THE NUCLEUS 19-20

THE NUCLEUS THE 2019-2020 ISSUE

Social Distancing COVID-19 cuts the A.Y. short

welcome to the nEW DECADE Newcomers accept the challenge of keeping the nine-decade-old organization fire alive

UP CHEMSOC THROUGH THE YEARS UP-CLOSE WITH MA’AM CHERRIE

EDITOR’S note

Illustrators

Odeine Eindmari Paras

“A challenging start of the decade but we are good hosts and as good hosts do, we’ll find our balance in this ‘new normal’.”

A Landmark Issue This academic year made us experience a lot of momentous events. While some were good, several posed challenges. Yet, as one organization, we still got through and delivered.

Due to the turnout of this term, we envisioned a “landmark issue”. We dream of future members picking up a copy and getting a good, detailed view of the year’s significant events.

We worked to come up with an edition that would rise from the usual. Also, I wanted the alumni & non-members to relate to the newsletter better so I added special articles and reached out to various people to put a human face on the stories.

Creating this issue had been great and special. I hope that it would fulfill the goals we had in mind when we worked on it.

Let this be an enduring record of this historic AY 2019-2020 that saw UP Chemical Society turning 90, having an executive body composed of mostly newcomers, adjusting amidst a pandemic, and surviving, no matter what. Happy reading!

LESTER DAVE “TET-TET” PUA Editor-in-Chief

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Carla Mae Marie Tan

“Given the changing tides of the world, UP ChemSoc is proving to adapt and modernize its disposition, while still maintaining a high standard.”

Writers Joshua Adrian Luis Ambong Alexandra Jannelle Pelicano Stephanie Alyzza Fadri Janrick Cayetano Batch 19A Jay Sam Andos Hannah Lizette Malabonga Bianca Emmanuelle Gancia Bianca Zona Marie Pimentel

CONTENTS

GAME CHANGER

ChemSoc Week

07 Exhibit 08 Grand Pakain 09 Exergonic 11 Chem Idol 12 Brain Freeze 13 Homecoming

JAW DROPPER

Academic Contests

20 BOTB 21 PNCO-NCR

STRUCTURAL HISTORICAL 03 Advisers 26 Members 46 Officers

GROUND BREAKER

22 Cover Story: Org starts acad year with mostly newcomers in Executive Committee

SHOW STOPPER

35 COVID-19 pandemic and how it affected the acad year

INSPIRATIONAL INTEGRAL

15 A look-back at 30 Up-Close with 27 New Members 29 Application an Alumna: 9 decades of Process Ma’am Cherrie UP ChemSoc

NEWS MAKER

Institute Achievers

33 Pasinaya 34 BaldomeroLourdes Award 39 Board Passers 40 Graduates

CENTRIPETAL 37 PACS, Inc. Events and Updates

JFAC’s letter

It is an honor to congratulate UP Chemical Society for maintaining its excellence and influence on its 90th anniversary. I have always been proud of being a member of the organization which has taught me many of the skills and competencies not taught within classrooms. Now, it gives me great pleasure to meet and greet the new members who are standing up for the organization and in service to the institutions on which it vows to serve.

In the past several years, UP ChemSoc has always shown outstanding feats despite its notable fewness in number, the reason for its moniker “The Few and the Proud�.

But this year, an additional challenge has been to keep its momentum going through the efforts of its fresh new leaders. To take leadership positions in the organization despite being new members requires a great deal of courage, but at the same time it could be an advantage as it gives much better leeway for the organization to rebrand itself and adjust to the current status quo. Our recently graduated members are key to providing training to the newcomers to be effective Executive Committee members.

Just a few months before the second semester ended, the greatest challenge emerged: being able to move forward amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges the pandemic brought, the members still managed to push through, ensuring the continuance of the organization in the face of crisis. And for the succeeding months, the organization will have to do what it does best: to face challenges head-on and practice the art of resourcefulness.

Even with the current challenges of our time, I believe no precious gems can bend UP ChemSoc, and I still look forward to what it has to offer. Keep on keeping on!

Carl Angelo M. Caluag, R.Ch.

JUNIOR FACULTY ADVISER

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SFAC’s letter

I hope that this message finds you safe and well.

Congratulations to the UP Chemical Society as it celebrates its more than nine decades of existence, touching the lives of many students and continuing its relevant contribution to the University, in particular, and to the public, in general, through its various initiatives.

As we face unprecedented challenging times, we are called upon to endure and to be kind to ourselves as well as to others.

As the University shifts to remote learning in the coming academic year in continuing uncertain times, I hope that the Society will rise up to the challenge of coming up with innovative ways of making remote “near”, most especially in welcoming our incoming freshmen of AY 2020-2021.

Now, more than ever, peer support, your role as students in helping fellow students, and collaboration are key elements that will sustain you doing remote learning in the coming academic year.

Let us all work together and help one another.

As the UP College of Education says: “Stay Safe. Keep Learning.”

Evangeline C. Amor, Ph.D.

SENIOR FACULTY ADVISER

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Here comes

THE NEW DECADE

new decade

phrase

/n(y)oo ‘dekad/

1: the tenth decade of UP Chemical Society unfolding after its ninety-year anniversary mark 2: the 2020s of the Gregorian calendar

“New year—a new chapter, new verse or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours.” -Alex Morritt The academic year 2019-2020 had UP Chemical Society members and alumni open the organization’s tenth decade of service and greet with the world the beginning of 2020s.

This issue of The Nucleus chronicles how UP Chemical Society, the premier academic organization of UP Diliman Institute of Chemistry, welcomed what has been a momentous “new decade” and continued a legacy spanning ninety (90) years.

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CHANGING THE GAME SINCE 1929

exhibit

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UP ChemSoc marks casino-themed 90th anniv week

An exhibit of giant casino items greeted people at the Institute of Chemistry Teaching Building, UP Diliman during the week-long celebration of UP Chemical Society’s 90th anniversary on August 26 to 31.

The said exhibit featured the organization’s brief history, members, and the week’s events.

Photos from the past years were also displayed.

A thanksgiving mass held at Parish of the Holy Sacrifice,

UP Diliman kicked off the week on August 25. A lunch gathering and a short program at the UP Carillon Plaza followed where members shared the things they were thankful for.

The UP ChemSoc 90th anniversary week was copresented by Unilab and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, in cooperation with Ceres, and sponsored by Del Monte and Shimadzu. ClickTheCity was the official media partner.

