Academe:
Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit

Government:
Dr. Antonio Laurena
Ms. Maria Soledad Lopez-Distor

Industry:
Ms. Ludy Avendano
Ms. Jennifer Maralit

Click HERE for the voting instructions.

The ICP welcomes its newest cluster composed of chemists in the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory. The officers of the Philippine Association of Forensic Chemists (PASSFORCHEM) were inducted into office by the Deputy Chief of the PNP for Administration, PDDG Ager P. Ontog, Jr., during the celebration of the 68th PNP Crime Laboratory Founding Anniversary which was held in the PNP multi-Purpose Center, Camp Crame, on June 17, 2013.

This was followed by the oathtaking of members, which was officiated by Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit, president of the ICP.
The PASSFORCHEM is a composed of over 80 chemists who serve nation-wide in the various PNP Crime Laboratories. It will be an important venue for chemists in the PNP to organize their activities.

The PASSFORCHEM officers for 2013 are as follows:
President: PCSUPT Liza M. Sabong
Vice-Presidents:
Luzon: PSSUPT Daisy P. Babor (Ret)
Visayas: PCINSP Josephine G. Llena
Mindanao: PDIR Lorlie N. Arroyo (Ret)
Secretary: PSUPT Arlene V. Coronel
Treasurer: PSSUPT Rea A. Villavicencio
PRO: CINSP Lorna H. Santos
Auditor: PCINSP Victor C. Drapete
Business Manager: PCINSP Albert S. Arturo
Legal Adviser: PCINSP Arlyn D. Cañete
Overall Adviser: PDIR Lina C. Sarmiento

DOST Undersecretary for R&D Amelia Peralta Guevara obtained her BS, MS, and PhD Chemistry degrees from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She dedicated most of her professional service to U.P. where she rendered outstanding service as a faculty member and researcher. She conducted research in the areas of Natural Products Chemistry and the Chemistry of Mutagens.

She was twice awarded the Gawad Chancellor para sa Pinakamahusay na Guro sa Kategoryang Propesor.  Dr. Guevara also served in several capacities as administrator, including College Secretary, Assistant to the Vice President, University Registrar, Vice Chancellor, and Vice President. She was later appointed Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technologies Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology.

Equipped with the analytical mind of a chemist, she is setting up R&D priority thrusts that promote inclusive economic growth and improve the lives of the Filipino people. Indeed Dr. Guevara has served the country and the Filipino people well.

If you are a leader, with an entrepreneurial mindset, committed and passionate, we are inviting you to an opportunity to join the team.

Job Title: QC Analyst

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Licensed
With at least six (6) months experience
Proficient in written and verbal English communication
Proficient in business correspondence and technical report
Proficient in basic computer programs (word, excel, ppt, others)
Fresh graduates are welcome to apply
Willing to work at Canlubang, Laguna

Company Address: 101 Prosperity cor Unity Avenue, Carmelray Industrial Park 1, Canlubang, Calamba
Interested Applicants may send resume to: eva.marie.suministrado@dksh.com

ICP General Meeting

Meeting of ICP Officers

Proposed ICP Constitution (docx / 43kb)
Minutes of the National ICP Meeting (doc / 69kb)

As part of the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP)’s Continuing Professional Education Program, a special workshop on “Sampling for Chemical Analysis” was held last April 26, 2013 at the Police Training Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City.  The seminar was conducted by Dr. Edgar F. Paski of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

Dr. Edgar Paski

Dr. Paski or Ed, as he is fondly called by his colleagues from ICP, has worked in industry and government in the areas of mining and mineral exploration, environmental chemistry, pulp and paper technology and agrology.  He teaches courses in analytical atomic spectrometry, quality assurance and the assayer certification program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).  He is one strict assessor with an eagle-eye precision to correct techniques for testing laboratories to the ISO 17025 Standard for the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA).  It is in this area of his expertise that he got acquainted with IRRI chemists and later with ICP. Dr. Paski’s professional interests include: plasma spectrochemistry, sampling for chemical analysis, chemometrics, automated chemical analysis, trace elements in geological and environmental materials, quality assurance, laser applications in analytical chemistry, multidimensional luminescence spectrometry, computer applications in analytical chemistry, assaying precious metals.

