"Erythromycin (Ilosone) discoverer"
JED MADELA
"Winner of the 2005 World Championships in the Performing Arts (Hollywood)"
PAULINO ALCANTARA
"Filipino-Spanish Football Player - Barcelona FC"
Dr. ABELARDO AGUILAR
"Erythromycin (Ilosone) discoverer"
Dr. Abelardo Aguilar was in the news recently. He's the Filipino doctor who helped discover a widely used antibiotic without receiving anything from the sale of the drug that earned billions of dollars for a giant U.S. drug firm (Ely Lilly of Indiana). The drug's proprietary name is Ilotycin and Ilosone which is commonly known by its generic name erythromycin. Ilotycin was named in honor of Iloilo province where in 1952 Aguilar obtained soil samples that bore the Aspergillus species of fungi from which the antibiotic was obtained.
http://www.phytomedical.com/Plant/Erythromycin.asp
A Filipino scientist reportedly discovered erythromycin in 1949. He was Dr. Abelardo Aguilar who died in 1993 without being recognized and rewarded for his discovery. Reports said Aguilar discovered the antibiotic from the Aspergillus species of fungi in 1949 and sent samples to Indiana-based pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly Co. The drug firm allegedly registered the propriety name Iloson for the antibiotic in honor of Iloilo province where Aguilar discovered it. In 1952, Eli Lilly Co. began the commercial distribution of Iloson, which was sold as an alternative to penicillin. Erythromycin, the generic name of Iloson, was reportedly the first successful macrolide antibiotic introduced in the US. (from: Transremit.Com - Philippine Inventions)
DR. JOSETTE BIYO
"Intel Excellence in Teaching Award Winner (Kentucky)"
Hometown: Iloilo City
Dr. Josette Biyo comes from a family of teachers, with four siblings and a father who are all educators themselves.
She took up Biology after graduating from high school so that eventually, Dr. Biyo can proceed with her medical course. But her father, who was just a public school teacher, cannot send her to medical school.
When Dr. Josette Biyo first taught in rural school for eight years, lack of facilities was never a problem to her but a challenge instead. Her being creative and innovative allowed her to harness the available resources in school and their community. She can make complicated things easy to understand.
Before reaching international recognition, Mrs. Biyo improved and harnessed her way of teaching for 23 years. For her, teaching is a never-ending process.
Because of her innovative teaching method in science research, Dr. Biyo bested 4,000 teachers from around the world to win the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Also, the first to receive an Award for Excellence in Louisville, Kentucky which was intended to give to honor teachers who promote inquiry and inspire students to engage in real research.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory in Boston named a minor planet “Planet Biyo” in her honor. This heavenly body was originally known as “Planet 13241”.
Now, a celebrity in the education world, Dr. Biyo gives numerous talks and workshops on her methods of teaching both here and abroad. Despite the honors, she remains simple, warm and accommodating, insisting that she is still a teacher first.
Married to Nonito with two sons. During her free time she spends time reading books with each family member.
JED MADELA
Quote:
Originally Posted by San Miguel Corporation Best Practices Forum speech
“The Power of the Human Spirit”
San Miguel Corporation Forum
Shangrila Hotel, EDSA
October 24, 2003 2:00 pm
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. For a high school teacher to speak before a large group of business executives for the first time is overwhelming. But it is indeed a great honor and a privilege to speak to the group of people who is responsible for making San Miguel Corporation the top food and beverage company in the country, and on its way to becoming one of the top companies in the Asia-Pacific. I am here to talk about “The Power of the Human Spirit.” Indeed, the human spirit has no limits. If you dream big, and you have the determination and the will to pursue your dream, it will become a reality. I dreamt of making stars; I was given a planet.
A few months ago, I was featured in the local, national and international newspapers. I caused a stir to be the first Asian teacher to win the “Intel Excellence in Teaching Award” in an international competition held in the U.S. Since its inception in 1997, no Asian teacher has received this award. But I think what created waves was, I am a Filipino, and I defeated 4,000 other teachers from around the world, including the American finalists in their hometown. Because of this, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory in Boston named a Minor Planet in my honor. There is now a Planet Biyo rotating around the sun which is located between Mars and Jupiter.
