Ant-thusiasts at the BioBlitz: Tiny Campus Discoveries!
Gazing Upon Sunshine: Alfie Peña and the Research Impetus
To Walk Forward: A Lookback with Fr. Ben Nebres, SJ & Fr. Ting Samson, SJ
any help from her friends as a blessing that she will nevertakeforgranted.“Igotothesepeoplefortheir wisdom and guidance in solving these challenges as aleader.Ireallyappreciatethem,”MsWengpraised.
When asked about the insights she had gained after three decades, Ms Weng promoted that exerting the greatest effort and doing it on behalf of God is the sincerest act you can do. “You can’t please everyone, but still, you need to do your best in everything. Kasi,in the end,it is between you and God that matters,” she said. This practice had consistently propelled her to manifest humility and kindness with the people around her.She explained thatifoneisdoingittoglorifyGod,thentheywould be kept afloat regardless of the chaos surrounding our daily lives. That is how solemn a responsibility is for her.
Atthemoment,sheplanstovisitEuropeandthe United States again, with the aspirations of becoming an American citizen someday. She takes care of her potted plants as well, which has become the current means for her to relax. But most importantly, Ms Weng continues to keep in touch with colleagues from the ES Department even after retirement. Her heart is situated with the faculty andstudentsbecausesheconsidersallofthemtobe her “second family.” Ms Weng proudly dictated, “once an ES is always an ES. That is why we are [indeed] an ES family.” ◆
REDITS: top left photo and top right graphic by Christiane Oriana. Other
NEWS & EVENTS
SOSE + ARISE Research Projects Exhibited at
NAST’s 45th ASM
The 45th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) was held on July 12-13, 2023 at the Manila Hotel, Manila. During the two-day event,the School of Science and Engineering (SOSE) and the Ateneo Research Institute of Science and Engineering (ARISE) had the opportunity to showcase select research projects in the University’s exhibit booth.
The highlight of the exhibit were the five SOSE-ARISE research groups and laboratories that conducted demo exhibits of their projects. These were from the Integrated Protein R&D Center (IPRDC), led by Dr. rer. nat. Crisanto M. Lopez, RMicro; the Ateneo Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality (VAMR) Laboratory, led by Dr. Maria
“Most of the people in ES, we’re not happy if we just do things. Nandoon talaga yung magis.We do our best in everything that we do.”
Mercedes T. Rodrigo and Dr. Eric Cesar E. Vidal, Jr.; and the Ateneo Laboratory for Intelligent Visual Environments (ALIVE), led by Dr. Patricia Angela R. Abu. Research projects that joined the demo exhibit were Dr. Maria Regina Estuar’s FASSSTER and Dr. Raphael Guerrero’s “Extraction of Chitosan from Seafood Waste for Bioplastics and Industrial Applications”.
Other research projects were presented in the form of posters and videos. Dr. Queena Lee-Chua’s book entitled "Bouncing Back: Life and Learning in a Time of Crisis" was also featured as part of the exhibit.
WRITTEN BY: CHRISTIANE ORIANA | PHOTO COURTESY OF ARISE
C
photos courtesy of Rowena Argones.
Last 16 August 2023, the Ateneo Biodiversity Research Lab (ABRL) held its first BioBlitz activity after four years, inviting members of the Ateneo community to help document and record as many different species in the campus over a short period of time. The research laboratory hosted international guests, and a BioBlitz was the perfect activity to showcase the scientific talents and techniques the parties had to offer one another.
The researchers were myrmecologists Dr. Enrico Schifani, PhD. in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology from the Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability of the University of Parma in Parma, Italy, and Mr. Mattia Menchetti (PhD. Cand.) of the Butterfly Diversity and Evolution Laboratory of the Institut de Biologia Evolutiva of the University of Palermo in Barcelona, Spain. Schifani specializes in ecology, systematics, and identifying invasive ants to specific regions and as agricultural pests. Meanwhile, Menchetti focuses on building a barcoding library and a comprehensive phylogeny of European ant species.
From start to finish of the BioBlitz, the participants always looked forward to the
guidance of Dr. Emmanuel Delocado, PhD. in Biology, the Project Leader of the ABRL and the coordinator of the BioBlitz, and the “The Ateneo Wild” duo Abby Favis of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Trinket Constantino of the Department of Biology. However, many participants would agree that none were as excited as Schifani and Menchetti. The pair of myrmecologists would eagerly plop down next to ant nests and trails to provide trivia for participants just before collecting specimens for further in-depth identification. After compiling their findings, Schifani and Menchetti had reported 25 to 30 species of ants from campus grounds. Prior to this, the ABRL had only identified 15 species.
