Reflection about Filipino Inventions

Despite the amazing inventions mentioned in the article, I cannot deny that the whole

selection made me realized how disadvantaged we are in terms of access to good technology

and facilities that could cater to and nurture our skills. Being in a third-world country, we are

often faced with threats in our economy, health system, and security, making research and

innovation a less priority. The government is more focused on eradicating crimes and poverty

and improve its tourism to boost the economy, rather than allocating funds to advance and

support research in the country.

Looking on the brighter side, regardless of this unfortunate fate of Filipino researchers,

they remain to be resilient and have even transcended towards the global stage of innovation,

represented the Philippines with their one of a kind inventions and discoveries. These inventions

had even contributed an evident convenience and quality to the lives of many, worldwide, may

it be for entertainment, medicine, or in daily activities. Such as the yoyo that has made a

difference in the childhood of millions of people, the erythromycin and anticancer cream that

have contributed to the improvement of health and the further development of medicine and

pharmacology, the alternative or improvised incubator that greatly helped those families and

has changed lives of babies in rural communities who have no access to electricity, the

jeepneys, the 3-in-1 firetruck and so on.

Upon reflecting and observing the mentioned inventions, I have also come up with a

realization that creativity and resourcefulness have been innate to us Filipinos, for a matter of

fact that even 400 years ago, our ancestors had already been innovative in devising weapons

against intruders and also tools for hunting. The creative minds of Pinoys led them to invent

masterpieces such as the Quink ink, which is one of the best-selling inks for a fountain pen that
is quick-drying and even water-resistant. Their resourcefulness had pointed to the development

of improvised medical incubator and Filipino-version of jeepneys.

Moreover, I also have seen how practical Filipinos are and how they develop inventions

according to their observation as to what the world around them needs. Take, for example, the

E-jeepneys, which are environment-friendly, noiseless, and smokeless. Since it uses electricity

as its source to function, it is significantly way cheaper than ordinary diesel. Same as the

Filipino-made train that uses renewable energy to run. Also, the innovation of patis and banana

catsup reflects how creative and unique Filipino cuisine is, and has been an essential part of

every Filipino kitchen.

Because of the creative and innovative minds of Filipinos, they were able to bring honor

to the Philippines. To mention a few, a formula for mole remover won a gold medal in the

International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design and Technology Exhibition in Kuala

Lumpur in the year 2000, and the anticancer cream for basal skin carcinoma at the prestigious

International Inventor’s Forum in November of 2005. However, there are instances wherein

Filipinos were not credited for their discovery and invention because the companies they are

working for abroad, who provided overall funds for the research, took that right from them, like

the case of the discovery of Erythromycin.

All in all, Filipinos are very much talented. If only we were given the same luck as Japan

and other techno-innovative countries, who knows what we can contribute to the world?