GROOVING FOR THE MANGROVES P I C H E - B A T A A N C H A P T E R A N N U A L T R E E P L A N T I N G

A N D I N D U C T I O N O F O F F I C E R S

2 0 1 1 , I S S U E N O . 12 0 1 1 , I S S U E N O . 12 0 1 1 , I S S U E N O . 12 0 1 1 , I S S U E N O . 1

Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers

B A T A A N C H A P T E R

W H A T ’ S I N S I D E ?

“He who plants a tree, plants a

hope”- Lucy Larco

This adapted message inspired

the opening remarks of the Philip-

pine Institute of Chemical Engineers

- Bataan Chapter (PIChE-BC) Presi-

dent, Engr. Alvin C. Gaspar during

the annual tree planting activity.

Indeed, planting a tree is a symbol

of anticipating better days for the

environment, and in turn, for the

future generation.

With this year’s slogan,

“Grooving for the Mangroves,”

thirty-three (33) members of PIChE-

Bataan Chapter from Petron Bataan

Refinery, Philippine Resins Indus-

tries Inc. and Philippine DND-

Arsenal took part in the annual tree-

planting activity last July 16, 2011 to

help develop the mangrove forest in

Brgy. Camachille, Orion, Bataan. The

activity supports the “Billion Tree

Campaign” of the United Nations

Environment Programme where the

number of mangrove trees planted

was registered.

Not minding the muddy waters, PIChE-BC “Ka-Bida” volunteers per-

sonally took seedlings from the mangrove nursery and transferred them

to the planting site. A total of 250 seedlings were planted on the coast of

Brgy. Camachille with Brgy. Capt. Rosete providing the orientation on

proper planting of the seedlings together with its vital role in the balance

and protection of the marine ecosystem. Seedlings were provided by the

PIChE-BC partner, Pinalakas na Uganayan ng Mangingisda sa Luzon, Min-

danao at Visayas (PUMALU-NV) – a group of fishermen that promotes

awareness in protecting the marine ecosystem through activities that

address the problems brought about by climate change. (See page 2.)

T H E C H A I NT H E C H A I NT H E C H A I NT H E C H A I N

G R O O V I N G F O R

T H E M A N G R O V E S

1

P I C H E K A B I D A

L A U N C H I N G

1

A D O P T - A - S C H O O L

P R O G R A M : G I F T

G I V I N G

2

B I D A F I R S T

S C O R E S H E E T

2

P I C H E - B C W I T H

E A P F U L F I L L S A

D R E A M

4

G R A D U A T I O N

N I G H T : G E N E R A L

A S S E M B L Y A N D

E L E C T I O N S 2 0 1 1

3

P I C H E

P H O T O W A L L

5

A D D U S O N

F A C E B O O K :

P I C H E B A T A A N

@ Y A H O O . C O M

Upcoming Events:

August 20

Career Orientation and

Whiz Quiz

September 3

Sportsfest and Outing

September 17

Plant Tour

September 24

Coastal Clean-Up Part of the tree planting event in July 16, 2011 was the launching of Bida1st incentive program for PIChE-

BC members. Very similar to the KAPARTNER incentive program by the previous Board of Directors of

PIChE – BC (2010 – 2011), this program aims to involve the members in all PIChE activities. The theme

BIDA1st sa PIChE–BC is a revision of the KAPARTNER Program with an upgraded points system. Everyone

was excited to hear that the chosen Ka-bida will represent PIChE-BC at the PIChE-National Convention to be

held in Surigao City on February 2012 with benefits of free roundtrip airfare, free hotel accommodation and

of course great experience. Update of scores will be seen on following The Chain issues.

PICHE–BC BIDA1ST INCENTIVE PROGRAM LAUNCHED!

Photo by G.A. Santayana

In the tradition of PIChE-BC's Annual Gift

Giving Program and other projects committed

in serving and helping people in the commu-

nity, the organization recently partnered with

The Rotary Club of Mariveles Ecozone in the

"ADOPT-A-SCHOOL Program: Scholarship

Grant / Baon ni Bunso Project" which aimed to

send thirteen (13) Aeta kids into High School.

Awarding of the grant took place on June 1,

2011 at Mariveles Municipal Hall in the pres-

ence of Mariveles Mayor Jessie Concepcion,

Rotary Club of Mariveles President Mel Lopez,

and selected PIChE-Bataan Chapter officers.

