Talents Abound: UST-ChES Conducts Annual Variety Show

by Kevin Chad M. Cerezo

                In line with the weeklong celebration of the 40^th year of the UST Chemical Engineering Society (UST-ChES), the Chemical Engineering Society held its annual variety show titled “Restrospect: The UST ChES Variety Show 2016” on January 29, 2015 at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium. The said event was conducted to highlight the talent and skills of chemical engineering students in various fields, such as singing, dancing, on-stage acting, and the like.

The APC Group and their High School Musical-themed performance.
(Photo Credit: Jobie Tuscano, UST-ChES Memdoc)

The "R&M" Singing Duo performing an acoustic number
(Photo Credit: Alyssa Alcala)

Christine Pagaduan performing a solo number
(Photo Credits: Jobie Tuscano)

            Taking home the bacon with the highest weighted percentile, the A.P.C. group composed of mainly fifth year students, retained their two-peat championship title with their skit inspired by the 2006 Disney hit movie, High School Musical. The first and second runner-ups of the tilt were the “R&M” (Russel Avedano) singing duo of the second year students and solo singer freshman Christine Pagaduan, respectively.

The "R&M" duo being interviewed by the three hosts
(Photo Credit: Merryl Marquez/The Reaction)

The APC Performers
(Photo Credit: Merryl Marquez/The Reaction)

The APC Performers 
(Photo Credit: Merryl Marquez/The Reaction)

            Carl Edward Fulgencio, leader of the APC group performers, said that their victory was unexpected. “Yung skit concept 2 days ago [bago yung variety show] lang nabuo tapos 1 day before [ng show] yung rehearsal kasi wala naman pasok noon.” he said. (“The concept of the skit was done 2 days before the show while rehearsals were done the day before since there were no classes [on that day]”) Mark Jed dela Cruz, an APC performer, said that the competition was nice.

            Eight performances, either by group or solo, were done. Evaluation of the top 3 entries was based on the votes coming from the audience and the percentile ranking in accordance to the criteria set by the judges. The judges of the competition were selected Thomasian students, namely: Meeko Evangelista of the Faculty of Engineering; Eizel Lyn Marcelo of the Conservatory of Music; and Chelsea Tamayo of the AMV College of Accountancy. Cash prizes and certificates were given to the respective winners. This year’s variety show was headed by Jorge Ochoa, UST ChES Public Relations Officer, and Coleen Palicpic, Vice Chair of the Publicity Committee. The UST ChES Publicity Committee served as the organizers of this yearly event.

Through Centuries: ChES crowns ChE Youth Ambassador and Ambassadress 2015

by Divine Grace Agura

As part of the series of events prepared by the Chemical Engineering Society (ChES) for the UST-ChE community this ChES week, the UST Chemical Engineering Society held the “TCHEYAA 2016: The Search for the Next Thomasian Chemical Engineering Youth Ambassador and Ambassadress” at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium last January 26, 2016 with masters of the program, Ms. Christine Rodriguez, an alumna of Faculty of Engineering and Mr. Berl Stephen Reeves Dutosme from the Faculty of Arts and Letters.

Ms. Corina Tan and Mr. Renzo Gabriel, the
Thomasian Chemical Engineering Youth Ambassador and Ambassadress, respectively.
(Photo Credit: Jobie Tuscano/UST-ChES Memdoc)

Corina Tan and Jan Renzo Gabriel, a 5th year and 3rd year student respectively, were hailed as this year's Thomasian Chemical Engineering Youth Ambassador and Ambassadress.

Candidates were initially presented at the UST ChES General Assembly last October 29, 2015, as a kickoff for the main event in order for them to prepare for the pageant night. Students, faculty members, and other spectators began to line up for registration at around 5:30 pm where they also received freebies from major sponsors. Prior to the start of the program, the UST Chemical Engineering Chorale lead the invocation and singing of the National Anthem. Banners and cheers from the crowd filled the auditorium when the candidates presented themselves as they walked on the stage.

