By Karren Jay G. Asgar
Engr. Aurora Alerta-Lim delivers her acceptance speech as ĢƵPIChe Member EmeritusĢƵ during the 85th PICHE National Convention at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City, on September 11, 2024.
On September 11, 2024, Engr. Aurora Alerta- Lim, a distinguished Centralian, received recognition as ĢƵPIChe Member EmeritusĢƵ during 85th PICHE National Convention held at the Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City. This achievement, marking her long and prominent career in chemical engineering with many years of experience, reflects her deep commitment to the profession and its advancement.
Engr. Lim earned her BachelorĢƵs Degree in Chemical Engineering from ĢƵ (CPU) in April 1964 and began her career in Cebu City after passing the board exam. She later served as an Associate Professor at CPUĢƵs College of Engineering and taught at Cebu Christian School and UP College Cebu. Engr. Lim met her husband, Jesus Dy Lim, in Cebu City, and they have been married for 58 years. Their two sons are now successful Civil and Electrical Engineers.
In her acceptance speech, Engr. Lim reflected on her journey with gratitude, stating, ĢƵI became a registered chemical engineer in 1964 when I took my oath here in Cebu City sponsored by PIChE Cebu at the Casino Espanol. Tonight, after 60 years, my professional life is turning into a full circle– here again in Cebu!ĢƵ
In 1981, Engr. Lim, along with Engr. Conrad Silvederio and Engr. Ed ĢƵButzĢƵ Concepcion, reactivated the PIChE-Iloilo Chapter, which later expanded to PIChE-Panay, encompassing chemical engineers from Iloilo City and the five provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras.
Engr. Lim thanked PIChE for the recognition and shared her past honors, including being named ĢƵOutstanding Chemical EngineerĢƵ at the 2003 National Convention in Davao City and receiving the ĢƵOutstanding Professional in Chemical Engineering for the Year 2003ĢƵ award from the PRC. During the 85th PICHE National Convention, she was further honored as ĢƵPIChE Member Emeritus.ĢƵ
She concluded her speech by expressing her ongoing commitment: ĢƵThank you, President Dugos and the Awards Committee. I humbly accept and share this award with my family and PIChE-Panay delegates here tonight. This honor is given to those over 70 who have actively served PIChE. IĢƵm 81 now but IĢƵm not retiring from PIChE yet. With GodĢƵs grace, IĢƵm still willing to serve PIChE and ĢƵang Pilipinas nating mahal! [ĢƵ] Thank you and may this 85th PIChE National Convention enable us more to enrich the lives of others, especially the younger generations.ĢƵ
Additionally, Engr. Lim held several key positions at CPU, including Fund Campaign Executive for the Henry Luce III Library and Rose Memorial Auditorium, Executive Director of the Office of Planning and Development, Vice President for Operations, and Special Assistant to the President on Environmental Concerns until her retirement in 2008. She now serves as a Consultant for the CPUAAI Board of Trustees.
In an online interview, she shared, ĢƵAs the late CPU President Dr. Agustin A. Pulido once remarked, ĢƵI wear many hats,ĢƵ including my roles as adviser to PIChE Panay, the College of Engineering Alumni Association, and Chairman of the Iloilo National High School Alumni Foundation, as well as being a senior member of the Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity! These are all service to CPU and the community! I hope to inspire you and the other younger Centralians!ĢƵ
The title of ĢƵPIChe Member EmeritusĢƵ is a testament to Engr. Aurora Alerta-LimĢƵs enduring impact on chemical engineering, her ongoing influence on future generations, and the pride she instills in the Centralian community.