China Airlines, B737 - 800 was destroyed by fire at Naha Airport on August 20, 2007, after a fuel tank explosion due to fuel leakage, leaving 2 injured passengers and major damages to the majority of its parts. After investigation, the application of sealant was one of the factors considered why the fuel leaking occurred in the accident. The Poly-sulfide sealant is the most common sealing material used in commercial end-user industry today that serves as resistant to aviation fuels and is therefore useful for sealing fuel tanks, but since it has various drawbacks and natural hazards due to its chemical substances and composition, a young inventor in Philippine State College of Aeronautics has stepped up to present his newest innovation: "Pili Seal".

Taking up BS Aeronautical Engineering, Batch 2020, Mr. Mark Kennedy E. Bantugon is the genius behind this smart invention. The "Pili Seal" is a new product innovation of sealant for aircraft integral fuel tank made from the waste of a natural tree resin ( the waste of Pili Tree Resin) which is also called "spent resin" or "de-oiled resin". His study comprises two parts which are the optimization process and characterization process. The optimization process involves a flammability test, while the characterization process is centered around the physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of the Pili Seal and a commercial sealant. Since this is a two-component sealant, the reaction of the base and hardener component is needed by mixing the two components in order for the sealant to work and function as a sealing material. As a result, this product offers a safe and non-toxic effect on the users, especially the aircraft mechanics and technicians, who are most exposed to these types of chemicals. The Pili Seal is safer, cheaper, assured, secured, and has a better performance that has exceeded most commercial sealants on the market. In addition to that, he envisions this project as a gateway to creating and building a manufacturing company of aviation sealants here in the Philippines and going beyond importing aviation sealants from other regions and countries. Not only will this be good for our country, but if this vision came to life, it will also assure additional job opportunities for Filipino farmers for huge production and harvesting of pili tree resin will be in high demand.

As stupendous as the innovation sounds, many have doubted Mr. Bantugon on his journey towards creating the "Pili Seal", including himself, who he considers as his worst critique. This success was not achieved overnight, it is a product of a whole semester of blood, sweat, and tears coming from the hard work and pressure that his solo-thesis adventure has caused. You read it right, he decided to go solo on this journey despite all the doubts and reservations he has. In a conducted interview he stated the exact date on when he decided that he will do this project alone, with his prior background, knowledge, and studies with regards to this topic. "...nung July 11, 2019, nagdecide ako na ituloy ang thesis study na ito." Kennedy announced. When he was asked what is his motivation behind his research, he answered, "Hindi dahil gusto ko lamang ito, pero God spoke to me before I really decided to continue this great plan of him." Despite his strong faith in God and himself, the struggles that he has faced during his journey to creating the Pili seal have almost taken all his drive and energy out. On his interview, when asked what struggles did he faced, he answered, "Hindi madali at nakakapagod lalo na sa tulad kong mag isang gumagawa. Kaya dumating sa point na nagdecide ako na everyday na yung pag eexperiment ko sa Chemistry Laboratory after ng klase ko na 7- 2PM para matapos ko ito ng isang semester. Magstart ako ng 5PM para gumawa ng samples at matatapos ng 11 PM. Tuwing weekends naman, 7AM ng umaga -11PM ng gabi. Ito yung naging weekly routine ko at Chemistry Laboratory naman ang naging tirahan ko na kulang na lang ay tumira ako don. Madalas pa nga na mangyare na akyatin pa ako ng guard ng school naming sa 4th floor ng building para pauwiin na ako kasi kulang na lang, doon na ako matulog." He have also gotten to the point where his health and well-being have been put on the line, but that didn't stop him from fighting his way on this somehow sticky ladder of success stating, "Dumating sa point na dahil sobra kong naabuso ang katawan ko sa hindi pagtulog ng humigit kumulang 36 hours, nagcollapse at nagseizure ako sa dorm kung kaya’t mas lalo akong nangamba na matapos ang solo thesis ko dahil sa nangyaring ito sakin. Pero kahit ganun pa man ang nangyare, pinilit kong lumaban at ibalik ang pagiging pursigido ko."

Kennedy's dedication, hard work, perseverance, and faith in God surely did not go to waste. His "Pili Seal" innovation has garnered multiple national and international awards including Cardinal Innovator, Grand Champion in MAPÚA University - MAPÚA Design and Innovation; Grand Winner - Alfredo M. Yao Intellectual Property Awards 2020; Round 1 Winner - DONGBU GROUP - SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (DB-SNU) GLOBAL STARTUP CHALLENGE 2021; 4th Placer - 2021 Pitch Perfect: Become a Startup Hero; SELECTED INCUBATEE/INVENTOR - Ateneo Intellectual Property Office Start-Up Incubation Program; and lastly, SELECTED INNOVATION STUDY, published in the 1st IPOPHIL-DLSU Intellectual Property and Innovation Research Conference Book of Abstracts.

People have unique and different paths carved specifically to lead them to success. As for Kennedy E. Bantugon, he is still on his way to the bigger picture, although he might encounter a few sticky bumps on the road, the rewards that he got and will be getting will definitely be worth it. To impart something from his journey on sealing his success, "To my fellow students, future scientists, inventors, and researchers of the next generation, always put your full trust in God. And as you trust Him, you should also trust His processes and His promises. Always allow yourself to dream because it is valid. And on your journey, you are never denied but only redirected. Embrace the #FLYthing attitude in mind, heart, and spirit."