#wow2015

By Isay del Mundo Photos by Owen Lombos, Ian Tobias and Alex Alvarez

Last September 4-5, the 2015 Seminar-Workshop on the Utilization of Waste Materials in partnership with Tokyo Institute of Technology was held at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall. The 2015 Seminar-Workshop on the Utilization of Waste Materials is a multi-disciplinary seminar workshop that brought together technologists, engineers, scientists, field project managers, representatives from NGOs and government, academia and industry. The first day of the seminar featured talks presented by select participants, while a culture tour was held on the second day.

The seminar, emceed by Dr. Kathleen Aviso and Dr. Carl Estrellan, opened with a prayer led by Dr. Vergel Bungay followed by opening remarks from Dr. Raymond Tan. As this seminar was a tie-up between Tokyo Tech and DLSU, welcoming messages were given by Professor Nobuaki Otsuki and Dr. Winarto Kurniawan for Tokyo Tech and Dr. Nathanial Dugos for DLSU. The morning session consisted of Keynote speakers from Tokyo Tech, DLSU and the DOST. Representatives of each were Dr. Hirofumi Hinode for Tokyo Tech, Dr. Josephine Borja for DLSU, and Dr. Carmel Gacho for DOST, and awards were given by Dr. Melito Baccay and Dr. Nathaniel Dugos.

The Waste Utilization seminar also featured Japan’s Chiyoda Corporation, which is an engineering company with a Philippine branch that focuses on “engineering, procurement, construction and other related works of various plants facilities mainly gas processing, petroleum refining and petrochemical plants and facilities” (Chiyoda Philippines Corporation). This company presentation was followed by lunch, and then with technical sessions that were divided into three sessions that ran simultaneously into the afternoon. Each session featured papers and research works given with a question and answer portion. Session A was held in HSSH Room A and was moderated by Dr. George Hong. This session focused on sustainable concrete engineering and sustainable construction materials.

Influence of Initial Chloride Content and Water Cement Ratio on Corrosion of Steel bar in Mortar Exposed to Marine Environment for 32 Years – K. Hashizume

Design and Test on Durability Against Chloride Attack for Slag Concrete: A Case Study of a Construction Project in Australia – K. Matsukawa

Effect of Treated Sewage Sludge (Biosolids) as Partial Cement replacement on the Compressive, Split Tensile and Flexural Strength of Concrete – P.P. Velasco

Meanwhile, Session B was held in the HSSH Multi-Purpose Room, moderated by Dr. Melito Bacay. This session focused on sustainable construction materials and researches on waste utilization.

Lastly, Session C, headed by Dr. Josephine Borja was held in the HSSH Room 4B. The second part was moderated by Dr. Joseph Aursenia.

After the technical sessions ended, focus group discussions were held, followed by the distribution of certificates.

In between these, a song number was delivered by Eulene Geronimo and Dr. Vergel Bungay, and the students from Tokyo Tech delivered a presentation that featured Japan and its culture , followed by a dance number by two of their male students.

The fellowship dinner, where professors and delegates were able to interact more leisurely, was held at the HSSH Penthouse.