NOT all youth on their age have achieved international honors for the projects pitched in an international inventors' gab.
Meet Angel Mhae T. Lingaya, Dorothy Ann S. Ong, Ivy Cammille B. Radaza, Katrina Elisa Oberio, Azalea Anne D. Papasin, Margarita Catotal and James Khenrich L. Yu, all students from the Philippine Science High School.
Their researches brought them to the 15th Malaysian International Youth Inventors Olympiad (MIYIO) in Penang, Malaysia last April 3 to 5.
They took the judges by storm with their researches, which were done with one common goal in mind -- that is, to serve the community and other people.
Among the accolades these groups obtained are one gold, two bronze medals along with one special jury award after presenting their respective research proposals.
The first study, authored by Lingaya, Ong, and Radaza, dubbed as "Antiangiogenic effect of CaulerpaLentiffera (Sea Grapes) Ethanolic Crude Extract on AnasLuzonica (Philippine Duck) Embryo Using Chorioallantoic" won gold.
Ong said that she felt accomplished with their feat, saying: "We were really not after the award, but more on producing a quality output proposal which could be beneficial for the community."
Ong's group also received a special citation from the jury for their well-thought of research proposal.
"The preparation phase was kinda hard but I realized that I couldn't have done this without their help," Ong said.
The significance of this study, states, "Studying the antiangiogenic properties of C. lentillifera (sea grapes) yields to the production of an alternative natural solution for cancer and other angiogenesis-dependent diseases. This study offers a way of preventing tumor growth and cancer cell proliferation with the use of natural resources."
For the second research proposal entitled, "Bioplastics from Penaeusmonodon (Giant Tiger Prawn) Exoskeleton Chitosan Pectin, and Corn Starch," was authored by Oberio, Papasin and Catotal, pocketed a bronze medal.
The study's premise was aimed to create different types of bio plastics with reduced amounts of non-biodegradable content through the use of polymers chitosan, pectin and corn starch in one blend.
Oberio, for her part, said that the group was inspired to produce such research proposal that is pro-environment, adding: “We wanted to create bio-environmental project that is focused reducing the non-biodegradable content of plastics we are using, so that we it would be disposed after one-time use."
Catotal admitted that they've also encountered conflicts among group during their brainstorming and preparation of the research proposal saying, “The conflict we've encountered is more on the ideas. It's more on the conflict of ideas among members but at the end of the day we mananged to settle it immediately. We discussed the conflict among ourselves and through that we've come up with the best solution and idea for the best interest of the group."
Yu authored the research titled:"MacarangaTanarius (Parasol Leaf Tree) Aqueous Crude Leaf Extract against the Growth of Euphorbia Hirta (Asthma Herb," was also awarded with a bronze medal.
Yu said that he felt relieved and happy at the same time for having presented his research proposal that he did alone, saying: "I feel accomplished. All those sleepless nights paid off. I was actually questioning this was still a dream but it was real."
Yu said that he is willing to pass down the research project he started for further study.
The 16 year-old kid realized it is much better when he worked with someone.
Research Advisor Sharon M. Dejarme, who accompanied the students in Malaysia, said that the students were selected based from their school's Science Fair conducted last January 31.
"I am really proud of them. All these achievements were not possible without their efforts and hard work. Although they've faced difficulties with their respective preparations but they've managed to pull it off," Dejarme said.
Dejarme added, "We were not really after the awards but our main objective was to produce a quality output that would really help our community in the future.
All of them received certificates and plaques courtesy from the organizers.
The Philippine Science High School also provided financial support by shouldering half of the international airplanes fares and allowances for each of them.
Over 195 youth researchers from Philippines, India, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand converged and participated in the three-day MIYIO.