Miriam Coronel-Ferrer is recognized for emphasizing ‘the important role that women play in inclusive peace-building’
MANILA, Philippines – Filipina peace negotiator and professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer was named as one of the recipients of the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Awards on Thursday, August 31.
Coronel-Ferrer is a former senior mediation adviser at the United Nations and a professor of political science at the University of the Philippines. She is a founding member of the Southeast Asian Women Peace Mediators.
During the administration of the late president Benigno Aquino III, she chaired the government peace panel in negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that led to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2014.
Coronel-Ferrer was given the award for emphasizing “the important role that women play in inclusive peace-building,” the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation said.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is considered as Asia’s premier’s prize and highest honor, the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. The award is named after Ramon Magsaysay, the 7th Philippine president.
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The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation said that the four awardees “are redefining inclusivity in these modern yet troubled times….their collective message is very simple yet often forgotten: treat one another with love, care and respect.”
In 2021, Filipino fisherman Robert Ballon won the award for his work in conserving the environment and improving livelihood programs in communities.
In 2022, Filipina children’s rights advocate Bernadette Madrid was named as one of the recipients for “providing medical, legal and psychosocial care in children and women who are victims of abuse.” – Rappler.com
BICUTAN, TAGUIG CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conferred the Order of National Scientist on Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla, cited for her pioneering work as a world-renowned clinical geneticist, on newborn screening in the Philippines, and for the establishment of the Philippine Genome Center (PCG).
The ceremony was held on August 31, 2023, at the Malacañang Palace.
The Order of National Scientist Award (Orden ng Gawad ng Pambansang Alagad ng Agham) is the highest national recognition given to a man or woman of science in the Philippines administered by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines, and conferred by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Academy. Executive Order No. 236 dated September 19, 2003, otherwise known as the Honors Code of the Philippines, emphasizes the exceptional prestige of the Order by placing it fourth in the order of precedence and equal in rank with the Order of National Artist. At present, there are only ten living National Scientists (NS).
Photo credits to Presidential Communications Office
Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla is recognized for her significant contribution to the field of clinical genetics in the Philippines. Her notable studies were conducted on the prevalence and cost-benefits analysis of a national program for newborn screening to prevent mental retardation and death from certain congenital disorders detectable at birth. This research provided the basis for the enactment of Republic Act No. 9288 or the Newborn Screening Act of 2004. To date, newborn screening is being implemented in 7,400+ health facilities in the Philippines and has saved babies from mental retardation and death.
To complement the Newborn Screening Act of 2004 (RA 9288), Dr. Padilla has lobbied for another law, the Republic Act No. 10747 or the Rare Disease Act of 2016. She has assisted the Department of Health (DOH) in preparing the Integrated Road Map for Rare Diseases for 2022-2026.
In the field of genomics, her most recent contribution is the setting up of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC). It was established as a multidisciplinary institution that will combine basic and applied research for the development of health diagnostics, therapeutics, DNA forensics, preventive products, and the improvement of crop varieties in the country. As the Executive Director of PGC, from 2011 to 2016, Dr. Padilla led the critical growth phases of the institution where it has played a major role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Padilla led the establishment of various medical and laboratory facilities such as Genetic Laboratories at the National Institute of Health (NIH); Cytogenetics Laboratory originally at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in 1991 and was moved to NIH in 1997; Newborn Screening center (1997); Molecular Genetics Laboratory (2001); Biochemistry Laboratory (2001); MicroArray Laboratory (2010); and the Hemoglobinopathy Laboratory (2014). These laboratories cater to patients of the PGH and from other hospitals in the country.
Dr. Padilla obtained her B.S. Pre-medicine, cum laude, at the University of the Philippines Diliman (1976); her degree for Doctor of Medicine, outstanding graduate, at the University of the Philippines Manila (1981); her Fellowship in Clinical Genetics at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, Australia (1990); and her M.A. in Health Policy Studies at the College of Public Health, UP Manila (2005).
Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla is the current Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Manila and a member of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) since 2008 as an Academician under the Health Sciences Division.
