Alumni Milestones

UP alumni win National Children’s Book Awards

August 26, 2022

Written by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo



Twenty-two alumni of the University of the Philippines (UP) won in all three categories of the recently announced 7th National Children’s Book Awards.

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) honors are given by the National Book Development Board every other year. According to the PBBY, the awards recognize “the best books published for children and young adults in the previous two years” and “encourage parents and caregivers to spend more time reading with their children while recommending the best-published works.” The 7th National Children’s Book Award winners were announced on July 19.

In the Best Reads Category, 2020-2021, the following eleven UP alumni were awarded:

 

  • Beth Parrocha (Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1984), illustrator of Bulul and Ako ay may Kiki;
  • Gigo Alampay (BS Economics, 1985 and Bachelor of Laws, 1991), author of Safe Space: A Kid’s Guide to Data Privacy and Youthink: Fight Fake News;
  • Liza Flores (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication, 1996), illustrator of Safe Space: A Kid’s Guide to Data Privacy and Youthink: Fight Fake News;
  • Abi Goy (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication, cum laude, 1996), illustrator of Safe Space: A Kid’s Guide to Data Privacy and Youthink: Fight Fake News;
  • Mon Sy (BA Comparative Literature, summa cum laude, 2016), author of Kakatok-katok sa Bahay ni Benok;
  • Gabriela Dans Lee (BA English Studies, cum laude, 2005), author of Cely’s Crocodile: The Art and Story of Araceli Limcaco Dans;
  • Adrian Panadero (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication, magna cum laude, 2014), illustrator of Cely’s Crocodile: The Art and Story of Araceli Limcaco Dans;
  • Philip Ignacio (BA Development Studies, 1995), author of Alandal;
  • Maloi Malibiran-Salumbides (BA Communication, Broadcast Communication, 1993), author of Tinola ni Nanay; and,
  • Felix Mago Miguel (Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1992), illustrator of Tinola ni Nanay.

Ten UP alumni won honors in the Kids’ Choice Awards: Chapter Books Category. They were:

 

  • Denise Nicole P. Tolentino (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication, 2003), author and illustrator of The Quick and Careful Adventures of Muni;
  • Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay, Ph.D. (BS Geology, 1985 and MS Geology, 1990), author of I am the Change in Climate Change;
  • Jacqueline Franquelli (BA Broadcast Communication, 1999), author of Anak ng Tinapay;
  • Daniel Tingcungco (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication, cum laude, 2009), illustrator of Anak ng Tinapay;
  • Danielle Florendo (Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2018), illustrator of Maselan ang Tanong ng Batang si Usman;
  • Bambi Eloriaga-Amago (BA Journalism, cum laude, 1997), author of Doobiedoo Asks;
  • Cat S. (Certificate of Fine Arts in Visual Communication, 2001), creator of Little Wolf;
  • Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo (Ph.D. Comparative Literature, 1993), author of Catch a Falling Star (Filipino Edition);
  • Chuckberry J. Pascual (BA Malikhaing Pagsulat sa Filipino, cum laude, 2003; MA Philippine Studies, 2008; and PhD Filipino, 2015), translator of Catch a Falling Star (Filipino Edition); and,
  • Ana Digi (BA Comparative Literature, cum laude, 2000), author of Sinta.

Finally, the two UP alumni who were recognized in the Kids’ Choice Awards: Picture Books Category were:
 

  • Meanne Mabesa Mijares (BS Education, English, 1994), author of Cassy’s Chair; and,
  • Jacqueline Tiu (BA English, 1993), author of Nang Matutong Magbasa si Mariano.

With reports from the Office of Alumni Relations, UP System.

Source: https://up.edu.ph/23-up-alumni-win-national-childrens-book-awards/

New AMLC executive director named

Lawrence Agcaoili – The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has named Matthew David as the new executive director of the AMLC Secretariat, replacing Mel Georgie Racela, whose term ended last Wednesday.

Under Section 8 of Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, as amended, the AMLC is authorized to establish a secretariat to be headed by an executive director, who shall be appointed by the Council for a term of five years.

The executive director must be a member of the Philippine Bar, at least 35 years of age, and of good moral character, unquestionable integrity, and known probity.

