The document discusses the history and development of science and technology in the Philippines. It covers contributions from the pre-colonial, Hispanic, and American periods. Significant figures are highlighted for their studies in areas like botany, medicine, marine biology, and agriculture. Modernization efforts increased focus on these fields starting in the 1950s with the establishment of organizations like the National Science Development Board and Department of Science and Technology. Key researchers made advances in areas such as seaweed farming, coral reef rehabilitation, pediatric care, and plant taxonomy. Overall the document outlines the Philippines' scientific achievements and increasing prioritization of research over time.
2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Analyze the contributions of the key
figures in science; and
• Determine the impact of the significant
innovations in science and technology
in the goal for modernization;
• Evaluate the advancements during
specific periods.
3. INTRODUCTION
Science, defined in a plethora of ways, is universally
understood in a similar way. In the Philippines, it purports
to the scientific and technological advancements in the
areas of the Metal Industry, Nuclear Research, Forestry,
Agriculture, Aquaculture, Food and Nutrition, Health,
Meteorology, Volcanology, and Seismology. All of these
operate and develop under the management of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
4. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Development is required for every nation and the role of
science and technology go hand in hand. Successful
economies are able to comply with requisites in the
developments achieved in science, technology, and
engineering.
Modernization in every aspect of life which includes
advancements in healthcare, infrastructure, transportation,
and information technology amongst others must benefit
every member of society.
The varied period in the history of the Philippines shows
the developments in the realm of science and technology
that uniquely reflects the abilities of Filipinos.
5. PRE-COLONIAL PHILIPPINES
The natives of these islands even before the onset of
Spanish colonization had practices displaying an understanding
and knowledge of science and technology. The presence of the
‘alibata’ which is an alphabet and writing system, a number
system, the use of a calendar, engagement in farming, fishing,
mining, weaving, shipbuilding for coastal trade as well as
house-building provides evidence as to the progressive
knowledge in science and technology.
6. More remarkable was the native’s
ability to extract medicines from plants
and herbs, which reveals an early
inclination to cure illnesses in social units
or ‘Barangays’ all over the archipelago.
Several pieces of evidence show the
scientific practices of the earliest
inhabitants of the Philippines islands which
includes the Laguna Copperplate
Inscription which is the earliest known
calendar-dated document found in the
Philippines.
7. This demonstrates the use of mathematics as well as the
standard systems of measurement as well as astronomy for
an understanding of days and months relative to the
movements of the moon. Similarly, the building of the
wonderful Banaue Rice Terraces displays the use of
engineering which exemplifies stability in the structure and
formation of natural resources to provide not only
subsistence through farming but aesthetic beauty of the
natural environment.
8. HISPANIC PHILIPPINES
The introduction of formal education promoted the study of
religion, reading, writing, arithmetic, and music. The
University of Santo Tomas was the earliest university
established in 1611. This university offered Medicine as a
priority course. Engineering was also an important course as
several structures such as government buildings, Catholic
churches, fortresses like ‘Intramuros’ and railroads became
the focus during the more than three hundred years of Spanish
rule in the Philippines.
9. Fr. IGNACIO MERCADO (1648-98)
(From the order of St. Augustine)
was the first Filipino Augustinian
botanist. A priest of Filipino-Spanish
mestizo descent, Fr. Mercado helped
his sick and poor parishioners by
promoting the creation of a
botanical pharmacy.
10. Dr. TRINIDAD PARDO DE TAVERA
He contributed to the understanding of
Pott’s disease in 1881. He also published his
thesis on Periarthritis of the knee (Diseases
of the Bursa of Crow’s Feet). A greater
understanding of illnesses afflicting the
natives was studied through the
understanding as well of folk healing in
Luzon around 1886.
11. Dr. LEON MA GUERRERO (1853-1935)
He was one of the most acclaimed botanists
in the Philippines during his time. He is the
‘Father of Philippine Pharmacy’. He became
the first licensed pharmacist in the early
1900s. As a progressive botanist and
pharmacist, he experimented on medicinal
plants which were used to substitute for
synthetic drugs. In 1918 he published his study
on 174 types of plants with medicinal value.
