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The air was thick with excitement during the awarding ceremony of the
Department of Science and Technology's sports festival June 12 June in Bicutan science complex. The activity is part of the DOST golden jubilee celebration
Ms. Elizabeth A. Fontanilla, DOST director for Administrative and Legal Services read the inspirational message of DOST Asst. Sec. Mario P. Bravo.
Reynaldo Gonzales of the Philippine Science High School led the participants in stretching exercises after the fun run. The Technology Application and Promotion Institute staff also led the aero dance followed by exhibition games, then the awarding of winners was held early in the afternoon.
The event’s highlight was the ballroom dancing competition won by Science and Technology Information Institute's pair of Jeffery Centeno and Carmi Dometita.
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When Dr. Frank Co Tui told members of the Philippine Medical Association in an assembly at the historic Manila Hotel on April 14, 1952: "I propose to initiate with your help, the Science Foundation, to promote scientific research and development and to train an adequate personnel for this infant Republic", he basically drew a rough sketch of the country's desirable development trajectory.
Apparently, he had in mind a compelling reason. "In this atomic age, science is no longer a cultural matter like the arts. It is one of the indispensable pillars of the modern state".
Such words must have reverberated with poignant anticipation, just a few years away from the devastations wrought by World War II.
Dr. Co Tui migrated to the Philippines with his family at eight where he was raised and completed his medical education at the University of the Philippines in 1922, then went to Chicago and later New York where he had successful practice.
He came to the Philippines on invitation from Pres. Ramon Magsaysay to do a survey of scientific condition in the country. His report along with recommendations was submitted to Pres. Carlos Garcia because Magsaysay died while Dr. Co Tui's survey was in progress.
In 1958, Congress passed RA 2067 or the Science Act that led to the creation of the National Science Development Board, forerunner of the Department of Science and Technology.
The next 50 years saw the valleys and peaks of the country’s national S&T program, in a saga that features a running struggle between bubbling potential at one end, and apparent political snobbery at the other.
Such perceptible mismatch between the country's S&T intellectual capital and political barons mirrors the state of S&T in the Philippines—whatever it is—and its place in the DOST's continuing development mission.
For the first time, a picture-history of DOST is told in a coffee table book titled "SinAg", a 120-page visual account that attempts to present the people, signal events, and developments that shaped the country’s S&T development path since 1958.
Sinag is an amalgamation of the Filipino words sining [art] and agham [science]. It is also a Filipino word that means light.
It features rare photos of the first bursts of geothermal energy in the country in a pioneering achievement of then Commission on Volcanology, forerunner of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, which made the country the world’s second largest geothermal energy producer.
NSDB has also put together the platform for researches on endemic plants in the country for their curative attributes, some of which are presently commercially successful medicinal products that cure some common illnesses.
The Philippine Atomic Energy Commission developed the high-yielding rice variety called Milagrosa or Philippine Atomic Rice Cultivar now the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. Milagrosa eased the rice production shortage during the '70s. It essentially ushered the country into the green revolution.
Sinag was presented June 4 during the launching program of DOST’s 50th anniversary celebrations at G Hotel along Roxas boulevard. DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro and key DOST officials, other government dignitaries, and guests attended the kickoff activity. [end]
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The Department of Science and Technology for the first time adopted a mascot it calls Tron, an android with humanlike features and superhuman intelligence and strength.
Tron has the ability to interface with computers and appliances while his body parts especially his arms can be transformed into common tools and gadgets. It is the brainchild of a committee led by Philippine Council for Health Research and Development Executive Director Jaime C. Montoya, which is responsible for the DOST Golden Jubilee activities.
The mascot is created to popularize S&T especially among young Filipinos. A private publishing group is coming out with a Tron comic strip that will feature the adventures of Tron and his classmates at the prestigious DOSTRUM Science High School.
Science Education Institute's Ruby Cristobal explained that "children and adults are fascinated by animated characters. Tron can be used in popular media to promote science and technology to everyone".
The mascot made its first public appearance during the opening program of the 2007 National Science and Technology Week dancing to the tune of the new DOST jingle "Lift your head high".
Its creators hope the jolly and playful character of Tron could loosen up the technically complex field of science and capture the interest of young students in pursuing S&T related careers.
Tron is now making appearances in many DOST sponsored activities and welcomes invitations through the SEI for campus visits and similar activities.
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