This year, the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers held its first ever online celebration of the 15th Chemical Engineering Week with the theme: Chemical Engineers at the Forefront of Disaster Resilience and Economic Recovery via Zoom Online Meetings.
This year’s celebration commenced with its Opening Program last September 13, 2020 hosted by our current Mr and Ms ChE Ambassador, Engr. Abegail and Engr. Roy. The program started with the presentation of entries for this year’s ChEnemalaya from the non-professional and professional categories participated by the following chapters: JPIChE University of St. La Salle, JPIChE Central Philippine University, JPIChE Colegio de San Agustin Bacolod, JPIChE Ateneo de Davao University, PIChE – Negros Occidental, PIChE Panay, PIChE MMAC, PIChE Batangas and PIChE Bataan.
The program continued with the messages from respected PIChE leaders and speakers. Our PIChE President, Engr. Maricris Vines, ASEAN Eng welcomed everyone to the weeklong celebration with a warm message and reminded us to embody PIChE during this trying time – Place a purpose in our life, Instill optimism, Continue professional development, Have a strong social network and Embrace change. Dr. Lydia G. Tansinsin, Adviser and Founding President of PTC, imparted inspiring lessons for Chemical Engineers to continuously strive for skills development through trainings, journals, and seminars, accept challenge and perform well in any assignments given. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Fortunato Dela Pena, Secretary of Department of Science and Technology, shared the recent developments, response on our current situation, and opportunities that risen from it – particularly in the health and food industry. He highlighted the importance of the research and development during this time to come up with new products and new technologies. He also advised fellow chemical engineers to include sustainability and manageability in the new things we introduce. The Professional Regulatory Board of Chemical Engineering, Hon. Cyd P. Aguilera, Hon. Jeffrey Mijares and Hon. Ofelia Bulaong, gave their greeting and message for everyone. The 15th ChE week celebration was officially opened by this year’s organizing committee head, Engr. PIChE AVP-NCR Engr. Elen Perlado.
The NBOD showcased their Tiktok skills during the intermission number. The opening program ended with interactive games, 4 pics 1 word and Salamat PIChE, with its facilitators by MMAC Noel Sabarillo and Jhuli Castro. Winners received different prizes from our generous sponsors.
Our weeklong celebration would not be possible without our generous sponsors: Shell Exploration-BV, JG Summit Petrochemical Group, Energy Development Corporation, GT Cosmetics, San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corporation, Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc., Victoria’s Milling Company, Inc., Avestronics, Asian Alcohol, Bihis Maala Basics, WheninManila, SparkUp, Inquirer.net, Tech Kuya and Astig ph.
To instill continuous development, webinars on relevant topics from different industries were conducted from September 14-18, 2020. These webinars were attended by chemical engineering students and professionals that help them be informed and get updates from the discussion of experts from respective fields.
The webinars showcased on how different industries (biofuels, cosmetics, water, pharmaceuticals, waste treatment, process control, supply chain, food, etc) adapted to the current situation as presented by successful chemical engineers as how they collaborated with other professionals to respond to the impacts of the pandemic.
The ChE week virtual celebration culminated with its closing program last September 19, 2020. Chemical Engineers were welcomed by PIChE Executive Vice President, Engr. Chamaigne Luz D. Jamandre, ASEAN Eng for the discussion of PIChE Roadmap 2025 strategies, tasks, and target/deliverables which are focused on Partnerships, Internalization, Competence, Holistic Sustainability and Excellence. This was followed by the PIChE Area Vice Presidents, Engr. Ma. Elena T. Perlado, ASEAN Eng (AVP for NCR), Engr. Roy Roque Rivera Jr (AVP for Luzon), Engr. Eloisa Villegas (AVP for Visayas) and Engr. Jocel Bascon-Dimacutac (AVP for Mindanao), who delivered updates on their response to Covid-19 within their respective area. PIChE chapters extended help through infographics, webinar series, and donation drive initiatives to support and help the society in this difficult time.
During the closing program, we witnessed the talents of our fellow chemical engineers from the PIChE Davao Chapter as they gave an energetic intermission number. Engr. Chin Mae and Engr. Tom from PIChE Bataan Chapter facilitated the online games during the culminating day: Pictionary and Guess What.
And finally, the most awaited winners of this year’s ChEnemalaya was announced. Winners received a cash prize of P10,000.00:
Student Category: PIChE Junior Chapter Batangas
Professional Category: PIChE Bataan Chapter
Immediate Past President, Engr. Jonathan Aquino, closed the weeklong celebration highlighting the opportunities that arouse from the current pandemic with the fuel and desire to bounce back noting that Chemical Engineers are universal engineers that take the lead in offering solution problems.
This may have been a different and new ChE week celebration but definitely a memorable event to look back in the future. The online celebration connected chemical engineers from different regions in the country and built network even bigger than imagined. Through the different webinars, we were able to continue development learning and share best practices to one another, from one industry to another. Truly, chemical engineers are at the forefront of disaster resilience and economic recovery. Mabuhay, Chemical Engineers! – Patricia Kaye Magtagnob
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