Nominations for membership in the ICP board are now open. Three board members, one representative each from the industry, government and academe will be elected to serve a three-year term (2013-2016). Members of the board are expected to reguarly attend meetings of the ICP and actively participate in the activities geared towards achieving the objectives of the ICP as follows.
Author Archive: admin
KIMIKA Names New Editor-In-Chief
By Armando M. Guidote Jr.
The Kimika Editorial Board named Dr. Drexel Camacho the new Editor-in-Chief, during its April 2013 meeting held at Silliman University, Dumaguete City. With deep experience in research publication, he will take over the post vacated by Dr. Florecita De Guzman who decided to relinquish the EIC position to concentrate on her academic duties at the University of the Philippines Diliman in preparation for her retirement.
Dr. Camacho finished his BS Chemistry for Teachers from the Philippine Normal University. He then took his MS Chemistry at DLSU specializing in Phytochemistry. He graduated with a DSc from Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan with a specialization in Organometallic Catalysis and Organic Synthesis. He was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of California Irvine working on Polymer Chemistry. His professional experience includes teaching at the Philippine Science High School in Davao City, Senior Assembly Process & Development Engineer at Intel Technology Philippines and Chief Development Engineer of the Innovation Department in NXP Semiconductors Phils. He has publications in the journals: Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Macromolecules, Organometallics, Chemical Communications and the Journal of the American Chemical Society, to name a few. He is presently an Associate Professor of the Chemistry Department of the De La Salle University Manila and concurrently the Director of Research and Advanced Studies Office of the DLSU College of Science.
Dr. Camacho has received numerous research awards to his credit including the NRCP Research Achievement Award (National Research Council of the Philippines, DOST), Outstanding Young Scientist Award (National Academy of Science & Technology, DOST), TWAS Prize for Young Scientist in the Philippines (Third World Academy of Science, Trieste, Italy & National Academy of Science & Technology, DOST) and Employee of the Year (Intel Technology Philippines).
PACSiklaban Challenges the Best Chemistry Students
by Jay V. Ranoco
Testing one’s skill and measure it against fellow students who share the same passion in chemistry is no easy coup. The PACSiklaban, an annual inter-collegiate Chemistry Quiz Show organized by the Philippine Association of Chemistry Students (PACS), is an avenue to showcase this challenge. This year’s PACSiklaban was held last February 17, 2013 at the Bulwagang Tandang Sora, College of Social Works and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. The competing teams are from Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), Adamson University (AdU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), De La Salle University (DLSU), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Tarlac State University (TSU), University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), University of Santo Tomas Biochemistry (USTB) and University of Santo Tomas Chemistry (USTC) represent the best breed of chemistry students in the country.
Teams battled it out to answer questions based from Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry. This year’s PACSiklaban contest judges includes Drs. Ronald Fabicon (Ateno), Mafel Ysrael (UST), Luis Rodriguez (DLSU) and Florenda Valera (UP). The Chairman of the Board was Dr. Ernesto Del Rosario who also judges the Physical Chemistry Category.
The six highest scoring teams in the Elimination Round proceed to the Final Round. Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines (Diliman), University of the Philippines (Los Baños), University of the Philippines (Manila) and University of Santo Tomas Chemistry were the teams who qualified for the Final Round. After 10 questions in Easy Round and 15 equations each for the Average and Difficult Rounds, the team from University of the Philippines Diliman emerged victorious followed by the University of the Philippines (Los Baños) and University of the Philippines (Manila) finishing first and Second Runner-up. The third, fourth and fifth Runner-ups were taken by Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas Chemistry, respectively.
PACSiklaban 2013 was made possible through the efforts of PACS Executive Committee and General Assembly 2013-2014 together with the Ramos Sison Review Center and Shimadzu. PACSiklaban was also brought to you by Hapee, Piknik, Uniball, Lamoiyan Corporation, Wacoal and DZUP 1602.
Laguna’s pride Ariella Arida wins Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2013
By Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom – Mon, Apr 15, 2013 12:16 AM PHT
(UPDATE) Ariella Arida is crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2013.