The research trip helped cement the partnership between the Ateneo de Manila University, through the Biodiversity Research Lab, and the Butterfly Diversity and Evolution Laboratory of the Institut de Biologia Evolutiva among several agreements. The two parties work as collaborators for the University Research Council funded project entitled “iFite PH,” which investigates freshwater integrative taxonomy and evolution studies in the Philippines. Alongside this is a joint publication on the identi-
fied ant species from the BioBlitz, another research project approved with gratuitous and sampling permits, and to contribute and enrich the research work of the partner institutions.
Beyond the BioBlitz and the institutional partnerships and cultural exchange, the researchers had also visited one of the leading myrmecologists in the Philippines, Perry Archival Claveria Buenavente of the Philippine National Museum,to further exchange their practices and to visit the ant collection of the museum.
Menchetti is an advocate for iNaturalist in empowering and encouraging citizen science which is important for people in megadiverse countries lacking in documentation to populate the database. More observations allow its artificial intelligence to identify observations more accurately through machine learning. Delocado says “Beyond publication, science should be communicated in other ways.” The stance is echoed and heard throughout the scientific community,so Delocado is thankful to collaborate with those of similar belief like Schifani and Menchetti.
IN PHOTOS (L-R): Myrmecologist Mattia Menchetti photographs ant species on trees along Father Masterson Drive; Ateneo Biodiversity Research Laboratory and research guests visiting the National Museum of Natural History; Menchetti and Schifani (L to R) showing their finds to a participant of the BioBlitz; Dr. Enrico Schifani providing trivia of his importANT find for the Bioblitz Photos Courtesy of Emmanuel Delocado
NATION-BUILDING THROUGH
PROBLEM-SOLVING:
ProbSET Continues to Expand its Network of Trainers in its 2nd year
Time and again we encounter mathematics educators with unflagging dedication and, alongside them, often inspired by them, students with unbridled mathematical curiosity. These teachers and students are everywhere—from the hearts of cities to the far-flung reaches of the provinces—but the resources necessary to tap into their potential are not. Challenged and invigorated by this, the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Mathematics launched Problem Solving Enrichment and Training or ProbSET, a hybrid program aimed at nurturing communities passionate about mathematical problem solving across the Philippines. Underpinning this effort is the belief that honing the youth's problem-solving skills is most crucial to nation-building.
On the motivations behind ProbSET, Fr. Ben Nebres—professor emeritus of the Department of Mathematics—says, “I’ve found… that our problemsolving culture is very weak. Teachers are afraid to do a problem in class which they do not know how to solve… We really wanted to start this problemsolving culture by giving problems to [students] that sometimes I do not know how to solve… The point is that we enter [into] the process of problem solving.” Fr. Nebres also highlights an important mindset for solving real-world problems: “Problems are unique… Contexts are very different. And so you always have to begin by immersing yourself."
ProbSEThasthreemaincomponents: In ProbSET A, teachers
undergo enrichment of their background on problem structures and heuristics to develop their mathematical content knowledge. In ProbSET Camp, teachers are guided in curating problem-solving modules and designing their own problemsolving sessions to foster deepening of pedagogical content knowledge.In ProbSET B,teachers who qualify to be trainers, along with volunteers from Ateneo de Manila University, train selected public school senior high school students by going through non-routine problems.
Thepilotimplementationran from April to December 2022 and was met with resounding success. Partnerships were established with Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), West Visayas State University
WRITTEN BY: JUAN CARLO MALLARI
Photos Courtesy of Math Department
(WVSU),and the DepEd Division of Davao de Oro (DepEd DdO). Over 150 students from 31 public schools in Iloilo City, Quezon Province, and Davao de Oro participated in the pilot run. The project yielded valuable insights on mathematics education related to, for instance, the project's predominantly online modality and the importance of the local tongue in educating students of particular regions.
ProbSET,nowinits2nditeration, was launched on July 22,
2023. The launch was attended by representatives from AdMU and all partner institutions (SLSU, WVSU, DepEd DdO and new partners Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U), and DepEd Division of Ormoc City (DepEd Ormoc)).It featured a presentation of highlights from the pilot run; talks by Dr. Po-Shen Loh of Carnegie Mellon University, Fr. Nebres, and Dr. Queena LeeChua; and a ceremonial signing of Memoranda of Agreement by
university presidents (or their representatives) and DepEd superintendents.
