Jo’s passion for chemistry started with her chemist-father, Salvador J. Sonquit RCh. who is her hero. For five decades and counting, her affinity turned passion for the chemistry profession has encompassed and impacted a multitude of industries, research, and academic institutions. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree at the Western Institute of Technology – Iloilo City graduating With High Honors and with Highest Distinction in Chemistry. As validation for such academic feat, she ranked first in the 1984 Chemistry Licensure Examination.

Jo is hardwork and excellence personified throughout her professional career. She worked her way through college with a full scholarship and as a laboratory student assistant. In her final collegiate year, she worked as an organic fertilizer analyst under the tutelage of a private chemist. After graduation, she worked as Instructor in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. Upon moving to Negros Occidental in the year 1985, she worked for Victorias Milling Company, Inc. from 1985 to 2007 progressing through roles as teacher, quality control/quality assurance supervisor in the raw and refined sugar plants, research/development supervisor, and finally as Lead Auditor of the ISO Internal Quality Audit. In the year 2007, she joined San Carlos Bioenergy, Inc. as Chief Chemist/ Quality Assurance Department Manager overseeing the growth of the bioethanol plant from construction, commissioning, until its operational stage. She formally retired last 2019 but continued working for the next 3 years as consultant to another alcohol plant, KOOLL Company, Inc. in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

Life after retiring from the industry has rekindled Jo’s covalent bond with the teaching profession. At present, she is a part-time Assistant Professor of the B.S. Chemistry program of the state-run Technological University of the Philippines in the Visayas. She continues to accept consultancy work from various sugar and bioethanol industries further cementing her legacy of excellence and service for the chemistry profession.

Jo is happiest when doing activities involved in outside organizations like ICP and PHILSUTECH (Philippine Sugar Technologists Association). These communal and social activities significantly contribute to a meaningful life by enhancing/ completing her over-all well-being, aside from fostering social connections, making her aware of life at large. Through these outside organizations, she has authored more than 30 technical papers and is the recipient of awards, including 3-time awardee for Technical Papers presented at the annual PHILSUTECH National Conventions, 2016 Excellence Award from Roxas Holdings Inc., 2017 Outstanding Alumni Award from Western Institute of Technology, 2018 Service Award from San Carlos Bioenergy Inc., and in 2022, was the first Outstanding PHILSUTECH Member Awardee.

At present, she is the Ex-Officio Officer of the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines – Negros Island Chapter, of which she holds membership for many years, as well as being chapter vice-president for 10 years. She is still a member of the Philippine Sugar Technologists Association (PHILSUTECH), holding positions as VP and Director of the Bioenergy and Environmental Management Division in 2012-2014. Today, she chairs various committees as the Committee on Academe and Proceedings and the Convention Selection of Outstanding Member.

She was married and has 2 children. The eldest, Benedicto Jr., works as area manager for a pest control company. The younger son, Salvador, is a practicing physician in internal medicine.

Janet Z. Marcellana is a seasoned technical professional with nearly three decades of experience in the oil industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of the Philippines and is a licensed chemist. Janet has built a robust career at Shell Pilipinas Corporation, where she currently serves as an Application Advisor for Asia and Product Regulatory Lead.

In 2023, Janet played a key role in Shell Bitumen FreshAir’s success in the Philippines at the Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards, where it won the Silver Stevie® for Innovation in Product Design and Development. This innovative product developed by the Global R&D reduces emissions by an average of 40% during mixing and paving, significantly improving local air quality.

Janet’s career at Shell has seen her in various roles that ensures compliance with product quality and product stewardship standards, manages customer complaints, and supports regulatory requirements. Janet has led significant initiatives, including the Plastics to Road project, which aligns with the company’s sustainability goals. She also has substantial experience in leading decarbonization projects/initiatives that supports the business strategy and addresses the customer needs on their journey to net zero. She has been instrumental in implementing the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for chemical classification and labeling and has worked closely with chemical industry and regulatory bodies to advocate for sound, science-based regulations.

Janet is actively involved in industry associations such as the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines and the Chemical Industries Association of the Philippines (SPIK). She has held various leadership positions within SPIK and has participated in international forums to promote regulatory alignment in the ASEAN region.

Throughout her career, Janet has demonstrated a strong ability to collaborate with stakeholders, provide technical expertise, and advocate for innovative solutions. Her dedication to excellence and her passion made her a respected figure in the industry.

