DLSU Faculty and Students Participate in IEICES 2025 Conference at Kyushu University

 Last October 30–31, 2025, faculty members and students from DLSU participated in the 11th International Exchange and Innovation Conference on Engineering & Sciences (IEICES 2025) held at Kyushu University, Japan.

Among the 136 paper presentations, Dr. Joenel Galupino was awarded Best Presenter for their research titled “Effect of Bermuda Grass Roots on the Shear Strength of Soil.”

Paper Presentations

 Experimental Study on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete with Pyrolyzed Spent Coffee Grounds

Cheryl Lyne C. Roxas, Kenneth Jae T. Elevado, Nicanor R. Roxas Jr., Sebastian O. Chenglay, Patrick Ryan M. Estacio, Jason Jeffrie H. Ngo, Sydney N. Chan.

Utilization of Chicken Feather Ash as Partial Replacement for Cement with Coconut Shells as Coarse Aggregates

Patrick Miel G. Cordova, Angello Francis C. Magno, Therese Ysabela S. Resulta, Daniel Nichol R. Valerio, Ma. Klarissa M. Daly.

Effect of Bermuda Grass Roots on the Shear Strength of Soil

Joenel Galupino, Ram Voltaire Gonzaga, Geofferson Montemayor, Erica Elice Uy.

An Analysis on Camera Pose Estimations Based on Varying Physical Variables of ArUco Markers

Nicanor R. Roxas Jr., Aron Jake P. Vidad, Rudwin Paul B. Abastillas, Renann G. Baldovino, Nilo T. Bugtai, Elmer P. Dadios, Ryan Rhay P. Vicerra, Argel A. Bandala, Aaron Raymond See.

Poster Presentations 

Laboratory Soil Classification and Analysis of Index Soil Properties of a Site in San Juan City, Philippines

Kevin C. Tan, Patrick Matthew T. Chua, Rongxuan Hou, Joenel G. Galupino, Erica Elice S. Uy, Jomari Tan, Rainier Lawrence Valdez, Daniel Valerio.

Comparative Analysis of Sustainable Materials in Construction Using PRISMA Method

Joaquin Alexis Acosta, Emmanuel Macalalad, Aizen Po, Danielle Nathan Yang, Joenel Galupino, Irene Ubay-Anongphouth, Daniel Valerio, Rainier Lawrence Valdez, Cielo Frianeza.

Research Trends in the Use of Eggshell Powder for Soil Stabilization: A Review-Based Analysis

Zachary Job Yuipco, Justine Buenaseda, Jheram Gabriel de Borja, Melrose Oriel, Joenel Galupino, Irene Olivia Ubay-Anongphouth.

A Hypothetical Community-Based Green Space Model for Barangay 20 and Barangay 275 in the Pasig River Port Area

Carlos Mariano, Mickael Cucio, Mikaela Guerra, Megan Bagtasa, Cielo Frianeza, Joenel Galupino, Irene Ubay-Anongphouth, Lawrence Valdez, Daniel Valerio.

Emerging Microstructural Insights in Soil Stabilization: SEM and EDX Applications in Geotechnical Engineering

Justine Buenaseda, Jheram Gabriel de Borja, Job Yuipco, Melrose Oriel, Irene Olivia Ubay-Anongphouth, Joenel Galupino.

Trends in the Ongoing Research Regarding the Role of Xanthan Gum in Sustainable Geotechnical Engineering

Rongxuan Hou, Patrick Matthew T. Chua, Kevin Cosing Tan, Joenel Galupino, Erica Elice Uy, Jomari Tan, Rainier Lawrence Valdez, Daniel Valerio.

A Comprehensive Mapping and Assessment of the Evolution of River Rehabilitation Research

Mickael Cucio, Megan Bagtasa, Mikaela Guerra, Carlos Mariano, Cielo Frianeza, Joenel Galupino, Rainier Ubay-Anongphouth, Lawrence Valdez, Daniel Valerio.

A Thematic Review of Seismic-Induced Slope Instability and Road Robustness Research in the Philippines

Joseph Benjamin Canayon, Ricalyn Nebrida, Joben Manuel Octavo, Neil Patrick Portales, Joenel Galupino, Cris Angelo Fernandez.

Application of the Analytical Hierarchy Process in Selecting Natural Fibers for Limited-Life Geosynthetics

Arianne Suzane T. Ang, Sophia Monique O. Chan, Coleen Annika T. Paterno, Erica Elice S. Uy, Joenel G. Galupino, Daniel Nichol Valerio, Rainier Lawrence Valdez.

A Water Quality Analysis of the Pasig River in Manila City, Philippines

Megan Bagtasa, Mickael Cucio, Mikaela Guerra, Carlos Mariano, Cielo Frianeza, Joenel Galupino, Irene Ubay-Anongphouth, Rainier Valdez, Daniel Valerio.

Design and Slope Stability Assessment of a Proposed Sanitary Landfill in the Philippines

Joben Manuel Octavo, Joenel Galupino, Miller Cutora, Joseph Benjamin Canayon, Ricalyn Nebrida, Neil Patrick Portales, Monical Azalea Quimson

Characterization of Index Properties of Biochar Made from Rice Hull for Permeability Test

Joshua Talento, Jan Andrei Olayon, Alexandra Gaile Samson, Jaime Salvador Clamor, Joenel Galupino, Irene Olivia Ubay-Anongphouth.

