Alumni Milestones

With great knowledge of bats comes great responsibility

January 13, 2022

by Josephine M. Bo

 

He probably knows bats more than the back of his hand. Afterall, straight out of college since 24 years ago, he has been studying them.

It is this knowledge that associate professor Phillip A. Alviola will take into the newly established Scientific Advisory Groups for the Origins on Novel Pathogens or SAGO of the World Health Organization (WHO).

SAGO is tasked to advise the WHO Secretariat on technical and scientific considerations regarding emerging and re-emerging pathogens.

It is composed of 28 experts of which Alviola is the lone bat ecologist.

The rest are experts in epidemiology, animal health, ecology, clinical medicine, virology, genomics, molecular epidemiology, molecular biology, biology, food safety, biosafety, biosecurity, and public health as the WHO website said.

“SAGO will create a global framework to guide the world on what to do to prevent and to preempt the emergence of pathogens, especially WHO-priority diseases with pandemic or epidemic potentials,” said Alviola.

Part of SAGO’s work, Alviola explained, is to look into the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. How the virus escaped from bats and caused this already two-year-old pandemic is still a subject of international debate.

Getting a seat in SAGO

Becoming part of SAGO was no mean feat.

Afterall, it is on this advisory group that a better understanding of COVID-19 and a more effective response to preempt future pandemics partly rests.

Alviola was one of 800 individuals from more than 100 countries around the world who applied for a seat in the advisory body after WHO issued a call for experts on Sept. 8, 2021.

Upon the proddings of partners from the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology, Alviola applied for a seat in SAGO.

His expertise on bats had come to the fore in the midst of the pandemic.

As the COVID-19 pandemic raged on, he had been tapped in lecture circuits in UPLB and in the country by people desperate to know how things came to pass and how bats have something to do with the scourge.

Bats are known reservoirs of coronaviruses, which could include SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Alviola has contributed much to the body of knowledge through long years of research on the subject, many of which had been published in highly regarded scientific journals.

His work had earned him the 2017 Outstanding Young Scientist Award of the National Academy of Science and Technology. He is also on the list of most cited scientists from the Philippines based on Google Scholar.

“Critical work at a critical time”

SAGO’s work, which WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described as “critical work at a critical time,” will not only provide a rigorous and standardized process for studying novel and re-emerging pathogens.

According to Ghebreyesus, it will also bring back the focus of the work “squarely back to science and not be infected by politics as it has SARS-CoV-2, causing a serious barrier to the scientific process of understanding where the virus came from.”

If you come to think of it, Alviola’s body of work has always been critical work at a critical time, focusing as he has on ecology, biodiversity, conservation, discovery and description of new animal species, and cave biology, among others, and all crucial to man’s continued existence.

The bulk of his contributions has gone toward increasing knowledge about bats and bat virology, potential zoonotic viruses, and pathogens of bats.

In fact, Alviola and his partners from Japanese universities are collaborating on developing a simulation model to predict the next bat-derived coronavirus infection in humans with samples gathered from as early as 2007.

His body of work reflects the urgent and critical need for science to find solutions to and avert problems created by what he said is the narrowing interface between men and animals.

During what is probably one of the darkest periods in our collective history, Alviola stepped up to contribute to the “critical work” that SAGO is now doing. This is a responsibility that was conferred on him by his knowledge of bats.

Source: https://horizon.uplb.edu.ph/uplb-features/with-great-knowledge-of-bats-comes-great-responsibility/

UPLB takes top 10 spots in CIE exam

January 4, 2022

Nine of the passers of the 11th Certified Industrial Engineering (CIE) Examination from UPLB landed in the top ten.

These are Franz Christian Velasco, 87.4%, 2nd place; Korine Carmela Gualberto, 83.9%, 3rd place; Aaron Perez, 83%, 4th place; Marc Kenneth Nofuente, 81.7%, 6th place; Christine Angela Matienzo and John Kenneth Punongbayan, 81.3%, 7th place; Jane Kimberly Sales, 80.9%, 8th place; and Nikko Trio and Tom Keizer Jambalos who both got 80% rating and tied for the 10th place.

The 11th CIE exam results were released by the Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers (PIIE) on Dec. 16, 2021 through the Industrial Engineering Certification Board (IECB).

Two hundred sixty out of 309 examinees passed the online exam.