Dr. Jonel Saludes earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from University of San Agustin and MS Chemistry from University of Santo Tomas major in natural products under the supervision of Dr. Alicia Aguinaldo and the current IUPAC President-Elect Dr. Mary Garson. At University of California, he earned a PhD in Organic Chemistry and demonstrated the structure of novel peptides that serve as marker of human cancers using 600 MHz cryoprobe NMR. He pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in chemical biology at University of Colorado, where he investigated protein-protein interactions in viral infection using 800 MHz cryoprobe NMR, as well as created synthetic peptides that detect extracellular vesicles involved in cell signaling. He pursued an independent academic career at Washington State University, where he developed SialoPen^TM, a new generation of cell penetrating peptides using a sugar amino acid backbone.

In 2015, he returned to the Philippines as a Balik Scientist and is currently a Professor of Chemistry and the Vice President for Research and Global Relations at University of San Agustin in Iloilo City. He is also the Director of the Center for Natural Drug Discovery and Development (CND3) and pursues research programs in cell signaling to understand inflammatory diseases, antibiotic drug discovery, and development of agricultural commodities into standardized commercial products such as pineapple, molasses, tawatawa, honey, and kadios. In partnership with Pharma GalenX based in Jaro, Iloilo City, he helped develop the FDA-registered skin pharmaceutical products with antibiotic properties, branded as HONELLE and SKIVIOS, that are now sold in pharmacies and online platforms nationwide. His leadership established 5 world-class research centers, namely C2B2, CANMEET, CFI, CHIC, and CND3, to help address pressing societal issues in health and wellness, Filipino heritage and indigenous peoples, data analytics, and nanotechnology for environmental problems. In May 2022, he established the first and only cryoprobe NMR facility in the Philippines, the USA DOST-PCHRD Tuklas Lunas NMR Laboratory Visayas. On January 10, 2025, Dr. Saludes opened the country’s one-and-only DOST NICER in Functional Food called KNIF₂E, the Kasanggang NICER In Functional Food Excellence, dedicated to the valorization of agricultural commodities into high value products using the power of chemistry and biology research interface.

In 2021, Dr. Saludes was recognized as one of the Top 100 Asian Scientists, the PRC Outstanding Professional of the Year in Chemistry, and the PNHRS Best Mentor in Health Research. In November 2024, Dr. Saludes was awarded the Outstanding Science Administrator Award (Dioscoro Umali Medal) by the National Academy of Science and Technology.

Marilou G. Nicolas, Ph.D. is a retired professor in Biochemistry at the University of the Philippines Manila.  Her career in chemistry started upon completion of her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1974.  Recognizing that chemistry is the foundational science of life, she proceeded to further her career in the biomolecular sciences, graduating with a Masters degree in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.  In 1996, she, together with colleagues at the Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, established the B.S. Biochemistry programme.  The programme was designed to develop human resources capable of recognizing the importance of understanding the chemical foundations of the processes that govern life.  

Throughout her teaching career she pushed for the continued improvement of the biochemistry curriculum through reviews using quality assurance tools. She presented the outcomes of such reviews and improvement in various national and international fora culminating in a co-authored publication in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, an IUBMB journal. She has received various awards for education, including “Outstanding Teacher of the University of the Philippines Manila” in 1997 and 2007, Outstanding contribution to Biochemical Education in 2004 by the UP Preparatory High School Alumni Association and the Philippine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Award for Education in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2005. She had mentored students in research by training and engaging them in several government-funded research that established a small natural products laboratory at the College of Arts and Sciences, UP Manila.  Despite involvement in various administrative positions for a span of 20 years, she continued to engage in both teaching and research with major publications on research on eye diseases including macular degeneration and those of infectious aetiology as well as on natural products for targeted diseases and health maintenance.  Some of these publications were co-authored by student mentees and established biochemistry as tools of the health sciences.

Mr. Admer Rey C. Dablio is a 35-year-old bachelor who is a native of Cagayan de Oro City. He currently holds a Plantilla position as Supervising Science Research Specialist at the Standards and Testing Division of the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) at Bicutan, Taguig City, a research and development institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). He performs chemical tests for various measurands for various sample matrices, currently the Division’s Head of the Marketing and Promotions Committee, and the Head and Over-all Technical Manager of the Chemistry Laboratory. He is the Division’s Quality Manager for its Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) based on Philippine National Standard (PNS) ISO/IEC 17025 version 2017, an international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. He also holds the designation as the Institute’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Manager for the CPD programs of the Institute, providing CPD units to accredited CPD programs by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for various regulated professions.

