John Carlo Luna Reyes, an industrial design student from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, has been named the Philippine national winner of the 20th James Dyson Award for his invention “SolAsin,” a compact, solar-powered unit that produces high-value flaky salt.
Designed to empower coastal communities and revive the country’s declining salt industry, SolAsin introduces a sustainable method of salt farming that requires only seawater, sunlight, and occasional remixing.
Unlike traditional salt beds that demand large tracts of land and high capital, SolAsin is accessible, portable, and income-generating. Reyes drew inspiration from his hometown of Pangasinan—literally “a place where salt is made”—and developed the project with input from local residents and government agencies.
“Growing up in Pangasinan, I saw firsthand how coastal communities struggled to access sustainable livelihood opportunities. As a designer and an Iskolar ng Bayan, I have always felt a responsibility to use my skills to empower my own community,” Reyes said.
For his win, Reyes received P361,300, which he plans to use to refine the design and prepare for mass production.
Meanwhile, two entries from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) were named national runners-up: ChillWise, a passive, agro-waste-based cooling panel system that reduces energy consumption by up to 95%, and Lambooply, a sustainable composite material made from bamboo and Lampakanay grass.
All three inventions will progress to the international stage of the James Dyson Award for a chance to win P2,168,000. The international Top 20 shortlist will be announced on October 15, selected by a global team of Dyson engineers, while the global winners will be announced on November 5, chosen by James Dyson himself.