The CIE exam passers are now eligible to apply for the title of Associate ASEAN Engineer under the Philippine Technological Council, an umbrella organization of 13 professional engineering associations, which also administers the ASEAN Engineer Registry in the Philippines. (Kristel Hope Villafuerte)

Source: https://uplb.edu.ph/academic/uplb-takes-top-10-spots-in-cie-exam/

Former UP president named new MAP head

December 20, 2021

by Othel V. Campos

Alfredo “Fred” Espinosa Pascual was named the new president of the Management Association of the Philippines for 2022. Pascual is the 73rd president of the MAP since its inception in 1950.
A governance advocate, Pascual serves as the lead independent director at SM Investments Corp. He is also an ID at other publicly-listed companies, including Megawide Construction and Concepcion Industrial.

His board seats include nonprofits and other organizations, such as Institute of Corporate Directors, Institute for Solidarity in Asia, FINEX Academy, University of the Philippines Foundation, Philippine Council for Foreign Relations and US-Philippines Society. He led ICD as president and CEO in 2018 to 2019.



From 2011-2017, Pascual served as president and co-chair of UP—a system comprised of eight constituent universities with 17 campuses across the country.

He spearheaded ambitious reforms and innovative programs to transform UP into a research-intensive university, raise its international standing, and strengthen its public service capabilities.

He enabled UP to generate significant increases in financial resources from government budget allocations, private donations and income-generating projects. Extensive modernization and expansion of the campuses’ physical facilities, research laboratories, cyber-infrastructure and information systems became possible under his leadership.

Before becoming UP president, he was alumni regent on the UP board. He also served as trustee at International Rice Research Institute and Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
Prior to becoming an academic leader, he worked at Asian Development Bank for 19 years (1989-2008) in various positions, including director for private sector operations, director for project finance, advisor for public-private partnership and senior investment officer.

He authored a strategy that provided the framework for ADB’s efforts to promote the private sector as the engine of economic growth. He oversaw various infrastructure and financial sector projects in several Asian countries such as China, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia and Afghanistan.

He had postings at ADB’s resident offices in India and Indonesia. He represented ADB on the corporate boards of over a dozen investee companies (e.g., banks, funds, financial institutions, and manufacturing firms) in China, India and the Philippines.

Earlier on, Pascual took a management educator role in the 1980s as finance professor at the Asian Institute of Management. His duties at AIM included the directorship of the Advanced Bank Management Program.

At present, his other affiliations include being a member and past president of Rotary Club of Makati, honorary member of Philippine-American Association of Scientists and Engineers and president of the global Association of Former Employees of ADB.

He graduated from UP with an MBA and a BS Chemistry degree. UP and four other universities have conferred honorary doctorates on him. His other recent honors include the Philippine Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, CEO Excel Award from IABC PH, Asia Circle of Excellence for Global Filipino Executives, UP Alumni Association Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award and Rotary Golden Wheel Award for Higher Education.

The other MAP officers for 2022 are Donald Lim, COO of DITO CME Holdings Inc. as vice president; Wilson Tan, chair and country managing partner of SGV & Co. as treasurer; Romy Bernardo, managing director of Lazaro Bernardo Tiu & Associates as assistant treasurer; Mann Hontiveros, managing director of CEO Advisors Inc. as secretary; and Alex Cabrera, chair emeritus and ESG Leader, Isla Lipana & Co./PwC Philippines as assistant secretary.

The other MAP governors are Cielito Habito, chair of Brain Trust Inc.; Chito Salazar, president of PHINMA Education Network; and Babes Singson, president and CEO of Metro Pacific Water.

Source: https://manilastandard.net/business/314022748/former-up-president-named-new-map-head.html

Max’s Group names Fermin as new president

December 16, 2021

by James A. Loyola


Max’s Group Inc., the Philippines’ largest casual dining group, has recently named its former Group Chief Operating Officer and marketing veteran Ariel P. Fermin as its new president.


Fermin takes over from Roberto F. Trota and will now be in charge of the overall commercial and operational performance of MGI and its iconic brands which includes the flagship Max’s Restaurant, Pancake House, Yellow Cab Pizza Co., Krispy Kreme, Jamba Juice, Dencio’s, Teriyaki Boy, and Sizzlin’ Steak.



He will also be responsible for identifying opportunities for expansion, customers, markets, new industry developments, and standards; as well as executing and implementing corporate policies, programs, processes, and guidelines in line with the Group’s vision.


