Alumni Milestones

UP Mass Comm’s 2024 Glory Awards honor journalist, advertiser, and popular DJ

December 12, 2024

By Thea Claudette Castaneda

2024 Glory Awardees Willie Inong “DJ Hillbilly Willy”, Joyce Pañares, and Mandy Reyes. Photo by Jun Madrid (UP MPRO)

The Glory Awards continues to honor University of the Philippines (UP) alumni who exemplify honor, excellence, and remarkable social impact in media and related fields, even amid a paradigm shift in media perception.

This year’s awarding ceremony, held on Nov. 23 at the UP Film Institute in Diliman, coincided with the UP College of Mass Communication Alumni Homecoming and the college’s 59th founding anniversary. Hosted by previous Glory Awardees Ces Drilon (2018) and Charie Villa (2022), the event highlighted the importance of truth-telling in the face of misinformation and information overload.



Joyce Pañares, managing editor of the Manila Standard and recipient of the 2024 Glory Award for Journalism, emphasized the critical role of accurate information in her acceptance speech. “In the age of misinformation and disinformation, truth-telling has become even more revolutionary; and correct and vetted information more crucial to help Filipinos make informed choices,” she said. A veteran journalist, Pañares has served as a Malacañang press corps leader and is also a dedicated educator in journalism.

Opening her speech with a reflection on media’s challenges, Pañares said: “So ang bilin po sa akin noong sinabihan ako na ako ay napili para sa Glory Awards, ‘Give an inspiring speech.’ Pero parang mahirap sa panahong laganap ang disinformation, at damang-dama natin ’yung eroded public trust sa media. Mas madaling sabihin na ‘everything’s okay with media.’ Madaling sabihin na ‘we can change the world with our stories.’ Pero the hard questions that we have to ask ourselves: ‘May interesado pa ba sa balita? Binabasa o pinakikinggan pa ba ang media, o tayo-tayo na lang ang nag-uusap?”

Pañares also commemorated the 15th anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre, which coincided with the awards night, further stressing the need for truth-telling in today’s society.



Mandy Reyes, founder of Industria Productions and recipient of the 2024 Glory Award for Allied Disciplines – Advertising, echoed similar sentiments. “Right now, there are more truth sellers than truth tellers. And I think that is the role of the institution… to strengthen, as always, here in the university, that we will be allowed or taught to think critically so that we can produce more truth tellers than truth sellers,” Reyes said.

Reyes, a pioneer in Philippine advertising, is known for directing iconic and gastronomically appealing advertisements. He also co-founded “#nowheretogobutUP,” a volunteer group dedicated to supporting UP sports teams. “Proud ako na nagawa namin ’yung ma-rebrand namin ’yung UP Fighting Maroons rather than all these commercials that you’ve seen. Mas fulfilling,” he added.



Willie Inong, popularly known as “DJ Hillbilly Willy” and winner of the 2024 Glory Award for Broadcasting, reflected on the shifting landscape of media. “This is an age of information overload, but this is also an age where broadcasting is almost obsolete,” he said, building on the points of his fellow awardees.

Inong, who has a background in pre-medicine and broadcast communication, has demonstrated excellence as a performer and innovator in radio and TV. He also serves as chair of the Good News Clinic & Hospital, a charitable mission in the Cordillera region.

The Glory Awards, established in 2017 by the UP College of Mass Communication Alumni Association, is named after Dr. Gloria Feliciano, founding dean of UP Diliman’s mass communication program (1965–1985). Each winner receives a trophy sculpted by Dr. Grace “Gigi” Javier Alfonso, TVUP director and former chancellor of UP Open University.

Photos by Jun Madrid (UP MPRO)

UP Geologists Lead the 2024 PRC Licensure Exam

November 28, 2024

By: Eunice Jean C. Patron



Six graduates of the University of the Philippines Diliman – College of Science’s National Institute of Geological Sciences (UPD-CS NIGS) secured spots in the top 10 of the Philippine Regulation Commission’s (PRC) annual Geologists Licensure Examination.

All 50 examinees from UPD-CS NIGS also passed the licensure exam, earning UPD the title of top-performing school with a 100% passing rate. Nationwide, 236 out of a total of 349 examinees successfully passed the examination, with a passing rate of 67.62%.

