5 Coolest Filipino Inventions

1. Vazbuilt Modular Housing System

In 1995, Edgardo Varquez won the Prestigious Inventor of the Year, awarded
from the World Intellectual Property Organization or WIPO in Geneva. This
was to recognize his contribution as the inventor of the “Pre-fabricated or
Ready to Build Housing System”. He soon opened his own construction firm,
Vazbuilt, to make his unique invention closer to the public. Vazbuilt products
are beneficial to home owners because they take less time to build and easily
dismantle in cases of relocation or expansion. The company makes this possible
through its pre-fabricated wall panels, columns, fences and tie beams. With
additional research and implementation, Vazbuilt System can potentially solve
the country’s backlog.
2. Challenge 21
Challenge 21 is an award-winning created by Leonard Mejia Yu of Malate,
Metro Manila. As the name implies, Challenge 21 is a strategy board game that
combines the difficulties of Scrabble, Bingo, Tic Tac Toe, Checkers and even
Basketball. It offers a great bonding time for your family while it challenges
your own mental alertness, observation, mental calculation among others. For
its ingenuity, Challenge 21has received several prestigious awards including a
Gold Medal from the World Intellectual Property Organization and the First
Prize from Tuklas Award in 2012.
3. Plastic to Diesel Converter
In 2007, Jayme Navarro from Bacolod discovered a surprising way to convert
plastic bags into fuel. It starts by melting the plastics and then taking out the
polymers to mix with the catalyst. Pyrolysis will occur soon after to produce
hydrocarbon gases. After several processes of purification, the final output will
be then compressed and stored. On average, 5,000 kilos of plastic bags can
produce 400 liters of diesel. The good news to enrich DOE and DOST which
both attested that the resulting fuel is lower in sulfur and environment-friendly.
The invention was finally patented in November 2008.
4. Rescue 72
Ideally, it takes up 3 days or 72 hours before someone can be rescued from a
disaster. But without any lifesaving tools on hand, the survival rate is
significantly reduced. Such was the inspiration behind Rescue 72, a life vest
and survival kit in one. Its inventor, Danvic Briones, drew inspiration from the
sad fate of several typhoon Ondoy victims. Rescue 72 is equipped with
compartments where you can put waterproof bags containing first aid kits,
water, light snacks and other items essential for survival.
5. Multi Cooler Fan
Dubbed as the “aircon for the poor”, this multitasking fan is the brainchild of
Mr. Rodolfo Biescas. Although not uniquely Filipino, this simple invention is
the perfect summer cooler for the budget-conscious. It’s a fan and cooler rolled
into one. Meaning, you can use it to store ice and cool the air while saving on
electric cost.