The Philippines will mark another milestone with the launch of Maya-1, the first Filipino cube satellite, in space in July 2018. Implemented by the PHL-Microsat Program of the University of the Philippines Diliman, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology - Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) and the Kyushu Institute of Technology, Maya-1 was turned over to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) last May 15, to prepare for its launch.

The development of the Maya-1 falls under BIRDS-2 (Birds Satellite Project), a cross-border interdisciplinary satellite project that accommodates non-space faring countries. The project consists of 11 participating team members from four different countries – two of whom are from the Philippines.

The team behind Maya-1

The Philippine representatives of the BIRDS-2 Project (Left); and the Maya-1 (Right)

Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) students, Joven Javier and Adrian Salces, represented the Philippines throughout the project.

Master of Engineering student Javier is responsible for monitoring the development task progress of the project. Taking on the role as team leader for the whole BIRDS-2 batch, he is also in charge of supervising the project cycle, ensuring that all stages – from the preliminary design to the satellite operation – are running smoothly and accordingly.

PhD in Engineering student Salces, on the other hand, takes over managing the communication subsystem of the satellite. Moreover, he ensures the continuation of the establishment and operation of a ground station network, demonstration of the data collection system consisting of the CubeSat constellation, and the identification of all technical challenges of the system.

The Maya-1 in a nutshell

In line with the functionalities identified by the BIRDS Project, Maya-1 is set to take images of the earth using onboard cameras, broadcast signals from various satellites, and determine their locations, measure atmospheric density through orbital analysis, help operate a ground station network for CubeSat constellation - an application that will allow for easier telecommunication, and measure single-event-latch ups in orbit.

Just like how Diwata-1 and Diwata-2 paved the way for science to grow and flourish in the Philippines, Maya-1 will serve as a representation on how we strive to make our mark as a globally competitive country in the space tech scene.

The projects under the PHL-Microsat program are funded by the Department of Science and Technology and assisted by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).

Engr. Edgar Garcia (middle) of the Technology Application and Promotion Institute
(DOST-TAPI) receives the gold medals for the Smart Surface and Biotek-M projects
during the 46th Geneva Inventions (photo from Engr. Garcia).

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND—Smart Surface, a system that converts virtually any flat surface into an interactive interface, garnered a gold medal with jury distinction during the 46^th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (Geneva Inventions) on April 11-15, 2018.

This technology is an answer to the challenge of enhancing the learning environment by offering interactive learning environments that increase learning effectiveness through active participation.

Smart Surface boasts for its distinct features that can compete with the already existing products in the market. Its content can be customized according to the client’s preference; it is portable; it can be installed in existing surfaces; and most importantly, it is low-cost with speedy after-sales support in cases of replacement, repair services, or technical help.

Aside from its applications for learning, Smart Surface is also seen to have various applications in restaurants, exhibits/fairs, advertising, and other activities that involves interactive presentations.

This system is developed by the UP Diliman Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute led by Dr. Nestor Michael Tiglao, with funding assistance from the Technicom Program of DOST - TAPI and monitored by DOST - PCIEERD

Another gold medal was received by the Biotek-M Aqua Kit, a technology developed by UP Manila. This is a confirmatory test that can detect dengue infection within an hour or less for use in hospitals and stand-alone and chain laboratories.

Geneva Inventions, with participation from more than 45 countries, is the biggest international event dedicated to feature the newest creations worldwide, which also serves as a marketplace for licenses for industrialists, distributors, and financial experts. This event is supported by the Swiss government and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Signatories (from LEFT): Engr. Raul Sabularse (PCIEERD Deputy Executive Director), Sec. Fortunato T. Dela Peňa (DOST Secretary), Mr. Juan Miguel Del Rosario (Toon City Academy President and Chief Executive Officer), and Mr. Roderico De Guzman (Toon City Academy VP for Resources Development)

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), partners with Toon City Academy through a memorandum of agreement signed on March 7, 2018 to capacitate and hone more Filipino animators, ushering the growth of our creative industries.

The memorandum of agreement is a response to PCIEERD’s recent inclusion of Creative Industries to its sectoral coverage with the initiative to spur an increase in people capacity and employment opportunities through proper cultivation of talents and adequate trainings. “I believe that it is high-time that we fully use our resources to boost our creative industries, as it is one of the driving forces of our economy and its continuing growth,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peňa.

The pilot project was designed to stregnthen animation since it is now a known emerging market in the business process outsourcing sector. According to the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), currently, the country has 6,000 local animators. However, not every animator is equipped with skills that are noticed in the global market, making the Philippine animation industry remain in its infancy.

With this, Toon City Academy, the only Emmy-award winning studio here in the Philippines, is a perfect fit for this initiative. This birthed the project titled “Industry-defined 2D Basic Animation Course,” comprising of a 12-week intensive basic animation workshop, and actual work production through an internship program.

Mr. Roderico De Guzman, Toon City Academy’s VP for Resource Development, said that he is thankful for this collaboration as it has provided the necessary tools to 120 animators-in-training to improve their livelihood. These animators are from Pangasinan and Iloilo City. The 12-week animation course ensures that they acquire industry-standard skills. “We are currently addressing capacity building outside Metro Manila and with the help of everyone here, we are creating employment for people who will not necessarily have this chance in their areas,” De Guzman added.

“You are probably aware of the recent Oscar Awards, the theme song of ‘Coco’ was written by a Filipino couple; and that animated feature film, while its characters are Mexican, the lead story writer is Filipino—Gigi Santos. I can run by many names. Ronnie del Carmen co-directed ‘Inside and Out.’ Paul Abadilla, a set designer in ‘Finding Nemo’ and ‘Finding Dory,’ was the animator behind the bahay kubo in the first film. Now, our animation studio is working on two titles for Disney, and two blockbuster titles from French studios. All that to say that the talent for world-class animation is here.” With this, Toon City Academy’s President and CEO Mr. Juan Miguel Del Rosario guarantees the success of this initiative, believing that Filipinos have what it takes to flourish in the global spotlight.

02 March 2018 – The UP Diliman Institute of Biology (IB) and Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (EEEI), and UP Los Baños Institute of Biology team up to introduce the country’s first Smart Farm that will be built at the DOST-ASTI Complex, Quezon City.

The Nursery of Indigenous and Endemic Plants will house the facility for the Smart Plant Production in Controlled Environments (SPICE), a 128M program funded by the Innovation Council, DOST-PCIEERD, which aims to promote urban farming and high-tech plant conservation.

This program aims to lead the research and development (R&D) for the design of a stand-alone urban farm system and establish protocols for micropropagation, cryopreservation, and nursery management of rare, endangered, and economically valuable native plant species.

“The core of this project is not only the development of new technology, but, on a macro perspective, to ensure that we can protect our country’s rich biodiversity,” DOST Undersecretary for R&D Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara mentioned in her message.

Modern farming methods like vertical farming, micropropagation, cryopreservation, and hydroponics will be practiced to grow native plants in an environment wherein the climate, the lighting, and the irrigation system can be monitored, controlled, and changed real-time through the use of electronics, sensors, and automation.

“My idea of internationalization is exporting our own ideas…’yung scientists ng ibang bansa ang pupunta dito para aralin ang endemic trees natin. SPICE is an innovation project,” remarked Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, UP Executive Vice President.

National Scientist and UP Professor Emeritus, Dr. Edgardo Gomez shared his experiences in Biology and commended the team for initiating the project, saying that “This (SPICE) will be a world-class institute.”

Aside from the technical features of the project, the facility is envisioned to include a living laboratory where visitors can see the various technologies employed and store where they can buy fresh vegetables grown on-site.