Gregorio Y. Zara, D. Sc.

Physics
The inventor of the two-way television telephone. Aside from inventing the video-phone, he also
invented the electrical kinetic resistance known as the Zara effect. He also invented an airplane
engine which used alcohol as fuel. It was first flown at the Manila International Airport on
September 30, 1954

 Geminiano T. de Ocampo, M.D. Opthalmology

The most notable opthalmologist in the country, Dr. de Ocampo Ocampo introduced corneal
transplantation in the Philippines and designed a corneal dissector. Aside from these
achievements, he also established the De Ocampo Eye Hospital, the first eye hospital in the
country.

 Teodoro Agoncillo, Litt.D.

He wrote numerous books and papers on Philippine History. Some of his famous works are Ang
Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas; The Revolt of the Masses; The Story of Bonifacio and the Katipunan;
Malolos, The Crisis of the Republic; Philippine History (adopted as official textbook in
Philippine History); and the History of the Filipino People. He was given the title University
Professor, the highest appointment in all universities.

 Julian A. Banzon, Ph. D. Biophysical Chemistry

This scientist is known for his ingenuity and creativeness. He uses local materials in almost all
his researches. His works include studies on coconut and sugarcane. According to him, coconut
can be a renewable source of chemicals and fuels. He also discovered that ethyl esters can be
taken from sugarcane.

 Fe del Mundo, M. D., M. A. Pediatrics

She was the epitome of a mother in all her works. Dr. del Mundo gave her all for the cause of
pediatrics in the country. Her love for pediatrics drove her to work in rural areas, where she
inspired hospitals and health practitioners to put up various pediatric institutions.

 Casimiro del Rosario, Ph.D. Physics

He became famous because of his works on soft x-rays. Dr. del Rosario, aside from researching
and experimenting, also headed the Philippine Weather Bureau for 11 years and was vice-chair
for the National Science Development Board. He was awarded the Presidential Award in 1965
for his oustanding works in physics, meteorology and astronomy.

 Pedro Escuro, Ph.D. Genetics and Plant Breeding

Dr. Escuro made waves by developing rice breeding in the country..He led the development,
isolation, and release of nine Seed Board rice varieties. Dr. Escuro is the recepient of many
awards, some of which includes the Presidential awards, Presidential Plaque of Merit for
outstanding accomplishments in rice improvement (1967) and the Rizal Pro Patria award.

 Hilario D. G. Lara, M.D., D.P.H.

He organized the Institute of Public Health at the University of the Philippines, and also helped
put up the National Research Council of the Philippines. He devoted half his life to the
prevention of diseases in the country

 Dr. Luz Oliveros-Belardo, Ph.d. Pharmaceutical chemistry

She worked on essential oils and extracts from Philippine plants. An expert in herbal medication,
she has extracted 33 essential oils and analyzed their properties.The results of her studies have
become new flavors and medicines.

 Francisco Quisumbing
Inventor of the Quink trademark ink, which is used in Parker Pens. Quisumbing is a Filipino
chemist who graduated from the University of Chicago as an American-sponsored pensionado.
After WW II, he tried to organize the Philippine Ink Corporation under the Japanese Reparations
Program, but was frustrated by what he labeled as "too much government intervention in private
enterprise." Quink stands for Quisumbing Ink. It cleans the pen as it writes, and dries quickly on
paper, but remains liquid inside the pen.

 Jose N. Rodriguez, M. D. Leprology

He aimed to control leprosy in the Philippines. Dr. Rodriguez dedicated 53 years of his life to the
control and prevention of leprosy in the country. In his bid to stop leprosy, he proposed a control
program that was used here and in other Asian countries, as well.

 Dr. Dioscoro L. Umali, Ph.D. Genetics and Plany Breeding

The UP College of Agriculture became a premier institution of higher learning in Asia because
of this man's quest for excellence. His researches made programs of rainfed and upland
agriculture, social forestry, and environmental conservation

 Carmen C. Velasquez, Ph. D. Parasitology

She discovered new species of Philippine Food species, birds and mammals, among others. Dr.
Velasquez, because of her numerous discoveries, is included in the American Men and Women
of Science,International Who's Who of Intellectuals and World Who's Who of Women and
International Scholars Directory.

 Clara Y. Lim-Sylianco,Ph. D. Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry

The filipino Scientist who worked on mutagens, antimutagens, and bioorganic mechanisms. She
also authored textbooks that are still used in schools today. Among her achievements are the
Gregorio Y. Zara award in 1979, the UP Endowment Professorial Chair in chemistry from 1974-
1977, and was Fellow of the Royal Society in 1958.

 Eduardo San Juan

E. San Juan is a NASA engineer who designed the moon buggy which the Apollo astronauts
used on the moon. Despite using home-made materials, his model was chosen over other hi-tech
designs. He graduated from Mapua Institute of Technology.

