Illustrated by Franchezka Cardiño, 17, Multiple Intelligence International School
Engr. Mark Kennedy E. Bantugon, 25, is a licensed Aeronautical Engineer, the inventor of Pili Seal®, a sustainable aviation sealant and adhesive derived from the waste of Pili Tree Resin, and the CEO and president of startup, Pili AdheSeal Inc. He is the first Filipino to receive the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) - National Award for Inventor, the highest recognition given by the esteemed World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland. His work has been recognized both locally and globally including being one of National Geographic Society’s Young Explorers 2023 - Human Ingenuity category
Invention/business startup
Pili Seal/Pili AdheSeal Inc.
Pili Seal, which is locally and globally patented, is a sustainable sealant + adhesive that repurposes 155-million-kilogram annual agricultural waste (specifically the Pili Tree waste resin) as the base ingredient of the product formulation while ensuring cost-effectiveness, safety, and non-toxic effects on user's health and environment (based on Toxicity Test). Its use reduces carbon emissions by 40% compared to commercial ones and its residuals are convertible into safe fertilizer.
Why: One typhoon season, the roof of our house would leak and my parents would encourage us to eat chewing gums and use it to patch the holes. As funny as it is, it is a reality for some families in the Philippines. That inspired me to focus on sealants, especially with the lack of options for effective and sustainably produced sealants and adhesives.
As the son of a farmer, it exposed me to plants and trees, particularly the Pili Tree. The Engineering and Science Education Program under DOST and DepEd also opened doors for me.
Fulfilling part: Beyond the awards, recognitions, monetary prizes, or even validations, what’s really fulfilling is being able to provide a tangible, feasible, sustainable, and fit solution to a real-world problem.
Advice to young people who want to make a difference
1. Fall in love with the problem, not the solution.
2. Step out of your comfort zone.
3. Always allow yourself to dream because it is valid.
4. Remember this when you encounter setbacks: You are never denied but only redirected.
Your Imagined Philippines in 2050: We will have a more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable future for the next generations. I hope to see the Philippines as a hub of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with thriving industries that promote sustainable practices and contribute to global advancements. Our nation will be recognized not just for its remarkable resilience but for its leadership in shaping an equitable, inclusive, and environmentally conscious world.
What we can do as a country
1. We should prioritize substantial investments in education, ensuring that all citizens have access to strong, high-quality, inclusive, and equitable learning opportunities. This requires reforming curricula to include not only foundational knowledge but also skills in innovation, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and environmental stewardship.
2. The government, private sector, and academic institutions must work collaboratively in a multi-sectoral framework to foster research and development, particularly in fields like renewable energy, sustainable materials, and technological advancements.
3. We must champion inclusivity and equity by addressing the social and economic disparities that currently exist.