First Ceramic Research Colloquium - “Innovation for Education and Community Building”

Yesterday I received a text message from a former colleague asking me if I have important matters to do throughout the entire day. I immediately asked him if this has something to do with the long-month celebration of the Ceramic Engineering Society in MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology. He said yes and he invited me to attend the First Ceramic Research Colloquium.

Engr. Aquiatan then told me to come over to the Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics Building (PRISM) inside the MSU-IIT Campus. He added that some of our old friends in college and fellow Ceramic Engineers who are now working in the industries are also present.

Above is a photo of the PRISM Building I took as soon as I arrived in the place. It was my first time there as it was still under construction when I finished my last year in academe. I felt great again when I entered in the building dedicated to research in science.

I met with my friend and we talked about the said event and he told me that the said colloquium was a two-day event and that it started a day before yesterday. He told me that I missed the good research papers which were presented on the first day and laughed about how I missed the fun.

(The event was divided into two parts, the first day was for the research studies from the academe and the industries. And the second day was allocated for the ceramic industries to give a quick presentation about their companies.)

By the way we took a selfie before the event started. We then proceed to our seat and I was able to meet my former mentors both in the academe and in the industry or the companies that I worked before. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get at least one selfie with them as the event already began.

The event began with the introduction of the keynote speaker, Dr. Arugay who inspired us with her experience during her academic years. With change as the only constant thing in this planet, she gave us an overview about how innovation is so important in our everyday living.

She also talked about how her mentor constantly pushed her to her limit to become who she is today. She often joke about her mentor (Prof. Ibarra) as a “pusher” (a term used to describe someone who sell drugs) as Prof. Ibarra pushed her to become an innovator.

She followed up this joke by saying that she had also become a “pusher” by pushing her students to becoming great innovators. I might have so many frustrations during my years in college and I might have cursed my mentors during those years but now I realized that it was all for me to grow as a good innovator.

Dr. Arugay’s presentation was followed by an overview of the Mariwasa Siam Company which was prepared by Engr. Cabaltera. His presentation highlighted their tile production process plus a short story about how their company started.

He then introduced the idea of digital printing technology in their commercial ceramic floor tiles. He also shared to us how they developed their own process in conserving energy to efficiently reduce production costs.

Above is a photo I took after his presentation. The photo was taken during the awarding of plaque of recognition and appreciation of his contribution and presence in this event.

The next presentors were my former colleagues, Engr. Enot and Engr. Looc from Nakayama Technology Corporation. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to take some photos as I went outside to have a coffee. When I got back, the discussion was already about their company’s production process.

Next was another former colleage and former co-engineer in House Technology Industries (HTI), Engr. Echavez who gave a an overview about the HRD Group of Companies where HTI is belonged. And as usual, he finished his presentation by giving an overview about their production process.

If you want to learn more about the manufacturing process of ceramic floor and wall tiles, please scan my previous posts as I remembered writing about them there. Or you can search it in google by typing “Ceramic Manufacturing Process by @asbonclz in steemit”. Thank you!

And lastly, Prof. Olegario of the University of the Philippines gave a discussion about the zeolite and bentonite. Lunch was served during her discussion of the topic and to tell you honestly, she only had my partial attention as I focused on eating my food haha.

She also discussed the difference between zeolite and bentonite in terms of chemical composition and physical appearance. And if I remembered it correctly, zeolite has higher silica content than bentonite (about 5% to 10% higher) but has almost same amount in terms of alumina.

In terms of application, zeolite tablet is being used to avoid hangover after drinking alcoholic beverages (one zeolite application I will always remember lol) and that it is also being used to intoxicate harmful elements such as mercury and lead if you accidentally ate them. She mentioned so many zeolite application but I could only remember those two.

The First Ceramic Research Colloquium concluded with an open forum and picture taking. Below is a photo of me and Engr. Destura with Prof. Ibarra in the background entertaining us with his confidential questions to the presentors such as the body formulations of each companies hahaha!

By the way, the Ceramics Engineering Society of MSU-IIT initiated the establishment of Ceramic Engineering Society in the Philippines by organizing an adhoc and elected officers in effort to established a recognized CerE society in the Philippines.