True Blue: The Story of PIPAC recounts in detail the “depth of thought and imagination” of Dr. Modesto T. Chua, the man who envisaged this modest chapel on campus and built it to become the Philippine Institute of Pure and Applied Chemistry (PIPAC). It is from his vision, innate intelligence, affable personality, passion, and fortitude that a successful model for academe-industry-government partnership became possible. This model has proven to be successful and sustainable due to PIPAC’s viable, steadfast,and responsive existence for almost fifty years now.
PIPAC will be golden by December 2022. This book serves as an advance party to that forthcoming jubilee. It is a fitting remembrance and celebration of the core values and ideas upon which PIPAC is built, and more especially of the pioneer behind it, Dr. Modesto T. Chua. This book is not only for those who have had engagements with PIPAC, but also for those whose lives have been touched by Mody, both personally and professionally. The words and images here give shape to the man’s deep understanding of his field, his passion for service, and his tenacity in the face of challenges, in building something that is envisaged to last beyond our own lifetimes.
Jose Ramon T. Villarin SJ
President, 2011–2020
Ateneo de Manila University