12. ANACLETO SALES DEL ROSARIO (1862-
1895)
He was hailed as the ‘Father of
Philippine Science and Laboratory’. A
leading chemist during the Spanish
period, He also established the ‘Botica
San Fernando’ in Binondo. He initiated
the creation of the College of
Pharmacist and produced pure alcohol
from ‘Tuba’ from a nipa palm.
13. Dr. MANUEL S. GUERRERO (1877-1919)
Is a Filipino doctor who initiated studies
on beriberi, which commonly afflicts
infants. During the outbreak of cholera in
the Philippines, he researched on
‘Prophylaxis de Colera Morbo Asiatico’,
which explained the presence of
microscopic beings’ which allowed the
spread of cholera in the Philippines at that
time. Dr. Guerrero reiterated on the need
to educate the Filipinos about the need for
prophylaxis to prevent the spread of
diseases.
14. AMERICAN PERIOD
The Bureau of Government Laboratories established on July
01,1900 initiated studies on tropical diseases. Around 1905 this agency
was replaced by the Bureau of Science, which conducted primary
researcher in the Philippines. During this period, sciences focused on
agriculture, trade, food production, and medicine development. At this
time, there was a lack of support from the government on studies and
researches in the midst of scientists. It was in 1958 that a Philippine
President, Carlos P. Garcia passed the Science Act of 1958 which
established the National Science Development Board.
15. THE CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINES
During the Marcos period science and technology achieved
advancements through the 1973 Philippine Constitution. School
curriculum sought the revitalization of science subjects. Focused
was also provided on the exploration of atomic energy as well as
the establishment of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Towards 1986, the
Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science High
School were established to promote courses in science and
technology.
16. Further developments took place during the
administration of Corazon Aquino through the
creation of the Department of Science and
Technology. Research and programs provided
support through the provision for 3,500
scholarships targeting careers in science and
technology.
18. GAVINO C. TRONO
He is a biologist known as the ‘Father of Kappaphycus
Farming’. He made remarkable contributions to tropical marine
phycology particularly in seaweed biodiversity, ecology and
culture. He led the study on coastal areas in Western Mindanao for
seaweed farming. He also discovered twenty-five (25) new marine
benthic algae. The largest phycological herbarium in the country
was established by Trono known as the G.T. Velasquez Herbarium
in the University of the Philippines Diliman Marine Science
Institute.
20. ANGEL C. ALCALA
He is a biologist known for his studies on the
rehabilitation of coral reefs. He even created artificial
coral reefs, which were set as a model for fisheries
advancement across the globe. His contributions to
Philippine marine life and ecology were immense
specifically in herpetology, marine biogeography, and
marine conservation biology. He built sanctuaries with the
purpose of promoting biodiversity in Philippine aquatic
21. RAMON C. BARBA
He is a horticulturist, scientist, and inventor who
focused on agriculture through the advancements in
the mango industry. He developed a process that
made mango fruits flower and bear fruit around
three times a year. These advancements were
remarkable in the field of plant physiology and
micropropagation.
22. EDGARDO D. GOMEZ
He made efforts to protect the vast marine resources in the
country, particularly the coral reefs and identify the damages
made to Philippine coral reefs on a national level. This move
initiated conservation programs such as the replanting of coral
reefs. Gomez also pioneered the breeding of giant clams
(tridacna gigas) and the reproduction of marine invertebrates.
He also conducted extensive studies on ocean acidification as
an effect of C02 absorption in the Phil. Ocean.
23. DR.FE VILLANUEVA DEL MUNDO (1911-2011)
She is a pediatrician who founded the first pediatric
hospital in the Philippines. Her pioneer works include
extensive studies on infectious diseases present in several
communities in the country. As early as 1950, Del Mundo
has already pursued studies on dengue fever, which
usually afflicts the young. She was also able to conduct
studies, which led to improvements in incubators as well
as the development of a device to detect jaundice, a
disease afflicting the liver.
24. EDUARDO QUISUMBING (1895-1986)
He is a Filipino botanist who contributed to the
advancement of plant taxonomy. As a foremost botanist, Dr.
Quisumbing pioneered the study of medicinal plants, served
as a forerunner in research related to it, and authored more
than 129 articles. He shared his expertise as well in the
development of medicinal plants, which he further promoted
as a premier scientist in the country.
