Dr Robert So
| Dr Robert So | |
|---|---|
 Robert So.jpg | |
| Native name | Robert |
| Born | May 1954/05/05 Manila |
| 💼 Occupation | |
Early Life
Born in the City of Manila, in 1954. A dedicated son along with 8 other siblings, who named the SKH Mansion, the building that holds the headquarters of Ecosystem after his father, So King Hui.
Career
Dr. Robert Y. So is the President & Chief Executive Officer of Ecosystem Technologies, Inc. (ESTI). Founded in 1995, ESTI is the Philippines’ premier environmental technology solutions company by water projects portfolio.
Dr. Robert Y. So is a polymath, with achievements in technology development and applied science, engineering and design, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.
As an inventor, Dr. So is a holder of more than 10 patents in water and wastewater related technologies, two of which have been honored as finalists in the Intellectual Property Awards of 2017, presented by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These technological innovations have blazed the trail in water and wastewater treatment practices in the Philippines, specifically in the domains of uninterruptible drinking water production, and wastewater recycling and reuse for non-potable purposes.
In terms of technological leadership, Dr. So introduced Ultraviolet and Ozone technology in the Philippines in 1989, he introduced the Sequencing Batch Reactor in the Philippines in 1995, and then developed the proprietary Sequence Bio Reactor (SBR) in 1997 which he would popularize in the property development sector; wastewater recycling and reuse in 2002 (using his own patented technology), and uninterruptible (relative to turbidity) drinking water production in 2017 (using his own technology). As an inventor, Dr. So is a member of the Filipino Inventors Society.
In terms of engineering and design, Dr. So has introduced and popularized architecturally blended sewage treatment facilities, via the ability to safely construct and operate underground due to the ability to operate without emission of toxic and flammable gases since 1997. So is also the first to deploy and integrate Membrane Bio Reactor technology for wastewater treatment in 2009, and then integrate his own Sequence Bio Membrane Reactor with Desalination technology in 2017. Both are marquee projects for world-class organizations and facilities. He has designed over 600 treatment plants with an accumulated capacity of over 150 million liters per day.
As an entrepreneur, Dr. So founded Ecosystem Technologies Inc. in 1995 which has become the leader in legitimate and true water and wastewater treatment technology over the past two decades; completing over 600 projects for over 100 clients including the elite property developers, national and multinational manufacturers, the sovereign governments of the Philippines, and that of the United States of America. Dr. So has been honored as the Most Inspiring Biotechnology Entrepreneur by the Go Negosyo organization in 2008, and Ecosystem has been awarded Technology Company of the Year by the Asia CEO Awards in 2015.
Due in part to this performance, the continued growth of the business, and the need for Ecosystem’s technologies in the changing world, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation partnered with Ecosystem in the joint venture: Ecosystem Technologies International, Inc. in 2016, enjoining Ecosystem into its Metro Pacific Water organization and brand; rounding out its water utilities companies portfolio with the nation’s premier water technology solutions provider.
As an environmental philanthropist, Dr. So first contributed to the effort to rehabilitate the Pasig River by becoming the technical resource and consultant for ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation’s Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig in 2010, as well as providing manpower and funds for the construction of the project’s Material Recovery Facility in Paco, Manila. His support for this effort escalated in 2016 when he turned over to the City of Manila a 3rd Generation Water Recovery Facility for the Paco Public Market and the section of Estero de Paco between the Pedro Gil and the Trece de Agosto Bridges, whose operation and maintenance remains a continuous philanthropic contribution to date. Dr. So has been honored as the Most Outstanding Manileño of the Environment in 2015. Dr. So served as President of the Rotary Club of Makati South, and during his tenure (2017 – 2018) founded the Rotary Satellite Club Aguadores, filled entirely with water industry professionals that support all the Water, Sanitation, and Health programs of Rotary International District 3830.
As a result of Dr. So’s scientific contributions in the field of water purification technologies and his environmental philanthropy, the Western Mindanao State University conferred upon him a Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa in October 2018.
Personal Life
Enjoys singing and has a collection of karaoke equipment and devices from the 1980’s. A dedicated fan of The Beatles, and has a collection of their music memorabilia.
AWARDS and Recognitions
- Ten Outstanding Movers of the Philippines, Champion of Life and Hero of the Environment Award, Save Me Movement, Kalayaan Hall, Malacanang Palace (February 28, 2019)
- Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa, Western Mindanao State University (October 2018)
- Finalist, Intellectual Property Awards (Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry) for Sequence Bio Membrane Reactor (2017)
- Finalist, Intellectual Property Awards (Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry for Method and System for Treatment of Contaminated Water (2017)
- Paul Harris Fellow (Major Donor), The Rotary Foundation
(July 2017)
- Most Outstanding Manileño for the Environment, Government of the City of Manila (2015)
- Special Commendation Award, Contribution to the Rotary foundation as Multiple Paul Harris Fellow for the Year 2009-2010,
Rotary Club of Makati South, (June 25, 2010)
- Most Inspiring Biotechnology Entrepreneur, Go Negosyo (2008)
- Exemplar Service Centennial Award, Rotary Club of Makati South; Rotary International District 3830 (2005)
References
www.ecosystemtech.com
