Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2010: Ready, Set, Go Team Philippines! by Christine R. Guison

1. SHELL EcO-maRatHOn
aSia 2010: REaDy, SEt,
GO tEam PHiLiPPinES!
By cHRiStinE R. GUiSOn
On JuLy 2010, yOunG EnGinEERS FROM ALL OVER ASiA WiLL GEAR uP AS THEy TAKE
PART in A uniquE COMPETiTiOn THAT iS nOT BASED On SPEED, nEiTHER BREAKinG
RECORDS nOR FiniSHinG FiRST. THiS COMPETiTiOn, inSTEAD, iS A RACE TO PuSH THE
LiMiTS OF FuEL EFFiCiEnCy.
A
s the leading innovator for the new diesel, gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas HUmBLE ORiGinS
energy future, Shell has introduced the (LPG) or alternative fuels such as solar, electric, The Shell Eco-marathon began in 1939 at
Shell Eco-marathon, an educational hydrogen, biofuels and Gas to Liquids (GTL). a Shell research laboratory in the U.S. as a
platform that encourages innovation, friendly wager between scientists to see whose
reinforces conservation and fosters the Through this friendly competition, Shell is car would give the best mileage. From these
development of leading technology for greater encouraging students to build the cars of humble origins, the organised competition
energy efficiency. Held in Europe for over tomorrow with greater energy efficiency and for fuel economy has been running in Europe
25 years and more recently in the Americas, hope that this event will continue to inspire for years, where the event has grown to
the Shell Eco-marathon will come to Asia others to develop sustainable solutions that will include more than 200 teams, thousands of
for the very first time in July 2010 at the meet the growing global demands for energy in spectators and widespread media attention. In
famous Sepang International Circuit of Kuala a responsible way. 2007, the event was brought to the Americas
Lumpur, Malaysia. with much success. Bringing the Shell Eco-
Shell Eco-marathon 2010 will be the
Philippines’ first time to participate in the
annual competition. Representing the country
are college students from Don Bosco Technical
College, Mapua Institute of Technology and
the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Can
these top engineering schools in the country
step up to the challenge and ultimately bring
pride and honour to the Philippines?
tHE cHaLLEnGE
The principle of the Shell Eco-marathon is
simple: to design and build a vehicle that
uses the least amount of fuel to travel the
farthest distance. Participants can design
vehicles for the “Prototype” or the “Urban
Concept” category. The Prototype category
encourages a maximum of technical
creativity and innovative, futuristic design,
imposing only minimal restriction on the
critical automotive design aspect. The Urban
Concept category, on the other hand,
is intended to be closer to road going
vehicles in appearance and technology,
addressing current transportation aspects
and trends. As long as the teams adhere
to safety regulations, the design of
their vehicles is limited only by their
imagination. For both categories, teams
can use any of the following fuels to power
their vehicles: conventional fuels such as
aLL SyStEmS GO for the Team Leaders. (From l-r)
Tim Orille from uST, Mark Lester Arrieta from Don Bosco and
20 SHELL WORLD PHILIPPINES Jericho Rivera from Mapua

2. team Grigio
team atalanta Don Bosco Technical College
Mapua institute of Technology
marathon to Asia helps “This friendly competition is a chance for
make this programme a true our talented engineering students to let their
global initiative for Shell. imaginations run wild,” shared Roberto
Kanapi, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation
BREEDinG taLEnt, Vice President for Communications. “It
cREatiVity anD is Shell’s contribution in encouraging the
innOVatiOn creativity and passion of the Filipino youth to
The Shell Eco-marathon is help meet the energy challenge.”
a trail-blazing educational
platform for students - aLL ROaDS LEaD tO
unique in concept and rich KUaLa LUmPUR
in practical experience. The At a curtain raiser event held in July 2009 to
annual competition attracts specially grant select media and academics a
thousands of participants preview of the Shell Eco-marathon Asia, five
who are eager to offer real selected student teams - two from Universiti
solutions to the energy crisis. Teknologi Malaysia, one from the National
It challenges and inspires University of Singapore (NUS), and two from
USt Engineering Eco-marathon team young designers and engineers the ITE (Institute of Technical Education)
university of Santo Tomas around the world to develop College West in Singapore - took the vehicles
new approaches of sustainable they had designed and built for a demonstration
mobility, design and build run around Sepang International Circuit's north
the most energy-efficient vehicle to track in Malaysia, the place where the inaugural
compete against other teams' vehicles. event will be held from July 8-10, 2010.
