"The Reaction" Goes Online

In line with its efforts to cope with technological innovation in the digital age, "The Reaction - The Official Newsletter of the Chemical Engineering Society" launched its new simple website portal last 20 February 2015.

The blogspot website of the reaction was already set up as early as January 11, 2015 but uploading of articles was deferred until Managing Editor Darwin Eugenio received Ches President Vincent Almeda's blessings to initiate the project. Almeda lauded the initiative of the administrators of The Reaction on February 1, 2015 and subsequently gave the go signal to have the news articles uploaded. Incumbent Editor-in-Chief Bob Castrence believed that it's already due time for "The Reaction" to evolve with the current technological trends. "Ako naman masaya. we have to embrace change" he said.

The Reaction's Managing Editor Darwin Eugenio admitted that the webpage maybe transferred in case that the UST Chemical Engineering Society will launch its own website. "As of now, may koordinasyon naman kami ni [Internal Vice President] Allen 'Seph' Baluyot tungkol sa website. Siya rin po nagbigay ng go signal nang pinakita namin 'yung burador o draft ng blogspot website ng 'The Reaction'. Kung ililipat ang laman nitong website, go lang naman po kami." Eugenio said.

Articles with Publication Materials/Posters

To visit the article regarding the event, click the event's poster: 

Food Innovation Seminar

Biomedical Seminar

Polymers Symposium

Book Scholarship Drive

ChE Chorale

Exit Exam

Community Leadership Seminar

Summer ChEARS

UST ChES holds a Biomedical Seminar

by Christelle Navarette

The University of Santo Tomas Chemical Engineering Society (UST-ChES) held a biomedical seminar last October 8 at the Education Auditorium, Albertus Magnus Building titled “Leveraging Diverse Medical Science to Fortify Humanity.” The seminar have four series of sessions that aimed to instill knowledge about the Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Industries and to showcase the influence of these subjects to the human health security through the years.

The first topic was discussed by Mrs. Marie Cris Mizal-Merz, UST Bioanalytical Laboratory Head of Center of Excellence in Drug Research and Evaluation and Studies. She discoursed about the validation of bioanalytical methods in the production of quality medicine. On the other hand, Dr. Arturo V. Estuita, a Co – Founder, first President and Chairman of Philippine College for the Advancement of Medicine (PCAM), discussed about the beauty and advantages of a new found technology called the cardiovascular chelation therapy as cure for Hepatitis B.

After a break, Ms. Zenaida M. de Guzman, the current Chairman of the Development of Philippine National Standard on Food Irradiation talked about the radiation sterilization of medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. And lastly, the Country Safety Lead for Safety Evaluation and Reporting, Worldwide Safety and Regulatory and Worldwide Research and Development of Pfizer, Inc., Mr. Byron Webb A. Romero, disclosed the reality behind drug safety.

The said seminar was attended primarily by Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmacy and Graduate School students of the University of Santo Tomas.

UST-ChE Performs Better in November 2014 Licensure Examination

Three Thomasians Make it to the Top 10

by Bob Chaervin S. Castrence (December 27, 2014)

The passing rate of ChE batch 2014 in the recently held Licensure Examination for Chemical Engineers had improved with three included in the top 10 ranking. Joseph John Liwanagan led the Thomasian passers at 2^nd place (83.40%), followed by Francis Jessy Liggayu at 7^th place (82.80%) and William Macasero, Jr. at 9^th place (82.50%).

From left to right: Francis Jessy Liggayu (7th place), Joseph John Liwanagan (2nd place),
and William Macasero Jr. (9th place) 

Based on the results released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), USTChE improved its numbers with a 69.12% overall passing rate, wherein 96 out of 136 examinees successfully passed the examination compared to last year’s 58.97% wherein 69 passed out of 117 examinees.

Despite the breakthrough, USTChE still did make it to the Top 3 performing schools. University of the Philippines- Diliman dominated the licensure examination having an overall passing rate of 91.76%, followed by University of the Philippines- Los Banos (86.27%) and Batangas State University (81.03%).

USTChE is moving forward to improve its overall passing rate by means of programs that can gauge candidates’ and students’ preparedness and confidence for licensure examinations such as InDEX, an exit exam for higher years and LEChE Plan, an in-house microreview programs facilitated by faculty members of UST Chemical Engineering Department.

ChES Conducts a Seminar about Food Innovation

by Bob Chaervin Castrence (October 29, 2014)

ChES conducted a seminar titled, ChEF (Chemistry of Food): Discovering the recipe for food innovation last October 23 at the Beato Angelico AVR. The seminar tackled about the current trends and innovation in the food industry and an overview about venturing into food industry.

