The initiative, hosted at the university’s Learning Resource Center (LRC), marks a strategic partnership between �������� and firms including FPT Software, Full Scale, KYOCERA, EY, Rococo, Skan•Log, Lexmark, and Accenture.

The hub aims to bridge the gap between theoretical science and industrial application. 

Vice President for Academic Affairs Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD, Ph.D., who is also a faculty member of the �������� Department of Physics, said the QANIX Hub aims to build capacity by equipping learners with knowledge in quantum information science and artificial intelligence. The facility will serve as a foundation for advancing ethical research and fostering collaboration between the academe and government.

The school’s new facility provides students and faculty with access to quantum computing systems, which process data at speeds vastly superior to traditional computers. �������� plans to use these systems to support research and explore new applications in science, engineering, and data analysis. The hub also has three high-performance computers obtained through a grant from the Department of Science and Technology.

�������� Vice President for Administration Atty. Joan Largo, Ll.M., said the initiative reflects the University’s commitment to offering transformative programs. Atty. Largo expressed that �������� aims to go beyond preparing students for employment by building strong partnerships that integrate industry directly into the institution.

The successful launch was spearheaded by the ��������’s Department of Computer, Information Sciences, and Mathematics (DCISM) and Department of Physics. Led by their respective Chairs Angie Ceniza-Canillo, Ph.D. and Renante Violanda, Ph.D., both departments were instrumental in the coordination and execution of the initiative’s first phase.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VII Regional Director Tristan L. Abando, Ph.D., defined Quantum AI as the convergence of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. This technology combines quantum processing power with AI-driven analysis to solve complex problems more efficiently than standard systems.

Dr. Abando said the hub aligns with the DOST Three-Horizon STI Economic Strategy. The Three-Horizons strategy charts the path for (Horizon 1) driving Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) efficiency; (Horizon 2) building a Filipino knowledge economy; and (Horizon 3) Developing industries of the future in AI, biotech, renewable energy, and climate resilience.

Dr. Abando noted that QANIX Hub specifically supports “Horizon 3,” which focuses on building national capabilities in the industries of the future. Dr. Abando reaffirmed DOST’s commitment to support policy development and future collaborative projects as the initiative progresses.

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With the acquisition of two SPINQ Gemini Mini quantum computers—the world’s first portable, NMR-based quantum computing systems, �������� becomes the first university in the country to provide hands-on access to quantum computing in both classroom instruction and laboratory research.

The quantum computers, developed by SpinQ Technology Co. Ltd., are already in use at institutions such as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the University of Western Australia.

Led by the Department of Physics and the Department of Computer and Information Sciences and Mathematics (DCISM), this pioneering initiative underscores ��������’s strong commitment to advancing quantum information science (QIS) at a critical moment when classical computing is approaching its physical limits.

Emerging from the convergence of two of the greatest intellectual achievements of the 20th century namely, quantum mechanics and information science, QIS empowers students and researchers to explore transformative frontiers such as quantum algorithms, quantum sensing, and quantum artificial intelligence that are poised to outperform conventional systems and reshape entire industries.

Anchoring this vision is ��������’s forthcoming Quantum-AI Nexus Innovation Hub (QANIX), a pioneering platform where quantum science and artificial intelligence converge to cultivate quantum-ready professionals and accelerate the development of quantum technologies and algorithms.

Through this strategic investment, �������� is positioning itself as a regional leader in transformative research and next-generation intelligent systems.

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This year’s convention marked a milestone as the first PSCB annual gathering held outside Luzon. With the theme “Convergence of Innovation for Cellular Biology,” the conference sought to advance scholarly exchange on cutting-edge research in cell biology by Filipino and international scientists. 

