De La Salle University, Manila | February 19-20, 2025
The KKP Chemistry Week 2025, held at De La Salle University, Manila, brought together experts, researchers, and students to explore the theme “Innovations in Chemical Science: Bridging Research and Applications.” The event featured insightful talks, hands-on workshops, and the induction of the new KKP Board of Directors.
Day 1: Exploring Cutting-Edge Chemical Innovations
The first day of the conference set the stage with engaging discussions on innovative research and its impact on various scientific fields.
Keynote Speakers:
- Mr. Gideon Legaspi (Assistant Professor, De La Salle University Dasmariñas) – Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone: Making an Impact from the Lab to the Community
- Dr. Joey Valinton (Associate Professor, University of the Philippines Manila) – Acidic Redox-assisted Deposition of Multimetal Oxides: Creating Robust Solutions for Energy and Public Health
- Mr. Gorgonio Jamangal (Lecturer, De La Salle University) – Isotope Fingerprinting: A Unique Tool for Diverse Applications
- Dr. Nathan Ray Alim (Supervising Science Research Specialist, DOST Region XI) – Fostering Transformative R&D in the Regions through Science, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (SETI)
- Dr. Vangie Mandia (Professor, Marinduque State University) – Ex-post Aquatic Impact Assessment of Mined-out Areas in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines: Two Decades After the Disaster (Recorded Presentation)
KKP Induction of Officers & Board of Directors (2025-2026)
Dr. Glenn Alea, President of PFCS, led the induction of new officers, including:
- Dr. Christina Binag – President
- Dr. David Peñaloza – Vice President
- Dr. Aldrin Bonto – Secretary
- Dr. Marlon Conato – Treasurer
- Dr. Christina Hernandez – Auditor
- Board Members: Dr. Preciosa Corazon Pabroa, Dr. Joel Garcia, Dr. Mylene Uy (attended online)
Industry-Led Hands-On Workshops:
Participants engaged in practical workshops led by top industry specialists:
- HANNA Instruments – Water & Wastewater Quality Testing
- SIGMATECH INC. – Exploring Innovative Instruments for Advanced Chemical Research
- DYNALAB – Simplifying Mercury Analysis with Compact, Cost-Effective Solutions
Day 2: Expanding the Frontiers of Chemical Science
The second day of the conference continued to highlight groundbreaking research in chemical science and its applications.
Featured Talks:
- Mr. Val Jason G. Lagrada (Assistant Professor, UP Los Baños) – Effect of Nixtamalization on Grain Composition and Starch Levels in Philippine White Corn Grits
- Dr. Kathrina Taaca (Assistant Professor, UP Diliman) – Plasma Technology for Hydrogel and Polymer-Composite Materials
- Dr. Ernesto Paruli III (Assistant Professor, UST) – Chemistry and Microscale 3D Printing Toward a Host of Possibilities
- Dr. Ryan Corpuz (S&T Fellow, DOST-PCIEERD) – Nano Manganese Dioxide-Based Cathodes for Rechargeable Zinc-Ion Batteries
- Dr. Rey Eliseo Torrejos (Associate Scientist, DOST-PTRI) – Advancing Circularity in the Philippine Textile Industry
Technical Workshops:
Experts from DKSH demonstrated cutting-edge laboratory technologies:
- Christine A. Ramos – Ensuring Water Quality & Safety Using Agilent GC/GCMS Solutions
- Eileen Valeri Cruz – Maximizing LCMSMS Productivity for PFAS Analysis
- Mark Mangogtong – Soil Texture Characterization by Laser Diffraction
- Mark Aaron Nebab – Hands-On Demo of General Lab Equipment
Graduate Studies & Professional Development
Dr. Rafael Espiritu discussed De La Salle University’s graduate programs and scholarship opportunities, while Dr. Eric Punzalan and Dr. Virgilio Ebajo, Jr. introduced the newly formed KKP divisions and membership process.
Looking Ahead
KKP Chemistry Week 2025 successfully bridged research with real-world applications, fostering collaborations and inspiring future innovations in chemical science. The event reaffirmed the importance of interdisciplinary research and industry-academic partnerships in addressing global challenges.
Stay tuned for KKP Chemistry Week 2026, where we continue our mission of advancing chemical sciences for a better future!