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Science awareness in the Philippines is poised to take off for higher ground. With the mounting of the 1st Philippine International Science Fair, a platform is raised for science and technology (S&T) specialists and students all over Asia-Pacific to exchange ideas and help develop among the Filipino youth a mindset geared toward S&T.


Organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) in partnership with First Pacific Learning Academy, the international fair which carried the theme “Building a Culture of Science” was held from February 3-6, 2013 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.


One of the activities during the four-day event was the Community Fair where more than 60 students from the PSHS System as well as schools from select Asia-Pacific countries presented their research findings and shared their experiences in front of an audience composed of S & T enthusiasts, specialists, students, and the general public.


Aside from instilling among students the value of research and its proper applications, the community fair also aimed to bridge the divide between science and the general public. In particular, the fair served as a training ground for the students on how to best present their research projects to a wider segment of the population, including those not well versed in S& T, and thus break the barriers faced by science researchers and communicators.


“It is heartening to note that young students are being trained in the rudiments of research. They are also encouraged to share their results in the larger science community. This recognizes and affirms the endeavors of our scholars,” DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo said.


Dr. Josette P. Biyo, executive director of PSHS System, added that aside from popularizing science, making it alive, and bringing it closer to the hearts of the people, the said fair hopes to inspire the youth to love science and encourage them to pursue S&T careers in the future.


Among the researches and studies by PSHS students presented during the Community Fair were . “Production of Seed-oil Derived Biodiesel from Garcinia magostana” by Christine C. Bautista and Paradau Laarnie P. Valerio of PSHS Main Campus, “Bioethanol Production from Enzymatically Saccharified Thysanolena latifolia (Tiger Grass)” by Janreich F. Miramon, Ruel Jan Anthony A. Moldez, and Matthew Martin P. Sanchez of PSHS-Central Visayas, and “Health Status of the High School Students in Balo-I, Lanao Del Norte Based on Body Mass Index” by Madelein D. Sorino and Jommalyn M. Tabal of PSHS-Central Mindanao.


Meanwhile, the following research projects were presented by students from other parts of the Asia-Pacific region: “Realization of Structural Colors of Morpho Butterflies by Printing Photonic Crystal Nanobeads” by students from Korea Science Academy of KAIST in South Korea, “Experimental and Computational Studies in Porphyrin Derivatives for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell” by students from Mahidol Wittayanusom School in Thailand, and “Solving Environmental Problem Using Quality Control Circles (QCC) by students from Penang, Malaysia.


Aside from the Community Fair, the 1st Philippine International Science Fair also featured a Science Congress, Students Summit, exhibits, sessions with S & T experts, study critique, and other activities geared toward generating greater interest on S & T and highlighting its indispensable role in solving pressing national problems.


The S & T experts who participated in the event were Dr. Edsel Maurice T. Salvaña, hailed as one of Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World for 2012; National Scientist Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz, 2010 L’Oreal-UNESCO Woman of Science awardee; and Earl Martin Valencia, named among the New Faces of Engineering for 2007 in Los Angeles.

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Starting this year, Filipinos may avail of cheaper medical diagnostic tests as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is set to locally produce Technetium-99m (Tc-99m). This silver-gray, radioactive metal is used for medical and research purposes, including evaluation of the medical condition of the heart and other organs, and studying blood flow.

This prospect comes with the recent unveiling of the Radioisotope Laboratory building at the DOST’s Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) office in Diliman, Quezon City. The laboratory, which houses the generator plant for the isotope, is the first Tc-99m production facility in the Philippines.

PNRI Director Alumanda de la Rosa said that producing Tc-99m locally will cut at least 50 percent of hospital procedures.
She also added that by February, PNRI would be able to provide all the Tc-99m-based radiopharmaceutical needs of hospitals at a cost lower than the current prohibitive cost of imported radiopharmaceuticals.

Also called Molybdenum 99, Tc-99m is a radioactive tracer chemical used in almost 80 percent of diagnostic imaging procedures such as bone and lung scans, and renal scintigraphy. It is widely preferred because of its short-lived gamma rays and its capacity for normal imaging techniques.

