Amplifying Filipino Innovation Through Collaboration: Ateneo at the IAP 10th Anniversary

The Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) participated in the 10th anniversary celebration of the Inventor Assistance Program (IAP), held on June 10–11, 2026 at the Grand Westside Hotel in Parañaque City. Organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in partnership with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the event brought together inventors, startups, MSMEs, government agencies, and volunteer patent professionals to mark a decade of advancing inclusive innovation in the Philippines.

Photo (left to right): Ms Charity Maquiling, Research Officer of AIPO-Protection and Education Group (PEG); Ms Vanessa E. Malapit, MSc, Head of the AIPO-PEG; Engr  Mark Kennedy Bantugon, CEO and President of Pili AdheSeal; and Mr Bryan Erfe, Business Development Officer.

The two-day event highlighted the IAP’s role in supporting under-resourced inventors by connecting them with volunteer patent professionals who provide pro bono assistance in navigating the patent system, from idea development to protection and commercialization.

Image: Ms Vanessa E Malapit, Head of the Protection and Education Group and an IAP volunteer patent agent, delivers her presentation, “From Idea to Patent: A Success Story of Innovation Made Possible Through the IAP.

Representing AIPO, Ms Vanessa E. Malapit, Head of the Protection and Education Group and an IAP volunteer patent agent, delivered a presentation titled “From Idea to Patent: A Success Story of Innovation Made Possible Through the IAP.” Her talk emphasized that innovation does not end at ideation, it requires structured support across the entire journey: from refining ideas and securing patent protection to enabling commercialization.

Drawing from AIPO’s experience, Ms Malapit outlined the office’s integrated approach through its three core mandates: ideation support, protection and education, and commercialization and incubation. This model ensures that inventors are guided at every stage, from transforming raw ideas into patentable inventions to ultimately developing market-ready solutions.

A key highlight of the presentation was the success story of Engr Mark Kennedy Bantugon, an IAP beneficiary, whose invention is a non-toxic sealant derived from pili resin waste, supported by AIPO and the IAP. Through prior-art search, patent drafting, and strategic filing, the invention was granted patent protection and later supported for market entry and commercialization.

This collaboration exemplifies the value of the IAP in bridging gaps faced by inventors, including limited IP awareness, access to resources, and commercialization pathways. As emphasized during the discussions, sustained mentorship, institutional support, and strong partnerships remain key to unlocking the full potential of Filipino innovation.

The event also recognized the contributions of volunteer patent professionals and partners who continue to play a vital role in helping inventors transform their ideas into protected assets and real-world solutions.

Group photo of IAP volunteer patent professionals during the 10th Anniversary of the Inventor Assistance Program (IAP). Photo courtesy of the IPOPHL, from its official Facebook page.

Through its participation, AIPO reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the innovation ecosystem and supporting Filipino inventors—from idea to patent, and beyond.