A central feature of this year’s event was the strong leadership of the University’s biological sciences. The Department of Biology, led by Frances E. Edillo, Ph.D. (head, �������� Mosquito Research Laboratory), served as the Chair of the Local Organizing Committee demonstrating ��������’s academic stewardship in the life sciences. Rommel G. Bacabac, Ph.D., Department of Physics and program leader of the Medical Biophysics Group-Center for Tissue Engineering and Biological Soft Materials, served as co-chair. 

University of San Carlos President Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, Ph.D. welcomed the delegates followed by opening remarks from the PSCB President Dr. Vivian Panes of the Ateneo de Manila University. Nearly 200 students, faculty members, and scientists representing 21 higher education institutions, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and industry partners participated in the two-day event. 

Dr. Jenneke Klein-Nulend presented a keynote talk on “Tissue Engineering of Adult Stem Cells.” Throughout the conference, invited experts presented development in nanotechnology, multi-omics, mechanobiology, cellular analysis, drug delivery, and engineered photosynthesis.

�������� faculty members played active roles in the scientific discussions. Gerard Lee L. See, Ph.D. (Dean, School of Health Care Professions), delivered a plenary lecture on leveraging liquid crystals to enhance drug delivery to the brain. Joyce Rodriguez, Ph.D. (Department of Biology) presented her work on metabolomics during the Young Minds Speak session.

A pre-conference workshop on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted on October 22, 2025, through the initiative of PSCB officers in Manila, working closely with Dr. Edillo and Dr. Bacabac. The training was led by technical experts from Noveaulab Asia Corporation, who provided hands-on instruction to participating delegates. �������� served as the host institution, with the pharmacy laboratory made available through the support of Department of Pharmacy Chair, Dr. Florencio V. Arce Jr., while Department of Biology Chair Dr. Jonie C. Yee facilitated on-site arrangements and assisted in the awarding of certificates.

The convention also featured the presentation of more than 33 research posters from students and early-career researchers across the country, underscoring the event’s role in cultivating scientific engagement and research dissemination.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Edillo extends her warm thanks to the participants and emphasizes  the importance of adaptability and the continued pursuit of scientific excellence. 

She cited Charles Darwin’s reminder, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change,” and that of St. John Vianney, “All our efforts are wasted if not offered to God.”

The successful convention reflects ��������’s steadfast commitment to advancing scientific inquiry and contributing to the development of the nation’s research landscape through active engagement in professional scientific communities.

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A total lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes between the Moon and the Sun, and the Moon is entirely covered with the Earth’s shadow, or umbra. During totality, instead of the Moon disappearing completely behind the umbra, an effect called Rayleigh scattering turns the Moon’s color red, prompting many to call it a “blood moon.” ( is also primarily responsible for our blue sky during the day as well as red sunsets.)

Chris Go is a recognized lunar and planetary imager and earned worldwide accolades after he first reported the  on the planet Jupiter on February 24, 2006, earning it the monicker “Red Jr.” after Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. Chris is also the founder of the �������� Astronomical Society and currently teaches an elective course on astronomy offered by the �������� Department of Physics.

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A licensed mechanical engineer, Hernane’s journey to graduate school took an unexpected turn when he chose to pursue his long-time interest in physics, a field he had always hoped to study.

Before he pursued his master’s degree in physics, Khim had always been drawn to the subject since he was a kid. Initially, he planned to take it as his undergraduate program. However, due to personal problems and coming from a family with an engineering background, he eventually took up Mechanical Engineering at the then Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT).

Even while studying engineering, however, Khim’s interest in physics did not wane. 

After school, he often spent his free time reviewing physics materials outside of his regular engineering coursework. His quiet pursuit continued until a turning point during his undergraduate years. He visited the �������� Physics Department—still wearing his CIT uniform—to inquire about their physics program. 

Despite being concerned with the cost, he discovered, by chance, that scholarships were available for students aiming to pursue graduate studies in physics. Thus, after graduating and passing the mechanical engineering licensure exam, Khim made a choice that surprised many—he did not jump into the engineering field. Instead, he applied for a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholarship and was accepted into ��������’s master’s program in physics.

