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Editor’s note: These are, in alphabetical order, the “50
Great Men and Women of Science” of the Department of Science and
Technology who will be recognized and awarded by President Gloria
Arroyo on June 9 in Malacañang.
Part two of six
10. CARMELA R. CENTENO
An associate professor of the University of
Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Centeno researched on the
degradation of persistent organic pollutants, which was recognized
by the department’s National Academy of Science as an Outstanding
Scientific Paper in Engineering and Technology. The paper also
placed first in the regional level and runner-up in the national
level of the seventh DOST-PCIERD (Philippine Council for Industry
and Energy Research and Development) S&T Fora and Competitions.
She finished her doctorate in chemical engineering at the De La
Salle University with high distinction and her master’s in
environmental engineering from the University of the Philippines.
In 2005, Dr. Centeno was awarded a Unesco
scholarship. Currently, Dr. Centeno actively pursues research on
hazardous wastes degradation using advanced oxidation technologies.
11. JOSE ILDEFONSO B. COSTALES JR.
Owner of the successful Palaisdaan Natin in
Barangay Salvador, Santiago City in Isabela, Dr. Costales is a
recognized authority in aquaculture in Region 2. He has a
three-hectare fish farm that produces eight million fingerlings
annually, translating to P4.2 million in sales and P3.3 million in
income. His success started in 2000 when the Technology Application
and Promotion Institute of the Science and Technology department
implemented a tilapia grow-out production module under the
Consultancy for Agricultural Productivity Enhancement Program.
Through this project, Dr. Costales was able to develop a 3,000
square meter fishpond and was given the technical know-how on
managing and operating this fishpond. He later converted the
remaining areas of his farm into a grow-out pond for tilapia
production.
12. ELMER P. DADIOS
A professor at the De La Salle’s College of
Engineering, Dr. Dadios took special interest in artificial
intelligence. With a 40-paper presentation to his credit, referred
to in international journals, he is also an editor of several
international journals and newsletters on advanced science. He is
currently president of the Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the
Philippines, the founding incorporator and president of Neuronemech
Inc., and the founding incorporator and chairman of the Board of
SynTxt Corp.
13. ROMULO G. DAVIDE
Considered the Father of Plant Nematology for
introducing this in the Philippines, Dr. Davide proposed and
instituted the nematology undergraduate and graduate courses at the
University of the Philippines in Los Baños. Dr. Davide’s 16-year
research and development work on nematodes culminated in the
discovery of an environment-friendly nematode-trapping fungus called
Paecilomuces lilacinus, which feeds on the plant’s parasitic
nematode eggs, larvae and adults, thus killing them. This discovery
resulted in his development of the Bio-Act, the first biological
control product against the root-rotting and gall-forming plant
parasitic nematodes that attack vegetables, potato, banana, citrus,
pineapple, rice and other crops. Bio-Act is a practical substitute
for the highly toxic and expensive chemical nematicides.
14. ERNESTO O. DOMINGO
Until his retirement in 2001, Dr. Domingo led
the Liver Study group in the University of the Philippines that
extensively studied viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D,
E and G. His other researches were on cirrhosis, primary liver
cancer, and peptic ulcer. Dr. Domingo also established the first
schistosomiasis research laboratory in UP Manila, funded by the
Rockefeller Foundation. In 1984, Dr. Domingo organized the Clinical
Epidemiology Unit, which is now both an institute and a department
with a graduate program, and considered to be a national asset.
15. JONATHAN RIVERA DUNGCA
De La Salle University Associate Professor Dr.
Dungca focuses his research interests on the development of soil
liquefaction potential maps and various techniques to assess the
effects of soil liquefaction on structures. He is a volunteer
speaker and lecturer in the “Adopt an Engineering School”
program of the De La Salle University-Manila, actively helping to
foster the mentoring relationships among civil engineering faculty
and students in De La Salle and other schools.
16. CEFERINO L. FOLLOSCO
When Dr. Follosco was Science and Technology
secretary, a comprehensive Science and Technology Master Plan was
drawn up, focusing on three major strategies: Modernization of the
production sector through massive technology transfer; upgrading of
research and development activities; development of infrastructures,
institution building, manpower development and development of a
science and technology culture. He implemented a modernization
strategy for the country’s industrial and agricultural systems
through the adoption of leading-edge technologies. The strategy
included the selection of sectors on the basis of potentials in
terms of increased production, increased value added, and capacity
to expand local production.
17. PAULINO J. GARCIA
Born on February 6, 1907 in Gapan, Nueva Ecija,
Dr. Paulino Garcia became the Chairman of the National Science
Development Board form the time it was created in 1958 until 1963.
He worked with friends in Congress to get the board tax exemption on
imported science equipment and supplies. Dr. Garcia vigorously
pursued infrastructure development projects, such as the
construction of the Atomic Research Center building, and sponsored
the Cadang-cadang Research Foundation to save the coconut industry,
the country’s most valuable export earner at the time. He worked
for the passage of Republic Act 3661, which created the Philippine
Science High School as an attached agency of National Science
Development Board.
18. Ricardo t. Gloria
As Science and Technology secretary, Dr. Ricardo
Gloria emphasized science and technology extension and
commercialization programs. During his tenure, a memorandum of
agreement was signed with UP Los Baños for the establishment of the
Science and Technology Park that was inaugurated in 1993. He worked
for the establishment of the first science centrum in Manila, which
became a model of science centrums that followed in Iloilo, Cagayan
de Oro, Bulacan and Zamboanga. In 1994, the Science and Technology
Scholarship Act was passed, which enabled economically disadvantaged
but deserving students to obtain college education in science and
technology fields. Dr. Gloria was born on April 3, 1940, in
Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental.
19. EDGARDO D. GOMEZ
Since its establishment in 1974, the University
of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute under the leadership of
Dr. Edgardo Gomez spawned exemplary achievements in biodiversity,
biotechnology, and sustainable use of marine bioresources. In the
late 1970s, the Institute was the leader in undertaking national
coral reef surveys in the world. The internationally recognized
research by the Institute has provided technical assistance to
industry and coastal communities for sustainable utilization of the
country’s marine bioresources. It also strengthened the Philippine
marine sector as a leading participant in global bioeconomy.
20. DOLORES HERNANDEZ
(posthumous award)
Dr. Hernandez proposed to and received the aid
from the Ford Foundation to establish in 1964 the UP Science
Education Center, now called the National Institute of Science and
Mathematics Education. She served as its director for 21 years until
her retirement in 1985. She steered the National Institute in its
pioneering efforts in curriculum development, research and
teacher-training programs. A pioneer in science and mathematics
education, she played a significant role in the development of
instructional materials and in the re-training of teachers. After
her retirement, she remained as adviser-consultant to the National
Institute, as well as director of the Regional Center for Education
Innovation and Technology. Dr. Hernandez received various awards,
including the first Jean Jacques Rousseau World Award for Education
in Oslo, Sweden.
To be continued
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