June 21, 2020

This Father's Day, we pay tribute to Benjamin Almeda Sr., known as the "Father of Filipino Inventors." 

Almeda is known in the innovation industry for inventing various food processing machines, including the meat grinder, rice grinder and coconut grater, which remain widely and commonly used today. Coconut graters are used in making traditional Filipino dishes like laing and other recipes that require dried coconut meat (niyog), while meat and rice grinders are used in preparing main dishes and scrumptious desserts.

His inventions bettered the Philippines' food industry by paving the way for innovative food processing technologies. His contributions have gained both national and international acclaims. He was awarded a gold medal from the World Intellectual Property Organization, and in 1977 was conferred with a Panday Pira Award for his talent and skills as technician.

As Filipinos are known globally for ingenuity and creativity, the country is expected to produce more inventors to follow the footsteps of Almeda - especially among the youth.

Contemporary inventors and innovators may file application with the Bureau of Patents and submit various documents, proof, and go through examination whereby their application will be assessed. Luckily for them, application for patents may now be filed online through the IPOPHL website, www.ipophil.gov.ph.