GRAND PAKAIN

THE UP CHEMSOC BRAND OF GIVING BACK

UP Chemical Society, which works closely with the Institute of Chemistry faculty and staff, is known for its yearly Eat-All-You-Chem: Grand Pakain every ChemSoc Week.

Grand Pakain is the organization’s way of giving back to its home institute, gathering hundreds of people for free lunch and snacks.

The 2019 edition was held on August 30 at its usual venue, the Institute of Chemistry Teaching Building Open Deck.

It served about 200 people including institute employees and students of the university.

It also showcased the different products from the ChemSoc Week sponsors (Ceres juice packs, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf planners, and Del Monte spaghetti packs)

which were won by several attendees via a raffle draw.

Tongo Catering Services was employed to prepare the food. Television and social media viral taho vendor Dong Corpuz was also hired for the dessert he sells. jay sam andos 08

exergonic

Play Your Cards Right: The many paths for a UPD chemistry graduate

“If you are a UP student, you have the potential, you’re special among the rest.”

Chemistry Career Talk

He and three other professionals who took BS Chemistry in UPD imparted their knowledge and experiences in their respective fields to promote awareness on future career paths chemistry majors may take.

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“

Del Rosario also shared his undergraduate experiences and emphasized that it was not his college grades that carved out his future. Rather, it’s his perseverance and determination that made him reach where he is now.

Up: Sir Del Rosiario Down: Ma’am Eusebio

Up: Ma’am Pascual Down: Ma’am Rasco

UP alumnus Renan del Rosario, RCh, now the president of JCS Pharmaceuticals, established that graduates of the university stand out in whatever field they land after graduation in his talk during Exergonic 2019 at Institute of Chemistry ChemRez Room, UP Diliman on August 28.

Chemistry freshmen and sophomores filled the ChemRez Room.

exergonic

Sir Del Rosario, Ma’am Pascual, and Ma’am Rasco are alumni of UP Chemical Society.

ACADEME BUSINESS ARCHAEOLOGY SALES & MARKETING

Meanwhile, Cherrie Pascual, PhD, a professor at the institute, talked about Chemistry in general and how it opened up various opportunities for her as an educator and a researcher. Through the years she spent in the academe, she has travelled around the world for many conferences and internships, something she hoped the audience would experience, too.

Michelle Eusebio, PhD, a professional lecturer in the Archaeological Studies Program in UP Diliman, shed light on her career as an archaeologist and how she wound up in such an uncommon but interesting field for chemists.

Eusebio was also a speaker in the event last year.

For the first time, Exergonic invited a professional who graduated under a different degree program.

Abegail Rasco, who shifted out of BS Chem, narrated how her UPD Chemistry education still helped her even though she did not finish it. Now the Assistant Unit Manager at Pru Life UK, she gave students tips on pursuing the career they love and on going on despite failures.

Exergonic is a yearly part of UP ChemSoc’s anniversary celebration. joshua adrian luis ambong 10

chem idol

Chem Idol 2019 is back-to-back champion

Danielle Ann Alejandro, Chem Idol 2018, successfully defended her title when she won the 2019 edition on August 31.

Chem Idol, an annual part of UP Chemical Society’s anniversary week, aims to showcase Chemistry students’ talent in singing.

In 2018, the competition moved to an online platform.

Instead of the usual live performances, the contestants now submit their singing videos for upload on the organization’s Facebook page.

The 2019 theme was “Vintage: The 1940’s-1980’s” so Alejandro sang Whitney Houston’s 1986 hit “Greatest Love of All”.

She received the highest score in terms of voice quality, musicality, intonation or tone quality, and audience impact (number of Facebook heart reactions her video acquired).

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She represented the Institute of Chemistry in the College of Science Factor 2019, a revamped version of what used to be College of Science Idol. bianca zona marie pimentel

brain freeze

Fun and chills continue in Brain Freeze 2019 The warm evening of September 4 was no match for the chills and brain freeze brought by the biggest eating ice cream contest in UP Diliman held at the Balay Kalinaw Conference Hall.

After three rounds, the team of Izabelle Dolores, Ivan Etorma, and Rinno Sanchez emerged as the champion.

Meanwhile, the team of UP Chemical Society members Danielle Ann Alejandro, Lester Dave Pua, and

Bianca Emanuelle Gancia came in second. The two-man team of Joel Bonifacio and John Philip Hernandez won third.

The three teams brought home cash prizes and products from sponsors Unilab, Del Monte, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Ceres.

Afterwards, the UP ChemSoc committees also took on the challenge, with the Publications Committee finishing first. hannah lizette malabonga

alumni HOMECOMING

Past and present converge in Alumni Homecoming ‘19

Besides its goal to keep the members’ unity and commitment to the organization, the gathering also raised funds for Chemistree.

Chemistree is an outreach program in which the organization donates supplies to and spends a day with a chosen charity.

Over 50 past and present members of UP Chemical Society from 16 different batches assembled to celebrate the organization’s 90th anniversary in the Alumni Homecoming 2019 on August 31 at Tramway Tea House Banawe, Quezon City.

Laarnie Tengco (15A), recipient of 2019 UP Chemistry Alumni Foundation Utak-Puso Leadership Award, and Julius Victorius Saluria (08A), now a consistent high school Chemistry olympiad winning coach, delivered testimonials that recalled their experiences and learnings with the org.

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ALUMNI homecoming

a lum ni

The oldest member to join the night is Franns Maceda of Batch 1989.

Proving that UP ChemSoc is also a home of talent, Kurt Louis Solis (11A) serenaded the audience while Timothy Jemuel Talusan (12A) played violin.

Newly inducted member and Chem Idol 2019 Danielle Ann Alejandro (18B) also performed a song.

Incumbent President Alexandra Jannelle Pelicano (17A) updated the audience on the organization’s achievements and current status while 2nd Vice President Jay Sam Andos (18B)

presented his plans for Chemistree.

Waves of nostalgia hit everyone when Michelle Marie Ochoa (14A) played a video montage of org photos.

Meanwhile, Raul Ryan Rebadulla (10A) led a parlor game that paired old and new members.

Several alumni brought home products from #ChemSoc90 sponsors after winning the raffle draw and games prepared by present members. alexandra jannelle pelicano

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OLD is GOLD

Through the Years UP Chemical Society by

tet-tet pua in collaboration with

ALUMNI from DIFFERENT DECADES

Ballpoint pen and Scotch tape Photocopier and microwave oven Jeep and helicopter Tupperware and Nescafe Believe it or not, UP Chemical Society is older than all of the inventions mentioned. The list goes on.

