The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) mourns with the country’s scientific community on the passing of Dr Consolacion Y. Ragasa, prolific researcher in the field of natural products chemistry and well-loved university professor and colleague. She passed away on 14 April 2021 at the age of 65.

Dr Ragasa devoted her life and career to the isolation and structure elucidation of the chemical constituents found in Philippine plants, some of which were named after her. Her research papers have been published in local and international scientific journals; to date, 238 of them are published in SCOPUS-indexed journals, making her one of the country’s most productive researchers. She also served as a member of the editorial board of The Scientific World Journal; Pharmacologia; Advances in Biomedicine and Pharmacy; Journal of Pharmaceutics; American Journal of Life Sciences; Journal of Botanics, Targets and Therapy; Philippine Science Letters; Philippine Journal of Science; and the Manila Journal of Science.

Dr Ragasa obtained her BS (1977), MS (1983), and PhD (1990) degrees in chemistry from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She served as full professor at the Chemistry Department of De La Salle University (DLSU) in Manila where she taught undergraduate and graduate chemistry courses, particularly in organic chemistry and structure elucidation, and where she conducted her research and mentored hundreds of chemistry majors as their research adviser. In 2000 she was conferred by DLSU as a University Fellow, a title bestowed to its faculty members in recognition of their teaching and research, and was the first Pioneering Research Professor at DLSU’s Science and Technology Complex in Laguna. At the time of her passing, she was an adjunct professor at the department.

In recognition of her dedication to research, Dr Ragasa received numerous accolades, most notably: the Pillar of Lasallian Excellence Award in Research (2013), National Research Council of the Philippines Achievement Award in Chemical Research (2003), Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies Achievement Award in Chemical Research (2002), and St. Miguel Febres Cordero Research Award (2000). She had also received annual recognitions from DLSU for her commendable teaching performance, achievements in research and publication, and various roles and capacities in local and international scientific organizations.

The ICP offers its prayers for the passing on of Dr Ragasa, her mother Elena, and brother Jose. May they rest in the Peace of our Lord. We also wish to convey our condolences to the Ragasa family and the De La Salle community.

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The Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies, the umbrella organization of chemistry societies in the country, is sponsoring a mass for the late Dr Consolacion Ragasa. This will held on 21 April 2021 (Wednesday), 12:00PM and will be livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/LSPOManila

The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) is pleased to inform everyone of the results of the survey regarding the favorability of a computer-based licensure examination for the chemistry profession.

Click here to view the results.

The ICP would like to thank the respondents for taking time to cast their vote and for sharing their insights on the issue.

Every year, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) honors the outstanding professional from each profession. We would like to invite active ICP members to nominate individuals for the honor of Outstanding Chemist of 2021.

The criteria for selection include the following:
1. Professional Competence and Integrity in the exercise of the Chemistry profession
2. Meaningful participation in professional activities through the professional organization
3. Significant contributions to the advancement of the Chemistry profession
4. Evidence of social responsibility through meaningful social activities

The Outstanding Chemist can come from government, industry or academe. The evidence for outstanding performance will depend on the sector where the nominee comes from. The nominees have to be evaluated and endorsed by ICP. The deadline for submission to ICP is on April 6 (Tuesday).

For relevant forms and further details, kindly contact the ICP via email (integratedchemists@gmail.com).

Let us recognize the outstanding chemists among us!

The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines – Panay Chapter, Inc. (ICP Panay) has elected their new set of officers last 30 January 2021 during their first virtual general assembly via Zoom.

Outgoing chapter president Prof. Steve Janagap presided over the election proceeding, which was done purely online. The newest set of officers who will serve until 31 December 2022 are the following:

President: Prof. Jay O. Martizano (University of the Philippines Visayas)
Vice-President: Mr. Norwell Bryan Bautista (University of the Philippines Visayas)
Secretary: Ms. Marjorie S. Carisma (University of San Agustin)
Assistant Secretary: Ms. Zenith Villorente (Maridan Industries)
Treasurer: Ms. Aneline P. Tolones (University of San Agustin)
Assistant Treasurer: Mr. Arjay Yu (West Visayas State University, Main Campus)
Auditor: Ms. Baby Lou Magdaug (Department of Agriculture VI)
Business Manager: Mr. Kenneth Wilson Si (Panay Energy Development Corporation)
Assistant Business Manager: Ms. Azalia Panizales (Environmental Management Bureau VI)
Press Relations Officer: Prof. Anthony Salvador Albaladejo (University of the Philippines Visayas)
Assistant PRO: Ms. Marivic Baranda (Universal Robina Corporation Passi)
Peace Courtesy Officers: Dr. Ilda Borlongan (Central Philippine University), Dr. Vivian Topor (University of the Philippines Visayas), Prof. Steve P. Janagap (University of the Philippines Visayas)
Associate Member Representative: Ms. Michelle Duazo (Universal Robina Corporation Passi)

Congratulations to the newest set of officers of ICP Panay!

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic did not hinder two regional chapters of the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) to each conduct an inaugural virtual general assembly for their respective members last 30 January 2021.

The virtual general assembly of ICP-Panay Chapter via Zoom gathered around 80 of its members. No less than ICP National President Dr Fabian Dayrit and ICP National Vice-President for External Affairs Ms Edna Mijares graced the event. Dr Dayrit gave a summary of activities that were done by the national chapter, while Ms Mijares echoed the Professional Board of Chemistry’s presentation on the career progression program for chemistry professionals. Outgoing chapter president Mr Steve Janagap and outgoing chapter treasurer Ms Aneline Tolones also gave their respective reports on the summary of activities in the past year and the state of financial health of the chapter.

Two lectures then followed: Mr Arjunn Marven Calvo (Legal Section Chief, Environmental Management Bureau Regional Office VI) talked on environmental laws that chemical laboratories must strictly practice, while Dr Annabelle Villalobos (Consultant, Johnson & Johnson Biopharmaceuticals, USA) explained in-depth the challenges and current situation of COVID-19 vaccines. Both lectures provided a wealth of knowledge to the attendees.

Their general assembly also served as a way to elect new officers of the chapter. Professor Jay Martizano of the University of the Philippines Visayas was unanimously elected as ICP-Panay’s new Chapter President. He and other newly elected chapter officers were inducted by ICP National President Dr Fabian Dayrit.

Meanwhile, ICP-Bacolod Chapter held its first virtual general membership meeting via Google Meet with around 50 members in attendance. ICP National Vice-President for External Affairs gave the opening remarks and answered a few questions regarding certain issues such as laboratory inspection and hazard pay. Chapter President Ms Roselyn Usero provided a summary of activities that the chapter was able to accomplish in the past year, most notably the assistance that the chapter provided to COVID-19 frontliners in the area. The meeting was not all work as prizes such as shirts and lanyards were raffled off, much to the delight of the attendees.