The guest speakers were Engr. Jose Victor Saqueton of Dole Philippines, Engr. Rodolfo Domingo of Mondelez Philippines and Ms. Rosemarie Reyes of Universal Robina Corporation (URC) Cavite Plant. Engr. Saqueton talked about Asceptic Processing Technologies and High Pressure Processing (HPP), which is one of the modern alternative food processing methods. He also discussed the advantages of accepting processing over conventional canning. Engr. Domingo tackled about the importance of food innovation in our society, the ethical considerations in food manufacturing and the role of Chemical Engineers in the food innovation. Ms. Reyes recalled the basics of food chemistry and introduced the applications of Programmable Logic Control (PLC) in their plant.

The seminar was made possible by the ChES Student Affairs committee spearheaded by Lea Gilliane Delica. 

Ultimate Dance Revolution: ChEDC Defends Crown Once Again

by Darwin Eugenio (December 26, 2014)

The Chemical Engineering Dance Crew retained the championship status of the department during the Engineering Student Council’s General Assembly titled “Neon Generation ‘Let Your Color Define You’” held on October 19, 2014 at Circuit Makati. Similar to previous competitions, the Ultimate Dance Revolution competition was fought among dance crews representing a particular department in the Faculty of Engineering and the newly-established Institute of Information and Computing Sciences.

(Photo from Ust Ches Facebook account)

The fifteen-member Chemical Engineering Dance crew wowed the audience with their dance performance consisting of hiphop, ballet, contemporary dance and isolation elements mixed together. In terms of ranking, the Chemical Engineering Dance Crew was preceded by the Information Technology, Civil Engineering, and Electronics and Communications Engineering dance crews, respectively. According to Crystel Quijano, captain of the Chemical Engineering Dance crew, fifteen out of nineteen members of the dance crew were able to participate in the competition.

Rochelle Louise Sampaga, the Co-Captain of the Chemical Engineering Dance Crew, jubilantly described how challenging yet fun it was to work on retaining the championship. “Actually kasi, noong practice namin nahihirapan kami sa routine namin. Siyempre, lahat naman ninanais yung titulo. Tsaka [bilang isa sa mga lider], napepressure ako, kasi defending kami. Siyempre nag-eexpect din ang mga tao lalo na yung [Chemical Engineering Department]. Kaya ginawa namin lahat nang makakaya namin at marami kaming naisakripisyo. Nang bandang huli pagkatapos namin sumayaw, naisip ko masaya ako [para sa lahat] kahit [hindi pa sinasabi kung sino ang nanalo]. Kasi yun naman talaga dahilan kung bakit kami sumali. Gusto namin sumayaw, para ipakita sa lahat yung talento na binigay ni Lord samin. Para rin makapag-inspire kami [at] hindi para makapagyabang. Sa kahulihulian, masaya kami at napagbigyan kami dahil na rin sa mga dasal at pagpursigi ng bawat isa.” she said.

The Chemical Engineering Dance Crew was the champion during the Ultimate Dance Revolution 1 (A.Y 2011 – 2012) and Ultimate Dance Revolution 3 (A.Y 2013 – 2014). The dance crew was the first runner up during Ultimate Dance Revolution 2 which was held on 2012. 

UST ChE Makes Stronger Bonds with Polymers

by Roxanne Mae G. Suyu

The Chemical Engineering Society (ChES) conducted a polymer symposium titled “Linking Up”, at UST Beato Angelico AVR last August 20, 2014. The event was organized with a purpose of fostering Chemical Engineering students’ knowledge about polymers and the materials’ significance to the industry. Two discussions from polymer specialists, Dr. Christina A. Binag and Engr. Rolando Marasigan became the highlight of the event. Dr. Binag discussed about the updates on producing polymers as she laid an emphasis on the present situation of modernized and highly technology-oriented processing in light weight plastics and rubbers. On the other hand, Engr. Marasigan lectured about the current situation of the polymer industry. He stressed out the significance of polymerical fields including research, development and production. A participative open forum among the audience followed the consecutive discussions.

ChES Grants Book Scholarship to Deserving Ones

by Nickole Jean L. Codico (October 29, 2014)

The UST Chemical Engineering Society held its annual search for deserving Chemical Engineering students to become the newest batch of book scholars for the first semester of A.Y. 14-15 held at the Roque Ruaño building last 11th to 16th of August.

This project aims to provide commendable ChE students with books for their major subjects, which would help them excel in their academic performance. "It took us long to choose the scholars for this semester because most of them really showed their need for the books," said Divine Grace Agura, one of the project heads. "Makikita mo talaga yung drive nila to perform better sa studies kaya sila nag apply for the book scholarship," she added.

