioneered the padding or translational technique now widely used in complexity theory. He has been a leading researcher on the design and analysis of algorithms. Marc Loinaz invented the one-chip video camera. He was featured in the July 1999 issue of Discover Magazine.

This list, faxed to Kamayan para sa Kalikasan Journal acting editor by inventor Jun Catan, was downloaded from INQ-7 “High Ground” column item dated July 20, 2001, written by William M. Esposo, who quoted these items from the OFW-News mailing list. Esposo informs us that the same trivia gathered from various other sources can also be seen collectively in R. Balboa's site at http://balboa99.tripod.com/health_science.htm. Visit also http://galingpilipino.com/news and

http://filipinos4life.faithweb.com.

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THIS ON-LINE EDITION OF KAMAYAN PARA SA KALIKASAN JOURNAL IS PREPARED FOR SALIKA & CLEAR BY SanibLakas CyberServices


	*All are invited.* to the *Kamayan para sa Kalikasan Environmental Forum* held regularly, since March 1990, on the 3rd Friday every month, 10:30am-1:30pm at the Kamayan Restaurant along EDSA, Mandaluyong City. It is convened jointly by the Communicators’ League for Environmental Action and Restoration (CLEAR) and Sanib-Lakas ng Inang Kalikasan (SALIKA), fully sponsored by *Kamayan*.