About UP KEM
With more than 170 resident members and over 1500 alumni, UP KEM remains one of the largest socioacademic organizations recognized by the university and a constant recipient of several awards and grants. It continues to fortify its connections with Chemical Engineering and Chemistry students from different universities through its affiliate organizations: Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers-Junior Chapter Luzon (PIChE-JCL) and Philippine Association of Chemistry Students, Inc. (PACS).
On its 60th year, UP KEM commemorates unparalleled legacy, adorned with feats that continue to epitomize the unyielding pursuit of academic excellence, holistic development, and prime professionalism that inspires every member to go far.
Launch. The 26th of August marked the beginning of a wonderful year for KEM. The Launch will unveil the muchanticipated events, celebrations and plans that the organization has in store for all KEMers. The much-awaited surprises for KEM’s 60th Anniversary will be unveiled through a ribbon-cutting ceremony, opening KEM’s finest
exhibit to date, along with fun activities for the day.
This year, the UP Chemical Engineering Society, Inc. expects to have several events in honor of the organization’s diamond jubilee. All of these will be encompassed by three major events: the Launch, the Homecoming, and the Service.
Paramount. A KEMer knows how to have fun. And on 30th of August, that is what it will all be about! The night of the Homecoming will surely be filled with a lot of entertainment and surprises from the resident members and alumni. Entitled “Paramount,” the event will take back the attendees to the extravagant and luxurious days of the 1920s complete with the Great Gatsby theme. The night will showcase flashbacks of the wonderful memories that the alumni of KEM made in their stay within the organization, memories that make KEM what it is today. Certainly, Paramount will be a night to remember!
Service. The commemoration will not only revolve around fun and festivities. KEM has planned to tie up with several other organizations from different departments in engineering to put into action Project 360: A Service Project. Hand in hand with other organizations that will also be celebrating their 60th anniversaries this year, the project aims to give back to the staff, maintenance and faculty of the College of Engineering for their noble services. Several events, including renovations and fun family-oriented activities, will be laid out before the year ends.
Paramount: UP KEM 60th Anniversary Alumni Homecoming. “These fragments I have shored against my ruins.” – T.S. Eliot. It happened on the 30th of August 2014, just after the sun had nestled itself beneath the horizon, at Circle Events Place. Colors were abound. Flowers, wine glasses, china and silverware were on every table. Even the air was thick with anticipation – as if the walls themselves were vibrating with the sound of “Welcome, everyone, to Paramount: UP KEM’s 60th Alumni Homecoming Celebration, where we go far.”
The program for the night began with the words of Mr. Audrey Raposa, the organization’s current president, and a toast by Mr. Richard Cheng. It was followed thereafter by several presentations and games, which included a slideshow of old pictures, different performances from the KEM Choir, Band, Skittles and Troupers, as well as an intermission number from UP Dance Sport Society. The celebration would not have been complete without the speech given by Dr. Rizalinda De Leon, the incumbent ChE department chair, and the stories shared by the alumni, namely, Mr. Raul and Mrs. Angelica Dealino, Mr. Mark Joseph Acelajado, and Ms. Kristine Millano.The closing remarks were given by Mr. Audrey Raposa and the executive secretary, Ms. Mera Shane Golo.
Through it all, there was something to be said about nostalgia – like some old perfume stuck in the fabric of clothes, worn down and washed and smelling of years that have gone by. The same scent lingered in the throngs of people in the room, from the resident members of KEM to the alumni. Though the years will continue to scatter everyone across the world like dandelion seeds, the voice of KEM, as manifested by the chant before the night had ended, is just as loud – perhaps even louder than it was that very first day.