The organization also came first before several of the science topics we discuss in class today, including:

Discovery of neutron Schrodinger’s cat paradox Watson & Crick’s DNA Model Nuclear magnetic resonance Historic as it is, the now 90-year-old organization has seen many key events through the decades.

through the years

Founded by Jose Olivares and fellow chemistry students on August 29, 1929, UP Chemical Society is one of the oldest student formations in the university and in the country.

From having a list-your-nameand-become-a-member system to implementing a famously grueling application process, UP ChemSoc has surely evolved greatly.

The writer reached out to alumni from different decades to tie up a feature on the org’s evolution.

The earliest UP ChemSoc memory obtained dates back to 1964.

1964

UP ChemSoc is the founding organization of the Philippine Association of Chemistry Students, Incorporated (PACS, Inc.). The association brought together various chemistry-related student formations from around the country.

Today, PACS, Inc. has 14 member societies and UP ChemSoc remains to be the only member from the UPD Institute of Chemistry.

1970s

Members were a mix of students of BS Chemistry, BS Chemical Engineering, BS Food Technology and pre-medicine courses.

The UP ChemSoc tambayan was housed at Pavilion 2, second floor of the College of Arts and Sciences (Palma Hall now) before it was relocated to a room (a former bank branch) at the far end of Pavilion 1 (now the home of College of Arts and Letters).

Photos are not necessarily in chronological order.

Years in parentheses indicate the alumni’s ChemSoc batches.

Angie Lasala (1971) shares that she and her group BLACTJEM (derived from the first letters of their names: Bing, Angie, Ching, Teret, Josie & Mads) joined UP ChemSoc altogether.

She became a member of the org’s own singing group, the Acids and Bases.

Meanwhile, Florenda Valera (1974) remembers that she had to collect signatures of members and alumni and do a talent show as an applicant then.

One of her fondest memories in the org is when it sponsored a theater play with Gloria Diaz as one of the cast. They sold tickets and 16

through the years acquired sponsorship packages for the play’s souvenir program.

The org’s activities then included free tutorial services and lending Chemistry books.

Induction programs and parties were usually held at big houses of members. The tambayan started to be filled with trophies won from sportsfests, quiz bees, Acids and Bases’ singing competitions, and more.

Today’s ‘buddies’ of the applicants were called ‘ninongs’ or ‘ninangs’ in the 1980s, and ‘sponsors’ in the 1990s.

1980s

Before she became a member, Ditas Valenzuela (1983) had to memorize and recite members’ full names and do tasks to get their signatures.

Applicants had ninongs or ninangs as their guides in the app process and sponsors in their inauguration night.

One of her unforgettable memories is mastering the card game “Bridge” because they always played it at the tambayan. She and fellow members also had fun writing personal musings and leaving messages in the org logbook.

In 1986, when EDSA People Power 1 happened, Ditas and some other members participated in the march from UP Diliman to Makati.

Evangeline Amor (1986) treasures the opportunities she had: meeting students from other universities via PACS, Inc., and building friendships, 17

chiefly with her batchmates, that endure to this day. She was also a fan of playing tambayan card games. “We would be chastised when we became too excited and noisy,” she recalls.

Franns Maceda (1989) shares that in their time, UP ChemSoc’s preferred modes of communication were through landline phones and post-it notes on the bulletin board.

Also by then, applicants of most orgs had to go the extra mile to gain the members’ favor, via app processes that aimed to, in Franns’ words, “sow fear that will remain in their souls.”

Members then had fun joining lantern parades, choir songfests, and PACS, Inc. sportsfests and pageants. They also used to host a “Magic Show” where they prepared chemistry-related tricks (e.g. fitting a raw egg into a bottle).

1990s

Ninongs/ninangs were called sponsors in the 1990s, as told by Janir Datukan (1994).

Their app process included a Hell Week: they had to don self-made costumes of different themes daily. “This was literally the hell week!” he stresses.

The later stages, which he found “emotionally taxing”, included the pre-finals where they answered questions while blindfolded, and the finals where they underwent various tests on skills, loyalty, and trust.

“The process basically broke me as a person. But surprisingly, it made me whole again, after that ordeal was over,” he shares.

through the years

Members then became much closer via their overnights at the tambayan. They would sing, play games, walk around the campus in sleeping attires, and then sleep on makeshift beds. They would also dress up according to themes for the Battle of the Committees.

Room-to-room was their main option for recruitment and invitation to events. Internally, the logbooks remained to be a major communication medium.

Some of the org events then were Open Tambayan (free food for guests), Tagisan sa Kapnayan (an inter-block Chemistry quiz bee) and its junior division (for high school students), Fusion (members’ night), and Chempany (a factory tour). Also, they had to start throwing away some trophies (except their markers) as they crowded the tambayan.

The late ‘90s introduced

the org’s popular ice cream eating race, Brain Freeze.

UP ChemSoc generated good revenue via its sale of the university-renowned Budget Pack (set of Chem lab materials) and renting out of lab gowns. “Girls (and gays) would crowd the front door when some cute guy would rent a lab gown,” jests Janir.

During the impeachment rally of then President Joseph Estrada, Janir and some other members went together to the EDSA Shrine.

2000s

By the 2000s, applicants started organizing sportsfests as part of their app process, says Richardson Billones Jr. (2005). The Hell Week became Festival Week, which instilled in them the org’s core values.

Buddy dates began as the term for members who assisted applicants changed to buddies.

SMS was one of the members’ best communication media, mainly through text messages sent to many (GMs).

Later on, when more people started to have internet access, they also used Yahoo Groups.

The org’s Chemistry quiz bee was renamed into Battle of the Bonds. UP ChemSoc also consistently won big at College of Science events, even forming a friendly rivalry with the UP Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Society.

Richardson and other UP ChemSoc members marched in the UP Centennial Graduation, the commencement exercises held in 2008—University of the Philippines’ Centennial Year.

2010s

In 1999, UPD chemistry graduates, including several UP ChemSoc members, boasted a 100% passing rate in the chemist licensure exam.

This decade started with a fire, literally, as the Chemistry Pavilion 2 got burned, stopping Chemistry classes for a while.

Kyle Adrianne Benito (2010) says that UP ChemSoc activities that time were not gravely affected since the tambayan was in Pavilion 1.

As applicants then, Kyle and his batchmates had to complete 120 tambay hours.

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through the years Besides wearing costumes for the Festival Week, they prepared presentations, decorated the tambayan and paraded around Palma Hall while cheering loudly. They donated a clock and a water dispenser to the org for their batch project.

