Hello, blog! My apologies for the recent lack of updates. I’ve been extremely busy with my research presentation and submitting requirements for graduate school. Nevertheless, I’m here to welcome the month of August, and I’m determined to post more frequently this month.

From July 23 to 26, I had the opportunity to participate in the 13th Asian Congress on Biotechnology in Khon Kaen, Thailand. During the conference, I presented my undergraduate thesis. To be completely honest, this was my very first experience presenting my research at an international congress. Prior to this, the only time I presented my research was during my undergraduate thesis defense at my school.

My thesis adviser, Dr. Hosea dL. Matel strongly encouraged me to present my research at the congress. At first, I was quite hesitant because of two main concerns. First, I had no prior experience with international congresses, and second, the costs associated with registration, flights, and accommodation were considerably high. During this time, I was feeling quite overwhelmed, and my family was too. In fact, we had no budget allocated for this purpose.

However, as the registration deadline approached (July 10, 2017), my mom urged me to go through with it. She saw this as a valuable opportunity for my career and my future. Her determination and encouragement led us to make the decision to attend the congress.

We booked our flights with Thai Airways for our trip to Bangkok and then to Khon Kaen. I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with their services, food, cabin crew, and overall flight experience. It definitely lived up to the hype.

Upon arriving in Bangkok, we had an 8-hour layover before our next flight to Khon Kaen. Let me tell you, I was not feeling or smelling my best during that layover! My mom and I decided to buy some bread and water at Suvarnabhumi Airport while we waited for our next flight. The airport was incredibly vast and beautiful. It made me appreciate Thailand as a well-managed and developed country. The facilities were huge and the walk from one place to another was quite lengthy. You could easily get tired if you got lost at the airport.

Finally, we touched down in Khon Kaen, one of the provinces of Thailand, and the location of the program. The event took place at the Pullman Raja Orchid Hotel, a luxurious 5-star hotel in Khon Kaen.

This was it. I had to present my research entitled “Screening and Characterization of High Ethanol-Producing Yeast from Selected Naturally Fermenting Fruits.” I was incredibly nervous since everyone in the audience was a professional, and I was just a recent college graduate. All eyes were on me during my presentation, and I was really hoping not to embarrass myself. But, to my relief, I made it. They all had smiles on their faces and even asked me questions for clarification. I was thrilled and proud after my presentation. I was happy that I didn’t let my Filipino roots and my alma mater down.

During the congress, I had the pleasure of meeting two fellow Filipinos. Dr. Joseph Aureenian, the chairman of the Department of Chemical Engineering at De La Salle University Manila, and Sir Francis Dave Siacor, an MS student at the University of San Carlos. They even expressed interest in collaborating with me, which left me shocked and delighted. I also made new foreign friends, including a Thai lady pursuing her Ph.D. and an Australian about to complete his MS degree. I’m thankful to the Almighty for guiding me throughout my trip and presentation in Thailand. Finally, I want to express my gratitude to my mother, who was understanding, supportive, and loving throughout this journey, despite the language barriers and challenges we faced in Thailand. Mom, thank you for joining me in Thailand, even though we struggled at times due to language barriers in airports, stores, and taxis. I couldn’t have achieved this without you and Dad. I love you both! Thank you for supporting me in my adventures in life. (Even though they probably won’t read this.) 😄