The recommendation of Dr. Padilla to be conferred the Order of National Scientist was voted by the Academy during its meeting in May 2022. As an internationally recognized leader in the field of genetics, her achievements have brought honor and recognition not only to the Philippine scientific community but to the whole nation as well.
Overall, Dr. Padilla is the 43rd National Scientist, 10th from UP Manila, and 3rd UP Manila chancellor who became national scientist. She is the first National Scientist with expertise in the field of medical genetics and the only living female National Scientist in the health sciences.
UP President Angelo A. Jimenez (rightmost) leads the toast to the 2023 UP Alumni Association awardees (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
“To the best of the best of this University, our alumni, for representing our highest ideals and aspirations, for being true alumni of UP and sons and daughters of the Filipino nation which UP has dedicated to support and promote, cheers!”
This was UP President Angelo A. Jimenez’ toast to the 2023 UP Alumni Association (UPAA) awardees during the dinner he hosted in their honor at Ang Bahay ng Alumni on August 16. The social event is usually held days before the actual awarding ceremony. This year, the ceremony was scheduled on August 19.
Leading the 38 individual awardees were Most Distinguished Alumna, former Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo, and Most Distinguished Alumnus, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. Four were recognized with UPAA Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Awards: National Scientist Lourdes J. Cruz, Dr. Nathaniel A. Einsiedel, Dr. Gisela Padilla Concepcion, and Engr. Rene Santiago. Twenty-nine were given the UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards in various fields and disciplines, and three were recipients of the UPAA Presidential Awards.
Ten families received the UPAA Multigenerational UP Alumni Family Awards—one with four generations of alumni and three with three generations of alumni. UP Epsilon Chi Fraternity Alumni, Inc. was cited with the UPAA Distinguished Service Award for an Alumni Chapter.
2023 UPAA Most Distinguished Alumna, former Philippine Vice President Maria Leoner Gerona Robredo talks about the “sense of home” that UP alumni feel when they meet other alumni, when they cheer for the UP Fighting Maroons, or when they gather in celebratory events such as the one hosted by the UP President. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
“We may have different stories about our college experience and yet we are bound by a shared feeling—that sense of home when we talk about UP. This goes beyond every alumni homecoming or every other chance that we get to come back to our UP campus, wherever that may be in the country,” Robredo said in her message, which she had requested to deliver earlier than scheduled because she had to catch the bus to Naga in time for the commemoration of her husband’s death anniversary. Her husband was former Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash on August 18, 2012.
“What I have learned from this esteemed institution has greatly contributed to my professional formation as a public servant. . . I will forever be grateful to the University for molding me.”—2023 UPAA Most Distinguished Alumnus, National Economic Development Authority Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
Balisacan, on the other hand, said that he was “very fortunate” because UP gave him the “space, time, and resources, and privilege to pursue his academic interests freely.” He also encouraged his fellow awardees to “continue striving towards our ultimate vision for the nation, continue striving to attain that excellence with honor, and continue being active participants in our country’s development journey.”
UP President Angelo A. Jimenez delivers a brief address before toasting to the awardees. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
“Have we fulfilled our promise as the best and the brightest?” Jimenez posed this question in his speech, saying that UP has lasted more than a hundred years and yet “we find our society still faced with so many challenges.” This prompted him and his team to envision UP as “a national university dedicated to producing good citizens and leaders, and engaged in knowledge co-creation towards a just, equitable, and prosperous society.” His emphasis on the production of good citizens is a dramatic shift from expected visions of UP as a great university or as a regional and global center of excellence.
UPAA President and Alumni Regent Robert Lester F. Aranton starts the short program with his opening remarks. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
The list of the 2023 UPAA awardees in the dinner program can be found below.
National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan delivers the keynote speech of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) 51st commencement exercises on August 5, 2023, at the UPLB Copeland Gymnasium. Photo by Abraham Arboleda, UP MPRO
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan received the 2023 Most Distinguished Alumnus award from the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA)—an award meant to honor iskos and iskas who have made outstanding contributions to positive change in the country and inspire others (whether UP alumni or not) to follow suit and learn from their example.
In Arsi Balisacan’s example, we see a public servant with a stellar record for having a clear vision over what he wants and wishes to accomplish, and consequently, achieving them.
