Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla (STS Individual Report)

Maybe if you watch the news, listen to AM radios or even read tabloids and newspapers, you should have heard the name Carlo Arcilla. Or if you haven’t, here is a youtube video of him commenting on the earthquake that happened in Japan which caused a tsunami that destroyed the Fukushima Nuclear power plant.

           

            (Disclaimer: It is Carlo Arcilla, not “Carlos”)

            Well, who is Dr. Carlo Arcilla?

Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla (Retrieved from http://magmasys.tripod.com/news.html/)

            Doc Caloy, the name more often people call him, is the director of the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) in University of the Philippines – Diliman. He also currently teaching Geology 40, Geology 140, Geology 150 and et cetera for the undergraduates taking up BS Geology and Geology 205 and Geology 250 for the graduate students. This hard-working man is also the head of the Earth Materials Science Laboratory (EMS) in NIGS which offers services for different companies regarding their mineralogical and chemical inquiries.

A Virac, Catanduanes native, Doc Caloy attended Virac Pilot Elementary School where he graduated with high honors. He then went to Philippine Science High School – Main Campus, graduated cum laude in 1981 in UP Diliman with his undergraduate course, BS Geology. He took his PhD in Geothechnical Engineering  in University of Illinois in Chicago, USA. His specialization lies in Igneous Petrology and Geochemistry. He is an alumnus of UP Geology Majors Society (UP GeMS), American Geophysical Union and Mineralogical Society of America.

His works that he published include the interpretation of lithology and structures of The Angat Ophiolite on 1989 together with co-proponents Ruelo, H. and H. Umbal and the geology and mineral resources of Montalban Quadrangle which was released on 1983. These are just a few of his accomplishments as a geologist.

Being one of his students in Geology 40, I thought of him as a cool prof who loves to crack jokes. He is into light class atmosphere even though he is teaching at around 120 students. He is a great professor who is really hands-on when he is teaching. He even told us a story of how he got his fastest Php4000, in which he used density in order to identify the mineral that his friend asked him to identify. But what is noticeable during class is the numerous calls he receives that even eats 10 minutes of our lecture. I guess that’s just how in demand Dr. Arcilla in his chosen field.

I really look up to him as my idol because really is a hard-working guy. I have no idea as to how he juggles teaching courses, directing an institute, doing field works and entertaining media interviews about geology. He even spends time with his student and research assistants, having dinner and casual talks with them.

“Sobrang bait niya (Doc Caloy) at madami kang matutunan na hindi lang pang lab/acads. like nagturo siya kung paano mamalengke, magluto, mag drive, etc,” said Cleo Lagata, one of Doc Caloy’s student assistants in EMS.

“He is one generous guy,” she added. Noting that when he goes back from a conference outside the country, he gives them chocolates.

Doc Caloy is also a music lover. He loves playing the guitar and the piano. During Christmas parties, together with other NIGS professors, he plays the guitar. Even in field works!

Dr. Arcilla playing guitar during EMS' lab outing (Retrieved from google images)

Dr. Carlo Arcilla is one of the authorities when it comes to geology. He is one of the most well-known and most trusted in this field. I guess not only does he impart knowledge and provide answers to complex questions but also I think because of his work ethics. Being a very busy man that he is and still able to enjoy, look after his students and institute is something that should be applauded.

References:

            Mandanas, Allan, 2006,  Magma Systems,  National Institute of Geological Sciences University of the Philippines Diliman, http://magmasys.tripod.com/news.html/. March 8, 2014

            (Almost all information was from Dr. Arcilla’s Student Assistants, Emmanuel Codillo, Cleo Lagata and Deo Llamas. The author acknowledges them as his reference.)

 Zhedrik Chua

2012-15340