What made me win in this international competition? What made me stand out from among the best teachers in the world? My road to attaining this international recognition is a very long 23 years of improving and harnessing my craft as a teacher. I consistently study and learn new skills to improve my method of teaching. I want my methods to be interesting, relevant, and fun for students. For just like any product, the measure of teaching success is clientele satisfaction.
I finished a B.S. Biology degree from U.P. in the Visayas hoping to be a medical doctor. For lack of financial resources however, I took the first job opportunity available- teaching. Never did I regret this twist of fate. The day I entered the classroom, I knew I would be an excellent teacher.
My first eight years of teaching were spent in a rural school. For lack of teachers in proportion to the number of students, I taught not only biology, but also other subjects outside my field such as English, Music, and Physical .Education. The materials, equipment, and facilities for the type of effective teaching I had in mind were absent. These challenges however did not dampen my enthusiasm for the job. In fact, I became more creative and innovative.
I believe that teaching and learning should not be confined within the classroom. Even during those first few years of teaching, I see to it that the science concepts I discuss inside the class would have social dimensions. Thus, I took an active role in school as moderator of the Rural Health and Science Education Committee. I designed outreach programs for students and teachers. Through these programs, students were trained to teach primary health care to the people in the barangays. They also taught barrio folks how to make cough syrup from plant extracts and soap from coconut oil. Students also gave lectures on environmental protection and conservation.
Those eight years of teaching in a rural school has prepared me for greater challenges ahead. Working with the children of the poor has instilled in me the importance of service, compassion, and respect for human dignity. I have learned to love teaching, and I see it as an instrument for transforming the person and the community.
After eight years of teaching however, I felt I had nothing more to give to my students. I resigned from my teaching job and enrolled as a full time M.S. in Biology student at De La Salle University in Manila. I was lucky to get a scholarship which included free tuition and a monthly stipend.
To augment my stipend, I taught as part-time lecturer in the Biology department and worked as research assistant by one of the senior researchers in the university. This I did on top of my full-time MS load. I was so engrossed with my studies however, that I finished my M.S. degree in one year and five months only, after which, DLSU took me in as a full time assistant professor.
Teaching college students at De La Salle University was an entirely new experience. With modern and sophisticated equipment at my disposal, my world opened to the wonders of scientific research. However, I still value the importance of nature as a big laboratory such that in my ecology classes, I would bring my students to the seas of Batangas, the rivers of Rizal, and the lahar-affected areas of Pampanga to conduct field studies. Pursuing my Ph. D. while teaching also enabled me to conduct researches which were presented in the country and abroad.
Research is very exciting. It means sleepless nights, disappointments, physical and mental exhaustion. But the joy of discovering something new in nature makes it all worthwhile.
While Manila has provided me with opportunities for professional growth, I still feel that my heart is in Iloilo. Thus, with an additional degree and one additional son, I brought back my family to Iloilo in summer of 1995.
In June 1995, Philippine Science High School Western Visayas hired me as a Special Science Teacher. Only on its third year of existence, the school welcomed my suggestions and expertise. I helped develop its Science Research curriculum and introduced some innovations for teaching the course.
Barely a year of teaching at Pisay, I realized that my role was not only to teach students but to train teachers as well. This I do by organizing workshops for teachers in the region.
One day, I received a letter from the students. The letter said, “Dear Ma’am Josette, we know you are being groomed for directorship of the school, and you would want to be the director someday, given the chance. The thing is, we don’t want you to be the director. We just want you to be a teacher. Pisay needs teachers like you. The Philippines needs teachers like you.” Their letter touched me deeply.
When I won the Metrobank Foundation Award in 1997 as one of the outstanding teachers in the country, the Pisay community gave me a poster. The poster was a white cartolina filled with signatures of students, teachers, and the non-teaching staff. In the center was a painting of a rose, and the message which says, “You are the song that plays so softly in our hearts; that gives us inspiration to aim for greater heights and bigger dreams. Congratulations. We are so proud of you.”
