2011 RICE in CALABARZON held

DOST CALABARZON conducted the 2011 Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits or RICE held at SM City-Masinag, Barangay Mayamot in Antipolo City, Rizal Province from October 26 to 28, 2011.

RICE participants were treated to a three-day showcase of invention entries, proceedings of the contest proper, video presentations, poster making contests, and a forum on program assistance for inventors.

The invention contest, bearing this year’s theme, “Imbensyon a t Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Pag-unlad,” served as the qualifying round for the July 2012 Invention Contest, national level. The contest was opened to all inventors, makers, designers, and creative researchers who are Filipino citizens residing in CALABARZON Region. Only the SIBOL Award was opened to high school and college students.

Contestants at all categories presented a video or PowerPoint presentation about their entry on October 27. Regional qualifiers and their runners-up were announced during the Closing and Awarding Ceremonies on October 28.

For the Utility Model Category, Bienvenido R. Baligod of San Pedro, Laguna won first prize for his utility model of a Modular Essential Oil Distiller. Runners-up were: Belen B. Bisana and others of DOST-FPRDI for their Veneer Lathe; and Roquina B. Melano and Fernando U. Bactong of Nonel in Cainta, Rizal for their Multi-purpose Fruit Peeler Device.

For the Industrial Design Category, the Solar Water Heater of Dennis Y. Mercader bested all entries.

For the Creative Research Category (SIBOL Award) for High School, the Pentavariable Meter of Jose Maria Antonio and others of Rizal National High School in Binangonan won first place. Runners-up include: study on leaf extract utilization as mosquito repellant by Mark Christian D. Cadelina and others of Quezon national High School in Lucena City; and a study on on sampaluk-sampalukan and its effects on plants and animals by Roy R. Boten and Angelica A. Lapitan of Los Banos National High School in Los Banos.

For the Student Creative Research Category (SIBOL Award) for college, a study on use of coal fly ash for oil spill scorpion by Cathryn M. Hernandez and others of Batangas State University placed first. Runners-up were: Edrian B. Beren and others of PUP-Sta. Tosa Campus for their work on a human wrist mimicking robot; and Janeal Charmaigne N. Casco of UP Los Banos for her study on a magnetic wall-climbing robot for inspection of cracks and corrosions.

Lastly, for the Creative Research Category (LIKHA Award), Susana M. Mercado of Biotech in UP Los Banos placed first for her work on a rennet for cheese making. Runners –up were: Micheallo M. Medalla of Bernardo Lirio Memorial Central School in Tanauan City for his improcentrifuge; and Michael C. Bote of Calamba City for his alkaline maker.

The winners received a total of P110,000 in cash plus medal. AMGuevarra, DOST IV-A S&T Media Service