UPAA ANNOUNCES THIS YEAR'S DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDEES

Twenty-four exceptional graduates and three alumni chapters of the University of the Philippines will receive recognition awards from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) for the year 2010. The award ceremonies will be held during the U.P. General Alumni-Faculty Homecoming & Reunion on June 26, 2010, 4:00 P.M. at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni, U.P. Diliman Campus, Quezon City .

The UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards are conferred on alumni who have demonstrated in their chosen field of endeavor, extraordinary achievements and excellent contributions that bring about substantial benefits to society and distinct honor to the University. Recognition is given to achievements and contributions that impact the community in which the alumni are or have been active, whether this is at the local, national or international level.

This year’s 23 UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awardees are led by four alumni who are being recognized for Lifetime Achievement: Dr. Jose B. Cruz, Jr., BSEE ’53 scl; Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo, AA ’56 and MD ‘61; Dr. Dionisia A. Rola, AA ’41 with high honors and BSE ’47 mcl; and Prof. Isabel Juliana C. Sevilla-Soriano, AB ’53 cl.

“The UPAA made a special effort this time to identify unsung alumni achievers -- those whose accomplishments in little-known corners of the country are remarkable but have remained unheralded and unrecognized,” said Alfredo Pascual, UPAA President.

The other alumni awardees for outstanding achievements in various fields are: Dr. Cleofas P. Rodriguez-Cervancia, BSA ’68, MS ’72, PhD ’82 (Community Development through Research and Extension Services); Dr. Julie C. Fuentes, DDM ’85 (Community Service Overseas-Dental Health); Mr. Nicolas A. Deocampo, AB ’81 cl (Culture and the Arts - Filmmaking); Mr. Angel C. Cacnio, BFA ’54 (Culture and the Arts - Painting); Ms. Annie G. Dee, BSIE ’77 (Employment Creation through Entrepreneurship); Ms. Ma. Teresa J. Danguilan-Vitug, AB ’75 (Good Governance Promotion through Investigative Journalism); Ms. Adelina A. Royeca-Philipsen, AB ’77 (Human Development-Poor Handicapped Children); Dr. Lily M. Rosqueta-Rosales, BSE ’51, MA ’57 (Human Resources Development-Guidance and Counseling); Atty. Ramon Antonio P. Paterno, LLB ’70 (International Development); Dr. Carolyn Anne L. Canda-Benigno, DVM ’85 (International Public Service-Animal Health); Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, BS ’81, MD ’85 (Medical Research and Education-Infectious Diseases); Dr. Francisco S. Sy, BS ’70, MD ’75 (Medical Research and Education Overseas-Infectious Diseases); Dr. Juan Ma. Pablo R. Nañagas, MD ’74, MPH ’00 (Public Health Research and Management); Mr. Lucio N. Tabing, BSA ’70 (Rural Community Empowerment through Broadcast Communication); Dr. Agustin B. Molina, Jr., BSA ’73, MS ’79 (Science and Technology-Banana Research); Dr. Rey A. Elizondo, BSAE ’68 (Science and Technology-Food Engineering); Dr. Miflora Miñoza-Gatchalian, BSFT ’59, MA ’68 (Science and Technology-Food Safety and Quality); Dr. Cynthia T. Hedreyda, BS ’76, MS ’83 (Science and Technology-Molecular Biology); and Ms. Marian M. Santos-Nash, BSHE ’76 (Women Empowerment).

“The UPAA also gives special awards to individuals or groups who have rendered excellent service in the pursuit of the goals of the University and the Association,” added Pascual.

This year’s UPAA Distinguished Service Award for an Alumnus goes to Dr. Ramon Maria G. Acoymo, BS ’79 cl, BM ’88 mcl, PhD ’05. The UPAA Distinguished Service Awardees for Alumni Chapters are the UP Dental Alumni Association, UPAA Davao Chapter and UP Los Baños Alumni Association-America.

For inquiries on the U.P. Grand Faculty and Alumni Homecoming and Reunion, please contact the UPAA Secretariat at landline numbers 9206871, 9206868, 9206875, e-mail upalum@yahoo.com.ph, or cellular phone number 09178372098.