The prestigious James Dyson awards committee has recognised 22-year-old Mark Kennedy Bantugon as the national winner for coming up with a sustainable, two-component sealant during his internship for an aviation company.

The sealant, which he dubbed 'Pili Seal,' is made from waste material particularly the waste of Pili Tree Resin which is otherwise known as “spent resin” or “de-oiled resin”.

Pili Seal is a two-component sealant. The waste of Pili Tree Resin acts as the base material for aircraft integral fuel tank sealant production. Through the mixing of the base and a hardener material, the sealant can properly function as a sealing material and is applicable for aircraft parts such as the integral fuel tank and components that are subjected to contact with aircraft fuel, lubricants, oil, water, and weathering.

In terms of application, performance, and efficacy, Pili Seal is found to have exceeded data results of commercial sealants from over 20 property tests ranging from physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal to rheological.

"One of my greatest motivations for this Pili Seal invention is the kind of work my father does for a living—being a local farmer. This exposed me to a variety of plants, animals, trees, and waste materials," Bantugon told Tatler. "My father's farm work also allowed me to establish a good foundation in education particularly in experimental-based research which is aligned on agriculture and sustainability. Being a son of a local farmer and a young farmer as well never stopped me from dreaming and pursuing a passion that can make a difference and change lives. I always remind myself that 'all my dreams are valid,' this invention started as a dream and has now become a reality all because of perseverance, passion, action, and heart."

See also: 6 Filipino Inventions To Know: Solar Windows, COVID-19 Test Kits, Ginhawa Ventilator

Bantugon shared that the overflowing support coming from his peers and family allowed him to step out of his comfort zone and thrive in the industries of aviation and agriculture.

"My parents have always been supportive of the things I want to pursue; they were the ones who suggested and gave this idea of formulating the Pili Seal since they are very fond of taking good care of plants, animals, and trees. Yes, I faced a lot of problems as a solo inventor, particularly in manpower, time, and finance. I vividly remember the time when my parents loaned PHP100,000 just so I can finish all the standard tests for my Pili Seal project. These challenges were made easier by the support and guidance given to me by my family, research advisers, friends, and school," he concluded.

When foreign ships docked on the same area where Roberto "Ka-Dodoy" Ballon and his neighbours fished for a living, the number of marine life resources decreased dramatically. The place also suffered mangrove deforestation due to rampant fishpond conversion. Mangroves, the cluster of trees in coastal waters, provide sanctuary for marine life. They are harvested for their durability and resistance to water. More often than not, these resources are also sold abroad as embellishments for yachts and other types of sea vessels.

According to the former director of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development Dr Rafael D Guerrero III, the current rate of mangrove deforestation in the country ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 hectares per year. With mangroves gone, fish and other marine species are scarce.  

Looking back, Ballon said that the people did not have any problem fishing in the waters of Zamboanga. The area had everything that everyone ever needed: a land to grow crops and a vast body of water bounty of different kinds of marine resources.

But the poor are always the victims of life's harsh realities. The community observed a decrease in the number of their day to day catches. The cause would later be traced to gigantic ships and illegal fishers in the area—the owners of these vessels were not ordinary people, they were big-time capitalists and government officials.

"We noticed the decrease in the number of fish. The mangroves were slowly decreasing too. We found out later on that there were very big ships in our waters. Even on the shores, there were strangers who aggressively fished, some were even threatening the locals," Ballon told Tatler.

Realising that they have had enough, Ballon and his community established Kapunungan sa Gamay nga Mangingisda sa Concepcion [Association of Small Fishermen of Concepcion] (KGMC) in 1986. The organisation seeks to empower fisherfolks, provide sustainable livelihood and enterprise, and protect environmental and coastal resources. "As their chairman, I knew back then that I have the responsibility to do what they can't do. These people rely on me and my leadership."

