Anything Under the Sun
Scientists of West Visayas (1)
The West Visayan is a scientist by nature. Observe their children – they are very inquisitive asking the what, why and how of things. In the process, they even destroy their toys. Their questions often focus on the cause and effect of things or events – the very basic inquiry of science thru experimentation and logical deduction.
No wonder why many West Visayans are in the national, and even international, limelight of world of science. Here are some:
1. JOSETTE T. BIYO of Janiuay, Iloilo – The foremost Filipino scientist after whom Planet Biyo was named by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory. This small red planet with a diameter of four to nine kilometers orbits counter-clockwise between Mars and Jupiter. She is the first Asian to win the International Excellence in Teaching Award given by the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair held at Louisville, Kentucky in 2002. She bester over 90 contestants from all over the world.
2. FELIPE LANDA JOCANO of Cabatuan, Iloilo – Foremost Filipino anthropologist, dean of the Institute of Philippine Studies, and chair of the Department of Anthropology at the University of the Philippines. He has published many books in anthropology.
3. MAGDALENA SMITH VILLARUZ – She was the 1986 Most Outstanding Inventor of the Philippines awarded by the World Intellectual Property Organization. She has 15 patented inventions, the most famous of which is the tiller bearing the trade mark "Turtle Power" and commonly known to Ilonggo farmers as "ba-o ba-o". It can plow 1.3 hectares of rice fields submerged in water in 6-8 hours, which normally takes a carabao three days. Her other inventions are the Mag Thresher, Winnower and Beetle Tractor. She was also president of the Women Inventors Association of the Philippines.
4 MARCOS ALICANTE of Maasin, Iloilo – cited as "foremost Filipino Soil Scientist" who has numerous inspiring achievements in the Philippine Civil Service during the Philippine Civil Service Centennial. In 1960, he was listed in the New York Hall of Fame – the only Filipino so honored. He was the first soil director of the Bureau of Soil Conservation.
5 RODOLFO JARA MESA of La Paz, Iloilo City – inventor of Mesa Rhythm Indicator. This patented invention (Philippine Patent No. 4824) indicates accurately the pregnancy-free period of a woman, rendering the use of condom and other birth control devices unnecessary. In 1968, this invention was endorsed by Dr. Alan F. Gutmacher, president of the Planned Parenthood World Population based in London, England.