August 06, 2025

Education, Social Inclusion and Equity, Active Citizenship, Environment

"The University of the Philippines Association of Civil Engineering Students (UP ACES), established in July 1954, remains the leading student organization of the UP Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE) in UP Diliman. With a legacy spanning 71 years, over 120 resident members, and a growing network of 1,400+ accomplished alumni, UP ACES continues to be a driving force for academic excellence, professional advancement, and holistic student growth through its dynamic line-up of events and initiatives. One of these key initiatives is Project ALAS (Alleviating Lives, Advancing Solutions), the organization’s dedicated social service arm founded in 2016. Project ALAS integrates civil engineering with community development, aiming to equip vulnerable communities with the knowledge and tools to build safer, more resilient futures. Our latest effort is an educational outreach program for Grades 1-3 students in Bagbag Elementary School, focused on flood risks and emergency preparedness, with the goal of fostering a generation ready to face flooding challenges and creating a safer, more informed future. Last 2022, with over 4,000 beneficiaries reached, Project ALAS combined civil engineering with community-building through one of its past projects involving constructing a Cement Bamboo Frame facility in Nasugbu, Batangas, for 10 Tondo-based families. Complementing our social service efforts is the National Civil Engineering Summit (NCES), the biggest annual civil engineering convention in the country and a flagship event organized by UP ACES. Our goal is to foster connections among fellow civil engineering students and enthusiasts from all over the Philippines through our engaging events, namely: National Civil Engineering Symposium, National Civil Engineering Quiz (NCEQ), Bridge Building Competition (BBC), Civil Engineering Career Fair, Civil Engineering Laboratory Tour, and Civil Engineering Exhibit. Now in its 21st year, NCES champions proactive planning and inclusive collaboration, empowering communities to help shape solutions and transform isolated efforts into shared progress."