Wednesday, April 02, 2008 Delen: Leaps in science By Annie Delen Jaded Mind
COMMUTING will no longer be a hassle to denizens of this city. After the apparent "success" of the BGH flyover, the City Government has decided to pepper every problem intersection like that in Bokawkan Road with flyovers. In a few years time, we will have so many of these constructions that one can hardly see the ground from up there.
Come to think of it, we may not need roads anymore. A group of topnotch Filipino Scientists has discovered a very unique substance similar to helium. It can power small spacecrafts like those that were seen in the movie "The 5th Element" which starred Bruce Willis in all his bad boy glory. People can travel in specially designed pods (the Japanese are already working on a prototype even as we write...) that fly, thus the eventual extinction of what we now reverently call streets, roads, or as some people call it, horizontal construction.
Guess where they found the unique substance? Right underneath the Philippine Congress and in such an unbelievable volume. This country's time has indeed come. For now, not only do we have a seemingly unlimited supply of fuel, we can also assume the role of exporter of fuel, which for decades had been held by our Arab brothers. The gaseous substance according to the scientists was both hot and light and for lack of any other name, used the location and characteristics to name it, thus the name CONGRESS HOT AIR. Hmmmmmm, catchy.
Speaking of discoveries and inventions, 2008 seems to be the year of the Filipino Inventor. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has come up with a rice variety that would once and for all set to rest the continuing debate as to whether this country is suffering a rice shortage or not. They called it the Gremlin Rice. Yep, it's from another Hollywood Movie. And like the creatures in the movie, once this kind of rice comes in contact with water it multiplies very fast so one rice grain according to their calculations can actually feed many. There is just one glitch though. They haven't discovered how to stop the multiplier effect yet... take cover; we are being invaded by grains of rice!!!!
In the meantime, while the brains at the IRRI were trying to solve a perceived (depends on whose side you're on) problem in rice supply, the geniuses within the agriculture department have also come up with a way to keep Cordillera vegetables fresh while these are being transported to other areas in the country. A few years ago, the idea of a Cold Storage System was hatched and implemented. But it wasn't enough. So, a very innovative guy designed a freezer type delivery truck. Take note, it's not just a refrigerator on wheels. Because as soon as you placed the vegetables inside, expect the same veggies to be in packets covered with cling wrap to seal the freshness inside. Just like what they do with fruits that can no longer be sold in its original form. Cool right? There's just one problem, they haven't come up with an extension wire long enough to reach Manila or any other place farther than a few meters.
As I said, it's research and inventions galore. But I'm sure you'll never guess what our creative "Kababayans" came up with to address the pollution problem. As a backgrounder, Baguio is fast becoming known not as a clean and green city but rather a polluted one. We can positively see a hint of smog in the early mornings, and that's not fog I tell you. Well anyway, a group of enterprising Engineering students representing all representing all the universities in the city devised an anti-smoke belching apparatus. It's guaranteed to make car owners take more care of their vehicles. How? Well, it's simple. The apparatus measures the level of toxic fumes from the car and when it reaches critical levels, the driver is automatically ejected from his seat.
I've been blathering about inventions and innovations. Heck I have a thousand more courtesy of a very slow and boring day at the bus station one summer day. But then, if it's too good to be true then maybe it's ... April Fools!!!