The annual PRC Geologists Licensure Examination was conducted online as a computer-based test from November 20 to 22, 2024.

It has also been nine years since UPD-CS NIGS last achieved a 100% passing rate in the PRC Geologists Licensure Examination in February 2016.

For interview requests and other media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

2 UP Mindanao Alumni wins 1st place on the 14th Mindanao Health R&D Expo

November 14, 2024





LOOK | Two UP Mindanao Alumni won 1st place during the 14th Mindanao Health R&D Expo on November 13, 2024, at Acacia Hotel, Davao City.

Ms. Blezzie Desales (BS Food Technology 2023) won first place in the Oral Presentation Competition Undergraduate Category with her research titled, “Colorimetric Detection of Pb²⁺ Using Green Sythesized AgNPs.”

Ms. Theresa May Gempisaw (BS Food Technology 2023) won first place in the Poster Exhibit Competition Undergraduate Category with her research titled, “Green Synthesized Nanosilver as Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor.”

Both are under the advisory of Prof. Noreen Grace Fundador of the Department of Food Science and Chemistry.
This event is in collaboration with the UPMin Office of Research and the Mindanao Center for Disease Watch and Analytics (DiWA), the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium XI (RHRDC XI) and DOST Region XI.

Congratulations to Ms. Desales, Ms. Gempisaw and the whole Department of Food Science and Chemistry!

Padayon towards Excellence!

Source: University of the Philippines Mindanao Facebook

UP Alumni Wins Again with “Balance of Life” Performance at Alumni Extravaganza 2024

By Jade Cadeliña

Grand Soiree Dinner Dance and Entertainment October 26th 2024 at Liverpool Catholic Club. PHOTO: Darryl O’brien

For the third year running, the University of the Philippines (UP) alumni team has won first place in the “Alumni Got Talent” competition at the Philippine Alumni Extravaganza Grand Soirée 2024. This year’s presentation, titled “Balance of Life,” brought to life the struggles many migrants face in trying to balance family and social life while staying connected to loved ones back home.

The concept, created by Joan Villarante (UP Los Baños Class 1996), highlighted the challenges and determination of Filipino migrants. Villarante, who also crafted previous award-winning themes like “Pagpupugay sa mga Magsasaka” (a tribute to farmers) and “Tres Generaciones,” shared her dedication to passing down Filipino culture to younger generations. “As Filipino migrants, it’s our responsibility to keep our heritage alive for our children,” she said. “Our family values and the bonds we share through music and dance are something special.”

The performance used traditional Filipino dances to tell a story of balance—both the literal balance in dance and the metaphorical balance in life. The medley included “Pandango sa Ilaw” (where dancers balance lights in glasses on their heads and hands), “Binoyugan” (with dancers carrying clay pots), and “Sayaw sa Bangko” (dancing on benches). These dances represented the careful balancing act of daily life for migrants.

PHOTO: Darryl O’brien
PHOTO: Darryl O’brien
PHOTO: Darryl O’brien
PHOTO: Darryl O’brien
PHOTO: Darryl O’brien
PHOTO: Darryl O’brien

In a creative nod to Australia, the team used milk crates in the “Sayaw Sa Bangko” dance, symbolising Australia’s dairy industry and its significance for Filipino-Australian families. This choice connected the two cultures beautifully, showing how both countries are a part of the Filipino migrant journey.

The performance’s touching message and strong execution earned UP’s team first place once again. Through this presentation, the UP alumni celebrated the spirit and strength of Filipino migrants, reminding everyone of the importance of balance in life.

Mabuhay ang mga Iskolar ng Bayan!

Source: https://philtimes.com.au/up-alumni-wins-again-with-balance-of-life-performance-at-alumni-extravaganza-2024/

UP Alumni: Making the UP Community Proud

July 26, 2024



“What does it mean to be UP Alumni?” This video showcases and ponders about the role of UP Alumni as forerunners of hope and inspiration for the UP Community and the Filipino people, in the name of honor, excellence, and service.

