Chemistry Archives | University of San Carlos

�� achieves 100% passing for first-time takers in 2025 Chemists Licensure Examination

universityofsancarlos — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 04:03:14 +0000

The University of San Carlos through its Department of Chemistry celebrates an outstanding milestone as all of its first-time examinees successfully passed the 2025 Chemists and Chemical Technicians Licensure Examinations administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

�� proudly recorded a 100% passing rate for chemists for all first-time takers—a testament to the University’s commitment to academic rigor, scientific excellence and holistic formation. Two additional repeaters also passed the CLE for an overall passing percentage of 85.71% (12 out of 14). �� also achieved 100% (43 out of 43) passing for the CTLE.

This year, the PRC announced that 842 out of 1,150 examinees (73.21%) passed the CTLE, while 2320 out of 2,766 examinees (83.88%) passed the Chemical Technicians Licensure Examination nationwide. The exemplary performance of Carolinian examinees once again underscores ��’s standing among the country’s leading institutions in the sciences.

As the new Carolinian Chemists and Chemical Technicians step into their professional roles, �� celebrates not only their success but also the collective effort of mentors, families, and peers who guided them through their journey.

To our newly licensed Chemists and Chemical Technicians, CONGRATULATIONS!

Arranguez, Aladin Daniel IV Bulan
Cantos, Aaron Miguel Mariñas
Donayre, Jef Asaire Bonganciso
Franco, Judhitte Ruchella Atiolla
Gabales, Ralph Roan Madroñero
Navarro, Marielle Clouie Bihag
Sabijon, Raya Therese Mamulang
Soledad, Lou Elieza de la Rosa
Toledo, Britney Myre Osores
Torrenueva, Lalaine Mae Tolentino
Ubanan, Ezekiel Requina
Villanueva, Carmela Shane Tolin

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�� hosts Balik Scientist, organizes seminar on absorbable medical devices

universityofsancarlos — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 07:15:09 +0000

Balik Scientist Professor Marites Pasuelo-Melancon, Ph.D. of the Department of Interventional Radiology of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center conducted a seminar on August 16, 2024 at the Rigney Hall in Bunzel Building, Talamban Campus.

Dr. Marites P. Melancon showed how absorbable filters can save time, money, and effort since their use would not require a second surgery to remove a metallic inferior vena cava filter.

Dr. Melancon talked about nanoparticle-enhanced absorbable medical devices in vascular and interventional radiology, narrating the developments that were achieved by her research group in using various inorganic and organic nanoparticles to enhance the imaging properties of absorbable medical devices.

The seminar was co-organized by the �� Chemistry Students’ Association (ChemSA) and the �� Department of Chemistry, in collaboration with the �� Research, Development, Extension, and Publications Office (RDEPO).

Eugene T. Bacolod, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Chemistry, opened the seminar with his welcome remarks, ChemSA President Marck Cena introduced the speaker, while Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD, Ph.D., �� Vice President for Academic Affairs gave the closing remarks.

Participants of the seminar posed with Dr. Melancon.

Fr. Anthoniappen, himself a materials scientist, asked several questions during the open forum. Also in attendance were �� School of Engineering Assistant Dean Ramelito C. Agapay, Ph.D. and RDEPO Director Patrick John Y. Lim, Ph.D., along with faculty members and students mostly from the Department of Chemistry.

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�� hosts small scale chemistry workshop for high school teachers

universityofsancarlos — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 14:04:35 +0000

The University of San Carlos Department of Chemistry hosted a small scale chemistry workshop for 100 high school teachers on August 1 and 2, 2024 at the SAFAD Building in Talamban Campus.

Officers and members of the Chemical Society of Thailand conducted the workshop aided by faculty members and staff of the �� Department of Chemistry. The workshop was sponsored by .

Teachers from different high schools in Cebu participated in the workshop, which showcased table top experiments demonstrating important chemical concepts. “We would like to show that chemistry can be taught without the expensive laboratory facilities and equipment, which is typically the case in public high schools,” said Prof. Supawan Tantanyanon, a retired Chemistry professor at Chulalongkorn University and head of the visiting Thai team.

After performing several guided experiments, participants were challenged to come up with their own experiments using the kits provided by the Thai trainers.

This was the reason why the workshop was carried out in the spacious common areas of the School of Architecture, Fine Arts, and Design (SAFAD) building. Another highlight of the workshop was the lack of hazardous waste since the amounts of chemicals used are very small or very dilute.

, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Philippines, graced the occasion as part of the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Thailand ambassador H.E. Tull Traisorat presents a small scale chemistry kit to �� Vice President for Academic Affairs Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD, Ph.D. as Bangkok Bank Vice President and Philippine Branch Manager Varot Samakoses (left) and team leader Prof. Supawan Tantayanon (right) look on.

The 100 high school teachers who participated returned home with the small scale chemistry kits that they used during the workshop. Philippine Association of Chemistry Teachers President Voltaire Organo, Ph.D. was also in attendance as an observer in preparation for the third leg of the workshop in Luzon next year. The first leg was hosted by Mylene Uy, Ph.D. (MSU-IIT) in Mindanao last year.

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�� holds Visayas-wide online chem safety, security training

universityofsancarlos — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 07:43:09 +0000

The University of San Carlos, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State Chemical Security Program (CSP) and CRDF Global, conducted an online 3-day webinar and workshop entitled, “Remote Interactive Training on Chemical Safety and Security for Academic Institutions in the Visayas” last October 13-15, 2021.

The program was headed by the �� Water Laboratory Head Marie Kristie B. Reyes, R.Ch. The resource speakers and trainers included , Chair , Sharajen A. Julasiri, M.Chem., and Reyes herself.

�� President Fr. Narciso Cellan, Jr. SVD, D.Comm. and Vice President for Academic Affairs Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD, Ph.D. graced the training with their opening and closing remarks, respectively. Andrew Carpenter, CDRF Global Technical Officer, was also present to give a few words on the commencement and culmination of the event.

The training covered the basic principles of chemical health, safety, and security in the laboratory. Day 1 dealt with an Introduction to Chemical Safety and Security, Hazard Recognition, and Hazard Controls. Day 2 then covered Principles of Chemical Management including Inventory and Storage, as well as International and National Regulations on Controlled Chemicals. Finally, Day 3 concluded with webinars on Waste Disposal, Emergency Planning and Response, and a Virtual Laboratory Visit.

The training was attended by 35 administrative staff and faculty members from 15 academic institutions in the Visayas Region, including Cebu Institute of Technology-University, Cebu Normal University, Hilongos National Vocational School (Leyte), Holy Name University (Tagbilaran City), Negros Oriental State University, Philippine Science High School-Central Visayas Campus, Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, Silliman University, Southwestern University MHAM, Southwestern University PHINMA, University of San Agustin (Iloilo City), �� Senior High School, University of the Philippines Visayas, and Velez College.

by Alixandra Alviola

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15 hurdle chemist exam, 3 top chem tech exam

universityofsancarlos — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Achumbre (left) and dela Cerna (center) placed joint 4th in the CTLE with a rating of 91.50%, while Caraballe (right) placed 6th (90.50%).Fifteen Carolinian B.S. Chem. graduates passed the 2019 Chemist Licensure Examination (CLE) administered by the Board of Chemistry of the Professional Regulation Commission last October 8 and 9, 2019, while three placed in the top ten of the Chemical Technician Licensure Examination (CTLE) last October 10, 2019. Simultaneous examinations were held in Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro.

B.S. Chem. graduates Kiesha Dianne A. Achumbre (4th place, 91.50%) and Reymar E. Caraballe (6th place, 90.50%) grabbed two spots in the CTLE, while M.S. Bio. alumna Vienna Al Marie V. dela Cerna (4th place, 91.50%) also placed in the same examination.

The new chemists are: Kiesha Dianne A. Achumbre, Gino Stefan L. Alvarez, Hidelie Rose V. Ampo, Seth Dominic D. Blanco, Arrhon Mae B. Bongo, Mary Gabrielle S. Cabahug, Reymar E. Caraballe, Vennessa R. Carbon, Maria Bella C. Ching, Triza Albert L. Cuizon, Janielle Bernice A. Guion, Adam Charles Douglas G. Ramirez, Jude Thaddeus B. Rojo, Debra Lin L. Sabanal, and Naomi Claire C. Villar.

�� had a 15 out of 29 (51.72%) mark in the CLE, with only 13 out of 22 first-time takers passing five subjects, namely inorganic, organic, analytical, and physical chemistry, and biochemistry. This is the second year that five subjects were examined in two days in the CLE; the national passing was only 457 out of 1,085 takers (42.12%). Last year, �� alumnus Aaron Gabriel Uy topped the CLE (see story here). The �� Department of Chemistry is a CHED-designated Center of Development for Chemistry.