Characterization of Index Properties of Coarse-Grained Alluvial Soils for Permeability Test

Jan Andrei Olayon, Joshua Talento, Alexandra Gaile Samson, Jaime Salvador Clamor, Joenel Galupino, Irene Olivia Ubay-Anongphouth. 

Characterization of Index Properties of Low Plasticity Clay for Permeability Test

Alexandra Gaile Samson, Jan Andrei Olayon, Joshua Talento, Jaime Salvador Clamor, Joenel Galupino, Irene Olivia Ubay-Anongphouth. 

Estimation of Strength Envelope of Rocks in the Athens Schist Formation

Neil Patrick Portales, Joseph Benjamin Canayon, Ricalyn Nebrida, Joben Manuel Octavo, Erica Elice Uy, Joenel Galupino. 

Effect of Clamp Confinement on the Bearing Capacity of Mortar Infill Bolted Q-Connection for Bambusa Blumeana

Maria Fe V. Adier, Luis Felipe Lopez, David Trujillo, Jason Maximino C. Ongpeng.

Strength Development Assessment of Banana Leaf Ash and Lime Mixture in Clayey Sand Soils

Henri Haggai Y. Cua, Julianne Carissa C. Ferrer, Kyle Vincent T. Go, Eddryck Benjamin C. Yao, Irene Olivia Ubay-Anongphouth. 

Experimental Investigation of Musa Textilis Nee (Abaca) Textile-Reinforced Mortar as a Strengthening Material of Concrete Elements

Earl Gerald Gregorio, Ephraim De Gracia, Julius Leaño Jr., Andres Winston Oreta, Jason Maximino Ongpeng.

Riparian Plants and Their Hypothetical Impacts on the Restoration and Rehabilitation of the Pasig River: A Thematic Study

Mikaela Guerra, Megan Bagtasa, Mickael Cucio, Carlos Mariano, Cielo Frianeza, Joenel Galupino, Irene Ubay-Anongphouth, Rainier Valdez, Daniel Valerio. 

Development and Performance Evaluation of Magnesium Hydroxide Coatings Derived from “Natural” Seawater

Andrea Joy D. Abergas, Jozette Nicole R. Ardiente, Ahmed Mujahib D. Ramos, Aaron Johann L. Tan, Kenneth Jae T. Elevado, Nicanor R. Roxas Jr., Cheryl Lyne C. Roxas. 

Mechanical Property of Philippines’ Bambusa Blumeana Treated with Flame: An Experimental Study

Charlene May N. Rivera, Kim Aldrin Mejia, Daniel Nichol R. Valerio, Jason Maximino C. Ongpeng.

Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Bambusa Blumeana Bamboo Culms Using Non-Destructive Indicating Properties

Robert Andrei Eliezer Pilapil, Jason Maximino Ongpeng, Daniel Nichol Valerio.

Predictive Maintenance Algorithm for Machine Failure Using Fuzzy Logic Techniques

Ken Sammuel I. Camacho, Michael Leander P. Roque, Ryan Rhay P. Vicerra, Nilo T. Bugtai.

Structural Investigation of Pipe Sleeve Errors in RC Beams Using FEM: A Case Study

Mary Joanne C. Aniñon, Bernardo A. Lejano.

Evaluation of the Shear Strength of Clayey Sand Treated with Lignin Biopolymer

Erica Elice S. Uy, Jomari F. Tan, Liam Joshua T. Chua, Karl Stephen B. Estacio, Santiago T. Gazmin, Julienne Bettina V. Ulit. 

Evaluating the Research Landscape of Earth Blocks in Sustainable Construction: A Bibliometric Analysis (2000–2024)

Enrico Encomienda, Kyla Evangelista, Francia Palatino, Cullen Villareal, Daniel Valerio, Joenel Galupino. 

Free Water Surface Constructed Wetlands Area Estimation Through River Flow Interpolation

Miguel Antonio Campos, John Kristoffer Chua, Sophia Claudette Gaudia, Nicanor Jr. Chan, Sergi Garbanzos, Marla Maniquiz-Redillas. 

Soil Loss Modeling of the Porac River Basin Using RUSLE Based on LULC Projection Using CA-ANN in MOLUSCE

Kent Joshua San Pedro, Sergi Garbanzos, Marla Maniquiz-Redillas.

 

The conference featured a strong representation from DLSU across both paper and poster sessions, showcasing cutting-edge research in civil, geotechnical, environmental, and materials engineering.

DLSU Civil Engg participates at CECAR10 - Jeju, South Korea. One Best Paper Awardee.

 De La Salle University students and faculty proudly represented the Philippines at the 10th Civil Engineering Conference in the Asian Region (CECAR10), held from October 21–24, 2025 at the International Convention Center (ICC) Jeju, South Korea. The event gathered leading experts, researchers, and professionals from across the Asian Region to share their research works under the theme “Sustainable Management and Resilient Technology (SMaRT) in Civil Engineering.”

This year, the conference had its 10th iteration, where De La Salle University showcased its commitment to research excellence and sustainable development through the participation of both students and faculty members, presenting papers aligned with the conference’s focus on resilience and innovation. Around 508 participants attended six plenary sessions and presented in various parallel sessions. Of which, 34 entries came from the Philippines and 7 of those come from De La Salle University.

