Top 12 Surprising Filipino Inventions

Necessity is the mother of invention. Philippines is a rich country

known to have enough resources and riches; Dubbed as the “regenerating
ground for the unsung inventors of modern times”. Looking at it the other
way, unfortunately, about 2/3 of the population, including me, failed to
recognize such talent and discoveries brought by our own great Filipino
geniuses. With national pride and appraisal, presenting to you 12 Surprising
Filipino Inventions and their corresponding brainchild.

Yoyo, a rounded and stringed toy that many children play around with.
Originally used by the Philippine natives 400 years ago as a combat weapon
against the Spaniards and intruders. As a child, this item really fascinates
me and to know that a Filipino made this makes my heart so soft. I want to
thank you Sir Pedro Flores for constructing this toy along with new modern
modifications.

Medical Incubator, an improvised one, created in order to address the

needs of families in rural areas with no electricity and required for body
temperature regulation of new born babies. Envisioned by the first Asian
who was able to study at Harvard University’s School of Medicine, the one
and only, Fe del Mundo. This shows that Filipinos are really resourceful,
making use of what is present at the table and bringing out the envisioned
result.

E-Jeepney, the idea sprouted during the American colonization. And

from that, Filipinos were able to create their own version of the “jeepney”
from scratch. Thereafter, it has been mass produced and popularized around
the country. Moreover, considered as primary mode of transportation seen
at every street and roads. Riding a jeepney is a trademark of the Philippines,
you are not a Filipino if you haven’t rode on one. Currently, another version
was introduced and greatly encouraged by the government which is the
concept of modern “E-jeepney” that are nature friendly and electrically-
powered. It is somewhat pricey yet worth the price as it benefits both the
owner and the surroundings.

NIH Erythromycin, an antibiotic that is derived from the bacterium

Streptomyces erythreus. The bacterial strain was discovered by Abelardo
Aguilar using the soil in his home province. Unfortunately, the company
claimed the drug and he was not given proper credit for this discovery. This
is the gloomy side of research where the rights are stripped off from the
bona fide inventor because of the lack of power and money. It really
happens in the Philippines knowing that the allotted budget for science and
research team is insufficient, moreover, discrimination is rampant.

Patis or Fish Sauce, a condiment that is used as a salty partner for

many Filipino dishes. Accidentally produced by Ruperta David (aka Aling
Tentay). Another condiment is Banana Catsup that many Filipinos love to
use for almost every known dish in the Philippines. This was the brainchild of
food technologist Maria Orosa y Ylagan. I was really shocked at this
discovery, patis and catsup are both included in my favorites. It practically
can turn anything from bland to yummy especially in my case. When I was a
toddler, if I abhor the main dish then catsup is my savior paired with rice
only. Moreover, on bland soups and tasteless stew, my go to remedy is
patis.

Anticancer Cream, used specifically for basal skin carcinoma (BSC),

which is known as the most prevalent type of skin cancer worldwide.
Rolando dela Cruz is a Filipino inventor, and won the gold medal for this
creation. Mole Remover. Rolando dela Cruz developed a formula that could
easily remove deeply grown moles or warts from the skin without leaving
marks or hurting the patient. Earning him a gold medal in the International
Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design and Technology Exhibition in Kuala
Lumpur As a student nurse, I can say that these contributions to the medical
word are both groundbreaking and would really help millions of people.

16-Bit Microchip Source, the first single chip, was envisioned and then
made by Diosdado Banatao, or more popularly known as Dado Banatao.
Furthermore, credited for the first system logic chip set for IBM’s PC-XT and
the PC-AT as well as the local bus concept and the first Windows Graphics
accelerator chip for personal computers.

Inkfrog, a quick drying ink that is also water-resistant, blot and fade
free, and doesn’t clog the pen opening. Invented by Filipino chemist,
Francisco Quisumbing. This ink is considered one of the best-selling inks for
fountain pens.

Filipino-made Train. Bryan Yuson, an electronics engineer, invented a

train that will be running using renewable energy. The train has three
charging systems; the solar panel, wind mill, and the pedals. was launched
in Cebu City, Philippines, and if the Cebu City government cannot have
railways for trains, Yuson’s invention is also flexible—it can run in the
highways via vehicle tires.

3-in-1 fire truck. The “Patriot” is a 3-in-1 fire truck that it serves as a
fire truck, a rescue vehicle, and an ambulance. Invented by inventor Alfredo
Anos, Sr., known as the godfather of Filipino Inventors.