By 2013, buddy tasks and org dinners, which the applicants have to do, started.

When the new Chemistry buildings (the Institute of Chemistry today at the National Science Complex) were opened, UP ChemSoc’s tambayan also moved. Around 2014, the members then started using the new tambayan: a corner at the Teaching Building second floor.

Battle of the Bonds used to be in ChemSoc Week, but in 2014, when classes began to start every August, it was moved to later months. Since the BOTB topics are Chem 16, participants would not have been ready yet by August. BOTB was replaced by the Chemistry

19

career talk Exergonic in the anniversary week line-up.

In 2011, a Facebook page was created. This caused the centralization and greater reach of the org’s publication materials and announcements.

A Twitter and Instagram account followed later, magnifying the the org’s online presence more.

2016-2019

When K to 12’s senior high school started in 2016, few to no new freshmen entered college. This affected orgs in terms of recruitment of new members for two years.

Moises Eleazar Ubungin (2015) remembers that only nine chemistry freshies entered UPD during his term as the Controls Officer in 2017.

Also by then, discussions on mental health care and clamors for more progressive recruitment processes boomed.

As a response, Moises and the Membership Committee started revamping the org’s orthodox app process known for its severity.

The approved new app process scrapped the Festival Week, the final rites, and other stages deemed harrowing.

2018 came and the org was left with only 16 members.

Recruitments got revived when the K to 12 pioneers began college. UP ChemSoc then enacted its revised app process.

By 2019, most of the members were newly inducted.

Newcomers were handed over the running of the org as there were few senior members left.

2020

The world was surprised by the turnout of the first year of the new decade. By March, as the COVID-19 pandemic began, community quarantines took place and social gatherings were banned.

Some of the org’s events were cancelled. Members now study and work from home and meet via online applications (read full story on page 35).

Now, 23 out of the 24 present members are all BS Chemistry students.

The rest of this newsletter issue details the UP ChemSoc current events, app process, and other happenings.

This is the old and gold UP Chemical Society, continuing to progress with time. Members and activities come and go, but its legacy keeps on.

battle of the bonds

Civil engineering freshies take Chem 16 quiz bee crown

Battle of the Bonds (BOTB) is a quiz bee on Chem 16 lecture and laboratory topics open to UP Diliman students taking Chem 16 and Chem 17. It starts with a written examination which selects the ten teams with the highest total scores. These ten move on to the final round, the orals.

Although they were only two in the team, Pedeglorio and Centino beat 30 other teams which were mostly composed of three students each. They took home a cash prize of P1,500.

Meanwhile, the team of BS Chemistry freshies Jose Gabriel Javellana, Joshua Balaguer, and Macey dela Cruz came in second and received P1,000.

Pedeglorio (left) was also the top scorer in the written exam, garnering a near perfect score of 49/50.

After an arduous battle among groups of students from different degree programs, the team of BS Civil Engineering students Lorems Yrol Pedeglorio and Alden Jay Centino emerged victorious in Battle of the Bonds 2019 at the Institute of Chemistry Teaching Building ChemRez Room, UP Diliman on October 14.

The team of John Kristan Balinsat, Kerk Christian Magculang, and Krisha Mae Daniel followed as third and won P500.

UP Chemsoc alumni and nowinstructors Beatriz Aira Jacob and Mae Criste Fajiculay served as the quiz masters while Chem 16 professors Dr. Florenda Valera, Dr. Sean See, and Dr. Medel Manuel Zulueta constituted the board of judges for the oral round. janrick cayetano

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chemistry olympiad

Bagong Kampeon SJCS clinches top spot in PNCO-NCR

As a new decade began, the Philippine National Chemistry Olympiad- National Capital Region (PNCO-NCR) named a new titlist. Saint Jude Catholic School (SJCS) overcame defending champion Philippine Science High School- Main Campus (PSHS-MC) in the said chemistry quiz bee at the National Institute of Physics, UP Diliman on November 23.

Out of 40 participants, Stefan Marcus Ong of SJCS emerged as the champion. He was the second placer in the previous year.

Ong was closely followed by PSHS-MC students Simon Daza, Andrei Mikael Silverio, and Ron Angelo Gelacio who won second, third, and fourth, respectively. Meanwhile, Michael John Patron of Colegio San AgustinMakati secured the fifth spot.

The PNCO-NCR is annually headed by UP Chemical Society with Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies. It aims to promote and develop academic excellence among high school students and raise awareness on chemistry as a course and a career path.

This year, UP ChemSoc alumni and chemistry instructors Mae Criste Fajiculay and Michelle Marie Ochoa were the quizmasters while professors Dr. Medel Manuel Zulueta, Dr. Monissa Paderes, and Dr. Marlon Conato served as the judges.

The event was successfully held in cooperation with Unilab and T&J Salon by Tony and Jackey and was sponsored by Shimadzu.

The five winners represented NCR in the national level at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila where Gelacio and Ong won first and second, respectively. The International Chemistry Olympiad will be held in Istanbul, Turkey. joshua adrian luis ambong

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ON THE COVER

NEWCOMERS RUN THE ORG

UP Chemical Society started with 21 members in A.Y. 2019-2020: five were continuing seniors, three were working alumni who reaffirmed their membership, and 13 were newly inducted.

Hence, the term saw the organization with mostly newcomers and their election to its Executive Committee and other positions, in response to the K to 12 effect which kept the member count to a minimum in 2018. (For two years, there were few to no freshies entering the university since the supposed next batch were still in senior high school. Read more of K to 12 effect on page 19.)

Despite apprehensions at first, seven sophomores picked up the gauntlet of continuing the org’s legacy. They had a rough start, but with the trust and mentorship of the older members and officers before them, they were able to cope.

It was history in the making that a UP ChemSoc term ran with majority of the executive body having less than a semester of experience in the organization.

newcomers run the org

While she used to organize a week-long fair for her high school club, Lizette found it challenging to co-head the ChemSoc Week in her first year in the org. It was the org’s 90th year and it wasn’t just a usual anniversary; it’s a milestone mark, so the bar was set higher.

“Determined, but also on edge” is how Lizette felt when she was given a big duty that early. She knew it would be hard, but she accepted it with a mindset for growth. She thanks former 1st VP Laarnie Tengco and senior External Affairs member Sientel Estamo for their advice and assistance.

Although a newbie, Lizette was able to introduce a faster marketing system, widen the database of companies and orgs, and maintain a good relationship with other parties.