DLSU participants and oral presentation titles:

1. Assessment of the Sediment Removal and Stormwater Runoff Reduction  Performance of Agro-Industrial Materials in Biofilters – Justine Rey Macalalad, Camille Ann Rose Galutira, Ryuo Skye Agra, and Marla Maniquiz-Redillas
2. Self-Healing Concrete with Two-Component Macro-Encapsulated Epoxy: Comprehensive Experimental Investigations - Jade Ching and Bernardo Lejano
3. Mapping the Vulnerability to Coastal Hazards of Island Municipalities: The Case of Boracay Island, Aklan, Philippines – Robert Tampus and Andres Oreta
4. The Development of Rainwater Harvesting and Water Conservation Policies in the Philippines – A Comprehensive Review and Analysis, Rizelle Angela D. Koch, Justine Rey Macalalad, Sergi Garbanzos, and Marla Maniquiz-Redillas
5. Developing a Conceptual Framework and Checklist to Assess Structural Engineers' Contributions to Quality of Life – Andres Oreta and Rannie Ison
6. Access to Public Transport in Relation to Social and Economic Facilities: The Case of Guimaras Province, Philippines – Alexis Fillone
7. Preliminary Results of the RainS-TECH Project: Rainfall, Sediment Accumulation, and Stream Quality - Marla Maniquiz-Redillas and Sergi Garbanzos

Across 69 parallel sessions, 17 students were selected as the recipients of the Best Paper Award. The Philippines has two awardees. Engr. Justine Rey V. Macalalad from DLSU is one of the two awardees, given in the closing ceremony of the CECAR10 Conference.

CECAR is recognized as one of Asia’s most respected civil engineering conferences. With its inception in 1998 through the first-ever CECAR conference held in Manila, Philippines under the organization of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), the triennial event has served as a vital platform for advancing collaboration and knowledge-sharing in infrastructure, sustainability, and resilience across the region and the world. Its legacy continues to strengthen through the Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council (ACECC), which unites civil engineering organizations from various countries
 

Engr. Justine Rey Macalalad presenting his oral presentation on the Environmental and Water Resources (Environmental Aspects in Water Resources) Session

Ms. Jade Ching on her oral presentation on the Construction Materials (Concrete I) Session

Engr. Robert Michael Tampus with his oral presentation on the Coastal and Port Engineering Session

 

Engr. Sergi Garbanzos with his oral presentation on the Environmental and Water Resources (Water Management II) Session

Dr. Marla C. Maniquiz-Redillas with her oral presentation on the Sustainable Development (Management II) Session

Dr. Alexis Fillone on his oral presentation on the Transportation II Session

Dr. Andres Winston Oreta with his oral presentation on the Sustainable Development (Management I) Session

Engr. Justine Rey Macalalad as he receives the Best Paper Award together with other awardees at the Closing Ceremony

Engr. Justine Rey Macalalad with Engr. Sergi Garbanzos (left) and Dr. Marla Maniquiz-Redillas (right) with the Best Paper Award

The participation of De La Salle University in CECAR10 underscores the institution's dedication towards the advancement of civil engineering research and addresses regional challenges in sustainability, climate resilience, and infrastructure development. By engaging with professionals around the world, the Lasallian community continues to foster innovation and contribute sustainable solutions to the pressing environmental and engineering issues of today. 

DLSU Department of Civil Engineering Team after the conference closing ceremony

 

DLSU Secures Prestigious Structural Innovation Award at IDEERS 2025 in Taiwan

 Oct 2, 2025 – De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU) brought home a prestigious honor from the 2025 International Introducing and Demonstrating Earthquake Engineering Research (IDEERS) competition, held from September 30 to October 1, 2025, at the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering (NCREE) in Taiwan.

The DLSU team, competing for the first time at the undergraduate level, was awarded the coveted “Structural Design and Innovation Award” for their model, “The Archer”.

The achievement is a significant milestone, as the DLSU team was the lone university from the Philippines to receive a special award at the event. The Structural Design and Innovation Award is a highly selective honor, granted to only six of the 49 participating universities from across Asia, recognizing the team’s exceptional and creative structural concept. This also marks a historic win for the university, being the first award secured by a DLSU undergraduate team on its maiden participation.

The DLSU team was represented by fourth-year BS Civil Engineering students specializing in Structural Engineering (CIV-STE): Daryll Hans Go, Aaron Glenn Escovilla, Lance Joshua Irisari, and Jeremy Wynn Kieffer Yaokasin, under the guidance of their mentor, Engr. Salvador Olaivar.

The DLSU team, Kieffer Yaokasin, Daryll Go, Lance Irisari, and Aaron Escovilla, with faculty advisor Engr. Salvador Olaivar

DLSU’s Daryll Go (third from the right) receiving the Structural Design and Innovation Award

The team’s entry boasted a design philosophy based on “controlled symmetry.” The tower featured a robust, symmetrically braced central spine engineered to provide the immense torsional rigidity required to support a cantilevered mass. Its innovative “pinwheel” column orientation, integrated truss network, and novel “arrow weld” jointing technique, devised to maximize connection surface area, together demonstrated an advanced understanding of load paths and seismic resistance.

While the tower’s forward-thinking design was its greatest strength, the team faced rigorous dynamic tests during the competition, consisting of four shaking rounds at increasing intensities of 400 gal, 600 gal, 700 gal, and 800 gal. The model did not advance past the first round, failing to resist the initial 400-gal earthquake. However, the experience provided invaluable learning and highlighted the challenging standards of the global competition. Winning the structural innovation award, based solely on the design’s outstanding merit, underscores the quality and ingenuity of the team’s engineering concept.

DLSU Team’s model tower, “The Archer,” and its exhibit poster, presenting the winning structural design.

