Its summer time! How many of you is craving for halohalo? Or even a cold mogu-mogu? Their common ingredient is nata de coco, right? many of us think that it’s just an ordinary jelly, but its not! It is made up of fermented coconut water, which gels through the production of microbial cellulose by Komagataeibacter xylinus.
This popular product is existing in market was made by Teódula Kalaw África, a Filipina chemist in 1949. Nata de coco is usually accompanied in drinks, ice-creams and many more deserts.
Not many of us know that Filipinas have significantly contributed in to food and agricultural industry. Let us recall the scientists behind it together with their significant contributions
During World War II, Maria Ylagan Orosa, a pioneering Filipino food technologist, is the innovator behind “banana ketchup”. Due to restriction of imports that time, she saw an opportunity to uses a local alternative, which is banana. According to studies, she then used “saba” type of banana as her main ingredient.
Next is Dr. Candida B. Adalla, an outstanding leader in Pioneering Developmental Initiatives fir biotechnology. Her studies are known to focus on the safety consumption of genetically modified crops (GM crops). She conducted an extensive research to ensure farmers that it is safe and beneficial for sustainable agriculture.
Another scientist to contributed a lot is Dr. Maribel L. Dionisio-Sesee. Her work creates a great impact to farmers as it focuses on plant genomics and molecular breeding to develop crops with improved traits such as pest resistance, drought tolerance, and enhanced nutritional content. Her studies can make a great deal to sustain the needs of people even in any drought season.
We also have Dr. Evelyn Mae Tecson-Mendoza, one of the leading biochemists in the Philippines. She has focused on improving the nutritional content and stress resistance of crops such as indigenous legumes and mungbean. Her research made a great impact to indigenous people in the Philippines.
Lastly, we have Dr. Desiree Hautea. Dr. Hautea is a senior researcher at the Genetics Laboratory of the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) and a retired professor at the Institute of Crop Science. Her efforts in developing and promoting Bt eggplant help reduce pesticide use and improve crop yields, contributing to sustainable agriculture and food security.
These few lists of Filipina innovators together with theirs studies not only drive progress within the Philippines but also contribute to global innovation and problem-solving efforts. It is very inspiring that their success serves as powerful role models for young women and girls, showing that success in science, technology, and innovation is achievable regardless of gender. Let their perseverance led us to more innovations to help people and mother land to be a better place to live on.
Sources: dost.gov.pg, ISAAA.org