ProbSET A is currently underway, with over 30 teachertrainers from the 6 partner institutions. They will finish their training in January 2024, after which ProbSET Camp and ProbSET B will commence.
MSP 2023 Annual Convention in Ateneo
The Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP) held its 2023 Annual Convention from June 1 to 4 at the Ateneo de Manila University. The convention, an annual activity of the MSP, also served as the culmination of the organization's year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary. The MSP is the country's premier professional organization dedicated to the promotion of mathematicsresearchandeducationinthecountry.
To mark this milestone, the convention started with free public lectures on ethnomathematics and symmetry, intended for a more general audience. The next few days were filled with plenary talks, parallel sessions, and poster presentations. These were attended by research mathematicians and educators across the country who converged on campus for the convention's return to onsite proceedings.
WRITTEN BY: RICHARD EDEN
Photo Courtesy of Math Department
TO WALK FORWARD:
A LOOKBACK
W ITH F R . B EN N EBRES , SJ
& F R . T ING S AMSON , SJ
Few have been able to witness the Ateneo's history as the institution it is today,and even fewer have been part of shaping its legacy through the past decades.Fr.Ben Nebres,SJ and Fr. Antonio“Ting”Samson,SJ are two such rare individuals.Now celebrating their golden jubilee in service after their ordination as Jesuit Priests in 1973,the School of Science and Engineering (SOSE),in cooperation with the Departments of Chemistry and Mathematics,has gathered the Atenean community for“Balik-Tanaw” to pause and listen to their stories on the academic development and social involvement of the Ateneo through the decades.
WRITTEN BY: HARVEY FELIPE
Title page photo by Christiane Oriana In article photos courtesy of ARISE
Fr. Ting’s & Fr. Ben’s Memories of Ateneo
Fr. Ting was in his second year of highschool when Ateneo moved to the Loyola Heights campus. He was able to see how smallAteneo was then when hefinishedhighschoolin1954,thencollegein1958 with a total of 92 graduates, and even later saw the shift of the Ateneo to welcome female students by becoming a co-ed school in 1973. The institution’s focus then was on the high school, Ateneo as a university getting bigger as a college came later, becoming a university in 1959.
Fr. Ben himself had never studied in Ateneo, graduating with a degree in Philosophy from Cebu, and his MS and PhD in Mathematics in Stanford University.But in his time in Ateneo,he has pushed forward Mathematics education in the country leaps ahead. He recalls their vision in 1970 to develop a strong ecosystem of post-graduate programs in the Philippines, because at the time, there were only two PhD programs in math. He recounted the challenges of ensuring that students studied full-time and building a reliable network to give them opportunities to work on their thesis abroad.
However,itwasn’tonlyacademicsthattheyboth had to handle. Throughout all this, they had to go through the Filipinization of the university during the tumultuous times of the Martial Law era. Influenced by liberation theology, their priority then was to make sure that students and faculty are immersed in Filipino communities and Ateneans are involved with the poor, leading to the establishment of the Office for Social Concern and Involvement. Contrasting a misconception about the university’s history that only talks about the oppression of ML,Fr.Ben remarks that instead they were preoccupied with developing the university’s academics and following Arrupe’s call of men and women for others.
Stepping Forward
When asked what they reflect on what the university should do moving forward in both its academics and social involvement, they highlight three key things:
The first is a reminder on what the Ateneo’s identity is as a university through its history. Fr. Ben notes the importance the university places on international university rankings. He reminds that Ateneo’s values as a Jesuit institution isn’t focused on research, which is the biggest component of theserankings,butmoreimportantlytheformative years of all of its students. Formation is collective, and faculty have to care for their members.“I worry that if we push this way, we'll lose the essence of Ateneo education,”he ends.
The second is a call to continue their efforts in getting Ateneans down from the hill. The university was able to establish programs involving Ateneans with the poor. However, compared to before, the social gap in Philippine society is not as immense, andanunintendedconsequenceofthisisthatmore and more families are choosing to leave the country. Fr. Ben urged that,“we have to find a way for our students to love our country and our poor.”