Twice the country’s NEDA Secretary, Balisacan displays a profound passion for his work, constantly sharpening his mind and inspiring his colleagues to strive for the same level of excellence. It is for this reason that he and his work are renowned among colleagues, academics, and fellow public servants within the various fields of economics, public policy, agriculture, governance, and development.
“You have to love what you do and demonstrate your passion through your work. This way, you will always be one step ahead and won’t need to wait for instructions to start working towards your objective—that is what I always tell the people I work with,” advised Balisacan.
Previously, Balisacan served as the NEDA Secretary during the administration of Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III. Today, he finds himself serving once again in the same role, but this time, under the administration of current President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. NEDA, the government agency mandated to take the lead in steering the overall direction of the country’s short-, medium-, and long-term development goals, finds itself once again under his leadership.
During his first term under the Aquino presidency, Arsi recognized the need to establish and secure sustainable growth across all future administrations, effectively changing the narrative that the Philippines would continue to be the “poor man of Asia” by 2050. Arsi was among the leaders who were adamant in refusing this narrative.
“We decided: ‘Let’s craft a new future for us, but let’s make it science-based. First, we have to know what the ambitions of ordinary Filipinos are from all over the country,” instructed Balisacan.
Thus, NEDA, through its own initiative, consulted Filipinos from various walks of life to determine their desired future and formulate a vision that would serve as the north star of the development plans of future administrations. The visioning exercise led the country to identify both its desired and undesired futures, undertaking a rigorous and empirical exercise and obtaining inputs and sentiments from all groups of all sectors, researchers, experts, and stakeholders. The result of the initiative: the AmBisyon Natin 2040—that by 2040, all Filipinos enjoy a matatag, maginhawaat panatag na buhay..
Now, the AmBisyon serves as the anchor for the country’s current Philippine Development Plan, and is reiterated among government agencies and universities as the country’s collective and long-term desired future for all. Through his guidance, Balisacan was not only able to exemplify the key characteristics of a government leader—forward-looking, moral, and equipped with exceptional knowledge and skills—but also that of a true academic, whose character and mind have been sharpened by his passion for learning.
Now that the two-time Secretary has just finished his first year in his repeated stint at government, people are curious to know where he gets his drive, his persistence, his commitment, and his endurance to “keep running the race” of public service. More than one eyebrow was raised when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. sought out to call Balisacan to his Cabinet, and even more were raised when the latter accepted.
In his commencement address to the UPLB Class of 2023, Balisacan congratulated the graduates and imparted three points of wisdom: cultivate your passions, learn to embrace change, and stay anchored to your principles.
A former economics professor at the University of the Philippines for three decades, Balisacan shared that though he had already sought and found answers to many of the questions he had during his youth—regarding development, social transformation, and poverty alleviation—more questions still came; and more questions have evolved and changed. His passion for the work and his eagerness to learn, however, remained the same.
“When you do what you love, and you do it the best that you can—it spreads,” said Balisacan.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Balisacan now sees the fruits of his labor paying off as he is set to receive the Most Distinguished Alumnus Award from one of the country’s most esteemed and national universities.
Despite all his years in public service, Arsi’s enduring curiosity to learn and eagerness to serve remain his defining traits. As he tirelessly pursues the increased welfare and better futures for the Filipino people, his unwavering diligence has evolved into a refined discipline that proves invaluable. Today, his life stands as a testament to the ideal of a true Iskolar ng Bayan, selflessly dedicated to serving the people.
Balisacan was elected a lifelong member (Academician) of the National Academy of Science and Technology in 2008 for his research and other scholarly work in economics. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Hawaii, an MS in Agricultural Economics from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and a BS in Agriculture (magna cum laude) from the Mariano Marcos State University.
MANILA — The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced Wednesday that 453 out of 1,133 takers passed the Food Technologists Licensure Examination given this month.
Dominic Castro Panaligan of the University of the Philippines Diliman placed first with an 87.25 percent score rating.
Ma. Christina Romabiles Ilano of UP Los Baños and Jose Gabriel Lugue Luna of UP Diliman tied for second place with a rating of 86.75.
UP Diliman was also named top performing school with a 100 percent passing rate.