While they were preparing for the casual attire portion of the pageant, organizers proceeded to award the certificates and tokens of appreciation to the judges. Awards were presented to Ms. Alyssa Gohing, a fashion and fitness blogger, Ms. Rose Afan, the Thomasian Youth Ambassadress 2015 and Mr. Paulo Katigbak, the Thomasian Youth Ambassador 2015.

As the contestants showcased their charms in their casual attires, and wit during the casual interview, the audience engulfed the whole auditorium with loud cheers for their respective representatives. This was subsequently followed by the creative wear portion after a performance from the UST ChE local band, "Aliquot", composed of Wrenzie Regodon, Ryan Noriega, Judge Chua, Bettina Fresnoza, and Nichol Manio. Candidates wowed the audience as they presented their historical eras-themed creative wears primarily made of recycled materials. Civilizations represented were the Roman Empire, Viking Civilization, Imperial Japanese, Han Dynasty China, Aztec Civilization, and the Ottoman Empire. A lot of students appeared to be very interested in the costumes, which also promoted recycling.

One of the criteria of the pageant which is new this year is the Advocacy of the candidates wherein they have proposed plans, projects and areas of research that would help lessen the impacts of current scenarios to the people and to the environment. This aims not only to build awareness among the contestants but also to the students and to the whole community. This was followed by the formal wear portion where contestants showed elegance in their gowns and was serenaded by Pauline Losaria and Marie Catangay right after.

Special Awards

Special awards were announced at around 8:15PM. These awards were given to: Shunji Sugaya (Mr. Blackwater), Sharlene Lusung (Ms. Careline), Jude Billiones and Eren Peñan (Mr. and Ms. Photogenic), Raniel Anastacio and Jan Renzo Gabriel (Best Advocacy Project), Jude Billiones and Joyce Manalo (Best in Casual Wear), Raniel Anastacio and Jan Renzo Gabriel (Best in Creative Wear), and Jude Billiones and Corina Tan (Best in Formal Wear). The top three paired candidates (female and male) were Corina Tan and Von Justin, Joyce Manalo and Jude Billiones, Raniel Anastacio and Jan Renzo Gabriel. For the final part of the pageant, finalists were subjected to a question and answer portion, showcasing both their wits and charm.

Von Justin emerged as the 2nd runner up together with Raniel Anastacio while Jude Billiones and Joyce Manalo secured the spot as 1st runners-up. Project Heads Janille Constantino and Janssen Radley Penaflor, delivered inspiring messages for the success of the event, and promised to continue making improvements for not only for the pageant but also to any other student activities.  All candidates were all smiles after another spectacular experience as the program ended.

(For more pictures: Visit the album uploaded by the UST ChES Official Facebook page.)

Chemical Engineering Performance Rate Lands at 64.55%; Kusuhara Ranks 6th

The University of Santo Tomas - Chemical Engineering Department (UST-ChE) garnered a satisfactory performance rate in the 2015 Chemical Engineering licensure examinations held last November 13-15.

According to the results released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Novermber 23, UST-ChE got a 64.55% passing rate, a percentage equivalent to 71 passers out of 110 examinees, which is not far from than last year’s 69.7%.

A screengrab from the official results released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Results in full may be viewed here.

The University of the Philippines-Diliman topped the exam with an 93.90% passing rate in which 77 out of 82 examinees passed. The national passing rate was pegged at 52.32%.

The rules set by the PRC states that a university must have an 80% passing rate with at least 40 or more examinees to be included in the top performing schools.

One Topnotcher from UST-ChE

One Thomasian, Leo Ryuji Dua Kusuhara of Batch 2015, ranked sixth (6th) in the list of top ten examinees, having achieved a 82.90% score. Efforts from the UST-ChE Department to improve the passing rate include a faculty-peer group review project (ExChEl), improved integration course, and a voluntary mock board exam which was facilitated by the ChE Department.