They have successfully hurdled the challenges before them, as well as

the continual searching of ways to establish their own names, legacies and
scientific contributions, which can never be bought nor replaced by any
amount of financial rewards. Moreover, what they also really need is the
support of their fellow countrymen in all ways possible. Support Local!
 Habits of Mind

Fear and anxiety are feelings that arise whenever I am faced by

something that is unknown, as well as I find it really difficult to deal with
unfamiliar dilemmas and sudden arguments. However, through Habits of
Mind, a 16 identified set of problem solving, life related skills, necessary to
effectively operate in society and promote strategic reasoning,
insightfulness, perseverance, creativity and craftsmanship, it will provide
skills to work through real life situations equipped with being responsive
using awareness, thought and intentional strategy. When we draw upon
these mental resources, the results are more powerful, of higher quality, and
of greater significance than if we fail to employ those habits.

Habits of Mind are dispositions that are skillfully and mindfully

employed by characteristically intelligent, successful people when they are
confronted with problems, the solutions to which are not immediately
apparent. The critical attribute of intelligent human beings is not only having
information but also knowing how to act on it. Out of the 16 Habits, four of
which are somewhat challenging for me to achieve, namely, Persisting,
Managing Impulsivity, Gathering Data through All Senses and Creating,
Imagining, Innovating. For Persisting, I really have a hard time remaining
focused on the task at hand and often manifests the “mañana’’ habit;
Impulsivity is my middle name, and managing it is not yet in my vocabulary.
Frequently letting my mouth speak and act first before logic kicks in then
regret comes after. I consider myself as detached from my senses since as a
student nurse I’m always spacing out and unaware of my surroundings
because of information overload as well as drained and burned out. To
create, imagine and innovate is actually easy, however, these past few
months, I can say that I’m incapable of doing it and would just stick to the
average standard rather than going beyond my limits.

Employing Habits of Mind requires a composite of many skills,

attitudes cues, past experiences, and proclivities. It means valuing one
pattern of thinking over another, and therefore implies choice making about
which habit should be employed at which time. It is not enough acquiring
the wisdom but also includes sensitivity to the contextual cues in a situation
signaling on utilizing it at the right manner and appropriate time.
Additionally, it requires a level of skillfulness to carry through the behaviors
effectively over time. Finally, it leads individuals to reflect on, evaluate,
modify, and carry forth their learnings to future applications. It implies goal
setting for improved performance and making a commitment to continued
self-modification.
 Inventions and Discoveries of Ancient Egypt

A place where culture and modernity overlap. Located at the northeast

corner of Africa, Egypt is home to one of the world's earliest and greatest
civilizations, with a unified kingdom first surfacing around 3,200 B.C. More
than just the breathtaking framework of pyramid, several inventions and
discoveries were constructed that brought breakthroughs in different fields
such as Science, Mathematics, Politics, Food & Beverages and even the
Beauty industry.

Having the idea that Greeks are the sole brain child of the invention of
mathematics has been debunked after reading the article. In fact, Ancient
Greeks developed and improved what was invented by the Egyptians. Thus,
they were actually students learning from their mentor, except that it was
not seen as a theoretical science rather a means of harnessing to be used for
practical real-time applications like measurements, business transactions,
constructing pyramids, and cutting rocks.

One aspect of their remarkable culture is the uniqueness of the law

enforcing body, wherein a pharaoh which is considered higher than a king
and was literally a living God. However, they also believe in gods and
goddesses such as the goddess of truth, Ma’at. As they set patronage to the
heavenly entities, they also believe in afterlife. When a pharaoh died, his ka
or person’s spirit would leave his body, but only temporarily. Thus, it was
important to preserve the body because the spirit would return and this give
rise to the process of mummification, with the aim of preserving bodies from
decomposing after death. It paved the way for acquiring of knowledge to
human body’s anatomy.
 Speaking of anatomy, on to the field of medicine, I actually already
learned this thing in a certain nursing subject. The contribution of Egyptians
was recognized globally since they wrote their knowledge down on papyri
such as the Edwin Smith Papyrus that focuses on surgical matter. Other
papyri include Kahun Papyrus, the oldest that deals with veterinary medicine
and women’s diseases; George Ebers Papyrus, oldest medical scroll
containing 700 magical formulas and remedies; Hearst papyrus deals with
treatment of the diseases in the anus. It was hugely important for the
collection of all the knowledge of antiquity in one place, with this matter at
hand, a library was founded. The most famous ancient library was the Royal
Library of Alexandria in Egypt and it aims to establish a center of learning
and gather all known information about the outside world in one place. A
home to more than a million papyrus scrolls on the subjects of literature,
history, law, mathematics, and science.

