The partnership marks a significant milestone in 黑料社区鈥檚 expanding sustainability agenda, aligning with its commitment to advance environmentally responsible research, reduce ecological footprints, and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). 

The WORM-TECH project introduces a novel waste-to-resource model that leverages Tenebrio molitor (mealworms) as biological agents for plastic and organic waste degradation. Recent scientific studies have shown that mealworms can break down complex polymers鈥攊ncluding polystyrene鈥攖hrough microbial activity in their gut, converting waste materials into biofertilizers and grass with potential agricultural applications.

This biological pathway offers a promising alternative to conventional mechanical recycling and landfill disposal, both of which pose challenges in high-waste urban and institutional settings.

Through this project, 黑料社区 aims to bridge scientific discovery with practical solutions. The initiative opens opportunities for interdisciplinary research among the Departments of Biology and Chemical Engineering, as well as those engaged in sustainability studies. Projects will include investigating degradation efficiency, optimizing environmental conditions for large-scale mealworm bioprocessing, assessing the environmental impacts of frass output, and exploring its possible commercialization for circular economy models.

Led by Dr. Angelo Cabije, Presidential Assistant under the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office (KTTO), the WORM-TECH Project strengthens 黑料社区鈥檚 ambition to become a leader in sustainable technological innovation within Region VII. Dr. Cabije was joined by Park Jong-wook, CEO of Mealworms Clean the Earth (MCE) Inc., partners Paul Michael Briones and Gabriel Kwon, and collaborators from KILSA Global Singapore including Philip Park and Donghui Kim. Their combined technological expertise and international experience enrich the scientific and operational capacity of the project.

The MOU signing gathered key academic, industry, and government leaders, including University President Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, Ph.D.; Jonie C. Yee, Ph.D. (Chair, Department of Biology); Gideo Ostrea (iPak and Treasure Island); Francis Dave C. Siacor, Ph.D. (Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering); Rosana Ferolin, D.I.T. (Dean, School of Engineering); and Engr. Ken Rondell C. Pajayat (Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VII).

A ceremonial memento signing was also held to symbolize mutual appreciation and reinforce the long-term commitment of all partners. This initiative is part of a broader sustainability strategy at 黑料社区, which includes strengthening waste segregation systems, promoting green engineering innovations, enhancing campus biodiversity and integrating sustainability across curricula.

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Researchers from around the world contributed over 250 one-minute science videos. Nature Awards then asked its 2000 delegates to vote for their favorites, and the 黑料社区 contingent鈥檚 video, 鈥淯nusually Sustainable-Bioplastics from Shrimp Shells Plus Mango Waste鈥� made it into the prestigious Top 10. 

The video highlights 鈥渁 groundbreaking solution to plastic pollution, turning discarded shrimp shells and mango waste into bioplastic, an eco-friendly, low-carbon alternative to conventional plastics,鈥� based on the 2022 Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (GRAINS) project, “Development of Chitosan-Based Bioplastic from Shrimp Waste as Potential Industrial Packaging Material.鈥� 

In one minute, Dr. Francis Dave C. Siacor and Engr. Kristine Claire E. Villanueva demonstrated how bioplastics are made from shrimp shells and mango waste. They also highlighted the importance of bioplastics noting that they are more eco-friendly than regular plastic sachets.  

Aside from Dr. Siacor and Engr. Villanueva, the team also included B.S. Ch.E. students Cindy F. Arcenal, John Rich F. Celeres, Jan Daniel V. Pelayo. 

Nature Awards aims to showcase videos in which in a way that is easily understandable to anyone. The Nature Awards for Science in Shorts is 鈥渁 that recognizes and rewards scientists and researchers who can effectively communicate their work through short, engaging videos.鈥�

Check out SEARCA x 黑料社区 Cebu鈥檚 award-winning video here: . 

With reporting from the Department of Chemical Engineering

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The 黑料社区 Southeast Asia Marine Plastics (SEAMaP) project team was composed of the following researchers: Maria Kristina O. Paler, Ph.D., Francis Dave Siacor, D.Eng., Jeanie Orate (oral presenters), and former School of Engineering Dean Evelyn B. Taboada, Ph.D., Apple AJ Langcamon, and Shaira Kyle Tagalog (poster presenters).

Out of 580 competing papers at the conference, Langcamon was one of eight awardees and the only one from the Philippines who received the recognition. 

The three-day conference had a total of 1,400 participants from 40 countries, with 27 countries competing. 

