BAGUIO CITY — This mountain resort city’s entries to the National Invention Contests and Exhibits (NICE) 2009 held recently at the Philippine Trade and Training Center in Pasay City won first, second, and third places in two categories.

The entry of Johnny M. Sy of San Roque Village here, a method of making engine oil additive mixed with plant oils, won first place in the Outstanding Utility Model with a cash prize of P100,000.

Bagging second place in the Outstanding Students Creative Research-college level was Albert Gonzalo T. Bautista II, of the University of Baguio, a “Herbiplast Revolutionary Natural Ointment Bandage,” which is anti-bacterial, coagulant, and all-natural, with a cash prize of P25,000. Taking third place in the same category was the team led by Rachel G. Abuan, of the St. Louis University, Evacuation of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Liniment from the Leaf Extract of Lagundi, vitexnegundo fam verbenaceae, with a cash prize of P15,000.

The NICE is an annual activity being held during the celebration of the National Inventors Week which is aimed at bringing out the best in Filipino inventions by professionals and students alike.

The event, which is actively participated in by inventors, makers, designers and creative researchers, professionals and students, is organized by the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).

Participants in the Utility Model category were inventions covered by utility model patent or registration still in force granted by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

On the other hand, the outstanding student award on student researches includes new and innovative projects or models developed by high school and college students.

The inventions of students must possess features and characteristics that may have significant contributions to the promotion of science and technology innovations that are not contrary to public order, morals, public health and welfare.

Sy’s invention was the so-called “Magicanic oil” which boosts the life of the engines of motor vehicles and increasing its performance even beyond the period when it needs to undergo change oil.

The said oil, which is added to the motor oil, is also being used by bus companies plying the Baguio-Manila-Baguio route and had passed their standards, thus, many motor vehicles in Northern Luzon and Metro Manila were convinced to use the same to improve the performances of their motor vehicle engines.

Dr. Ben Ladilad, DoST-CAR regional director, said the conduct of the annual contest on inventions will be a good break for Cordillerans to come out with their inventions which are potential in helping improve the living conditions of the people as well as utilize the region’s rich resources for economic activities.