Fermin has spent over three decades steering some of the world’s most distinguished companies across a diverse range of industries, elevating world-class brands, re-imagining businesses, and driving revolutionary transformation.


He first spent over 20 years in the corporate world working in multinational firms, after which he assumed executive roles in flagship Filipino companies.


With a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of the Philippines, he started at Procter & Gamble as a management trainee and eventually rose to the role of R&D category head.


Fermin then moved on to Coca-Cola where he made a career shift to Marketing and helped the company open its doors to the production of non-carbonated beverages.


After this, he went on to become Sales & Marketing Director at Unilever Foods and was Nike’s Country General Manager—managing an entire company for the first time when he was just 37 years old.


Fermin later joined Jollibee Foods Corporation as President of Greenwich and Chowking, and the MVP Group of Companies as Executive Vice President and Head for Consumer Business at the height of its digital convergence.



Now at the helm of MGI, he said all these experiences are providing him the perspective and the edge to steer the company into a new order, especially with COVID-19 still very much altering the course of the industry.


“I firmly believe that our local brands and industries have what it takes to shine on the global stage,” said Fermin.


He added that, “I am excited by the opportunity to assume greater stewardship of MGI through its newest chapter using my experience and perspective to help the group navigate its most dramatic evolution yet, all the while continuing to work closely under the guidance, culture, and values of our founding families.” “MGI has demonstrated an unmatched resiliency and flexibility even as the COVID-19 crisis continues to alter the global food industry,”” said Trota.


He noted that, “Through it all, none of this would have been possible without the leadership of Ariel P. Fermin who has helped us accelerate three years of strategy into three quarters of execution throughout the pandemic, helping us define new sources of wealth, streamline our operations, and build newfound agility into our organization.” “We look forward to having him on board as our new President to continue supporting our efforts to future-proof the business,” said Trota.


Source: https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/12/maxs-group-names-fermin-as-new-president/

This Filipina receives highest honors distinction at Oxford University

December 9, 2021

By Catalina Ricci S. Madarang


This December 2021 photo shows Ellaine Joy Calapao Sanidad received her recognition under the Master of Studies in Diplomatic Studies program at the University of Oxford (Photo courtesy of Ellaine Joy Sanidad)


A Filipino student received the highest honors distinction at the prestigious University of Oxford in the United Kingdom this December.


Ellaine Joy Calapao Sanidad received her recognition under the Master of Studies in Diplomatic Studies program at the university on December 2.


She is set to graduate with the Oxford degree and award on March 12, 2022.


The Facebook page of Immaculate Conception Academy, Sanidad’s alma mater, shared a Facebook post that lauded for her for this achievement.



In an interview with Interaksyon on December 6, Sanidad explained that in Filipino terms, distinction may be considered as a Summa Cum Laude standing.


To receive a distinction is also considered the “highest honors a graduate/postgraduate can achieve” in British communities.


This would also be her second master’s degree after finishing her MA in Speech Communication at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.


Sanidad, who is from Ilocos Norte, shared that she attributed this success to God, her family, friends, mentors and other people who helped her along the way.


“First of all, always the Almighty God. Next, my family, relatives, friends, teachers and mentors, former colleagues and bosses, people who always believed in me,” she said.


She also gave a shout out to herself.


“I have always been too hard on myself, and it was only recently that I learned how important it is to give myself a tap once in a while for being able to put up with the ever ambitious, difficult me,” she added.


A stellar student


Sanidad had always sought for excellence in school since she was a child. She looked up to her elder cousins and sister who were top students back then.


Prior to her Oxford degree, she also earned other noteworthy achievements.


In 2010, she graduated Magna Cum Laude at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.


While she was taking up her first master’s degree, she taught in UPLB for around four years. Her rank also went from an instructor to an assistant professor.


In 2016, she started to pursue a bigger dream of studying abroad.


Scholarship journey


Sanidad recalled that after her teaching job, she worked with the National Coast Watch Center under the Office of the President.


It was during that time when she applied for the Chevening Scholarship, a UK-based scholarship offered to eligible developing countries.


Her first attempt, however, did not go well.


Despite this hurdle, Sanidad still remained steadfast with her goal. She turned her failure into a learning process of acquiring her scholarship from 2016 to 2019.