The workshop aims to give participants an understanding of the critical influence of sampling on the quality of analytical results, especially for geological, environmental, and agricultural materials. The topics covered include variability in test results, accepted terminology for the various types of sample materials, heterogeneity of solid objects, tools and techniques for sampling solids, liquids and gases, fundamental causes of sampling errors and how to estimate laboratory and field sampling uncertainties.  Most of the 60 participants came from commercial private laboratories and some are from the government (DOST, EDC and PC Crime Lab) and from the academe (Adamson University, Bicol University).

General Liza Sabong of the PNP, a member of the ICP Board of Directors (representing the government) gave the warm welcome remarks.  Her speech described the importance of maintaining the integrity of samples (specimens) in the forensic science.  She noted the critical role of analytical chemists in generating accurate results in the field of forensic chemistry.  She proudly informed the audience of the DNA laboratory of the PNP that houses the complete array of analytical instruments for DNA testing.

Dr. Paski (right),  with (from left to right) Dr. Lilibeth Coo, Dr. Vicky Migo, Dr. Toby Dayrit, General Liza Sabong, and Ms. Edna Mijares

The seminar cum workshop was a one-man show handled by the very energetic and indefatigable Dr. Paski whose lectures are very informative and enlightening.  The participants appreciated his lectures and were very thankful for a lot of materials and references on sampling techniques which Dr. Paski freely shared. The highlight of the activity is a workshop wherein participants were made to employ the different methods of sampling which they learned from the lectures, and applied them in a mixture of grains: rice, green and red mungbeans, etc. Acknowledgement is due to Shimadzu Philippines Corporation for providing two units of top loading balance that were used during the workshop.  All participants recognized the value of the training and the useful information that they got from this seminar.

Nature of company: Cosmetics and Homecare products

Job Title: Pharmacist/Chemist/Biochemist

Qualifications:
Male or female
Must be 25 years old and above
Must be a licensed Pharmacist, Chemist, or Biochemist
Must have at least 2 years related work experience
Must be willing and able to work in the areas of Product Development, Material Sourcing, Material Cost Computation, Finished Goods Production, Pre-Dispensing/In-Process/Finished Goods Quality Control
Must have above average communication skills
Must be willing to work against a deadline
Must be precise and accurate
May have a flexible work schedule

Interested applicants may send their curriculum vitae online at acperedo@brandconcepts.com.ph

Ariella Arida (center) with fellow winners of the Binibining Pilipinas 2013 

Our 2013 Bb. Pilipinas Universe, MS. ARIELLA H. ARIDA hails from Alaminos Laguna.  Ara, as she is fondly called by her friends, finished her high school at Laguna College (LC), San Pablo City.  She started her tertiary education in 2005 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, initially with a degree in Veterinary Medicine, but shifted into BS Chemistry on her second year in the university, which she finished in 2010.  Her undergraduate thesis is entitled “Virtual Binding of Synthetic Nucleoside Analogues and Phyto-brassino steroids to NS5 Dengue Virus mRNA 2’-o-Methyltransferase Domain Using Dock Software”, which she presented in the 2010 Philippine Chemistry Congress held at Subic Bay, Zambales.

Her academic adviser is no other than the accomplished Professor Ernesto J. del Rosario who is known to his students as “Sir EJ”. Ara described Sir EJ as the “coolest and smartest teacher she has known”.  In the acknowledgement part of her thesis manuscript, Ara wrote “Sir, salamat sa lahat ng wisdom, mapa- Science, Philo, Psy, religion, lovelife, in short, anything under the sun, ang dami nyo pong natuturo sa akin”.  Ara’s favorite hang-outs in “elbi” are ICs and Boston Café which she acknowledged to have played a big role why she graduated because of its 24 hour-internet and cafe service.  She enjoyed eating and hanging-out with her barkadas at LB Square, Los Kababos, and Rally Point for the “comfort food” plus Baan Thai for her favourite pad thai.  Other things that she enjoyed doing in her college years during her spare time are going to the beach and bargain shopping. Being an Iglesia ni Cristo, she has also been a devoted church goer, making sure to go to church in spite of her busy schedule.