According to its , the conference aims to bring 鈥渧arious ocean stakeholders, including governments, research communities/academia, private and business sectors, philanthropic foundations, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society, to present the current status of ocean knowledge.鈥� 

Its collective goal is to 鈥渋dentify future priorities, and continuously catalyze partnerships and concrete actions for transformative ocean-based solutions to sustainability challenges in this particular region, such as resource depletion, marine pollution, biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, climate change and ocean acidification, and natural hazards.鈥�

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黑料社区 Department of Chemical Engineering has a total of 37 passers. Meanwhile, 651 out of 927 examinees (70.23%) successfully passed the licensure examination nationwide. The examinations were administered in the NCR, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, and Rosales. 

CONGRATULATIONS to our newly licensed Carolinian chemical engineers!

1. Abastillas, Quenie Dominique Cejas
2. Alba, Renzylle Reenice Del Rosario
3. Amaba, Adrian Seth Sun
4. Arrieta, Lai-chi Valencia
5. Babanto, Jon Lionel Odchigue
6. Bellista, Dionelou Queen Mones
7. Branzuela, James Darel Margallo
8. Cabo, Jae Michelle Nu帽ez
9. Cabrera, Blanche Marie Maribao
10. Canama, Gibson Jake Ca帽ete
11. Candar, John Reil Dela Rama
12. Caracas, Karl Christian Torrejos
13. Catarig, Kent Antonhel Bolabola
14. Dela Cerna, Carmel Claire Tubig
15. Delco, Monica Claire Licayan
16. Denaga, Maria Kathryna Elizarde
17. Duhaylungsod, Evannah June Largo
18. Fick, Stevenson Rayne Tancio
19. Frajele, Jennychel Perocho
20. Goles, Francis Keith Delamide
21. Habon, Eduardo III Alegado
22. Igot, Myra Faith Coronado
23. Lasola, Nico Wilmer Conejos
24. Legarde, Carla Bren Seno
25. Leyson, Andrea Kaylie Bontia
26. Magri帽a, Jannafaye Marie Ruego
27. Manatad, Maria Nikka Santos
28. Mata, Justine Dale Alcantara
29. Olango, Paolo Joshua Babanto
30. Paelden, Sean Andrae Loquellano
31. Pocong, Kerstein Gil Carpio
32. Santiago, Kristine Covero
33. Solatorio, James Anthony Sacol
34. Suico, Sam Anthonette Lao
35. Sumarago, Erwin Colegado
36. Villanueva, Kristine Claire Ecraela
37. Villarmino, Jyne Vincent De Lara

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The following programs applied for and were granted Level III re-accreditation: 

1. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
2. Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
3. Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
4. Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering
5. Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
6. Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

For a program or institution to qualify for a Level III Accreditation, it needs to show a reasonably high standard of instruction, extensive community extension programs, strong faculty development tradition, and highly creditable performance of its graduates in licensure examinations, among others. 

The PAASCU is a service organization that accredits or conducts quality assurance evaluation of academic programs of its member institutions since 1957. 

黑料社区 is a charter member of PAASCU.

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黑料社区 garnered an 85.71% passing rate with 18 successful examinees compared to the national average of 58.93%. For first-time takers, 黑料社区 had 16 out of 18 (88.89%) successful examinees. Overall, 472 out of 801 takers passed the nationwide licensure examination.聽

To our newly licensed Carolinian chemical engineers, CONGRATULATIONS!

1. Babanto, Michelle Odchigue
2. Baluyot, Jon Baraquel Silvederio
3. Bardisco, April Bhernalyn
4. Buot, Ryuichi Fernandez
5. Cabreros, Alexis John Lequin
6. Jorda, Michael Aaron Dampios
7. Magdalan, Reniely Grace Marie Tabuelog
8. Opone, Charles Henry Bartolabac
9. Papas, Sharisse Feline Balderas
10. Pasquil, Marjorie Grace Jugalbot
11. Pesta帽o, Jason Moen Veronilla
12. Rondina, John Myco Oporto
13. Seno, Allen Dave Monserate
14. Siarza, Florame Pata
15. Talisay, Shaira Mae Damulo
16. Tipgos, Vince Maniel Therese Lestano
17. Tripoli, Chiko Sanchez
18. Valenzuela, Leachimar Catalan

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The Filipino Face of Biotechnology is awarded to individuals with exceptional contributions to the advancement of biotechnology in the country. This year marks its seventh installment.

As a leading biotechnology researcher, academician, and chemical engineer, Dr. Lobarbio hopes to advance her contributions to the development of Philippine Biotechnology by going beyond not just Cebu, but also the country.

