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.