Aside from his roles at DOST, Mr. Dablio is also involved in various inter-agency technical working groups or committees. He is a management and technical assessor of the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the PNS ISO/IEC 17025 version 2017 laboratory accreditation for 12 years where he served as Team Leader, Team Member and Technical Assessor. He is one of the authors of the 2017 PNS for Drinking Water as one of the members of the Department of Health (DOH) Technical Working Group. He also contributed in the promulgation of a number of PNS under the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) under DTI, e.g. Nanotechnology, Concrete and Reinforced Concrete, and Cement and Lime. His other involvements are on working groups on technical barriers to trade, national environmental health, and on the bill on the proposed law on the compliance of the Philippines to the Chemical Weapons Convention.

This young gentleman graduated from the B.S. Chemistry undergraduate program of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City on 2010, where he received his Honorable Mention and Most Outstanding Chemistry Graduate awards. He also had experiences teaching chemistry courses at his alma mater and at the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST), currently University of Science and Technology in Southern Philippines (USTP), both at Cagayan de Oro City as part-time instructor from 2011 to 2014, teaching Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry, General Chemistry, Spectroscopy, and Organic Chemistry. He graduated in 2021 the Certificate Course on Productivity and Quality Management under the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) wherein he was awarded the Most Outstanding Productivity and Quality Management Study. He completed units of Master of Science in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines – Diliman. He also represented the Philippines as sole participant of the country to the 13^th International Training Program on Competence of Laboratories and Their Management Systems at Noida, India in February 2023, organized by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), wherein he excelled as the Class Valedictorian among 33 participants coming from 17 countries.

This young gentleman does not only conduct analytical chemical testing at the Department of Science and Technology, but he also conducts research studies on nanotechnology, metrology, trace metals and metalloids speciation, and chemical migrations. He is a project leader of the characterization of volcanic ashfall samples from the January 2020 eruption of Taal Volcano, helping the local construction industry in Region IVA. A number of government agencies and private organizations have also utilized his expertise as Resource Speaker for various technical and management topics, e.g. regional and Research and Development Institutes (RDIs) laboratories of the DOST system, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of DENR, Department of Agriculture (DA) laboratories, and various private testing and calibration laboratories. He is one of the most in-demand resource speaker or subject matter expert of DOST-ITDI in various technical and management topics for laboratory operations, like laboratory quality management system, risk and opportunity management, internal quality audit, root cause analysis and corrective actions, method validation/verification, internal quality control, measurement uncertainty, decision rules and statement of conformity, among others. His competence as an analytical chemist is also evident as seen in his very satisfactory results in various local and international proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparisons for several years. He is involved as a member of the Working Group on the harmonization of test methods within the ASEAN region for food safety and quality parameters through the Association of Official Analytical Collaboration (AOAC) International Southeast Asia (SEA) Section. Also, he is the only Filipino in the Technical Committee (TC) 11 Testing, Inspection and Certification of the International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO), a world-renowned association of experts in measurement science and metrology based in Europe. In fact, he is the first Filipino to ever hold an officer position under one of the Technical Committees of IMEKO.

Admer has already received a number of professional awards for several years. He is an awardee of the DOST Science Education Institute (SE) Icons Award for Chemistry in 2013; one of the DOST’s 25 Most Outstanding Scholar-Graduates in 2012; Most Outstanding Alumnus for Professional Service in Chemistry of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan’s Alumni Association in 2014; a Civil Service Commission (CSC) awardee for Group Service Delivery in Region 10 in 2013; DOST OneLab nationwide best practice awardee for the conversion of chemical wastes into useful internal quality control material; the man behind ITDI’s latest tagline “Inspired by Technology, Driven by Innovation;” and approved signatory of various laboratory accreditations and recognitions. His latest awards are the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) Most Outstanding Quality and Productivity Study in 2021; 2023 PRC Region 10 Most Outstanding Chemist; and on June 2024, his team under the DOST OneLab received the Governance Project of the Year – Science and Technology awarded by GovMedia at the Marina Sands, Singapore.

Aside from his busy and long credentials in the technical world, Admer never failed to maintain his active lifestyle. He is a proud Filipino mountaineer who have already completed 121 mountains to date, since 2012, conquering the top five (5) highest mountains in the Philippines multiple times, and finished Asian Trilogy, the highest mountains in Southeast Asia: Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia in 2018, Mount Fuji in Japan in 2024, and Mount Yushan in Taiwan on January 2025. He is a well-travelled Bachelor, completing 79 out of the 82 provinces of the Philippines. He is the Chairperson of the Training Committee of the Metropolitan Mountaineering Society (MMS), a 31-year-old organization for mountaineers and outdoor sports enthusiast. He uses Chemistry to teach mountaineers in the protection of the environment and responsible care of mountaineering gears and tools. He is a strong advocate of the Leave-No-Trace (LNT) principle, promoting mountaineering and outdoor ethics.

