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by Philipina A. Marcelo
Last February 15, my undergraduate research students from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Department of Chemical Engineering competed in the National Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Research Contest, organized by the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) and PIChE-Metro Manila Academe Chapter, in conjunction with the 73rd PIChE National Convention in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. All three groups that recently finished their research projects in my Food Engineering Research Lab at the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS) at the UST Thomas Aquinas Research Complex (TARC) qualified in the final round of the contest! So, we were "3 for 3". A former colleague of mine, aware of my "addiction" to sports, called it a "Grand Slam". :) I believe it was the first time that something like this happened in my Department and at RCNAS... and I am, of course, absolutely proud to have been a part of such a wonderful feat from our undergraduate Thomasian scientists . The students were joyfully elated and incredibly thrilled that our whole TEAM was going to the prestigious national research competition - no one was left out. Sweet!
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Turning up the heat...
After the initial celebration for our qualification in the final round, we realized what a HUGE task it was before us... and we cringed at the prospect of a "make or break" situation for us... there were six national finalists, three came from our group, and three will be chosen as final winners. Therefore, we had "no right" to lose! Dang!
As have always been my Thomasian (con Cornellian) educator philosophy, the chance to represent UST in any competion is an incredible privilege... one that comes with an equally daunting responsibility to keep the pristine name of the University untarnished by poor
The "Amazing Race" - Research edition.showing, and an opportunity that should not be squandered with mediocrity and lack of passion for excellence. My students knew this... and they expected me to play my usual "relentlessly pushy, bishy mentor" self - and there was no way around it. =)
We learned our qualification to the finals a week before the event, which was to be held in another City - more than 1 hour away from Manila... by plane! And so, the "Amazing Race" marathon preparation began... with my blood pressure shooting up to the ceiling a few times, and the students' terrorized-meter shooting up to the skies - uhm, ahem... the whole time! Haha... but we did have enough "buffer" - our research team has become a "family", and the dynamics within our team are similar to family dynamics. Plus, they know I have nothing but good intentions for them... and our University. :) Therefore, we are all on the same page.
It was tough to coach three groups who were, in principle, competing with one another. I had to make sure that there were no obvious differences in the quality of their posters and presentations, and in the depth of the content of their works. But the fact that all three groups were "my kids" was the sweetest of all tough situations, I'd gladly endure it with all my heart anytime! :) There were sharp turns and numerous bumps in the logistic aspects of the preparation that were beyond our control... and I felt we were all deeply frustrated and almost to the point of giving up our slots in the finals... it turned out, I was
Our talented chocolate trio: PJ, Noel and Jho.the only one feeling that way. All my students had a steel determination to get to Surigao City to compete, hardship notwithstanding! Hmmm, passion... it was a good sign. I heard one of them said, "God must have a reason for sending us all to the final round... it's up to us to find out what that is." Hmmm, faith... I knew then that I had nothing to worry about. I calmed down, gathered my wits together (including forgetting there's such thing as "UEFA Champions League" for a while. Hehe...), and tried a, uhm, ahem... Pep Guardiola-ish coaching approach. Sorry, I just can't help it! ;)
To make the long story short, we made it to the rain-soaked Surigao City... a miracle on its own, because so many who have booked their flights many months before we did got stranded in various places, and didn't make it to Surigao until the second day (or on the last day, for some) of the Convention because of heavy rains that were blasting the City, and the nearby towns, causing numerous flight delays and cancellations. Others had to be re-routed to various places, and then traveled by land for eight hours or so, putting their total travel time to 48 hours! On the other hand, there was no major hitch in our flight going to Butuan City... and traveling by land for more than three hours - in the dark and in the rain, and on a few stretches of roads under construction - from Butuan City to Surigao City was not all that bad. I think one of my students was right... God must have had a reason for sending the whole research team to the competition's final round because He kept us safe the whole time.
So, game on!
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Sailing on their own...
I think that the most amazing thing in a research teacher's life is watching students stand on their own,
Our team's membrane fouling specialists:
Clang, EJ and Jen.and sail on the challenging, and sometimes even treacheous, waters of scientific research. While it is extremely nerve-wracking to train students to approach, dissect, and solve a research "puzzle", knowing that whatever they learn from you would be the ground on which they would stand as they grow their own roots in their chosen scientific field, the joy of watching them all "grown-up" and ready to take on formidable challenges in their field of study is also extremely joyfully fulfilling. That was the kind of joy I felt as I watched my students calmly and confidently present their research findings in a competition that was meant to be won only by those with hearts brave enough to expose themselves and their work to close scrutiny by "merciless research vultures". It was almost impossible to think that, just a few months ago, all the things they were talking about in the competition were "Greek" to them... and then, after some gruelling training, there they were, confidently educating their audience, including some seasoned scientists, about their area of study - just amazing... almost a miracle!