Over 35 hospitals around the country with nuclear medicine centers have to import Tc-99m generators, thus making medical procedures too costly for the public. A typical imported generator costs $1,000—higher than its cost in Indonesia which is $388.
However, the local production of Tc-99m will make diagnostic tests more affordable and accessible to a wider segment of the population.

The facility was completed with assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure that the laboratory complies with good manufacturing practices and radiological safety requirements.

The facility also aims to localize the production of radiopharmaceutical products and make them available to government hospitals, particularly for charity patients, at a subsidized cost.

According to PNRI Director Alumanda de la Rosa, by February 2014, PNRI would be able to provide for all the Tc-99m-based radiopharmaceutical needs of hospitals at a cost lower than the current prohibitive cost of imported radiopharmaceuticals.

Meanwhile, DOST-PNRI is preparing the installations of Tc-99m hot cell facility for the production of Tc-99m generators and studies on quality control procedures for the preparation/production of Tc-99m and Tc-99 radiopharmaceuticals.

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Winners of the Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz Bee –National Level Competition 2012 with their coaches at the closing ceremony of the 40th Atomic Energy Week on December 14, 2012 at the DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute with sponsor former Congressman Hon. Mark A. Cojuanco (middle). The winning teams were from the Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial Dumaguete Science High School (champion); Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus (second place); and the Philippine Science High School - Southern Mindanao Campus (third place). Winners of the Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz Bee –National Level Competition 2012 with their coaches at the closing ceremony of the 40th Atomic Energy Week on December 14, 2012 at the DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute with sponsor former Congressman Hon. Mark A. Cojuanco (middle). The winning teams were from the Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial Dumaguete Science High School (champion); Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas Campus (second place); and the Philippine Science High School - Southern Mindanao Campus (third place). (S&T Media Service)

 

Students from Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial Science High School emerged as champions in the Department of Science and Technology ‘s first ever Philippine Nuclear Science Quiz Bee – national level competition held recently at the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.


The whiz team from Region VII, composed of Alec Benjamin G. Ramirez and Hannah Jael M. Cadusale with their Coach Lourdes D. Lee, bested 21 other qualifiers out of 192 schools that participated from the elimination round conducted per region.


They received P20,000 cash, a Medal of Recognition for each team member, a trophy for the school and a Plaque of Recognition for the coach.


Placing second was the Philippine Science High School -Western Visayas team who received P15,000, followed by third placer Philippine Science High School –Southern Mindanao team who received P10,000.
“The nuclear quiz show intends to make nuclear science more interesting to the Filipino youth and highlight its benefits to the society,” said Dr. Alumanda dela Rosa, director of DOST’s Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, the organizer of said nuke quiz.


The nuclear quiz bee, held in collaboration with the Department of Education to celebrate the 40th Atomic Energy Week, has the theme “Nuclear Science, Technology and Innovation: Engine for Growth and Development.” The event featured exhibits, technical sessions, guided tours of facilities and laboratories, and video showing at the DOST-PNRI in Diliman, Quezon City.


Started in 1973, the annual celebration is mandated under Presidential Proclamation No. 1211 to generate awareness of the Filipino people on the beneficial uses of nuclear science and technology in food and agriculture, health and medicine, industry, energy, and the environment.

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Dr. Aida Baja Lapis of the natural resources department (left ) and Dr. Rodel Suralta of PhilRice (right) took oath as Scientist 1 at the central office of the Civil Service Commission on December 19, 2012. The oath taking was led by the Philippine Scientific Career Council Chairman and Civil Service Commissioner Francisco T. Duque (middle).

DOST ‘s newly conferred scientists. Dr. Aida Baja Lapis of the natural resources department (left) and Dr. Rodel Suralta of PhilRice (right) took oath as Scientist 1 at the central office of the Civil Service Commission on December 19, 2012. The oath taking was led by the Philippine Scientific Career Council Chairman and Civil Service Commissioner Francisco T. Duque (middle). The 2006 Merit System for the Scientific Career System constitution and by-laws (CBL) specifies the scientist rank requirements, which include scientific discoveries and inventions or technology, machine, or utility model patents, comprehensive documentation of research accomplishments for the last 10 years.The merit system aims to give credit to researchers devoted to research and development, invention and innovation, science and technology education, training, and services.