Katarina Rodriguez is Miss Intercontinental 2017 First Runner-up

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Philippine representative Katarina Rodriguez made the Philippines proud with her first runner up finish at the Miss Intercontinental pageant held in Hurghada, Egypt on Thursday, January 25 (Manila time).

Katarina wowed the judges with her impressive performance in the swimsuit and evening gown portions. Proving that she has both form and substance, she garnered tremendous applause during the question and answer portion when she said that she was inspired by the Arabic word “meraki” and that the greatest lesson she learned while participating in the pageant was “to do all things with soul, passion and creativity.”

As the top Asian candidate in the competition, Katarina was also named Miss Intercontinental Asia and Oceania. Katarina also placed in the top 3 of the pageant’s online poll.

In a Facebook video posted by Miss Intercontinental, Katarina said, teary-eyed, “Okay lang ito. I miss all of you. I miss my country. It was a tough ride – it was a lot of work, a lot of hours. Mabuhay! Mahal kita!”

Mexico’s Veronica Salas was adjudged Miss Intercontinental 2017. Rounding up the Top 6 were the Netherlands’ Cathelijne Heppenhuis, Brazil’s Amanda Cardoso, Colombia’s Lizeth Villanueva, and online poll winner Lee Su Jin of Korea.

Katarina, whose advocacies include peace and HIV-Aids awareness, duplicated the first runner up finish of 2015 Philippine bet Christi Lynn McGarry. Last year’s representative, Jennifer Hammond, placed in the Top 15.

Katarina, along with the other Binibining Pilipinas 2017 queens, proved the Philippines remains a powerhouse in the pageant world. Nelda Ibe won first runner up in Miss Globe. Elizabeth Clenci placed second runner up in Miss Grand International. Rachel Peters and Chanel Olive Thomas emerged in the Top 10 of Miss Universe and Miss Supranational, respectively.


Photo: Katarina Rodriguez (Photo from Binibining Pilipinas / Raymond Saldaña)

Millions of Girl Scouts to Get Trained on Energy

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The Department of Energy (DOE) will train some 2.2 million Girl Scouts in the country on E-Safety Mo energy conservation as part of its E-Power Mo EnerKids Program.

DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) National President Susan Locsin will formalize the educational partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on 30 January 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the agency's Public Affairs Office, PNOC Building 5, Energy Center, Taguig City.

Under the partnership, the DOE will conduct lectures on basic electricity concepts and energy consumption of various appliances to batches of Girl Scouts nationwide. DOE's E-Power Mo Lecturers will also conduct hands-on experiments for Girl Scouts in the provinces.

Cusi said the DOE hopes to engage the Girl Scouts especially in the elementary level to be active in its EnerKids Program, where students are taught to practice E-Safety Mo energy-saving measures at home as “Energy Cost-Busters.”

The DOE-GSP MOU intends also to encourage Girl Scouts to pursue energy-related careers by stimulating their interests and passion despite the challenges in gender stereotyping.

Cusi has always envisioned the involvement of the youth in programs that put theories into action to build their confidence in facing the technological hurdles of the digitalized economy.

On 8 February 2017, GSP officials visited the Energy Research and Testing Laboratory Services (ERTLS) that provides first-hand knowledge on the testing services being offered by the DOE and the facilities that are covered in the educational tour of students.

During the visit, the GSP officials expressed interest in the information and education campaigns of the DOE, including the E-Power Mo Career Talk, and sent some of their Senior Girl Scouts to join E-Power Mo events held in various public secondary schools.

The MOU provides for the DOE and GSP to organize and conduct educational and training programs geared towards encouraging young girls to take up courses on science, technology and energy; implement other activities that would promote energy conservation and formulate guidelines defining the specific activities, roles and responsibilities of the DOE and the GSP in the implementation of the E-Power Mo Programs.

UP ALCHEMES Proudly Presents ChESSPH 2018

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The most prestigious summit for chemical engineering students.

Step into a new era with ChESSPH 2018

The Chemical Engineering Students Summit Philippines (ChESSPH) is a nationwide event organized by UP ALCHEMES.

ChESSPH has always envisioned being at the forefront of promoting academic welfare and awareness on current scientific advances among chemical engineering students across the country.

Since its humble beginnings in 2008 as a one-day summit, ChESSPH has grown to include various seminars, workshops, and plant tours throughout the course of a three-day event.

In an aim to spur the minds of these aspiring Filipino chemical engineers, professionals of the field are invited to conduct talks and 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.

This year, in an effort to promote sustainable development, ChESSPH is unveiling the newest addition to the sub-event lineup, entitled the Sustainability Design Competition (SDC).

This is an interschool competition wherein the participants must apply their chemical engineering knowledge in creating sustainable solutions for a community problem.

With over 1800 participants since 2012 from NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, last year’s ChESSPH was another success, with the event being named the Outstanding Academic Project of the Year by PIChE-JCL.

Now on its eleventh year, ChESSPH continues to aid chemical engineering students nationwide in preparing for today’s challenges and the future’s possibilities by providing them with a clearer and richer understanding of their chosen course.

ChESSPH 2018 will be held on February 8-10, 2018 at the University of the Philippines - Diliman.

The event is presented to you by Trampoline Park Philippines. Special thanks to Monde Nissin, and The Bamboo Company.

The media sponsors: Inquirer.net, InqPOP!, When In Manila, ClickTheCity, and Wazzup Pilipinas.