Alumni Milestones

From the deepest stretches of the ocean to the farthest reaches of the sky, Filipino scientists are adding to humanity’s collective knowledge of the world. Their efforts have not gone unsung, as recent explorations by University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) researchers have earned acclaim from both national and international scientific and award-giving bodies.

The Philippine National Academy of Science and Technology-Philippines (NAST) recently recognized six members of the UPD-CS community: two were named Academician; two were recognized as outstanding young scientists (OYS); and one won the grand prize in the 2023 NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists (NTSYS). Meanwhile an additional four UPD-CS researchers were highlighted in this year’s edition of the prestigious Asian Scientist 100.

New Academicians

The NAST is the Philippines’ highest scientific advisory and recognition body; its distinguished members are selected exclusively by the Academy itself and conferred the title, “Academician.” Gil S. Jacinto, PhD, of the UPD-CS Marine Science Institute (UPD-CS MSI) and Maria Corazon A. de Ungria, PhD, of the UPD-CS Natural Sciences Research Institute (UPD-CS NSRI), were recently inducted as Academicians for their respective work in marine chemistry and forensic DNA technology.

Jacinto’s research interests are in nutrient and trace elements in tropical marine environments, marine pollution chemistry, submarine groundwater discharge, hypoxia, and seawater carbonate chemistry. He was MSI director from 2000 to 2006 and established the Marine Chemistry and Pollution Laboratory at the MSI, the first chemical oceanography laboratory in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, De Ungria is known for her research in human population genetics and forensic DNA technology, which are invaluable tools for human identification in criminal investigation, disaster victim identification, and resolving parentage disputes. She provided technical assistance in drafting the Supreme Court Rule on DNA evidence, which was approved in 2007 and has since been used nationwide by the Philippine judicial system in handling sexual assault cases. She is the director of the Program on Biodiversity, Ethnicity, and Forensics at the Philippine Genome Center and concurrently heads the DNA Laboratory of the NSRI.

Outstanding Young Scientists

The NAST OYS award is given annually to Filipino scientists aged 41 and below who have made significant contributions to science and technology and have been published in reputable scientific journals.

Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio, DEng, of the UPD-CS National Institute of Geological Sciences (UPD-CS NIGS), and Reinabelle C. Reyes, PhD, of the UPD-CS National Institute of Physics (UPD-CS NIP) were recognized as this year’s OYS in the field of earth resources engineering, and astrophysics, respectively.

Gabo-Ratio is an associate professor at NIGS, and is the institute’s officer-in-charge-deputy director for academic affairs. Her research interests are in economic geology, igneous and sedimentary geochemistry, geophysics, and tectonics. A topnotcher in the 2006 Geology Licensure Examination, Gabo-Ratio is a recipient of the UP Alumni of Michigan Centennial Professorial Chair (2021), One UP Faculty Grant (2019-2021), UPD Centennial Faculty Grant (2017-2021), and the UP System International Publication Award (2017-2022).

Reyes, an associate professor at the NIP, made worldwide headlines in 2010 with her paper, “Confirmation of General Relativity on Large Scales from Weak Lensing and Galaxy Velocities which confirmed Albert Einstein’s Theory,” which was published in the high-profile journal, Nature. In 2020, she established the NIP Data and Computation Research Group, which is focused on data-driven astrophysics and computational physics.

NTSYS Grand Prize

Cosme, an associate professor at the NIP, is a theoretical physicist specializing in condensed matter. His paper, “Observation of a Continuous Time Crystal” clinched the grand prize at this year’s NTSYS. He also headed a recent study of dark matter, which resulted in a Nature Materials paper entitled, “Condensate Formation in a Dark State of a Driven Atom-Cavity System.”

Asian Scientist 100

Meanwhile, Singapore’s Asian Scientist Magazine recently released the latest edition of its annual “Asian Scientist 100” list that fetes the region’s best and brightest researchers, touted as “Asia’s science superstars.” In the 2023 list are four scientists from UPD-CS: Pia D. Bagamasbad, PhD, from the UPD-CS National Institute for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (UPD-CS NIMBB); Aletta T. Yñiguez, PhD, of the UPD-CS MSI; and Allan Gil S. Fernando, PhD, and Mario Juan A. Aurelio, PhD, of UPD-CS NIGS.

Both Bagamasbad and Yñiguez were Philippine Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) awardees in 2022, for respectively spearheading an RT-PCR training program for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in support of the country’s COVID-19 response, and for developing and advocating sustainable fishing practices among local communities. In the same year, Fernando was awarded the National Research Council of the Philippines’ Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to earth and space science. For his part, Aurelio’s contributions to structural geology and geodynamics education earned him the 2022 Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Research from the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST).

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

Dr. Ourlad Alzeus Tantengco, a postdoctoral research fellow of the UP College of Medicine Department of Physiology, is the recipient of the National Academy of Science and Technology’s (NAST) 2023 Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) Award.