Daryll Go, team leader, described the journey as both a challenge and a triumph. “Participating in IDEERS pushed us to bridge the gap between classroom theory and a high-stakes practical challenge. While we were disappointed not to pass the 400 gal test, winning the Structural Innovation award was a tremendous honor, making our five-month preparation worthwhile. It validates our entire design process and proves that our ideas are competitive on an international stage.”

Engr. Salvador Olaivar, the team’s mentor from the Department of Civil Engineering, praised the students’ efforts, noting the support they received from the university. The team’s preparation was aided by the DLSU Structural Engineering division and laboratory, which provided crucial access to its own shake table for prototype testing. “The achievement is a testament to the students’ creativity, hard work, and resilience. The experience has been a powerful avenue for knowledge exchange and will inspire future Lasallian engineers to aim even higher.”

The team’s success at IDEERS 2025 reaffirms De La Salle University’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and producing world-class engineers capable of solving complex modern challenges.

DLSU CE Faculty Engr. Elevado Showcases Research at ISIE 2025 Conference in Singapore

 

The International Society for Industrial Ecology (ISIE) holds biennial conferences. On June 30–July 4, 2025, the 12^th International Conference on Industrial Ecology (ISIE 2025) was held at the National University of Singapore, with a theme of interconnectivity — how industry, society, governance, and the environment depend on one another. Discussions spanned every scale of human settlement and emphasized the circular material and political relationships that define industrial ecology.

Engr. Kenneth Elevado, a faculty member of the Department of Civil Engineering at De La Salle University (DLSU) and a PhD student at Nagoya University, presented a paper titled “Estimation of Material Stocks of National Roads in the Philippines,” on behalf of his co-authors: Dr. Marianne Faith Martinico-Perez (Nagoya University), Prof. Anthony SF Chiu (DLSU), and Prof. Hiroki Tanikawa (Nagoya University). Their participation to the Conference was supported by the Asian Satellite Campuses Institute (ASCI) of Nagoya University.

 

More information on ISIE can be found here: https://www.is4ie.org/

In photo: Engr. Elevado (left) with one of his advisors, Prof. Masatoshi Hasegawa (right).

DLSU CE Faculty Engr. Kenneth Elevado: First Filipino Student Admitted to Nagoya University’s GSES Program

 On November 26, 2024, Engr. Kenneth Elevado attended the Entrance Ceremony for the incoming doctoral Filipino students admitted to the Transnational Doctoral Programs for Leading Professionals in Asian Countries under the Asian Satellite Campuses Institute (ASCI) of Nagoya University, Japan.

The programs offered by ASCI are specialized research-focused doctoral programs in various disciplines that target professionals in academic and government institutions from select Asian countries. This year, the ASCI in the Philippines has started offering doctoral courses under the Graduate School of Environmental Studies (GSES) and Graduate School of Engineering (GSE). Engr. Elevado, who is a part-time faculty member of the Department of Civil Engineering, is the first student from the Philippines admitted to the GSES.

 

More information on ASCI can be found here: https://asci.nagoya-u.ac.jp/about_asci/

In photo: Engr. Elevado (right) with one of his advisors, Dr. Marianne Faith Martinico-Perez (left).

DLSU MSCE student received the Best Paper Award at the 6th International Conference on Aquatic Science & Technology (i-CoAST 2025) in Bangkok, Thailand

 The 6^th International Conference on Aquatic Science & Technology (i-CoAST 2025) was held from August 26 to 29, 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand – marking the first time that it was held outside of Korea. The organizing committee included several chairpersons from prominent institutions such as the Hydro-Informatics Institute, Korea Rural Community Corporation, and Sungkyunkwan University. The event brought together around 150 participants from more than 11 countries, aiming to strengthen collaboration among academia, industry, and government organizations. Key thematic sessions included topics such as Impact Assessment of Coastal Flooding, Salinity Intrusion, Marine Radioactive Contamination and Coastal Infrastructure Safety, Marine Renewable Energy, Establishment and Utilization of Marine Spatial Data with Special Sessions on Beach Erosion Management, Ocean and Coastal Digital Twin Technology, Sustainable Ocean Economy and Data-Driven Policy, Beach and Coastal Safety, Leisure and Tourism.

Engr. Christian James Aquino (MSCE student) presented his study and received the “Best Paper Award” for his paper titled “Effects of Sea Level Rise on the Wave Overtopping Performance of an Existing Breakwater”. The paper is co-authored by his adviser Dr. Mario De Leon from the Department of Civil Engineering.

Engr. Christian James Aquino (left), MSCE student, receives the Best Paper Award for his study “Effects of Sea Level Rise on the Wave Overtopping Performance of an Existing Breakwater.”

DLSU Faculty Wins Best Paper Presentation at the International Conference on Engineering Education 2025

The International Conference on Engineering Education (ICEE-Phil 2025) is an annual gathering of engineering educators in the Philippines and neighboring regions aimed at sharing knowledge and best practices, building networks, discussing policies, and advancing engineering education in the country. Organized by the Philippine Association of Engineering Schools (PAES) since 2015, this year’s conference was hosted by the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, Manila, on September 12–13, 2025.