Previously, David served as director of the Investigation and Enforcement Department of the AMLC Secretariat and as deputy director of the Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

David also taught law at Arellano University and Our Lady of Perpetual Help University.

David holds a Master of Laws degree in Finance from the Institute for Law and Finance at the Goethe-Frankfurt University in Germany. He obtained his degrees in Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

David will have his hands full as the Philippines has been retained in gray list of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Since its re-inclusion in the gray list in June last year, the Philippines made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG).

Last June, the FATF retained the Philippines in its ‘gray list’ as it stressed the need for the country to further strengthen its action plan to address strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.

The AMLC is confident the Philippines would be removed from the gray list of the global dirty money watchdog on or before January 2023 as the country has committed to resolve swiftly the identified strategic deficiencies within agreed timeframes.

Source: https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/08/21/2203978/new-amlc-executive-director-named

GMA Network names Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes as Senior Vice-President



GMA Network, Inc.’s Executive Committee has elected Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes on August 17, 2022 as its new Senior Vice President effective September 1 this year. In this role she will oversee the Talent Management and Development Dept., Program Management Dept., Human Resources Dept., Legal Dept. and some subsidiaries in the Kapuso Network.

She has been a director of GMA since 2000 and was part of the team that led GMA’s phenomenal rise to the top.

She serves in numerous leadership roles across the Network. Among these was setting up GMA New Media, the Network’s digital media and technology arm and future-proofing agent. As President of GMA Worldwide, she led the team that distributed GMA’s shows to territories in Asia, North America, Middle East, and Africa. Atty. Gozon-Valdes was also instrumental in pushing for new partnerships with new global platforms and in bringing some of the best foreign shows to the Filipinos such as Full House, Stairway to Heaven and Jewel in the Palace.

Currently, she is the Programming Consultant to the Chairman/CEO of GMA Network, where she works with the Drama group and drives synergy across departments. She was one of the brains behind the iconic series Encantadia and Mulawin. She was one of the first to push for local adaptations of iconic foreign materials such as Marimar, Stairway to Heaven, Endless Love and other Korean dramas, as well as the upcoming live action drama Voltes V Legacy.

She was recently appointed as Consultant of Sparkle, GMA’s talent management arm and serves as President of GMA Films, Inc. where she led the production of several blockbuster movies such as Let the Love Begin, Lovestruck and Moments of Love.

Atty. Gozon-Valdes is also the Corporate Secretary of GMA Network, director of GMA Ventures, Inc. and Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. (PEP), Treasurer of Citynet Network Marketing & Productions, Inc., and a Trustee of the GMA Kapuso Foundation. She also sits on the board of RGMA Network, Inc., GMA’s radio management and broadcasting affiliate, among others.

She is a partner (on leave) in Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion & Lucila and was an Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines, College of Law where she taught Taxation and Legal History.

Atty. Gozon-Valdes was the valedictorian of her elementary and high school classes in Colegio de San Agustin at Makati City. She graduated cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Engineering from the Ateneo de Manila University. Thereafter, she obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines where she graduated valedictorian and cum laude. She later obtained her Master of Laws from Harvard University.

Source: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/842088/gma-network-names-atty-annette-gozon-valdes-as-senior-vice-president/story/

Meet the UP Diliman Summa Cum Laude Who Graduated with Highest Weighted Average This 2022

By Therese Aseoche

Last July, the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman produced a record-breaking number of graduates with Latin honors: a total of 634 cum laude graduates, 652 magna cum laude graduates, and—the most impressive feat—150 summa cum laude graduates.

Among all the summa cum laude graduates, it was BA Speech Communication student Neil Piolo Villanueva who achieved the highest Weighted Average Grade (WAG) of 1.032. The College of Arts and Letters valedictorian was able to excel academically while also bearing a passion for service as the Chairperson of UP Batangan, a duly-recognized socio-civic organization of Batangueño students on campus, and the Project Head of Aruga Are, one of the organization’s projects that had received the 2022 Ignacio B. Gimenez Award for UP Student Organizations’ Social Innovation Projects – Special Citation.

When In Manila was able to talk to Piolo about his college experience, what he learned and will miss most about college, and how he embodies the university’s values of honor, excellence, and compassion for others.



I believe your batch was the first to study not only in the K-12 program but also transition to an online set-up amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Personally, how were you able to overcome the struggle of switching to this alternative learning?