 MA. ALODIA C. FONTANILLA(Governmental, Educational, and International

Policies)
in recognition of her invaluable contributions as an educator, a prolific author, and researcher in
the field of health education. Her published research works in sex education, AIDS education
program, community health care promotion, drug abuse prevention, competencies of health
education teachers, and her instructional materials thereof have largely benefited students,
teachers, guidance counselors, curriculum planners, and researchers, including health personnel,
and have resulted in effective management and implementation of health education programs in
government schools, colleges, and universities, not only in the Philippines, but also in other
ASEAN countries.
 JOSE MARIA P. BALMACEDA (Mathematical Sciences)
in recognition of his consistent and preservering search for new knowledge in the field of group
theory and algebraic combinatories that has resulted in high qaulity publications and recognition
in and outside the country; for his continued engagement in the training and supervision of
teachers and future mathematecians in the country; and for his efforts in upgrading mathematics
education in the Philippines.

 AUGUSTO D. LITONJUA (Medical Sciences)

for outstanding and pioneering research work in Basic and Clinical Endocrinology, particularly
on thyroid, pancreas, and placental tissues; for a dedicated and distinguished career as a teacher
and practitioner in the field of Endocrinology; and for public service in disseminating knowledge
regarding diabetes mellitus to medical workers from different parts of the Philippine through the
establishment of the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation.

 ILEANA RF. CRUZ ( Pharmaceutical Sciences)

in recognition of the dedicated application of her training in the Chemical and the
Pharmaceutical Sciences to support studies on Philippine medicinal plants, from both the basic
and applied aspect, for having demonstrated during her tenure as Professor of Pharmacy and
Pharmaceutical Chemistry, the extension of the scope of Pharmacy Education to include current
major areas of concern, such as the environment and drug abuse; and for her unrelenting position
that the Pharmacy profession must continuously re-invent itself in order to remain an effective
locus of advocacy towards the improvement of national health alongside with the other health
professions.

 PRESCILLANO M. ZAMORA (Biological Sciences)

for having contributed to the enrichment of scientific knowledge in the field of Biology
particularly in the taxonomy and embryology of vascular plants; for his brilliant achievement in
basic and applied research in the areas of mangrove ecology and coastal resource management;
and for his zealous interest and cooperation in the biodiversity and conservation endeavors of the
country.

 OFELIA K. BAUTISTA (Agriculture and Forestry)

in recognition of her excellent and meritorious services as an educator researcher, and extension
worker of horticulture, particularly in the fields of crop physiology and postharvest handling of
vegetables; for being one of the pioneering movers behind the progress of postharvest
horticulture not only in UP Los Baños but throughout the country; and for being both an notable
scientists and an excellent administrator as well.

 MELITON U. ORDILLAS, JR. (Engineering and Industrial Research)

in recognition of his outstanding achievement in field of physical metallurgy, foundry and heat
treatment; his being one of the country’s pillars in metallurgical engineering; and his pioneering
work in the recent institution of the M.S. and Ph.D. programs in material science and engineering
in the University of the Philippines.

 ROSARIO M. CORTES (Social Sciences)

in recognition of her distinguished accomplishments in the field of history for the whole of her
academic career, as a teacher, as an author, as a historian, and as a researcher. She has pioneered
in the field of local history, setting the example and level of scholarship in said field. As a
Professor Emeritus in the Department of History, University of the Philippines Diliman, she
continues to write and publish; her latest opus, of which she was main author, was published in
December 2000. She has actively participated in academic conferences in the Philippines and
abroad; served as president of the Philippine Historical Association; and has distinguished
herself in the field of Philippine history in almost every endeavor she has undertaken. Her
contributions to the field of Philippine historiography have spanned her whole lifetime.

 LEONCIO C. RAYMUNDO (Chemical Sciences)

for his sustained contributions to food science as reflected in publications in refereed
international and local journals. In particular, his work on carotenoids, which he has pursued
over his entire professional career, has contributed significantly to an understanding of their
biosynthesis; for having published a number of papers which have made significant contributions
to the processing of young coconut, an important high value crop grown by predominantly small
farmers; and for having translated information gained into useful processing technologies, which
he has disseminated through outreach programs and short courses.

 ALICE G. GUILLERMO (Humanities)

in recognition of her accomplishments as a prolific art writer and critic, which led a new way of
practicing, perceiving, and thinking about Filipino art. Having published her criticisms and
books since the 1970s, she has been unflinching in insisting that socially relevant visual arts must
be written about despite the often repressive and narrow contexts within which she worked. As a
result of her efforts, an increased awareness of these less popular subjects of art has led to their
inclusion in exhibitions both here and abroad. A teacher in the humanities, art history, and
French, she has been continuously with the academe since 1962. Her achievements in the fields
of criticism and research have been recognized by local and international awards bodies. The
latest of these is the CCP Centennial Honors for the Arts.

 RAQUEL V. FRANCISCO (Earth Sciences)

in recognition of numerous outstanding achievements as a researcher and scientist in the fields of
climatology, meteorology, cloud physics, climate prediction modelling, and Greenhouse Gas
Inventory.

 Ms. Edna O. Ona

The NRCP Executive Director, Ms. Edna O. Ona, who will end her 48 years service on 18
March 2001, will also be recognized for her efficient implementation of the overall mandates of
the Council that has truly encourage and promote a science culture in the country.

