Alumni Milestones

UP Launches Fe Parajas Israel Benito Scholarship

October 24, 2023
Five students from College of Social Work and Community Development receives the certificates of scholarship awarded by UP official.

Last October 23, 2023, the Fe Parajas Israel Benito Scholarship Fund was launched at the Bulwagang Tandang Sora. Five deserving students from the College of Social Work and Community Development received the certificates of scholarship awarded by UP officials.

The awardees were Brandt Ivann Paul U. Aquino, Jedidiah M. Apolinario, Adeza Ann EM. Azares, Perrie A. Rejuso, and John Bryan R. Salamanca.

Dean Lenore Polotan-Dela Cruz of the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) opened the program while Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs, Dr. Jeanette Yasol-Naval shared the inspiring story behind the endowment. Scholarship benefactor Ted I. Benito joined the launch through Zoom.

Scholarship benefactor Ted I. Benito joins the launch through Zoom.

To honor the legacy of his mother, Director/Producer Ted I. Benito generously contributed to help support CSWCD students in accomplishing their academic endeavors. Thus, the Fe Parajas Israel Benito Scholarship Fund was born. It seeks to provide financial aid for students who are taking Bachelor of Science in Community Development (BSCD) and Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW).

Fe Parajas Israel Benito (UPD, AB Major in Social Work 1954) was actively involved in various charities, which greatly contributed to the development of Filipino communities in the Philippines and abroad. She was also an active member of the Filipino American community in Los Angeles, helping enrich the Filipino culture even on foreign soil. She was also the first Filipino recipient of the prestigious Cardinal’s Award, which honors leaders of the Catholic community for their services.

Singer and songwriter Mr. Martin Nievera delivers an inspiring speech to the Fe Parajas Israel Benito scholars.

The scholarship program is a joint effort of Mr. Ted Benito and family, the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD), the UP Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA), the Office of Scholarships and Grants (OSG), which is under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA), and the Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs, UP Office of Alumni Relations (UP-OAR).

To help expand scholarship opportunities for the UP Community, you may contact the Office of Alumni Relations for donations and other project partnerships through [email protected] or visit https://alum.up.edu.ph/.

Text by: Ken Russell M. Peñaflor
Photos by: Jomari C. Valdez and Ken Russell M. Peñaflor

UP Visayas CM scores 95.24% in the CPA Licensure Exam, graduate in 7th place

October 11, 2023

Prof. Kim Rommel Panaguiton













The College of Management, University of the Philippine Visayas, has once again affirmed its commitment to excellence as it registered a 95.24% overall passing percentage in the recently concluded Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (LECPA). The LECPA was administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on September 30, October 1 and 2, 2023, across various testing centers throughout the country.

The PRC announced that a total of 8,734 took the examination, while only 2,740 made it to the cut, recording a national passing percentage of 31.37%. The LECPA comprises six subjects: Auditing, Management Advisory Services, Taxation, Regulatory Framework for Business Transactions, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting. The results were released within four working days from the conclusion of the exam.

Ms. Kate Wenjie V. Basoy, a BS in Accountancy graduate (cum laude, Class of 2023), placed 7th in the exam with a rating of 89%. The College of Management carries a good track record in the LECPA, producing three board topnotchers over the last five years. This year, a total of 40 examinees from the College passed the examination.

Data from the PRC reveals that the LECPA remains one of the toughest licensure examinations in terms of passing percentage, with a national average of only about 22% over the past five years. (With data from the Professional Regulation Commission)

Photos from University of the Philippines Visayas Facebook

Source: https://www.upv.edu.ph/index.php/news/cm-scores-95-24-in-the-cpa-licensure-exam-graduate-in-7th-place

UP Tacloban College congratulates its alumni who excelled in the Sept-Oct 2023 Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (LECPA)





The University of the Philippines Tacloban College proudly congratulates the 15 remarkable individuals who have excelled in the Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (LECPA) Sept-Oct 2023.

