PH Top Asian scientist

Pinay scientists recognized as among top in Asia

ABS-CBN News

03 Jul 03 2019

Eight Filipino scientists were recognized as among the top 100 scientists in Asia by a prestigious publication. 

Dr. Rosalinda Torres was among the 8 researchers recognized in the Asian Scientist 100, for her work on the larvicidal ability of Philippine medicinal plants. 

Another Filipina, Marissa Paglicawan, was also recognized for her work on turning abaca or Manila hemp into an engineering material. 

Asian Scientist says that to be acknowledged on the list of top 100 researchers, a scientist must have received a national or international prize in 2018 for research, or made a significant scientific discovery or provided leadership in academia or industry. 

Pinoy wins US engineering design contest

18-year-old Filipino student wins engineering design competition in US

GMA News

May 9, 2019

An 18-year old Filipino student led his team in bagging the grand prize in an engineering design competition in the United States with his air quality sensor, called Re-LAQS (Respiratory Local Air Quality Sensor).

Representing the Oxnard High School (OHS)-University of California Sta. Barbara, Carl Vincent Camilon Cuyos was hailed as over-all winner in the 2019 State Championship in Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement National Engineering Design Challenge (MESA-NEDC).

The competition was held at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on Sunday.

Other nine competitors were students from UCLA, San Jose State University, California State East Bay, California State University Fresno, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Davis, San Diego State University, and Imperial Valley College.

Cuyos was behind the design of the winning entry of his team, while teammates Sara Centeno was on research,  Jenna Huynh on business, David Pulido worked as programmer and teacher Nicholas Peterson as their adviser.

Re-LAQS is sensor built to bring information and awareness to the public, who are vulnerable to air quality changes, such as potential harmful gases, in times of crisis such as in wildfires.

During the blaze of California wildfire in 2018, citizens received conflicting and inaccurate data which aggravated their condition, especially those with upper respiratory tract infection like asthma.

“Hence, the Re-LAQs innovation, aimed to protect 91 percent of the globe’s population, who live in polluted areas identified by the World Health Organization. To reduce air pollution threat and health cost, people can use RE-LAQs, to measure air quality and take appropriate action,” said Cuyos whose grandparents originated from Mauban and Perez, Quezon.

Cuyos said the gas sensor is run by a nine voltage rechargeable battery, flashing LED alert and app compatible with Bluetooth, so it can be used both indoor and outdoor.

Due to this win, their team is set to participate in the National Championship at the University of Arizona in June 19 to 21. —Joviland Rita/LDF, GMA News

RICS London Top Prize Designer

Filipino wins top UK prize for bamboo home design

Asia Times
22 November 2018

Earl Patrick Forlales gained inspiration for his 'Cubo' design from the bamboo shack his grandparents called home on the outskirts of Manila 

With its modular design, Cubo housing components can be linked together to create quality living space for families. Photo: handout

A young Filipino designer has scooped the top prize in a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) competition for his low-cost modular housing solution that could bring relief to low-income families across Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Material science engineering graduate Earl Patrick Forlales, 23, pipped 1,200 competitors from all over the world to win the prestigious £50,000 (US$63,900) Cities For Our Future prize with his “Cubo” home concept. Made mostly of bamboo, components for the Cubo can be built off-site in one week, and the house erected in situ in only four hours.

Inspired by the bamboo shack on the outskirts of Manila that Forlales’ grandparents called home, the Cubo is first and foremost devised to be economical to build. Estimated to cost only $77 per square meter, it is constructed almost entirely of bamboo, which grows in abundance in poorer parts of the world, and is uniquely sustainable. Bamboo is also inherently good for the environment, releasing 35% more oxygen into the environment than trees, according to a report in the Guardian.

The judges agreed. “One of the reasons Earl’s entry stood out from the other finalists,” said Dr Beth Taylor, “was

 through its use of traditional, sustainable technology and materials, to solve an issue facing modern cities across the world.”

The target is to give the urban poor a chance to embrace affordable, yet dignified housing. Photo: handout

With a third of Manila’s 12 million inhabitants living in slums, Forlales now has his sights set on building Cubo homes in the Philippine capital.

“Engineered bamboo is here and it is going to stay,” says Forlales in a short video explaining the qualities and attractions of Cubo. “We know how to work the material and we can build our future cities around it.”