BRONZE WINNERS (Top) Usero’s Burger Patty with Abaca Core Enhancer
Two researchers from Catanduanes were among the Philippine team of inventors and scientists who won medals for their innovative ideas at the Korea International Women’s Exposition 2024 at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Gyeonggido, South Korea last June 20-22.
Earning bronze medals at the annual event were Catanduanes National High School’s Joycee France D. Usero for “A Burger Patty having Abaca Core as Enhancer” and Catanduanes State University’s Ma. Monette DLR. Tugay for her “Pastillas Tart with Squash Powder Formulation.”
According to the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), the other delegates and their groundbreaking technologies and innovative processes which garnered recognition were the following:
Gold: “Unscreened Hammer Mill for Dried Root Crops’ by Ma. Dolores Cynthia Zarate and “A Water Filter Assembly/A Process of Filtering Water” by Eleanor Olegario;
Silver: “Foldable Tank with Filtration Assembly” by Eleanor Olegario; and “Process of Producing fibers from Dried Banana Leaves” by Julienne Stephanie Agapin; and
Bronze: “A Method of Preparing Modified Natural Zeolite Adsorbents/ A Modified Naturally Occurring Zeolite” by Eleanor Olegario; “Heat Retaining Slow Cooker Bag” by Rowena Faith Sucalit; and “Herbal Oil Liniment” by Mariecel A. Fuentes.
“The Institute’s participation in KIWIE is part of our continuous commitment in supporting and promoting homegrown inventions and exploring potential global collaborations,” DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena said, adding that this gives a special focus on female inventors and amplify their growing prominence in STEM, which is traditionally perceived as a male-dominated field.
“On a personal level, success means seeing my inventions contribute to a positive impact. Professionally, it’s about the thrill of discovery and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” DepEd teacher Usero said in a DOST-TAPI feature story on her groundbreaking abaca patty.
Chosen recently to join the Leaders in Innovation Fellowship Global program, an intensive training in elevator pitching in the United Kingdom also this June, she envisions the abaca patty as a global leader in the plant-based meat revolution.
In the next decade, Usero plans to expand abaca cultivation through partnerships with local farmers, ensuring a sustainable and ethical supply chain, DOST-TAPI stated.
On the other hand, Tugay, a BS Food Technology graduate with Master’s degrees in Industrial Education and Food Science, is transforming a common vegetable into a groundbreaking food product poised to make waves in both local and international markets.
The spark for Tugay’s most notable invention came from a practical problem: the seasonal oversupply of squash, or kalabasa, in the Philippines. This versatile vegetable, valued for its edible fruit, leaves, and flowers, faces drastic price drops and significant wastage during peak harvest periods. Observing this, Tugay saw an opportunity to create something both economically and nutritionally valuable.
Her solution was both simple and ingenious: transform the oversupply of squash into a powder that could replace milk powder in various food products. One such product is pastillas, a popular Filipino milk candy. By substituting milk powder with squash powder, Tugay not only reduced production costs but also enhanced the nutritional value of the candy.
Tugay’s invention addresses several critical issues. Firstly, it mitigates the problem of squash wastage and price drops during peak seasons by extending the vegetable’s shelf life through drying and powdering. Secondly, it offers a cost-effective alternative to milk powder, making nutritious snacks more affordable. Lastly, by integrating vegetables into popular snacks, Tugay helps improve children’s diets without altering their eating habits.