Ang Magiting - The Official Web Site of Rotary Club Makati North

Left brain guy needing right brain skills

By: Treas. Robert Syjuco
Nov. 16, 2011

The left brain rules logic & reasoning, the right brain deals with creativity & emotions. Most people are adept on one side and this often dumbs down the other side. Artists are not great at logic, while scientists can’t write creatively, generally.

I took a test which side dominates me, and I’m one of the very few ‘balanced left and right’ which they say is like less than one percent of the population, so I’m a mutant, an engineer who can write, or at least, pretends he can, but I digress….

I had apprehensions when I learned that the guest speaker was going to talk about clays. The last time I held clay in my hand was for excavations, when we dug for building foundations and basements, and it was, to say the least, not at all glamorous. I often ruined my shoes on these occasions.

PP Joe, who invited the guest speaker, assured me that this topic was important, so I sort of raised my expectations. But before we had him, the ‘better’ Reano, Pres Archie reminded us of the Botolan medical mission moved early next year, the postponement of the Christmas party ( for a week ) to give way to Vicky Magadia’s party and drummed up support for the Governor’s Cup early December which we will co- sponsor with a few other clubs.

It’s a good thing that no one refers to the Governor’s Cup as the Governor’s Leg anymore. After all, the Governor does not have 12 legs. Another good news is that we finally received the matching grant for P600K+ for the feeding program. We had to stop the feeding program for a month as RCMN could no longer afford to advance the expenses. Now, we can continue feeding the 202 kids again.

Dr. Chelo Pascua from Batac, Ilocos Norte was introduced. He specializes in clays, and explained that it is used to make all sorts of stuff. From ceramic water filters to facial masks to brake pads and everything in between. Nothing really new there. He did explain that he now has the technology to extract nano technology benefits from these.

Asked what nano tech is, he tried explaining that this is the science of very little things. I don’t think too many got his technical explanation. Let me try my example: There are outdoor men’s jackets that are waterproof but let your sweat out (so it does not feel hot). This is done by making the cloth ‘pores’ small enough to let sweat particles pass out but not large enough to let outside water in. Sweat particles are smaller than water particles and this in nano-engineered into the fiber. That’s nano-science integrated into everyday things.

I think PP Joe invited him to draw investors to Chelo Pascua’s tech. Well, in as much as a 30 second tv ad can convince us to buy stuff we previously had no need or knowledge of, he had a good 20 minutes. Did he do well? You be the judge. Excerpts:

He presented pics of ceramic filters, capable of separating coffee from the milk and sugar in it. What it is as compared to existing ceramic filter tech, nothing was mentioned. Neither was its commercial value. Who needs to remove milk from coffee??? Patience is a virtue….

He presented a pic of a girl in a clay facial mask and said it’s good and we can email him for free samples. No ‘before and after’ pics, no mention of what it does. Cora Tan inquired (yes, Anns were invited ) what differentiated it from existing facial masks, he said nano technology. To what ends, he refused to explain further than “the pores. “

He did say his wife used it and attested it efficacy. Asked how, he said, “Maybe later.” I don’t get it….I joked PP Porong “ maybe you will end up looking like him?”.

On the constructive side, Porong and I agreed such things need to be endorsed by Belo or Calayan, or Ann Curtis. Not by him and not put on supermarket shelves without marketing. That’s right brain thinking…..

It’s like a toothpaste commercial saying, “we have a new brand called X, mail us for free samples, it’s good! Any takers?” No advertising awards there, sorry.

Someone asked if this tech could be used for engine oil filters, he said yes, but no idea on costing whatsoever, only that it would last longer in the long run. He mentioned salt water desalination with PP Joe, who was helping him along, but over all everyone was underwhelmed, investment wise.

I’m sure he is technically adept, very left brain, but basing on his presentation skills and marketing savvy , it’s a real dud, right brain-wise. Maybe on further one on one discussion one can polish out the facets in the raw diamond that he may be, but for now, he needs help in creativity and marketing. That I leave to PP Joe! Good luck guys!