I COMMEND Filipino engineer Aisa Mijeno for raising the bar, so to speak, for Filipino inventors at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.
Her lamp invention makes use of saltwater to provide electricity. Truly a good example of inclusive growth that deserves recognition and endorsement—and endorsement she got for her invention from no less than US President Barack Obama and e-commerce titan and Alibaba chair Jack Ma, with the latter assuring her he would help market the “SALt lamp” and make it commercially available to many.
What a priceless moment indeed for a Filipino to be given the opportunity to present her invention before the
international community! I find it laudable because she has proven that people should not depend solely on government for assistance; rather it must work hand in hand with it to contribute to the common good.
Inquirer columnist Rina Jimenez-David was absolutely correct when she said in her column that Filipino women today should look up to
Mijeno as an inspiration and role
model (Opinion, 11/20/15).
The success of Filipinos around the world should not be limited to the fields of entertainment and musical theater; rather, they should expand to other fields of endeavor as well.
—MEANNE M. MIJARES,
meanne.mijares@gmail.com