Christian Aquino’s journey into the field of science wasn’t driven by a childhood dream. Instead, it was a path of unexpected turns and discoveries. Initially admitted to the University of the Philippines as a Civil Engineering student, Aquino quickly realized that the field wasn’t for him. “I was determined na hindi ako matatapos ng CE kasi marami ng CE sa Pilipinas,” he recalls. It was then that he decided to shift to a more niche discipline—Metallurgical Engineering.

This choice wasn’t the result of a grand passion, but rather curiosity and a desire to explore something less conventional. “Parang hindi siya anecdotal type ng discovery. Hindi ko pinangarap na maging materials engineer, pero nung na-expose ako dito, I thought, ‘This is cool, let’s go.’”

Aquino’s passion for materials science grew as he delved into research during his undergraduate studies. His academic adviser encouraged him to pursue graduate studies, further deepening his interest in materials engineering. This led to a scholarship with DOST’s Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) program, where Aquino began working on environmental applications of materials, handling a research grant at a young age.

Now, Aquino is an assistant professor at UP Los Baños, contributing to the university’s newly established Materials Engineering program. “Pioneers kami dito sa Southern Luzon,” Aquino says with pride. “It’s fulfilling to help blaze a trail in this field, especially with the many semiconductor companies and plants in this region.”

Despite the fulfillment of his current role, Aquino acknowledges the challenges of conducting research in the Philippines. “During the pandemic, it was practically impossible to do research. We couldn’t access labs, and the entire research process came to a halt,” he explains. In addition, bureaucratic delays often slow down progress. “Ultimo pH meter, aabutin ka ng tatlo or apat na buwan para makabili ng disenteng pH meter. Sa ibang bansa, over the counter lang nabibili nila yun.”

For Aquino, the key to succeeding in science isn’t just intelligence but perseverance. “Kailangan mo talaga ng perseverance. Madalas, mag-experiment ka buong araw, tapos sa hapon, wala kang results kasi mali or hindi gumana. Maraming naggi-give up dahil sa stress, pero parte ng proseso yun.” He shares that his own adviser emphasized the importance of perseverance over grades: “Hindi tinitingnan ng adviser ko kung laude ka bago ka tanggapin. Mas mahalaga ang perseverance.”

Looking forward, Aquino envisions a stronger culture of national industries in the Philippines. He emphasizes the need for a critical mass of advanced engineers to lead the country’s development in areas like materials science. “Ngayon, binubungkal natin ang mga raw materials dito, tapos ipapadala sa ibang bansa. Pagbalik dito, finished products na. Kailangan natin ng mga advanced technologies para tayo mismo ang mag-process ng materials natin.”

Aquino’s advice to young people is simple but powerful: “‘Careerin mo.’ Hindi ko pinangarap ito nung una, pero nung nakita ko na yung discipline, ginalingan ko na. Pag nakita mong gusto mo talaga ang ginagawa mo, that will make you stay.”

Filipino scientist Christian, a Metallurgical Engineering graduate and Master’s student in Materials Science at UP Diliman, inspires young minds through his research in nanomaterials for sustainability and his dedication to teaching, all while contributing to cutting-edge technological advancements in the Philippines.