DOST returns to international stage - showcases at NSTF Thailand

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Department of Science and Technology - Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) intensifies its internationalization campaign further for international recognition once again at the 2024 National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF), Thailand on August 16-25, 2024.

The 2024 National Science and Technology (NST) Fair Thailand’s Official Cover Page (Photo reference from this website:

https://www.bkkkids.com/family-friendly-event-in-bangkok/nst-fair-2024/)

This participation signifies the Philippines' goal of pursuing a global presence in science and technology while reinforcing DOST-TAPI's mission to strategically showcase Filipino innovations on an international stage. NSTF Thailand is recognized as one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most influential science and technology events, providing a platform for Filipino inventors to display their cutting-edge innovations.

NSTF Thailand: A Premier Platform for Philippine Ingenuity

The 2024 edition of the fair is set to focus on the theme "FUTURE SCIENCE OMMUNITY FOR ALL." This theme underscores the importance of cultivating 21st-century skills crucial for industrial and national economic goals, while also addressing global challenges such as promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and embracing the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP).

For the Philippines, NSTF Thailand represents a golden opportunity. It allows Filipino inventors to engage directly with a global audience, including investors, industry leaders, and potential collaborators.

DOST is once again set to showcase alongside major industry leaders at NSTF Thailand 2024, spotlighting the exceptional expertise of leading Filipino inventors.

Take a look at the technologies representing the Philippines:

1. Kooha

Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI)

Kooha is an Android app that leverages AI and machine learning to transform environmental data into actionable insights for experts in monitoring and disaster risk management. As a participatory tool, it raises community awareness on disaster risk reduction and the importance of data science.

2. REIINN (Resilient Education Information Infrastructure for the New Normal)

Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI)

The REIINN initiative creates frameworks and infrastructure to provide accessible learning resources, including modules for Grades 1-12, gamified math, and virtual museum tours. It also bridges the digital divide by deploying community LTE networks and utilizing datacasting technology for distance learning.

3. Virtual Laboratory Application in Science (VLAS) Project Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (SEI)

VLAS is a 360° 3D biology lab simulator that offers virtual experiments and theoretical knowledge in an immersive environment. It helps users familiarize themselves with lab equipment and methods through interactive modules

4. SIMATAR (Strategic Intervention Material for Teaching with Augmented Reality)

Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (SEI)

SIMATAR transforms smartphones into science labs with comic-style 3D simulations of complex scientific phenomena, such as typhoons and earthquakes,using Augmented Reality. This innovative app enhances science education by making abstract concepts more tangible.

5. DOST Courseware

Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (SEI)

DOST Courseware is a free, interactive software offering multimedia Science and Mathematics resources for Grades 1-12. Available across multiple platforms, it supports teachers and students in mastering complex concepts through engaging, Filipino-developed content.

6. Make-roscope™

Inventor(s): Engr. Jeremy C. De Leon

The Make-roscope™ is a compact, affordable microscope that attaches to a smartphone or tablet camera, magnifying organisms up to 400 times. It offers a user-friendly, portable alternative to traditional compound light microscopes.

7. STARBOOKS

Inventor(s): Department of Science and Technology - Science and Technology Information Institute (STII)

Opportunities for Collaboration and Growth

DOST-TAPI’s participation at NSTF Thailand opens doors to promoting and commercializing local technologies internationally. Aligned with its mandated functions, the DOST further fulfills its mission by accepting the invitation from Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, which explores globalization potential, as well as recognizes the global significance of Philippine inventions.

STARBOOKS is an offline digital library that provides access to a vast collection of Science & Technology materials, aiming to democratize STEM education. It ensures that even remote Indigenous communities have equitable access to quality educational resources.

Opportunities for Collaboration and Growth

DOST-TAPI’s participation at NSTF Thailand opens doors to promoting and commercializing local technologies internationally. Aligned with its mandated functions, the DOST further fulfills its mission by accepting the invitation from Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, which explores globalization

potential, as well as recognizes the global significance of Philippine inventions.

What Parks and Gardens to Visit in Tokyo? We Selected the 6 Most Beautiful

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



Tokyo is known as a vast and modern city where life constantly pulses with a wild rhythm. Yet, you can still find many places here where you can take a break from the hustle and enjoy moments of peace in the embrace of nature. Be sure to add Tokyo's parks and gardens to your list of destinations for your trip to Tokyo. Let's take a look at some of the best natural spots in Tokyo that are worth visiting.

1. Ueno Tokyo Park

One of the most famous and visited parks in Tokyo is Ueno Park. Located in the northern part of the city near Ueno Station, it attracts about 10 million tourists annually. It is ideal for walks, picnics, relaxation, and education. The park is home to several museums and Japan's first zoo. In the spring, hundreds of cherry blossoms bloom here, making it the perfect place to enjoy the traditional Japanese festival "hanami," where people have picnics with their loved ones and appreciate the fleeting beauty of the cherry blossoms. However, it remains a beautiful place throughout the rest of the year, where you can admire nature.



2. The Imperial Palace East Garden in Tokyo

In the very heart of Tokyo lies the central garden belonging to the Imperial Palace. This garden is open to the public and combines greenery, water features, and historical fortifications, including original palace towers and gates. For nature lovers, it is the perfect place to immerse yourself in silence and tranquility, even though you are in the center of the city. Gardens in Tokyo, like this one, entice visitors with their beauty and history. However, it is closed on Mondays, Fridays, and holidays, so be sure to plan your visit carefully in advance.