Mr. Dablio is the current Chairperson of the DOST-ITDI Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) Technical Working Group (TWG). He leads the Institute in the conduct of activities on gender mainstreaming. He introduced a number of innovative ideas on various activities to promote gender equality, equity, and inclusivity, making the Institute a gender sensitive and gender responsive Institute. His innovations have now been used by other DOST agencies as benchmark to enhance their gender and development mainstreaming initiatives.

Mr. Dablio is indeed a complete package, not only serving the Chemistry Profession in the Philippines and the science community worldwide, but also a true public servant promoting servant leadership, gender equality, environmental protection, healthy and active lifestyle, mental health, and quality service.

Dr. Rey Y. Capangpangan is widely recognized as a distinguished researcher and academician who has made significant contributions to the field of nanotechnology, with particular emphasis on its applications in fisheries and aquaculture. He is currently the Center Director and Principal Investigator for Research on Environment and Nanotechnology Laboratories and the Center for Microplastics Research and Innovation. Additionally, he is the Director for the International Affairs and Linkages Office at Mindanao State University at Naawan.

His academic journey began with a BS in Chemistry from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, followed by an MS in Chemistry from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. He furthered his studies with a Ph.D. in Chemistry from National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, completing the prestigious Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP). His academic achievements are underscored by an impressive h-index of 12, indicative of his scholarly impact.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Capangpangan has demonstrated exceptional research prowess, publishing over 80 papers in esteemed journals and contributing chapters to three books published by Springer, focusing on nanotechnology and the circular economy. He has presented his research findings at numerous local and international conferences. Furthermore, he serves as Associate Editor for the Annals of Studies in Science and Humanities and the Journal of Ecosystem Science and Eco-Governance and as a reviewer for various ISI- and Scopus-indexed journals. He is also a regular member of the National Research Council of the Philippines, the Philippine Association of Research Managers, Inc., the Mindanao Consortium on Advanced Functional Materials and Nanotechnology, the International Association of Advanced Materials, and a Lifetime Member of the Kapisanang Kimika ng Pilipinas.

His pioneering work has garnered numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Faculty Researcher Award (2023), the Photon Loyalty Award from the Samahang Pisika ng Visayas at Mindanao, and recognition as a DOST-PCIEERD EPIC Awardee and National Awardee of the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS). He has also been honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Research, the Best Employee Award, and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Resource Generation.

Dr. Capangpangan’s visionary leadership extends to the establishment of the Research on Environment and Nanotechnology Laboratories (REY Labs) and the Center for Microplastic Research and Innovation. At these centers, he spearheads groundbreaking research initiatives focused on microplastics in the Philippines, exploring their environmental impacts and innovative solutions. His research portfolio encompasses nanomaterials, computational nanotechnology, sensor development, and polymer science, addressing critical challenges in fisheries and aquaculture. Notable projects include developing nanomaterial-based sensors for detecting contaminants in aquaculture systems and creating sustainable nanotechnologies to reduce microplastic pollution in marine environments.

Dr. Capangpangan’s research on microplastics has been pivotal in understanding their distribution, sources, and impacts on marine ecosystems in the Philippines. His work involves interdisciplinary collaboration with ecologists, chemists, and engineers to develop innovative mitigation strategies. One of his significant projects includes the use of advanced nanomaterials to degrade microplastics in aquatic environments, thereby reducing their harmful effects on marine life.

As a testament to his international stature, Dr. Capangpangan has successfully led projects funded by agencies such as DOST, CHED, and DA. His collaborations transcend borders, with appointments as a JSPS HOPE Fellow and visiting researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. These roles enable him to drive scientific advancements and foster international partnerships, cementing his reputation as a leading scientist in chemical research worldwide.

Dr. Capangpangan’s dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and addressing environmental challenges through nanotechnology underscores his commitment to excellence and innovation in academia. His visionary efforts are not only contributing to the academic community but also paving the way for practical solutions to environmental issues. By integrating cutting-edge nanotechnology with ecological conservation, Dr. Capangpangan is inspiring a new generation of researchers and setting a transformative path toward a sustainable future. His ongoing efforts promise to have a profound impact on both local and global scales, shaping the future of scientific research and environmental sustainability.