Heartfelt congratulations to our Topnotchers:
No. 1: Allaine B. Collamar, CPA
No. 7: Aira Nicole A. Sabornido, CPA

A resounding applause also goes to our accomplished passers:
Roxelle Joy O. Abaloyan, CPA
Cruxzelle V. Bajo, CPA
Angela Milvie N. Bucu, CPA
Alfonso B. Busa Jr., CPA
Princess Nicole M. Chua, CPA
John Paulo N. Gabica, CPA
Kobe S. Maestre, CPA
Ma. Jessa Mae A. Nuevas, CPA
Nicole Kyla Marie S. Ricaplaza, CPA
Deniel Jeffrey I. Tajo, CPA
April Rose A. Tisado, CPA
Maebyl U. Turija, CPA
Elizabeth L. Zamora, CPA

With an overall passing rate of 75%, these graduates exemplify the unwavering commitment to academic excellence that defines UP Tacloban College.

Your dedication has brought honor not only to yourselves but to the entire UP community. The university community takes immense pride in your accomplishments, and we look forward to witnessing your continued success! Padayon, CPAs para sa Bayan!

Source: UP Tacloban College – Division of Management Facebook

UPV alumna appointed as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals

Ms. GT Mabilog



UP Visayas (UPV) alumna Justice Ma. Consejo Mapa Gengos-Ignalaga was appointed Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA) last 27 September 2023 after taking her oath before Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo at the Supreme Court En Banc Session Hall. The newly appointed Associate Justice is filling the post previously occupied by Associate Justice Manuel M. Barrios, who retired last 29 November 2022.

During her oath taking, Associate Justice Gengos-Ignalaga was joined by her husband Atty. Francisco ‘Boots’ Ignalaga Jr., who also started his college education at UPV. Also present were their children Franz and Frankie.

Associate Justice Gengos-Ignalaga belongs to UP High School in Iloilo Class 1985. She studied BA Political Science in UPV from 1985 to 1987 until she shifted to BA History in UP Diliman in 1987. She completed her Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Iloilo – College of Law in 1994. A year later, she was admitted to the Philippine Bar.

From 2022 to 2011, Associate Justice Gengos-Ignalaga served as the Presiding Judge of the Municipal Trial Court of Cities of Antipolo City. In 2011, she became the Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court in Antipolo City until her recent appointment to the CA. (With sources from the Supreme Court)

Source: https://www.upv.edu.ph/index.php/news/upv-alumna-appointed-as-associate-justice-of-the-court-of-appeals

UP Diliman grad tops October 2023 Metallurgical Engineering board exam

October 10, 2023



MANILA — The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced Monday that 39 out of 64 passed the Metallurgical Engineering Licensure Examination given this month.

Aaron Dave Tabuzo Tomas from the University of the Philippines Diliman topped the metallurgical engineer boards with an 87.95 percent score rating.

Andre Victor Puyo Suarez and Sarah Marcelin Madrasto Evasco, also from UP Diliman, ranked second and third, respectively, with a rating of 86.65 percent and 85.15 percent.

Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/09/23/up-diliman-grad-tops-oct-2023-metallurgical-engineering-board-exam

UP scientists make composite flowers to fight cancer-causing dyes

October 6, 2023

Scientists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) have simplified the process of making microscopic composite flowers that can neutralize the highly carcinogenic azo dyes widely used in food, clothes, and medicines.

Seen under an electron microscope, these nanoflowers—each one less than half the width of a human hair—feature a gold center surrounded by ‘petals’ made from a copper compound. This nanomaterial has been found to facilitate the degradation of widely used but highly toxic azo dyes. (Photo credit: Wiley-VCH; see reference below)

Azo dyes are synthetic colorants that come in a variety of vivid colors, including red, orange, and yellow. They were commonly used in everything from denim and leather to soft drinks and jams. However, it was discovered that some azo dyes are closely linked to bladder cancer. Moreover, the regulated use and safe disposal of these carcinogenic azo dyes remain a global concern.

