Hannah Consencino Arnold, 25, representing Masbate, won the top title of Binibining Pilipinas International 2021 on the strength of her science and technology resume. She has a degree of Bachelor of Applied Science in Forensic Studies from the University of Canberra, Australia in 2017.

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) was naturally ecstatic, releasing a statement: “Thank you, Ms. Hannah Arnold for proudly raising the S&T flag, and for encouraging young generations to pursue a career in science.”

Only one other beauty queen has similarly impressive credentials: Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco, who has a master’s degree in applied physics with a major in medical physics (both cum laude) at the University of Santo Tomas. So, at a virtual presscon after the crowning, my submitted question to Hannah was: “As a forensics science graduate, what projects of the DOST [which commended you for your science and technology speech] will you be willing to support and work with?”

“One of the programs that they do every year is the Invent School Program, where they ask students to come up with ideas and inventions, and they go through a workshop with [the DOST] to encourage [the students] to keep on going to prevent future issues and disasters. So maybe during my reign, I can visit these students and see what they are making,” the Fil-Australian beauty replied.

I don’t know if Hannah eventually visited the students since her win in July 2021. But she made a courtesy call to DOST-PCIEERD executive director Enrico Paringit.

“For the past few months, I have been ever so lucky to have been given a platform with DOST-PCIEERD to advocate for science and technology through their online forums, and last Thursday [January 27] I was invited to deliver my third message during their Disaster Risk Management Forum. Let us continue to support and listen to our Filipino scientists for our Filipino people,” she posted on her Facebook page.

Hannah was also a special guest in the launch of the “2022 TELA Conference Exhibition” held recently at the DOST-PTRI TELA Gallery Textile Design and Innovation Hub in Taguig City. TELA stands for Textiles Empowering Lives Anew, a campaign led by the DOST-PTRI.

The exhibit features a collection of wearable pieces made from Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) from weaving communities-partners in Batangas, Aklan and Misamis Oriental. The outfits are made for all occasions—gala or formalwear, work (using high natural fiber fabrics such as pineapple lyocell), casual (using bandala textile yarns), and home leisure (using fabric enzyme finishing technology).

The installation proves the potential and applicability of our local fabrics to be at par with the best in the world. The showcased clothes were designed and produced by brands Bayo, Unica Hija, and Philippine Fashion Coalition member-designers Ann Casas, Pablo Cabahug, Regina Aquino and Niño Angeles.

“When we say Philippine textiles, people usually say Filipiniana and barong [Tagalog]. But look at the fashionable yet easy-to-wear pieces [at the exhibit],” Hannah said as she conducted a virtual tour posted on the DOST-PTRI and TELA Pilipinas social-media pages. “The fabrics and raw materials were all sourced and converted here. These were enabled by DOST-PTRI’s technologies, services and facilities. We can make use of our own natural textile fibers to create our own high-value products.”

At her visit, Hannah wore a modern Filipiniana in 100 percent Philippine silk made for her by the DOST-PTRI, using silk yarns from silkworms reared by partner cocoon producers in Misamis Oriental. Local brand Bayo then created the powder blue dress from the silk fabric handloom-woven by the Dela Cruz House of Piña in Aklan.

“You know our goal is really to have more of us wear more of the products that are made in the Philippines. So we want to see 110 million Filipinos, though I’m happy to start with 10 percent, but I’m also very happy to start with 1.9 million government employees,” DOST-PTRI director Celia B. Elumba said during the 2022 TELA Conference in January, the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Month. “We would like to see more Filipinos wearing more Philippine-made products, and they come straight from the ground up. So we are excited to see the fruits of this [endeavor] and we would love to see more collaborations.”

More information about the Philippine Tropical Fabrics and DOST-PTRI’s programs and services can be found on DOST-PTRI social-media accounts, like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, plus www.ptri.dost.gov.ph.

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