UST-ChES Holds Environmental Awareness Seminar

news by Queen Desiree Dalisay, Darwin Eugenio, John Edward Dupaya

photos by Darwin Eugenio

In line with an increasing demand for environmental awareness and sustainability, the UST Chemical Engineering Society – Community Development Committee (UST-ChES ComDev) held an environmental awareness seminar last November 12 aptly titled “TRAVERSE: Transformation vs Environment - A Chemical Engineer’s Responsibility on Environmental Awareness”.

The event was conceptualized by its project heads, John Andre San Miguel of 5ChE-A and Sam Denielle Tugaoen of 2ChE-D, both members of the Community Development Committee of UST-ChES. The project heads successfully managed to invite five distinguished guest speakers coming from various environment-related government agencies. The seminar was held at the Engineering Conference Hall of the University of Santo Tomas.

Engr. Dolores Velasquez focused on the Clean Air Act

The Speakers and Their Topics

The first speaker, Engr. Dolores Velasquez, OIC, Chief – Air Quality Management System of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) discussed the Clean Air Act and its relevance to the chemical engineering profession. She mainly emphasized the role of chemical engineers in preventing or curtailing air pollution. Engr. She emphasized that chemical engineers are often in the managerial position in a process and, aside from the sanitary engineers, chemical engineers can also sign the Air Quality Status Reports. She also explained the different testing parameters for the quality of air.

Engr. Divine Camarao focused on the Clean Water Act

She was succeeded by her partner, Engr. Divina “Divine” Camarao who proceeded to discuss the Philippine Clean Water Act and how the chemical engineering profession can be of great use to the wastewater treatment industry. The two engineers served as the first batch of speakers for Topic 1: “Chemical Engineer’s Role for the Environment”.

A 4th-year student asking a question in the first open forum.

Before the first batch of speakers was given a token of appreciation, a short open forum was held. Afterwards, a short intermission song number was performed by Gio Castillo and Pauline Losaria of the UST-ChES Performance and Recreations Committee.

Gio Castillo (seated) and Pauline Losaria (standing, right) performing
an intermission song number.

John Andre San Miguel (center-back) awarding the certificates to the two engineers.

The two engineers were succeeded by the next speaker, Rasheilla Yanina T. Antasuda, an Environmental Management Specialist II of the DENR-EMB. She mainly discussed Hazardous Waste Management and how chemical engineers can help implement Republic Act 6969 - "Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990."

Ms. Rasheilla Antasuda discussing RA 6969

An open forum for Ms. Rasheilla Antasuda

A game was held as an ice-breaker before the last set of speakers were called.

After a brief open forum for students with inquiries directed to Ms. Antasuda, a short intermission game was held to lighten up the mood of the conference attendees. Game winners won prizes supplied by event sponsors M Lhuillier and Clothesline. Afterwards, the last batch of speakers whose topics cover Nuclear Awareness and Nuclear Environmental Applications was introduced by the emcees. Engr. Haydee M. Solomon of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) discussed the applications of irradiation to the wastewater treatment industry. Her senior partner, Dr. Vangeline Kinilitan Parami, Ph. D., discussed about nuclear energy and its distinctiveness compared to coal and oil-based energy.

 Engr. Haydee Solomon (top) and Dr. Vangeline Parami Ph.D (bottom)

The last open forum for the third batch of speakers was held afterwards. A group photo was taken before the event was formally closed by the singing of the UST hymn.

A photo collage of the events that transpired during the last open forum session.

Reaction of the Project Heads

Being quite an environmentalist herself, Sam Tugaoen of 2ChE-D, one of the two project heads, is optimistic that the seminar instilled a lot on the minds of her fellow chemical engineering students just as much as it did in hers. She hopes that the seminar left an imprint on the minds of the attendees, take what they heard and put it into action, for they will primarily be agents of the environment.  She also said, “As chemical engineers, dapat tumutulong tayo sa mga ways [to reduce pollution], yung knowledge natin, dapat gamitin natin to help our environment and our country.”

