Filipino scientists have a long list of achievements that will never be ignored by their countrymen. Although, most of them are working abroad for higher pays and scholarships, many Filipinos are still benefited by their discoveries.
First on my list is AGAPITO FLORES, the inventor of fluorescent lamp. He patented it but since the government didn’t supported much of his endeavor, he sold it to France's multi-national company, General Electric Company, which had the whole authority to benefit to his very bright invention. (Better check the Filipino Timeline at Amazon)
During the World War II, the ingenuity of the Filipinos were tested and one name came out from Samar. It was ARMANDO MALITE who invented the armalite. The US government bought the patent so that they can reproduce the weapon massively. But until now, it is being disputed because as 'urban legend' because there are no credible answers posted on the Web. Yet, in our CAT (Citizen's Army Training) in high school and CMT/ROTC (Citizen's Military Training) in college, it was taught to us by our military officers for the two-year military science. The arguments regarding the veracity of the subject can be read in many links that surface in the internet.
When I studied in the local maritime school, one of our instructors shared his story about his cousin that once worked in NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), America's space agency. His cousin was EDUARDO SAN JUAN , a mechanical engineer, who was one of the team being credited for the design and construction of Lunar Rover or Moon Buggy. That was 1969, when man first landed on the moon. Recently, it is being disputed again as to where the credit should go.
Ever heard of Karaoke Sing-Along System? Japan copied it from the original patent registered by the Filipino inventor ROBERTO DEL ROSARIO. The dispute was brought to higher court and the original inventor won the case. Ironically, South Korea popularized it so much that they often hold karaoke contests annually. Back here in the Philippines, karaoke units (with TV monitor, microphone and the karaoke gadget) were often seen in posh restaurants and bars. During fiestas and birthdays or anniversaries in the countryside, it was being rented to liven up the celebration. Filipinos love to sing that even everyday, farmers often engage in karaoke.
Take for instance the one who discovered Erythromycin, an antibiotic derived from the bacterium Streptomyces erythreus. ABELARDO AGUILAR, a noted Illonggo doctor/scientist in Iloilo discovered the strain of erythromycin in 1949 from the soil coming from his home province. He sent it to Eli Lilli Co., his employer in the US in order to separate the strain. They did it there, but the Philippine government never received any royalty or the person who discovered it, Dr. Aguilar himself.
2010 List of Noted Filipino Scientists and Inventors
Angel Alcala is behind the invention of artifical coral reefs used for fisheries in Southeast Asia.
Arturo Alcaraz is a volcanologist specializing in geothermal energy development
Benjamin Almeda designed a food-processing machine.
Julian Banzon researched methods of producing alternative fuels.
Ramon Barba invented practical flower induction treatments.
Doctor Benjamin Cabrera has developed innovations in drug treatments against diseases caused by mosquitoes and agricultural soil.
Paulo Campos built the first radioisotope laboratory in the Philippines.
Magdalena Cantoria is a noted Filipino botanist.
Filipino Physicist Josefino Comiso has been warning the world about global warming.
Doctor Lourdes Cruz has made scientific contributions to the biochemistry field of conotoxins.
Filipino scientist Rolando De La Cruz invented an anti cancer skin cream.
Filipino scientist Emerita De Guzman researched the propagation of pure makapuno trees.
Doctor Fe Del Mundo is credited with studies leading to the invention of an improved incubator and a jaundice relieving device.
Filipino chemist Anacleto Del Rosario won the first prize at the World Fair in Paris in 1881
Filipino chemist Ernesto Del Rosario is best known for his achievements in biotechnology and applied physical chemistry.
Roberto Del Rosario is the inventor of the Karaoke Sing Along System.
Daniel Dingel claims to have invented a water-powered car.
Filipino scientist, Pedro Escuro is best known for his isolation of nine rice varieties.
Agapito Flores has been acclaimed by some as being the inventor of the first fluorescent lamp - is this true?
Pedro Flores was the first person to manufactured the yo-yo in the United States.
Francisco Fronda is know as the Father of poultry science in the Philippines.
Food and nutrition researcher Carmen Intengan was a pioneer that helped improve the Filipino diet.
Amando Kapauan was a Filipino chemist who specialized in environmental chemistry.
Hilario Lara helped establish the National Research Council of the Philippines.
Felix Maramba built a coconut oil-fueled power generator.
Filipino chemist, Luz Oliveros Belardo researched the phytochemical properties of plants in the Philippines for natural products
Pioneering food inventor Maria Orosa - aka Maria Y Orosa - invented Calamansi Nip and Soyalac.
William Padolina has served as the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology for the Philippines.
Eduardo Quisumbing was a noted expert in the medicinal plants of the Philippines.
Filipino chemist Francisco Quisumbing invented Quink ink.
Dolores Ramirez promoted the development of genetics in the Philippines.
Jose Rodriguez is a noted Filipino scientist and researcher who has invented methods of controlling leprosy.
Eduardo San Juan worked on the team that invented the Lunar Rover or Moon Buggy.
Filipino chemist Alfredo Santos is a noted researcher in the chemistry of natural products.
Filipino Chemist Francisco Santos studied the nutritional problems associated with the Filipino diet.
Filipino scientist, Gregorio Velasque made intensive studies of bluegreen algae.
Carmen Velasquez was a noted Filipino biologist.
Gregorio Zara - famous Filipino scientist Gregorio Y Zara
Prescillano Zamora is best known for his research in plant anatomy-morphology including the taxonomy of Philippine ferns and the discovery of more fern species.