Glenn C. Apostol, a distinguished alumnus of Mariano Marcos State University with a BS in Chemistry (2002) and a graduate of the Leadership Management Development Program at Ateneo Graduate School of Business (2011), currently serves as the Technical Director at Chemrez Technologies, Inc. With two decades of experience in Research & Development and Business Development, Glenn has spearheaded pioneering advancements in manufacturing processes and upcycling technologies, leading to the creation of innovative, sustainable ingredients for diverse industries. His visionary leadership has propelled Chemrez Technologies to expand its global market reach and enhance its product offerings. Among his notable achievements, Glenn has secured two patents and several pending inventions, including the acclaimed Laurin MCT Oil, which won the 2024 Gawad Yamang Isip (GYI) Award for Best Invention by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. His remarkable contributions have not only driven the company’s growth but also elevated the global reputation of Filipino-made products. An active member of several prestigious professional organizations, Glenn exemplifies a steadfast commitment to excellence and innovation in his field.

Dr. Angelo Mark Walag is a distinguished full professor at the Department of Science Education, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education with a specialization in Chemistry, laying a robust foundation for his extensive research portfolio. His scholarly expertise spans game-based learning, gamification, inquiry-based learning, and chemistry education, through which he has authored numerous high-impact publications. 

Dr. Walag has made substantial contributions to research in chemistry education by conducting studies on the effectiveness of innovative instructional materials with emphasis on game-based learning. Through rigorous investigation and analysis, he has provided valuable insights into their practical application and pedagogical impact, thereby improving chemistry instruction. His research endeavors not only contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field but also inform evidence-based teaching practices, benefiting chemistry educators and students alike. He has published several papers in the Journal of Chemical Education published by the American Chemical Society.

Beyond his research, Dr. Walag is deeply committed to student training and mentorship, teaching various chemistry and research courses from undergraduate to graduate levels. He supervises student research projects and collaborates with students to develop innovative learning materials in chemistry. His mentorship has been instrumental in the success of his students, many of whom have secured foreign graduate scholarships, became outstanding teachers, and established themselves as researchers in chemistry education. 

Dr. Walag has been leading community extension projects, focusing on the professional development of science teachers in Northern Mindanao Region. As a program and project leader, he has initiated partnerships with various Department of Education offices, training science teachers in content and pedagogical knowledge, science process skills, laboratory management, ICT in teaching, and inquiry-based learning. His efforts have earned him recognition as a valued stakeholder by DepEd. 

Dr. Walag’s vast experience as a peer reviewer for high-impact journals in chemistry and chemistry education further underscores his expertise and commitment to advancing the field. His critical insights and evaluations help maintain the high standards of academic publications and contribute to the ongoing development of robust chemistry education research.

Dr. Adoracion P. Resurreccion has been leading the Board of Chemistry at the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) since 2004, overseeing significant changes in how the chemistry profession is regulated. For 10 years she actively participated in supporting the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines in creating the Chemistry Profession Act (RA No. 10657), a law that since 2015, has shaped standards and safety in more than a thousand chemical laboratories across the country.

Under her leadership, the Board of Chemistry introduced reforms in the administration of the Chemistry Licensure Examinations (CLE) that contributed to the improvement of the national passing rate in the CLE. Dr. Resurreccion represented the BOC in the CHED Technical Committee/Panel in Chemistry at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for 4 years , where she helped set educational standards and improve chemistry teaching at universities. Among the reforms implemented were; the instutionalization of the an updated Table of Specifications for the CLE that was aligned with the CHED Policies, Standards, and Guidelines(PSG) for the BS Chemistry program in the country and the upgrading of the Chemistry Testbank encoding and extraction process.

Inspite of personal mobility difficulties, compelling her to undergo major surgeries, Dr. Resurreccion indefatigably spearheaded a rigorous inspection and monitoring program for chemical establishments, to ensure that requirements for safety and professional standards set by the Chemistry Law are complied with. These efforts significantly impacted on the conditions of chemistry professionals in the country, among these: the recognition of the essential role of chemists in chemical establishments; safer working conditions in laboratories, including grant of hazard pay for hundreds of chemists and chemical technicians; and improved ethical practices among chemistry professionals.

Apart from her regulatory work, Dr. Resurreccion chairs the Continuing Professional Development Council of Chemistry, which encourages chemistry practitioners to keep learning and maintaining high ethical standards in their work. She is also known for sharing her knowledge and insights at seminars and discussions on topics like the chemistry law and continuing professional development.

Dr. Resurreccion’s career in public service is defined by her dedication to excellence, integrity and her unflinching efforts in the implementation of the Chemistry Profession Act. Consequently, the promotion, regulation and protection of the professional practice of chemistry in the country, ensures its continued development and adherence to high international standards. Her leadership continues to benefit and inspire chemistry professionals and drive positive change in the chemistry profession.