Students discover use for tilapia scales, rambutan vs radiation

BUTUAN CITY – The next time you throw away scales from tilapia or peelings from the rambutan fruit, think of the Agusan del Sur high school science students and their science advisers who have found a use for these waste materials to shield people from harmful electromagnetic radiation and gamma rays.

In the near future, as the ozone layer thins due to harmful emissions from motor vehicles and the world’s forests get depleted, tilapia scales may be used to shield people from intensified sun rays.

High school senior Anton Mark Jay Rivas of Bayugan National Comprehensive High School in Agusan del Sur was declared the champion in the individual category of the recently concluded 18th Intel Philippines Science Fair, which took place at the Tagaytay International Convention Center in Tagaytay City from Feb. 13 to 17.

Rivas’ win in the contest sponsored by micro chip manufacturer Intel Philippines has given him the distinction of being an international qualifier for the 58th Intel International Science and Engineering Fair to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the United States, on May 13 to 19.

He was among 10 young science students selected from the Philippines to compete against the best of the world’s best young scientists and test their mettle for the benefit of mankind.

The Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCCI) also gave Rivas the "Most Promising Inventor Award," after its representatives witnessed his victory.

Rivas’ invention is titled "Novel shield against gamma radiation from tilapia (oreochromis) scales: The next generation radiation protection."

The idea behind Rivas’ invention is that tilapia scales, being fibrous and collagenous, were pulverized and combined with binders to make a material for clothing, sunglasses and other items.

For this unique discovery using indigenous materials, Rivas also received the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Award. WIPO is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

In November 2006 during the National Inventors’ Week at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila, he and his science teacher-coach, 25-year-old Gregor Burdeos bagged the Sibol Awards for Invention for their discovery that water lilies can be used for making alternative fuel.

The duo bested 400 projects presented during the National Inventors’ Week.

"From the very start, everybody knew that water lilies are also a good source of alternative fuel," Burdeos said. "We thought of presenting it years back but we thought it was already common knowledge to all of us among science advocates."

The duo, as coach and contestant, with the help of the provincial government of Agusan del Sur led by Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza are due for weeklong training at the University of the Philippines next month before leaving for the United States.

The two said Plaza was instrumental in the success of their studies, saying the governor has been giving them financial assistance since the very beginning.

To complement the tilapia scales discovery, three young high school students at the Agusan del Sur Science High School in Patin-ay, Prosperidad town also discovered the use of extracts from the rambutan fruit as a preventive agent against harmful radiation.

High school seniors Abhel Ananoria, Therese Joy Calo and Celyn Buñol placed second in the team category at the Intel Philippines Science tilt.

Their science adviser, Norelyn Elladora, told The STAR that their winning study was titled "Armor against ultraviolet (UV) rays: Rambutan pericarp (Nephelium lappaceum) and aubergine (Solanum Melangona) as chemo preventive agents."

Eleven Agusan del Sur students were part of the 15-man contingent of the Caraga region to the science fair.

Another fourth-year high school science student, Edsel James Sandico, of Agusan del Sur National High School, received the first grand award in the individual category of the Physical Science Division during the Tagaytay City event.

His coach and science adviser, Julie Ann Bonsubre, got a trophy and P6,000 cash prize, while Sandico received a P10,000 cash prize plus a trophy and plaque.