LIZETTE (18A) 1ST VICE PRESIDENT 23

Jay Sam was initially hesitant when he was nominated for the position due to pressure and fear. Yet later on, he channelled them into fuelling his fire in serving the org he just joined.

Looking back, he notes that it was mainly the officer’s inexperience that posed an obstacle. It was gradually minimized as they learned things on their own and with the older members’ guidance.

Returning alumni Yasmin Edañol and Allen Lee, who joined the Internal Affairs Committee, guided Jay Sam in organizing budget-friendly programs like Grand Pakain, Pasinaya, and internal events.

Thanks to the early boost that is being a 2nd VP, Jay Sam learned to weigh things and options better, and to be more open-minded to criticisms.

JAY SAM (18B) 2ND VICE PRESIDENT

To be a part of the ExeComm is both an honor and a curse, says Steph. She felt thankful for the trust, but she was worried of having to learn and lead simultaneously. While she was always a class president in HS, she still got overwhelmed by the ChemSoc responsibility.

She remembers having to rely only on the stories of the old members on how the org works. It felt like a discovery process, but with the help of former Controls Officers, she went through.

Ascending from what she calls a “poor performance” during her first semester as the Controls Officer, Steph and the Membership Committee were able to secure a significantly higher number of applicants the next sem. The application process continues to flourish.

STEPH (18A) CONTROLS OFFICER

newcomers run the org

Tet-Tet was not new to running a social media page, making publication materials, or coming up with a newsletter, but the set-up of a 90-yearold college organization was foreign to him.

He knew he still had a lot to learn, so he thanks former Publications Officer Lianne Mora, who contributed ideas and outputs for the pubmats.

Although he and the other officers felt inadequate for their jobs at times, he thinks that accepting the task as newbies is commendable and it made them learn and improve a lot.

Tet-Tet may not have matched the great pub skills of those before him, yet he was able to keep the social media accounts active with a wide reach, and he worked hard for this newsletter for many weeks.

TET-TET (18B) PUBLICATIONS OFFICER

In high school, Joshua won in PNCO-NCR. As a college freshie, he dominated BOTB. He would later be present again in the events, not as a contestant, but as the organizer. Although he had prior experiences in the events, he still felt that he wasn’t cut out for the job.

He wasn’t used to being a leader and he had yet to internalize being a ChemSoc member, much more being an officer. He felt as if he underwent another application process since he only learned of how Executive Committee things worked when he was already a part of it.

Eventually coping, Joshua headed academic events that got a boost in attendee count (especially BOTB). He has also been the go-to of members for tutorials on chemistry lessons.

JOSHUA (18B) RULES MINISTER

In Chem 17, April learned about the transition states of chemical reactions. Months later, she would face another transition which she also found hard: from being an applicant to being an officer right away. April shared the feeling of getting overwhelmed by the job of organizing events immediately handed to them.

That’s why she is thankful of the ExeComm Manual which they followed, and the advisers and alumni whom they turned to in times of uncertainties.

In spite of the hardships, April treats it as a good experience as she acquired a lot of skills and lessons vital for her to perform better next time.

April worked closely with other officers in managing UP ChemSoc’s properties, review sessions, and budget.

APRIL (18B) AUDITOR 24

newcomers run the org

Carla found it humbling to be tapped by the org as its institute representative. Representing and organizing is not new to Carla as she was one of the institute freshie representatives and was a part of the steering committee of a large event back in her high school.

Starting the term as newbies was hard, yet she felt comfort in the presence of the upperclassmen. She’s glad that they learned as the days went on, proving that no great leaders are born, only made.

She thinks that it prepared them well for the org’s future.

As an auxiliary officer for UP ChemSoc, Carla spoke on behalf of the org in institute and college meetings. The stint taught her that great leadership takes time and that every decision, big or small, matters.

CARLA (18A) IC ASST. REPRESENTATIVE 25

Then-neophytes Bianca and Janrick, both from Batch 18B, also rose to the challenge as the UP ChemSoc Secretary for the second semester and the PACS, Inc. Society Representative, respectively.

Bianca showed willingness and diligence in her secretarial duties while Janrick, together with Lizette, served as the bridge of communication between UP ChemSoc and PACS, Inc.

On the other hand, Zona (18B), although not a sophomore, just officially became a member of UP ChemSoc in her graduating year and served as Treasurer right after her induction. While she was introduced to the org earlier than the rest of Batch 18B, it was still a big responsibility she immediately took.

The newbie pack was led by Alex (17A), one of the few senior students left. Just two months after her first anniversary as an official org member, she was elected President. The feat is notable as one of the shortest membership durations one had before landing on the org’s chairmanship.

The challenge of keeping the nine-decade-old UP Chemical Society fire alive continues for the next academic year as more older members graduate.

The future, however, is more hopeful as the oncenewbies are now equipped with more experiences and greater love for the org.

“We have nowhere to go but up.” -Joshua “We’ll continue to thrive against all odds.” -Jay Sam “Let’s maintain the legacy our alumni have paved for us and breathe new life into UP ChemSoc.” -Carla illustrations by odeine eindmari paras

christmas party

Members end 1st sem via games, gift-giving

To celebrate what was another fruitful semester, UP Chemical Society resident members spent a night together for a Christmas Party hosted by the Internal Affairs Committee on December 12 in a classroom at Institute of Chemistry Teaching Building, UP Diliman.

The members played classic parlor games like newspaper dance, popping balloons, charades and relay. They also brought home prizes through a raffle draw.

After having dinner together, the members did the traditional gift-exchange and received their free UP ChemSoc lanyards.

In the event, Bianca Emanuelle Gancia, who took over the position of Secretary after Emmarey Carla Oliveros graduated, was inducted.

UP Chemical Society alumni and institute instructors Michelle Marie Ochoa, Beatriz Aira Jacob and Mae Criste Fajiculay also dropped by the event. bianca emanuelle gancia

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MIDN19HT

L-R: Miguel Luis M. Lim, James Angelo C. Parco, Joel C. Bonifacio, Adria Mikaela A. Napay, Venice Eurika D. Rodrigo

Batch 19A

induction ceremony

A nightclub-themed occasion saw the induction of five new UP Chemical Society members on February 16 at F. Benitez Alumni Center, UP Diliman.

Batch 19A or Midn19ht, composed of BS Chemistry freshies Miguel Luis Lim, Adria Mikaela Napay, James Angelo Parco, and Venice Eurika Rodrigo, and B Secondary Education sophomore Joel Bonifacio, organized the event on their own.

The ceremony kicked off with a half-hour long talent showcase of the inductees followed by a question-and-answer with the UP ChemSoc members and alumni.

