The Grand Finals of the Intel Philippine Science Fair (IPSF) organized by the Department of Education and the Department of Science and Technology and sponsored by the Intel Technology Philippines, Incorporated, was held from February 15 to 16, 2006 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Dr. Fe Hidalgo, Acting Secretary of the Department of Education, described the Fair’s theme, “Racing to the Future” as having been “aptly chosen for it describes the need to keep up with the fast-paced development and demands of the modern world”. The choice of the theme likewise took its inspiration from the venue of the 2006 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Indianapolis, Indiana, the home base of the Indianapolis 500 car racing circuit in the United States.
Ninety-six (96) entries competed for twenty-nine (29) different awards in the IPSF grand finals. From among the winners, two individual projects and one team project were selected under each of the ISEF-affiliated fairs, the Intel Philippine Basic Science Fair and the Intel Philippine Applied Science Fair, to compete in the Intel ISEF in the US.
The winners came from different regions of the Philippines, a reflection of the improving state of science research outside the urban centers of the country. From the north, Larry Caduada Jr., a freshman high school student of Baguio Science Foundation, delighted everyone when he went up the stage to claim his award. Only 13 years old, his project “Serilene, an organic alternative to chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) as coolant or refrigerant” was chosen under the Life Sciences (Individual) Category. It investigated the potential of celery extract as an alternative natural coolant to commercial coolants which are destroying the ozone layer and the environment.
Meanwhile, Jose Alfonso Casurra from the Caraga Regional Science High School was recognized under the Life Sciences (Individual) Category for his project “Spirulina plantensis: Potential Biosorbent for Lead”. His study showed the potential of using Spirulina platensis, a type of blue-green algae, as an effective biological method for removing lead (Pb) from wastewater.
From the south, a team from the Bayugan Comprehensive National High School composed of Beverly Casimero, Kenneth Joseph Bureros and John Paul dela Cruz won for their project “Postsynaptic Neurotransmitter Binding Inhibition of Opposite Leaf Spot Flower (Acmella opositifolia) Flower Isolate: A Prospect Agent Against Uncontrolled Neuronal Firing (Epilepsy)”. The team’s project sought to discover the potential efficacy of Acmella opositifolia crude flower extract in preventing epileptic attacks.
The rest of the winners came from the National Capital Region (NCR). A team from the Philippine Science High School in Diliman, Quezon City composed of Maria Katrina Guevara, Ace Palabrica and Nicole Yazon won under the Physical Sciences (Team) category for their project “Elastomeric Grating for Wavelength Switching in Optical Communication Systems.” It focused on discovering a stretchable plastic diffraction grating, a tool used to disperse light into its component wavelengths. Another winner from the NCR was Mark Timothy Rodriguez, who graduated Valedictorian of his batch at the Claro M. Recto High School. His project “Fish Scales Wastes from Selected Teleosts-Innovative Sorption Materials for the Recovery of Astaxanthin” won the nod of the judges. Rodriguez’s project focused on the potential use of waste fish scales of teleosts Chanos chanos and Tilapia nilotica as sorption materials for heavy metals in wastewater treatment. The project that piqued the media’s curiosity was that of Raymond Amurao of Marikina Science High School. Entitled “Biofuel and Soaps from Janitor Fish (Pterygoplichthys pardalis) Oil”, Amurao’s project showcased a potential use for the species of janitor fish that had invaded the Marikina River and overtaken the population of other fish species therein.
Before leaving for Indiana to compete in the ISEF, the Philippine delegates were presented to the officials and employees of Intel Philippines with whom they had the opportunity to share their scientific discoveries and their projects’ potential benefits.
