“I always say that you don’t have to be a genius or a math wizard to pursue a career in STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics]. It may mean working harder, but your love for learning and discovery will sustain you. Never stop being curious and take every opportunity to learn.” (Jenny Anne Barretto) Last year, Philippine Resources Journa...

By Marcelle P. Villegas Last year (2020), eleven Filipino scientists were included in the Asian Scientist Magazine 100 list for most outstanding researchers and scientists. The list pays tribute to the best and brightest in Asia in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Asian Scientist Magazine is an award-winning, Singapore-...

By Marcelle P. Villegas President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his remarks during the virtual plenary session of the 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits hosted by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse, Malacañang Park. (Photo credit: King Rodriquez / Presidential photo, Presidential Communications Operations Offi...

By Marcelle P. Villegas A moratorium on the endorsements of greenfield coal power plants was issued by the Department of Energy (DoE). This announcement was made while allowing foreign investors to now have full ownership of geothermal plant projects in the Philippines. DoE’s decision to stop the endorsements of coal power plants is the result of an as...

By Marcelle P. Villegas Department of Energy (DoE) announced that the Philippines now allows foreign companies to fully own large-scale geothermal projects in the Philippines. This decision was made to further promote renewable energy and to shift away from coal as an energy source. [1] DoE signed the circular on the guidelines for the third Open an...

Dr. Jun Abrajano (Photo credit: GSP and KAUST - Office of Sponsored Research) By Marcelle P. Villegas Last 26 May 2020, the Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP) conducted a webinar with guest speaker Dr. Jun Abrajano on "Geoscience in a Post-COVID-19 World: A Perspective". Dr Abrajano is the Director of the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) ...

Dr. Friedrich-Karl Bandelow received a Plaque of Appreciation from Divine World College of Calapan -- (Left to right) Dr. Aleli C. Dugan, CPA (Vice President for Academic Affairs), Ms Diana Kyth Conti (Teacher at Divine Word College of Calapan), and Engr. Rosvelinda Luzon Dequiros, LPT, Ph.D. (Dean, School of Education) (Photo credit: Dr. Friedrich-Karl B...

The crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic opens the question on how the business sector would respond to the changes this global concern may bring to the economy in the coming months. This is a case where no exemption is given. Businesses, big or small are all dealing with the crisis day by day. For an industry which relies on mass gatherings as part...

By Marcelle P. Villegas GeoCon was first organised in 1988 as a venue where the latest development in geosciences are shared and discussed. Each year, new ideas and fresh perspectives are presented through technical reports and exhibits. What is the importance of GEOCON in the Philippines? Since it is a conference where great minds in the field of geos...

Together with its client, Cordillera Hydro Electric Power Company’s (COHECO), GHD’s renewable energy capabilities were in the spotlight at the Asian Power Awards, recently announced in Malaysia. Dubbed as the “Oscars of the power industry,” the awards recognize cutting-edge innovation and sustainable development with COHECO’s 60 MW run-of-river hydro proj...

By Marcelle P. Villegas 5 July 2019, Villamor Air Base Golf Course, Pasay City: The 4th Rocks and Forests Invitational Golf Tournament was held, organised by the UP Geology Alumni Association (UPGAA) and the Society of Filipino Foresters Inc. (SFFI). This annual golf tournament is one UPGAA’s major projects which aims to generate funds for the differen...

By Marcelle P. Villegas Is the Philippines coping with the global trend for green solutions in transportation? A lot of electric vehicles are out now in the international market. With this wave in green technology, the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (eVAP) organised and hosted the 7th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit 2019. This was h...

By Marcelle P. Villegas 18 - 20 June 2019 - Oil and Gas Philippines is co-located with PhilMarine 2019 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. This is an annual three-day event that features products in the oil and gas sector, fire protection systems and materials, flare systems and equipment, electromechanical equipment, ships, boats, vessel equipme...

By: Guillermo R. Balce, Arnulfo A. Robles, Ismael U. Ocampo and Mars T. Ocampo ABSTRACT The development of coal-fired mine-mouth power plants in the Philippines is one measure that can address the country’s need for electricity cost reduction, energy supply security and a shift from coal to renewable energy. The use of mine-mouth power plants as ...

By Marcelle P. Villegas 3 May 2019 - During Philippine Mining Club at I’M Hotel, Makati City, Mr Leo Dominguez presented updates on his Bamboo Initiative, an advocacy which he started with the support of other mining companies and assoc. Mr Dominguez is the President of OLLI Consulting Group, Inc. and flamboyant Masters of Ceremonies in Philippine Mini...

By Marcelle P. Villegas During the GeoCon 2018 last year in December, a study about East Mindanao Volcanic Arc by Dr. Graciano Yumul, Jr. and his team, C.B. Dimalanta, J.A. Gabo-Ratio, B.D. Payot, et. al.[1], was presented. The title is "East Mindanao Volcanic Arc, Philippines: Lost, Buried or Eroded?". The members of the study are from Apex Mining Com...