On the other hand, 20 out of 21 (95.24%) Carolinians passed the CTLE. Among those who passed are recent B.S. Chem. graduates including Achumbre and Caraballe, as well as Alvarez, Ching, and Sabanal. Six more B.S. Chem. graduates, Johannah M. Ajoc, Rhea Lou Q. Eustaquio, Kristyne Rose C. Geolin, Jessamyn L. Manoriña, Gail Aubrey M. Pestillos, and Carah Abea C. Sario, also hurdled the CTLE. Dela Cerna qualified to take the CTLE because she had at least 30 units of undergraduate chemistry courses.

Under Republic Act 10657, also known as the Chemistry Profession Act, examinees who pass at least two out of the five examinations in the CLE are also qualified as Chemical Technicians; among those who made it are Christine Joy C. Ambagan, Joanna Doreen A. Batoctoy, Althea Marie A. Mariano, Yessa Angela C. Rizabal, and Clint Joseph A. Villacarlos.

with reporting by the �� Chemistry Review Center

Tags: Alumni, Chemistry

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Balik Scientist talks about C. elegans

universityofsancarlos — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Mark I. R. Petalcorin, Ph.D., a DOST Balik Scientist hosted by the �� Tuklas Lunas Development Center (TLDC), gave an academic seminar on Wednesday, June 19, at 9:00 a.m. at the Science and Mathematics Education Department Audio-Visual Room (SMED-AVR) in Talamban Campus. The topic of the seminar is the use and applications of the nematode, C. elegans, as an animal proxy for human disease research and targeted drug discovery (download abstract here).

Dr. Petalcorin will be at �� from June 13 to July 12, 2019. He will meet with potential collaborators, formulate proposals for funding, and train �� TLDC staff on the culture, maintenance, and micromanipulation of C. elegans.

Petalcorin is currently an Associate Professor in Biochemistry at the PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. His expertise covers the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, genome editing, and DNA repair. Prior to his stint in Brunei, he worked, including as the Principal Scientific Officer, for 12 years at the Clare Hall Laboratories, The Francis Crick Institute in London, U.K.

Dr. Mark I. R. Petalcorin delivers a seminar introducing C. elegans as a proxy animal for research into human diseases and drug discovery.

Philippine Science High School-Caraga Campus students, along with some Chemist Licensure Examination reviewees, participated in the training on the culture and handling of C. elegans.

Tags: Chemistry, Biology, Tuklas Lunas Development Center, Research, Sciences, Seminar

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Caltech-JCAP scientist talks about artificial photosynthesis

universityofsancarlos — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Jack Hess L. Baricuatro, Ph.D., a staff scientist at the (JCAP) at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), gave a seminar today, July 16, 2019, at the Science and Mathematics Education Department Audio-Visual Room in Talamban Campus.

Dr. Baricuatro’s talk, entitled “Surface science studies of artificial photosynthesis in the dark: Heterogeneous catalysis of carbon dioxide-to-fuel conversion,” was sponsored by the Chemistry Students’ Association (ChemSA) and the �� Department of Chemistry.

Starting with an overview of the purpose of JCAP, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Dr. Baricuatro described current efforts on artificial photosynthesis, taking inspiration from natural processes to convert carbon dioxide and water with the aid of solar energy into fuels.

He narrowed his talk to efforts exploring the “dark” reaction, i.e., carbon dioxide reduction, as opposed to the light-dependent reactions in photosynthesis that produce oxygen gas. Contrasting the use of noble metal catalysts to produce hydrogen gas, Baricuatro highlighted their discovery of copper-based catalysts that could reduce carbon dioxide into ethanol, albeit at low efficiency. He also described advances that his group at JCAP developed, including operando scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in aqueous medium, observing the structural changes in the copper catalysts while undergoing surface electrochemical reactions.

Speaking in front of over 70 people, including Senior High School administrators and teachers from �� and Minglanilla Science High School, graduate students, faculty and staff, and even members of his family, Dr. Baricuatro kept the talk light, injecting at opportune times snippets that integrated science with pop culture, including a mention of the Korean group BTS (which in chemistry is an abbreviation for the compound n-benzyl-p-toluenesulfonamide).