In 1998, I won another national award as one of “The Outstanding Young Filipino” formerly known as the TOYM in the field of Secondary Education. Last year, I won the “2002 Intel Excellence in Teaching Award” in an international competition held at Louisville, Kentucky from May 10-17.
In Kentucky, I presented to the panel of judges and to about 150 teachers from all over the world my method of teaching Science Research to my students in Iloilo. I told them that the Philippines is a third world country blessed with abundant natural resources. However, we face problems such as the rapidly declining environment and the lack of equipment and facilities for scientific endeavors. Faced with this situation, I introduced innovations and strategies for teaching the course. These innovations included: a) building a scientific library, b) conducting field studies, c) establishing linkages with research institutions in the country, d) holding science forums in school, and e) teaching students laboratory and field techniques which would help them in the conduct of their research work.
The judges and teachers from different parts of the world were amazed that even in the absence of sophisticated equipment, my students were able to produce quality research outputs beyond their expectations.
At this point in time, let me show to you what we do in our Science Research class… ( a five minute power point presentation of my class activities).
I went to Kentucky with three high school students from the Manila Science High School, and one student from the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology. These students competed in the International Science and Engineering Fair which was held back to back with the teaching competition. The students from Manila Science competed for a team project in Physics, while the student from Iligan competed for the individual category in the field of Microbiology. These students were competing with 1,200 other students from around the world.
May 17, 2002 was a glorious moment for the Philippine delegation in the U.S. When it was announced that the student from Iligan won second place grand award for Microbiology, our delegation was ecstatic. When it was announced that the students from Manila Science won first place grand award for Physics, our group was delirious. When the grand award for “Excellence Teaching” was announced, and for the first time in the history of the event an Asian teacher won, and a Filipino, there was a standing ovation from the crowd as the Philippine flag was waved in the air.
The Philippine delegation’s road to success in Kentucky was far from smooth. We almost never made it to the U.S. Our visa interview was scheduled on May 29 when we were supposed to be competing in the U.S. by May 10. Almost desperate, we went to the Department of Foreign Affairs for help, only to be told that the Office cannot give us an endorsement letter to the U.S. Embassy because they cannot guarantee that we are coming back.
It was a painful experience for me and the students. Anyway, we were able to get our visa on the last minute the most unconventional way, and brought glory to this country.
Let me show to you the scenario during the first day of the teaching competition….
When I entered the judging area, one table in front was occupied by the board of judges. At the right side of the room, the table was occupied by the finalist from China and her supporters. The table at the left side was occupied by the finalists from U.S.. and their supporters. The center table for the Filipino finalist was empty. I sat there alone.
I went to the U.S. bringing a CD for my presentation. I also brought some transparencies and a white board pen in case my CD won’t work. Coming from a third world country, I was prepared for the worst. It turned out, I was the only finalist without a notebook computer. Luckily, one American finalist lend me his computer; but before doing so, he gave me a brief lecture on the parts of the computer and its use.
I was the fourth presenter. When it was my turn to present, a panel member asked if I needed an interpreter. I said, “No thanks.” A personnel from Intel volunteered to run my presentation. I said, “I can do it.” After my presentation, they said, “Wow, you’re so cool. You know more than us!”
What am I telling you? That despite our country’s limited resources, Filipinos can compete globally given the proper training, support and exposure. Our winning at the international scene may not reflect the general condition of science education in the country. But with our concerted efforts, my dear fellowmen, we can move this country forward and show the world that we are a globally competitive race.
Last May, I was in Cleveland, Ohio to present my methods of teaching to 150 teachers from 17 countries. I also served as the team facilitator for the Spanish-speaking teachers from Brazil, Costa Rica and Argentina.. Last August, I gave a demonstration lesson to educators from the third world countries of Laos and Cambodia.
Filipinos are indeed talented and will excel at the international level in their individual capacity. But as a country, we lag behind. This is because we lack the spirit of community which is very strong among progressive nations.