Thirteen (13) Indigenous Aeta students re-

ceived a full scholarship from the program

which includes a daily allowance of P50 daily for

ten (10) months in addition to a complete set of

bag and school supplies, a pair of black

leather school shoes with 3 pairs of socks,

As part of the opening program, new board of directors and members were inducted by PIChE-BC advisers, Engr. Nathaniel R. Orillos and

Engr. Francis F. Reotutar, respectively. On the other hand, board of directors Engr. Kathleen Donnah P. Reotutar and Engr. Vallan Joseph B.

Velasco facilitated the launching of “BIDA-1st

sa PIChE-BC”.

The annual tree planting activity was spearheaded by PIChE-BC Treasurer, Engr. Krisabele Ricamonte, together with PIChE-BC “Ka-bida”, who

volunteered to plan and work for the said activity. (Engr. Raquel Agbon)

ADOPT -A-SCHOOL PROGRAM:

SCHOLARSH IP GRANT / BAON

N I BUNSO PROJECT

GROOV ING FOR THE MANGROVES

Rank Name G

A

T

P

A

Total

1 Carpio,

Madison 5 4 9

2 Agbon,

Raquel 0 7 7

3

Atendido,

John 1 5 6

Lagman,

Mia 1 5 6

Latauan,

Edrid 5 1 6

Monteclaro

Julian 1 5 6

Roperos,

Leon 5 1 6

Tan,

JR 1 5 6

4

Castillano,

Eugene 5 0 5

De Guzman,

Kenneth 5 0 5

Santos,

Keem 5 0 5

Tan,

David 5 0 5

Yan,

Edgeline 5 0 5

5

Ortiz,

AJ 0 4 4

Warren,

Melodie 0 4 4

T H E C H A I N Page 2

and 2 sets of school uniforms.

Project proponents and sponsors signed a

Pledge of Support which symbolizes their con-

tinuous and unwavering support towards these

Aeta kids until they have fully completed their

High School academic studies.

It has been a challenge for these kids to go

to school since they would have to walk bare-

foot for an approximately 2 kilometers from the

nearest town high school. Riding in the tricycle

would mean a daily expense of 40 pesos for the

transportation alone and it would already be

more than what their families could afford for.

That has been the case until a local community

high school was built in their settlement

through the selfless effort of Mr. Danilo T. Ba-

nal, head teacher of the Biaan Aeta School. This

inspired the Rotary Club of Mariveles to create

a program that will sustain the education of

these kids. PIChE-BC was able

to tie-up with this great idea

through the invitation of the

Rotary Club President need-

ing a more comprehensive

and stable financial backing

of the project.

PIChE representatives

who attended the said activ-

ity were: Engr. Marlene S.

Arcenas, Secretary; Engr.

Leslie Isidro, Public Relations

Officer; Engr. Dennis T.

Pagud, Socio-Civic chairper-

son and Carlos L. Corpuz,

Auditor. PIChE-BC received a

Plaque of Appreciation from

Rotary Club of Mariveles for

partaking with the Scholar-

ship Grant/ Baon ni Bunso

Project. (Engr. Carlos L. Cor-

puz)

13 Indigenous Aetas will be going to high school this year with full/

complete scholarship, thanks to the Baon ni Bunso program

Photos by D.T. Pagud

G R A D UAT I O N N I G H TG R A D UAT I O N N I G H TG R A D UAT I O N N I G H TG R A D UAT I O N N I G H T G E N E R A L A S S E M B L Y A N D E L E C T I O N S 2 0 1 1

T H E C H A I N Page 3

Board of DirectorsBoard of DirectorsBoard of DirectorsBoard of Directors

2011201120112011----2012 2012 2012 2012

Alvin C. GasparAlvin C. GasparAlvin C. GasparAlvin C. Gaspar

President

Arjames T. BalgoaArjames T. BalgoaArjames T. BalgoaArjames T. Balgoa Vice President

Marlene L. ArcenasMarlene L. ArcenasMarlene L. ArcenasMarlene L. Arcenas Secretary

Krisabele N. RicamonteKrisabele N. RicamonteKrisabele N. RicamonteKrisabele N. Ricamonte Treasurer

Carlos S. Corpuz, Jr. Carlos S. Corpuz, Jr. Carlos S. Corpuz, Jr. Carlos S. Corpuz, Jr. Auditor