Junior Faculty Adviser Carl Angelo Caluag and alumna Michelle Marie Ochoa led their oath-taking and receiving of UP ChemSoc pins.

Batch 19A proceeded with an awarding segment. Member Danielle Ann Alejandro won both the Early Bird and Best Dressed awards while alumna Liliana Mae Mora was voted by the audience as Star of the Night.

Controls Officer Stephanie Alyzza Fadri continued the awarding by naming Parco the Best Applicant and Alejandro (Bonifacio’s buddy) the Best Buddy of their application process.

Finally, 2nd Vice President Jay Sam Andos recognized the Academics Committee, headed by Joshua Adrian Luis Ambong, as the Best Committee for the first semester. stephanie alyzza fadri

five new blood welcomed; org’s bests awarded

The five newly inducted members did their first official “ChemSoc Sarap Kapiling” pose in a group photo with the attendees.

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application process

KAYA 19 ‘TO!

Batch 19A before they were members Tambay Hours and Signature Sheet

From September to November, the applicants, equipped with their signature sheets, mingled with and interviewed the members at the UP ChemSoc tambayan to complete the required 40 tambay hours and to get their signatures.

To earn points, applicants and their buddies accomplished tasks and missions that included pancit canton and study dates, twinning, singing, and writing fanfiction, hence the influx of media uploads in their Facebook group and scribbles in their batch logbook.

Sportsfest

The Membership Committee returned Sportsfest which required the applicants to organize an event together for the first time.

The batch made the members play various games like Catch the Dragon’s Tail, Agawan Panyo, charades, Skin the Snake, and relay on October 19 at the CS Amphitheatre.

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As the UP ChemSoc application process keeps developing in response to changing times, the 19A edition saw the return of Sportsfest and the improvement of continuing segments.

Committee Immersions

The applicants attended a series of talks from each committee head in November.

The immersions moved to classrooms at the institute to facilitate better committee orientations and workshops for the applicants.

After each immersion, the batch was given committee-related tasks like a budget plan for Finance, a “practice call” (simulation of a phone call with a potential event sponsor) for External Affairs, and a The Nucleus article for Publications.

Talent Show, ConstiQuiz & Final Interview The application process concluded with the usual vital parts before their induction: Talent Show held on November 16, Constitution Quiz on November 20-21, and individual Final Interviews on November 25-29. batch 19A

Having her passion for teaching ignited, meeting her now husband Sir Temy, and enjoying student life better: Ma’am Cherrie’s stint in UP Chemical Society is truly worth cherishing.

Known for her notable term “Chem 16 way” (a reference to a problem solving method), this time, here is Ma’am Cherrie and a portion of her memorable college life—the ChemSoc way.

Cherrie Ma’am

Among UP Chemical Society’s long list of outstanding alumni, one of them is Ma’am Cherrie Bunag Pascual of Batch 1974.

Her awards and positions include being a Cum Laude, an Outstanding PhD Graduate, an Outstanding Young Scientist, a former Deputy Director for Research, a chemistry consultant, and now, a retiring professor of the Institute of Chemistry.

In Ma’am Cherrie’s last year of teaching at the institute, I happened to be one of her students in Chem 28. That time, I witnessed her continuous love and

support for UP Chemical Society.

She would mention the org in her stories in class. She agreed to be a speaker for the org’s career talk Exergonic. She once adjusted an exam schedule as the PNCO-NCR hosted by the org happened on the same day.

And now, in her last semester as a professor, she accepted my request for her to share her UP ChemSoc experiences and takeaways. She found time for the interview even if she was busy fixing her retirement papers. She even asked some of her UP ChemSoc friends to chip in, too.

& her UP ChemSoc memories worth

cherishing by tet-tet pua

up-close with ma’am cherrie Ma’am Cherrie and fellow Chemistry alumni

If at first you don’t succeed

Interestingly, Ma’am Cherrie was actually a reapplicant.

She first applied for UP Chemical Society in 1973 with batchmates Dr. Florian del Mundo and Dr. Gisela Concepcion, who would also become professors in the university.

However, when two ‘terror’ members asked Ma’am Cherrie to sing as part of the application process, she withdrew.

“I have no singing talent,” she explains.

She tried to join again in 1974 because she thought that it would be her way to join extracurricular activities and interact more with her fellow chemistry students. After getting signatures from all members, accomplishing tasks, and doing a one-day talent show, she finally became a member.

Thus began her wonderful stay in UP Chemical Society.

“We have tutoring duties and there I discovered that I love to teach Chem.”

Smart and Sporty

Spike volleyballs or solve timed chemistry problems?

For Ma’am Cherrie, it was both.

While she isn’t into singing, she takes pride in her sporty side. During her ChemSoc years, she played for the volleyball team, with another member Dr. Titos Anacleto Quibuyen coaching them. (Dr. Quibuyen later became an institute director twice.)

It wasn’t just volleyball matches which Ma’am Cherrie conquered. She was also chosen to be a part of UP Diliman’s team for PACSiklaban, a Chemistry quiz bee hosted by Philippine Association of Chemistry Students, Inc.

She remembers their team almost winning first place in the competition, but when a teammate pressed the buzzer too early, they were barred from answering the question that decided their fate. They ended up being the second placers.

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Photos from Sir Temy’s Facebook account

Love for Teaching Chemistry Fueled

One of UP ChemSoc’s continuing services is the conduct of free chemistry tutorials. Ma’am Cherrie became a head of the tutoring committee once.

The simple act of helping chemistry students turned into the kindling of Ma’am Cherrie’s vocation. Due to her ChemSoc tutoring duties, she discovered her love for teaching the subject.

So when she was offered a job at San Miguel Corporation, she declined. She opted to teach at the Institute of Chemistry immediately after her undergraduate studies.

In 1975, she was hired as an instructor, spelling the start of her beyond four decades of teaching.

up-close with ma’am cherrie

“

Orgmate, Soulmate

In this interview, Ma’am Cherrie mentioned twice her disinclination for singing, “I’m athletic and not a singer.”

In UP ChemSoc, she got introduced to Sir Artemio “Temy” Pascual who loves to sing. Sir Temy was a member of the org’s singing group Acids and Bases.

By the time Ma’am Cherrie joined UP ChemSoc, Sir Temy had been a member for 3 years and had served as a vice president. While the two shared moments in the org, it was in their thesis room near the org’s former tambayan in their last undergraduate year that they got even closer.

The athlete and musician tandem clicked. Fast forward to this year, the couple is celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary.

