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By Shane Rachel del Rosario


In the aviation industry where passengers’ safety is a top priority, a Filipino innovator promises to bring greener and safer skies through a sustainable and hybrid aircraft sealant from the waste resin of the Philippines’ Pili Tree.  Meet Engineer Mark Kennedy Bantugon, a son of a farmer and a public school teacher, who takes flight by transforming nature’s bounty to groundbreaking and sustainable inventions. 

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Photo Courtesy: James Dyson Award 2021

From farm to flight

Hailing from the agricultural heartland of Batangas, Filipino aeronautical engineer and material scientist Mark Kennedy Bantugon grew up with ‘dirt on his hands’ and ‘basking in the sunlight.’ He found inspiration in the waste materials of the various plants and trees that he was exposed to as a child.  

By Dyann Daniel


In the realm of innovation, there are those whose creativity knows no bounds, whose inventions not only address local needs but have the potential to revolutionize industries worldwide.  One such innovator is Prof. Zaldy A. Fernandez, whose groundbreaking creation, the Multi-Fuel Dryer, is set to take center stage at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, Switzerland.

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The Multi-Fuel Dryer is more than just a device; it's a game-changer for farmers, fishermen, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines and beyond.  Designed to serve as both a dryer and an oven, this versatile invention harnesses various fuel sources, including wood, charcoal, recycled paper, and even solar energy, to process a wide range of products, from fish and vegetables to apparel and delicacies.

Prof. Fernandez' journey as an inventor began with a simple request from his wife, a reseller of smoked and dried fish, who sought a solution to the challenges of traditional drying methods.  Drawing from his background in industrial education and fabrication, he set out to design a device that would not only meet his wife's needs but also revolutionize the way goods are processed in the Philippines.