3. Meiji Shrine and Surrounding Forest

The Meiji Shrine is the largest Shinto shrine in Tokyo, and if you wish to combine a spiritual experience with a visit to a nature spot, it is the perfect choice. The shrine is surrounded by a beautiful, dense forest with large, mature trees whose massive crowns will shield you from the hustle and bustle of the city. The complex also includes several gardens, including an iris garden that blooms beautifully in June. Adjacent to the shrine is Yoyogi Park, where you can have a picnic or play outdoor sports.

4. Shinjuku Gyoen

The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo is unique in that it combines Japanese, French, and English styles and is known for its variety of flowers, trees, and ponds that you can discover. The garden is designed so that in every season you can admire different blooming plants. Therefore, no matter when you visit, you are guaranteed a beautiful sight. Locals often take nature day trips to Shinjuku Gyoen because it offers a peaceful and quiet refuge right in the heart of the bustling Tokyo city.

5. Hama Rikyu Garden

During your trip to Tokyo, be sure to visit this fascinating nature spot where you can see traditional Japanese culture combined with the modern cityscape. You can even reach this Tokyo garden by taking a water bus, called a suijo, which sails from Asakusa to the island of Odaiba. Once there, you can stroll along the paths that lead around ponds, teahouses, and beautifully manicured trees.

6. Rikugien

For lovers of traditional Japanese culture, Rikugien is one of the most beautiful gardens in Tokyo. This garden was designed based on waka poetry and famous landscapes depicted in classic Japanese poetry. Rikugien is at its most stunning in autumn, when the tree leaves turn various shades of red and orange. The garden is considered a work of art that perfectly embodies the principles of harmony, balance, and tranquility. For those seeking gardens to visit in Tokyo, Rikugien is one of the must-see locations.

Unique Natural Scenery

Despite its modern and fast-paced lifestyle, Tokyo offers many beautiful natural spots where you can peacefully admire the beauty of nature with a clear mind. The parks and gardens are beautifully maintained, and it would be a shame not to visit at least one of them during your trip to Tokyo. Be sure to include them in your itinerary and enjoy a day away from the city's hustle and bustle.

BAN Toxics urges regulatory agencies for lab tests on suspected toxic batteries, advices public to exercise due diligence when purchasing to reduce health and environmental risks

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Toxics and waste watchdog BAN Toxics has warned the public to practice due diligence when purchasing China-made cheap AA batteries containing high levels of lead and cadmium. Priced between Php 20 and Php 25 for a two-piece set, Kingever Extra Heavy Duty AA batteries are sold on sidewalks and in bargain shops in commercial hubs such as Divisoria, Manila. A quick google search of said products also reveal they are widely available in popular online shopping platforms such as Shopee, and Lazada.

The battery packaging features a “Do Not Dispose of in Household Trash” symbol due to lead content. The label “carbon” printed on the battery itself indicates that it is a zinc-carbon type battery, which typically does not contain cadmium like Ni-Cd batteries. The same brand and model of AA batteries available on Shopee, from the only shop using the name Kingever Store, claims that the batteries contain 0% lead, mercury, and cadmium, and that they have several certifications, including CE (Conformité Européenne), RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), and ISO 9001, among others. Additionally, on Alibaba.com, the official account of China-based Jinjiu Technology Co., Ltd., the company that produces Kingever Batteries, advertises the same claims.

However, BAN Toxics detected high concentrations of lead ranging from 1,250 to 6,500 parts per million (ppm) and cadmium from 160 to 250 ppm using an Olympus Vanta C Series X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) chemical analyzer.

Both lead and cadmium are identified among the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). Both naturally occurring heavy metals are highly toxic to human health and the environment. Exposure to lead can lead to chronic and serious health issues across all age groups, with children being especially vulnerable to its neurotoxic effects. There are no safe levels of exposure to lead (UNEP, 2020). Cadmium is classified as carcinogenic to humans and may also cause a range of adverse health effects on various organs, including the kidneys, lungs, and bones. Cadmium is highly toxic to humans and the environment, even at very low exposure levels (UNEP, 2020).

BAN Toxics has yet to verify whether the same batteries sold by the Kingever Store on Shopee live up to their claims and does not rule out the possibility that those sold in physical bargain stores may be counterfeit. Nevertheless, BAN Toxics is urging regulatory agencies to investigate whether these products are properly registered and to take appropriate action.

“Batteries like these are essentially common household items, and their sale exposes the public—especially children—to highly toxic chemicals. They are even marketed for use in toys. We urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to take immediate action to ensure public safety,” said Thony Dizon, BAN Toxics Campaign and Advocacy officer.

The group urges the FDA to conduct immediate laboratory tests and analyses on these widely sold commodities. It also calls the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units to speed up disposal infrastructure development and information campaigns on proper e-waste disposal, warning that “e-wastes containing hazardous material, if not properly managed, pose serious risks on human health and the environment.”

The DENR Chemical Control Order (CCO) for cadmium does not address the presence of this chemical in products such as batteries, toys, and electronic equipment. In contrast, the CCO for lead outlines stricter prohibitions on lead-containing products, including toys, paints, and school supplies, among others. To BAN Toxics' knowledge, there are no specific restrictions in place in the country regarding the use of cadmium and lead in household disposable batteries, unlike in regions such as the European Union, as well as in countries like the United States, Canada, and Japan.



BAN Toxics emphasizes that unregistered and non-compliant products that do not meet safety standards, especially those used in toys, should be immediately removed from the market. #