Filipinos possess a deeply rooted competitive spirit. From sports arenas to pageant stages, we consistently prove our mettle on both national and international platforms, accumulating an impressive collection of accolades along the way. The historic triumphs of Hidilyn Diaz lifting her Olympic gold, Manny Pacquiao’s world-championship reign, and Catriona Gray’s crowning moment at Miss Universe seem almost mythical in their magnitude. These bar-setting performances are forever etched in the annals of Philippine history, inspiring generations of dreamers and achievers.
But here’s the question that often goes unasked: What happens after the confetti settles and the applause fades?
For our celebrated athletes and beauty queens, victory becomes a springboard. They leverage their platforms to build businesses, advocate for causes, and create lasting impact that extends far beyond their competitive achievements. Yet when I turn my attention to our innovators and inventors, I observe a markedly different pattern.
In my years as Director of the DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute, I have had the privilege of witnessing countless Filipino innovators participate in prestigious competitions such as the National Invention Contests and Exhibits (NICE) and even the renowned International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva. I have watched them pour weeks into perfecting their pitches, meticulously setting up their exhibit booths, and passionately defending their inventions before discerning panels of judges. Their dedication is admirable. Their innovations are often groundbreaking.
But this is where the pattern emerges. Quite frankly, some of our innovators stop there.
After the competition concludes, the medals find their place on shelves, certificates are framed and hung on walls, and the journey effectively ends. While there is certainly nothing wrong with celebrating these achievements, I have observed this cycle repeat itself far too often. On a broader scale, what I see are missed opportunities—particularly for budding inventors who possess the potential to transform their innovations into ventures that could benefit not just themselves, but entire communities and industries.
This is where we must shift our perspective. Winning a competition should never be viewed as the final destination for Filipino innovators. In the article titled “Start-up competitions as learning environment to foster the entrepreneurial process” written by Passaro, Quinto and Thomas (2017) and published in the International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research, it was demonstrated that competitions serve as crucial learning environments that foster the entrepreneurial process. Beyond the awards and recognition, these platforms can fundamentally shape innovators’ perception of entrepreneurship as a viable and rewarding career path. The competition is not the climax. Instead, it is the catalyst.
Consider the inspiring trajectory of Mark Kennedy Bantugon, a 26-year-old innovator assisted by DOST-TAPI whose story exemplifies what becomes possible when inventors see beyond the trophy. His Pili Seal technology—a sustainable aviation sealant ingeniously derived from the agricultural waste of pili tree resin—has earned him recognition as one of Manila Bulletin’s 2026 Newsmakers, and for good reason.
Bantugon’s journey, like many others, began at DOST-TAPI’s National Invention Contest & Exhibits (NICE), where he claimed the Sibol Award for Outstanding College Student Creative Research. But he did not let that victory mark his finish line. Instead, he leveraged it as a launching pad, propelling himself to prestigious international platforms including the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva and the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025. His innovation has garnered awards and citations from industry titans like James Dyson, as well as recognition from the World Intellectual Property Office and the European Patent Office.
Most significantly, in 2024, Bantugon made the leap from inventor to entrepreneur by founding Pili AdheSeal Incorporated. What began as a student project inspired by observing his home’s leaky roof has evolved into a company actively pursuing international recognition and commercialization. This transformation from problem-solver to business builder represents the kind of journey we need to see replicated across our innovation ecosystem.
This transformation requires support systems that extend beyond the competition stage. While DOST-TAPI provides innovation marketing and commercialization assistance, the journey from invention to enterprise ultimately belongs to the innovators themselves.
We have government agencies and private tech business incubators. We also have mentorship programs, and funding opportunities. We already have the infrastructure. What we need now is a fundamental shift in how innovators view their own entrepreneurial mindset and potential.
Competitions are not merely destinations. They are more like launchpads. They validate innovations and widen innovators’ networks. But they are merely the beginning of a much longer, more rewarding journey of turning wins into feasible ventures.
Marion Ivy D. Decena is the Director of the Department of Science & Technology, Technology Application & Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI). She earned her Juris Doctor Degree at Leyte Colleges, Tacloban City, and her Master’s in Management Degree from Leyte Normal University. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Business Administration degree at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University.
The perspectives shared in this piece are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of the DOST, De La Salle University, its faculty, or its administration.