UPERDFI Executive Director Tito Aliga (right) hands over our Golden Anniversary Book to BSP Deputy Governor and UPERDFI Mamerto Tangonan. They are joined by UPCOE Dean Maria Antonia Tanchuling.
The UP College of Engineering held the Recognition Rites on August 1, 2023 at the Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City. The guest speaker was UPERDFI Member Mamerto “Mert” E. Tangonan from the BS Civil Engineering Class of 1984. Mert is the Deputy Governor of the Payments and Currency Management Sector of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. He greeted the thousands of young engineers from the Class of 2023, 2022, and 2021, together with their proud parents and grandparents.
He encouraged the graduates to pursue their dreams, working as entrepreneurs or in companies in their fields. They will experience bumps along the way, but their UP education should enable them to overcome these and succeed. He made a special request, that the graduates explore working with public-sector agencies, as these need bright minds to move things forward. He plugged that the BSP is a great place to do great work, as it is at the forefront of innovations in the digital payments space.
UPCOE Class of 2023 comprises of 876 graduates from the twelve Bachelor of Science degree programs of the College of Engineering. This is a gifted class, with 503 (67%) finishing with honors. There are 174 cum laude, 303 magna cum laude, and 106 summa cum laude. The Class Valedictorian (graduate with the highest GWA, 1.027), is Caelan Joseph Consing, a Mechanical Engineering major. UPERDFI gifted him with our Golden Anniversary Book.
The UP College of Engineering National Graduate School for Engineering held its Recognition Rites on July 27, 2023, at the Bahay ng Alumni, Quezon City. The guest speaker was UPERDFI Trustee Dr. Enrico “Eric” Paringit, BS Geodetic Engineering (1997) and MS Remote Sensing (1999). He finished his D.Eng degree at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He was a key scientist in DOST Project NOAH and the DOST DREAM LIDAR Project.
He admonished the MS and Ph.D. graduates to transform the country by undertaking research and development work. He reminded them to forge collaborations with partners in other disciplines so that holistic solutions may be germinated, and then thrive in a changing society. He cited that NGSE graduates should be creators of innovation that impact society.
The NGSE Class of 2023 is composed of 10 PhDs and 100 MS graduates. Alfonso Labao, a Ph.D. in Computer Science graduate, was the Class Standard Bearer and was gifted with the UPERDI Golden Anniversary Book. He will join the DCS faculty team.
Poster from UPTC Division of Social Sciences FBPoster from UPTC Division of Social Sciences FB
Congratulations to our newly registered Psychometricians for obtaining a 100% passing rate in the 2023 Board Licensure Exam for Psychometricians and producing a 9th placer – Chrislynne Joy Cerbito.
Three Bachelor of Arts in Psychology graduates of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) ranked 9th in the August 2023 Psychometrician Licensure Examination.
Yziel Gale Alagos, Jhio Jan Navarro, and Carla Angela Ladrido are the top-notchers of the said examination, according to the Psychology Cluster, Division of Social Sciences, of the UPV College of Arts and Sciences.
Meanwhile, UPV obtained a 100 percent passing rate for the examination. The set of new Registered Psychometricians includes:
• Khent Adenix
• Julia Selah Sontillanosa
• Yumi Ilagan
• Nicole Marie Bolinas
• Yziel Gale Alagos
• Genevieve Nanta
• Christine Joy Atun
• Ma. Diana Rose Ladoc
• Alethea Van Loren Estilo
• Michelle Florence Rivera
• Jhio Jan Navarro
• ML Farinas
• Anna Lou Gulbique
• Angelica Anne Monteclaro
• Perlyn Joyce Pano
• Xyra Mae Melendres
• Carla Angela Ladrido
• Lyrra Tolentino
• Chinky Ann Buhayan
Navarro and Adenix are currently instructors under the UPV Psychology Cluster.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the results of the examination on Wednesday, Aug. 9. Out of the 8,370 who took the exam, 6,133 passed.
