Break, break, break...

...please!
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by PAM


When the going gets tough, the tough, uhm... takes a break? :)  However the 'saying' goes, I need a break right now.  Therefore, 'footie beauty' time:

Uh, let me clarify, it isn't so much about Pepsi (just a bit), it's more of the 'beauty of footie', and the awesome 'supermen' who play it... the best of 'em all is in the video - Lionel Messi, of course! :) 

No work is ever a "torture" if you're accompanied by something "beautiful".
It's the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal days... good days! :)

Yep, footie could be that one fun company on these sleepless nights of grading test papers, problem sets, and lab reports - a teacher's "Waterloo" - well, at least, it's mine.  Whew! 

Communing with 'brainiacs'...

...is a fantastic way to end the Academic Year and a reason to look forward to a more exciting one!
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by PAM

Ah, exhilarating teamwork... like FC Barcelona playing the 'beautiful game'!

Yeah, the Caleruega Retreat Place might be one of the most serene estates you could ever find in the Philippines, but the excitement of communing with among the biggest brainiacs in my University was absolutely pandemonium!  With recipients of the Ten Outstanding Young Scientists of the Philippines Award, a Presidential adviser on Science and Technology, Fulbright Scholars, a handful of awesome DAAD Grantees, JSPS and Ronpaku Scholars, and card-carrying certified brainiacs - highly accomplished all - around you... it was basically impossible not to feel awestruck, starstruck and be-dumbed by all that positive energy that they generate relentlessly... and effortlessly!  But what 'killed' me really was how down-to-earth, humble and teeming with crazy sense of humor my colleagues are at the UST Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS).  Indeed it's true what wise people say: you see true success when you see humility and simplicity in spirit... an engaging presence that doesn't ask to be admired, and yet, you can't help but admire. 

Sunday Foodie

...and the 'innovation mercury' rose at the UST Grad School, too!
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by PAM


And so, my Food Science class at the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School took their new products to the "Grad School market" yesterday - a first! :)


'Hard science' can be yummy, too!


They were "mobbed"!


They "rocked" the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex with finger-lickin' good innovations.

And they were happy... me, too, of course! :) 

Our "food nerds"... nerding it out! :)

Thanks, guys!  Nice job! :)

***

Saturday photo(s)

The 2012 Baccalaureate Mass at USTe...
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by Philipina A. Marcelo


One of the things that can be considered unique about the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas (UST), the Catholic University of the Philippines, is the celebration of the Baccalaureate Mass for its Graduates.  It is unique not only because it is an endearing tradition of giving thanks to God, first and foremost, for another year of goals fulfilled, dreams realized and love manifested, but also because it is a celebration of friendships - old and new - friendships that are destined to last a lifetime... because they were forged with the fire of God's boundless love... and unending grace!

Therefore, not even sickness could prevent me from joining the celebration....


A Day of Thanksgiving... giving thanks to God.

For most Thomasian educators, the Baccalaureate Mass is something to look forward to.  It's always a wonderful experience to be joining our Graduates as they sang praises to our Almighty God, whose nurturing love propelled them to seeing their dreams and their parents' aspirations for them fulfilled, in their Baccalaureate Mass. 


A celebration of goals fulfilled... dreams realized.

"Walkin' on sunshine..."

...I wish!
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by PAM


Sick-oh!

I've been getting tired of staring at the ceiling above my bed... and there are no live football or tennis matches on TV to make this
Leo Messi... ooh-some! 'suffering' bearable... and, aside from Roger Federer's win in Indian Wells, putting his numbers to 39 wins in his last 41 matches so far, and FC Barcelona's usual brilliance, there aren't many happy news to cheer me up on local and cable news channels either, plus HARDtalk airs (the same interview) thrice a day only.  While totalBarça is keeping me entertained whenever sleep eluded me, keeping me abreast of FC Barcelona's run this season and Lionel Messi's latest exciting and record-breaking exploits over the past how many days - I'll definitely talk about those when I feel a little better - I wish there were more things to do when sickness attacks and I'm waiting for the medicine to do its job - give me a restful sleep while it fixes the trouble inside my body.  But, isn't this one of the reasons why iPad came into being?  So, we could read our fave e-magazines, e-broadsheets and blogs, check and respond to our e-mails, watch our fave videos on YouTube... and even post an entry on our blog even when we're lying down, hammered flat by sickness, and living normally wasn't possible?  Exactly! :)


Therefore, let's have iPad do its job - make sick days seem like normal days.  Is that sad... or sad?  It is, but no point in crying.  Therefore, here it is... my wish - to walk on sunshine with Xi-, er, McFloat in hand! ;)  Pa-parapapa...