Dr. Tantengco finished his MD-PhD in Molecular Medicine at the UPCM.



His research expertise lies in cellular and molecular research related to pregnancy and parturition. His innovative contributions include the development of organ-on-a-chip devices that utilize microfluidic technology to simulate maternal and fetal tissues during pregnancy. These devices have enabled him to investigate ascending infections in the female reproductive tract, offering opportunities for disease modeling, preclinical drug testing, and toxicological studies.

Dr. Tantengco’s research extends to clinical and epidemiologic studies in infectious and tropical diseases, as well as women’s health. His work and collaborations with other Filipino researchers include papers on the environmental epidemiology of leptospirosis, diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis, and identification of microRNA as prognostic biomarkers for hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis patients.

These community-based studies have led to the development of diagnostic and prognostic tools for schistosomiasis, while his involvement in studies on cytokine biomarkers for Filipino COVID-19 patients has provided valuable insights into the epidemiology and prognosis of COVID-19.



Among his current research projects, Dr. Tantengco is engaged in a randomized controlled trial aimed at improving diagnostic strategies for ovarian cancer in Filipino women. He has also conducted research on HPV genotypes and genetic mutations associated with cervical cancer in the Philippines. Additionally, he serves as a co-investigator and community physician in a community-based study focused on detecting cervical human papillomavirus infection and sexually transmitted infections among women in the Philippines.

His study on the co-infection of HPV and sexually transmitted infections among cervical cancer patients in the Philippines received the best oral presentation award at the 23rd Biological Sciences Graduate Congress at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Furthermore, his research on the role of cervical exosomes in pregnancy earned him the silver award in the poster competition at the American Society for Reproductive Immunology 40th Annual Meeting.



Dr. Tantengco is actively involved in various clinical research projects within the field of maternal-fetal medicine. In addition to his research endeavors, Dr. Tantengco actively engages in teaching and mentoring future physicians and scientists. He has also served as a co-adviser to BS Biology students at the UP Manila and Bulacan State University. In 2022, he established the Medical Informetrics and Science Laboratory, comprising approximately 150 medical students and doctors. He serves on the editorial board of the Pharmacognosy Journal and Obesity Medicine.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Dr. Tantengco has made significant contributions as a health blogger and utilizes his clinical expertise to educate the public about health and diseases. He has created the platforms “Doktor Doktor Lads” and “Kalusugan ng Kababaihan” on Facebook, which have attracted over 340,000 and 24,000 followers, respectively. Through social media, he actively promotes health and combats misinformation by sharing freely accessible health articles written in layperson’s terms.

Source: https://www.upm.edu.ph/node/4270

A UP Diliman (UPD) College of Education (CEd) graduate was among the topnotchers in the March 2023 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT).

Mikaela Andrea Bonador was among the six individuals who topped the elementary level of the examination with a 92.2 percent rating. Also included in the top 10 is Mikaela Isabel Almalvez, who ranked eighth with a 90.8 percent rating.

Together they lead the seven examinees who passed the LEPT, giving UPD an 87.5 percent passing rate for this category.

A native of Occidental Mindoro, Bonador graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree (elementary education) in 2020.

In a video interview with GMA Integrated News, Bonador said she intends to stay in the country to practice her profession.

“Naniniwala po kasi ako sa power ng education at sa importance po ng paniniwala sa mga bata, sa students. Tulong-tulong po na mas ma-improve po nila ang society natin,” she said.

For the secondary level, UPD landed sixth among the top-performing schools, with a 94.23 percent passing rate.

The Professional Regulation Commission and Board for Professional Teachers define a top-performing school as one that fielded more than 50 examinees and achieved at least 80 percent passing rate.

Both garnering a 91 percent rating, Joy Charisse Bulan and Joan Ivy Garcia are among the 20 who ranked 10th in the examination.

Source: https://upd.edu.ph/ced-alum-among-educ-licensure-topnotchers/

The University congratulates UP Diliman and UP Mindanao for registering a 100% passing rate in the June 2023 Professional Licensure Examination for Architects.

Pagbati, mga Iskolar ng Bayan!✊🏽💚❤️

Source: University of the Philippines Twitter

Congratulations to the new nurses of UPM-School of Health Sciences for a 100% passing rate on the May 2023 Nursing Licensure Exam.