Prof. Andres Winston Oreta, Prof. Joenel Galupino, and Dr. Erica Elice Uy presented their paper, Exploring the Role of Curriculum in Developing Student Awareness of Civil Engineering’s Impact on Quality of Life: Insights from De La Salle University. The study examined civil engineering students’ awareness and understanding of the discipline’s role in enhancing quality of life through the Civil Engineering–Quality of Life (CE-QOL) Framework, which emphasizes sustainability, public health and safety, infrastructure development, and disaster resilience. Using surveys to assess knowledge and curriculum integration, the findings identified strengths and gaps that can guide curriculum improvements to better prepare future engineers for addressing societal challenges and promoting community well-being.

Dr. Erica Elice Uy delivered the presentation on behalf of the team and was honored with the Best Paper Presentation Award at the conference.

Dr. Erica Elice Uy (center) receives the Best Paper Presentation Award at the International Conference on Engineering Education (ICEE-Phil 2025).

DLSU Faculty Showcase Research Excellence on Sustainable Proactive Advocacies in Civil Engineering (SPACE 2025)

 

Faculty members from the De La Salle University (DLSU) Department of Civil Engineering played a prominent role in the recently concluded 11^th International Conference on Sustainable Proactive Advocacies in Civil Engineering (SPACE 2025), organized by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Makati Chapter, held on August 28–29, 2025 at the Century Park Hotel, Manila.

This year’s SPACE conference carried the theme “Engineering the Future: Vision, Global Perspectives, and Beyond,” and gathered 170 delegates and attendees from academia, industry, and professional organizations. The two-day event served as a venue for exchanging insights on emerging research, sustainable engineering practices, and innovative solutions to civil engineering challenges.

On Day 1, Dr. Mary Ann Q. Adajar, Chair of the DLSU Civil Engineering Department, opened the Geotechnical Engineering session with her presentation on “Performance Evaluation of Treated Coir Geotextiles as Limited-Life Geosynthetics for Sustainable Slope Stabilization.” Later in the afternoon, Engr. Paolo Ian C. Lucero, Assistant Professor and PhD student at KAIST, delivered a talk under the Transportation Engineering session titled “A Review of Road Safety Research in Southeast Asia: Insights from Bibliometric and Thematic Analysis.” In the Structural Engineering session, Dr. Rodolfo P. Mendoza, Jr., Associate Professor, presented his research on “Enhancing the Seismic Performance of Offshore Marine Platforms Using Passive Devices.” He was followed by Engr. Francis G. Domingo, who presented “Future-Proofing Bridge Structures for Dummies: A Plan Guide to Designing Bridges Tough Enough for Tomorrow.”

(Photo from left to right: Dr. Mary Ann Q. Adajar and Dr. Rodolfo P. Mendoza)

                                                  (Engr. Francis G. Domingo)

On Day 2, DLSU’s contributions continued. Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta, Professor of Civil Engineering, co-presented with Engr. Gil Oliver Ayuyao on “Designing for Well-being: Integrated Structural Engineering and Building Assessment through a Quality of Life (QOL) Perspective.” This was followed by Engr. Jomari F. Tan, faculty member, who discussed “Comparative Analysis of the Characteristic Flexural Strength of Unmodified and Modified Dendrocalamus asper Culms,” a study on bamboo’s structural applications.

  

(Photo from left to right: Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta and Engr. Jomari F. Tan)

The active involvement of DLSU faculty across multiple technical sessions highlighted the university’s strong commitment to advancing knowledge in geotechnical, transportation, and structural engineering, while promoting sustainable and resilient solutions for the built environment. Their participation further strengthened DLSU’s role as a leading institution in shaping the future of civil engineering in the Philippines and beyond.

DCE Faculty Pursues a Survey Study on “Alumni Awareness and Perceptions on Civil Engineer’s Role in Quality of Life (QOL)”

 

The paper on “An Exploratory Study of Alumni Awareness and Perceptions on Civil Engineer’s Role in Quality of Life (QOL)”  by DLSU Dept. of Civil Engineering (DCE) faculty, Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta, Dr. Joenel Galupino and Dr. Erica Elise Uy will be presented at the convention and technical workshops hosted by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE). This study explores how civil engineering alumni perceive the discipline’s role in improving quality of life, focusing on its impact on the built and natural environments. Using a Civil Engineering–Quality of Life (CE-QOL) Framework, key areas like sustainability, public health, infrastructure, and disaster resilience were assessed. A survey of De La Salle University BSCE alumni examined their understanding of civil engineering’s societal contributions and the curriculum’s integration of these concepts. Results identify strengths, gaps, and suggest improvements to better prepare graduates to address societal needs and enhance community well-being.

The paper was first presented by Dr. Andres Winston Oreta at the 2025 PICE Midyear National Convention and Technical Conference held on June 25-27, 2025 at the Iloilo City Convention Center.  Dr. Oreta presented in the Track Session on Civil Engineering Education.

After the PICE Midyear National Convention, the various Chapters of PICE will host Regional Technical Conferences (RTC) at their  provinces or cities. The DLSU DCE Faculty were invited to present the paper in the following scheduled RTCs with the corresponding presentor:

·         RTC-III (Bulacan) on August 29, 2025 – Dr. Erica Elise Uy

·         CAR Technical Conference (Benguet) on Sept. 11-12, 2025 – Dr. Joenel Galupino

·         RTC-XI (Davao del Sur) on Sept 18 – 19, 2025 – Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta

·         RTC-VIII (Calbayog, Samar) on Sept. 26-27, 2025 – Dr. Joenel Galupino

·         RTC-VII (Cebu) on Oct 9-10, 2025 – Dr. Erica Elise Uy

TRE Professor Dr. Alexis Fillone participates in DISUMA: Urban Mobility Case Study Database and Participatory Foresight for Sustainable Mobility in ASEAN

 

The DISUMA Graduate Academy: Innovations for future sustainable urban transport, was successfully held at the University of Tokyo last July 22-24, 2025. A total of 20 graduate students/young researchers from the Asia-Pacific region participated including eight senior mentors. During the Graduate Academy,  Dr. Fillone presented his current research and future research direction to provide the participants ideas about sustainable transport being practiced in example cities in the Philippines.