When I went home to Iloilo after the competition in the U.S., my school gave me a very warm welcome. During the convocation, students and teachers expressed how proud they are of me. I told them, “I am very proud of you too. It is you who has brought me to where I am now. Our experiences together has brought world attention to the fact that hey, there’s a world-class school out there in Iloilo; a school with world-class teachers and students. I told the teachers and I quote Mr. De Quiros that “being world-class doesn’t mean going internationally and showing our best out there. Being world-class is passion and commitment to our profession. Being world-class is giving our best to teaching. Being world-class starts right inside the classroom.”
In winning this international award, I do not claim to be the best teacher of the land. There are thousands of best teachers out there, working silently, giving their hearts to teaching, without thinking of benefits or rewards. I salute these teachers. In winning this award, I believe I was just commissioned by somebody up there to deliver the message that indeed, Filipino teachers can be world-class teachers. In winning this award, I have shown to the world that Filipinos can be world-class if they choose to be. And more importantly, I have shown to my fellow Filipinos that they can be world-class if they choose to be. That if we do our best, we can conquer the world.
During the panel interview in the U.S., one judge asked me, “You have a Ph.D. in Biology, why do you teach in high school?” I answered, “And who will teach these kids?” Another judge asked if how much am I paid for all my pains. They were shocked when I told them that I am getting a net pay of not more than $300. a month.
When your job becomes your mission, your primary concern is giving your best in everything you do. Knowing that you have contributed significantly towards the creation of a product which can make a difference in your company and the larger community is reward in itself.
Believe in what you are doing. Believe that you can make a difference. Believing however doesn’t mean you have to stop from where you are now. Believing is improving your skills and maximizing your potential. With determination and the will to win, your company can conquer the world.
As members of the San Miguel Family, you are lucky to take part in the production of high quality and accessible consumer products that can be found in every Filipino home. Your skills do not only contribute to the development of the country’s economy, but you also bring out the spirit of fun, joy, and laughter into the lives of the people; thus helping make everyday life a celebration. Your capable hands can paint a true image of the Filipino as a people- intelligent, hard-working, passionate, fun-loving, creative, innovative, “magaling!.”
You could paint one bright picture of this country and its people - by your achievements in the workplace, your teamwork, integrity, passion for success, and your discharge of civic responsibilities. You can show the world that you are the new technocrats, capable and willing to meet the challenges of the new order of market globalization. You can show the world that you are the new citizenry, capable of making this country a worthy member of the league of peace-loving nations.
Be proud!
Thank you very much.
Josette T. Biyo
"Winner of the 2005 World Championships in the Performing Arts (Hollywood)"
Jed Madela, the hometown boy of Iloilo who was catapulted into the international limelight by winning the Grand Champion in the 2005 World Championships of the Performing Arts in Hollywood last August; along with Filipina friend and colleague Rizza Navales, he bested 3,000 talents from 51 countries, proving that Pinoys can more than hold their own in the global arena.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempo
SWEEPING 6 gold medals, the title Champion of the World and over-all Grand Champion in the recently held World Champion-ship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Los Angeles, California may finally signal Jed Madela’s entry into the ranks of pop superstars in the Philippines.
Although Jed had earlier won the Voice of Asia grand championship in Kazhakstan, Central Asia, his career has not really taken off unlike his contemporaries who topped talent searches on TV. But, this recent victory of his can perhaps make the difference.
Filipinos are now in awe of Jed’s success in what is considered the Olympics of performing artists worldwide. Jed isn’t alone in his victory. Another local artist, Rizza Navales, brought home 5 golds and the title Champion of the World (female division). Both Jed and Rizza have released albums under Universal Records.
Ida Henares, head of GMA’s Artist Center, said the 2005 WCOPA was participated by 51 nations, from Armenia to Zimbabwe. The Philip-pines sent the smallest delegation of only two contestants. Other countries, such as this place in South Africa, sent a plane-load of delegates totalling 250. Host country USA had a total of 150 contestants in categories that spanned acting, modelling, singing.
In a media lunch last Wednesday, Jed recalled the stressful details of the competition. ‘It’s the ultimate singing contest, and also my last contest ever,’ he smiled. He sang 6 songs in all for the different categories: Home under Broadway, Be My Lady for original composition, I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing for Pop, and Take Me Out of the Dark for gospel.
