The University of the Philippines Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students, Inc. (UP ALCHEMES) has officially launched its annual Blockhandling program to welcome the latest batch of freshmen, shiftees, and transferees (FSTs) into the UP Diliman Chemical Engineering community.
The cornerstone of the transition initiative is the upcoming “Fresh Day,” scheduled for August 8, 2026, at the IE/ME Building. The highly anticipated face-to-face event will bring FSTs together for a full day of games, a campus tour, and networking with both peers and upperclassmen before the official start of the academic year.
This Blockhandling initiative is designed to ease the transition of FSTs into university life, offering a mix of informative resources and interactive events to help new students navigate university life and build support networks.
The event kicked off on July 4 with the New Freshie, Shiftee, and Transferee Year Orientation (NFYO), giving incoming students an initial look at what to expect from the rigorous program. This was followed by Mixer Night on July 11, a virtual gathering designed to help batchmates connect and socialize.
In tandem with these events, UP ALCHEMES is rolling out an extensive digital campaign across Facebook and TikTok. The organization is set to release its official 2026 FST Handbook, which compiles critical information regarding course subjects, study materials, and student life. Other scheduled initiatives include bi-weekly “Freshie Tips,” a Books and Calculator Sale, a community raffle, and “Blockwars”—a block-based team competition aimed at fostering camaraderie and friendly rivalry.
Through these combined efforts, UP ALCHEMES aims to ensure that no new student has to navigate their academic journey alone, establishing a strong foundation of community support from day one.
For real-time updates and more information on the upcoming events, visit the UP ALCHEMES Blockhandling Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/upalchemes.blockhandling.