As a senior mentor, he also provided comments and recommendations about student participants’ work related to new developments and innovative solutions to sustainable transport in the Asia-Pacific Region.

With the three Participants from the Philippines, including Ms. Angelyn Ilagan (2^nd from left), MS Civil Eng’g graduate from DLSU-Manila

With Prof. Hironori Kato, Professor, The University of Tokyo

During the group workshop with their output

The DISUMA participants, senior mentors and organizing staff members

The DLSU CIV-HWR and RainS-TECH Team receive the 2nd Place Award in the 2025 NRCP Poster Exhibit and Competition

 Metro Manila, Philippines - The DLSU CIV Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering (HWR) and Rainfall and Stormwater Runoff Management Technology for Tropical Climate (RainS-TECH) team won the 2^nd Place Award of the Scientific Poster Competition (Cluster II) for their entry entitled “Developing a Local Water Quality Index using In-situ Sampling and Multivariate Statistical Analysis” authored by Engr. Sergi Garbanzos and Prof. Marla Maniquiz-Redillas during the recently concluded Department of Science and Technology - National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) 2025 Annual Scientific Conference (ASC) and 92nd General Membership Assembly held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City, Philippines, last March 13, 2025.

 The 2025 Annual Scientific Conference (ASC) and 92nd General Membership Assembly is an annual gathering of the country’s scientists, researchers, experts, and artists, providing a platform for intellectual exchange and collaboration across various disciplines. This year’s theme, “Empowering a Sustainable Future: Science, Technology, Social Innovation, and Human Capital in Global Challenges,” underscores the critical role of interdisciplinary research, innovation, and human capital development in addressing national and global challenges.

 The winning entry was made possible with the valiant efforts of the RainS-TECH project team, particularly Engr. Gessel Mae Abordo, Engr. Arvel Art Alde, Engr. Janecee Gavan, Mr. Jaren Kirby Larraga for the data collection, Ms. Janine Baylon for the support in the water quality analysis, Mr. Justine Rey Macalalad for the editing of the poster and its contents, and the rest of the team, including Ms. Jayrah Padilla-Rufon, Mr. Joseph Bianes, Ms. Karen Able-Banas, Mr. Jayson Cayetano, Mr. Rodelio Antonio, Ms. Rizelle Koch, and Mr. Rommel Glenn Mendova, for their support in the research. Special thanks are also given to Ms. Janeth Morata-Fuentes, Mr. Wilfren Clutario, Mr. Rennie Alura, Ms. Filipinas Petilla, and the local government of Palo, Leyte, including DOST8, Mayor’s Office, and the Philippine Science High School Eastern Visayas Campus for assisting the local team in Palo.

Engr. Sergi Garbanzos, representative of the team, receives the award from the NRCP organizing committee

The DLSU CIV-HWR and RainS-TECH Team Win the Best Poster Award in the NAST 2025 Scientific Poster Session

 Metro Manila, Philippines - The DLSU CIV Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering (HWR) and Rainfall and Stormwater Runoff Management Technology for Tropical Climate (RainS-TECH) team attended the 47th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) held in The Manila Hotel last July 9-10, 2025. This is an annual event organized by NAST PHL to commemorate 47 years of NAST and to provide an opportunity for fellow members to meet and attend informative sessions on new research and innovations. This year, the theme is “Bioscience Innovations: Transforming Enterprise Ecosystems for Wealth Creation”, and the sessions showcased presentations related to bioscience applications in agriculture, energy, health, community development, and other related topics.

The research team has prepared and submitted two (2) posters for submission to the event. The submissions are shown below:

● Investigation on Tropical Watershed Characteristics and its Impact on Diffuse Pollution to Receiving River Systems by Sergi Garbanzos, Gessel Mae Abordo, Arvel Art Alde, Jaren Kirby Larraga, Jayrah Padilla-Rufon, Joseph Raniel A. Bianes, Justine Rey Macalalad, Jayson Cayetano, Rizelle Angela Koch, Natasha delos Santos, Karen Able-Banas, Rodelio Antonio Jr., Micaela Maurel Guyamin, Joshua Emmanual Chua, Marla Maniquiz-Redillas

● Development of a Gravity-Fed Drip Irrigation System Integrated with Soil Moisture Monitoring for Improved Water Efficiency by Ruben Justine Lim, Ruben James Lim, Glen Ventura, Jamie Villafuerte, Justine Rey Macalalad, Sergi Garbanzos, Marla Maniquiz-Redillas 

In the poster awarding session, the poster “Development of a Gravity-Fed Drip Irrigation System Integrated with Soil Moisture Monitoring for Improved Water Efficiency“ won the best poster award in the Engineering, Science and Technology (EST) Division, only one of the two winners in that specific division. The attending DLSU-CIV HWR and RainS-TECH members received the award on-stage and were congratulated by the awarding committee. 

