06 November 2023, Seoul. The Philippines through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) took part in the Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF) 2023 which was held from 01 to 04 November 2023 at COEX Seoul. SIIF is an official exhibition of the government of the Republic of Korea hosted by the Korea Invention Promotion Association (KIPA) bringing together innovative ideas, new technologies and original patented inventions from participating countries around the world.

A team from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) led by Director Marion Ivy D. Decena spearheaded the Philippine participation in the SIIF 2023.

Bringing with them Filipino inventions from textile, medical devices, manufacturing and agriculture innovations, the DOST featured eight new technologies, namely, the Kayumanggi: Stabilized Brown Rice, Flavored Salt and Food Seasoning, Salt Washer Machine, New Plant Growth Promoter, New Hemostat Technology, Industry-Scalable Natural Dyes, Lyocell/Natural Textile Fiber-Blended Yarns, and Shoe Insole Made of Natural and Bio-based Materials.

Competing at the SIIF 2023 were around 500 new technologies from 26 countries. The Philippines DOST Team won a total of 2 golds, 2 silvers, 2 bronzes, and 5 special prizes at the SIIF. Specifically, the PNRI-developed New Hemostat Technology and ITDI-developed gourmet salt won gold awards, PTRI-developed Lyocell Technology and PNRI-developed New Plant Growth Promoter won silver awards, and the FNRI-developed brown rice and ITDI-developed salt washer were awarded with bronze awards.

The team also received additional special awards such as "Excellent Efforts in Creating an Invention" from SIIF Korea and "Excellent Invention" award from the National Research Council of Thailand for the PNRI-developed New Hemostat technology. The ITDI-developed gourmet salt and FNRI-developed brown rice likewise received special awards from Singapore and Indonesia, respectively. Lastly, the PTRI-developed Natural Dye and Shoe Insole technology received special award from Vietnam Fund for Supporting Technological Creations or VIFOTEC).

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and the Political and Economic Team of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul were on hand to support the DOST delegation in their first-ever participation in the SIIF. This is part of the Embassy's initiatives to facilitate and encourage more active Science and Technology engagement with Korea.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul is proud of the DOST's achievements at the SIIF 2023 and all the inventors who worked tirelessly behind these exemplary innovations that illustrate world class Filipino creativity and resourcefulness. END