Engr. Jeremy De Leon’s journey as an inventor started long before he earned his engineering degree. Back in his elementary days, he joined an art club, but unlike his twin brother who excelled in drawing and painting, Engr. Jeremy realized that art wasn’t really his strength. What he enjoyed more was crafting—building and putting things together with his hands.
During “show and tell” activities in school, most pupils would bring their favorite toys. Engr. Jeremy, however, proudly presented toys he had made himself—robots and other small creations. Even at a young age, he found joy in sharing something that came from his own imagination.
He was also a naturally curious child. He once begged his mother to buy him a telescope. She got him a toy version, and while he was initially excited, Engr. Jeremy soon grew frustrated when it didn’t work the way he expected. Instead of setting it aside, he experimented and discovered he could repurpose it into a magnifying glass. That moment showed him the power of curiosity and creativity—how even frustration could lead to new discoveries.
Discovering Resourcefulness
In high school, Engr. Jeremy’s resourcefulness only grew. Whenever something broke at home, the usual response of his mother was to call a carpenter or handyman. But Engr. Jeremy questioned why they needed to rely on others when he could try fixing things himself. With that thought, he set up his own mini workshop at home, gathering old tools and even using the family’s ironing board as his work table. From then on, he took the initiative to handle repairs, sharpening both his skills and confidence.
Engr. Jeremy came from a family where each sibling pursued a different professional path. His twin went into health sciences and became a physical therapist, while his older brother studied law and became a lawyer. Engr. Jeremy, on the other hand, was drawn to a path in engineering.
College Struggles and Breakthroughs
In his very first year, Engr. Jeremy’s eagerness to explore technology grew even more. He saw posters about tech competitions and immediately wanted to join. Excited, he asked a professor if he could participate, but was told it was only open to upper-year students. He would just have to wait.
When he finally started competing, Engr. Jeremy discovered a new world. He joined Shell Ideas 360, an international online competition where students submit solutions to real-world problems. It was his first time being recognized on a global stage, and soon after, he was invited to speak at The Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) Conference. Standing in front of an international audience, Engr. Jeremy felt both overwhelmed and thrilled.
Another highlight was the Sikat Design Challenge, a renewable energy competition organized by the Lopez Group. Engr. Jeremy’s team designed a communal stove for the Dumagat communities in Bulacan. The idea came from immersing themselves in the community and listening to their needs. The Dumagats wanted a way to cook without harmful smoke, so the team created a stove that not only allowed smoke-free cooking but could also charge mobile phones.
The project won first prize, bringing in a grant and recognition for their school. But when they handed the stoves to the community, a new challenge appeared. The Dumagats were hesitant to use them—some feared the stoves might explode, while others wanted to see the flame while cooking. For Engr. Jeremy, it was a humbling lesson: no matter how advanced or well-designed, technology must always fit the culture, habits, and comfort of its users.
Yet Engr. Jeremy’s love for competitions came at a cost. He often focused so much on projects that his academics suffered. After failing three subjects, he could no longer continue in the ECE program. It was a difficult crossroads. But instead of giving up, Engr. Jeremy transferred to Manufacturing Engineering, where many of his units were credited. He completed the program in two years, finally earning his degree in 2019 after seven long years in Mapua University.
This time, he promised himself he would focus on finishing. But when the Young Innovators Program of DOST- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) came along, he couldn’t resist. He proposed Bagwis, a micro wind turbine designed to generate sustainable energy. The project became his capstone project, funded as research, presented in Singapore, and even published in a paper.
From Research to Real-World Innovation
After graduation, Engr. Jeremy was hired for a DOST-funded project at Mapua University developing sensors for landslide monitoring. His job was to create devices that could detect ground movement in response to rainfall and transmit the data remotely. He quickly realized that technology built for controlled lab environments often failed in the unpredictable outdoors. The simpler the technology, the more reliable it became. That principle stayed with him.
Then the pandemic hit. With schools closed and students stuck at home, Engr. Jeremy wondered how learners could stay engaged in science and technology without laboratories and equipment. To spark new ideas, he joined the TikTok Challenge of DOST-PCIEERD, where he submitted a DIY microscope made from a laser pointer lens. He won first prize, but more importantly, the project planted the seed for his next big innovation: the Make-roscope.
Engr. Jeremy designed the Make-roscope., an affordable, simple, and ultra-portable keychain microscope that can be placed on the front camera of any smartphone or tablet, magnifying organisms from 125X to 400X. Using a keychain as the base, he dreamed of producing 1,000 units to distribute to schools across the Philippines. His TikTok post about the mission quickly gained attention. Eventually, with the help of DOST-TAPI, he secured IP protection for the design.
Support soon followed. The Security Bank Foundation purchased 1,000 units, while DOST-TAPI funded an additional 3,000 units for wider distribution. The Make-roscope. gained media mileage, online sales, and a wave of positive feedback. Engr. Jeremy’s startup—JereMake (originally his TikTok handle, “Jeremy’s creations”)—was born.
Lessons, Challenges, and the Road Ahead
The journey wasn’t without struggles. Engr. Jeremy often battled with himself, doubting whether his projects would succeed. He worked from his bedroom-turned-workshop, with his supportive parents occasionally reminding him not to push too hard. He also faced the emotional highs and lows of what he calls “rebound competitions”—winning some, losing others, and needing resilience to keep moving forward for his team.
Yet Engr. Jeremy never stopped improving. He upgraded the Make-roscope’s design, added kits with specimen slides, and eventually entered the James Dyson Award, where he was named the Philippine Winner. Media coverage brought a flood of orders, sometimes overwhelming his small team’s supply chain. Still, the Make-roscope had already proven its impact—bringing science into the hands of students nationwide.
Looking ahead, Engr. Jeremy envisions even bigger possibilities. He is developing a mission-based app for the Make-roscope, where users can search for microorganisms like in Pokémon Go, complete science activities, and contribute to a map of the Philippines’ microscopic biodiversity. His goal is not just to build tools, but to inspire a new generation of curious minds.
Outside of work, Engr. Jeremy balances his life with rest and play. He lounges, hops coffee shops, and spends time with his friends every few weeks. For him, rest is not a break from innovation—it’s part of the process that keeps creativity alive.
Making His Own Path
Engr. Jeremy’s life philosophy can be summed up in one line: “Kaya niyo ‘yan. There’s no right path—you make the path right.”
From a child who built robots out of toys, to an engineer who turned a keychain into a nationwide science tool, Engr. Jeremy De Leon continues to prove that setbacks can lead to breakthroughs—and that innovation begins with the courage to try.