The third strengthens the roots of Ateneo as a Jesuit institution. Fr. Ting noted how there have been fewer and fewer Jesuits in the university, and asked “how do we maintain what we feel is important in Jesuit education if there are no Jesuits?”FormingmoreJesuitsiswhatwewant,but Fr. Ting says that the faculty, as lay people, are instrumental in a more positive way of making it happen.Heurgesthateachstudentmustbeformed astheuniqueAteneanthattheyare,justasIgnatius experienced that God was dealing with him personally. ◆
Ateneo Opens FabLab
Ateneo SOSE has partnered with the French Engineering Grande Ecole Icam (Icam) since 2000, facilitating more than 60 student and around 20 faculty mobilities in the form of academic exchanges, research collaborations, and internships. This September of 2023 marked a significant milestone in their collaboration as SOSE welcomed 21 French and African students who are completing their fourth year of Icam’s Parcours Ouvert program in Manila.
In support of this long-term partnership, Ateneo de Manila and Icam inaugurated a Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) located at PLDT CTC 301 on 27 September 2023.This laboratory is considered the first FabLab of Ateneo and the 14th FabLab of Icam. Her Excellency, Ms. Marie Fontanel, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Philippines, participated in the open-
ing ceremony, along with Icam’s General Manager, Mr. Gilles Vandecaveye.
The FabLab is a vibrant ecosystem of ideas fueled by various IoT devices and large equipmentthatpushtheboundaries of what's possible. From smart sensors to interconnected systems,we provide engineering tools to turn imagination into reality and train a new generation of engineers ready to meet the technological and societal challengesoftomorrow.Opento all, the SOSE FabLab aims to be inclusive: students, teachers, and researchers from Ateneo are welcome.
Programs are continually being organized in the coming months to introduce this space and allow everyone to experiment with the provided machines.
Fr. Roberto Yap, and HE Marie Fontanel; (4) 3D-printers, one of the many fabrication equipment available at the FabLab (5).
by: Christiane Oriana
IN PHOTOS (TOP TO BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT): (1) Her Excellency, Ms. Marie Fontanel, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Philippines delivers her speech at the inauguration event; (2) The FabLab team poses with some of their exhibited projects; (3) ECCE student showcasing 3D-printed items to Dr. Maria Luz Vilches,
Photos
WRITTEN BY: Jan Kevin "JK" Galicia
Ateneo Represented at National Chemistry Conference
Scholars, researchers and experts in chemistry from academe, industry and government met at the 37th Philippine Chemistry Congress (PCC) held at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City last 26th to 28th of July 2023.
PCC is an annual event organized by the major chemistry societies of the country to serve as an avenue to feature the latest chemistry research and technological developments made locally,address key issues faced by professionals and educators, and promote collaboration among the different sectors to improve the quality of chemistry education and research.
After three years of the pandemic, PCC was held once again in person. The 37th PCC adopted the theme, “Chemistry and Agriculture 4.0: Chemistry for Agriculture and Food Security.” Plenary lectures and fora served to highlight the role and importance of chemistry in addressing the significant challenges that local agriculture and
foodsecurity face:sustainability and climate change.
The Ateneo delegation was composed of students, researchers and faculty from the DepartmentofChemistryaswell as the Ateneo Research Institute of Science and Engineering (ARISE). Dr. Adam Turner and Maryjane Magsino presented their papers on material science and chemistry education respectively.
Meanwhile, ten other members of the delegation shared their research through poster presentations. These include Jude Reyes, Keith Gungon, and Alexandra Hulog for polymer science; Hans Natividad and Je Valdez for environmental chemistry, Christiane Oriana, John Daniel Magsalin and Charles Opagueforchemistryeducation; Dyanne Duldulao for material science, and Ranns Santos for natural products.
The congress culminated withtherecognitionofMr.Gerry Tan, RCh of SBS Philippines
Corporation (industry), Ms. Lilibeth Salvador-Reyes of University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (chemical research), Mr.Allen Espinosa, PhD of Philippine Normal University (education – tertiary), and Mr. Jose Andaya, DT of Philippine Science HighSchool-CALABARZON (education – secondary). Theawardingceremonywas followed by social events such as the headdress competition, talent showcase, and fellowship night to foster camaraderie among the participants.
IN PHOTOS: (top) Ms. Maryjane Magsino during her oral presentation; (bottom) the Ateneo delagation to the 37th PCC.
