- Details
By: Patricia Esteban
Inspired by his family’s construction business, Reynaldo Cruz invented his roof tile prototype. He became a beneficiary of DOST-TAPI’s Concept Prototyping Program, which provides assistance in the prototyping of a potential invention. Inventor Cruz also availed of the agency’s Testing Analyses Assistance and Industry-Based Invention Development (IBID) Program to prepare his invention’s eventual commercialization.
For some people, passion and profession are two very distinct things. One is something where our heart is, while the other is something where our mind is.
Choosing between the two isn’t always an easy decision, but for Reynaldo Cruz, he chose to go after his passion, without question. As a student, he spent long nights doing research and years of trying to put his thoughts into words. But instead of using his knowledge into practice, he used all these to do something bigger than what he had always imagined.
Building the foundation
It all began when his father opened a construction business. Although taking up an undergraduate degree in education at the time, Reynaldo grabbed every chance to work side by side with his father—following him wherever he went, climbing rooftops even with his fear of heights, and looking for solutions to unexpected problems. His father, who he considers as his “pakpak sa likod,” has become a part of his decision-making.
Little did he know that his curiosity in construction would sprout his greatest invention: a roof tile prototype. This is a tile designed to produce good-quality roof tiles that can be customized to address potential roofing problems.
The idea came to him when he noticed that the main problem they encountered after a construction project was with the roof. So his father asked him to come up with a solution to fix this issue. And so he did.
Looking for ways to climb the ladder of success
Reynaldo used his background in education to put theory into practice, do numerous research, and study all the necessary information.
Despite the pandemic, inventor Reynaldo Cruz continues researching and testing his invention. (Image source: Inv. Reynaldo Cruz)
- Details
By: Jemelle De Leon
Christopher Coballes invented Xentrinobot, an educational mobile robotics platform that can be used by students as a learning assistance tool. He was a beneficiary of DOST-TAPI’s Industry-Based Invention Development (IBID) program, which provides assistance for the fabrication of a commercial prototype of inventions, utility models, and industrial designs. He has an ongoing project under the Invention-Based Enterprise Development (IBED) program for the pilot production of his invention.
Christopher Coballes’ first classroom was his makeshift laboratory and garage beside their home on top of a hill in Pilar, Sorsogon. His first learning materials and educational tools were broken radios and appliances washed out by typhoons. His first classmates were his childhood friends with whom he would share toys he made from scratch. His first assignments were broken gadgets his neighbors would bring to his house for him to fix. And his first teacher was no other than his curious self, who was always hungry for discoveries.
That little handyman, however, didn’t choose to stay at his headquarters on top of the hill. He went down to where he could reach and serve more people with his talent and knowledge.
Endless thirst for knowledge
Before becoming known for his inventions and contributions in the field of robotics in the Philippines, Chris was already a popular little genius in his small community in Sorsogon. He passed the government exam for the then National Youth and Manpower Council in sixth grade.
But he was never that kind of genius that everyone expects and thinks of.
Throughout his school days, he never was the typical studious, book-smart, straight-A student. He described himself as an inquisitive street-smart who loved unconventional ways of learning and applying his knowledge. He enjoyed learning so much that he studied for three degrees during his college years at Aquinas University of Legazpi, now University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi.
“I’m not confident that I have only one degree. I know that computer engineering is different from mechanical and electrical,” he said.
He also took educational units in Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology and, later on, a master’s degree while working at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD).
Chris has always undeniably been in love with learning, but not the kind that is limited within the four walls of the classroom. He proves this through two of his most notable inventions, the Robook scanner, and Xentrinobot, which are both innovative educational tools for the modern age.
The Robook scanner, now used in UPD Main Library, digitizes documents and books using an inexpensive but high-grade digital scanning machine. Xentrinobot is an educational mobile robotics platform that can be converted and assembled into various kinds of mobile robots, which can be used as students’ learning assistance tools especially during new normal learning in this pandemic.
Inventor Christopher Coballes was able to produce different types of robots since he started applying his knowledge in robotics. (Image source: Inv. Christopher Coballes)
-
1 of 6
-
2 of 6
-
3 of 6
-
4 of 6
-
5 of 6
-
6 of 6
