by Karl Vincent S. Mendez
Bicolanos hailed their newest champions in science, technology, and innovation at the 2021 Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) on 12-14 October 2021 in celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) in Region V.
“Ang Bicol RICE na bahagi ng ating okasyon ngayong taon ay isang paraan upang ipakita ang ating galing sa pagbuo at pagtuklas ng mga napapanahong imbensyon at pagsasaliksik,” said Department of Science and Technology Regional Office V (DOST-V) Director Rommel R. Serrano.
RICE in Bicol was conducted on 12-14 October 2021 to recognize the inventors and researchers in Region V
Meanwhile in his opening remarks, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Pena stated, “we believe that there are many local inventors and innovators waiting to be just discovered and re-discovered, and these events signify the importance of inventions and innovations in accelerating and sustaining our country’s economic and social development.”
He added that RICE recognizes and encourages the hard work and persistence of local inventors and innovators.
In response to the on-going restrictions brought by the coronavirus (COVID-19), DOST-V in collaboration with the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) adapted virtual platforms to safely celebrate the three-day event.
“…Sa halip na magkalayo, tila lalo tayong pinagbuklod. Hindi man pisikal, ngunit magkakasama pa rin sa iisang adhikaing ipalaganap ang agham at teknolohiya” said Dir. Serrano.
Vice President (VP) Leni Robredo also sent her regards to the scientific community in the Bicol Region.
“I and the rest of the Office of the Vice President look forward to all the good that you will do not only for your communities but for the nation,” the VP said in her message.
For this year the Banghay Award for the Outstanding Industrial Design went to Josephine Caceres and Dr. Baby Boy Benjamin Nebres III of Bicol University for their “Multi-Visual Learning Board for Grade School.”
“The Process of Producing Edible Wrapper Utilizing Root Crop Starch and Lubi-Lubi” by Bon Carlo Salonga and Allysa Mae Boncarlos of Mapacpac, Sorsogon, grabbed the Unlad Award for the Outstanding Utility Model.
Further, the Likha Award for Government-Funded and Privately-Funded Creative Researches were presented to Mr. Pier P. Gaspa for his research on “Dye Sensitized Solar Cell from Pili” and Abel Arevalo Jr. for his “Method of Sex Redirection of Tilapia using Pepper Leaf Powder,” respectively.
The competition also recognized the prowess of Bicolano high school and college students.
The Sibol Award for Outstanding College Student Creative Research was given to Bicol University - Polangui Campus’ Melrose Gallano and Cindy Mariscotes for their research, “The Formulation of Pili and Ginger Essential Oil as Wound Healing Ointment.
On the other hand, the Tabaco National High School student John Ronan L. Reyes wowed the judges with his research on the “Utilization of Tibig Fruit as Oil Spill Biosorbent for a Sustainable Environment” for winning the Sibol Award for Outstanding High School Student Creative Research.
The winners of the 2021 RICE await the next stage of the invention and innovation competition when they compete with other regions for the national title at the 2022 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE).
Since 2009, RICE has been giving encouragement to inventors to showcase their inventive capability through a form of competition for cash incentives, awards, and bragging rights.
For the complete list of the winners in the Bicol Region, refer to the list below.
Banghay Award for Outstanding Industrial Design
- First Prize Winner: Multi-Visual Learning Board for Grade School by Josephine Caceres and Dr. Baby Boy Benjamin Nebres III
- Second Prize Winner: All-In-One Mobile Library Cabinet for Grade School by Dr. Baby Boy Benjamin Nebres III and Racquel Brides
Unlad Award for Outstanding Utility Model
- First Prize Winner: The Process of Producing Edible Wrapper Utilizing Root Crop Starch and Lubi- Lubi (Ficus pseudopalma) by Bon Carlo Salonga and Alyssa Mae Boncarlos
- Second Prize Winner: Biofilter Apparatus by Engr. Jennifer M. Ebona
- Third Prize Winner: Process of Producing Chocolate Flavoring Agent Utilizing the Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterphyllus) Seed by Ma. Donabel Brosas and Jennifer Motita
Likha Award for Outstanding Government-Funded Creative Research
- First Prize Winner: Pilictricity: Dye Sensitized Solar Cell from Pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.) by Kier P. Gaspa
- Second Prize Winner: Abaca Crore Wine by Abelisa Evangelista
- Third Prize Winner: Snailasx Solution and Cream: An In-Vitro, In Vivo, Ex-Vivo, and Ex-Situ Study on Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Astaxanthin from Golden Apple Snails (Pomacea canaliculata) Eggs by May Dorol, Jan Carlo Bagabas, Mickel Joseph Ragas, and Mark Remiter
Likha Award for Outstanding Privately-Funded Creative Research
- First Prize Winner: Method of Sex Redirection of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using Pepper Leaf Powder (Piper nigrum) by Abel Arevalo, Jr.
- Second Prize Winner: Electronic Crop Operating Drone (Ecodrone) by Ariel Nopre, Jr., Kim Abarientos, Veronique Joy Aringo, Jessa Mae Curativo, Mark Philip De Vela, and Sharmaine San Joaquin
- Third Prize Winner: Mini-Industrial Robotic Arm (MIRA) Training Kit by Dr. Kenjie E. Merenciano
Sibol Award for Outstanding College Student Creative Research
- First Prize Winner: The Formulation of Pili (Canarium Sp.) Oil and Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) Essential Oil Extract as Wound Healing Ointment by Melrose Gallano and Cindy Mariscotes
- Second Prize Winner: Filipino Sign Language to Voice Converter by Klenn Arvin Alcibor and Rency De La Cruz
- Third Prize Winner: Development of Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Capsule as an Alternative Anticoagulant Agent by Julie Anne Chicogo and Maui Lea Florin
Sibol Award for Outstanding High School Student Creative Research
- First Prize Winner: Utilization of Tibig (Ficus nota) Fruit as Oil Spill Biosorbent for a Sustainable Environment by John Ronan L. Reyes
- Second Prize Winner: B-F3: Biodegradation Filtration and Foliar Fertilizer Producer Device and Its Organic Matter’s Impact to the Physicochemical Soil Properties and Biological Growth of Pechat (Brassica rapa) by Merylle Abejero, Cyrene Grejalvo, Ma. Tonette Del Pilar, Harold Jay Del Rosario, and Chris Daniel Odiaman
- Third Prize Winner: Utilizing Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Leaf Fiber (PALF) as an Alternative Raw Material for Dishwashing Sponge by Mr. Paul Anjelo Milagrosa, Ms. Erika Barrameda, and Dhanjane Obispo
For more information, please contact 8837 2071 local 2157 or 2167, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
