GeoSoc Holds GeoQuiz 2011

In celebration of the 54^th year anniversary of the UP Geological Society, GeoQuiz was once again organized in response to the organization’s goal of promoting geoscience. Hosted by the newly-inducted members of UP GeoSoc, Elmer Buena and Karla Dulay, the contest was held at the National Institute of Geological Sciences AVR last October 1, 2011. With the theme “Advancing Our Knowledge of Geology in the Philippines”, the main objective of this year’s GeoQuiz is to let the Filipinos through the high school students be aware of the importance of geology in our lives and in our current situation.

Overall Champions, Philippine Science High School – Bicol Region Campus, wearing their smiles as they hold their trophies and prizes. (From left: Adriann Vasquez, former Academics Committee Head; Kimberly Ilao, current Academics Committee head; students and coach of PSHS – Bicol Region Campus; Conchitina Yu, current GeoSoc President)

GeoQuiz 2011 was sponsored by the Geological Society of the Philippines, Geoscience Foundation Inc., Association of Filipinos for the Advancement of Geoscience Inc., Philippine Mining Development Corporation, Intex Resources Inc., and Coffee Twist. This year, 9 schools participated in the contest namely:  Rizal National Science High School, Pasig Catholic College, Rizal High School, UST Education High School, Malayan High School of Science, UP Integrated School, Tayabas Western Academy, Sta. Lucia High School, and Philippine Science High School – Bicol Region Campus. Just like the previous GeoQuiz, the contest consisted of an individual written exam for the preliminary round and a team competition for the final round. The judges for the quiz show were Dr. Noelynna Ramos, current GeoSoc adviser, Conchitina Yu, current GeoSoc President, and Adriann Vasquez, the previous Academics Committee head. After a catered lunch prepared by Heart Angela’s canteen, the participants had a museum tour and a high school workshop aiming to increase their knowledge and appreciation of geology. 

 

Philippine Science High School – Bicol Region Campus was hailed overall champion of this year’s GeoQuiz. They received a trophy donated by Intex Resources Inc., medals, and a cash prize worth 10,000Php. The top scorer of the preliminary round, Christopher Jan Landicho, also came from PSHS – Bicol Region Campus. Rizal National Science High School and UP Integrated School got the 2^nd and 3^rd place respectively. They also received trophies, medals, and cash prizes worth 7,000Php for the 2^nd placer and 5,000Php for the 3^rd placer.#

- Kimberly A. Ilao

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Anniversary Dinner 2011

Last August 13, 2011, the University of the Philippines Geological Society held an alumni dinner at Ral’s Restaurant, UP Technohub. It was a celebration of the organization’s 54^th anniversary. It also turned out to be a good luck party for the 2011 graduates who were about to take their Geology Licensure Examinations a week later. It sure was a night filled with sumptuous food, good music, laughter, some reminiscing, and even inspirational remarks from our alumni.  It served the purpose of catching up with everyone, as well as gathering up to celebrate our beloved organization’s foundation, and continuing success.

           The program started with a welcoming remark from the current president, Conchitina Yu, and followed by two song numbers by Chryselle Ultima Mancenido. Then, an eat-all-you-can buffet dinner was accompanied by serenading music from the band.  After everyone enjoyed their meals, the hosts of the night, JP Mendoza and Hariette Laroco, surprised everyone with a video prepared by the members. The video was a slideshow of pictures from different batches as well as messages and greetings from current professors in NIGS who are GeoSoc alumni. At the end of the video, good luck messages from some resident members were dedicated to the fresh graduates. Then the graduates, Jigo Mismanos, Richard Ybanez, Karizz Morante, John Dale Dianala, Kevin Guellermo, Gaea Roselle and Jillyka Julianda all gave their thank you and inspirational messages after they were given good luck charms for the upcoming examinations.

The presence of Dr. Roger Laraya and his wife was also acknowledged by the hosts. He was called in to give a message for the organization. He obliged and not only did he talk about praises, but also gave tips for the undergraduate geology students and pointers on choosing our partners in life. We were all humbled by his stories and advices on life itself. According to Dr. Laraya, a geologist must choose an understanding partner, for we all know, that fieldworks require us to be away from our homes most of the time. Indeed, he was able to make his point through to all of us listening and with that, we were sincerely happy for his presence that night. As he was about to leave, pictures were taken for documentation and remembrance purposes.

Games and videoke sessions made the night much more fun for everyone who was there until about eleven o’clock pm. Undeniably, University of the Philippines Geological Society is a one big happy family of mixed personalities united for only one goal, excellence (on top of all kinds of stress, academic pressure and social life).#

- Dana Marie Sunga

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GEOLOGS 2011: THE BIGGEST GEOLOGS

The University of the Philippines Geological Society held its annual Geologs Quiz Show last July 13, 2011 at the National Institute of Geological Sciences 2^nd Floor Lobby. Geologs 2011 was also brought to you by Philippine Mining Development Corporation. The Geologs Quiz Show is an annual interactive contest about everything and anything under the sun. This activity provides fun and enjoyment for the students being not only fun but also informational. This is furthermore a way of promoting camaraderie throughout the community, specifically/mostly, the U.P. student body and faculty. Questions from the names of real-life actors/actresses to the tiniest details we barely notice in our everyday UP life are asked. Some being nonsensical, but then, that is all we need sometimes, a little sense of humor.

