A Peek Into the Life of a DLSU Chemical Engineering Professor
By Ivan Arcilla and Jolo De Guzman
When one hears the words “chemical engineering”, they imagine process engineers who work in production plants or students staying up till the wee hours of morning studying lessons with chemical formulas with lots of math and sometimes, the typical lab gown clad people mixing solutions of different colors. But sometimes overlooked is the profession only very few take, one that involves the academe: a professor in chemical engineering. And so we ask ourselves: do we really know what it’s like being a professor? These people who are with us almost every day, who teach us the things we need to know as future chemical engineers and life in general: can we really say we understand the role they play in our lives as chemical engineering students? Our professors have been with us since the start of our journey and despite our interactions with them, we don’t really know much about their lives. At first glance, some professors may seem like scary, strict people with their shiny PhDs, doctorates and the very title of “chemical engineer”. But what lies beyond the stereotypical image of the Lasallian chemical engineering professor? In this article, we aim to break the stigma that comes with being a chemical engineering professor so that we can get to know some of them a little bit more and see vignettes of their lives beyond the classroom.
The first professor The Catalyst interviewed is Dr. Lawrence P. Belo. He brings life to the classroom with his energetic and positive attitude and for this article, he shares his experiences in life as a student and as chemical engineer to hopefully inspire us students. He brings a sense of humor to his lessons which makes you want to listen because his lessons will always be full of surprises and will make you enjoy the subject. He is a currently a full time professor who took his Masters and Undergraduate studies in De La Salle University and has a PhD in chemical engineering which he obtained from the University of Newcastle in Australia. He graduated from his undergraduate degree last 2001 and placed 7th when he took the board exams in 2002.
The Catalyst: If you were not a chemical engineer, what would be your job?
Dr. Belo: “I always thought of being a chemical engineer ever since I took my OJT in shell. I wanted to be a process engineer in probably Shell or Petron.”
Even though Dr. Belo’s career goals were set early on in college life, he balanced his academics with his being a member of LSDC. However, he didn’t aim to be a performer because chemical engineer was what he aimed to be. “Dancing was just a hobby”. He adds.
His teaching career started when he applied for a scholarship in his master’s degree and things skyrocketed from there. He was then was offered a demo teaching job and from there, his path as a professor started until he went to Australia for his PhD and finally came back to DLSU to teach again.
The Catalyst: What event as a chemical engineer will you never forget?
Dr. Belo: “For me, it was when I was getting my PhD. It tested how you get through challenges.”
In his 14 years as a chemical engineer, it was his years in getting his PhD that was the most unforgettable. For him, it was where he experienced his highest and lowest points, but it was his experience as a professor and as a chemical engineer in DLSU that helped him get through it.
The Catalyst: How was your experience abroad? Can you tell us a little more about it?
Dr. Belo: “Australia opened my eyes and I saw that there was lot to learn like problems outside the Philippines. It taught me things beyond what money can buy like troubleshooting. Here we have technicians, so there, natuto ako magpurchase, magtroubleshoot, set up; [the more technical side] of things.”
For Dr. Belo, it was his time abroad that really helped him grow. The experience broadened his perspective and taught him to look at things from a different angle. During his stay in Australia, 95% of the time the experiments he conducted didn’t work. There were times when he was stressed but he never gave up. One advice he gave was to look for pastimes to relieve stress.
The Catalyst: Which do you prefer: academe or industry?
Dr. Belo: “For me, mas gusto ko academe because you get to explore more. What I mean by this is in terms of research in academe, you have limited funding, but you can research on more topics. In industry, madami funding pero limited kung ano ireresearch.”
Right now, Dr. Belo prefers teaching because he finds more freedom in it unlike in the industry. We asked him what his most memorable experience was in his time as a teacher. He mentioned that once another professor scolded him because his class was noisy. He adds that it’s really fulfilling when he sees that a student of his is a topnotcher in a board exam.
Jokingly, we asked: If you were a specific piece of equipment in the laboratory, what would you be and why? He answered that he would be a graduated cylinder or a beaker, because no matter how sophisticated the experiment is there would always be a need for this equipment.
Lastly, we asked him if he had any advice for us students as aspiring chemical engineers.
“For Lasallian graduates, trust what the university teaches you. It may seem wala kang alam pero paglabas mo, believe that La Salle has prepared you more than enough. When you feel that you aren’t learning anything, believe that the fast paced trimester helps you recall. Sanay tayo sa hands and sa nagmamadali so good tayo sa grace under pressure.”
Next on the list is a professor who turns the traditional four-cornered classroom into a fun filled learning center due to his good sense of humour that breaks the silence of long hours of discussions. He is known for his organized way of presenting new topics and lessons in class. Making sure that the next breeds of Lasallian Chemical Engineers are competent enough to face the real world of Chemical Engineering is Dr. Vergel Bungay.
