“We know that children are the future of our world. We know that curiosity is the fuel of our intelligence.”
Coming from Vock Laurence Canlas, an eighth grade student at the Philippine Science High School-Central Visayas Campus, the statement gives us hope for our nation. After all, Canlas, 13, along with Nathan Josiah Elmido, 13, and Giancarlo Albeos, 14, won first place at the Grand Finals of the Search for the Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators held last October 10 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City.
Their winning innovation discovered and showed the antibacterial property of mani-manian (arachispintoi) in combating E. coli and S. aureus, types of bacteria that can cause diarrhea and skin infection, respectively.
In front of the board of judges, their teachers and parents, and other guests, the trio presented how they conducted antibacterial screenings to see the potential of mani-manian leaves. At one such screening, mani-manian proved more potent than amoxicillin.
And because mani-manian is abundant in their natural surroundings, they deduced that it can serve as more affordable—and even better—alternative to available antibiotics against E. coli and S. aureus. Moreover, they cited that mani-manian can be included in Republic Act 8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act, which administers rules on production of herbal medicines.
Philstar.com sat down with Canlas, Elmido and Albeos and listened to their dreams not only for themselves but also for a better society.
What is it like to join the Search for the Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators?
Canlas: It's been so much fun. We learned more concepts about our innovations and even the other groups’ innovations.
Elmido: We got to see the innovations of the other groups, to see what their passions are and their solutions (to problems). We also got inspiration and found new ways to even help each other.
Albeos: We learned how to work as a team and how to work under pressure.