PHOTO CREDITS: (top) Courtesy of Maryjane Magsino; (bottom) Courtesy of Unsilo Labs
WRITTEN BY: HANS DENZEL A. NATIVIDAD
FROM CHILDHOOD VISIONS TO SCHOLARLY REALITY: THEACADEMICODYSSEYOF
LORENZO BOTAVARA
WRITTEN BY: PAUL MARI PANIZA
Photos Courtesy of Lorenzo Botavara
In the heart of every great scientific endeavor lies a spark of curiosity—a flicker of wonder that ignites the pursuit of knowledge and drives individualstounravelthemysteriesof the natural world. For Lorenzo Botavara, this flame was first kindled in the verdant landscapes of his province, where a patch of trees near his childhood home became the backdrop for his budding fascination with science.
Lorenzo’s fascination with the natural world began long before he could articulate his thoughts or comprehend the intricacies of scientific inquiry. Surrounded by the beauty of nature in his provincial home, he found inspiration in the symphony of life that thrived around him. Encouraged by his supportive parents, Lorenzo’s curiosity knew no bounds as he eagerly absorbed every bit of information he could find— from captivating science shows to the pages of biology textbooks. It was this insatiable hunger for knowledge that encouraged him to enroll in a Philippine Science High School, where he took his first steps on the path to academic excellence.
However, the journey to realizing his dreams was not without its challenges. When Lorenzo set his sights on taking a degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the prestigious University of the Philippines, he faced initial rejection—a setback that would have discouraged many. But Lorenzo was not one to be deterred.Embracing a“go hard or go home” mentality, he persisted in his academic pursuits. Despite not securing admission to his dream program, Lorenzo remained steadfast in his pursuit of knowledge, opt-
ing instead to enroll in a Biology degree program at Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan, which was conveniently close to his home.
As Lorenzo delved deeper into his college years,his fascination with biology continued to grow. By his third year, he was certain that further graduatestudieswereinhisfuture.It was during this pivotal period that Lorenzo found himself drawn to the field of molecular biology. Encouraged by one of his mentor's unwavering support and belief in his abilities, Lorenzo took the bold step of
“For him, [the grant] was not just any form of financial assistance; it was a beacon of hope—a chance to propel his research forward.”
applying for the DOST scholarship—a decision that would set the stage for the next chapter of his academic odyssey.
Navigating the challenges of pursuing his graduate studies at the Ateneo de Manila University, Lorenzo encountered uncertainty about laboratory resources and conceptualroadblockswhileadjusting to life in Metro Manila.Despite nearly succumbing to despair, he still chose to seek guidance and reach out to the nearest expert in the field at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. To his surprise,hereceivedaninvitation, which granted him the invalu-
able opportunity to travel to Malaysia, observe their work firsthand, and undergo training.
Eventhougheverythingwas going well so far, Lorenzo encountered another significant obstacle: the need for additional funding to advance his research. Faced with this dilemma, he turned to his adviser, Dr. Janice Ragaza who encouraged him to take a bold step and apply for the SC Johnsongrant.Forhim,thiswasnot justanyformoffinancialassistance; it was a beacon of hope—a chance to propel his research forward. After navigating a rigorous application process, Lorenzo's perseverance paid off when he received news of acceptance. It was a moment of triumph,validating hishardworkandcommitment to scientific exploration.
With his journey through the realms of academia,the resounding message he imparts to young aspiring scientists is one of unwavering resilience and steadfast determination. Encountering setbacks along his path, Lorenzo's tenacity never wavered. He emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from mentors, whose wisdom illuminates the darkest of academic alleys. With each obstacle he faced, Lorenzo reached beyond boundaries, forging collaborations with experts from diverse backgrounds, and daring to dream beyond the confines of convention. Through his remarkable journey, Lorenzo reminds us all to stand upon the shouldersofgiants,fortheyare the ones who lift us to break new frontiers in scientific achievement. ◆
ADMU Social Computing Lab made history with NAIST for First Cross-Cultural Workshop
The Ateneo Social Computing Science Laboratory, which is led by Ma. Regina Justina E Estuar,PhD,has spearheaded the first-ever AteneoNAIST Cross-Cultural Workshop on Perspectives in Social Computing Research on 13 October 2023 at the PLDT-Convergent Technologies Center (CTC) BuildingoftheAteneodeManilaUniversity.Despite the longstanding partnership between the Ateneo and Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), this is the initial formal event that provided an intellectual avenue to share ideas within the realm of technological implications and consequences in our society.