Out of all the inventions, this particular discovery is deliberately made

for women especially those who are investing for physical appearances. Wigs
were often worn not only for style purposes but also as skin protection from
the dry climate and strong sun. They are also famous for their perfumes;
Body and facial hair was removed with razors or depilatory creams. Gender
is not a hindrance to wear cosmetics, equality is observed and discrimination
stays out of the picture. When beauty is discussed, it’s a no-brainer that
Cleopatra’s name is dragged along. She was one of the most beautiful
women in history and her secrets were even used and applied up to this
generation.

Things that we make use nowadays such as calendar and clock were
actually invented by Egyptians. The Egyptians divided time into three main
periods: the inundation season (akhet), which lasted for one-third of the
year; the sowing and growth of the crops (perit); and the harvest (shemu).
Each consisted of 120 days and made up one calendar year. To mark the
beginning of each year, they chose the rising of the Dog Star, visible to the
naked eye. Afterwards, dividing days into parts. Obelisks (slender, four-
sided monuments) were used as sun clocks, their moving shadows enabled
people to separate the day into parts, starting at noon. Subsequently, first
portable shadow clock was invented which was so lightweight that people
could carry it with them. Regarding food and beverages section, Wine, a
staple drink in Egypt although it wasn’t invented per se. The artwork from
their manufacturing processes, was very similar to the ones we have today.

These last two discoveries stand at the top of the list since both are
embodiment of hallmark and pride of Egypt, The Hieroglyphs and Pyramids;
Egyptian hieroglyphs may be the oldest form of writing, dating from around
3300 BC. Along with the Mesopotamians, the Egyptians were the first people
to develop their language into a codified form of writing. The earliest forms
were pictures. It was modified into Papyrus sheets as well as stones and
wood albeit hieroglyphic pictures were preserved. And of course, who
wouldn’t know the Pyramids when in fact it is the conceived image of the
totality of Egypt. They are among the most astonishing structures in the
world and are solid geometrical shapes with a square base and four equal
triangular sides. They were built primarily as tombs for the kings and
religious temples. In addition, located away from major cities and took
decades to build.

All of the countries situated around the globe have distinct

contributions and discoveries that are actually a secret to many. Egypt is a
part of the notion, only through this article I’ve found out that most items
and commodities we have today were conceptualized and constructed by the
genius minds of Egyptian people.
 Scientific Reductionism

Being broken doesn’t equate to being worthless. Applying to Science,

Reduction does not lead to destruction and I must say that it is actually the
other way around, revolutionizing science to a simpler and understandable
form. What could be an impossible thing becomes bearable if we take bit by
bit of its pieces.

Reductionism is the idea of reducing complex interactions and entities

to the sum of their constituent parts, in order to make them easier to study.
For instance, if scientists research and understand underlying chemical
reactions, then they can explain intelligence, emotion and all of the other
human conditions. The only way to comprehend fully the sheer complexity of
the human brain is to look at the individual pieces. By looking at the singular
constituent processes, it is easier to gain an understanding of the whole
process. Thus, this is a principle centered on helping everyone may it be a
teacher, students or scientists comprehend at a particular level of effortless
attempt.

Every single thing in this world is paralleled with a specific set of

boundaries. Ecologists and biologists often use scientific reductionism.
However, many critics detest the process, believing that biological organisms
are too complex to explain by numbers alone. Additionally, in humans,
where emotions may be too difficult to assess empirically by physiology,
scientific reductionism stands accused of vast oversimplification. Social
scientists may find that the sophisticated interactions behind the functioning
of societies and populations are too unpredictable to describe by formulas or
observations of individuals. Even physicists are finding that the quest for
fundamental particles making up matter and governing the laws of the
universe may be much too difficult to study, without looking at the model as
a whole. Unlike Newtonian physics, modern research takes into account the
complex interactions between the particles, rather than looking at them
individually. Chaotic systems, such as turbulence, weather patterns and
even the behavior of crowds are difficult to explain by the process of
scientific reductionism. In addition, isolating one phenomenon and studying
it often changes its behavior.

Finding a principle that is applicable to anything is far from reach as of

today. Scientific Reductionism is still a useful tool at hand. As an example, it
can be argued that chemistry and biology are merely reductions of physics,
allowing a fuller picture to be gleaned by looking at specific cases. Modeling
the weather or understanding genetics are well served by the principle, but
it does have distinct limitations where looking at the whole diagram is much
more accurate. It is always a matter of appropriateness and preferences as
to the application of Scientific Reductionism.