Filipino Mathematician Develop Heat Propagation Model for Rough Surfaces

July 3, 2024

By: Harvey Sapigao

Model for two materials with a rough interface (Photo Credit: Avila et. al. 2024)

Suppose you have a pair of pants you need to wear tomorrow. The problem is, you just washed them, and they’re still damp. So you resort to a handy tool: the flat iron.

Using the iron, you can easily dry the flat parts of the pants, but you will notice that it is more difficult to dry some areas where the surface is uneven – near the zipper, the side and back pockets, the seams, and the waistband.

That’s because the heat from the iron does not reach the uneven areas as quickly as it does the flatter areas. In other words, the heat propagation, or the heat transfer from the iron to the pants, is not uniform on rough surfaces.

Understanding how heat propagates from one material to another is important in designing efficient cooling devices, such as air conditioners, or constructing infrastructures that minimize heat from the sun. In some cases, heat propagation is simple to model when the boundary at which the two materials touch is flat, such as ironing the flat areas of the pants. In other cases, however, the heat propagation model is more complex when the boundary is rough, such as when ironing the uneven areas of the pants.

Jake Avila of the UPD College of Science Institute of Mathematics (UPD-CS IM) formulated a theory to model heat propagation through rough surfaces. With the help of mathematicians in Italy, Avila’s theory uses a method called homogenization.

Homogenization is a way of combining the tiny details of the material with its bigger, more uniform properties. For example, the flat areas of the pants may look flat under the naked eye, but if you examine them under a microscope, you will notice the individual bumps made by the interwoven threads, which don’t look flat at all. “Homogenization theory aims to describe the macroscopic or effective properties of composite materials while taking into account simultaneously the microscopic or local properties of its components,” explained Avila.

Homogenization helps simplify the problem and provides a more accurate model for heat propagation. According to Avila, homogenization incorporates the effective properties of the material, such as the thermal conductivity, while also considering the individual features of the material’s components.

Although he only applied his theory to heat propagation, it can be used for other physical phenomena as well. “[It] can also be applied to describe the acoustic wave propagation over rough walls or the turbulence flow in the rough ocean surface,” Avila said.

The next step is to develop a more general version of the theory for wider application. “The next plan is to study a more complicated and general problem wherein a sign-changing density function is involved in the eigenvalue problem in a domain through rough surfaces,” said Avila. “The problem in the article is a special case where a unit density function is treated.”

For interview requests and other concerns, please contact [email protected].

References: Avila, J., Monsurrò, S., & Raimondi, F. (March 2023). Homogenization of an eigenvalue problem through rough surfaces. Asymptotic Analysis, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3233/asy-231882

June 2024 Dentistry Licensure Examination UP Topnotchers



The University of the Philippines Manila warmly congratulates the 18 passers, 6 of whom were ranked among those at the top of the June 2024 Dentistry Licensure Examination!

Rank 1 – Delfin, Nathaniel Kyle Adrian Lim
Rank 2 – Gonzaga, Maxine Denielle Trinidad
Rank 3 – Alvarez, Nicole Eunice Rogel
Rank 5 – Figueroa, John Deuter Manalang
Rank 6 – Marabut, Gianna Marie Linchangco
Rank 8 – Tuazon, Aaron Eduardo

Kudos to the UP College of Dentistry for the 100% passing rate!

Your UP Manila family is very proud of you.

Padayon, and shine on, mga Dentista ng Bayan!

Source: University of the Philippines Manila Facebook

UP-OAR holds first “Pagkilala sa mga Natatanging Mag-aaral na Nagkamit ng Pinakamatataas na Marka sa Licensure Exam”

June 24, 2024

Written by Thea Claudette Castañeda

Photo from Jun Madrid, UP MPRO

The Office of Alumni Relations under the Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs held its first reception dinner for topnotchers last June 11, 2024, at the Atencio-Libunao Hall. The event, titled “Pagkilala sa mga Natatanging Mag-aaral na Nagkamit ng Pinakamatataas na Marka sa Licensure Exam”, aims to recognize and celebrate UP graduates who embody honor and excellence. It also serves as a reminder to everyone present of the role of UP alumni with respect to service to the nation.