Lesly Anne O. IsidroLesly Anne O. IsidroLesly Anne O. IsidroLesly Anne O. Isidro Public Relations Officer

Kate Dysan A. ObreroKate Dysan A. ObreroKate Dysan A. ObreroKate Dysan A. Obrero Editor-in-Chief “The Chain”

Committee HeadsCommittee HeadsCommittee HeadsCommittee Heads

Vallan Joseph B. VelascoVallan Joseph B. VelascoVallan Joseph B. VelascoVallan Joseph B. Velasco Membership

Kathleen Donnah P. ReotutarKathleen Donnah P. ReotutarKathleen Donnah P. ReotutarKathleen Donnah P. Reotutar

Education

Dennis T. PagudDennis T. PagudDennis T. PagudDennis T. Pagud Socio-Civic

Jurrel D. PumatongJurrel D. PumatongJurrel D. PumatongJurrel D. Pumatong Ways and Means

Ryan M. VenzonRyan M. VenzonRyan M. VenzonRyan M. Venzon Treasurer,

PIChE-National

Nathaniel R. OrillosNathaniel R. OrillosNathaniel R. OrillosNathaniel R. Orillos Samuel S. CandidoSamuel S. CandidoSamuel S. CandidoSamuel S. Candido Ronald Q. ChiongRonald Q. ChiongRonald Q. ChiongRonald Q. Chiong Aurelio P. Uapal, Jr.Aurelio P. Uapal, Jr.Aurelio P. Uapal, Jr.Aurelio P. Uapal, Jr.

Francisco Rizal G. Bumagat, Jr.Francisco Rizal G. Bumagat, Jr.Francisco Rizal G. Bumagat, Jr.Francisco Rizal G. Bumagat, Jr. Rito R. LadezaRito R. LadezaRito R. LadezaRito R. Ladeza

Alejandro R. RomuloAlejandro R. RomuloAlejandro R. RomuloAlejandro R. Romulo Rodel D. LopezRodel D. LopezRodel D. LopezRodel D. Lopez

Francis F. ReotutarFrancis F. ReotutarFrancis F. ReotutarFrancis F. Reotutar Christopher D. LondresChristopher D. LondresChristopher D. LondresChristopher D. Londres Alexander B. SafranAlexander B. SafranAlexander B. SafranAlexander B. Safran

Advisors

The other top Kapartners (in order of ranking)

were Engrs. Vallan Joseph Velasco, Carlos Corpuz,

Jr., Krisabele Ricamonte, Madison Carpio,

Marlene Arcenas, Dennis Pagud, Mark Thomas De

Villa, John Ryan Tan, Melodie Warren and Kate-

Dysan Obrero.

Heading forward, the officer’s term and the

results of the election were the leading factors of

the past General Assembly. Following the past

officiating term, the results of the election proved

that the organization will continue the tradition

and strive for better.

New board of directors were elected by the

body with new positions were filled. Engr. Alvin

C. Gaspar of Petron Bataan Refinery was the

newly elected as the president of PIChE Bataan

Chapter. While Arjames T. Balgoa, also of Petron

Bataan Refinery was elected as the new vice-

president. Those other elected officials are

listed to the right of this column.

Until the next General Assembly, let’s con-

tinue our motivation in serving the community,

improved leadership, innovation in our respective

fields, fellowship among the members and the

desire to contribute to development of the Philip-

pines. (Engr. Kate-Dysan A. Obrero)

Graduation night took place highlighting the

accomplishments of the members and especially

of the ones that landed on the top ten (10) Ka-

partners Na Maaasahan. It was a night to re-

member with an event filled with festive enter-

tainment, great achievements and fun-filled

memories. The rest of the night was spent with

videos, food, games, and great karaoke enter-

tainment.

One of the main highlights of the night was

the president’s report. Engr. Ryan M. Venzon,

now Treasurer of PIChE-National, announces all

that transpired during his term, expressing the

challenges and as well as the fulfillment of being

the leader of the organization. Remembering his

past term, he convinced members to recognize

how much everyone has achieved. He also

showed his appreciation of all the support and

guidance of the members and the advisors.

The top Kapartner Na Maaasahan award

went to Engr. Arjames T. Balgoa. His great in-

volvement and efforts for the organization were

truly recognized and praised. In his valedictory

speech, he expressed his gratitude, glee and

excitement to have been given the opportunity

to serve and contribute to the community

through PIChE-BC.