(from left to right) Dr. Jaime Montoya, Engr. Sergi Garbanzos, Dr. Marla Maniquiz-Redillas, Engr. Justine Rey Macalalad, Dr. Renato Solidum, and Dr. Alvin Culaba during the awarding of poster winners

Engineering a Sustainable Future: DLSU Civil Engineering Faculty and Students at IALCCE 2025

 Last July 15 to 19, 2025, the 9th International Symposium on Life Cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE 2025) was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) in Melbourne, Australia. In partnership with RMIT University, participants from over 32 countries presented their papers on recent advances and applications related to life-cycle design, assessment, inspection, monitoring, repair, maintenance, rehabilitation, and management of structures. 

Four participants came from the Construction Technology and Management (CTM) Division of the DLSU Civil Engineering Department. As the accompanying professor, Engr. Cheryl Lyne C. Roxas presented two papers: Circular Design Strategies for Post-Disaster Shelters in the Philippines and Life Cycle Assessment: Seawater vs. Commercial Mg(OH)₂ in Concrete. At the same time, Engr. Juancho Carlo D.C. Bernandino (BSCE-CTM’24, April 2025 CELE Passer) presented his paper, Utilizing Shredded Plastic Waste and Foam for Sustainable Cellular Concrete.

Similarly, Mr. John Nathanael C. Cadiente (ID 120 BSMSCE-CTM) presented his paper, Assessing the Sustainability and Economic Viability of SCMs and Seawater in Concrete Production: Case Studies of Resort Construction in the Philippines. On the other hand, Mr. Antonio Rafael T. Bolaños (ID 120 BSMSCE-CTM) presented his paper, Assessing the Impact of a Modular Health Facility in the Philippines. In addition to this, Mr. Bolaños also chaired a special session on Innovative Approaches in Sustainable Infrastructure.

(From L to R) Engr. Juancho Carlo D.C. Bernandino (BSCE-CTM ’24, April 2025 CELE Passer), Mr. John Nathanael C. Cadiente (ID 120 BSMSCE-CTM), Mr. Antonio Rafael T. Bolaños (ID 120 BSMSCE-CTM), and Engr. Cheryl Lyne C. Roxas

Article written by: Mr. Antonio Rafael T. Bolaños

CRACK Seminar 2025 Unveils Cutting-Edge Solutions for Concrete Durability

Concrete cracking remains a major challenge in construction, affecting structural integrity and longevity. To address this, a Crack Seminar organized by the Department of Civil Engineering, De La Salle University, in partnership with the Japan Concrete Institute (JCI), was held on March 5, 2025, at the 20th Fl., Br. Andrew Gonzalez Building, De La Salle University. This seminar brought together experts to discuss the latest advancements in crack investigation, repair, and strengthening. 

A key focus was the JCI’s Practical Guidelines for Investigation and Repair of Cracked Concrete Structures, a globally recognized resource since 1980. The latest 2009 edition continues to guide engineers in diagnosing and addressing cracks effectively. Invited resource speakers from the JCI discussed the chapters of this guideline, including Dr. Kei-Chi Imamoto, Dr. Keiyu Kawaai, Dr. Shinichi Miyazato, and Dr. Takahiro Nishida. Dr. Rodolfo Mendoza Jr. discussed some case studies on structural engineering in the Philippines. 

The seminar featured interactive discussions, case studies, and expert demonstrations, covering early detection techniques, advanced strengthening solutions, and innovative repair technologies. These advancements are shaping more sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

While concrete cracks are inevitable, their impact can be managed and prevented with the right knowledge and innovations. This seminar was accredited for three (3) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units by the Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines.

CSN2025: Advancing Innovation in Concrete and Structural Engineering

The 5th International Symposium on Concrete and Structures for the Next Generation (CSN 2025) has successfully concluded, marking another milestone in the continuous pursuit of innovation and excellence in concrete engineering. Hosted by the Department of Civil Engineering, De La Salle University, in collaboration with the Japan Society of Civil Engineers and the Cross-Ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) by the Council for Science, Technology, and Innovation (CSTI) of the Japanese Government, the symposium took place on March 3-4, 2025. This event brought together researchers, industry professionals, and academics to exchange knowledge and explore advancements in sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

CSN2025 builds on the legacy of the Ikeda-Otsuki Symposium (IOS2016), first held in Tokyo, Japan, in May 2016 to honor Dr. Shoji Ikeda and Dr. Nobuaki Otsuki, renowned figures in concrete engineering. Since its inception, the symposium has traveled across Asia—Manila in 2017, Bangkok in 2018, and Kanazawa in 2019—continuing its mission to foster international collaboration and drive advancements in concrete technology.

This year’s symposium featured cutting-edge research presentations and keynote speeches by distinguished experts, including Dr. Shinichi Miyazato of Kanazawa University, Japan, Dr. Pitiwat Wattanachai of Chiang Mai University, Thailand, and Dr. Jason Maximino C. Ongpeng of De La Salle University, Philippines. Discussions centered on emerging trends in sustainable concrete materials, advancements in durability, and strategies for structural resilience in an era of rapid environmental and technological change.

Beyond the technical sessions, CSN2025 served as a vital platform for networking and collaboration, enabling participants to connect with industry pioneers, exchange ideas, and shape the future of construction. Additionally, the symposium was accredited for seven (7) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units by the Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines.

The Organizing Committee of CSN2025 extends its deepest gratitude to all attendees, speakers, and sponsors whose contributions made this symposium a resounding success. As the industry continues to evolve, the knowledge shared at CSN 2025 will undoubtedly inspire further advancements in concrete and structural engineering.

