MANILA, Philippines -- Imagine a Filipino company known all over the world for the ability to track the growth of cancer cells in the human body by using green fluorescent protein from coral reef, or a young virologist who saves acres of abaca plantations by producing antibodies in a school lab. How about a young chemist who can prove that the common, inedible Bitaog seed can produce more oil than jathropa, and will not cause the prices of food crops to go up.

These innovations still need more research to be useful, it is true, but Department of Science and Technology undersecretary Fortunato T. de la Pena believes these are the kind of innovation that can awaken the right kind of entrepreneurship in the Philippines.

?Only 15 percent of our entrepreneurs use innovative technology. We are too good at copying and adapting. We still have to do a lot to develop a culture of innovation,? de la Pena said in a speech during the awarding for ?The Best Project of the Year? sponsored by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and the DOST.

Carla Gisela Ysabel P. Concepcion, a graduating BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology student at UP Diliman, won first place for her research on tracking the growth of cancer cells in the human body.

Second place was Christina Lora M. Leyson, another graduating MBB student at UP Diliman, for her research on detecting a virus that kills abaca. Juan Paulo M. Antonio of the University of Santo Tomas won third place for his research on the inedible and common Bitaog seed as an alternative source of biodiesel.

The winning science projects were chosen for their relevance and impact on knowledge advancement, viability for commercial production and marketability, originality and adherence to scientific soundness.

The winner was given a P200,000 research grant, P50,000 cash incentive and trophy. The second and third place winners received P30,000 and P10,000 cash prices, respectively, and a trophy.

De la Pena said activities like the BPI-DOST awards for promising and innovative science research should teach more Filipinos to develop a culture of innovation.

De la Pena pointed out that fiscal incentives given to foreign companies do not encourage innovation and sharing of cutting edge technology with Philippine companies. ?We have all sorts of incentives for foreign companies but these are tied up to the magnitude of money they are bringing in and not on innovative technology,? de la Pena said.

The Philippine government foregoes collection of P40 billion in taxes a year to attract foreign investors, but studies from the University of the Philippines and the International Finance Corp. show these do very little to spark technology transfer.

The BPI-DOST award has been sponsored by the BPI for the past 19 years as part of its corporate social responsibility program. BPI Foundation executive director Eduardo D. Jose noted that the crop of science awardees ?become better every year.?