A new material that may help to safely degrade azo dyes was recently investigated by Enrico Daniel R. Legaspi, Prof. Michelle D. Regulacio, and Leila Andrea E. Pineda from the Institute of Chemistry (UPD-CS IC); Luce Vida A. Sayson of the Material Science and Engineering Program (UPD-CS MSEP); and colleagues from Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR).

The nanocomposite material exhibits a flower-like structure, each just around 50 nanometers in diameter or less than half the width of a human hair, with a gold (Au) center surrounded by petal-like copper oxide (Cu2O) crystals. It was found that this configuration greatly enhances Cu2O’s ability to catalyze the breakdown of azo dyes into harmless chemicals.

The researchers said that this is the first time that this flower-like configuration has been synthesized in a single manufacturing setup, thereby paving the way for easier and more affordable production.

“The one-pot synthesis protocol presented in this work is a more straightforward and less laborious approach that does not require a separate pre-synthesis step. Furthermore, the synthesis can be conveniently performed at ambient conditions using nontoxic reagents,” the researchers explained in their paper.

“The uniquely designed Au-Cu2O nanoflowers were found to effectively catalyze the borohydride-mediated degradation of synthetic azo dyes. The hybrid exhibited superior catalytic activity relative to pristine Cu2O, underscoring the significance of creating a nanocomposite,” they added.

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

References:

Legaspi, E. D. R., Regulacio, M. D., Pineda, L. A. E., Sayson, L. V. A., Jiang, W., Heng, J. Z. X., Wu, W., & Ye, E. (2023). Facile One‐Pot Synthesis of Uniquely Designed Au−Cu2O Nanocomposites for Effective Catalytic Degradation of Azo Dyes. ChemistrySelect, 8(25), e202300904. https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202300904

UP honors its 77 UP Scientists

October 3, 2023

Written by Celeste Ann Castillo Llaneta

A group photo for posterity of the awardees, University officials and guests of the awarding ceremony at the DL Umali Hall, UP Los Baños. Photo by Abraham Arboleda, UP MPRO.
The University of the Philippines (UP) honored its outstanding UP Scientists in an awarding ceremony titled “Celebrating Odysseys of Scientific Excellence”, which was held on September 29, 2023 at the Dioscoro L. Umali Hall in UP Los Baños (UPLB).

A total of 77 UP faculty members were appointed “UP Scientist” during the 1381st meeting of the UP Board of Regents (BOR) on May 25, 2023, comprising Batch 2022-2024 of the UP Scientific Productivity System (SPS). Of the 77, 22 are from UP Diliman, 33 from UPLB, 18 from UP Manila, and two each from UP Mindanao and UP Visayas.

Watch the streaming video of the ceremony here

The UP SPS was established by the UP BOR in August 2005 to support the development of science and technology and to encourage and reward scientific productivity in UP.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Leo Cubillan speaking to awardees and guests at the ceremony. Photo by Abraham Arboleda, UP MPRO.

According to the UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the University has been supporting its scientists through the provision of research funds and by honoring with the “UP Scientist” Award those who have distinguished themselves in their specialized disciplines. The Award bestows not just esteemed recognition but also material incentives and a conducive environment that fosters advanced scientific productivity for national development.

Since the inception of the UP SPS, the University has issued 774 appointments to the UP Scientist ranks—with scientists meeting the requirements of the ranks retaining or improving their ranks.

The event was attended by officials of the UP System, including UP President Angelo A. Jimenez, Vice President for Academic Affairs Leo Cubillan, Vice President for Public Affairs Roland Tolentino, and chancellors of the UP constituent units—UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Vistan, UPLB Chancellor Jose Camacho, National Scientist and UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla, UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao, and UP Visayas Chancellor Clement Camposano.