“The �������� Scholarship Office and the Department of Physics were instrumental in my choice,” he said. “They pushed me to finish strong, especially when they saw my grades were trending toward Maxima Cum Laude.”

Despite his strong academic performance, the journey was far from easy. 

During his first year as a graduate student, Khim reached a low point. The pressure of balancing academic expectations with personal struggles affected his mental health. He admitted it was difficult to ask for help, having always tried to handle things on his own.

“I hit a point where I was ready to give up physics,” he shared. “But I sought help from someone in the university. That moment changed everything. It opened doors I didn’t even know were there.”

That turning point marked a new chapter. His thesis was later published, opening career opportunities and reinforcing his decision to continue. With support from his academic adviser, Danilo M. Yanga, Ph.D., Khim found renewed determination to complete his degree.

Though he describes himself as a quiet, independent learner—not particularly focused on grades—his consistent performance led to his recognition as the highest academic achiever in his batch. For Khim, studying was not about ranking high. “If I’m told to do well, I’ll do it,” he said. “But I didn’t expect to finish as Maxima Cum Laude. I just wanted to graduate.”

Looking ahead, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Physics still at ��������. Part of his vision is to build a community of students who share the same passion for the subject.

“My goal is to connect with people who love physics as much as I do,” he said.

In reflecting on his journey, Khim expressed gratitude to those who supported him—the �������� faculty, his adviser, his classmates, and his family. “Dr. Yanga saw something in me that I couldn’t. My parents never pressured me to find work even after passing the board exam. And to my classmates—we were only four who graduated—I’m thankful for their support.”

Khim Hernane’s story is a reminder that academic paths are not always linear. For him, success came not from following expectations, but from choosing to pursue what he truly wanted to.

by Erica Gines, �������� Corporate Communications

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During the tour, members of PhilSA and JAXA visited the Department’s research facilities, including the Pandora spectrometer and the ionosonde—two advanced instruments for monitoring atmospheric phenomena. 

Pandora is a research-grade spectrometer system capable of measuring vertical column densities of atmospheric trace gases. It was generously donated by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). On the other hand, the ionosonde, a specialized radar system for studying the ionosphere, was donated by Japan and plays a key role in monitoring space weather and ionospheric disturbances. (For more information on these instruments, kindly contact Dr. Roland Emerito S. Otadoy.)

The delegation was also shown the Eugene and Cenia Acevedo smart classroom, where the Department’s high-resolution telescopes and other equipment were exhibited. Highlighted in the tour were processed astronomical images created by students enrolled in the general education free elective course, Reach for the Stars: Astronomy and Physics for Everyone, taught by renowned astronomer Christopher Y. Go, who is an adjunct faculty member.

The tour was conducted in preparation for the upcoming 31st Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31) with the theme, “Empowering the Region through Space Ecosystems in Action,” scheduled to take place on November 18–21, 2025, at Shangri-La Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. 

APRSAF is a premier gathering of space agencies, organizations, academic institutions, companies, and government bodies from across the Asia-Pacific region. The forum fosters regional cooperation and the development of international projects in areas such as space policy and law, disaster risk reduction, and environmental protection.

The �������� Department of Physics is hopeful that during the actual forum, participants will be able to visit the university for similar tours and possibly join a stargazing activity under the Cebu night sky.

by Stephen Villarante and Raymund Sarmiento, �������� Department of Physics

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The �������� contingent was composed of B.S. Economics Data Analytics Track 2nd year majors Estefen Gerodias, Nicole Angela Acupinpin, Kate Jannah Gayle Alvez, Ely Mark Lingling, Yancy Pacheco, Eurika Kloeh Rabanes, Raphael Anthony Aguilar, Eula Marie Pagalan, and Shaynna Lexine Delusa. 