“Although I failed my first attempt for a scholarship abroad, I remained determined to apply again. My first attempt taught me a lot about the application process and what type of individuals successfully get such a prestigious scholarship,” she said.


Sanidad’s hard work started to pay off in 2020. She got the scholarship and was offered a place in Oxford.


“As I described it in one of my posts on IG, my application in Oxford was ‘suntok sa buwan’. I just tried applying there, but never really expected to be offered a place. So, imagine my joy when I received those two big news in 2020 — getting the Chevening scholarship, and offered a place in Oxford,” she said.


Pandemic woes


Sanidad recalled her first term in Oxford also happened to be the first year of the pandemic in 2020.


During this time, her father was also diagnosed with dementia.


While she was writing her dissertation, Sanidad’s parents contracted COVID-19. She also learned that a very close aunt and cousin of hers died.


These difficulties initially made her doubt herself if she should stay in the UK or return home to her family.


“It came to a point I asked my ambitious self why she needed to dream that big. Why she brought me into that, so far, toughest year of my life. I wanted and needed to be with my family so bad, but there was little to nothing I could do. So, I studied hard and aimed to finish my program quick, as if those could make that one year away from home shorter,” Sanidad told Interaksyon.


She was also challenged by homesickness which she described as “emotional torture.”


“I thought being in the UK for a year would only feel like my usual life working in Manila, only, not coming to visit home at all for a year. I underestimated the emotional torture brought by the physical distance between the UK and the Philippines,” Sanidad said.


What’s next?


Despite being thankful for her success in the UK, Sanidad admitted she is scared for the next stage of her life after graduation.


She said she has no plans yet if she would take up a doctorate degree.


For now, Sanidad plans to rest and spend time with her family.


“Coming back home, my priority were to rest, spend quality time with my family, and work on my physical recuperation before pursuing my next plans in life. My physical health suffered a lot from the many restless days in the university, barely sleeping and eating anything at all due to dealing with all kinds of pressure studying in Oxford,” she said.


Sanidad also said that she celebrated her Oxford distinction with her family, relatives and friends after she returned home to the Philippines.


“We had two thanksgiving parties: first was when I just arrived back from the UK; second, just last week, a day after I learned my final award, when my family threw me a surprise thanksgiving party after knowing about it themselves,” she said.


To those who are dreaming of studying in Oxford, Sanidad has one advic which is to give their best in every step of the process.


“Think of Oxford as just any other university abroad. Considering it as an unreachable university won’t help you get there. However, that doesn’t mean working less towards getting there. Learn to always give your best in every endeavor you take, because only with giving your best could you get the best reward,” the Filipina achiever concluded.


Source: https://interaksyon.philstar.com/hobbies-interests/2021/12/07/206035/this-filipina-receives-highest-honors-distinction-at-oxford-university/

PH envoy named president of IMO Assembly

By Yashika F. Torib


A Filipino envoy has been elected president of the 32nd International Maritime Organization (IMO) assembly. Antonio Manuel Lagdameo, Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James (United Kingdom), is the first Filipino to be elected head of the IMO assembly.


IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that sets global standards for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted, and universally implemented.


Antonio Manuel Lagdameo


On the other hand, the IMO Assembly is its highest governing body. It is responsible for approving the work program and budget, determining financial arrangements, and electing the IMO Council. The Assembly consists of all Imo Member States and meets once every two years.


“On behalf of the Philippines delegation for the IMO General Assembly Meeting in the UK, our heartfelt congratulation to Amb. Antonio M. Lagdameo for his election as President of the IMO Assembly. What a great honor to be part of this historic feat! This assures that our voice in support to all seafarers especially the 800,000 Filipino Seafarers (Modern Heroes) worldwide will be heard,” said Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).


Lagdameo is a seasoned diplomat who has previously served as the Philippine Ambassador to the United Mexican States in 2007 and the Philippine Ambassador to Spain in 2008. He is now in his second tour of duty as the country’s envoy to the Court of St. James. Before joining the Philippine Foreign Service, Lagdameo served the Philippine government in various capacities, chief among them was his leadership of the Philippine Racing Commission from 1994 to 1998. As a staunch advocate and supporter of Philippine arts and culture, he spearheaded various programs and initiatives aimed at positioning the Philippines as a cultural superpower in London, and at using culture and the arts as building blocks to stronger Philippine-British relations.


