Prof. Magnolia Vida A. Cano, Director of the Bicol University – Regional Center for Science and Mathematics Education Development (BU-RCSMED), was invited to speak at the 39th Philippine Chemistry Congress, held at the Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City, from July 2 to 4, 2025. The congress was hosted by the Philippine Association of Chemistry Teachers (PACT) and the Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies (PFCS) with the theme “Beyond the Orbitals: Exploring the Multi-realms in Chemistry.” This event aligns with the declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, marking 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics. The 39th PCC brought together esteemed chemistry practitioners, scientists, and researchers from the industry, academe, and government agencies to discuss and highlight the scientific contributions of quantum science and technology to chemistry.

The event featured plenary lectures, oral research presentations, and poster sessions. During the special sessions on chemistry education, Prof. Cano shared on the topic “The Multi-realms of Teaching Chemistry: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities.” Her talk focused on the various challenges that current educators face in the realms of teaching and how educators can address these challenges to make teaching meaningful and productive. She emphasized the importance of reflective teaching, noting that to be effective, teachers should be both adaptive and reflective. She also presented the sad state of chemistry education in our country and appealed to the participants to contribute to helping teachers enhance their competencies in teaching chemistry. While the session did not shy away from the difficult truths, it inspired the participants by highlighting the transformative power of teaching and its lasting impact on students. The session concluded with reflection questions, emphasizing the importance of a teacher’s core values in navigating the teaching profession with purpose and creativity.

Prof. Cano participated in the 39th PCC, together with colleagues from the BU College of Science Department of Chemistry and BS Chemistry alumni who presented their research through oral and poster presentations.