Dr. Fillone Hosts Bentley Workshop for Transportation Engineers

On January 21 to 22, 2025, Dr. Alex Fillone along with Mr. Vipul Modi from Bentley System (Singapore) hosted a Bentley Workshop titled "EMME/DYNAMEQ/AGENT Workshop". They were assisted by Dr. Riches Bacero and Dr. Nicanor Roxas jr. from DLSU Civil Engineering Department – Transport Engineering Department. It showcased the various computer program applications for transportation simulation, planning, and modeling. It was attended by people from academic, private, and government institutions.

The first day introduced attendees to Open Paths by Bentley. It demonstrated the capabilities of the software for transportation engineers. This was followed by an EMME modeling run-through by Mr. Antoine and Dr. Fillone. The afternoon program had Mr. Modi teach and display DYNAMEQ software. This day ended with a broader understanding of transportation modeling and the tools available for transportation engineers, and a group photo for day 1 attendees. 

The second day consisted of a morning program where Mr. Modi showed their newest development, OpenPaths Agent, which allows automated calibration of a transportation model. This allowed for a scalable operation and faster calibration and adjusting of the model. Increasing productivity and providing an easier workflow is the priority of Bentley and OpenPaths. The workshop closed with Dr. Fillone giving Mr. Modi a speaker gift and a group photo for those who attended the second day.

DLSU CIV-HWR and the RainS-TECH Research Team win multiple awards at IWA DIPCON 2024 in Thailand

Chiang Mai, Thailand – The Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering (HWR) research team from the Department of Civil Engineering at De La Salle University, Manila and the Rainwater and Stormwater Runoff Management Technology for Tropical Catchment (RainS-TECH) team attended 21st International Water Association International Conference on Diffuse Pollution & Eutrophication (IWA DIPCON 2024) held at Empress Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand, from December 11 – 14, 2024. This event was organized by the International Water Association (IWA) committee, and was attended by an international audience, with delegates coming from Asia, Europe, and Nort America. 

The attending team comprised of eight delegates led by the HWR Division Head, Prof. Marla Maniquiz-Redillas, presented their research in oral sessions, particularly the Diffuse pollution control and Water resource management sessions, and some presented their research through poster presentations. 

Participants and oral presentation titles:

1. Joshua Kyle Bautista, Kenneth Matthew Chong, Julius Richel Manlutac, Timothy Martin Vasquez, Joseph Raniel Bianes, and Marla Maniquiz-Redillas – “Investigation of Road-deposited Sediment Accumulation in Pre-Development and Post-Development Land Uses during Dry and Wet Seasons”

2. Justine Rey Macalalad and Marla Maniquiz-Redillas – “Investigation of the Impact of Extreme Rainfall Variations on Runoff Reduction Performance of Bioretention Cells Using SWMM”

3. Jayson Cayetano and Marla Maniquiz-Redillas - “Influence of AADT on RDS Accumulation and Its Elemental Composition in a Tropical Catchment”

4. Sergi Garbanzos and Marla Maniquiz-Redillas – “Investigation of the water quality from upstream to downstream regions of a tropical catchment using multivariate statistical analysis, GIS, and WQI”

Participants and poster presentation titles:

1. Rommel Glenn Mendova, Patrick James Guzon, Marla Maniquiz-Redillas – “Simulation of the Clogging and Sediment Reduction of a Smart Rainwater Harvesting Filtration System using CFD-DEM”

2. Rodelio Antonio Jr. and Marla Maniquiz-Redillas – “Enhancing Event-Based Rainfall Prediction Accuracy in Tropical Areas Through Fuzzy Logic Modelling”

3. Roman Buan III, Kevin Nicolai Angeles, Louis Gabriel Garcia, and Lennard Joerty Toribio, and Marla C. Maniquiz-Redillas – “Analysis of Dry and Wet Weather Flows of an STP Impacted Urban Stream” 

4. Rizelle Angela Koch and Marla Maniquiz-Redillas – “Comparative Analysis of Rainfall and Runoff Patterns using SCS-CN Method and Geospatial Data in a Tropical Catchment Area”

5. Kent San Pedro, Joseph Rainel Bianes, Jayson Cayetano, Rodelio Antonio Jr., and Marla Maniquiz-Redillas – “Runoff-Induced Soil Loss Modelling of a Tropical Catchment using the MUSLE Model in SWAT”

Dr. Marla, a board member of the IWA Specialist Group on Diffuse Pollution and Eutrophication (DP&E), served as the session chair in the “Microbial and water quality“ session. The team also attended and participated in the Young Water Professionals (YWP) Workshop, which was held during the third day of the event (December 13, 2024).

The DLSU CIV-HWR and RainS-TECH team bagged several awards from the event, including the Best YWP Group in the Workshop, the Photo Contest, and the Best Oral Presentation. 

2nd Place Best YWP Workshop Group

Rommel Glenn Mendova, De La Salle University – Manila

Naruemon Phinyothanmakorn, Khon Kaen University 

Souravi Bardhan, Jadavpur University 

Marvin John Uy, Kongju National University

1st Place Best YWP Workshop Group

Miguel Enrico Robles, Kongju National University

Jayson Cayetano, De La Salle University – Manila

2nd Place - Photo Contest

Joseph Rainel Bianes, De La Salle University – Manila

1st Place - Best YWP Oral Presentation Award

Sergi Garbanzos, De La Salle University – Manila