They have five children.

Success of ChemSoc is the result of all your combined hardwork & cooperation.

Reminisce the memories of 90 years of ChemSoc and hope for a better tomorrow after the pandemic.

-Ma’am Cherrie’s message to UP ChemSoc members

Husband and wife Sir Temy and Ma’am Cherrie are both UP ChemSoc alumni.

ChemSoc Forever

“In ChemSoc, you have a sense of belongingness,” says Ma’am Cherrie.

The org helped her to occasionally unwind from academic responsibilities. “With fellow ChemSoc members, you were no longer grade-conscious and [you would] better enjoy student life.”

She also found people in the org with the same interests and zeal for chemistry as her.

“Being a member enabled me to share my passion for chemistry.”

She notes how time passes so quickly that UP ChemSoc just reached its 90th year. The org was half as old when she joined.

“I am very happy that UP ChemSoc is still very active.

Congratulations on your 90th anniversary and more power. I wish you more fruitful years.”

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pasinaya

Topnotcher relives chem board passers’ journey

All the aspirations, doubts and sufferings the chemistry graduates faced were meant for an absolute moment: the day they become registered chemists, said Juan Salvador Dantis, Top 3 in the 2019 Chemist Licensure Exam, in his speech in the Pasinaya 2019 on October 22.

Pasinaya: Alay sa mga Bagong Pasa, organized by UP Chemical Society, Institute of Chemistry, and UP Chemistry Alumni Foundation, recognized Dantis and 56 other passers at the Institute of Chemistry ChemRez Room.

“We have become our childhood dreams”

Dantis, who graduated at the top of the 2019 chemistry class, congratulated his batchmates for achieving what used to be just their dreams, “I want everyone to recall the first time they wanted to be a chemist because today, we aren’t those anxiously dreaming kids anymore, we’ve become someone our 5 year-old or so selves would look up to and say ‘I want to be like you in the future’.”

As the ChemRez Room, a usual examination room during their undergraduate years, reminded him of their hardships, Dantis went on to recall the sleepless nights, the formulas and mnemonics they memorized, the hustling in coffee shops, and the times they cried out of stress.

“I wish we could always hold on to those three letters (RCh) because they’re something we can always come back to; something that tells us that we will always come through, like we just have, even in the darker times of our lives; something that’s a reminder of who we are, beyond all the noise the future is sure to bring,” he added.

The new chemists received certificates and tokens.

Institute Director Dr. Christine Hernandez and Deputy Director for Academics Dr. Gil Claudio graced the event. tet-tet pua 33

With a 93.44% passing rate, the University of the Philippines Diliman is the top performing school in the October 2019 Chemist board exam.

baldomer0-lourdes award

USC councilor, active church member top UPD chemistry 2020 class

era Tubi

zo

Deli

Despite juggling academics and other responsibilities, Hernan Joseph Delizo and Flloyd Kristoffer Tubiera earned the Baldomero M. Olivera and Lourdes J. Cruz Excellence in Chemistry award for being the Top 1 and Top 2, respectively, of UP Diliman’s BS Chemistry class of 2020 at the Institute of Chemistry ChemRez Room on March 6.

Delizo, a University Student Council councilor, is also an officer of two other big organizations. He would usually stay on campus until 9 to 10 pm due to meetings. Even in class, he would sometimes open his laptop to continue with his organization work.

Interestingly, Delizo started in UPD with B Sports Science as his course. When he took Chem 16, he discovered his love for Chemistry topics so he moved to the institute where he is now graduating at the top of the class.

“Let this occasion be a moment for us to invigorate our passion for chemistry, our pursuit for knowledge, and our dedication to service.

Lagi’t lagi para sa bayan,” he said in his speech.

His father Hernando Delizo delivered a

testimony for him in the awarding ceremony.

On the other hand, Tubiera, a ‘proud’ member of Iglesia ni Cristo, spends most of his time not only as a student and an organization officer, but also as a choir member of their church. Straight from school, he would attend hours of choir practice almost every night. He would also assist their church heads and officers.

“Life here [in UP] was never easy for me,” said Tubiera whose parents and siblings are away. “The only thing I did was I held on to my faith. This is how I maintained my composure.”

He added that praying and visiting their church ‘rejuvenated’ him everytime he felt stressed. His girlfriend Mary June Panganiban delivered a message for him.

The ceremony organized by UP Chemical Society, Institute of Chemistry, and UP Chemistry Alumni Foundation, is a yearly recognition program for the Top 2 graduating BS Chemistry students with the highest curriculum weighted average marks. The award is named after Dr. Baldomero M. Olivera Jr. and Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz, two multi-awarded alumni of the institute.

tet-tet pua 34

The New Normal:

How’s UP Acad and Org Life in the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Social distancing. Online classes. Video conferences. These are just some phenomena making their way to the status quo today, also known as the “new normal”.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), had its beginnings in Wuhan, Hubei, China during mid-November. It has then quickly spread to almost every corner of the world, causing a pandemic.

Although the Philippines had its first case in late January of 2020, the virus threat was severely

downplayed then by the country’s leaders. Public events and classes were still ongoing, and people were still able to travel freely.

Fast forward to mid-March.

A one-week suspension of classes turned into months when community quarantine took place in response to the number of cases rocketing.

Almost all forms of non-essential physical meetups have been banned, including leisure travel, social gatherings, and physical classes. Plans to officially end the ongoing second semester were looming in the air.

covid-19 pandemic While the second semester of A.Y. 19-20 resumed, face-to-face classes and physical university events were completely cancelled as most of the students, faculty, and staff stayed in their homes.

On Academics

When the situation did not improve and the quarantine got multiple extensions, the Board of Regents, the highest policy-making body in the UP System, came up with a policy to to settle the semester.

Due to a month-long suspension of both physical and online classes (March to April), the semester was extended to June. Students were given adjusted course requirements which they could submit online until mid-June.

While no one would receive a failing grade, students’ grades for the sem (either numerical or P for Passed) would not be included in their general weighted average. Students who could not comply had their grades deferred and were given until May 2021 to do the requirements.

Academic events are still postponed. A virtual graduation ceremony is on the works.

The streets of UP Diliman, which used to be filled with people, became empty as the number of cases continued to rise.

(Photo by Ely S. Tio Jr.)

On the Organization

CO VID 19

Most of UP ChemSoc’s events for the acad year were done in the 1st sem. Only the Baldomero Olivera & Lourdes Cruz Awarding Ceremony, Chemistree, and its Alternative Classroom Learning Experience offering were left for the 2nd sem. The awarding ceremony happened four days before the start of class suspension while the two other events no longer pushed through.