The Ambassador graduated with a Pre-Med, Associate in Arts degree from the University of the Philippines in 1961 and after which proceeded to obtain a Bachelor of Arts Major in Accounting from the University of the East three years later.


He obtained his graduate degree in business administration from Ateneo de Manila University’s Graduate School of Business Administration in 1971.


Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/12/08/business/maritime/ph-envoy-named-president-of-imo-assembly/1825082

UP Manila top performing school in November 2021 Pharmacist Licensure Exam

December 5, 2021

The University of the Philippines (UP) Manila emerged as the top-performing school in the November 2021 Pharmacist Licensure Exam, acquiring a passing rate of 98.18 percent, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Friday, Dec. 3.


UP Manila was followed by Adamson University with a 92.11 percent passing rate; Saint Louis University which garnered 85 percent; Saint Paul University – Tuguegarao at 84.31 percent; and Mariano Marcos State University – Batac with 81.25 percent.


Nicola Christine Aquino Rivera of UP Manila topped the licensure exam with a rating of 93.90 percent. Meanwhile, Kristine See Ang of UP Manila owned the second spot with a 93.10 rating.


Among the top ten successful examinees who garnered the highest ratings are:


3. Jaylord Baccay Balisi of Saint Paul University – Tuguegarao (92.30 percent)


4. Hugh Jasper Chy Tan of De La Salle Medical & Health Sciences Inst. (91.98 percent)


5. Patricia Manalese Reyes of UP Manila (91.95 percent)


6. Kenneth Honrubia Betita of Our Lady of Fatima – Quezon City (91.70 percent)


7. Francis Anthony Mino Homillano of UP Manila (91.25 percent)


8. Roxanne Duhaylongsod Morata of Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (91.20 percent)


9. Timothy Jay Simuangco Antonio of UP Manila (91.15 percent)


10. Jomel Yuoi Malana Jamito of Saint Paul University – Tuguegarao (90.95 percent)


PRC also announced that 1,207 out of 2,371 individuals successfully passed the exams.


It said the Pharmacist board exam was conducted on Nov. 25 to 26 at several testing centers located in Metro Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Rosales, Pangasinan, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga.


The results were released four working days after the last day of the exams. (Charie Mae F. Abarca)


Source: https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/03/up-manila-top-performing-school-in-november-2021-pharmacist-licensure-exam/

UP grad from Isabel tops teacher’s exam

December 2, 2021

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela: The Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) for secondary education held in September this year was topped by Roslyn Vea Damasco, a native in this city and graduate of Bachelor of Science in Education-Major in Special Education and Minor in Mathematics at the University of the Philippines Diliman.


A consistent honor student during her elementary and high school years, Damasco garnered a 93.40-percent passing rate in the LET to share the number one spot with Vincent Bayawa of Cebu Normal University.


Damasco graduated magna cum laude at UP Diliman in 2019. She received the news on her 23rd birthday on Monday.


“I’m happy, blessed, grateful, overjoyed,” she said.


She said she found the examination very difficult, and ” there was a thought that I will not pass, but God is so great.”


Meanwhile, Czendra Faye Compares of Tuguegarao City scored 93.20-percent passing rate to share the number two spot with Cherish Ivy Fabricante of UP Baguio City.


Compares finished her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Major in Biology at the Cagayan State University-CSU Andrews. She teaches high school at the St. Louis University-Tuguegarao to help earn income for the family. Her father works as a government social worker and her mother is a housekeeper.


“I am surprised. I did not expect to be among the topnotchers,” she said in a Facebook post.


She feared not of flunking the examination but of possibly getting infected with Covid-19 when she took the examination.


Another Region 2 examinee, Devin David Despe Dumlao of Jones, Isabela, garnered a 92.40 percent passing rate. He ranked fourth in the list, tied with Kenneth Alfonso Regis of University of Mindanao-Davao City.


He is a product of the Our Lady of the Pillar College in Cauayan City.


Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/12/01/news/regions/up-grad-from-isabel-tops-teachers-exam/1824211

UP alumni named among the 2020 and 2021 Outstanding Government Workers by CSC

November 18, 2021

Written by Celeste Ann Castillo Llaneta



Several UP alumni were among the 2020 and 2021 Search for the Outstanding Government Workers winners, an annual search administered by the Philippine Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Honor Awards Program. The honorees received their awards on November 15 via the Radio Television Malacanang’s Facebook page and YouTube channel and the Civil Service Commission’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.