Over 120 topnotchers attended the event out of the 276 recorded alumni topnotchers from various 2023 licensure examinations, and among them were 12 individuals who ranked first. Attendees were called on stage and were recognized by UP President Angelo Jimenez and Vice President for Public Affairs Roland Tolentino, as well as other UP officials present.

UP President Angelo A. Jimenez (Photo by UP OAR)

During the congratulatory speech, President Jimenez emphasized the importance of putting one’s professional endeavors for public service before personal gain, in line with the UP core values of honor and excellence.

“On the most trying moments, let us go back and remind ourselves who it is we serve. Not any politician, employer, or company, but the people and communities who look for our service. We have our whole lives and youth ahead of us. Or maybe our lives are just about to begin. Let us build the stamina and grit we need to be able to stay true to our desire to serve the people,” said Patricia Marie Imperial, Top 1 from the 2023 Social Work Licensure Examination, further emphasizing the spirit of public service in her speech. Ms. Imperial was chosen to represent the topnotchers as she embodies honor and excellence since she serves as a Social Worker at the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office in Daraga, Albay.

UP Conchords (Photo from Jun Madrid, UP MPRO)

The event was hosted by Prof. Ma. Crisanta Flores, who livened up the recognition ceremony. The acapella group ConChords also grabbed the attention of the audience in their intermission performances and their rendition of the Philippine National Anthem and UP Naming Mahal.

The dinner reception and topnotchers’ recognition is part of the week long celebration, Linggo ng Unibersidad, with the theme “Hayag: Pagpupugay sa Lingkod Bayan”, which aimed to recognize the contributions of faculty, staff, students, and alumni in advancing the core values of the University.

June 2024 Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Licensure Examinations UP topnotchers

June 13, 2024







Congratulations to our alumni who passed the June 2024 Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Licensure Examinations!
UP CAMP has a 100% passing rate for both occupational therapy and physical therapy, with two of our graduates garnering top spots!

Nicole Deszherie M. Recaido, PTRP (UP PT 2023) – Top 3
Jasmina Anne B. Lamadrid, OTRP (UP OT 2023) – Top 4

We are so proud of our newly licensed colleagues! May you serve our fellow Filipinos with honor and excellence!🌻

Source: UP College of Allied Medical Professions Facebook

UPMin faculty member earns PhD scholarship for KIST Park

May 23, 2024
UP Mindanao Assistant Professor Cyrose Suzie S. Millado at the Kyoto University of the Dept. of Biological Science and Environmental Studies
Architect’s rendition of the initial UPMin KIST Park facility to house the Lactic Acid, Biomass, and Biopolymer pilot processing plants

University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Annabelle Novero announced that the Mindanao Japan Science and Technology Platform (MJSTEP) awarded its first scholarship slot to UPMin faculty member Asst. Prof. Cyrose Suzie Millado.

Asst. Prof. Millado will pursue her PhD studies in the Division of Biological Sciences (Department of Biophysics) at Kyoto University’s Uji campus.

The MJSTEP scholarship grant covers school fees, airfare, and living expenses for the entire study period.

The MJSTEP scholarship originated from an understanding between UP Mindanao and Japan Consul-General Mr. Yoshiaki Miwa to establish a Knowledge Innovation Science & Technology (KIST) Park on campus for an academe-industry-government innovation ecosystem modeled after the Kitakyushu Science and Research Park in Japan.

Asst. Prof. Millado’s study grant coincides with the anticipated approval of initial funding for UP Mindanao’s KIST Park from the Department of Trade and Industry’s PRISTINE project.

“Upon completing my PhD, I am expected to foster networks and projects related to the KIST Park project,” Millado said.

In addition, Millado said that Kyoto University and the MJSTEP organization allowed her family to accompany her.

“My faculty host and research mentor, Associate Professor Tomohiko Tsuge, and Sir Tony Miwa of MJSTeP have always supported me since my application and have been very helpful so I can bring my family,” she said

The MJSTEP scholarship and the KIST Park project align with UP President Angelo Jimenez’s plan to produce more Ph. D.s and campus innovation hubs. They also address the Sustainable Development Goals of Quality Education, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and Decent Work and Economic Growth, among other goals.

Article from Up Mindanao PRO