The stunning lady who hails from Laguna bested 49 other contestants during the coronation night held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, April 14. The 24-year-old winner is a Chemistry graduate from UP Los Baños.
Read the entire article from Yahoo! OMG! Philippines.
MACROMANILA 2013: Frontiers in Polymer Technologies
The University of the Philippines Institute of Chemistry (IChem) , UP Chemistry Alumni Foundation, Department of Chemical Engineering (DChE) in partnership with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), USA are organizing MACROMANILA 2013: Frontiers in Polymer Technologies on May 23-24, 2013 at the IChem Building, UP, Diliman.
The conference will have plenary sessions as well as oral or poster presentations from academe and industry. The plenary sessions will feature seven (7) professors from the Macromolecular Science and Engineering Department of CWRU. The topics of their talks include nanocomposites, biomaterials, polymer processing, self-healing plastics, aerogels, and state-of-the-art research and technologies.
Target attendees are industry stakeholders, academia, government researchers and students involved in the science and engineering of plastics, polymers and rubber.
Submit now your extended abstract for oral or poster presentation. There will be prizes for best oral or poster presentation of students (graduate or undergraduate).Attached is the flyer for Call of Papers and the Macromanila Abstract template. Deadline is April 30, 2013. Send via email to: terence.tumolva@coe.upd.edu.ph or to fdelmund@yahoo.com.
Registration is Php 800 inclusive of lunch and snacks and conference materials. Registration is on-site only.
ASEAN Conference on X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (ACXAS)
ASEAN Conference on X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (ACXAS) will be held in Cha Am, Petchaburi, Thailand during 12-13 July 2013. It is organized by Synchrotron Light Research Institute (SLRI) under a Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Thailand. The ACXAS conference aims to bring together Thai, ASEAN and international researchers interested in X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy on varied fields from basic to applied science in both experimental and theoretical topics, and to initiate an opportunity for them to share and exchange their knowledge and experience. The conference will also include an annual meeting of the SLRI XAS users, a current status of three XAS beamlines at SLRI, and the highlighted lectures by key invited speakers; Dr. Bruce Ravel and Dr. Shelly Kelly.
Venue: Hotel Novotel Hua Hin Cha Am Beach Resort and Spa, 854/2 Burirom Road, Cha Am, Petchaburi, Thailand. The hotel locates between Cha Am and Hua Hin beach and it is within 10 to 15 minutes drive from Hua Hin Airport and Hua Hin Night Market.
Supported accommodation by SLRI: Private single/double rooms at the Novotel will be provided for the invited speakers, and shared double rooms will be provided for participants with the accepted abstracts for both oral and poster presentations.
Notes:
- For the latest information of our conference, please visit: https://acxas.slri.or.th/.
- The number of participants is limited; a maximum of 60 participants will be accepted.
- Supported accommodation by SLRI: Private rooms at the Novotel will be provided for the invited speakers, and shared double rooms will be provided for participants with the accepted abstracts for both oral and poster presentations.
- Abstract submission & online registration Deadline: May 20, 2013.
Contact: Sidaphat Rodthai and Churintorn Neti (Tel. 66-44-217-040 ext. 1603-4).
2013 Children’s On-the-Spot Poster Making Competition Winners
The Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies (PFCS), in cooperation with Dow Chemicals, Chemrez, Boysen, and Shell, is proud to present the top three winners for the 3rd Children’s On-the-Spot Poster Making Competition: Isabelle Manto from Saint Jude Catholic School (1st place), Gabrielle Kristine Entice from South City Central School (2nd place), and Jean Edsel Gonzalbo from Tomas Morato Elementary School (3rd place).
Isabelle Manto
Saint Jude Catholic School
FIRST PLACE
Gabrielle Kristine Entice
South City Central School
SECOND PLACE
Gabrielle Kristine Entice
Jean Edsel Gonzalbo
Tomas Morato Elementary School
THIRD PLACE
The competition with the theme: “A better life with Chemistry”, was held for the first time at the National level last February 11, 2013 in 9 venues/Universities; Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University-Manila, Silliman University, University of San Carlos, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines-Diliman, University of the Philippines-Los Banos, and Xavier University.
