AEROCON 2023

Seven years ago, officers of the Aeronautical Engineering Research Organization (AERO) gazed up at the sky with a deep desire to soar through the air like birds. It was then that they decided to create an annual event called the "Aeronautical Engineering Research Convention," or "AEROCON." Since its inception, AEROCON has become a symbol of hope for dreamers everywhere. Seeing successful individuals who were once like them reflected that their hardships will all be worth it right after tossing that black-tasseled academic cap while wearing their graduation toga.

Now, the time has come for the AEROCON 2023—an event themed to elevate a new hope after the world emerged from the shadow of the pandemic, “Filipinos: The Engines of Modern Aeronautics.” This year, the organization would like to send a reverberating message that echoes, “This is what hope looks like; this is what hope symbolizes,” while emphasizing Filipino engineers and aviators – proving that their competencies are the pieces in the puzzle of modern aeronautics. Kyle Russel Catoto (Project Head) led the team that resulted in one of the most successful events of the organization. The wisdom he holds and the kind of leadership that he embraces paved the way for a greater wealth of knowledge that the participants have acquired.

Students from the BS Aeronautical Engineering Department went to the venue bringing open boxes ready to be filled with knowledge, from the six speakers. It commenced with two inspirational speakers, Engr. Tedd Edward Maranan and Engr. Sofia Andrea Cosme. Engr. Maranan highlighted that as a fresh graduate, he is being challenged in the industry. As someone who never settled for less, “I always strive to become one percent higher than the average.” Engr. Cosme, with over five years of practice under her belt, shared how her expertise and experience could motivate every dreamer who dreamed of making “Engr.” as their prefix. “This is the best time to enter the industry, [...] you are on the right path,” she said before reclining back to her chair.

It was then followed by the resource speakers: Msgt. Enrico Magallanes, PAF; Engr. Nikka Yñessa Verona, and First Officer Timothy Mitchell F. Reyes. Msgt. Magallanes discussed “Airpower: Engineers in Mobilization.” As Filipinos, they ought to protect their fatherland in any way possible, so being able to tackle this topic will ignite the participants’ patriotism while embracing the industry that they chose to walk into.

Engr. Verona discussed, “Acquiescent: Life Above and Beyond Aircraft Structural Design.” This topic focused on the structural design of aircrafts and the job opportunities in the aeronautics industry. As the industry is once again going to its peak together with the technologies, it is of utmost importance to discuss that the degree they are currently taking will never turn out to be nothing.

First Officer Reyes, led the discussion on “Air Mobility: The Evolution of 3D Printing.” As cliche as it may sound, this industry is not moving backwards. It is, in fact, moving forward at a rapid speed. Having this kind of topic enabled the participants to be more informed of how 3D Printing revolutionized the aeronautical engineering community and why it will be the future of aerospace manufacturing.

After the three speakers took the stage, Engr. Shieldon M. Cuenca, who happened to be the Transformational speaker, toned, feathered and winged the crowd with the moral of his tale about a seahorse who had wings but did not know how to use it.  In the end, he explained that we all need someone to coax, mentor and push us to harness our potential to take flight. Despite having a brief window of thirty minutes to deliver his message, his impact was nothing short of transformative. The crowd was spellbound by his words, which resonated deeply within them.

AEROCON 2023 rekindled the flickering flame of hope, just as dreams that had almost been snuffed out came back to life. It indeed embarked on a nightmare that left the crowd shaking in their boots, thinking about what the future has in store for them. With the knowledge and wisdom in their pockets, their rockets loaded with dreams will definitely soar up high!