History of U.P. ALCHEMES
by Markku Seguerra (September 1999)
The idea of putting up a Chemical Engineering org was conceived about a year
ago. Back then, a number of ChE juniors popped the thought of forming a group
that would represent them and their beliefs as chemical engineering students.
Incidentally, this group would be the second ChE org in the university.
The idea grew and soon many people from the same batch were into it.
Various
names for the soon-to-be-org were suggested, ranging from the nationalistic
KIK (Kapisanan ng mga Inhinyero sa Kemika), to the medieval-sounding ALCHEMIST.
After numerous and tedious discussions, arguments, chikahan and what have
you, most of the founding members decided on ALCHEMES. Rooting from Alchemy,
this name bears a more contemporary meaning (two, actually). To some,
it is Alliance of Chemical Engineering Students. However, it has been
established to be Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students.
Quite deep, isn't it?
Since
last year, quite a number of meetings have been held regarding the formation
of the organization. Some of these were productive, but there were some
whose total number of attendees could hardly fill half of the typical
Eng'g classroom. After a few more months of obscurity, the group increased
in number and the younger batches joined in. But due to the uncertainty
of the organization's recognition, there were some who simply just let
their beliefs fade away and wandered to other pastures. But there were
those who just wouldn't give up, who always believed in what a group of
brilliant young minds could do, uncertain the future may have seemed.
These are the very same people who comprise today's UP Alchemes. As of
last count, there are about 60 members, considered the founding members.
Presently, the org is one of the many in the College of Engineering. The road
to recognition was not an easy one. Of course there was opposition to the
idea of another ChE org, but after one year of unrelenting effort, here
we are. UP Alchemes currently has no tambayan to its name, since the college
only gives tambayans to orgs after at least a year of probationary status
and after they've proven their worth.
For now, we're just happy to be recognized. A tambayan is yet another thing.
(As they say, patience is a virtue.) Next semester, the org will hopefully
be accepting applicants. Just keep posted. For the meantime, live life.
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