20/03/2025
Did you know?
Maria Ylagan Orosa, the Filipino food scientist and war hero, invented banana ketchup! Born in 1893, Maria was not just a brilliant chemist but also a patriot. She created this iconic Filipino condiment as a resourceful alternative to tomato ketchup during World War II, when tomatoes were scarce. But thatโs not all! She also invented food products like soyalac (a soy-based nutrient mix) and darak (rice bran cookies), which saved countless lives during the war by combating malnutrition. ๐พ
A true Filipinnovator, Maria dedicated her life to food science and helping her people. Today, her legacy lives on in every banana ketchup bottle. โจ
Whatโs your favorite dish to pair with banana ketchup? Let us know in the comments! ๐
Source: https://www.philstar.com/.../11/29/30265/maria-ylagan-orosa
Ready to be the next Maria Orosa? Apply na sa Filipinnovation Awards 2025!
Link: https://filipinnovation.neda.gov.ph/