“Privilege. The privilege to have access to a functioning laptop, an okay internet connection, a safe house to study in, a loving support system, and a so-so mental health made the transition bearable. Unfortunately, all these earned the name “privilege” for a reason.

If anything, the online setup magnified the gross inequalities in our country, and we saw clearly how all the aforementioned things are privileges rather than things all students must have in the first place. Maraming napwersang tumigil sa pag-aaral dahil sa anti-poor setup na ito. Maraming hindi tiyak kung epektibo ang kanilang pagtuturo o pagkatuto. May krisis tayo sa edukasyon at dapat maaksyunan ito agad; tiyak na hindi solusyon dito ang paggastos ng 58,300 na piso kada laptop na may lumang processor.”

How important was it for you to not just excel academically but also be of service to others through your extracurriculars? Was it difficult to balance this?

“It would be hypocritical for me to say that I never chased after uno’s. I am saddened to admit and think that it has been part of my social configuration under a neoliberal framework of education to anchor my worth on grades and merits. Thankfully, my stay in UP eventually equipped me with the knowledge to challenge this thinking and the system that perpetuates it.

The common saying, “grades are just numbers,” made more sense to me when I started assuming leadership positions in my organization. UP Batangan, my only organization in college, exposed me to the harsh realities in our province. Marami pa ring walang akses sa edukasyon, serbisyong pangkalusugan, pagkain, at sa gitna ng lahat ng ito’y laganap pa rin ang militarisasyon.

Since then, my views of why I study and learn have tremendously evolved. I treated every learning opportunity not anymore as a chore for which I must get high grades, but now as a means through which I could grow and become more knowledgeable in pursuit of enabling myself to genuinely and excellently be of service to others. That is why, for me, learning is in itself an act of service and more importantly, learning is a means through which I would be able to serve my country well. While managing my academics and extracurriculars was hard, it made all the hardships enjoyably purposeful. Kaya ngayon, tuloy pa rin ang pagpapahusay at pagkatuto para mas makapaglingkod lalo sa panahong ito.”



What are some important life lessons you learned during your stay at UP?

Every lesson in UP can be life-changing, no matter how small or big it may be. Halimbawa, sa dami ng pancit canton kiosks sa UP, natutunan kong original flavor ng pancit canton talaga ang pinakamasarap, at ang kalaban natin ay ‘yung mga sweet and spicy apologists.

Kasabay niyan, natutunan ko rin na hindi totoo ‘yung “kung may tiyaga, may nilaga.” Walang ganun, mars. Some of the brightest and most responsible people I know got delayed or were forced to stop studying because of poverty, gender discrimination, and other systemic inequalities.”

The one thing you’ll miss the most about UP.

“‘Yung kalayaan in many forms. Una, kalayaan para isuot mo kahit anong gusto mong isuot. Mamimiss ko magtsinelas at magsuot ng pantulog araw-araw nung face-to-face pag papasok sa klase. Pangalawa, kalayaang mahalin kung sinong gusto mong mahalin. Kaya talaga pagsabayin ‘yung laude at landi. Pangatlo, kalayaang makipagdiskurso at makapagpahayag ng kritisismo. I was so lucky to be surrounded with the brightest professors, classmates, and orgmates. Higit sa lahat, siyempre, kalayaan mula sa tuition fee na utang ko hindi sa gobyerno, kundi sa mamamayang Pilipino na matapat na nagbabayad ng kanilang buwis.”

Any message you’d like to share with fellow graduates who are now about to face a new world beyond the walls of their campus?

“Grades don’t define you… unless mataas. Eme.”

Congratulations to all 2022 graduates! Padayon, mga Iskolar ng Bayan!

Source: https://www.wheninmanila.com/up-diliman-summa-cum-laude-neil-piolo-villanueva/

PH-born scientist named fellow of the American Chemical Society

Diana Aga, director of the University at Buffalo’s RENEW Institute, is a globally recognized leader in environmental and analytical chemistry. UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Philippine-born scientist at New York’s University at Buffalo has been named a fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS), one of the world’s largest scientific societies and publisher of some of the most prominent journals in chemistry.