John Andre San Miguel of 5ChE-A, one of the two project heads, expressed immense gratitude to all the people, friends and co-members of ChES, who helped in the event. “[Thank you so much] to my supportive friends na nagpromise umattend kahit busy sila[,] to all those who attended the seminar. [Hindi] talaga ako makapaniwala napuno yung [Engineering] Conference Hall.” he said in social media.

Throughout the entire seminar, plenty of advice and explanations about the need of awareness in the environment was given to future chemical engineer majors. The main overarching theme, giving importance in protecting the environment, was successfully discussed by the three batches of speakers.

UNSEEN: UST ChES Holds Grand Acquaintance Party 2015

news by Jardine Bonifacio

The UST Chemical Engineering Society (UST-ChES) held its annual acquaintance party last October 29, 2015 at Elements at Centris in Quezon City—an anticipated event, with the theme, “Blacklight Party”, where students were asked to wear something that will glow under the UV light.

Despite the heavy traffic jam in the metropolis, the students were still able to attend the party, which began at 6 o’clock in the evening. The program was graced by an invocation led by Carlaine Cruzado and JP Tagapan, followed by the national anthem and to officially start the event, all students warmly welcomed Carla Rae Evaristo, the Senior Internal Vice President of UST-ChES, proudly announced in her opening remarks that this year’s grand acquaintance (GA) party had left a mark in UST ChE’s history for having all the tickets sold out and was even asked to produce more. The party had been even more entertaining with the presence of the ChE Department professors; some were even up for song and dance numbers which made the whole ChE crowd in the mood for more.

Members of the ChE Faculty having fun with the ChE Students’ Grand Acquaintance Party

Photo Credits: Carl Rosales (UST-ChES Memdoc)

The party never went dull with the presence of the two jubilant hosts, Jerrod Rivera and Aldjon Yap, who helped the organizers bring life to the activities prepared for the students. There were three activities prepared for everyone: the Lights Camera Act Song, Categorical Order and Sing-A-Zoo, which kept everyone active before the buffet table were opened for dinner.

Before dinner, the first intermission number of the night was performed by the ChE Chorale members, Carlaine Cruzado, Jericho Zacarias and Jaymarie Aera Baquiran. For a better ambience while having dinner, 6 song numbers were prepared by some ChE students, namely, Ervin Jayag and Pauline Losaria with John Raphael Manuel playing the guitar; Nickole Codico with Ariane Shayne Arenas playing the piano; Jay Russell Avendaῆo, who made the crowd go wild with his rendition of Night Changes; Aliquot, a band consisting of 4 members: Judge Bradley Chua, Ronald Ryan Noriega, Vincent Clark Padrigon and Anthea Bettina Fresnoza; the Jacket Club and lastly, the Baltimore, where Harvey Lechago and Mark Jed Dela Cruz and Patrick Dela Cruz are its members. Thereafter, Engr. Emile Punzalan, the department chair, together with the Jacket Club, had prepared a piece entitled “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5 that made the audience sang along with him.

Engr. Mark Emile Punzalan, ChE Department Chair, with some ChE students, performing Maroon 5's "She will be loved"

Photo credits: Jobie Tuscano  (UST-ChES Memdoc)

The dinner was followed by the pageant kick-off that had been divided into two parts, particularly the lights-off ramp and the introduction of candidates. All sections and year levels cheered for their different bets for the upcoming ChE Pageant 2016.

Before the shindig had started, everyone was simply surprised for the outstanding performance showcased by the ChE Dance Crew, which turned all the students to groove on the dance floor as the beat dropped signalling that the party had already begun. The rave, which started around 9:30 in the evening, ended at 12 midnight. The ChE students all conveyed the same message about their acquaintance party—it was indeed an amazing night to remember.

The UST-ChES Quality Assurance Committee served as the main facilitator of this year's grand acquaintance party.