ANGELES CITY – AFTER delivering a vigorous performance at the international competition, the students of the Angeles City Science High School (ACSHS) earned an honorable mention from the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) for their research titled "Hibla."
The award was conferred to the students during the 2019 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in Phoenix, Arizona last May 12-17.
The Philippine delegation, comprised of E'van Relle Matic Tongol, Neil David Cortez Cayanan and Shaira Castro Gozun, earned the fourth highest accolade, besting more than 1,840 research projects from over 84 participating countries from all across the globe.
Their entry “Hibla” focuses on the discovery of an alternative sound absorption material using natural fibers such as bamboo, abaca and water hyacinth.
During Mondays’ flag raising ceremony and courtesy call, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan expressed his elation and pride to the members of the Philippine delegation and said that “Angeleños are truly world-class.”
"Your ingenuity and creative minds have brought another accolade for our beloved city. We at the local government are also celebrating your triumph as you successfully raised our flag in the international arena, and brought home another pride for the Filipinos to treasure," said Pamintuan.
The students comprising the delegation were also the winners in the 2019 National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF) held last February. They subsequently qualified to compete in the international science fair and have undergone comprehensive preparations and trainings.
Lolita Bautista, research adviser of the delegation, said some private individuals and companies in the United States of America have expressed their interest on the project dubbed as “a multi-trillion-dollar industry.”
However, the students stood firm on their belief that Filipinos should benefit first from their invention as they declined the offer.
In behalf of his teammates, E'van Relle Tongol attributed and shared their accomplishment to their parents, mentors, advisers and to the God Almighty for endowing them the knowledge, wisdom, and the will to participate and represent the country in the ISEF.
They also thanked Pamintuan for extending support to the contingents, which they said boosted their morale to bring home the pride for the Angeleños and for the Filipinos in general.
In a press statement after the awarding ceremony last May 16-17, in Arizona, ISEF officials acknowledged and recognized the innovative work of each and every finalist in the competition, saying “their works will help to advance key research areas and provide solutions to global challenges that are critical today. The work they are doing has the potential to make a better tomorrow for all of us.”
Meanwhile, negotiations between the ACSHS and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are ongoing for the patent of the "intellectual property."
Pamintuan vowed his support to the students as he personally lobbies their inquiry to DOST to expedite the patenting process.
Also present during the courtesy call are Department of Education Angeles City Superintendent Leilani Cunanan, ACSHS Junior High School Principal Cazarina David, and Gemma Estrabillo, EPS1 in Science.