SHS PALO – 100%
1. ABIGAIL L. BRILLANTES , RM, RN
2. ANGELICA JOY T. ALVINEZ, RM, RN
3. CHERRY ANN G. BONGCALES, RM, RN
4. CHINOMA S. LANG-AKAN, RM, RN
5. ENRIQUE C. PLACIA JR. , RM, RN
6. ETHEL C. VALONES, RM, RN
7. HYANNAH ANDREA A, BALASABAS, RM, RN
8. JO ANN MAE C. PAETE, RM, RN
9. KIARA F. BALO, RM, RN
10. LYZA MAE G. DAGSA, RM, RN
11. PATTY C. BULLECER, RM, RN
12. ROMARIE G. TAN, RM, RN
13. ROSEMARIE T. DEL MONTE, RM, RN
14. VEIGNER V. CABUGAYAN, RM, RN
15. VENCINTH C. ROMANO, RM, RN

SHS BALER – 100%
1. ROSE ANGELICA G. DANGI, RM, RN
2. JOY L. GAO-AY, RM, RN
3. ELEA MAE D. GUNAY, RM, RN
4. JE MAYKA ABEEJEN D. HIYAMAN, RM, RN
5. LENNY BETH P. LACABEN, RM, RN
6. HUMILYN D. NGAYAWON, RM, RN
7. JEANETTE P. PINKIHAN, RM, RN
8. JANISA MAE R. TALUPA, RM, RN
9. JASPHER P. TANGILAG, RM, RN

SHS KORONADAL – 100%
1. MONALISA M. ASIM RM, RN
2. DIANA P. ATURDIDO RM, RN
3. NECHEAL S. BAAY RM, RN
4. ANGELA L. BALMATERO RM, RN
5. MARJIE A. BANTAC RM, RN
6. CHRISTINE L. BULLAG RM, RN
7. CHERRY MAE P. CALUNGSOD RM, RN
8. ROSY MER C. ESPARIZ RM, RN
9. JEZREEL CARLINE B. GERMO RM, RN
10. JADE APPLE A. JACINTO RM, RN
11. BON STELLA D. LANDAYON RM, RN
12. SITTIE AHLEEN M. LITIGAN RM, RN
13. MARICRIS A. LOREJAS RM, RN
14. PINKY C. PALMA RM, RN
15. ANGELICA B. PALMES RM, RN
16. KRISTINE JOY S. PATRICIO RM, RN
17. MIA C. QUINTE RM, RN
18. FEBBIE LYN REGALA RM, RN
19. CHARLENE GRACE S. REGINO RM, RN
20. LOVELYN JOY T. SALDO RM, RN
21. RUDILYN M. SERENIO RM, RN
22. JEZZA A. SUMAGAYSAY RM, RN
23. SHAIRA J. TABLIGAN RM, RN

Your talent and hard work have borne fruit.

Padayon!
– From the SHS Faculty, Staff, Students & Alumni

Source: UPM-School of Health Sciences Facebook

In a remarkable feat, University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) School of Technology has secured the ✨️third spot✨️ of the top-performing schools in the May 2023 Chemical Engineers Licensure Examination. With an outstanding 100% 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 and an 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 90.00%, UPV SOTECH has once again proven its excellence in producing highly competent chemical engineers.

The results, released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), showcased UPV’s consistent commitment to academic excellence and rigorous training. The university’s stellar performance is a testament to the dedication of its faculty and the hard work of its diligent students. This achievement further solidifies UPV’s position as a premier educational institution, fostering a culture of innovation and expertise in the field of chemical engineering. The university’s emphasis on holistic education, practical experience, and research has undoubtedly contributed to its students’ success.

With this recent accolade, the University of the Philippines Visayas School of Technology reaffirms its commitment to producing competent professionals who will make significant contributions to the field of chemical engineering and drive the nation’s progress forward.

Padayon Bagong Mga Inhinyero ng Bayan! 👷‍♀️👷‍♂️

PubMat By: Jex Palomo 🧑‍🦰
Caption By: Kaylen Yvon Jalandoni 👩‍🦰

Source: UP Visayas Tibud Facebook

🥇[𝐔𝐏 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 – 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟑𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐒𝐍 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!] 🎓

We are immensely proud to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 15 exceptional students of the 38th Batch of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) of UP School of Health Sciences Main Campus for their outstanding achievement in passing the May 2023 Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE)!

Your unwavering dedication, hard work, and perseverance have been rewarded with this significant milestone. The NLE is a rigorous test of knowledge, and your success reflects the exceptional quality of education and training you have received.

With immense pride, we applaud your commitment to excellence and passion for providing compassionate care to those in need. Your success not only brings honor to yourselves but also inspires current and future students of the UP School of Health Sciences Main Campus.

As you embark on your professional journey, we are confident that you will make a profound impact in the nursing field, upholding the values of SERVICE EXCELLENCE, HEROISM, and SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY. May your knowledge and skills continue to grow, and may you touch the lives of countless individuals with your expertise and compassionate care.

Congratulations again to the 38th batch of BSN graduates of UP School of Health Sciences Main Campus, who passed the May 2023 Nurse Licensure Examination! 🌟

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Pubmat and caption by: SC Councilor Ivan Pedrera (Academics and Scholarships Committee Head)

Source: UP Manila School of Health Sciences Palo Student Council Facebook