“It is a major educational project where "Malaysia has been chosen to host this first
students work together to explore potential Asian event because of its importance among
solutions to both current and future transport Shell's Asian heartlands. The country's excellent
and energy challenges,” said Shell companies infrastructure and this wonderful facility in
in the Philippines (SciP) Country Chairman Sepang also makes this an ideal venue for us to
Edgar Chua. host the teams that will come from all round the
region for the inaugural event this July 2010,"
The teams work all year round on a real said Tan Chong Meng, Shell's Executive Vice
technical project, with the obligation to produce President of Global Business to Business.
demonstrable results at the final event. From
designing to financing the vehicle, student The preview also served as the ideal platform
participants learn to manage the total project. for a forum on sustainable mobility. Conceived
Through their participation, students build up as an open dialogue, the roundtable aimed at
their skills in science, technology, mathematics, encouraging participants from different interest
design, and business and are able to apply these groups and non-governmental bodies to engage
skills to a “real world” situation. In addition, the in lively debates with a view to achieving
students have an opportunity to showcase their a common vision. Over 80 participants,
skills to potential employers and as they work including representatives from the industry,
together to develop their entries, learn to think non-governmental organisations (NGOs),
differently about energy and how it is used. academe and students exchanged views and
thoughts on technological innovation to meet
The search for sponsors for technical or financial mobility challenges.
partnerships is also an excellent opportunity to
introduce students to the real business world, aPPEtitE FOR mORE
both through their efforts to market and All in all, the curtain raiser event was received
communicate their projects, and through the as a great appetiser: media, academics, NGOs
contacts they make with external firms. and, of course, the students, definitely now
SHELL WORLD PHILIPPINES 21

3. hunger for the real event to start next year. providential for him whenever he found Chairman Edgar Chua during the launch
To-date, over 107 educational institutions himself in danger. By naming the team of Team Philippines.
from Indonesia, Pakistan, Singapore, India, after the enigmatic character, the school
Malaysia, China and the Philippines, to name hopes to endow on both the vehicle and cHamPiOninG tEcHnicaL
a few, have indicated interest in participating in the people working on it the same kind SUPERiORity
the July 2010 Shell Eco-marathon Asia. of protection and blessing that Grigio The Shell Eco-marathon is also an excellent
provided for the school’s founder. platform for promoting technical careers
GO tEam PHiLiPPinES! among the Filipino youth, which is vital
On November 18, 2009 at the National Mapua Institute of Technology is known for the country’s growth and development.
Sports Grill in Makati City, Shell companies for its pursuit of international standards of
in the Philippines Country Chairman Edgar excellence in mechanical
Chua welcomed representatives from the engineering education
top three technical universities composed and its investment
of engineering students, deans in development
and professors to the launch of programmes that explore
Team Philippines, the group the use of alterative sources
that will be waving the of energy. Known as
Philippine flag in the “Team Atalanta”, Mapua
inaugural Shell Eco- Institute of Technology
marathon Asia. is comprised of Jericho
Paolo Rivera (Team
Representing Leader), Kenneth
the country John Caraig,
are engineering Willord Garcia,
students from Don J e f e r s o n Nanao, Charles Edward
Bosco Technical College, Mapua Institute Alviar, Albert Jarwin Cudal, Karl Anthony
of Technology and UST. They are among Co and Richard Saul Turalba. Team Chua encouraged the students to do their
the 107 educational institutions from all Leader Jericho Rivera explained the reason best as their successful participation in
over Asia who will battle it out next year at behind the team’s name. “Atalanta is the this global competition on innovation
the Sepang International Circuit. female athlete in Greek mythology. She is can inspire other young people to pursue
the Greek goddess of running, traveling technical courses in college.
Hailing from the best technical schools and adventure. She is also known to be
in the country, all three teams are more a good hunter and is said to be the girl "The Shell Eco-marathon is a perfect venue
than ready to face up to the challenge. with a strong, can-do attitude. For Team where Filipino students can demonstrate that
Don Bosco Technical College is a historic Atalanta, the Shell Eco-marathon is our they are at par with other engineering students
educational institution that has carved a adventure and we ask the goddess to be in Asia in terms of technical superiority. We
niche in technical education, where young with us in this task,” said Rivera. have full faith in us Filipinos. We have full faith
people are geared to champion technology in you,” said Chua.
Lastly, UST, being the oldest engineering
school in the country, has tHE cOncEPt
produced world-class engineers During the launch event of Team
that are deeply rooted in Filipino Philippines, all three Philippine teams
culture, heritage, natural arts, excitedly unveiled the blueprint designs of
and have a sincere concern for their competing vehicles, showcasing their
the environment. The “UST technology, creativity and innovation.
Engineering Eco-marathon Team”
is led by Tim Mervin Pasoquen Mark Lester Arrieta, Team Leader of Don
Orille (Team Leader), together Bosco Technical College, shared that his
with Rizfer John Azares Cruz, team will be using lightweight materials
Richard Ching Lao, Ricardo Martin for their vehicle. He added that the shell
Camara, Audric Colbert Lao, Keith of the car would be carefully analysed to
Russel Pilares See, Marion Andrew resist air drag. “We have the necessary
San Pedro, Edwin John Perey, machines and materials to produce this
Jarome Lopez, Kristoffer Lara, vehicle. We can do it!” he declared. Don
Renz Austin Cruz, Jan Carlo Belen, Bosco Technical College Professor Paul
with a soul. Tagged as “Team Grigio”, Don Carlos Colmenares, Lorenzo Anton Catalan said that they are planning to
Bosco Technical College is represented by Bautista, Waldo Froy Rodriguez, Richard develop an electronic system to control
Mark Lester Arrieta (Team Leader), Angelo Go and Candice Marjory Sy. the engine of the vehicle to make it
Blanco, Derrick Ferdinand Figueroa, more fuel efficient. They will also do a
Mark-Liwell Lontoc, Omega John Ruiz, “We, in Shell Philippines, are very happy preliminary testing to determine the
Armin Lexter Tan, Edmund Angeles, Jason that we have three teams who will be optimised driving pattern.