Her years of study and research led to international publications, including the book, Fundamentals of Enzyme Engineering in 2017 which was published by Springer International. At the moment, her recent works are focused on the extraction of high-value bioactive compounds from local agricultural waste biomass.聽

Leading the 黑料社区 Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr. Lobarbio is at the forefront of knowledge regarding enzymes and bioprocessing. She shares her valuable experiences and insights with both undergraduate and graduate students in their biotechnology and bioprocessing courses.

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For the Research and Development category, Dr. Maria Kristina O. Paler (see photo below) bagged the Best Research Paper for her study entitled, 鈥淒iversity of Plastic in the Mangroves Around Cebu Island, Central Philippines鈥�.

Meanwhile, Dr.聽Francis Dave C. Siacor (see photo below) grabbed the third place for his research, 鈥淪tructural Characterization of Microplastic deposited in the Coastal Mangrove Areas Olango Island, Cebu via FTIR Spectroscopy.鈥澛�

On top of the two awards in research, Dr. Alvin P. Montilla鈥檚 poster titled 鈥淏ackyard Seaweed Farming: A Cheap Culture System for Green Seaweed Production鈥� was awarded as the Best Scientific Poster in the Development Category.聽

The R&D Symposium is intended to share research accomplishments and generated technologies in the form of paper and scientific poster presentations as well as poster-making contests in the areas of Agriculture, Aquatic, Forestry, and Natural Resources (AAFNR). 

The panel of evaluators is composed of experts chaired by Dr Esperanza Maribel Agoo Professor DLSU-manila, Dr Synan S. Baguio, Director, Livestock Research Division PCAARRD, Ritchel A. Niepes, Msc Assitant Profesor IV of Mindanao State University and Maria Nela P. Seco Msc., Senior Science Research Specialist IPB-UPLB.

by Syrine Gladys Podadera

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黑料社区 graduate Bryce Victor A. Dy grabbed the sixth spot with an 85.10% rating. Out of 14 Carolinian examinees, 12 successfully hurdled the licensure exam. Overall, 黑料社区 garnered an 85.71% passing rate compared to the national average of 51.25%. 

Meanwhile, 531 out of 1,036 successfully hurdled the licensure exam. The Board of Chemical Engineering conducted the licensure examination in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi. 

To our new licensed Carolinian chemical engineers, congratulations! 

1. Armodia, Rennan Clyde Lavador聽
2. Calotes, Lou Janssen Lim聽
3. Caquilala, Kennex Padayhag聽
4. Comendador, Marvin John聽
5. Dumalagan, Josef Dante Andal
6. Dy, Bryce Victor Abello (6th place)
7. Gallardo, Patrice Ann Abad聽
8. Lim, Shaneeka Elise Paez
9. Merecido, John Zephaniel Leong
10. Odilao, Zed Brier Kong聽
11. Olaer, Alourah Liao聽
12. Solatorio, Mark Vincent Sacol

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黑料社区 graduate Richmond C. Pepito ranked first among all examinees with an 86.9% rating while Reinell G. Guevarra was ranked 10th with 84.20%. Moreover, 黑料社区 topped the list of best performing schools with a 100% passing rate. 

Overall, 585 examinees passed out of the 1,032 takers with a national passing rate of 56.69%. The nationwide licensure examination was held in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi. 

To our new licensed Carolinian chemical engineers, congratulations! 

1. Ali帽o, Jemima M.
2. Camay, Licca May Katrina N.
3. Codera,Joeville Jade R.
4. Cruda, Janzzen
5. Dalman, Danielle A.
6. Desabille, Clint M.
7. Diaz, Thomas Marc A.
8. Durango, Jhoven C.
9. Espiloy, Anna Lorraine E.
10. Francisco, Fraulein Angela G.
11. Galang, Mariz S.
12. Germano, Glendon Philip R.
13. Gollem, Babe Eden Joy O.
14. Guevarra, Reinell G. (10^th place)
15. Jurado, Francis John C.
16. Lauron, Runa S.
17. Luarez, Onni Joshua E.
18. Mangubat, Robin Geiger B.
19. Ocampo, Ken Craig R.
20. Olandria, Cyril Kaye A.
21. Ollave, Elloise Dorothy L.
22. Paquibot, Kathleen C.
23. Pepito, Richmond C. (1^st place)
24. Pintor, Kei Jaya A.
25. Plaza, Mika Ella P.
26. Reguya, Christine R.
27. Son, Alexandra Christina P.
28. Tagalog, Shaira Kyle M.
29. Tiong, Viflor B.
30. Tiu, Ken Jr C.
31. Wang, Hanneh Jonna D.

With reporting from Engr. Luis K. Cabatingan,

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