Diana Aga, PhD, director of the University at Buffalo RENEW Institute and Henry M. Woodburn Professor of Chemistry in the UB College of Arts and Sciences, is among 45 scientists named as 2022 ACS fellows who are being honored for outstanding achievements and contributions to science, the profession and society.

A two-time Fulbright award winner and a recipient of Germany’s Humboldt Research Fellowship, Aga is globally recognized for her work in environmental and analytical chemistry.

Aga is being recognized “for encouraging women and underrepresented minority students to pursue careers in environmental and agricultural Chemistry, and for innovative contributions in agrochemical analysis to better understand their ecological and health impacts.”

She is also being cited for her contributions to the ACS’ AGRO division, where she has organized student research, learning and networking activities. AGRO brings together scientists and other partners worldwide to promote innovative solutions for the protection of agricultural productivity, public health and the environment.

Aga’s career was inspired by changes she witnessed in her childhood village in the Philippines. She remembers swimming, playing and fishing frequently in a river near her home, but as the years went on, the river gradually became darkened with pollution.

Aga joined the UB faculty in 2002 after earning a PhD in analytical and environmental chemistry from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural chemistry from the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

She has led the UB RENEW Institute since 2021. This university-wide multidisciplinary research institute focuses on complex energy, environmental issues and related t social and economic issues.

A prolific scholar with over 180 refereed papers, Aga also continues to lead a lab in UB’s chemistry department that analyzes pollutants in the environment; develops ways to break them down and clean them up; and investigates the chemicals’ impact on humans and wildlife.

Her team’s discoveries have had a far-reaching impact on understanding emerging contaminants such as antimicrobials and other pharmaceuticals; endocrine-disrupting chemicals; and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Aga is now helping to train the next generation of researchers. She has mentored dozens of undergraduate and graduate students who have gone on to careers in industry, government and academia.

She hopes to expand this work through programming and partnerships at the RENEW Institute that support pathways to STEM for K-12 and university students from underrepresented groups.

Source: https://usa.inquirer.net/108161/ph-born-scientist-named-fellow-of-the-american-chemical-society

UP dominates Environmental Planner Licensure Exam

August 12, 2022

By Kaithreen Cruz

THE Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that 108 examinees passed the July 2022 Environmental Planner Licensure Examination out of the 178 who took the test.

PRC noted that “results of examination with respect to two examinees were withheld as per Board Resolution No. 5.”

All those in the top 10 were from the University of the Philippines — from constituent universities of Diliman and Los Baños.

The roster of new environmental planners was led by Aleya Carmela Arca from UP Diliman, scoring 84.40 percent in the licensure examination.

Similarly, UP Diliman was the sole top-performing school in the examination with 40 or more examinees with at least an 80 percent passing rate after 36 of its 43 examinees passed (83.72 percent passing rate).

Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/11/latest-stories/up-dominates-environmental-planner-licensure-exam/1854224

UPV BioDiv faculty bags first place in the national oral competition on obesity gene

Mr. Franco Miguel Nodado and Mr. Sean Rafio



Dr. Adrienne Marrie S. Bugayong-Janagap from the Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, won 1st Place in the 15th PNHRS Week Oral Research Presentation-Professional Category on 08 August 2022, held at Clark Marriott Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

She bested five other national finalists in the same category during the 15th PNHRS Week, which will run until August 12, Friday.

Dr. Bugayong-Janagap presented her study, “Tubby and Hmgb2 interaction and potential role in adipogenesis,” in the recently concluded Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week Oral Research Presentation-Professional Category. She was chosen as the Region 6 representative by the Western Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium.

“Obesity is a global epidemic, and the Philippines has seen an increase in cases. Therefore, it is important to study obesity-associated genes, like tubby, which may give us a broader perspective on the mechanisms underlying the disease, and provides insight on potential therapeutic strategies and public health intervention,” said Dr. Bugayong-Janagap when asked about the significance of her study on obesity.

Meanwhile, Lyelle Rowie Z. Galupar, a BS Public Health student, qualified for the national poster competition after winning at the regional level. Galupar is among the eight finalists in his category.

The Western Visayas delegation was headed by CAS Dean Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer, who is also the Western Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (WVHRDC) director.

DOST-PCHRD holds the annual PNHRS Week Celebration to promote health research among Filipinos.

