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.
Technological University of the Philippines – Visayas
