FILIPINO INVENTIONS

PRODUCTS/PROCESS INVENTOR/S WHEN/WHERE HISTORICAL ANTECEDENT REMARKS

Banana Ketchup Maria Ylagan Orosa 1940s (WWII era), During World War II, the The original sauce was brownish-yellow, so
Philippines Philippines faced a severe red food coloring was added to resemble
shortage of tomatoes due to tomato ketchup. It became a staple in
disrupted imports. Filipinos, Filipino cuisine—used in spaghetti, fried
already accustomed to tomato chicken, and street food. Though Magdalo
ketchup introduced by V. Francisco Sr. later mass-produced it
Americans, needed an commercially in 1942 under the brand
alternative. Orosa, a food chemist Mafran, the invention is credited to Orosa,
and war heroine, developed a whose work saved lives and revolutionized
ketchup using mashed bananas, food technology in the Philippines.
vinegar, sugar, and spices to
meet nutritional needs and local
availability.

Erythromycin Dr. Abelardo Aguilar 1949, Iloilo, Philippines While working as a medical Erythromycin became a life-saving
(Broad-spectrum representative for Eli Lilly, Dr. alternative for patients allergic to penicillin.
antibiotic) Aguilar collected soil samples Despite his pivotal role, Aguilar received no
from his backyard in Iloilo and credit or royalties. He died in 1993, still
discovered a strain of bacteria fighting for recognition. His story is a
(later named Saccharopolyspora bittersweet reminder of the need to honor
erythraea) that produced a scientific contributions, especially from
powerful antibiotic. He sent the underrepresented nations.
samples to the company’s U.S.
lab, which isolated the compound
and developed it into
erythromycin. The drug was
marketed globally under the
name “Ilosone,” a nod to its
Philippine origin.​
Videophone Gregorio Y. Zara 1955, Philippines In the post-war era, global Zara’s videophone, patented as a “photo
communication was rapidly phone signal separator network,” was the
evolving, but visual telephony world’s first two-way video communication
remained a dream. Zara, a device2. Though it didn’t reach commercial
physicist and aeronautical production due to technological limitations
engineer, envisioned a device of the time, it laid the groundwork for
that could allow people to see modern video conferencing. Zara held over
each other while 30 patents and was later honored as a
speaking—especially useful for National Scientist of the Philippines
families separated by distance.
His invention emerged from a
desire to enhance human
connection and scientific
curiosity, long before the digital
age.​

Modern Commercial Pedro Flores​ 1928, Santa Barbara, Though the yoyo has ancient Flores’ innovation transformed the yoyo
Yoyo (Looped Slip-String California (Filipino roots, Flores introduced the into a global toy phenomenon. His design
Design)​ immigrant from Ilocos looped slip-string design that was later acquired by Duncan Toys, but the
Norte) allowed the toy to “sleep” and modern yoyo’s mechanics remain rooted in
perform tricks. He founded the his Filipino ingenuity.
Yo-Yo Manufacturing Company,
producing 300,000 units daily by
1929.​

Bamboo Medical Dr. Fe del Mundo 1941, Philippines The first infant incubators were Dr. Fe del Mundo, a pediatrician and
Incubator developed in France in the late humanitarian, designed a low-cost bamboo
1800s, inspired by poultry incubator in the 1940s for use in remote
incubators. These early models Philippine communities. Her version used
used warm air to help premature hot water bottles and native materials,
babies survive. However, they making neonatal care accessible even
required electricity and were without electricity. This invention saved
expensive, limiting their use in countless lives and exemplified how
rural or under-resourced areas. Filipino ingenuity can adapt global
technology to local needs with compassion
and practicality.
Mosquito Dr. Nuna E. Almanzor 2010, Philippines Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne The OL Trap attracts female mosquitoes to
Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap and DOST-ITDI viral illness, has long plagued lay eggs on a paddle soaked in an organic
System (OL Trap) Research Team tropical countries like the solution that kills both eggs and larvae. It is
Philippines. Traditional safe for humans and animals, made from
insecticides became less kitchen-safe ingredients, and has been
effective due to mosquito shown to significantly reduce mosquito
resistance, and posed density and dengue transmission in
environmental risks. To address schools and communities nationwide. The
this growing health crisis, the trap is now commercially available and has
Department of Science and gained interest from other dengue-affected
Technology–Industrial Technology countries.
Development Institute
(DOST-ITDI) developed the OL
Trap using indigenous,
eco-friendly materials to safely
reduce mosquito populations.​

Mango Flower Inducer Dr. Ramon Barba 1974, Philippines Mango trees in the Philippines This innovation enabled year-round mango
(Potassium Nitrate only fruited seasonally (May), production, tripling yields and transforming
Spray) limiting productivity. Inspired by the mango industry. Barba was named
studies on plant growth regulators National Scientist in 2014. He chose not to
and rejected by his university, charge royalties, allowing farmers free
Barba conducted private access to the technology
experiments using a ₱27 hand
sprayer and ₱5 worth of
potassium nitrate. Within two
weeks, 100 trees flowered and
fruited in four months.​

16-bit Microchip​ Diosdado “Dado” 1970s, United States Early computers relied on bulky Banatao’s chip design helped democratize
Banatao (Filipino inventor from multi-chip systems. While working computing, powering early IBM PCs and
Cagayan, Philippines) at Commodore International, influencing 30% of modern computer
Banatao designed a 16-bit architectures. He’s often called the “Bill
microprocessor that allowed Gates of the Philippines”
faster data processing and
graphics handling. This
 responded to the need for
compact, affordable computing.
​