Source: https://www.upv.edu.ph/index.php/news/upv-biodiv-faculty-bags-first-place-in-the-national-oral-competition-on-obesity-gene

UP Los Baños forestry college congratulates first-ever summa cum laude in its history

August 8, 2022

By Jeline Malasig

University of the Philippines-Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources graduate Vicmar Jugado in this photo released by UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources through Facebook on July 28, 2022. (Facebook/UPLBCFNR)

After more than a century, the College of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños has a summa cum laude.

Vicmar Firmalan Jugado is the UPLB CFNR’s pride after finishing his undergraduate studies with a cumulative weighted average grade of 1.15.

In the UP grading system, 1.0 is the highest grade a student can get, which is also known as “uno.”

5.0 is the lowest.

The college on July 28 offered a congratulatory post to its graduate who they say is its “first-ever summa cum laude.”

CFNR said it hasn’t had a summa cum laude for 112 years, or since its establishment in American-era Philippines in 1910.

Summa Cum Laude is the highest academic distinction a graduating student can get. Next is magna cum laude (“with high praise”), followed by cum laude (“with praise”).

CFNR is considered the country’s oldest and finest academic institution of higher learning in forestry.

The college is among those recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as a Center of Excellence in Forestry Education.

Meanwhile, CNFR described its first-ever summa cum laude as a “consistent student achiever since elementary.”

“Deeply inspired to help his family, Vicmar Firmalan Jugado hurdled through the rigors of academic demands and challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” its tribute post said.



Jugado acknowledged CFNR’s tribute by sharing its post on his account with the comment: “Thank you CFNR.” It was accompanied by a green heart emoji.

He reportedly received P100,000 from the university in recognition of his feat.

The college also recognized other forestry graduates who finished their studies with flying colors.



Source: https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2022/08/05/224228/up-los-banos-forestry-college-congratulates-first-ever-summa-cum-laude/

Florendo, new CIDE president

Benito V. Sanvictores Jr. – Diliman Information Office

Florendo. Photo by Jefferson Villacruz, UPDIO

Raquel B. Florendo, PhD, an interior design professor at the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Home Economics (CHE) has been elected as the new president of the Council of Interior Design Educators (CIDE) in July 2022.

A registered professional interior designer since 1994, Florendo is currently a member of the Commission on Higher Education-National Capital Region’s (CHED-NCR) quality assessment team in the area of architecture, fine arts and interior design, the Professional Regulation Commission’s (PRC) Board of Interior Design for Continuing Professional Education/Development, and the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID).

CIDE is the national academic organization in interior design recognized by PRC, PIID, and the CHED.

The main roles of CIDE are “to standardize the interior design curriculum among schools and institutions offering interior design programs, unite and implement guidelines for the preparation of board exam questions via the standard curriculum, and decide how to come up with the scope of subjects in its teaching procedures and other requirements.”

Florendo is a faculty member of the CHE Department of Clothing, Textiles and Interior Design since the 1990s, and is currently the UPD Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, a post she has held since June 10 2019.

She sits as chairperson in both the UPD Infrastructure Bids and Awards Committee and the technical working group of the UP Planning and Development Committee (Land Use), and as member in both the Centennial Dormitory Oversight and Committee (Office of the UP President) and the Dormitory Oversight and Committee. She was also the director of the Business Concessions Office (BCO) from 2010 to June 9, 2019.

In 2016, Florendo and Adelaida Mayo, PhD, former CHE dean and a fellow at PIID, guided CHE ID students taking ID 179 special projects class to serve financially challenged institutions whose spaces were in dire need of rehabilitation. The students were under the close supervision of the professors, whose licenses took care of the projects’ legal requirements. One of the projects was Tinig: Design that Speaks, a renovation project of My Children’s House of Hope (Bantay Bata 127) in Payatas, Quezon City. According to the PIID website, CIDE was established in 1979 by the Specialty Board for Interior Design. It was initiated by IDr. Belen Sablan Morey and is composed of member schools University of Santo Tomas, College of the Holy Spirit, Philippine Women’s University, Assumption College, UP, Philippine School of Interior Design, La Consolacion College-Bacolod, University of St. Louis Tuguegarao, University of the East- Caloocan, and St. Scholastica’s College.

Source: https://upd.edu.ph/florendo-new-cide-president/