Photos by E.T. Latauan & E.R. Malaki

Main (TIP) and Chester Ian Diwa Go

(Adamson).

The criteria for the interview were as

follows: financial need, academic skill,

leadership skill and ability to promote

ChE / PIChE-BC Activities.

The interviewers were Engr. Alvin Gas-

par, Engr. Arjames Balgoa, Engr. Carlos

Corpuz and Engr. Kathleen Reotutar. After

long deliberation, the chosen PIChE-BC’s

2011-2012 scholar was Raymund Hacar

Main from Tondo, Manila. Below piece is

Raymund’s message to PIChE – Bataan

Chapter:

It was a gloomy day. Something was

troubling my mind, it was about my ex-

penses for the next semester of my study.

It was troubling me all week long when

suddenly, I happened to walk by the corri-

dor near our department. It was at that

point that I saw the post regarding the

Educational Assistance Program of the

PICHE-BC.

It was like a light in the darkness I was

dwelling into for the past few days. It cap-

tivated my interest simply because it could

help me on my financial problem. I read

the post, took note of all the details and

told myself, “I have to take a shot at this

one.” It took me a week to process all the

requirements except for the TAX exemp-

tion of my father.

Honestly, I thought of it as unnecessary

for the application but upon learning that

it is an essential document I immediately

told my father to get a copy of his tax ex-

emption on/before the day after tomor-

row. Luckily the process didn’t take him

the whole day and I managed to scan the

papers and send it through e-mail before

the said deadline of the softcopy.

After that, I’ve rushed to the nearest

LBC branch using my bicycle because at

that time the traffic was excessively heavy

and the fastest way to get in there in time

was through bicycle. After that I’ve pa-

tiently waited and hoped that I will be able

to qualify for the scholarship.

P I C H E - B C W I T H E A P

F U L F I L L S A D R E A M C H E M I C A L E N G I N E E R I N G S C H O L A R S H I P

P R O G R A M

T H E C H A I N Page 4

It was an answered prayer when I was

chosen as one of the short-listed appli-

cants. That news made my day.

At least my efforts were not put in

vain. Another problem arose, though.

How would I go to Bataan?! I haven’t

been there yet. Good thing the internet

provided me a handful of information on

how to go to Petron Limay, Bataan.

Packed with information and some

courage, I was set to go. It really felt awk-

ward going to an unfamiliar place. I

couldn’t sleep on the bus during the entire

trip because I might miss my stop. Good

thing I was just at the back of the bus

driver and from time to time I asked him

to remind me if we were already at

Petron. It was a relief that I managed to

go there safe.

A warm welcome was given to us and

hospitality was observable. While waiting

for the time of interview, I had the chance

to talk to some of the engineers who hap-

pened to be the interviewer later on. Dur-

ing the interview, the set-up was like our

usual research defense in school where

there were 4 panelists in front of me ask-

ing about myself and why I should qualify

for the scholarship. After the interview,

food was served and we had lunch alto-

gether with other applicants. The day

ended with me going home hoping for a

good result.

It was Monday when Engineer Kath-

leen texted me that I was chosen as the

PICHE-BC scholar, I was so overwhelm-

ingly happy because at last, I wouldn’t

have to worry about discontinuing my

studies because of financial incapability.

While I was doing this letter, I am very

thankful to the PICHE-BC for giving me the

chance to be their scholar and for giving

me a ray of hope that I will be able to

finished my studies in time. I do hope that

i will be able to help on all of your endeav-

ors in the future. Thank you very much.

(Engr. Kathleen Donnah P. Reotutar )

As part of PIChE - Bataan Chapter’s com-

mitment to promote the Chemical Engi-

neering profession, the Educational Assis-

tance Program (EAP) for deserving stu-

dents who are pursuing Bachelor of Sci-

ence in Chemical Engineering started its

search last June 2011. Six universities

were invited on this search, however only

6 applicants from 2 universities submitted

their complete requirements. Three appli-

cants were short-listed and were inter-

viewed last July 09, 2011. They are Kate

Hipolito Edquibal (TIP), Raymund Hacar

Chemical Engineering Scholarship recipient,

Raymond Hacar Main

P I C T U R E

W A L L

T H E C H A I N Page 5

Photos by G.A. Santayana & J.M. Atendido

P I C T U R E

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T H E C H A I N Page 6

Photos by D.T. Pagud, E.R. Malaki & E.T. Latauan