In Memoriam

Dr. Marilen Parungao Balolong (1974-2022)

January 4, 2023



We are deeply saddened to have lost the core of our office. To our AD Lhen, the literal beauty and brain of our team, just listing the things you do with the office, as a professor, a university scientist, among many others, is already tiring. But is “tired” even in your vocabulary? We always see you smiling brightly, leading and guiding us to the next steps the office will take.

We always wonder how you do it. You are the epitome of “babaeng walang pahinga.” yet you always give your best in everything you do. Even if we have to drag our feet, we would still move forward and make true the plans you envisioned for our office.

Rest in power to one of the brightest person in the whole world, who never failed to reach great heights in serving the community. Our beautiful AD Lhen, your brightness will never be dimmed.

Source: UPM CAS Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Public Service Facebook

Prof. Dante Gideon K. Vergara (1959-2022)





We were very saddened when we heard the news of the passing of our great teacher and friend, Mr. Dante Gideon K. Vergara.

Sir Dante has been a fundamental link in our journey in UPLB SESAM. We cannot thank him enough for all his help and contributions to our GS journey. May his memory live on as we, his students and friends, endeavor to make the world a more sustainable and greener place.

May he find eternal peace in the presence of our creator, and may his life serve as an inspiration to us all.

On Tuesday, 20 December 2022, at 4:00 in the afternoon, the UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management will pay tribute to the life of Sir Dante at Church Among the Palms, Los Baños, Laguna.

Source: UPLB Environmental Science Society Facebook

Filinvest co-founder Mercedes Gotianun dies at 94

December 15, 2022

Ralf Rivas



Mercedes Gotianun and her husband Andrew Gotianun Sr. started selling used cars in the 1950s. Their empire has since branched out to real estate, banking, hospitality, and power.

MANILA, Philippines – Filinvest Group chairperson emerita and co-founder Mercedes Gotianun died on Sunday, December 11, at the age of 94.

In a statement on Monday, December 12, Filinvest said the matriarch was surrounded by her loved ones as she passed away.

Mercedes, or Chita, is the wife of the late Andrew Gotianun Sr., the founder of Filinvest Development Corporation, who died in 2016.

They both started a business that focused on small-scale financing and secondhand cars back in 1955. They grew it into a conglomerate that has since branched out to banking, hospitality, power, and properties.

The Gotianun family’s net worth is pegged at $1.09 billion, according to Forbes.

“Andrew and Chita’s harmonious synergy created a fruitful conglomerate now known as Filinvest Development Corporation. Now, among the country’s major conglomerates with interest in Filinvest Land and Filinvest Alabang for land development, EastWest Bank for universal banking, and Davao and North Cotabato Sugar Central. Hotels under the Crimson and Quest brands and power generation under Filinvest Utilities and infrastructure in the Clark International Airport, among other new ventures,” the company said.

Chita was the first woman president of a Philippine universal bank, having co-founded and led Family Bank and Trust Co. in the ’70s and ’80s. The bank was later turned into BPI Family Savings Bank and eventually merged with the Bank of the Philippine Islands.

Chita was a valedictorian in both elementary and high school from the College of the Holy Spirit. She graduated magna cum laude with a pharmacy degree from the University of the Philippines.

She is survived by her siblings, Eduardo, Zenaida, Blesilda and Domingo, Victor and Nenita, Benjamin and Elizabeth, and Celia.

Chita and Andrew’s family includes children Bibot and Marivic, Jonathan and Cristina, Josephine and Joseph, and Michael; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. – Rappler.com

Source: https://www.rappler.com/business/filinvest-co-founder-mercedes-gotianun-dies/

Colleagues and loved ones bid Kim Adrian Infante a final farewell

November 23, 2022





More pictures on University of the Philippines Visayas Facebook post

A Requiem Mass was held last Friday, 18 November 2022, to honor the life of Mr. Kim Adrian Infante, an instructor from the Department of Physical Education (DoPE), College of Arts and Sciences, who passed away last 12 November 2022, after suffering severe injuries as a result of a motorcycle accident in Trapiche, Oton.

The presiding priest was Rev. Fr. Carlo Noquiz. The Requiem Mass was organized by the faculty and staff from DoPE.

Chancellor Clement Camposano joined the mass together with CAS Dean Dr. Alice Joan Ferrer and Associate Dean Prof. Nilo Araneta. Students who knew Sir Kim, as he was commonly called by colleagues and students in the University, also joined the mass to honor his memory.

Eulogies followed the mass to celebrate the life that Sir Kim lived. Speeches were given by Mr. Carlos Gabriel Sola, Ms. Nica Molo, Mr. Fernando Tinaga, Ms. Carmelie Sumagpao, Prof. Teresita Portugalete, Ms. John Alfred Abalos, and Mr. Andrio Tagapan. Recorded messages from a colleague Ms. Cindy Monte and Sir Kim’s brother Christian were also played. Ms. Janelle Nieves, Sir Kim’s girlfriend, also spoke about what he was like as a partner.

Dean Ferrer gave a message of encouragement, while DoPE Head Prof. Brenda Lynn Arroyo expressed her deepest gratitude to everyone who helped Infante and his family through this difficult time.

To express their love and appreciation, the faculty members from DoPE sang “Salamat” for Sir Kim. Afterward, the teachers and students gathered at the field to release white balloons.

Today, 20 November 2022, Infante was laid in his final resting place in Guimaras, his home province. The faculty members of DoPE were joined by Chancellor Camposano, Dean Ferrer, and Prof. Araneta.

During his last hours, Sir Kim’s mother never left his side while he was treated at Western Visayas Medical Center. His colleagues from DoPE gathered outside the hospital with hopeful prayers that he would survive his accident. Even in grief, the faculty and staff of DoPE stood united and strong to give the Infante family the support they needed.

Rest in peace, Sir Kim! (UPV IPO)

Source: University of the Philippines Visayas Facebook post