ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Carrying out and writing this has been an enormous challenge. So to say that I took my time in preparation of this thesis would be an understatement. There are those people, however, who made the challenge much easier. At the outset, therefore, I thank those mentioned below most of all for their indulgence and patience with my somewhat intermittent work ethic. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my thesis adviser, Dr. Myrna S. Rodriguez, who has continually and convincingly conveyed a spirit of adventure in regard to research and scholarship. Thank you for the heaps of knowledge you have imparted and for accommodating me through your very hectic schedule. I would also like to show my sincerest gratitude to my thesis panel, Dr. Nieva T. Librojo Basilio and Prof. Ma. Desiree Belina Aldemita, whose insight and support has pushed me this far. Without the guidance and persistent help of these three beautiful ladies, this thesis would not have been a success. I also owe immense gratitude to Mr. Chito Rodriguez, Tita Len, and Tita Tess of ASL, IPB, along with Prof. Charisse Reyes, Prof. Joy Kaligayahan, Mang Tirs, Mang Mart, and Ate Tere of ASL, IC, and to Mr. Edison Boongaling, Ms. Ruby Janet Ortiz, Engr. Eden Sumalapao, Ms. Eden Walitang, Kuya Gie, Kuya Jason, Ronan, and Vince, who all have showed their assistance in so many countless ways. Thank you for the endless advice and the conversations that kept me going. I would also like to thank Jerome, Paul, Emji, Mikay, Moriel, Emman, Kirk, Vida, Errol, Celyn, and Quincy, who have adopted me during my alone moments in the lab. Special thanks to Kirky and Paolo for the knowledge you have imparted during my dont-know-what-to-do moments, to Rhea, Juval, JM, Kerk, Quincy, Jermz, Tin, Pao, Meryl, Oliver, and Kirk for the nonstop support you have given from the start to the very end of my study, and again to Quincy for the donation, you know I would not have finished this without you. Thank you a million times over for sharing this journey with me. Thesis time would be a bore without you guys! To my plethora of friends, the 1217 gals, Madi, Mila, Mariole and our boarders, Patti, Kat,

and Leizel, thanks for the meals, movies, laughs, and tears we have shared together. To my Chem friends, Ate Mafe, Joel, Che, Vany, Eal, She, Aisel, Karl, and Majesty, course and campuses would not set us apart. Thank you for being there during all the ups and downs. May our friendship stand through times. To my Hallu girlfriends, Ann, Mimai, Noreen, Dez, Trixie, Lourdes, Rochelle, Rencee, and Shaine thanks for understanding my endless absences. I owe you big time! Also to Yayet, and Melody, you have known me almost my entire life. Thank you for always believing in me, it means a great deal. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my dearest cousin, Ate Rochie, for lifting my spirits whenever Im down. I would be lost without your guidance and friendship these past years. All of you guys rock! To Epitaxy, Emulsifier, Zieggler-Natta Catalyst, Cross-Linked Enzyme, Titanium, Tryptophan, Resonance, Zeolite, Megahydrin, Tyrosine, Porphyrin, Electrophoresis, Zymase, Diatomic, Nylon 6,6, Le Chateliers Principle, Phonon, Thixotropy, and the rest of UPLB Chemical Kinetics Society, thanks for the laughter and the tears we have shared together. You have showed me that DNA does not make a family, but love does. You mean so much to me guys! I would also like to thank Karla, Meyi, Kakai, Patrieze, Arvin, Vince, Jimoy, Rembert, Rain, Ervin, Super Q, Super P and Kael. All those late night sessions with you, may it be Atkins night, blow-your-candle night, black magic night, Slurpee night, ice cream night, or just plain boring anything-under-the-sun (or moon) night, would forever be etched in my mind. I would not have survived my most testing days without you guys. Cheers to our never-ending friendship, you rock! Lastly, special mercis to my family, Mom and Dad, words do fail when I think of your unwavering support. To my gorgeous sisters, Ate Jhen, Ate Ann, Ate Jhet, and my favorite kuya, Kuya Jhayboi, I would not be here without your love and encouragement the whole stretch of my life. For these, I would always be indebted to you. Along with Kuya Jun, Ate Eva, Lian, JC, Jan Jan, Sophie, Pepam, and Eon, you have always been my Wonderwall and I would not have it any other way. I love you all! There are many more I could thank, but time, space, and modesty compel me to stop here.