It was Batch 19B’s application process that was mainly affected. To cope, they continued their tasks and missions with their buddies through video calls and messaging platforms. External Affairs and Publications did their committee immersions via Facebook and online presentations.

Eventually, the Membership Committee gave the 12 applicants probationary memberships until they complete the remaining stages.

For the election of new officers for the next term, the org did every step online. Nominated members uploaded their plans of action and speech videos. The miting de avance was held in the app Discord, where members communicated via audio and chat. The voting happened via Google forms.

Members bonded through online games, mainly in the app Telegram.

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covid-19 pandemic

What happens next?

The concerns brought by the adjustments mainly relate to internet access and the online space being the only medium of communication.

Now, as the new academic year is about to start, everything remains to be most feasible through online means since students can’t return to UP yet.

The classes for the next semester/s will be delivered remotely. They are most likely to be carried out like how they did with the rest of A.Y. 2019-2020’s second semester.

On the other hand, the incoming freshies are to start their college life without

even physically experiencing UP yet.

For UP Chemical Society, Batch 19B’s remaining committee immersions, constitution quiz, and final interview would still be done online.

Meanwhile, as discussed in the semester planning via Zoom on July 3, an online ChemSoc 91st anniversary week is set to happen. Other events of the org are being remodeled as they are also moving to online platforms.

The pandemic may not end soon, but one thing is guaranteed: UP Chemical Society continues to ensure that none of its members would be left behind.

One of the most-used platforms for online classes and conferences is the videotelephony software Zoom.

The challenge to move forward amidst the pandemic continues not only for UP Chemical Society, but for everyone else. While the future remains unclear, the organization still works hard in supporting its members and other institutions, and in delivering quality services and events. article by joshua adrian luis ambong illustration (p.35) by carla mae marie tan

pacs, inc.

FAST PACS

Philippine Association of Chemistry Students, Inc.

PACS, Inc. once again had a fruitful academic year via its annual activities attended by various universities and high schools.

The association started the term with Everjust, a team building activity where member societies bonded over games at the College of Science Amphitheater, UP Diliman on September 7.

The members’ bonding continued with OlymPACS 2019: Resonance on October 12 to 13 at the College of Engineering, UP Diliman. UP Alliance of Chemical Engineering Students won overall.

Coinciding with UP Chemical Society’s hosting of Philippine National Chemistry Olympiad-NCR in UP Diliman, PACS, Inc.’s Junior Chemistry Congress 2019: Conglomerate was held on November 23 in Adamson University. Secondary students gathered for PACSymposium and battled in PACSiklaban Jr., a chemistry quiz bee and in PACSiyensiya, an investigatory science contest.

The final physical event of PACS, Inc. was PACS Gives Back on January 18 where they donated supplies to Brgy 558 Day Care Center in Sampaloc, Manila.

Its National Chemistry Students’ Congress 2020 (PACSiklaban, PACSiyensya and PACSymposium for college chemistry students) was supposed to be held on March 14-15 in UP Diliman but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UP Chemical Society remains active in the association especially through Hannah Lizette Malabonga and Janrick Cayetano, PACS, Inc. Society Representatives; and Alexandra Jannelle Pelicano, Executive Board Member.

UPDATES

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BOARD EXAM PASSERS 2019 1. Bañas, Trixie Jean 2. Gayoso, Jayvee Clarence 3. Loor, Sherwin Neil 4. Mora, Liliana Mae 5. Moraleda, Christian 6. Nidar, Franced Haggai 7. Pagjunasan, Gabrielle Anne 8. Parreño, Justine Layne 9. Pernia, Katherine 10. Rodriguez, Ria Cathleen 11. Tengco, Laarnie 12. Ubungin, Moises Eleazar

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CLASS OF 2020 BS Chemistry 1. Oliveros, Emmarey Carla 15A 2. Pelicano, Alexandra Jannelle 17A 3. Pimentel, Bianca Zona Marie 18B MS Materials Science & Engineering 4. Edañol, Yasmin 13B PhD Chemistry 5. Lico, Larry 03A

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sponsors

sponsors

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members’ message

0 202 A new decade means a lot more opportunities to grow and prosper! As a new mem, I look forward to the experience and changes with UP ChemSoc. -EURIKA

In all honesty, 2020 was not off to a good start. Anlala. Kryptonite to the max. Just when you thought that this decade will be better than the previous one, ang galing huhu mag-iisang taon palang, wala na. But, honestly, ChemSoc wise, I think there’s still hope. Imagine, 100 years na ang ChemSoc sa 2029? There’s still a lot of things to look forward to! So ayun, since, hopefully, ito na yung worst year for this decade, these unfortunate events will teach us how to be stronger and how to face the waves of challenges that will attempt to knock us off of our feet. -DANI

The new decade shocked us with a lot of adversities. It started with the eruption of Taal Volcano, followed by the outbreak of Coronavirus 2019, which has crippled the country and the world. With this, it is not easy to say that UP ChemSoc will go back to the way it is used to be, given that we are transitioning to remote learning. Despite these setbacks, I believe that the newly elected officers, together with the members, will come up with good plans to continue its operations, and welcome A.Y. 2020-2021 with positivity and good vibes. -JAMES

May poorly written haiku ako para dito.

“Welcoming 2020 with UP ChemSoc” ang pamagat niya HAHAHA here goes: KNL dinner Tapos lakad pauwi Nice nice nice nice nice Nice din ‘yung naglakad tayo mula Matalino hanggang UP at around 2 AM. Thank you for those, tsemtsok. real homies talaga kayo (ayiee). -LIZETTE Pawer ENERGY -JANRICK

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executive committee

A.Y . 20

2 -20 19 0

President: ALEXANDRA JANNELLE L. PELICANO First Vice President: HANNAH LIZETTE R. MALABONGA Second Vice President: JAY SAM D. ANDOS Secretary: EMMAREY CARLA S. OLIVEROS (1st Sem) BIANCA EMANUELLE C. GANCIA (2nd Sem) Treasurer: BIANCA ZONA MARIE V. PIMENTEL Controls Officer: STEPHANIE ALYZZA SJ. FADRI Publications Officer: LESTER DAVE G. PUA Rules Minister: JOSHUA ADRIAN LUIS S. AMBONG Auditor: APRIL MAE V. DACULA

UP CHEMICAL SOCIETY INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN 46

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF UP CHEMICAL SOCIETY

@upchemsoc