Enrique Soto
Throughout the laboratories, classrooms, and hallways of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), thousands of people pass by, whose journeys serve as examples of overcoming challenges and resilience. The story of Professor Filiberto Vázquez Dávila begins in 1943 in the town of Atemajac de Brizuela, located in the Sierra de Jalisco. His father was a lumberjack, and his mother was a housewife. They asked him to become a professional and gave him four options: priest, doctor, lawyer, and engineer. With a big smile on his face, Vázquez Dávila confessed that chemistry has been his greatest passion.
The Biochemical Engineer from the Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, with a Master's in Analytical Chemistry from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey , recalled that at the age of 13, he came to Mexico City to enroll in school. "I already knew how to read, write, do math, and a bit of algebra because they got me a copy of Baldor's book; based on what I knew, they enrolled me in the sixth grade," he said.
Wearing his white lab coat with the IPN emblem embroidered on the left side, where the heart is located, Vázquez Dávila acknowledged that although he was diagnosed with autism at one point in his life, he always excelled academically and, in higher education, with the supportive help of a fellow student who later became his life partner.
Undoubtedly, the name of Professor Filiberto Vázquez Dávila has been engraved in golden letters in the history of this institution by shaping numerous generations and for his greatest invention: the Indelible Ink Marker. For over 30 years, it has contributed to the defense of democracy not only in Mexico but also in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
Professor Filiberto was greatly impressed by the Torre Latinoamericana, which was the tallest skyscraper in Mexico City at the time. He mentioned that due to his family's economic situation, he had to sell lemons on the streets to support his home.
He completed secondary school and took the admission exam to enter Vocational 6 "Medical-Biological," and later, the Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB). "I remember that they were furnishing the latter, and I found some papers with formulas for some compounds, and I thought, 'What could this be?' They were chemical formulas."
For the Indelible Ink Marker, Filiberto Vázquez's name is etched in the IPN's history with golden letters.
Another of his passions is soccer, and he proudly calls himself a die-hard "Chiva" (nickname for fans of Chivas Rayadas del Guadalajara, a Mexican soccer team). "I've been a soccer fan my whole life; I played for the IPN selection team between 1965 and 1966. I played as a right or left midfielder and sometimes in the center. I remember there was a sports facility near the airport, and people used to come to watch us. We became amateur champions of what was then the Federal District."
He also reminisced about the time he went to support Chivas Rayadas del Guadalajara in a match against Santos from Brazil; they lost 4-2, with two goals from the legendary Pelé. He proudly mentioned that he personally met the Chivas player Héctor Hernández, also known as "El Japo."
After completing his professional studies, he worked in various industries as a consultant and successfully completed research projects related to anticancer drugs and antibiotics applied to pharmaceuticals that are currently on the market.
After a brief pause, he looked at one of the machines where the Indelible Ink Marker is produced and shared the following anecdote:
"In a contest to create indelible ink organized by the then Federal Electoral Institute (IFE), more than 50 samples were tested. They were looking for an indelible ink that technically does not exist. I thought it had to be something that penetrated the skin a little, and I found a formula that pigmented the cells, which is protected as an industrial secret. This has been a success for over 30 years and has contributed to the prestige of the Politécnico."
The scientist, winner of the National Science and Arts Award 2001, the National Chemistry Award 2003, the "Lázaro Cárdenas" Award 2003, as well as a recognition from Discovery Channel, left a message for future generations: "What our country needs is innovative young people who develop projects and create their own companies to help those less fortunate."
He proudly shared that seven of his students have created companies under his guidance. "That has been my goal, for knowledge not to be just about feeling like a knowledgeable doctor but to benefit the economy. 'Technology in the Service of the Nation' to me means providing technological development to lift the country out of poverty, especially in rural communities."
Selección Gaceta Politécnica #165. (August 31st, 2023). IPN Imagen Institucional: Read the full magazine in Spanish here
INSTITUTO POLITÉCNICO NACIONAL
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