The Psychology Cluster likewise congratulated their former instructor, Ms. Jessicca Mae Dee, and former lecturer, Ms. Tricia Denise Zafra, for topping the Psychologists Licensure Examination, released on the same day. Dee and Zafra ranked first and second, respectively. (With sources from Psychology Cluster and PRC)
The University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) is poised to make unprecedented contributions to Filipino science and the collective body of human knowledge as it recently posted the most PhD graduates ever in its decades-long history.
The UPD-CS produced 19 PhD graduates in 2023, the most number of doctorates in the college’s 40-year history. (Photo Credit: Shedy Masayon, UPD-CS SciComm)
A total of 454 newly-minted graduates celebrated the fruits of their labor on the rainy Saturday afternoon of July 29. Among them were 19 PhD graduates, 108 MS graduates, seven MA graduates, three Professional Masters, five diploma recipients, and 312 BS graduates. The number of UPD-CS’ PhD graduates for 2023 is also almost double that of the previous year.
The number of PhD enrollees at UPD-CS has been consistently on the rise every year, with last year’s count reaching 464. UPD-CS’ nine institutes and programs continue to offer a total of 11 doctorate degrees, including the recently-offered PhD in Data Science.
UPD-CS Dean Dr. Giovanni A. Tapang beamed with pride as he welcomed the graduating students, their parents, and guests during the CS Special Recognition Program 2023 at the UP Theater. “This is the most number of PhD graduates we’ve had in CS’ forty-year history,” he said.
The long road taken
Dr. Bernard Alan B. Racoma, this year’s Most Outstanding PhD Graduate from the UPD-CS Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM) spoke on behalf of the graduate students, extolling the virtue of taking the long view to one’s goals despite—and even amid—setbacks.
“There shouldn’t be shame when we take a long time in our studies, be it in graduate or undergraduate education. When this happens, more often than not, there are reasons behind it,” he said. “Just like there are reasons why clouds form and it rains, there are always valid reasons why students fall behind, give up, get delayed, or drop out.”
“Graduates of 2023, let’s make it rain. Mabuhay po tayong lahat, mabuhay ang mga siyentista ng bayan. Patuloy nating pagsilbihan ang isa’t isa, patuloy nating pagsilbihan ang taumbayan,” he concluded.
Science within reach of everyone
These sentiments were echoed by BS Physics graduate summa cum laude Mary June Ricaña in her own remarks on behalf of her undergraduate class:
“As of 2019, the Philippines only has 189 scientists per million people—a far cry from the ideal ratio of 380 per million population,” she said. “The truth is, science should not be so difficult to pursue. It should be an arm’s reach to every child who ever looked at the night sky and dreamed of one day exploring galaxies.”
“After today, we will be taking different paths, but we should always remember whom we owe all of these to, and whom all these are for. The world is a laboratory; it is imperative for us to find scientific solutions to problems faced by society. Graduating batch of 2023, let us make science serve the people,” she added.
UPD-CS graduates came onstage after the recognition ceremony to reiterate their commitment to make science serve the Filipino people. (Photo credit: Dr. Bernard A. Racoma)
Establishing a Filipino scientific tradition
Over two decades ago, former UPD-CS Dean physicist Dr. Caesar Saloma underscored the importance of developing a truly Filipino scientific tradition: “I expect the Filipino scientist to contribute towards establishing a scientific culture in the Philippines. I count on him or her to become part of a rich scientific tradition that all Filipinos can be proud of,” he said in his acceptance speech for the Concepcion D. Dadufalza Award for Distinguished Achievement in 2001.
In this vein of tradition, Dr. Tapang acknowledged and thanked his immediate predecessor, the late Dr. Perry Ong, as well as previous deans Dr. Joey Balmaceda, Dr. Rhodora Azanza, and the entire Filipino scientific community. Now four years into his tenure, he has always been vocal about his goal to produce more PhD graduates during his term—a legacy that he hopes will continue in the decades to come.
“Madami pang tanong na kailangang masagot,” he said. “I reiterate my call for all our PhDs to continue to mentor PhD students. And I call on our MS and BS graduates to explore and answer the pressing science questions with your professors in a PhD program here in the College.”
The faculty of the UP Diliman College of Science came out in force to congratulate and celebrate the college’s 2023 graduates. (Photo credit: Shedy Masayon, UPD-CS SciComm)
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