Meanwhile, Computer Science students Ma. Crista Nina M. Ariosa and Yza Hilary A. Alagon grabbed the 1st and 4th places, respectively, at the 28th Philippine Statistics Quiz (Provincial Level) on October 30, 2024, held at Cebu Normal University.

StatisTiktok

Organized by the Philippine Statistics Authority Regional Statistical Services Office VII, the two-day event with the theme, “Harnessing the Power of Data and Statistics for a Future-ready Filipino and Filipina Youth” brought together early-career professionals and students from various universities in the Visayas Region interested in statistics, data science and data analytics. 

The event featured presentations on (1) The Philippine Statistical System and the Philippine Statistics Authority, (2) How Private is Your Data, (3) Data Visualization for the Official Statistics and SDG Indicators, (4) Data and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability, (5) How Open are the Philippine Data, (6) Success in Statistics: Position Yourself for the Future, (7) Significant Contribution of Statistics Student Organization to the Statistical Development in the Region, and (8) Big Data and the Role of Statistics. 

The event was organized to emphasize PSA’s commitment to produce high quality statistics and promote a responsive and relevant statistical system capable of providing and communicating timely, accurate and useful data to the government and the public.

The objectives of the PSA-sponsored data festival were to (1) instill appreciation and enhance statistical literacy on official statistics among students, (2) enjoin the academe in the advocacy of statistics, (3) strengthen partnerships and foster collaboration with local government offices, civil society organizations, and the private sector, and (4) promote proper interpretation and use of official statistics among local media practitioners.

The Department of Economics’ participation showcased the competencies of its B.S. Economics Data Analytics program in enhancing the power and relevance of data and statistics in today’s trends and generation.

Philippine Statistics Quiz

The PSQ is an annual initiative by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) that tests freshman students’ competency in statistical theory and applications, as well as their understanding and appreciation of its role in the Philippine Statistical System. 

The winning students were coached by Rene N. Argenal, a Math faculty member from the Department of Computer, Information Science, and Mathematics (DCISM). 

Aside from Ariosa and Alagon, Applied Physics student Ebrel T. Albarico also represented the University in the same competition.

With contributions from Julius P. Relampagos, Ph.D., Department of Economics

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This workshop was made possible by the United Nations Secretariat of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the Korean National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER). 

The three-day workshop aimed to: 

• Enhance the Philippines’ capacity to strengthen the national air pollution monitoring and management; 
• Build the network of users in the Philippines to effectively use Pandora and the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) data; and 
• Survey the need for the Pandora spectrometer. 

The event was attended by professionals, practitioners, and staff members in national environmental space-related agencies or departments (including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources) relevant to air pollution and management in the Philippines. 

According to Roland Emerito S. Otadoy, Ph.D., �������� CenGES head, the data provided by GEMS “will improve the accuracy of air quality forecasts, top-down emission rates, and understanding of long-range transport of air pollutants.” For the last few years, he has been involved in the discussion on the proposed air pollution monitoring across Asia using geostationary satellites.

The workshop was conducted in �������� since the University of San Carlos is one of the sites identified for the installation of the Pandora instrument (see related story).

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This event highlighted the collaborative program, funded by the Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) for R&D program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to establish the MBG Center for Tissue Engineering and Biological Soft Materials.  

HNU President Rev. Fr. Ruel Lero, SVD, Ph.D., welcomed all participants of the symposium, which included 14 plenary speakers from Japan, Philippines, New Zealand, U.S.A., and the Netherlands. It was attended by over 100 onsite and 52 online participants from different schools and organizations in Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Manila, and Japan. Fr. Ramilo Mapaye, SVD, Ph.D., HNU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs officially concluded the whole-day event.

The Cebu Doctors University Hospital (CDUH) and the DOST Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) Materials Development Laboratory (MATDEV) collaborate with �������� MBG to develop technologies for fabricating bone implants, a bolus for radiation therapy, and artificial tissues using additive manufacturing. 