The criteria for judging were based on the following: 40% on creativity, 30% on originality, and 30% on relevance to the theme. The top three winners were chosen from a pool of 28 finalists (three finalists were selected by each of the nine host schools) by a panel of judges: Mr. Joseph F. Galian (Faculty of College of Saint Benilde-School of Design and Arts, Faculty of UP Diliman-College of Fine Arts, and Art Director & Photo Director-(Digital Head Quarters) DHQ Studio), Dr. Armando Guidote (Licensed Chemist, Associate Dean for Research and Creative Work-Ateneo de Manila University, and President of PFCS), and Dr. Jaime Janairo (Licensed Chemist, Faculty and Graduate School Coordinator- Department of Chemistry, De La Salle University-Manila).
As part of the awarding ceremonies, the event will be held during the 28th Philippine Chemistry Congress in Silliman University, Dumaguete. The winning posters will be exhibited during the Congress and the 1st place winner (Ms. Isabelle Manto), together with her coach will receive free accommodations and round trip airfare ticket to Dumaguete.
Congratulations and see you there!
Children On-the-Spot Poster Making Competition in Ateneo de Manila Awarded
The local winners of the 3rd National Children’s On-the-Spot Poster Making Competition held in Ateneo de Manila were awarded last 05 March at the Leong Hall Roof Deck during the School of Science and Engineering Week.
The winners were Christian Luke Alarcon from Pinyahan Elementary School, Edsel Gonzalbo from Tomas Morato Elementary School and Jedidiah Abraham from Marikina Elementary School. They will compete in the national finals against the 3 winners each of the contest held in 8 other university venues from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The winners were given the awards by Mr. Henry Siy, General Manager of Chemrez Technologies, a major sponsor of the event. Mr. Siy was assisted by Dr. Nestor Valera, Chair of the Department of Chemistry of Ateneo de Manila and Dr. Rene Angelo Macahig, local organizing head in Ateneo de Manila.
Mr. Henry Siy, Chemrez Technologies, Inc. General Manager with the local National Children’s On-the-Spot Poster Making Competition from Ateneo: Christian Luke Alarcon, Edsel Gonzalbo and Jedidiah Abraham. Also shown are the coaches and Dr. Rene Angelo Macahig, the Ateneo de Manila organizing head.
The Children On-the-Spot Poster Making Competition is an annual event that aspires to give young people an early exposure to science and elicit their understanding of the role of chemistry in everyday life. This activity hopes to contribute to a greater public interest in and appreciation of chemistry, particularly among the youth.
The contest is organized by the Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies in cooperation with different Philippine universities. For 2013, the theme for the contest is “A Better Life with Chemistry”. It is open to students, Grades 4 to 7, and held in nine participating institutions during Chemistry Week from 09-16 February 2013. This is the first time the activity was implemented nationwide.
Other major sponsors of the event are Dow Chemical Philippines, Inc., Shell Philippines, Inc. and Pacific Paint (Boysen), Inc.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Basic Laboratory Equipment
The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines
is pleased to invite you to attend the 1-day
Continuing Professional Education Training-Workshop on:
Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Basic Laboratory Equipment
08 April 2013 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Science Complex Lecture Room (SC110)
Silliman University, Dumaguete City
Our laboratories depend on the reliable operation of a number of basic equipment, such as balances, ovens, pH meters, and GC and HPLC equipment. A well-implemented maintenance and troubleshooting program helps ensure the proper operation of our laboratories, as well as keep costs under control. The ICP is pleased to invite you to attend this one-day seminar which will cover the maintenance and troubleshooting protocols for basic laboratory equipment. It will be given by experts with extensive experience in the laboratory and instrumentation technicians from our major instrument suppliers. The program shall include the following topics and speakers: UV-visible spectrometer & AAS (Arturo Torres, Shimadzu), Gas Chromatography (Edna Mijares, Jefcor Laboratories), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (Carmen Vella, formerly Waters).
Workshop Fee (covers handouts, lunch and snacks):
|
Early Registration (before April 2, 2013) |
Regular Registration (after April 2 or onsite) |
|
|
ICP Members |
PHP 800.00 |
PHP 1,000.00 |
|
Non-ICP Members |
PHP 1,000.00 |
PHP 1,200.00 |
Registration may be made on-line through email: icp.org.ph
Or through our website: www:icp.org.ph
Please remit payment through the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Loyola Katipunan Branch.