De Guzman, John Elvin Jimena, Janus representing the country at the Shell
Magat, Geraldo Sadian, Primo Eduardo Eco-marathon Asia. I have no doubt Meanwhile, Mapua Institute of
Diaz, Patrick Crespo, Ivan Patrick Puno that you have a huge chance to make a Technology chose a teardrop design for
and the only female member of the group, good impression because you have your their vehicle as this lessens the amount
Erica Vicera. professors and Shell to support you. This of friction in the surface of the vehicle,
is your chance to show to the world that which makes it very aerodynamic,
The school’s entry is named after Don Filipino students can rank among the according to Atalanta Team Leader
Bosco’s guardian dog, Grigio, a name which best in this international event. Good Jericho Rivera. “We are very proud as
Don Bosco himself gave to the mysterious luck, Team Philippines!” enthused Shell Mapuans and as Filipinos to be one of
creature, which on many occasions proved companies in the Philippines Country the representatives of the country. We
22 SHELL WORLD PHILIPPINES

4. Tim Mervin Orille, UST Engineering to be able to conduct testing locally
Eco-marathon Team Leader, shared that before they head to Malaysia where
they are focusing on three aspects in they will be vying for a grand prize of
designing their vehicle: fuel efficiency, US $1,500.
use of lightweight materials and safety.
They designed the cockpit area of the tEaminG UP FOR tHE
vehicle with materials resembling a EnViROnmEnt
rib cage. They will also use pinwheels The Shell Eco-marathon is a visible
to help reduce friction. “We are quite demonstration of Shell’s pledge to face head-
confident that we can come up with the on the growing demand for energy worldwide
right concept and design that will enable in a responsible way, and is an invitation for
us to win the Shell Eco-marathon,” others to do the same.
he confidently said. Celebrating their
have the experience and we are backed quadric-centennial anniversary in “The reason for joining this competition is
by research, a dedicated faculty and 2011, the team aptly named their not to defeat the other teams but to win back
dedicated students,” he said. Mapua vehicle entry “Tiger 400” to dedicate mother Earth,” Don Bosco Technical College
School of Mechanical Engineering Dean their hard work to the university. UST Professor Paul Catalan aptly said.
Manuel Belino said that the students are Professor Raymundo Melegrito shared
drawn to the project because they are that they are challenged to come up Who will go the farthest using the least
very much interested in cars and engines. with a design that will embody the amount of fuel? Will it be Don Bosco, Mapua
He gave an inspiring message to his ideals of UST. or UST? Who will bring pride and glory to
mentees, “Here is your chance to prove the country? Who will win it all at the Shell
to the world that you could build a fuel As of the moment, their designs will Eco-marathon Asia? Find out in July 2010.
efficient car based on what you learned still undergo constant revision but the
so far in Mechanical Engineering. To all teams are eyeing to finish their vehicles The race to fuel efficiency is on. Let’s give our
the members of the team, good luck!” by the first quarter of 2010 for them support for Team Philippines! SWP
Fan Pages
aRE yOU FOR
tEam PHiLiPPinES?
SUPPORt yOUR SHELL
EcO-maRatHOn tEam By
BEcOminG a Fan!
aBOUt
Search for:
tHE
Info DeTaIlS
tRacK
Length 2,706 metres
Minimum Width 16 me
tres TEAM GRiGiO
Su rface Tarmac
Turns 9
ang International
the North Track of the Sep
T
he race will take place at
Malaysia.
Circuit in Kuala Lumpur,
t is home to TEAM ATALAnTA
ang International Circui
Officially opened in 1999, the Sep e World Championship and World
Formula On
the Malaysian leg of the
Motorcycle Grand Prix.
ible via highways
city centre, it is easily access International
Located 85km from Kuala Lumpur ala Lumpur uST EnGinEERinG
closely situated to the Ku
and railway links. Being ce for international events
.
Airport, the circuit makes
it an ideal pla ECO-MARATHOn
ess speed of more
features nine turns with acc work of fibre
TEAM
With a length of 2.7km, the track ough a net
is electronically linked thr
than 130km/h. The track to multiple closed circuit
TV cameras,
ng the track
optic cabling systems alo om.
d at the Race Control Ro
which is centrally monitore
SHELL WORLD PHILIPPINES 23