PILIpino Innovator's SEAL of Sustainability: "Imbento Lang!" Podcast Series: Inventing the Pili Seal with Engr. Mark Kennedy Bantugon

Welcome back to our blog series celebrating Filipino creativity and innovation through the Imbento Lang! Podcast- a joint effort between the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO), the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication, and Areté. This series is a space where inventors share their own creative processes and explore what drives their passion for invention and innovation. In today’s episode, we introduce Engr. Mark Kennedy Bantugon as the innovator of the Pili seal.

Engineer Bantugon, a Batangueno who is also a Licensed aeronautical engineer, Material scientist and researcher, Local farmer and public school teacher innovated a sustainable aviation sealant made from Pili Tree Resin waste called the Pili seal. This technology was recognized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and he is the first Filipino to receive the WIPO National Award for Inventors. His invention has been recognized from various prestigious institutions worldwide, including the James Dyson Award, Airbus, Stanford University, Asia CEO Awards and the National Geographic Society to name a few. Pili Seal® patent is the fastest granted invention in the Philippines.

The Pili Seal is made from Pili Tree resin waste- which according to Engr. Bantugon, the Philippines garners about 77 million waste each year. His innovation opened an opportunity for the Pili Tree to be used in the aviation and adhesive industry in addition to its uses in the food and perfume industry; as well as its promising property of being an adhesive. Inspired by his father, a local farmer, who taught him about Philippine plants, Engineer Bantugon's drive to develop sealants stems from his childhood experiences.

Engineer Bantugon shares his innovation journey with us as he recalls his long nights of testing his sealant. Innovations should address a societal pain point and provide a tangible solution. The turbulence of experimentation for this innovation reinforces Engineer Bantugon’s mindset of “falling in love with the problem and not the solution.”

Overall, the drive of Engineer Bantugon hopes to inspire new innovators to pursue their ideas to give back to their community- for Engineer Bantugon, it is to give back to local farmers. These are just parts of what we can learn from the Imbento Lang! Podcast. Engineer Mark Bantugon is just one of the many brilliant minds of the country who continues to inspire a new generation of innovators with the heart of purpose for their community. 

Discover More Content and Stay Connected

We encourage you to explore Areté's Connect page, where you'll find a treasure trove of content celebrating Filipino ingenuity. By visiting Areté's Connect Page, you can stay up-to-date with weekly releases of the "Imbento Lang!" podcast series, featuring a variety of inventors and their inspiring stories.

Interested in the Ateneo Blue Nest Incubation Program? You can find more information on our website at aipo.ateneo.edu/bluenest.

Join the Innovation Movement

"Imbento Lang!" is more than just a podcast—it's a celebration of Filipino creativity and the relentless pursuit of innovation. Through the stories of inventors like Engr. Mark Bantugon, AIPO and Areté aim to inspire a new generation of innovators who will continue to push the boundaries of what's possible.

For more information, visit the AIPO Website and follow us on social media. Let's celebrate and support Filipino innovation together!

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We hope you enjoyed this blog post. Stay tuned for more updates and inspiring stories from the world of innovation and intellectual property!