Hmm... once this sickness goes away, I swear I'd down a McFloat Summer Medley... not just because, ahem, Xian Lim is endorsing it, but it would mean full-recovery from sickness!  =)  How's that for a motivation to get well? ;)   Aaal-right, sure... and there's work to do, too - tons of it.  Ugh!  :(  Ooops, I think that was the thermometer breaking - mercury shooting out of the glass tube!  =)  Oh, no!


***
Video credit:  Thanks, Youtube, for the link.
Photo credit:  Lionel Messi's photo was grabbed from Zimbio - thanks!

Wednesday nostalgia...

Welcome home... Thomasian Chem. E. 'goddesses'!
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by PAM


So, my "dear friend", sickness, is paying me a visit again.  *sigh*  And, from the looks of it, it has no intention of leaving soon.  Looks like it will prevent me from attending our much awaited "Meet the Parents" event for our graduating students on Friday.  While I really do not have the energy to stop my friend's aggressive and brutal desire to bring me down physically, it cannot touch me spiritually.  Therefore,  I'm using this medium to reach our students.  I guess that if the spirit was willing, even a sick body would be no obstacle... electronically, that is! Thanks, blogspot! :)

***
Ah, 'goddesses' of excellence in Thomasian chemical engineering education!

Speaking of International Women's Day a couple of weeks back, it's still Women's Month... and I'm taking advantage! :)

With our Neocentennial Chem. E. Batch at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) graduating soon, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic... and inspired to write a little tribute to one aspect of their stay with us.   I was telling them last Saturday in a seminar that they are one very lucky Batch!  It's because during their five-year of stay in the University, they had that wonderful opportunity to have listened to four of the 'Goddesses' of Excellence in Thomasian Chemical Engineering via seminars and symposia.  And, I think it's worth it to go over the experience... because, I believe, that this occurrence is no coincidence.  There is a reason behind this... and it's up to Batch 2012 to figure it out.  I believe they can! :)


***
The energetic and feisty 'goddess'....

Back in their sophomore year, our Neocentennial Batch had the opportunity to experience the enthralling presence of Engr. Valarie Ku during that year's "Course Orientation" event.  Val is one of our Department's prized 'goddesses'.  She graduated summa cum laude in 2001, won the BPI Science Award, one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in 2001 awarded by the Philippine President no less, hailed as an Ayala Young Leader, a Rector's Academic Excellence Awardee in 2001, and finished #2 in the Chemical Engineers' Licensure Examination in November 2001.  Those are just a few of her many exciting accomplishments as a student.  These, in spite of her rather "typical" younger days of adventures and misadventures - boyfriend(s), heartbreak(s), funny "indentity crisis" (haha...) and "awkward" teenage rebellions (ah-haha...).  



The energetic goddess... in action!


A high achiever as always, she is now "rocking" the Pilipinas-Shell world - mostly a "Man's World" - with her string of "first" this and that feats... this while balancing career and motherhood and, at some point, pursuing and finishing with flying colors her Graduate Studies at the De La Salle University in Manila. 

"A Benavides..."

...is their gift this year.
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by PAM

"Gift" for our Department and our lab from "my kids"... :)

  

Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award
For Outstanding Achievement of Regional, National or International Importance.  A tribute to the pioneering spirit of the founder of the University, Fr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P., the award is conferred on student(s) whose performance in regional, national or international competitions, conferences or congresses symbolizes the University's commitment to excellence.

Last Monday's excitement from the opening of our "2012 UST Chemical Engineering Product Innovation Challenge + Mini Expo" quadrupled when our Department Chair shared with me the happy news that my research students were chosen to receive "a Benavides" this year, and asked if I could let them all know.  I said 'yes'... but not after giving a little excited squeal! ;)

The good news was confirmed on the next day, the second day of our Expo, by our Faculty Secretary... with a
'My kids' are in the news... :)letter from the University's Office of the Secretary General, informing us that the Food Engineering Research Group of the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS) has been chosen to receive the Benavides Award - Group Category for Outstanding Achievement this year.  The Group won the First, Second and Fourth Places in the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) National Undergraduate Research Contest last month, and it is for these achievements that a Benavides is being awarded to them.  This time, I was already emotionally composed enough to say a (what I hope was a) dignified-sounding, 'thanks, sir'. :)  Unfortunately, it was an extremely busy day (and evening, too) that I was not able to pass the info to my students until really late via text message. They were absolutely excited, of course! :)

Saturday photo

Ah, summer break... what is taking you so long???

