Arthur Macapagal, president and CEO, Toyota Pasong Tamo: The integrated circuit because it triggered the development and manufacture of many products at continuously lowering costs benefiting millions of people.
Mickey Ferriols, TV host, Masayang Tanghali Bayan: I would have to say television. It gives the viewers information, knowledge and entertainment.
Chairman Eric Buhain, Philippine Sports Commision: The ruler. Here at the Philippine Sports Commission we use the ruler to measure the height of children. Our purpose for doing this is to find tall children and in this way we feel that we can improve greatly our chances for winning the gold medals in international competitions.
Marni Ocampo, owner, Sari Sari: The classic greatest invention is the wheel because it spurred the industrial revolution.
Mauro Malang, artist: For me it’s the paint in tube because during the early times, like during the Renaissance, you had to be a chemist to be a painter.
General manager Robert Nacianceno, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority: For me the single greatest invention of the 20th century is the cell phone. This device has brought people from all over the world closer together. The cell phone has bridged the gap between families, friends and neighbors. The mobile phone has made communication possible even for the common man.
The power and importance of the cell phone was never more evident than during the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada. After the decision not to reveal the contents of the envelope where the bank records were made, the people were at EDSA in a matter of minutes. The call to action was made through text messages from the cell.
Even ordinary people can communicate directly with their officials in government, something that was impossible in the past.
Mon Gonzales, businessman: All those things that make our lives easier and pleasurable such as cell phones, cars, computers are certainly great inventions. But what I really benefited from are antibiotics and anaesthesia. I had a horrifying speedboat accident many years back wherein the propeller of a speedboat hit my face. I stayed in the hospital for only four days for my surgery and recovery. The wonders of medicine made my experience a little less traumatic.
DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman: The greatest invention is the cell phone. Through this I’m able to keep in touch with the people I love. It facilitates communication with my colleagues and partners at work. More importantly, it speeds up delivery of programs and services to the disadvantaged sectors.
Miguel Pastor, architect, writer: The notebook computer and the Internet. I travel a lot but with my Power Book and the Internet, I stay connected to my office and project sites without any let-up. I may be in New York, London, or Shanghai and I can be just as productive there as I am when I am sitting in my office in Manila. Apart from eliminating time and space constraints, the Internet has given us access to a wide body of information and has virtually made the postal system extinct. Remember the time it took two weeks to receive mail from the US? When fast mail meant sending a telex? Thank God, those pre-Net days are history!