He garnered the title of Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering in Kunsan National University, Korea and is a full time associate professor in La Salle since Sept 08, 2014. He is also ccurrently the Vice Chairman of the Chemical Engineering Department A.Y. 2015-2016.
He graduated BS Chemical Engineering and BS Chemistry in Mapúa Institute of Technology last 1999 and 2000 respectively. At De La Salle University, he mastered MS Chemical Engineering, 2008, and on the following year mastered MS Chemistry at Mapúa Institute of Technology. Dr. Bungay also worked for Euromed Laboratoriesin Special Projects as Chemist of Paintable Solar cells.
The Catalyst: If you were not a Chemical Engineer, what would your job be?
Dr. Bungay: “If I weren’t a chemical engineer, I would [probably] be an accountant.”
Dr Bungay’s father wished that his son take up accountancy and teach the subject after he became an established accountant. However, his father realized that it would be better for Dr. Bungay to become an engineer and so Dr. Bungay took up his undergraduate chemical engineering in Mapúa Institute of Technology.
After graduation, he landed 5th place when he took the Chemical Engineers Licensure Examination. The Catalyst further asked if the thought of becoming a professional singer ever crossed his mind, as he is well known to be good in singing.
Dr. Bungay: “[I] never dreamt of being a performer though I love singing.”
The Catalyst: What would be the most unforgettable experience as a Chemical Engineer?
Dr. Bungay: “Teaching in review classes. I [dealt] with students from different universities throughout the country.”
By being engaged in the review centers, Dr. Bungay also became authors of various Chemical Engineering Reviewers.
The Catalyst: Since you obtained your doctorate in Korea, can you share some of your experiences in Korea?
Dr. Bungay: “I taught ChE Calculations to ChE students in KNU. They called me “processor” 교수님. Aside from studying, I learned how to deal with the Filipino workers and migrants and I set up Catholic communities to be recognized by the Philippine Embassy.
Dr. Bungay learned how to adapt and be sensitive to new cultures, people, and various Filipino workers that came from different aspect of life in his stay in Korea. He can also speak and write in Korean.
The Catalyst: Academe or industry?
Dr. Bungay: I prefer teaching, job sa industry is [mostly] routine.
I think I will age rapidly in the industry.” he jokingly adds. He wanted to experience in teaching different kinds of students with different backgrounds in terms of culture. Dr. Bungay feels that in the academe, he can’t feel the signs of aging when interacting and exchanging stories with his students.
The Catalyst: To you, what is the most significant aspect of teaching?
Dr. Bungay: “When my students turn into teachers. I feel very old yet accomplished [at the same time].”
Some current DLSU professors who were students of Dr. Bungay include Dr. Managhaya, Engr. Talampas, and even Dr. Belo. He added: “I feel everyday is a significant day and through teaching, [I] touched their lives. [I can] interact with students [by making a mark] in their lives, either mainis or ma-inspire sila.”
We also asked Dr. Bungay, if there are any misconceptions of the students about him.
“Takot sila [sa akin]. Lalo na mga hindi ChE, kasi [kapag may time na] magugulo sila.”
As he is known for his humor, Dr. Bungay always finds a way in injecting laughter throughout the session of his discussion. He is also fond of drinking coffee due to the demanding nature in the academe. He mentions that he doesn’t drink Starbucks though because he would rather use his money to donate to charity rather than to buy expensive cups of coffee.
The Catalyst: If you were a subject in chemical engineering, what subject would you be?
Dr. Bungay: “[I would be the] reaction mechanism of chemical equilibrium. I’m so complex. Favorite ko na subject yun”.
Similarly, we asked Dr. Bungay: If you were a specific piece of equipment in the laboratory, what would you be and why? He answered that he would be a Thiele Tube, because in perspective of being the said tube he said: “I am used to measure the melting points of students.” He explains that he wanted to test his students on how he or she will strive for excellence.
A few words of encouragement for aspiring Chemical Engineers from Dr. Bungay:
“First. Dapat hindi kinakalimutan yung [mga] inaaral nila. Content dapat hindi makalimutan. Although kahit maliit lang yung content, maliit lang dun ang magagamit.
Second, matutong gumalang. Bale wala yung talino kapag hindi marunong mag-opo.
Third, dapat marami kayong friends. [Sa]Future makakawork mo[mga] iyan., Importante ang interpersonal communication.”
He pointed out that even though we are done in our lesson, we must not tend to forget what we’ve learned because these lessons can help us in the future. In terms of character, one must learn how to communicate to his or her superiors with respect. Dr. Bungay also suggested that one should build his or her circle of friends in college because in the near future, these people might be your colleague in the chosen path you take.
These people are just some of the Chemical Engineering department’s pride and excellent professors. We tend just to say hi and talk to them in the corridor and especially just in grade consultation. But there are more things that they can impart to us students not just a lesson in our field, but also lessons in life.