According to the CSC’s website, the winners are chosen under three awards categories. The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award recognizes exceptional or extraordinary contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had a nationwide impact on public interest, security, and inheritance. The CSC Pagasa Award is given to an individual or group for outstanding contributions that directly benefit more than one government department. Finally, the Dangal ng Bayan Award is given to an individual for exemplary ethical behavior in observance of the code of conduct under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.


Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardees


All of the 2020 winners of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award are groups: the Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter Team of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI); the Bayawan Aquaculture Team of the City Government of Bayawan, Negros Oriental; and the National Retail Payment System (NRPS) Core Team of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which was recognized for creating a platform that allowed interoperability of all payment systems, resulting in better services for consumers and spurring the use of payment platforms such as PESONet and InstaPay, which hastened migration to online payments and provided broader financial inclusion for its digital-enabled system.


Two of these awarded teams count UP alumni as members. From the PNRI Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter Team: Gil Lantican Magsino, University Researcher IV, and Fernando B. Aurigue, Senior Science Research Specialist, graduated from the UPLB College of Agriculture and Graduate School. From the BSP NRPS Core Team: Anna Lissa T. Racines, Bank Officer V and graduate of the UP Diliman College of Business Administration (CBA); Atty. Bridget Rose Millan Mesina-Romero, Bank Officer V, is also a graduate of the UPD CBA and the College of Law. German S. Constantino, Jr., Bank Officer IV, likewise a graduate of the UPD CBA.


Among the individual 2021 recipients of this category of awards are the following UP researchers, faculty, and alumni:


  • Dr. Nelly Siababa Aggangan, University Researcher II/Scientist I of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, UP Los Baños (UPLB);
  • Flordeliza Hidalgo Bordey, Deputy Director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, who graduated from the UP Diliman School of Economics;
  • Angel Balisi Encarnacion, Agricultural Center Chief II/Scientist I of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, who graduated from the UP Visayas College of Fisheries;
  • Dr. Gerardo Dizon Legaspi, Director of the UP Manila Philippine General Hospital; and,
  • Dr. Rose Marie Rosete Liquete, Executive Director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, graduated from the UP Diliman College of Arts and Sciences and the UP Manila College of Medicine.


CSC Pagasa and Dangal ng Bayan Awardees


The UP alumni who are among the 2021 CSC Pagasa awardees are Prof. Ambrose Hans Guiyab Aggabao of Isabela State University, who earned his doctorate in Education degree from the UP College of Education; and Dr. Ester Battad Flores, Supervising Science Research Specialist/Scientist I of the Philippine Carabao Center, who graduated from the UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine.


Four groups also received the 2021 CSC Pagasa awards, with two of these groups counting UP alumni as members. The UP alumni who are members of the COVID-19 Crisis Management Team of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), one of the Pagasa awards recipients, are Dr. Romina R. Angangco-Danguilan, team leader and Deputy Executive Director of the NKTI, who graduated from the UP Manila College of Arts and Science and College of Medicine; Dr. Nerissa V. Mendoza-Gerial, Deputy Executive Director of the NKTI, who graduated from the UP Manila College of Public Health; and, Dr. Glenda Eleanor L. Pinga-Pamugas, NKTI Medical Specialist who took her pre-medicine course at the UP Diliman College of Science.


The other group-recipient of the CSC Pagasa award that counts UP alumni as members is the Technology Commercialization Team of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Department of Science and Technology, Los Baños, Laguna. The team is composed of Noel A. Catibog, team leader and Chief Science Research Specialist at PCAARRD, who graduated from the UPLB College of Agriculture and Graduate School; Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, PCAARRD Executive Director who also graduated from the UPLB CA and Graduate School; and, Abigail B. Flores-Gueco, PCAARRD Senior Science Research Specialist who earned her degrees from the UPLB College of Economics and Management and Graduate School.


Completing the list, and recognized with the 2021 Dangal ng Bayan Award for his exemplary ethical behavior, is Dr. Jose Jonas Diño del Rosario, Medical Specialist and Coordinator for Public Affairs of the UP Philippine General Hospital.


With reports from Nelson Carandang and Lyzete Balinhawang, UP Office of Alumni Relations


Source: https://bit.ly/321CYlY