The event began with Dr.Estuar sharing the past accomplishments, current status, and future vision of the laboratory which she started in 2012 with Marlene M de Leon, PhD. Their aspirations grew quickly, and it got incorporated with other research entities of the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science (DISCS),which subsequently became under the umbrella body of the Ateneo Center for Computing Competency and Research (ACCCRe).
Their most notable work was in partnership with the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) and the University of California System through the Philippine California Advanced Research Institutes (PCARI) Project.Dr.Estuar was the project leader of oneoftheprimaryinitiativesoftheendeavor,which enabled the early detection of plant diseases for farmersthroughwirelesssensorspairedwithauserfriendly mobile app.From here,the work evolved to epidemiological modelling, and natural language processing-inspired research activities.
Then, Eiji Aramaki, PhD, a representative from NAIST, shared his current work of aligning sentiment analysis schemes in the medical field. In hisview,hehighlightedhowsocialmediaactivityin Japan is related to the past major health crisis the country faced. These include the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and the recent coronavirus disease pandemic. Upon the wave of increasing interdisciplinary fields on social computing, he stressed the need for further collaboration, especially those in the Global South.
WRITTEN BY: MICHAEL LOPEZ II
The plenary discussion on the rise of large language models (LLMs) commenced in the afternoon portion with Gina Romero,Rachel Editha Roxas, PhD, and Erika Fille T Legara, PhD as the invited guest speakers.Romero,who is the Founder and Project Head at Connected Women,shared that upskilling Filipino women through meaningful workonlineiscrucialtoadaptthefast-pacednature of today’s burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI). They bolstered over 1000 women who were recipients of the training they gave in AI data annotation. These include image, video, and text annotation depending on its respective contexts. She emphasized that this skill is in demand since a lot of companies are looking for ways to upgrade their infrastructure through training their machine learning models.
Dr. Roxas presented the unique advantages and challengesoftheuseofLLMs,especiallyonthelens of research work. The topic of LLMs has grown vastly since its first literature review in 1996. Based on the current trends,there is a 7.7% annual growth rate of academic work solely on why and how LLMs are being implemented. What is even more interesting is that 96% of the research was published after 2020. She supplemented the
discussion with having a sense of urgency on members of the academe to probe further the ethical dilemmas surrounding it. Some of the underlying concerns were accessibility challenges, overreliance on LLMs which may hinder critical thinking,and the copyright issues of reproducing or generating original work.
To end, Dr. Legara lectured on the ethical use of these general AI models. The foundation why it is harmful to use personal information as a prompt to such LLMs is the concern for privacy and security. She reiterated the lack of consent on using opensource programming codes as a means to train the respective model. This again begs the question of blurry lines of copyrighted works. Other major issues include: bias and fairness, and making up synthetic information about the topic. She then stressed on the importance of knowing what is happening under the hood of these models is vital for how they were being trained.
Participants of the workshop were able to discuss in simple group sessions about what they havelearnedfromtheevent.Thefacilitatorsofeach group were the previous and current graduate students of the Social Computing Laboratory. ◆
In article photos courtesy of DISCS
FEATURE: ARISE-ING SCIENTIST
Gazing upon sunshine: Alfie Peña and the Research Impetus
WRITTEN BY: CARLOS SALAZAR
Somewhere in an office at the PLDT-CTC building, a beam of sunshine passes through. Daylightfillsspacemomentarily—flickeringslightly in the skyline—then fades out. Gazing upon this sunshine in his work for the Ateneo Energy Research Laboratory is Robert Alfie S. Pena, PhD, whose practice in energy systems put him in the Department of Electronics, Computer, and Communications Engineering (ECCE) of Ateneo. Known by many as Doc Alfie, he has contributed to and published numerous researches centered around renewable energy.
His inclination toward engineering started out from a high school interest in physics, but it wasn’t until his college education in Ateneo, taking BS Electronics Engineering (EcE) with the help of scholarships, that his passion blossomed. Taking inspirationfromhisprofessors’lectures,herealized then that pursuing research was his calling. Sure enough,after completing his bachelor’s degree,Doc Alfie applied for the master’s program for EcE in ADMU and went on a short stint in the Erasmus Mundus exchange program in Italy for his thesis. Afterwards, he joined a research project on solar energy with his mentor, Dr. Erees Queen Macabebe of the ECCE Department.