 Roberto del Rosario

Roberto del Rosario’s name may not be familiar to you but his company, Trebel Music
Corporation, and his invention, the Karaoke Sing Along System, would surely ring a bell.

Indeed, Bert del Rosario has come a long way. But the road to success was not easy. He learned
to play musical instruments like the piano, drums and accordion without taking formal classes.
He played by ear. And would you believe that he became an inventor even if he did not take
engineering or science courses in college. He took up management from the Far Eastern
University.

His inventions were product of his passion for what he does. Most of his inventions like the
karaoke, the one-man piano, and the Voice Color Coded Sing Along CDs are all related to his
passion for music. While the Golf car trailer and the No look-up Device reflect his love for the
sport of golf.

Bert del Rosario’s story proves that we don’t have to be a scientist or an engineer to be an
inventor or an innovator. Whatever field we are in, whatever career we choose, we should put
our heart, passion and dedication to our craft. If we do, we will not only succeed but make a
difference for others. And as Bert would put it “Be observant. Be creative. Most of all, work
hard”

 Dr. Gregorio Y. Zara, D.Sc

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL SCIENTIST,1978 inventor, physicist, engineer, academician,
administrator, pilot, linguist, grandfather and more!

His important achievements include: the invention of the two-way television telephone, the
discovery of electrical kinetic resistance known as the Zara effect, the invention of an airplane
engine that runs on alcohol instead of aviation fuel and methods by which solar energy can be
harnessed.

Zara's airplane engine was successfully tested in a test flight conducted at the Manila
International Airport (now the Ninoy Aquino International Airport) on Sept. 30, 1954. For
having completed over 40 research papers and making 20 outstanding contributions to science,
Zara received many awards, including the Presidential Diploma of Merit. He was conferred the
Distinguished Service Medal in 1959 for his pioneering works ands achievements in solar energy
research, aeronautics and television.

Zara was also given the Presidential Gold Medal and Diploma of Honor for Science and research
in 1966; the Cultural Heritage Award for Science Education and Aero Engineering in 1966.

 Magdalena C. Cantoria, Ph.D., Botany

With an extensive education in the fields of pharmacy and botany and degrees in these same
fields gathered both here and in the United States, Cantoria focused her research efforts on the
morphology, physiology and biochemistry of drug plants. She has done basic studies on the
pharmacognosy of agar, rauwolfia, datura, mint and Piper species. For her research paper on the
morphology and anatomy of rauwolfia vomitoria Afz., Cantoria received the Edwin Leigh
Newcomb Award in pharmacognosy given by the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical
Education in 1954. She again received this award in 1962 for her research work on the growth
and development of Daturia strasmodium L. She is also the recipient of the Phi Sigma awards for
marked distinction in biology in in 1951 and was proclaimed the Most Outstanding Phi Sigman
in 1977.

 Paulo C. Campos, MD
Paulo C. Campos, MD is noted for his work in nuclear medicine. As a health scientist, Campos
authored and co-authored 75 scientific publications, some of which have won awards. Three of
his works, titled Observation of Some Parameter of Insulin Action, Cr-51 Tagged Red Cell
Studies and The Genetic Factor in Endemic Goiter, have won the first prize in Research Award.
For his achievements in the field of medical research, Campos was named conferred the
Gregorio Y Zara award as an outstanding scientist by the Philippine Association for the
Advancement of Science (PAAS). He was credited for establishing the first known radioisotope
laboratory in the country and the first research laboratory of the University of the Philippines
Medicine Department. He also established the Thyroid Clinic of the UP-PGH.
 Pedro B. Escuro, Ph.D.
As a scientist Escuro has made significant contributions to rice breeding as plant breeder
Professor extension worker and consultant in agricultural projects. He provided leadership in the
development, isolation and release of nine Seed Board rice varieties: Milpal 4, HBD-2, Azmil 26
and C-22 (upland) and C-18, C4-63, C4-137, C-168 and C-12 (lowland). Escuro has 18 honors
and awards to his name, including two Presidential awards - the Presidential Plaque of Merit for
outstanding accomplishments in rice improvement (1967) and the Rizal Pro Patria award for his
outstanding contribution to rice breeding and genetics. He also received the University of the
Philippines Distinguished Professorial award in agriculture (1973) and D. Sc. honoris causa in
1974, and the 1974 Ayala award in agricultural science.

 Jose N. Rodriguez, MD Leprology

He is a renowned Filipino leprologist and researcher who has devoted 53 years of his life to the
control of leprosy in the country. As one of the few pioneers in the early fight against leprosy
worldwide, Rodriguez proposed a leprosy control program which was adopted by the Philippines
and other Asian countries. He has written many scientific articles on leprosy which have been
published in various medical journals all over the world and which are considered classic texts in
leprosy research. In recognition of his untiring struggle to control and eradicate leprosy in the
Philippines, he is the recipient of many honors and awards, including the 1974 Damien Dutton
Award.