The project team considered two factors in choosing the new set of book scholars. First is the dire needs of the student and second is the way he/she performed on the interview proper. The applicant must reflect a package comprising of a good personality and great commitment to the organization in order to be selected.

Out of the twenty seven who applied, only seven were chosen for the semester's book scholarship. Namely, they are Ian Kester Fancubit (1ChE-B), Jay Russell Avendano (1ChE-D), Roxanne Mae Suyu (2ChE-C), Jazzmyn De Leon & Julius Magno (3ChE-D), Harvey Lechago (4ChE-C), and Charissa Alfonso (5ChE-B). The result was announced on the 20th of August.

These book scholars will continue to be a representation of UST ChES' continuing success in helping students to be better not just with the extra-curricular activities but also in aiding the students with their needs to excel in academics.

UST ChE Chorale: A New Den for ChE Student-choristers

by Janet Pastores and Jayson Mascareñas

               It is an undeniable fact that aside from their scientific and mathematical inclination, ChE students were endowed with great talents. This reality inspired the UST Chemical Engineering Society to open for the very first time a group where ChE students can contribute and hone their talent in singing --- The UST ChE Chorale. It is one of this year’s projects of the UST ChES headed by its Assistant Secretary Ms. Janille Constantino.

                The UST ChE Chorale was introduced to the Chemical Engineering students by holding a three-day audition last July 2014 at Laboratory 5 of Roque Ruaño Building. The judges were fourth year chemical engineering students, Joyce Manalo and Louisse Nieva. In the first and second day of the auditions, less than ten students tried out, but on the last day there were more than 30 students

.

From those who auditioned, only 29 students were chosen. Joyce Manalo and Louise Nieva are part of the chorale; all in all, the UST Che Chorale is composed of 31 students. ”We judged them based sa voice nila, kung gaano ka-versatile yung voice nila, when it comes to a slow or fast paced song, at syempre, kung magaling ba sila,” said Louise Nieva.

                The Performing Arts and Recreations Committee first thought of having the chorale and is supported by the president of UST ChES because he wanted [UST ChES] to have its own singing group. The project head of UST ChE Chorale, Janille Constantino believes that even though it is the first time UST ChES has its own chorale, if it continues a year or two from now, it will not only perform on ChES events but also compete outside the campus. “Bukod sa may magrerepresent sa ChE sa ganyang bagay, it will also build new circle of friendships and camaraderie between ChE students,” she said.

ChES holds Career Path Orientation

by Christelle Navarette (October 29, 2014)

The Chemical Engineering Society started the school year right by conducting a Career Path Seminar at Albertus Magnus Auditorium last July 25 titled, “Explore the Unusual, Pursue ChE.” Attended by mostly first year to third year chemical engineering students, the seminar focused on the unaccustomed definition of chemical engineering, its importance to the industry and the traits and habits one should possess in order to finish the program.

Attendees of the event. (Photo courtesy of Ust Ches Membership
and Documentation Commiitte. Used with permission)

“Seek the job that will make you happy.” These are the words Engr. Arnold Benitez, a UST ChE Batch 1995 Alumni, enunciated as he briefly discussed a vast list of career path options for a chemical engineer. He reminisced past experiences and shared his journey towards becoming the Asia Pacific Marketing Strategic Manager of Dow Chemical Pacific Ltd. at present.

On the other hand, another UST ChE Alumni (Batch 1975) emphasized on the challenges and the counter advantages of being a chemical engineer. Engr. Edwina Villarosa, Chief Executive Officer of Environatural Corporation, wittily summarized her talk with an inspirational advice, “You should be prepared to become rich!”

Moreover, Asst. Prof. Rosalina A. Lioanag, ChE Department Chairperson, graced the event with a brief discourse concerning the abilities a ChE student should possess in order to transform to a professional engineer. “You’ve got to be a Star- seeker, team player, adaptable and responsible,” she stated.

It has been a tradition of Chemical Engineering Society to conduct career path orientation every start of a school year. This is to inspire students to pursue the program they have chosen despite the hardships they may encounter during the journey. 

ASEAN ChE Community Unites for AUCheEdS 2014

by Christelle Navarette

             In celebration of the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers’ (PiChE) Diamond year, PIChE Metro-Manila Academe Chapter and the PIChE College of Fellows organized the ASEAN Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Education Summit (AUChEEDS) 2014 in Manila, Philippines last July 17-19 with a theme, “Educating the New Generation of ASEAN Chemical Engineers”. The event was attended by almost 450 faculty and student participants from 10 local and 2 international universities and colleges that are members of the ASEAN University Network/Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network (AUN/SEED-Net).

