TOKYO, Japan—Samar State University’s (SSU) team of inventors brought home two prestigious awards at the Japan Design Idea and Invention Expo 2025 (JDIE 2025) held on July 5-6, 2025, at the Bellesalle Haneda Airport Garden, Tokyo, Japan, for their groundbreaking invention called CAGE.
The SSU team composed of Engr. Nikko Ardel Floretes, Engr. Walvies Mc Alcos, Engr. Justin Manuel Mora, Engr. Francis Jerric Candido, Engr. Rojay Flores, Engr. Adrian Gadin, and Engr. Richard Fabriag clinched the coveted gold and Leading Innovation Award for their entry CAGE (Controlled Acoustic Generation for Enticing Mud Crabs)—the latest version in the mud crab attracting system family, developed by the ECE Department of the College of Engineering.
It uses a newly modified sound frequency to lure mud crabs into a specially designed cage. This method helps crab farmers minimize their effort in hunting, as they simply place CAGE in the area and it handles the trapping. Unlike previous versions that used a claw mechanism, CAGE operates more efficiently and requires less manual effort.
Engr. Floretes received the award and was the only Filipino who attended the event in person, a proud representation of Filipino ingenuity on the global stage.
The invention’s focus on mud crab aquaculture resonates with national efforts to promote sustainable fisheries and food security. Its acoustic-based approach is a novel response to challenges in traditional crab farming that aligns with emerging research on sustainable development.
The JDIE is a platform for showcasing inventive concepts and cutting-edge designs from around the world.