Name of Account: Integrated Chemists of the Philippines
Current Account Number: 3081-0830-95
Please email copy of payment slip to ICP office to guarantee reservation.
On the Top of the Heap
As a young boy, Rob Jeremiah Gotengco Nuguid’s fascination with chemistry began by dabbling the rigors of an apprentice’s Alchemy, in his parent’s basement, mixing all sorts of things he could get hold of – water, palm oil, baby powder, petroleum jelly – well, you get the picture. So long before he even knew what chemistry is, he had known that he wanted to become a Chemist. Asking him now on what he wants to be, he stated that he would like to become a research scientist. However, he is still undecided as to which field of chemistry he would venture into because he loves every branch of Chemistry equally.
One moment, he’s got his eyes on…
Biochemistry.
(and 60 seconds later, a full-pledged Analytical Chemist)
Topping the chemist licensure exams, as he put it, is purely an offshoot of studying hard while having a tad fun along the way, and of course, prayers. Rob would take multiple-choice examinations after a hectic review each day. If he reached his target score, he would reward himself by watching a movie, slouching to watch a TV show or finish a chapter in the novel he was reading.
Devoutly attending novenas on Wednesdays to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Thursdays for St. Jude Thaddeus and Fridays for the Black Nazarene and Sunday masses that would not be missed kept his spiritual core calm.
Rob enrolled at an off-campus commercial review center in tandem with the in-house review offered at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. These review sessions gave a big boost to refresh his memory on basic concepts and helped him pinpoint the specific topics that need extra attention. For those aspiring to reach the top posts in the licensure exam, Rob suggests that you should design your own study regimen and timeline and set certain bounds critical to your review — which subject you should review first, how often you would review, etc. The following might be helpful:
• After graduation, take some time off to relax before facing the rigors of review. In my case, I declared the whole month of April as my rest month. I started reviewing in May.
• Start your review by mastering the basic concepts in General Chemistry to allow you to take on the more advanced topics. The next subject should be your Achilles’s heel (a.k.a., Physical Chemistry, in my case) so that you would have ample of time to learn its concepts before finally moving on to the advanced topics (e.g., harmonic oscillator, HSAB theory, etc.) as these may also be included in the exam.
• Read at least one textbook per subject and take notes. The rule of thumb is to use any book as long as you’re comfortable with it. Make sure that you understand all the things that you read.
• Try to solve numerical problems by directly inputting the data on your calculator instead of writing them first on a scratch — this is a great way to save time. Know every trick (e.g., the SHIFT-SOLVE method) that your calculator hides and use all of them to your advantage.
• Practice multiple-choice type questions. There is no clearer way to track your progress other than taking exams. There are many examinations available online. These are usually arranged by topic so you can immediately take an exam corresponding to the chapter that you’ve just studied. Additionally, you may also purchase practice exam books such as AP Chemistry, GRE Chemistry, GCSE Chemistry, etc. are available from Booksale at a discounted price. The board exam is in multiple-choice format so it’s best to practice with questions having the same format. I have compiled for your use some of the multiple-choice exams that I’ve answered online (Note: These links are case-sensitive):
General Chemistry:
Inorganic Chemistry: (advanced)
Organic Chemistry:
Biochemistry:
Analytical Chemistry:
Physical Chemistry:
• Relax and have fun. Sounds cliché but reviewing for the board exam really is stressful. You may even find yourself cramming during the final weeks before the actual exam (been there, done that). Celebrate every small victory (e.g., getting a perfect score on a chapter quiz) by rewarding yourself to do anything that you want — a movie or a trip to the mall perhaps — because these steps, however small, are not negligible and serve to indicate that you’re moving towards your goal.
And pray. After all, what can be impossible with Him?
“Taking the licensure exam is the pinnacle of undergraduate academic endeavors. Ergo, study hard and give everything that you can give because when you’ve done your best, you will feel fulfilled regardless of the results.”