DMCI Homes Helps UP Engineering Faculty Advance Research and Innovation

From left: Dr. Fernando J. Germar, Professor, UP Institute of Civil Engineering (UP ICE); Dr. Jose Regin F. Regidor, Director, UP ICE; Dr. Maria Antonia N. Tanchuling, Dean, UP Diliman College of Engineering; Butch Mendizabal Jr., Corporate Communications Manager, DMCI Homes; Nicanor Villaseñor III, President, UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (UPERDFI); Dr. Sandy Mae A. Gaspay, Associate Dean for Alumni and Institutional Linkages, UP College of Engineering; Engr. Alfonso Aliga Jr., Executive Director, UPERDFI; and Dr. Eric Augustus J. Tingatinga, Professor, UP ICE, during the ceremonial renewal of the partnership between DMCI Homes and UPERDFI held last August 4 at The Hub, National Engineering Center, Juinio Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

For years, DMCI Homes has supported initiatives that help strengthen engineering education and research in the country.

Through its continued partnership with the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Engineering and the UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (UPERDFI), the company is helping create opportunities for faculty members to pursue research that addresses real-world challenges and contributes to the advancement of the engineering profession.

One of the initiatives supported by DMCI Homes is the UP College of Engineering's professorial chair program, which provides faculty members with resources to pursue teaching, research, and academic work. Through this support, professors are able to further develop expertise in their respective fields and undertake studies that contribute to the advancement of engineering knowledge and practice.

Among the current holders of professorial chairs supported by DMCI Homes are Dr. Fernando J. Germar and Dr. Eric Augustus J. Tingatinga, both professors at the UP Institute of Civil Engineering (UP ICE). Their work reflects the wide range of research being undertaken at the institute, from earthquake resilience and structural retrofitting to emerging applications of artificial intelligence in engineering. 

Researching Safer and More Resilient Structures

For Dr. Germar, the professorial chairs program has allowed him to pursue research interests in structural earthquake engineering and retrofitting. His studies focus on understanding how structures behave during earthquakes and identifying ways to strengthen existing buildings, particularly older structures that may require upgrades to meet present-day standards.

The research has practical implications for critical facilities such as schools, hospitals, and government buildings, where structural resilience plays an important role in disaster preparedness and public safety.

 "The professorial chair award allowed me to conduct research in an area that I am deeply interested in," Dr. Germar said. "Because of this support, I was able to pursue studies related to structural earthquake engineering and retrofitting." 

The UP Diliman College of Engineering, home to generations of Filipino engineers and innovators. (file photo) 

Exploring New Frontiers in Structural Engineering

Meanwhile, Dr. Tingatinga's work focuses on advancing methods used in the analysis and design of structures. His research explores approaches that can help engineers better understand how buildings perform under extreme conditions, contributing to the development of more resilient infrastructure.

In recent years, he and his students have also been studying how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning can be applied to structural engineering, opening new opportunities for innovation in the field.

For Dr. Tingatinga, the professorial chair serves as both support and motivation to continue pursuing research and academic work.

"(Being a recipient of the professorial chairs program) keeps me motivated to do more than what is expected of faculty members," he said.

Part of a Longstanding Commitment to Education

DMCI Homes' support for the UP College of Engineering forms part of Kaakbay sa Edukasyon, one of the company's flagship corporate social responsibility programs that aims to strengthen educational institutions and promote academic excellence. Through initiatives such as the professorial chair program, the company continues to support research and faculty development in engineering.

Beyond the professorial chairs, DMCI Homes has contributed significantly to the development of facilities at UP ICE. Among its notable donations are a 2,000-kN Universal Testing Machine for the Construction Materials and Structures Laboratory (CoMSLab), a lecture room, a computational laboratory, a canteen, and the 260-seat David M. Consunji Theater. These facilities help support learning, research, and innovation within the institute.

Building on a Shared Vision

The partnership traces its roots to the late Engr. David M. Consunji, founder of DMCI Holdings, Inc. and co-founder of UPERDFI in 1972. Through the foundation, Engr. Consunji sought to cultivate the country's brightest engineering minds with the goal of "fostering the best minds in the academe to engineer a better Philippines."

More than five decades later, that vision continues to guide the partnership between DMCI Homes and the UP College of Engineering. By supporting faculty members and their research, the company helps create opportunities for innovation and knowledge-building that can contribute to the future of Philippine engineering.

DMCI Homes is the country’s first Quadruple A real estate developer, with projects in Mega Manila, Baguio City, Tuba in Benguet, San Juan in Batangas, Boracay, Cebu City, and Davao City. Each of its properties is built with world-standard craftsmanship borne from D.M. Consunji Inc.’s over 70 years of expertise in the construction and development industry.

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