In the duet category, Jed and Rizza sang Last Night of the World from Miss Saigon and the pop song, You’re My Angel.
While the WCOPA doesn’t hand out cash prizes, Jed and Riza believe the honor they have won for the country and for themselves is much more than a few thousand dollars. ‘It was tough, but it was worth it. I believe we were able to open a number of doors for other Filipino singers through this contest,’ Jed said.
True enough, Ms. Henares said the country shall be participating in the WCOPA event every year hence. Henares also said she got lots of inquiries and singing engagements for both Jed and Rizza. Unfortunately, she couldn’t entertain them as they had a limited working visa.
The twin successes of Jed and Rizza in the WCOPA hopefully will make their stars shine brighter locally. Rizza is a regular on GMA’s SOP. Starting this Sunday, Jed will be seen on ASAP as a mainstay.
(http://www.tempo.com.ph/news.php?aid=15970 )
PAULINO ALCANTARA
"Filipino-Spanish Football Player - Barcelona FC"
Since football in the Philippines is overshadowed by America's most popular export, the stars of the game live in relative obscurity. But earlier in the century, Paulino Alcantara made his mark. To this day, he is still the all-time leading goalscorer for Futbol Club Barcelona of Barcelona, Spain.
Alcantara has gone down in FC Barcelona folklore not only for his immense talent and skills but also for the fact that he is the all-time leading goalscorer in the club's history. Eventhough blessed with a far from imposing figure the inside-left made use of his natural goalscorers instinct scoring goals with ease. This offensive machine knew where the goal was and often made sure that the ball was in it.
Alcantara was born in Iloilo on October 7, 1896 to a Spanish father, who was in the Spanish Army that was stationed in the province. He first played football in 1910 when he came to Barcelona to study. While in school, he played for a club formed by his classmates called, "Galeno". But his heart belonged to Barca, and he ended up joining their youth squad, where his talent made an immediate impression.
He made his first team debut on August 14, 1912 at only 15 years of age in a match against Sabadell to mark the installation of a new set of floodlights at the Estadio de los Arlequinados. The match finished 8-2 to Barca with Alcantara grabbing a hat-trick.
From 1916 to 1918, Alcantara went back to the Philippines. During this time, he played with a team called "Bohemians". In 1917, he played for the Philippine National Team.
After coming back to Barca, he played defense, an unusual position because he was accustomed to scoring goals instead of preventing them. The British coach, Jack Greenwell, made the decision to play Alcantara outside of his normal role. His decision was short-lived. Barca's club membership, "Los Socios", demanded that Alcantara be switched back to his normal position. The paying members received their wish. Alcantara went back to scoring goals on a usual basis.
In 1920, Spain selected him for the Olympic team, but he turned down the offer because of his studies. Since school was his priority, he only represented Spain in international football competition five times scoring six goals. He scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Belgium in his first international match at the age of 25. Alcantara is on record as being the first player from Barcelona born outside of Europe to represent Spain in international football competition.
Alcantara will be best remembered for two historical landmarks he set. The first of those was on April 30 1922 when he rip the goal net with a thunderous strike from 35 yards out in a match between Spain and France. This earned him the nickname "romperedes" (net breaker). The second, on May 20 of the same year when he scored the first ever goal at the Les Corts stadium. In 1927 he left FC Barcelona leaving behind a phenomenal record of 356 goals in 357 matches played. He also became one of the club's most decorated players winning five Spanish Cups and ten Catalunya League Championships.
He officially retired on July 5, 1927. The Spanish National Team and Barcelona played a "testimonial" that day, a game in honor of Alcantara. But it was not a definite goodbye to football as a whole. He became a club director between 1931 and 1934. He briefly served on the coaching staff of Spain's National Team in 1951-three matches against Switzerland, Belgium and Sweden. He won one game and tied the other two.
Paulino Riestra Alcantara died in Barcelona on February 13, 1964.
Alcantara is not only one of Spanish football's most revered legends, but a revered legend in the sport of football as a whole. He represents success not only in Catalunya, but also in Iloilo.