A quiet plant growing in water might not seem like the beginning of a medical innovation. Yet in a design lab at the University of the Philippines, that plant became the starting point for something deeply personal. Two students began asking a simple question: could a natural material help breast cancer survivors regain comfort after surgery? What followed was months of experimentation, design sketches, and unexpected discoveries. Now their creation, is attracting attention far beyond their campus.
An idea sparked by a troubling reality
The story begins with a problem that affects millions of women worldwide. In the Philippines, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Many patients undergo mastectomy, a surgery that removes one or both breasts as part of treatment.
For survivors, recovery often includes finding a breast prosthesis — an external form that helps restore balance and shape. But the materials commonly used for these prostheses, such as silicone, cotton, polyester, or foam, can be expensive and not always comfortable in tropical climates.
That reality caught the attention of two industrial design students at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. Jason N. Pechardo and Emmanuelle A. Pangilinan had already worked together on several design projects. When they began researching breast cancer, they realized the issue was more widespread than they had expected.
The question soon followed: could a simpler, more accessible material work just as well?
Searching for a material closer to nature
Instead of looking toward complex synthetic materials, the students began exploring indigenous resources. They focused on a plant called bakong, an aquatic plant known locally for its natural antimicrobial properties.
Bakong is widely available and biodegradable, making it an unusual but intriguing candidate for a medical product. The students believed its properties could help create something both practical and sustainable.
Their concept also relied on modern technology. Using 3D scanning, the prosthesis can be customized to match a user’s body measurements, allowing each piece to fit more naturally.
The combination of traditional plant material and digital design methods gradually shaped their prototype. What began as a university project slowly turned into something with real potential.
From student project to award-winning idea
The invention is called Brakong, a lightweight external breast prosthesis made from the bakong plant. Earlier this year, the concept won the top prize in the Philippine leg of the 2022 James Dyson Award, a global competition that celebrates innovative design solutions.
The recognition has pushed the project onto a much bigger stage. Brakong is now moving forward in the international phase of the competition, where the shortlist is expected to be announced on Oct. 12 and the final winners on Nov. 16.
For the two students, the attention is encouraging — but also a reminder that the project is still evolving.
They continue to refine the design using feedback from partners such as ICanServe Foundation, an organization focused on early breast cancer detection and survivor support. Each round of feedback helps them adjust the shape, comfort, and usability of the prosthesis.
A small plant with a bigger possibility
Beyond the award, the students see Brakong as part of a larger conversation about sustainable medical design. Pangilinan believes product designers have a responsibility to consider the entire life cycle of the things they create.
“It’s the responsibility of all people who make products to think about the circularity of their designs,” she said, explaining that highlighting sustainable materials could eventually push industries toward more environmentally responsible products.
Pechardo also believes the bakong plant could have applications beyond this single device. The material, he said, may have potential for other medical materials and devices in the future.
For now, however, the focus remains on refining Brakong itself. The team hopes to secure additional funding to continue research and development. The extrusion machines they currently use at the university are limited, and access to more advanced equipment would help them improve the product.
Support from partners such as the UP College of Fine Arts’ FabLab and the Design Center of the Philippines has already helped move the idea forward. But turning the prototype into a widely available product will likely require investment and further collaboration.
The goal is simple: create something affordable, comfortable, and accessible for breast cancer survivors.
In the end, the most surprising part of the story may be where it began. Not in a hospital lab or a high-tech factory — but in a student project, a local plant, and a belief that nature and design can sometimes solve problems together.