For his unwavering dedication, Ballon became the Philippines' only awardee at the 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Awards. "Anger was not the reason why I was so determined to take care of mangroves and go against big corporations. I led the community because I saw my neighbours' living conditions. I know my guilt would kill me if I did not do anything," he expressed.

Tatler Trivia: The Ramon Magsaysay Awards is considered Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Read full story here.

Weightlifter Hidilyn Francisco Diaz made history when she went home with the Philippines' first Olympic gold medal in her hands. Earlier in her career, she won a bronze medal in the 2007 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand. She also competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics where she was the youngest competitor in the women's 58-kilogramme category.

During the 2016 Summer Olympics, Diaz won the silver medal in the women's 53-kilogramme weight division, ending the Philippines' 20-year Olympic medal drought.

Read more: 9 World-Famous Filipino Athletes: Margielyn Didal, Hidilyn Diaz, And More

Last July 26, 2021, Diaz won the country's first Olympic gold medal for the women's 55 kg category for weightlifting. Diaz has also set the Olympic records for the 55-kilogramme division in the clean and jerk at 127 kilogrammes and in the total at 224 kilogrammes.

“Everyday, we live in anxiety,” she disclosed in an exclusive interview. “When I found out they postponed the Olympics, the athlete in me was like—what now? I’ve already given my everything.” Despite the constant fear of falling ill and logistical difficulties, Diaz never wavered. Separated from her loved ones, stuck in Malaysia due to international travel restrictions with no open gyms available, she continued to train using bamboo sticks, water bottles and weighted bags. “I’m so grateful the Olympics pushed through. I’m so grateful we made it and we were able to bring home that gold medal for the Philippines.”

Tatler Trivia: Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz graced Tatler's September 2021 issue. This also marks the magazine's 20th year in the publishing industry.

See also: Hidilyn Diaz on Her Tough Road to Claim the Philippines' First Olympic Gold

Veteran actor John Arcilla has got to be the most celebrated name in show business today. In September, Filipinos celebrated a feat that no other local actor has ever accomplished—that is, until recently: a Volpi Cup win at the Venice Film Festival.

For his role as Sisoy Salas in the 208-minute crime thriller On The Job: The Missing 8, Arcilla bagged the sought-after cup and impressed a roster of esteemed panellists. Helmed by Erik Matti and written by Michiko Yamamoto, the film follows the little known life of a journalist who investigates the sudden disappearances of his colleagues and one fugitive who carries out a series of lawless executions. 

More from Tatler: Producer Quark Henares on ‘On The Job’, Chatting with Bong Joon-ho, and the Venice Film Fest

Winners of the coveted award are no ordinary names, the title has been passed to renowned artists like Sean Penn for his roles in indie film Hurlyburly (1998) and 21 Grams (2003);  Ben Affleck for his George Reeves role in Hollywoodland (2006);  Brad Pitt for being Jesse James in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007); Joaquin Phoenix for his Freddie Quell role in The Master (2012); Adam Driver for being Jude in Hungry Hearts (2014); and Willem Dafoe for being the beloved artist Vincent van Gogh in At Eternity's Gate (2018).

Arcilla's win at the Venice Film Fest has set a premise among equally-talented Southeast Asian actors who were once deprived of winning the award due to language barriers and cultural differences in filmmaking. In the future, Arcilla hopes to see more Filipinos holding the Volpi Cup.

"This is just very timely. . . [the international] film industry finally noticed us. Asians are doing the same thing they're doing. Like I always say, 'acting and expressing do not have boundaries, we all cry, we all aspire,' [so], I do not really think we're different from them. I hope this win opens more doors for us," he said in an interview with Tatler.

See full story here.

NOW READ

Review: 'On The Job: The Missing 8' Exposes The Philippines' Long Battle Against Corruption

Bright Lights: Ana Patricia Non, Carvey Maigue, and Gab Mejia are Inspirations for the Next Generation

Joan Ongchoco: First Filipina Awarded The William James Prize