Did you know? Short fact-based information about the Philippines
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Diosdado Banatao developed computer chips that made personal computers faster, cheaper and more powerful. His inventions include one of the first single-chip graphics accelerators. The influence of his developments can be found indirectly in millions of computers around the world.
In 1949, microbiologist Abelardo Aguilar discovered a soil fungus on the island of Iloilo from which the antibiotic erythromycin was later developed. This medicine has since saved millions of lives around the world. Few people know that the origins of this discovery lie in the Philippines.
The world's only recognised karaoke patent belongs to Roberto del Rosario. His "Sing-Along System" made him one of the few inventors whose name remains closely associated with karaoke to this day. Nevertheless, the widespread misconception that karaoke was invented entirely in Japan persists.
Gregorio Zara patented a video telephone as early as 1955. Decades before video calling became part of everyday life, he developed a system that allowed conversation partners to see and hear each other at the same time. For the era, it was an extraordinarily visionary idea.
Ramon Barba discovered a method of making mango trees flower all year round. As a result, farmers no longer had to wait for the natural season and could substantially increase their yields. His discovery changed mango cultivation in many tropical countries.
Marine biologist Angel Alcala developed one of the world's first community-based marine conservation concepts. His protected areas led fish stocks to recover markedly after only a few years. The model was later adopted in numerous countries.
Fe del Mundo made medical history as one of the first women to attend Harvard Medical School. She later founded the Philippines' first children's hospital and developed an incubator made of bamboo so that rural clinics could also care for premature babies.
The Filipino Pedro Flores made the yo-yo world-famous in the United States. He founded the first yo-yo factory and registered the name as a trademark. This turned a traditional toy into an international success.
The word "yo-yo" comes from the Ilokano language and roughly means "come back". Few people suspect that this world-famous term originated in the Philippines.
The University of Santo Tomas has Asia's oldest medical faculty. Doctors have been trained there for more than 150 years. Many of the country's leading physicians studied there.
José Rizal was not only a national hero and writer, but also a trained ophthalmologist. During his stay in Europe, he even operated on his own mother, whose vision improved considerably as a result. Medicine was as important to him as literature and politics.
During his exile in Dapitan, José Rizal collected numerous plants and animals. Several newly discovered species were later named after him, including the flying lizard *Draco rizali*. His passion for nature is little known outside the Philippines.
Eduardo Quisumbing was among the most important orchid researchers of the 20th century. He described hundreds of plant species and made a substantial contribution to the international reputation of Philippine botany. Many of his works are still considered standard references today.
Encarnación Alzona was a historian, women's rights activist and one of the first women to receive the title 'National Scientist'. From early on, she advocated for women's suffrage and women's access to higher education. Her influence extended far beyond science.
With 'Revolt of the Masses', historian Teodoro Agoncillo wrote one of the most influential books about the Philippine Revolution. His perspective permanently changed many Filipinos' understanding of history. The work remains standard reading at universities today.
With the 'Balik Scientist Program', the Philippine government seeks to encourage scientists abroad to return. They are to contribute their knowledge and international experience to research and the economy. Similar programmes now exist in other countries as well.