The UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (UPERDFI) held the monthly Technology Hour on August 22 at the UP National Engineering Center in UP Diliman. The key speakers were Engr. Salvador Antonio “Aboy” Castro, Jr. (ChE ’92), CEO of CleanTech Global Renewables, Inc. and former coach of the UP Fighting Maroons Basketball Team who opened with the Solar and Renewable Energy Situationer; and Dr. Michael Angelo Pedrasa, UP Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute Director who presented the LEAP-Based Energy Systems Model Project that will be funded by UPERDFI.
 Engr. Salvador Antonio “Aboy” Castro, Jr. |
 Dr. Michael Angelo “Mike” Pedrasa |
Technology Hour is the brainchild of President Rico Trinidad, who envisions UPERDFI as an avenue for collaboration between academe, and industry and government. In attendance were over 50 alumni, faculty, masters’ students and industry leaders. Members in attendance included DOST Secretary Dr. Nina Alabastro, MAP President and SunLife Holdings Chairman Riza Mantaring, former Dean Dr. Aura Matias, Sasonbi Solar CEO Engr. Dante Briones, Engrs. Bing and Elise del Rosario of the One Small Step Forward Foundation, and Engr. Dan Peckley, CEO of DPJ Associates, Inc. Notable alumni in the audience were Engr. Andy Co, CEO of Technicom, Transportation expert Engr. Rene Santiago, UNILAB VP Engr. Alex Fernandez, and Dr. Cesar Domingo of FEATI University. Engineering professors Dr. Ma. Antonia Tanchuling of ICE, Dr. Joey Ocon of DChE and Dr. Carl Odulio of EEEI led the Engineering Faculty group.
The event was capped off by the signing of two important agreements – the Deed of Donation for the CleanTech Global Renewables, Inc. Professorial Chair in Renewable Energy; and the MOA for the UPERDFI Funding for the LEAP-Based Energy Systems Model Project led by Dr. Pedrasa.
(Seated, from left) Engr. Aboy Castro, Dr. Aura Matias, Riza Mantaring, Dr. Nina Alabastro (Standing, from left) Trustee Dan Peckley, ED Tito Aliga, VP Bing del Rosario, President Rico Trinidad, Dr. Mike Pedrasa and the Energy Systems Model Project Team