The three-hour drive from Surigao City to Butuan City is mostly a very scenic one.  There are many highlights... such as that stretch where it can be extremely hard to divide one's attention among the beautiful sceneries that surround your vehicle.  On the right is the breathtaking Lake Mainit, viewed from the edge of a long ravine where the road lies, snaking around thickly forested mountains.  On the left is the seemingly endless expanse of vegetation in various shades of green under blue sky and cottony white clouds - an absolute catalyst for planning a tropical summer vacation... soon! :)

***

"Innovention" - Day 2

Lift off!  Houston, we're on orbit... aw, yeah!  :)
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by PAM


When your efforts are supported and appreciated by Science and Technology Innovation stalwarts in the campus and in the country...

Tell me who your supporters are... and I'll tell you 'what' you are! :)

...does that mean, you are actually doing something along the innovation line, too... and, perhaps, doing a few things right?  Aw, gosh, we sure hope we are!  :)  "Innovention", the 2012 edition of the "UST Chemical Engineering-Rebisco Product Innovation Challenge + Mini Expo", was such a fantastic feat, and it's hard to keep joy hinged on jubilation alone.  Therefore... oh, humility, please come!  I need you right now! :)

***
Blast-off to innovation outer space... up, up, and away!

Yes, we have managed to "throw ourselves" out there!  From a 15-entry "mini-er than mini" product development challenge and exhibit at Room 110 of the UST Engineering Building in 2008, we grew to a 52-entry "Product Innovation Challenge + Mini Expo" at the UST Qudricentennial Pavilion Covered Court this year... ah, it looks like we have managed to grow our "baby rocket" to an "Innovation Enterprise" and sent it out in a blast-off to the innovation outer space!

And it's all because... we have brilliant students - past and present!  

Ah, UST Chemical Engineering Batch 2013... how do I describe you, guys?  I wish Mr. Webster had words to describe people like you... but he hasn't!  Naturally, I haven't either!  Your unassuming and understated awesomeness limits my vocabulary... you put the 'bottomlessness' of innovation to utter shame!  Ah, and what a shame, too!



Our "INNOVENTORS"...
The UST Chemical Engineering Batch 2013... indescribable --- in an, oh, so fantastic way! :)

"Innovention" - Day 1

Kick-off!
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by PAM


So, if your day started like this...

Day 1... before the Opening Program.

...and then progressed like this, despite the rain...

Day 1... getting 'in the zone'.

...does it mean something was going right?  We sure hope so!

We give thanks... and we pray for continued guidance and the inspiring presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst.

Bring on Day 2! Go, Batch 2013!  :)

***

"Last two minutes..."

...need a three-pointer!
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by Philipina A. Marcelo


Speaking of "firsts", my heart is pounding, pounding, pounding...

"Last two minutes"... to the 2012 UST Chemical Engineering-Rebisco
Product Innovation Challenge + Mini Expo, dubbed "Innovention".

If I didn't show up here within the next three days or so, I'd probably have "fouled out" and been expelled from the court!  I pray for calm and resilience within the next 48 hours... as my students are most probably doing right now, too! :)

***

Sunday foodie

It's called 'tupig', and it's little... but it's big on taste, aroma and goodness!
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by Philipina A. Marcelo


A few days ago, a former research student of mine texted me to ask one of the most delicious of questions, albeit jokingly, "Ma'am, gusto n'yo po ng tupig?"  He was vacationing with his family and "pigging out" on tupig... and thought about the acuteness of my "foodieness".  Naturally, I said 'yes' - not jokingly - and 'shamelessly' (hehe...) asked if he could bring me some... which he did... but not after I made a few "insinuations" about how my patience is being challenged these days as he has not cleaned up the mess in the lab from his last experiments... five months ago! ;)  Yeah, I know how to flex "authority muscle" when food is concerned!  Haha... 

