Manila, Philippines — Last 2014, the Philippines, a developing country, finally joined the colossal world of space technology upon the birth of the PHL-Microsat program.

In collaboration with the University of the Philippines Diliman and Japan’s Hokkaido University, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) established the pioneer Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Microsatellite (PHL-Microsat) Program in the country. Currently, it is succeeded by the Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Innovation and Advancement (STAMINA4Space) Program, and will be referred to as such from this day forward.

The initial goal of the PHL-Microsat program was to build and launch a microsatellite technology with multispectral and high precision to effectively observe the earth’s atmosphere as well as to aid the country in disaster’s risk management.  

In the first quarter of 2016, PHL-Microsat Program successfully launched its first satellite Diwata-1 from the International Space Station (ISS). Diwata-1 is a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite with a speed of 7 kilometers per second. During its initial launch, it was found at an altitude of around 400 to 420 kilometers from the earth’s atmosphere enough to capture images of the atmosphere as well as to maintain communication.

Diwata-1 has the capacity to undertake scientific earth missions related to weather observation, environmental monitoring, and disaster risk management. It was designed to serve the science community for 18 months since the day it was launched in the atmosphere. Nonetheless, it outstripped the expectation as it was able to last until the first quarter of 2020. 

In the four-year space journey of Diwata-1, it was able to capture 45, 572 images. Almost 17,000 of such were images related to the Philippines. The captured portraits by the microsatellite were used to monitor the atmosphere, marine environment, land and climate change.

After four years of orbiting the earth’s atmosphere, the mission of Diwata-1 has already ended. The satellite was last seen at an altitude close enough to the accepted boundary between outer space and Earth’s atmosphere. Therefore, the chances of successful communication with Diwata-1 is very low.

“Diwata-1 is expected to de-orbit and burn up due to increasing friction with the atmosphere, ultimately ending its service to the country. Initially forecast to spend 18 months in orbit, Diwata-1’s orbital lifetime lasted almost four years,” STAMINA4Space program.

Nonetheless, the termination of the Diwata-1’s mission does not imply that the space race of the country has ended already. Rather, it serves as a legacy in the development and progress of S&T in the Philippines. 

Sources:

University of the Philippines Diliman. (n, d). PHL-Microsat General Info. Retrieved from https://phl-microsat.upd.edu.ph/about#geninfo

University of the Philippines Diliman. (n, d). PHL-Microsat Diwata 1. Retrieved from https://phl-microsat.upd.edu.ph/diwata1

University of the Philippines Diliman. (n, d). PHL-Microsat Diwata 2. Retrieved from https://phl-microsat.upd.edu.ph/diwata2

Lalu, G. (2020). PH’s first microsatellite Diwata-1 decommissioned. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1255415/phs-first-microsatellite-diwata-1-decommissioned

Nazario, D. (2020). PH microsatellite Diwata-2 marks 2nd year in orbit. Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/31/ph-microsatellite-diwata-2-marks-2nd-year-in-orbit/

Manila, Philippines — After six months of tremendous experiments, Filipino scientists carrying out research on the efficacy of coconut oil or virgin coconut oil (vco) on patients with COVID-19 have provided evidence of virgin coconut oil as a potential antiviral agent against the new coronavirus disease. 

“There are still alternative solutions against COVID-19 aside from vaccines. Although further investigation is needed before we develop a possible prevention or treatment option, we aim to give Filipinos hope through our ongoing local research initiatives,” Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said in a radio interview.

According to de la Peña, during clinical trials it was discovered that compounds from the oil can decrease coronavirus count by 60 to 90 percent for mild to moderate cases.

Furthermore, it was also found that such compounds can improve cell survival rate. Certain studies, however, must be made to know whether the oil compounds can decrease the replication rate of the virus.

“There are still alternative solutions against COVID-19 aside from vaccines. Although further investigation is needed before we develop a possible prevention or treatment option, we aim to give Filipinos hope through our ongoing local research initiatives,” Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said in a radio interview.

According to de la Peña, during clinical trials it was discovered that compounds from the oil can decrease coronavirus count by 60 to 90 percent for mild to moderate cases. Furthermore, it was also found that such compounds can improve cell survival rate. Certain studies, however, must be made to know whether the oil compounds can decrease the replication rate of the virus. 

“The results are very promising, as not only does it show that VCO, by itself, can destroy the virus, but it also has a key mechanism in regulating the immune response against COVID-19.” Dr. Jaime Montoya, executive director of the PCHRD said. 

Currently, there is still ongoing research and clinical trials to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the oil.

In recent years, coconut oil, a readily available resource in the Philippines, has caught the attention of the scientific community for its apparent broader health benefits in effectively killing viruses and pathogens that invade human health. 

Sources:

Gonzalez, C., J. (2020). Filipino experiments revealed evidence that virgin coconut oil may be a means to defeat COVID-19. Retrieved from http://pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/6599-vco-a-potential-antiviral-agent-against-covid-19-filipino-research

Philippine Daily Inquirer. (2020). Virgin coconut oil a potential antiviral agent vs COVID-19, research shows. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1349580/vco-a-potential-antiviral-agent-vs-covid-19-research-shows#ixzz6cqO21o00

German Press Agency. (2020). Filipino scientists claim coconut oil can destroy coronavirus. Retrieved from https://www.dailysabah.com/life/science/filipino-scientists-claim-coconut-oil-can-destroy-coronavirus