“From a different kind of life I used to have—I used to go to school wearing rubber shoes and a laboratory gown—and now here I am with the crown, wearing makeup.” It was the only thing that mattered after she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2013  at the 50th culmination night of Binibining Pilipinas last April 14, 2013 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Overwhelmed by her victory, she says she is prepared to handle the pressure that comes with her new crown.
Ara, who also won the Best in Swimsuit Award earlier that night has also competed at Miss Philippines Earth 2012 and was a former Mutya ng Laguna titleholder.  She is a ramp model and enjoys sports including volleyball, swimming, and running.

During the most anticipated question and answer portion, she was asked by PNP Chief Allan Purisima what lesson in life women can teach men. Her answer was, “One lesson in life that we, women, can teach men is being sensitive. Because we all know that men are more logical when it comes to decision. They usually are more rational, straight forward. Unlike we, women, we use our heart and we tend to get emotional in some of our decisions. For me, sensitivity is something that we can teach men.”

She describes herself as an average person. But during this pageant she worked hard physically, mentally and emotionally which is evident in her physique and performance that Sunday night. She surely has big shoes to fill but no one can stop her from fulfilling her dreams.

Profession-wise, past beauty queens have covered a lot ranging from an Architect (Shamcey Supsup), a Pharmacist (Janine Tugonon), a Physical Therapist (Miriam Quiambao) and a Lawyer (Ana Theresa Licaros) to name a few. Will a Chemist bring home the most coveted crown this time?

Job Title: Chemist
Qualifications:

• Candidates must be a graduate of BS Chemistry
• Must be licensed
• With at least one (1) year experience in manufacturing setting
• Can work with minimum supervision
• Fresh graduates are encouraged to apply

Job Title: Quality Assurance Inspector
Qualifications:

• Male, not more than 35 years old
• Graduate of BS Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
• With at least one (1) year experience in quality assurance field,manufacturing set-up
• Highly organized and flexible
• Familiar in ISO processing is an advantage

Interested applicants may e-mail their comprehensive resume with picture at: hrd@limtuaco.com or recruits888@yahoo.com
You may call 361-74-91 to 98 local 813/814 to schedule for an appointment.

The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP)  conducted a one-day seminar on “Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Basic Laboratory Equipment” in  Silliman University, Dumaguete City on April 8, 2013  prior to the 28th Philippine Chemistry Congress.  This  is in coordination with  the Department of  Chemistry  of  Silliman University chaired by Dr. Paulina Aspilla.

Top to bottom: Mr. Carmel Tony Vella (HPLCworks), Mr. Arturo Torres (Shimadzu), Ms. Edna Mijares (Jefcor)

Invited Speakers include Mr. Carmel  Tony Vella of HPLCworks Philippines based in California, USA;   Mr. Arturo Torres of Shimadzu Philippines Corporation and Ms. Edna Mijares, CEO, Jefcor Laboratories  and   ICP 1st Vice-President. Ms. Mijares discussed the preventive maintenance and troubleshooting of gas chromatography,  followed by   Mr. Vella’s talk on  HPLC.  Meanwhile, Mr. Torres conducted a comprehensive presentation on preventive maintenance and troubleshooting of UV-Vis spectrophometry and atomic absorption chromatography in the afternoon.

 ICP President Dr. Toby Dayrit (left) with speakers

Chemistry Department Chair of Silliman University Dr. Paulina Aspilla (left), Dr. Toby Dayrit (right) and speakersSpeakers and Participants of the seminar

Dr. Fabian Dayrit, ICP President welcomed the participants  and stressed ICP’s commitment for continuing professional education to our chemists. The seminar was participated by 67 ICP members and non-members chemists all over the country including chemistry students of the said university. ICP would like to acknowledge Mr. Bernardo Mitra Sr.  for sponsoring the foods served during  the seminar. It was a succesful activity again by the ICP despite of a short preparation and notices to our members. Let’s congratulate Ms. Mijares for spearheading this activity. Job well done.