Tupig (or ingkalot for the Pangasinenses) is one of those irrisistible North Luzon snacks/desserts made by mixing ground sticky rice and grated young coconut meat in freshly squeezed coconut milk (from grated mature coconut meat) mixed with molasses.  A little sugar is added to the mix to taste.  The resulting batter is scooped in small amounts (about 50 grams), rolled and wrapped in heated banana leaves, and then cooked slowly over live charcoal. You know the tupig is ready when the air is filled with the sweet and rich aroma from the mingling of rice and coconut, and the incredibly fragrant aroma from the burnt banana leaves. 

The truth is there's not much to say about tupig, except... it is sooooo good!  I will let the photos speak for themselves.  Try not to drool too much... uhm, ahem, good luck!  ;)



Wrapped in banana leaves... and cooked over live charcoal.

Unwrapping the goodness... get your foodie senses ready.



Saturday photo

The UST Chemical Engineering Neocentennial Batch... time flies!

Today is their last "official day" in the University... well, at least, most of them! ;)  Today is our University of Santo Tomas Chemical Engineering Neocentennial graduates' last day of final examinations, and soon they will be flooding the clothes shops in the malls, looking for that "perfect
Fun times....dress/shirt and tie"... oh, and those "fabulous shoes", too, for their big day - Graduation Day! :) 

Ah, so the faculty will be 'confronting' that day again... that day when bitter-sweet feelings sweep us from the ground... as we say "farewell" to our new graduates, and walk them to the gates of those wonderful careers awaiting them in the exciting world of Chemical Engineering!  But we have a few days more... until then, we will take advantage of their fun presence and will be enjoying their company in the University some more! 

Yeah, life is good indeed! :)

***  

A couple of "firsts" today...

...and a string of "firsts" to hope for.
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by Philipina A. Marcelo


It's been a tiring day that I nearly ran out of gas halfway through... but it was a wonderful day!  Yep, today's exciting surprises were punctuated by a couple of "firsts" that, I hope, would be the start of a string of many similar events in the future. 

***
Hey, sister!

Let me begin with this...


Google's tribute to women in this year's celebration of "International Women's Day".


For the first time, the Chemical Engineering Department - my Department - at the University of Santo Tomas took the lead in celebrating the "International Women's Day" (IWD) in the campus.  The Chemical Engineering Society (ChES), through their President-elect, Mr. Julius Puentes, organized a symposium-socialization event dubbed, "Thomasian Women in Science and Technology".  It was hoped that the event would contribute in heightening the world's awareness and appreciation of the invaluable role of women in our society today.

Yes, the engineering field, and most of the S&T field for that matter, may be a "Man's World"... and yet, there is no denying the invaluable contribution of women in its exciting advancement through the years.  Thomasian S&T women offer an even greater value to women contribution through their unique qualities, defined by commitment, competence and compassion.  That shone through vividly in the sharing of our wonderful speakers:  our Department's 2001 summa cum laude and one of the Philippines' Ten Most Outstanding Students in 2001, Ms. Valarie Ku, our University's Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences Director, Dr. Christina A. Binag, and the Dean of the outstanding UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Dr. Graciela Gonzaga.  Our students were treated to a lively, informative, emphatic and truly inspiring sharing from the three women, who are all highly acomplished in their own tough fields, and still embody the God-given loveliness and natural nurturing qualities of women.

Our first celebration of the International Women's Day at the
UST Department of Chemical Engineering.

We hope that our first IWD celebration today would be the beginning of a yearly tradition that woud recognize and celebrate the Thomasian Women and their remarkable contributions in making our beloved University continue to flourish and in keeping this world of ours a wonderful place to live in! 

Saturday photo

Journey... where one path ends, another begins.
But "this boat" is docked - for now.


This boat has been "docked" for far too long now... and the lure of the water grows irresistible by the day.  It is ironic though that this photo was taken on the day the shore made a really strong case for the boat to remain "docked"... the day fate, through my research students, made a strong case that, perhaps, there is still one good reason to keep "lingering"... that some exciting mysteries are still waiting to be unravelled.  And yet, the mysterious horizon also beckons... and I might regret not heeding its call.  My time is running out, too.... 

Should this boat sail on, or should it remain "docked"?  Ah, what a torment... a sweetly tormenting puzzle!  But no puzzle is unsolvable... and solving the puzzle is what makes the journey worth taking.  I pray for wisdom. 

***