While other finalists where put in crucibles after their presentations, my students and I were very happy that the judges did not have tough questions to ask after their presentations, except for a mere curiosity-induced question that was sufficiently answerable by two words. Apparently, the presentations were clear enough to warrant the highly-priced "I have no question" remarks
Our team's tough mathematical model girls:
Kiki, Joy and Shiela.from the judges - distinguished scientists all. I have to admit, albeit embarrassing, that I got a bit emotional hearing the very nice comments from the judges after listening to my students' presentations - too flattering... and humbling. I could only quietly utter short prayer of thanks and praises to God that I could be a part of that glorious transformation of these "kids" from merely curious students to budding scientists of boundless promise. And, I was extremely proud to see them humbly acknowledging the flattering comments made by the judges with a mere nod of their heads, a simple - almost shy - smile, and with a quiet, "thank you, sir," before calmly walking back to their seats - no swagger, no visible elation. That confidence and poise in a gruelling battle that could only come from deep understanding of their research topic... the grace and humility amidst flattering praises that they demonstrated in a national stage... it made my heart swell with pride. :)
When the winners were being announced, the initially neutral audience was chanting the name of our University - too sweet to our ears. That alone made us feel like winners! :) When they learned that they won FIRST and SECOND places... my students hugged one another and clapped in their seats happily, still with a lot of humility. They looked back to where I was sitting, and I forced a smile to try to keep the tears of joy from falling... and I blew them heartfelt kisses. :)
My goodness, what did I do to make them such good students - extremely good at what they do, but totally humble and unassuming? Am I even part of all this? It's too heartwarming! It must be the "Thomasian way". I'm totally, abosolutely proud! :)
GO, USTe!!
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A very fulfilling journey, indeed!
We figured out our research puzzles as a team at TARC, we tried our luck to get to the PIChE contest final round as a team, we traveled to Surigao as a team, we competed as a team... and we won AS A TEAM! No one is claiming first place or second place... we captured the first and second places in the competion - AS A TEAM! Therefore, we celebrated as a team, too! Woohoo! :)
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My Research Students at the University of Santo Tomas Department of Chemical Engineering and The Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, winning First and Second Places in the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers Undergraduate Research Contest... the third place slipped out of our grasp by a fine thread margin. Ugh! They are: Joy Angelique R. Alday, Mark Paolo Julius A. Consignado, Clarisse R. Domingo, Noel C. Ligero, Mary Graciela L. Maragay, Emmanuel John P. Rieza, Ma. Hezekiah Anica B. Singson, Jennifer Cathryn L. Suarez and Joanna Marie N. Yuson. THANKS and CONGRATULATIONS, guys! Incredible feat - your Thomasian family is very proud of you! Woohoo!
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With the task fulfilled... and we were "mission accomplished" at that, we thanked God with all our hearts. My students accepted their awards during the Opening Night of the Convention, in front of a national audience, which included distinguished licensed chemical engineers of the country, no less. They all looked beautiful. :)
I let my students sleep-in the following morning to regain their energy, and permitted them to "acquaint themselves" with the City as I took care of Convention business. And then, we all let our hair loose and partied like there was no tomorrow in the Convention Fellowship Night! :) Like what I hope I usually did in the lab... I was the "teacher" - I showed them how to have a good time - and good students as they all are, they followed my lead, and we all had a great time with all the Convention participants - dancing and singing with a live band 'til the break of dawn! The formula is simple: work hard... party hard! :)
The final song sang by the band was very apt to our TEAM's journey, "Salamat" by The Dawn. "Kay tamis ng ating samahan... sa lungkot at kaligayahan - tunay na kaibigan, kasamang maaasahan - SALAMAT!" Ah, what a journey! Too sweet... too fulfilling! :)
Of course, I had to give my own technical presentation the next day... but it was alright, my students lent me a bit of their youthful energy and brilliance... and I think I didn't bore my audience too much either. ;)
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