The experiences he had during his graduate studies inculcated in Doc Alfie the extent of his work’s relevance in the field of energy. To him, “everything we do and decide requires energy [and thus] has the capacity to pollute the environment.” Transitioning from fossil fuel-based to renewable energy sources plays a big role in counteracting energy pollution; in realizing his work’s connection to this, Doc Alfie decided that he would specialize his field in improving current energy systems through sustainability. Eventually, he would pursue this through his doctorate studies abroad.
Doc Alfie had in mind the goal of bringing the scientific culture he could absorb overseas into the local academe while broadening his field to industrial applications. With the support of his mentors,he eventually secured a funding offer from the Ampère Laboratory of Université Claude Bernard in Lyon, France. There he would spend the nextfewyearsworkingonimprovingenergystorage systems in collaboration with the SuperGrid Institute.
Gettingexposedtotheresearchandworkculture of France influenced Doc Alfie’s outlook in many
ways. For one, it was a normalized practice for various companies, institutes, and corporations in France to outsource their R&D needs to PhD candidates in university laboratories with the support of research grants and scholarships. While such programs exist in the Philippines, they are implemented at a narrower scale. Research jobs in the Philippines remain limited to laboratories in universities or the government. As such, this is something to which Doc Alfie attributes the underdevelopment of R&D in the country, as the principles and systems surrounding the national economy remain far from knowledge-based.
In the future, Doc Alfie hopes that similar programs can be employed to change the current paradigmsaroundR&DinthePhilippinesandallow R&D to thrive in the country. By doing so, it could allow the country to enter a knowledge-based economy where R&D can drive economic growth and development and become of service to the Filipino people. In the meantime, Doc Alfie continues teaching ECCE courses at the Ateneo, embodying the professors who inspired him, emphasizing the mastery of the R&D process, and finding ways to further develop his work on solar
energy storage.It is his way of giving back—to help aspiring scientists and engineers flourish in research, and to see to it that the landscape of energy research expands in service of the Filipino.
Gearing research towards developing appropriate technologies for communities, especially those in remote areas, who are the least advantaged yet get the most benefit, is where the potential of sustainable development shines. Beyond the shadows castbytheskyline,theimpetusofresearchiscreating things that can help change and better these systems for the benefit of the marginalized. No matterwhereweare—inthecolorsofLyonorinthe bustle of Katipunan—we all know the same sunshine. Or at least, Doc Alfie hopes to play a part in bringing it to reality. Indeed, the light is priceless, and it illuminates the world little by little. ◆
“Beyond the shadows cast by the skyline, the impetus of research is creating things that can help change and better these systems for the benefit of the marginalized.”
Title photo and graphic by Christiane Oriana
Photo Courtesy of Alfie Peña
REMEMBERING JUMELA SARMIENTO
WRITTEN BY: NICCOLO LUDOVICE
Anyone who knew Dr. Jumela Sarmiento,orMa'amJumetothe many of us blessed to work alongside her, would fondly recall her passion for elephants. When she assumed the role of Director of the Office of Admission and Aid in 2012, her office quickly became a sanctuary for thesemajesticcreatures.Itwasa sight to behold – elephants of all shapes, sizes, and colors adorning every corner, captivating every visitor who entered. One could hardly tell if they had stepped into the office of a mathematician or a zoological wonderland.
I recall numerous occasions when I asked her about the origin of her deep fascination with these magnificent mammals. To this day, the answer eludes me. However, as a fellow collector, I understood the value of contributing to someone's passion. Thus, my travels near and far never failed to yield a new elephant for her collection. And with each new addition, her joy multiplied.
Elephants, truly captivating creatures,possessanenchanting grace that defies their immense size. They are revered for their strength, beauty, and intelligence. In many ways, Ma'am Jume embodied these very qualities. Her warm and gentle demeanordrewustoher,providing
solace in the busy and often stressful environment we worked in. A friendly and composed presence was just what we needed.
Ma'am Jume held learning in the highest esteem, just as she cherished imparting knowledge to others. While serving as the OAA director, she skillfully juggled multiple responsibilities, including her role as president of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines and faculty member of the Mathematics Department. But most of all, generations of scholars will rememberMa'amJumeasourdauntless champion,fighting tirelessly for more scholarships and support. Not content merely to secure funding,shealsoclearedtheway forusto accesseliteeducational opportunities abroad. She encouraged us to seek international scholarships, and when we succeeded, she celebrated alongside us. I owe my own success as an early-career academic here in Hong Kong chiefly to her encouragement.How many budding scholars achieved their dreams thanks to her advocacy?
