Filipino Heroes in Chemistry

Julian A. Banzon

Dr. Banzon has done a great deal of work on local materials especially coconut as the renewable source of chemicals and fuels. His work on the production of ethyl esters from sugarcane and coconut is the first study on fuels from these crops. He also devised some novel processes noteworthy among these is the extraction of residual coconut oil by chemical, rather than by physical processes  

For these and many more significant scientific works, Dr. Banzon has been accorded honors and citations notably: Distinguished Service Award, Integrated Chemist of the Philippines, Inc. (1980), Chemist of the Year Award, Professional Regulation Commission (1978) and the PHILSUGIN Award for research, Crop Society of the Philippines, 1976.

Conrado S. Dayrit

Dr. Conrado S. Dayrit will receive the Lux in Domino Award in recognition of his commitment and dedication to the pursuit of scientific studies and clinical trials on Philippine herbs including the benefits of virgin coconut oil, leading to the development of low cost medicines which have become accessible to the poor. The Award highlights his intellectual legacy and scholarly work recognized by local and international scientific bodies. The Award recognizes the Catholic ideals he has exhibited throughout his professional and personal life. (Pharmacologist and cardiologist). 

Luz Oliveros Belardo

Research on essential oils from plant extracts as source of medicine, fragrance for perfumes, food flavorings and liquid fuel for energy.

• Tanglad- diuretic
• Apitong & Pili Trees- Petroluem-like products
• Chichirica- anti-cancer alkaloid

Engr. Felix Maramba

He built a coconut oil-fueled power generator, which we can use in our life and we can lessen the pollution because of that generator. Felix wants to save our environment. Felix also wrote about biogas and waste recycling to warning and guide us how to save many things, to lessen the damage of our environment and the more important is to save it from the pollution that we make.

Arturo Alcaraz

Considered as the Philippines' Father of Geothermal Energy Development, due to his contributions to studies about Philippine volcanology and the energy derived from volcanic sources. Alcaraz started as an aide in the Geology division of the Bureau of Mines, and after further education ascended to the positions of Assistant Geologist and Chief Geophysicist in different government agencies. His chief contribution was the study and establishment of geothermal power plants in the country, particularly in the regions of Tiwi, Albay, Mt. Makiling and Mt. Banahaw (Mac-Ban), and Leyte. In the 1980s, the Philippines even attained the second highest geothermal generating capacity in the world, besting mentor countries Italy and New Zealand.

Eduardo A. Quisumbing

From 1920-26 he was attached to the College of Agriculture in U.P., and from 1926-28 to the University of California; in 1928 appointed Systematic Botanist and since February 1934 Acting Chief of the Natural Museum Division of the Bureau of Science, Manila, now Director of the National Museum. When assigned to the U.S. Navy in Guiuan, at the southern tip of Samar, made collections in that region. He retired as Director in November 1961, and was for some following years attached to the Araneta University. Dr. Quisumbing undertook restoration of the Herbarium which was completely destroyed during the war.

Dr. Quisumbing was author of taxonomic and morphological papers, many of which deal with orchids, including ‘Medicinal plants in the Philippines’ (Manila 1951).Saccolabium quisumbingii has been named in his honour. He was recipient of the Distinguished Service Star (1954) for outstanding contribution to the field of systematic botany; Diploma of Merit on Orchidology and Fellow Gold Medal, Malaysian Orchid Society (1966); Gold Medal, American Orchid Society and 1975 PhilAAS Most Outstanding Award.

Dr. Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza

Dr. Tecson-Mendoza‘s research interests cover molecular mechanisms of plant resistance to pests and diseases, biochemical factors affecting nutritional quality and acceptability of plant foods, and plant biochemistry, molecular biology and biotechnology and their applications in plant breeding. She has, with co-researchers and students, published more than 90 technical papers in refereed journals, has co-authored two books, edited or co-edited five books, and has written 12 chapters in various books. Dr. Tecson-Mendoza is the recipient of several national, professional, and institutional awards and research paper awards. She is presently the editor-in-chief of the ISI-covered Philippine Agricultural Scientist.