President Angelo Jimenez giving his keynote address at the awarding ceremony. Photo by Abraham Arboleda, UP MPRO.
University officials and awardees throwing their clenched fists in the air as they sing the University Hymn UP Naming Mahal. Photo by Abraham Arboleda, UP MPRO.

Source: https://up.edu.ph/up-honors-its-77-up-scientists/

UP Tops Social Work Board Exams

September 28, 2023





Graduates from the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) have again led the successful examinees of the Social Worker Licensure Examination administered by the Board for Social Workers this September 2023.

Patricia Marie Regalado Imperial topped the examination with an 88.60% rating. Other UP CSWCD graduates who join Imperial in the top ten are the following: Quennie Anne Cabalfin Umadhay (Top 2 with 87.20%) and Maria Theresa Dacanay Lucas (Top 4 with 86.60%).

UPD has consistently maintained its 100% passing rate in the Social Worker Licensure Examination.

Congratulations to all who passed the Social Work Licensure Exam! Your CSWCD Family is very proud of you all!

Source: https://cswcd.upd.edu.ph/up-tops-social-work-board-exams-3/

PH archaeologist, educator named finalists at Global Australian awards

September 21, 2023

By Bernadette E. Tamayo

TWO Filipinos have been chosen as finalists at the 2023 Global Australian Awards for their “significant work” in their respective fields, the Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu said.

“I am extremely proud of our Filipino Australia Global Alumni Dr. Armand Mijares and Professor Abelardo David Jr. who were recently recognized as Game Changers,” Yu wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The ambassador on Monday said Mijares is “a renowned Filipino archaeologist who led the team that discovered Homo Luzonensis.”

Abelardo has “dedicated his career to create inclusive education and development opportunities for Filipino youth with disabilities,” Yu added.

According to advance.org, the Global Australian Awards recognize global Australians – including Australians living and working overseas, international alumni of Australian universities, and recent migrants to Australia “who are innovating in their field and shaping the world.”

Mijares, a professor of Archaeology at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, specializes in early human migration from Africa to Southeast Asia, advance.org said.

He took his doctorate degree in Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology at the Australian National University in 2002.

Mijares gained global recognition in 2019 after he and his team discovered the bones of two adults and a child during multiple archaeological digs in Callao Cave, from a previously unknown human-related species now called Homo Luzonensis.

Through uranium-series dating, the bones were found to be 50,000 to 67,000 years old – making them the “earliest human remains to be discovered in the Philippines,” advance.org said.

David is an occupational therapist and educator who has dedicated his career to creating inclusive education and development opportunities for “differently-abled children across the Philippines,” advance.org said.

Widely known as “Teacher Archie,” he has founded organizations aimed at driving accessible and inclusive health, education and livelihood programs for marginalised communities, it added.

He started his career studying Occupational Therapy at UP. During his internships, he discovered his passion for working with children with developmental conditions such as autism, down syndrome, and cerebral palsy.

After graduating, he started teaching at UP, before travelling to Australia to undertake a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland.

Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/09/19/news/ph-archaeologist-educator-named-finalists-at-global-australian-awards

UPD gets 8th straight 100% passing in licensure exam for mining engineers

September 7, 2023

Anna Regidor – Diliman Information Office

Every examinee fielded by the Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering (DMMME) of the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Engineering (COE) for the August 2023 Mining Engineers Licensure Examination passed, making it the eighth straight year that UPD has attained a 100% passing rate in said exam.

The DMMME building. Photo by Jefferson Villacruz, UPDIO

While no one landed in top 10, the University has been posting a 100% passing rate since 2016. The last to occupy first place among the passers was John Martin Cirio in 2022.

UPD also ranked first among the three top-performing schools, the only one of them to have a 100% passing rate. An institution must have fielded five or more examinees and gained at least an 80% passing rate to qualify as a top-performing school.

According to the Professional Regulation Commission, 242 of 351 examinees passed the examination that was held in the National Capital Region, Baguio, Butuan, Cebu, Davao, and Legazpi.