E-Jeepney Robert Lopez Puckett 2007, Makati City, The traditional jeepney traces its The E-Jeepney, introduced in Makati in
Philippines roots to surplus military jeeps left 2007, marked a bold shift toward
behind by American forces after sustainable mobility. Developed by Robert
World War II. Filipinos ingeniously Lopez Puckett and supported by
repurposed these vehicles into Greenpeace Southeast Asia, it replaced
public transport, adding extended diesel engines with electric motors,
seating and vibrant designs. Over reducing carbon emissions and noise
decades, jeepneys became pollution. It wasn't just a vehicle, it was a
cultural icons but also major statement about Filipino innovation
contributors to urban pollution meeting environmental responsibility.
and traffic congestion. Today, it inspires ongoing efforts to
modernize public transport across the
country.

Salamander Amphibious Victor Llave & his team 2015, Pasig City, Frequent flooding in urban and The Salamander is a versatile
Tricycle at H2O Technologies Manila, Philippines rural areas across the Philippines three-wheeled vehicle capable of operating
made traditional tricycles on both land and water. It features solar
ineffective during rainy seasons. charging ports, options for electric or
Inspired by the need for resilient, combustion engines, and a buoyant hull.
multi-terrain transport, the Designed to address transportation
Salamander was designed to challenges in flood-prone areas, it reflects
navigate both land and water. It practical engineering tailored to the
also aimed to support rescue Philippine landscape.
operations and improve mobility
in disaster-prone regions.​

Salt Lamp Aisa Mijeno​ 2014, Philippines In many rural areas of the The SALt lamp is a compact lighting device
Philippines, access to electricity powered by saltwater through electrolysis.
is limited or nonexistent. People It requires only two tablespoons of salt
often rely on candles or kerosene mixed with a glass of tap water. It emits no
lamps, which pose fire hazards toxic gases and poses no fire risk, making
and health risks. Solar-powered it ideal for households in remote or
 options exist but are costly for disaster-prone areas. Designed with
low-income families. The need for sustainability and safety in mind, it offers a
a safer, affordable, and practical alternative to traditional lighting
accessible lighting solution led to methods.
the development of the SALt
lamp, which uses saltwater—a
resource abundant in coastal
communities.​

Make-roscope (Keychain Jeremy De Leon​ 2021, Philippines In many Philippine schools, The Make-roscope is a food-grade silicone
Smartphone Microscope) students share one microscope strip with a lens that adheres to a
​ among large groups, limiting smartphone camera, offering up to 400x
hands-on learning. During the magnification. It comes in a compact kit
COVID-19 pandemic, access to with slides, pipettes, tweezers, and
science labs became even more cleaning tools. Designed for students aged
restricted. Motivated by his own 7 and up, it democratizes STEM education
experience and the lack of and won the Philippine leg of the James
laboratory tools in over 4,500 Dyson Award. Over 3,000 students and
high schools, De Leon developed teachers now use it nationwide
a portable, affordable microscope
that attaches to
smartphones—making science
accessible anytime, anywhere.
​

Challenge 21 Strategy Leonard Yu Early 2000s, Philippines Inspired by the need for Challenge 21 is a multi-award-winning
Board Game educational games that stimulate Filipino invention. Players form
mental agility and bridge nature-inspired shapes and patterns to
generational gaps, Leonard Yu reach a score of 21 or the highest net
created a board game that score. It’s designed for ages 6 to 96,
combines elements of tic-tac-toe, making it a family-friendly tool for bonding
chess, scrabble, bingo, and and brain training. The game has been
basketball. The goal was to offer endorsed by educators, professionals, and
wholesome entertainment while even military officers for its analytical
enhancing strategic thinking, depth.
pattern recognition, and
 mathematical logic.​

Pili Seal (Biodegradable Mark Kennedy 2021, Batangas, Growing up in a farming family in Pili Seal is a non-toxic, fire-resistant, and
aircraft-grade sealant) Bantugon Philippines Batangas, Bantugon witnessed cost-effective alternative to traditional
firsthand the challenges of rural industrial sealants. It passed over 20
living—including sealing roof durability and safety tests and costs 14
leaks with chewed gum during times less than its counterparts. The
storms. While interning at an invention won the James Dyson Award
aviation company, he discovered (Philippines) and attracted global investors.
that conventional sealants were It also promises new income streams for
toxic and environmentally over 15,000 Filipino pili farmers, making it
harmful. Inspired by his a cornerstone of circular economy
background and driven by a innovation.
desire for sustainable innovation,
he developed a sealant using
waste resin from the native pili
tree.​

Karaoke Sing-Along Roberto del Rosario 1975, Pangasinan, Originally developed as a The term "Sing-Along System" was coined
System Philippines teaching aid for students in his by del Rosario, who patented the device in
singing school. It used "minus the Philippines. Though similar machines
one" technology, where vocals existed in Japan, del Rosario’s version was
were removed from instrumental the first to be legally recognized. It allowed
tracks to allow users to sing users to sing with pre-recorded music,
along. This concept evolved from revolutionizing entertainment and social
classical music recording gatherings.
techniques and was inspired by
the desire to make music more
interactive and accessible.​