Dr. Baricuatro’s sister, Leah, who is visiting from New York, his brother Farley and sister-in-law Dia with their children Francesca and Ryan, attended the talk. Both Farley (Class ’90) and Dia (Class ’93) are also alumni of the B.S. Chem. program at ��; Dia holds a Ph.D. specializing in marine geochemistry from the University of Tokyo, while Farley has an M.S. Chem. degree.

Jack, who finished his B.S. Chem. (Class ’93) at ��, graduated summa cum laude. He taught at the �� Department of Chemistry before he pursued his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University. He had a post-doctoral stint at the University of Washington before returning briefly to ��, where he was later persuaded to join two other Carolinian chemists at JCAP, namely Principal Investigator and Alnald C. Javier, Ph.D.

Tags: Chemistry, Sciences

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�� participates in Mandaue City Scan Challenge

universityofsancarlos — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Now on its 2nd year, the Pressure Cooker Challenge dubbed as the Mandaue City Scan Challenge 2018 is a collaborative activity of the Rotterdam University (The Netherlands), the University of San Carlos, the City of Mandaue, and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI).

The focus of the challenge is the Butuanon River which meanders through five barangays in Mandaue City. Eight Dutch and 16 �� students will work together in six teams for 10 days to analyze the quality of the river water, assess the plastic pollution, and raise awareness in the communities.

An opening ceremony was hosted by Mandaue City Mayor Hon. Luigi Quisumbing on November 12, 2018 at the Mandaue City Session Hall. Also present was Elizabeth Baumguard, Senior Program Officer of RAFI.

The first day of the River Scan Challenge introduced the students to the City of Mandaue and the Butuanon River. This whole-day event started with presentations from experts, namely Rick Heikoop (Living Labs Coordinator, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences) and Dr. Floris Boogard (Water Quality Monitoring Expert, Hanze University of Applied Sciences). Ar. Marlo Ocleasa (officer in-charge, Mandaue City Planning and Development Office) Ar. Araceli Barlam (officer in-charge, Mandaue City Environment and Natural Resources Office) presented the Mandaue City Profile and the state of Butuanon River as well as engagements of the stakeholders in raising awareness. The overall picture of the MegaCebu Project was also presented by Ar. Joseph Michael Espina (Dean, �� School of Architecture, Fine Arts, and Design). An actual visit to the Butuanon River was conducted in the afternoon.

The �� representatives are Civil Engineering students, namely Jan Carl Abad, Leonard Borbon, Rachel Ann Castaneda, Matthew Dy, Emmanuel Nicholas Labuen, Jesi Martin Maglana, Hazel Olive Parmes, Charles Mari Ramos, Shiela Mae Terante, Alexandrea Yap, Ma. Luisa Zapanta, Chemistry students Keisha Dianne Achumbre and Adam Ramirez, and Biology students Peita Jovero, Yobert Juanillo, and Jodivine Navarosa.

The Rotterdam University representatives are Water Management students Sven Breukhoven, Marie-Clif Cazal, Mila Diemel, James Dudley-Owen, Floris Huisman, Eva Ijzerman, Mandy Kluts, and Moushan Lim.

Team advisers are Engr. Jonah Lee Bas, Engr. Kathrina Borgonia, Engr. Stephanie Canete, Leif Duncan Urdaneta, and Engr. Arnold Sab-a.

The six teams will present their innovative solutions at the 4th International River Summit on November 22-24, 2018 at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Tags: Events, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology

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Chem grad tops licensure exam

universityofsancarlos — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The Admission Office and the Office of the University Registrar recently announced the intake of new freshmen and transferees to selected baccalaureate programs. The University of San Carlos offers a total of 45 undergraduate programs and 62 graduate programs.

Applicants can begin with the admission process on November 5, 2018, while enrolment for new freshmen will be from January 3 to 18, 2019 and transferees from January 12 to 18, 2019. Inquiries may be directed to the Admissions Office at telephone numbers +63 32 255 8392 (direct line) or via the �� trunkline at +63 32 253 1000 locals 209 or 521.

Tags: Announcement

Aaron Gabriel B. Uy, a B.S. Chemistry graduate of the University of San Carlos, topped the Chemist Licensure Examination (CLE) given last October 9-10, 2018 in Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro City.

Uy was a former national champion in the Philippine National Chemistry Olympiad in 2011 when he was a student of Philippine Science High School Central Visayas Campus in Argao, Cebu.

With a rating of 91.20%, Uy bested 495 other passers of the CLE; the national passing percentage is only 45% (496 out of 1,101). Starting this year the CLE tested the examinees in five subjects, namely Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry.

