Chemical Engineering Students Summit Philippines 2014: The After-Event Highlights

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Nexus: Embracing New Possibilities Through Unified Perspectives

With aim to spur the minds of promising Filipino chemical engineers, the Chemical Engineering Students Summit Philippines (ChESSPh) is held annually as a gathering of chemical engineering undergraduate students from different colleges and universities across the country. In this summit, professionals of the field are invited to conduct seminars and workshops to share their experiences, providing the students an extensive view of the field and inspiring them to contribute to the development of chemical engineering in the Philippines.

Last February 7-9, 2014, the seventh annual Chemical Engineering Summit themed Nexus: Embracing New Possibilities Through Unified Perspectives was held in the University of the Philippines Diliman. Over 300 students from all over the country have come to unify perspectives on significant issues and innovations in the chemical engineering field as they attend the three-day series of seminars, lectures and workshops organized by the UP ALCHEMES.

Participants were welcomed to the Chemical Engineering Students Summit Philippines (ChESSPh) 2014 in an opening program. The opening remarks were given by Dr. Rihacrd Chu, a chemical engineering professor in UP Diliman. ChESSPh then kicked-off with its first program in Quetzal: ChE Career Paths Colloquium. Undergraduates with internship experiences were invited to share some of their insights on working with big companies. Mr. Edsel Serrano, a 5th year student in UP Diliman, shared stories about his internship at Coca-cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. Mr. Charles Hernandez of UST talked about training with Philippine Polypropylene Inc. while Mr. Paul de la Torre of UP Los Baños with Texas Instruments. Engr. Mark Lynius Payabyab and Engr. Diana Gernan, shared their work experiences, giving the participants some ideas on the different paths taken by chemical engineers.

Extended MRT-3 Operating Hours to Be Tested by DOTC

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To give the public another option to beat traffic, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Metro Rail Transit III (MRT-3) Office will extend the operating hours of the metropolis’ most utilized urban rail transit system starting on 24 February 2014. The longer hours of service will be tested for one month to determine whether it will be viable in the long run.

“This is part of our program to mitigate the traffic situation. Based on the test run, we will monitor how much passengers are willing to alter their riding habits by commuting earlier in the morning or later in the evening. We will also see whether this will encourage motorists to take the train instead of their cars,” said DOTC Spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal.

Currently, the rail system’s regular hours of operation are from 5:30am to 10:30pm. For the first 2 work weeks, or from February 24 until March 7, the MRT-3 Office will start operations at 4:30am from the North Avenue station and 5:00am from the Taft Avenue station.

America in 3D: A Roadshow in Diplomacy, Development and Defense

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The US Embassy invites you to celebrate American culture and traditions at “America in 3D: A Roadshow in Diplomacy, Development and Defense.”

“America in 3D” is the US Embassy’s signature public outreach program, and is essentially where they take the Embassy on the road throughout the Philippines to convene a multiday event, featuring a series of cultural performances, youth programs, community service projects, sports clinics, and information exhibits.

Since 2011, there has already been six “America in 3D” events in cities around the Philippines, reaching hundreds of thousands of Filipinos at each event.

The seventh “America in 3D” will be held in Manila at the SM Mall of Asia on March 1 and 2, 2014.

At unique Interaction Points, mall goers have the chance to personally meet representatives of various Embassy sections and agencies including the Visa section, Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Department of Defense personnel and others.

Their Main Stage will feature top name Filipino and American musicians, high-energy dance shows, informative presentations, and one-of-a-kind cultural presentations. Local talents include Charice Pempengco, Jed Madela, and Luke Mejares.