AUChEEds Banner (Photo from Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers)

            Prominent speakers on Chemical Engineering Education identified from previous Asian Pacific Community of Chemical and Process Engineers and Industrial Chemists (APCChE) and World Congress were invited on the first day of the summit held at the Henry Sy Hall of De La Salle University to present Chemical Engineering’s shift from a conventional to outcomes-based education (OBE). 

             Prof. Philipina Marcelo, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Univeristy of Santo Tomas, discussed OBE in a comparative approach between bioguided food processing and innovative engineering education. Dr. Richard Felder, renowned for his textbook, Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, discussed through a webinar Prof. Duncan Fraser’s study on shaping Chemical Engineering curricula to meet the demands of the 21st century. The suggested curriculum proposes the mastery of theoretical concepts in Chemical Engineering and application of this knowledge to activities and projects to be assigned to the students.

               One of the keynote speakers, Dr. Miki Chitoshi, explained the objectives and goals of the AUN/SEED-Net, a human resource network that currently consists of 26 leading institutions from 10 ASEAN countries and is supported by 14 leading Universities in Japan. On the other hand, plenary speakers namely, Prof. David Shallcross, Prof. Jae-Jin Shim, Prof. Ir Mei-Fong Chong and Dr. Noel Kristian discussed about interactive e-books and materials, development of Chemical Engineering education and Accreditation Board for Engineering Education in Korea (ABEEK), “Year 1 Assessment Week” in Malaysia and experiential activities that engage students to apply engineering concepts in determining problems and solutions in a certain community. A student from Adamson University, Joachin Victorino Mari Armonio, presented the results of his study regarding the factors that would affect the learning capability of Chemical Engineering students and the practices that would aid in their faster learning. 

               An international quiz bowl held at San Martin de Porres Auditorium, University of Santo Tomas took place on the second day of the summit. Teams from 11 various universities and colleges competed for the 500 USD prize by analyzing theories and solving problems related to Chemical Engineering. De La Salle University won the brain battle while UP Diliman and Malayan Colleges-Laguna bagged the second and third places, respectively. A campus tour and a parallel open laboratory demonstration of various equipment particularly a continuous stirred tank reactor, a sieve tray distillation tower and a process control rig, were prepared by the UST Chemical Engineering Society after the competition. A fellowship dinner to promote social interaction among the participants concluded the second day of the event.

            Culminating rites were conducted in Malayan Colleges-Laguna and were followed by a trip to Taal Lake and Volcano and a luncheon in Tagaytay City.

           Typhoon Glenda hit the Philippines during the summit but it was not powerful enough to stop the raging desire of ASEAN Chemical Engineering group of professionals and students to learn and experience AuChEEDS 2014 like no other.

This is Where it All Starts: UST ChES holds 12th Leadership Summit

by Divine Grace R. Agura

The UST Chemical Engineering Society held its 12^th Leadership Summit last July 4-6 at the Tan Yan Kee Audio Visual Room and Boso-Boso Highlands and Recreation Center in Antipolo, Rizal with the theme, “Empowering Leaders as Thomasian Agents towards an Effective Student’s Society”. It was attended by 107 Chemical Engineering student-leaders and was facilitated by Mr. Philippe Jose Hernandez, professor from the Engineering Sciences Department and ChE Department’s very own, Engr. Rose Mardie Pacia.

The leadership summit was a three-day event that consisted of workshops, team building activities, and lectures, which aimed to enhance the leadership skills and career opportunities of the participants. Prof. Philipina A. Marcelo, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, welcomed the participants at the Tan Yan Kee Audio Visual Room during the first day. Groupings that will accompany each participant during the summit were formed afterwards. A talk titled, Thomasian Identity: Branding and Norming by Asst. Prof. Virginia A. Sembrano, Assistant to the Director for Publication, kicked off the series of talks. She shared about the three core values that every Thomasian Engineer should possess namely: competence, commitment and compassion and how these values would help in the future endeavor of every student. This was subsequently followed by a talk delivered by Mr. Joselito delos Reyes, a professor from the Faculty of Engineering, where he shared insights about affecting and influencing norms of the society. In addition to these, Engr. Reynold M. Agustin, an alumnus of the university, ended the series of talks and discussed about networking and establishing connections and its essentials. Workshops followed each talk to instill and test the learnings of the participants.

Off campus activities marked the 2^nd and 3^rd days of the leadership summit. A lecture led by Mr. Hernandez, started the 2^nd day. He discussed about understanding and adopting to different work styles and he shared 10 tips on how to be more productive in every work. Series of team building activities were also conducted throughout the day despite the heavy rains. A solidarity night featuring workshops and the Mr. and Ms. CLS 2014 wherein candidates showcased their wits and talents impromptu ended the activities of the day. Winners of the pageant were Julius Caesar Magno and Fatima Evangelista.