Prof. Rommel Bacabac, Dr. Marianito Margarito, and Rhodesa Cruzet presented the latest results of the component projects of the program. Their research anticipates future applications in patient-specific medical treatments, where surgeons collaborate closely with industry and the academe to utilize clinical images to 3D-print functional tissue replacements directly. 

Onsite plenary speakers and their topics included the following: 

1. Prof. Shingo Matsukawa (Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Japan) on “Physicochemical Properties of Mixed Gelatin Solutions”;
2. Prof. Rommel Bacabac on “3D Bio-fabrication of Bone, Muscle, and Pancreatic Biomimetic Tissue Models for Injectable and Printable Scaffolds”;
3. Prof. Marianito Margarito (MATDEV-DOST-ITDI, Manila) on “Development and Performance Evaluation of Biocompatible Materials and Pore Design Structure for 3D Printed Artificial Bone Implants”; 
4. Prof. Frances Edillo (�������� Mosquito Research Laboratory) on “Impacts of Weather on Chikungunya, Dengue and Zika Viruses in Asian Tiger Mosquitoes from Selected Cebu City Sites, Philippines”;
5. Engr. Jocelyn Reyes (DOST-ITDI) on “Bioceramic Research and Innovation Projects”; and 
6. Dale Mhar Alfeche (DOST-ITDI) on “Ceramic Materials in Total Knee Replacement: Challenges and Solutions”.&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;

Online plenary speakers included the following: 

1. Dr. Lester Geonzon (University of Tokyo, Japan) on “Elaborating the Rheological Properties and Spatiotemporal Hierarchical Structure of Carrageenan Gels during Sol-gel Transition”;
2. Dr. Faith Bernadette Descallar (Riddet Institute, Massey University, New Zealand) on “Structural Changes of Milk during Gastric Digestion: Implication for Nutrient Delivery”;
3. Rhodesa Cruzet (CDUH) on “Development and Characterization of 3D-Printed Carrageenan Bolus for Tissue Engineering and Biological Soft Materials”;
4. Prof. Rigoberto Advincula (University of Tennessee, USA), who was in Germany during his talk, on “Nanostructured Materials, Surfaces and Bioapplications”; and
5. Prof. Gijsje Koenderink (Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands) on ”The Role of Cytoskeletal Crosstalk in Cell Mechanics”. 

Moreover, there were three online plenary speakers from the Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Center for Dentistry, Amsterdam: 

1. Dr. Jianfeng Jin who presented “Mechanotransduction in Bone Cells: Force Changes Cell Shape and Function”;
2. Prof. Jenneke Klein-Nulend on “Use It or Lose It: That’s What Bone Cells Tell Us”; and 
3. Prof. Astrid Bakker on “The Future of Cell Culture”.

by Frances Edillo, Ph.D. and Rommel Bacabac, Ph.D.

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The Pandora instrument measures air quality, particularly monitoring concentrations of gaseous pollutants like nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, and will serve as a ground-based station to verify data from an environment monitoring spectrometer aboard the Korean GEO-KOMPSAT-2B satellite. 

Three other instruments will be stationed at the Manila Observatory in Quezon City, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac, Ilocos Norte, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

His Excellency Lee Sang-hwa (Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines) and Kim Eunsub (Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Country Director) turned over the instruments to Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Director General Joel Joseph S. Marciano Jr., Ph.D. and PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Gay Jane P. Perez, Ph.D. In turn, PhilSA handed over the instruments to the four institutions that were strategically chosen to provide data to the Pan-Asia Partnership for Geospatial Air Pollution Information Project and the Pandora Asia Network () Philippines Project.

�������� Research, Development, Extension, and Publications Office (RDEPO) Director Patrick John Y. Lim, Ph.D. and Department of Physics Assistant Professor Raymond Lee Antonio C. Sarmiento, Ph.D. represented the University during the turnover ceremonies.

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