             The theme for this year was “THE BIGGEST GEOLOGS” adapted from the show “THE BIGGEST LOSER”. This Year, twenty nine (29) teams from around the university grounds participated in this marvelous occasion.  The quiz show started at around 6:15p.m with a light-off effect where the hosts Lawrence Custodio and Mary Rose Gabuyo pranced around to the tune of CHOCOLATE by Soul Control. The next exciting part was the introduction of the five (5) showcases by the Showcase Boys and Girls. Again, the lights were turned off and the music was played as the extravagant show of showcases transpired leaving the spectators begging for more. And then it came, the most anticipated part of the event, the “Game Proper”. The game is divided into three (3) parts; easy (Warm up! round), average (I’m so Sweaty na! Round), and the difficult round (Last Lapse na! For the Win! Round). The objective of the players was simple…to answer the questions correctly within the given time limit.

             Another plus to the game show was the showcase rounds. In these rounds, a team may win one of the five (5) showcases presented in the game; given that they answer the question right and hopefully get their team number picked out by the event coordinator.  The showcases presented this year are as follow;  “Hinog na ang prutas mo teh at koyah showcase” (Fruits showcase), “I’m so sweaty showcase” (Towel, Gatorade, Measuring tape showcase), “Piniga ko prutas mo! Four Seasons pa! Showcase” (Fit n’ Right showcase), “Mag-gatasan tayo showcase” (Nesvita and Busog Lusog showcase), and “Sabay ka sa Giling ko showcase” (Exercise DVD showcase). As an added bonus, each of the Showcase Boys and Girls grooved the vicinity as they gave the showcase to the lucky winners.

              Then, it came, the final part of the game show… the awarding of winners. It was a grueling game and all but only the best has been bestowed the most. The 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd prize has been given to the teams that were Jologs enough to answer the Geologs questions. The 3^rd prize was 150pesos and a gaudy hula-hoop. The 2^nd prize was a mouth-watering 500pesos and a very jumpy jumping rope. The Champions and the most Geologs team… the “Team FPJ” gained the 1^st prize composed of a whooping 1500pesos, flashy wristbands, and a giant check that was especially made for the champs.

               Overall, the game started and ended pretty well, running smoothly all throughout… with respect to the view of the audience of course. There were some technical and physical problems that transpired but it was nothing UP Geosoc can’t handle. There was even a part where our event judge Kim Ilao had a short debate with a contestant with regards to a question.  In the end, that mini debate seemed to be an extra fun part of the show. Nonetheless, this year’s Geologs has been an enjoyable and pleasant experience to everyone and has served its purpose… to foster companionship throughout the community body, students and faculty, and other guests. The event has been a success and I hope for another fun-filled and exciting Geologs Quiz show in the future.#

- Angel Renel Yu

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GeoSoc Mine Visit 2011

  Geosoc together with other geology students went to Padcal, Benguet to visit the mining area of the Philex mining corporation last April 2-3, 2011. This activity aims to broaden the knowledge of the geology students in the field of mining, to give them a background of the mining industry, and to expose them to what they will be doing in the future if they choose to pursue mining.

                We first visited the Philex museum. There we found samples of rocks, in different forms, commonly associated with gold. Models of the mining processes can also be viewed inside the museum. This gave us an idea of the complexities of the mining industry and also an overview of how the whole mining stuff works.

                After the museum, we went to the “core log house” which stores hundreds or even thousands of core logs that were drilled recently or even years ago. These served as references to where the mining should take place. This core logging, highlights the main role of the geologists in the mining industry. They are responsible for the directions of the drilling. They will identify the rocks present in the core and then they will know the orientation or position of the minable materials such as gold through association. It may sound simple but the task should be carried out with utmost care and thinking because each drilling costs a lot of money.

                Next to the “core log house” was the assay laboratory. The team demonstrated to us the preparations they do for the analysis of the samples and for knowing the percentage composition of each sample. There, we observed under a microscope a flake of gold embedded in a rock.

                After the laboratory, we proceeded to the briefing and distribution of the equipments for our trip underground. Everyone was excited to descend underground with the complete outfit and gears. The whole trip was tiring but fun and full of experience. We were able to see the actualities of mining especially the part on exploration. We were also able to observe the organization inside the mine – the different roles the people play in order to carry out the mining process. For example, the role of mining engineers, mechanical engineers, geologists, etc. It was just amazing to think that we were actually in the core of the mountain thousands of meters from the surface. And with us were huge tanks and bulldozers very busy on their respective tasks.

                Next was the “mill operations”. This is where the processing of the ores gathered from the mining production lines take place. The end products here are the extracted important metals from the ore ready for export or transport for further processing. The process involves big machineries. The process seemed to be complicated but according to the metallurgical engineer that toured us, “It is just as simple Chem16.”

Philex provided us with free accommodation in their student dormitory. There, we stayed overnight after that long busy day. Even though everyone is tired, we still had time to do some recreations. The hours before going to sleep served as bonding time for all the students who joined the mine visit. Thanks to Philex.#

- Kimberly A. Ilao

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