Chemazing race highlighted the 3^rd day of the event. The lineup of activities was composed of obstacle course, problem solving and team games which tested the physical and mental strengths of each participant as well as collaboration, camaraderie and leadership among groups. Despite the tough day, participants were all smiles as they prepared for the culminating exercises and awarding ceremony wherein the group Tropang Tutong, which garnered 270 points from all the activities, was hailed winner and received freebies and free passes to the Recruitment Week of UST ChES.

The leadership training ended with a word from Mr. Vincent Nikko Noel Almeda, President of the Chemical Engineering Society. “Conducting a seminar-workshop intended for the incoming leaders of any organization, in this case ChES, is really essential. It serves as the guide, our guide in ensuring that what we do and intend to do for the rest of our term will be aligned to the university and organization’s mission and vision. A leadership seminar workshop is also a right venue to set things right by preparing the new batch of leaders in every possible way. This in return affects not only the personalities and views of the persons who attended the said seminar workshop but also it affects the whole society because the actions of organization's leaders reflects the organization itself and the future of the organization as well,” he concluded. 

ChES Starts A.Y. 2014 – 2015 with Summer ChEARS

by Darwin Eugenio (November 29, 2014)

The Student Affairs Committee of the Chemical Engineering Society (ChES) started Academic Year 2014 – 2015 with an academic-related activity, the ChE Academic Reinforcement Sessions commonly shorted as ChEARS, which was held on 23^rd of June and ended on the 27^th of June.

Third year-level participants of ChEARS (Photo from Ust Ches Facebook account)

ChEARS is usually a one-week review session that aims to give interested Chemical Engineering (ChE) students an academic advantage for the upcoming academic year by providing them with advanced lessons on Chemical Engineering subjects. Incoming first to fourth year students were instructed by either fresh graduates or fellow undergraduate ChE students. Freshmen students were instructed in Algebra, General Chemistry, and Trigonometry. Sophomore students were given advanced lectures in Differential Calculus, Organic Chemistry, and Physics. Junior students took Chemical Engineering Calculations, Physical Chemistry, Differential Equations and Mechanics – Statics. Senior students were instructed in Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer, and Momentum Transfer.

Fourth-year level participants during the awarding day.  (Photo from Ust Ches Facebook account)

Unlike previous ChEARS, this year’s attendees were subjected to short quizzes at the end of every meeting. Results of these quizzes were tallied and ranked and the top performing students were rewarded with a free Belle de Jour Power Planner. The activity was primarily headed by its project head, Mark Capili and Student Affairs Committee Chair, Lorenz Dequiña.

Chemical Engineering Society Launches InDEx

by Nickole Jean L. Codico (November 23, 2014)

Third year to fifth year students of UST-ChE gathered at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium last June 3, 2014 for the launching of UMPISAHAN 2014: The InDEx Primer.

The Chemical Engineering department chair, Asst. Prof. Rosalina A. Lioanag, opened the program with a preview of the InDEx concept. "Our faculty [Engineering] used to dominate the top 10 list," she said, “and to help bring back the glory days, InDEx arose.”

Initially coined as the Exit Exam, the Incoming 3rd, 4th & 5th year students Diagnostic Examination (InDEx) is a project of ChES Executive Council that is pioneered by Kevin Dales, the InDEx Committee Chairman. He proposed a solution to the low average passing rate of the ChE department for the last five years. "Di ako naniniwalang di natin kaya ang 100%," Dales said after he professed that he is the one to blame for the most controversial projects of UST ChES.

During the ChE testimonials, ChE board passers shared their experiences prior to the board exam. They admitted the fear and pressure they felt throughout the whole taking-the-board-exam period. That was when Dales had the idea that reviewing for the board exam should not be done after graduation but should be practiced within the years of stay in UST. This is to improve mastery and retention in order to gain confidence when taking the examination.

The exam was conducted on July 8, 9 and 10 for 3rd, 4th and 5th year students respectively. It was held in computer laboratories and was facilitated by ChE professors. The exam was composed of fifteen multiple questions with a combination of theories and calculations through e-leap. Students who failed to pass the 70% mark are required to undertake the remediation and peer tutoring arranged by the UST-ChES InDEx committee.

In the end, some may or may not approve of the InDEx but UST-ChES along with the Chemical Engineering department will push through with the project and will continue to redefine ChES by helping everyone in the society achieve their goal: 100% passing rate for the licensure exam.