Fifteen other B.S. Chem. alumni of �� also successfully passed the examinations, with an overall passing rate of 61.5%. Along with Uy, the new Carolinian chemists are Aryanna Hasmin S. Alviola, Joshua L. Caba, Jan Rommel T. Duterte, Ruselen Grace Angel Ellorda, Klyde C. Jose, Jarold John C. Leyson, Ma. Alyssa M. Manlosa, Teofanes S. Nuñez Jr., Prime Rose E. Pableo, Conrado S. Pabustan IV, Nicholas John C. Robles, Kimberly F. Tereso, Caryl Marien M. Umpad, Vera C. Virtudes, and Denzyl Marie A. Yangco.

Jesline C. Alingasa, Hidelie Rose V. Ampo, Joanna Doreen A. Batoctoy, and Triza Albert L. Cuizon are among those who qualified as Chemical Technicians; these examinees passed at least two out of five subjects in the CLE.

Twelve Carolinians (100% passing) also took and passed the Chemical Technician Licensure Examination (CTLE) administered on October 12, 2018 in the same cities. The new Chemical Technicians are Carol Abarquez, Josephine M. Adlit, Myrna Atillo, Jinky Y. Derla, Charita N. Gevana, Sean Juven Jimenez, Albert Andrew O. Lim II, Leonard Brian M. Loquias, Ma. Corazon Roa, Marilyn Tan, Caryl Marien M. Umpad, and Vera C. Virtudes; Umpad and Virtudes also passed the CLE, earning two licenses. Derla and Gevana are �� personnel working as laboratory in-charge and stockroom in-charge, respectively; another �� laboratory in-charge staff, Gezel Ann N. Vequizo (from Visayas State University), also passed the CTLE.

The �� Chemist Licensure Examination Review Center had an overall passing rate of 48% in the CLE and an 83% passing rate in the CTLE. The review center caters to graduates from schools in the Visayas and Mindanao, and occasionally from Luzon. Professionals currently working in industry without a chemical technician license also attend review classes at ��.

The requires all chemistry laboratories in the country to be authorized to operate by the Professional Regulation Commission Board of Chemistry. Only chemists and chemical technicians with valid certificates of registration and professional identification certificates can practice chemistry in authorized chemical laboratories. The chemistry law came into full force on April 12, 2015, with a three-year grace period (ending in April 12, 2018) for companies to comply with its requirements. The University of San Carlos is the only institution offering a B.S. Chemistry program in Cebu City.

Tags: Chemistry

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�� ChemSA is Most Outstanding UNESCO Club

universityofsancarlos — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The University of San Carlos Chemistry Students’ Association (ChemSA) is named the Most Outstanding UNESCO Club in the Science and Technology Category at the 2018 International Assembly of Youth for UNESCO held on September 6-8, 2018 in Quezon City.

ChemSA president Janielle Bernice Guion represented the organization and received the award during the ceremony on September 8th. ChemSA was shortlisted along with nine other clubs in the Science and Technology category (see ), and bested five other Outstanding clubs in the category.

The award was given by Dr. Serafin Alviola Jr. (Founding Chair, National Association of UNESCO Clubs in the Philippines), Dr. Yuji Suzuki (Director General, National Association of UNESCO Clubs in Japan), and Jonathan Jaime G. Guerrero (President, National Association of UNESCO Clubs in the Philippines) (see photo above).

ChemSA won the award primarily for its Chemistry Roadshow project that started in 2007. The roadshow is a brainchild of Manuelito Tiu (�� Chem ’65) and then ChemSA adviser Fernando Sialana Jr. The roadshow aims to increase the interest of high school students by demonstrating through basic experiments various chemistry concepts.

Three other clubs from �� were named Outstanding UNESCO clubs, namely �� Psychology Society (Social and Human Sciences category), �� Datalogics (Information and Communication Technology category), and �� Pathways (Education category). June Jan Genelsa (�� Pathways) was also chosen as an Outstanding Youth Leader.

with reporting from Queenie Marie A. Maquilang and Janielle Bernice Guion

Tags: Chemistry, Sciences

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Chemistry Archives | University of San Carlos

�������� achieves 100% passing for first-time takers in 2025 Chemists Licensure Examination

�������� hosts Balik Scientist, organizes seminar on absorbable medical devices

�������� hosts small scale chemistry workshop for high school teachers

�������� holds Visayas-wide online chem safety, security training