Like the elephants she adored, Ma'am Jume had an adventurous spirit and a zest for travel. Some of our fondest memories with her were created outside the confines of the office. Whether meeting with of-
ficials in Korea or Hong Kong,or gathered around a table in our favorite restaurants, she forged genuine connections that matured into lasting bonds.Indeed, manyofmyfondestmemoriesof Ma'am Jume originate far beyond the office hours. She gamely embraced every scheme we hatched, from costumed theme parties at office functions to marathon viewings of the latest Korean drama heartthrobs. Even after her tenure as the OAA director, her convivial presence continued to grace our events.
The selfless compassion that distinguished Ma'am Jume's leadership mirrored the most noble qualities embodied by her cherished elephants. A herd depends not on dominance but on cooperation and shared responsibilityduringtimesofadversity. Sotoodidsheattendtoourworries,howevertrivialtheyseemed beside her own pressing concerns.Her sincerity and compassionwerehergreatestassets,especially during times when our office faced one crisis after another. Ma'am Jume treated us not as subordinates, but as valued colleagues whose voices deserved to be heard and acknowledged.
When Ma'am Jume joined the OAA in 2012, I jokingly warned her about the "curse" of Kostka Hall – the notion that all who worked within its walls were destined to remain single. She laughed it off, seemingly undeterred. In fact, it never hindered her from being one of the most dedicated and loving individuals Ihaveeverencountered.Shewas a cherished aunt to Dea, whom we had the privilege of watching grow up. She was a devoted daughter and sister. She was an exceptional colleague to her fellowcoworkersinthe Mathematics Department. She was a
beloved mentor to countless students and office tambays. Ma'am
Jume's maternal care was unparalleled, adhering closely to the Ignatian principle of cura personalis –caring forthewhole person and bestowing the gift of compassion and dignity upon others.
I will always bear into heart our conversation in November this year. I was not in a good place, and things were seeminglyfallingapartforme.Ma’am Jume opened up her heart, and shared her own vulnerabilities and anxieties as well. She cheered me on and said, “Don’t give up.I believe in you.I am always proud of you. Ang layo na ng narating mo.” Her last words to me were words of encouragement and strength. How can I give up if these already came from the great fighting elephant herself?
American novelist and naturalist Peter Matthiessen once wrote, "Of all African animals, the elephant is the most difficult for man to live with, yet its passing – if this must come –seemsthemosttragicofall."Today, we find ourselves grappling with the enormous void left by Ma'am Jume's passing. We are still coming to terms with her loss, and our hearts continue to ache with sorrow.
Ma'am Jume, thank you for the profound imprint you left on our lives. You will be dearly missed, but your legacy will continue to guide us in our journey. May you now roam among the great elephants in the savannahs of the sky, and may your smile watch over those of us yearning to be free. ◆
We are the Ateneo School of Science and Engineering (SOSE):
DEPARTMENT OF Biology
DEPARTMENT OF Chemistry
DEPARTMENT OF Information Systems and Computer Science
DEPARTMENT OF Eletctronics, Computer, and Communications Engineering
DEPARTMENT OF Environmental Science
DEPARTMENT OF Mathematics
Health Sciences
PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF Physics
DIMENSIONS NEWSLETTER
Editorial & Creatives:
Clark Kendrick Go
Christiane Oriana
Emilyn Espiritu
Grace Majella Gozun
Jhennylea Dela Cruz Pan
Margot Revilla
Contributors:
Harvey Felipe
Jan Kevin "JK" Galicia
Michael Lopez II
Niccolo Ludovice
Juan Carlo Mallari
Hans Natividad
Paul Mari Paniza
Timothy Romero
Carlos Salazar
This issue covers the second semester of academic year 2023-2024.
Photos Courtesy of Andrea Marielle Sarmiento
Dimensions is the newsletter of the Ateneo de Manila UniversitySchool of Science and Engineering (SOSE) and the Ateneo Research Institute of Science and Engineering (ARISE). Published twice in an academic year, it is a portfolio of our achievements, a repository of our experiences, and a canvas of our aspirations. Dimensions is a mosaic of our identity – a celebration of what makes SOSE truly unique.
