Let’s offer a prayer for our departed alumnus. May he rest in peace.
If you have heard or read about any fellow UPLB alumnus/alumna who passed away, please inform us through https://alum.uplb.edu.ph/submit-obituary
Source: UPLB Office of Alumni Relations
Retired UP Professor of English Vivencio R. Jose passed on at around 3:00 p.m of December 6 in his ancestral house in San Nicolas, Gapan, Nueva Ecija. He is the founding Director of UP’s PhD Philippine Studies Program (reorganized years later as the UP Diliman Tri-College PhD Philippine Studies program). He also served as Director, UP Press. Later, he served as Chair, Department of English and Comparative Literature (UP Diliman, 1986-1988), Dean, College of Arts and Letters (UP Diliman, 1988-1991), and Secretary of the University and of the Board of Regents (UP System, August 1993-December 1995).
He is the author of The Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna (Philippine Social Sciences and Humanities Review 36, 1972 and Solar Publishing, 1991) and Heneral Luna: The Story Behind the Movie (Anvil, 2018). The Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna became the basis for the well-regarded film “Heneral Luna”, directed by Jerrold Tarog and produced by Artikulo Uno Productions (2015). Dr. Jose also worked as a consultant for the United Nations University (Tokyo) and UNESCO (Paris).
Of The Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna, says John N. Schumacher: “…it is welcome as the first scholarly full-length biography of this major figure of the Revolutionary period, the most prominent Filipino to play a role both in the Propaganda Movement and the Revolution itself. For a study of the life of Antonio Luna is one of the most important keys to clarifying the relation between the two phases of the nationalist struggle. Though Vivencio Jose is a professor of literature rather than of history, his command of the historical sources and bibliography on Luna is impressive, and his biography provides ample information on most of the facts of Luna’s life. Jose has likewise made a commendable effort not to limit the scope of his biography to the subject himself, but to place him within the wider context of the Revolution as a whole.” (Schumacher, John N., Philippine Studies vol. 24, no. 1, 1976: 122–125).
Paalam at maraming salamat, Sir Ven 🙏
Update: The remains of Dr. Vivencio R. Jose lie in state at St. Peter Chapels, in Sto Nino, Gapan, Nueva Ecija.
We send our deepest sympathies to the family of Dr. Raul Winston P. Andutan (BSBio’80, UPV).
He was a physician/urologist and Medical Director of Maria Reyna – Xavier University Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City.
Source: UPV Office of Alumni Relations
By: Angelica Yang
MANILA, Philippines — OPM music legend Heber Bartolome passed away on Monday evening, his brother confirmed on Tuesday.
“Oo. Kagabi lang…nawalan daw ng pulso,” his brother Jesse Bartolome said on DzBB Super Radyo.
He added that his brother has had a lingering prostate illness for more than a year.
Jesse said his brother just celebrated his birthday last Nov. 9.
“Biglaan [ang pagpanaw ni Heber]. Masaya po kami nung bertday niya eh,” Jesse said.
There are no details yet on the burial schedule, but he said that this may be open to the public since his brother’s death was not related to COVID-19.
Heber is known for his songs “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy,” “Nena,” “Pasahero,” and “Almusal,” among others.
Bartolome, formed the band Banyuhay with is brothers Jesse and Levi, during the martial law years. He was a University of the Philippines alumnus before his band became one of the pillars of original Pinoy music. A natural-born artist, Bartolome was a singer and composer, aside from being a painter.
Among the songs Bartolome and the band popularized were “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy” that evoked patriotism, “Dukha” that tackled poverty, “Salome” and “Nena” that pushed for women’s rights and empowerment, and “Payag ka Ba?” a protest music popular among activists.
In one of the articles posted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on the INQUIRER.net’s Lifestyle channel, Bartolome described himself as a hippie who wore kurtas (Indian shirt) and showed up barefoot for class during his college years.
He founded the UP Astrological Society and inevitably greeted people with the query “what’s your sign?”
But he was also interested in writing, and had been editor of the Pilipino section of the Philippine Collegian.
He joined the UP Writers’ Club in 1973 and the Galian sa Arte at Tula the following year. He also enrolled in a master’s program in Philippine literature.
Source: https://entertainment.inquirer.net/426793/filipino-music-legend-heber-bartolome-passes-away
DAVAO CITY — Colleagues mourn the passing of a renowned veterinarian Dr. Roberto Puentespina Jr., who is known for his advocacy works in wildlife conservation, especially on his contributions to save the critically-endangered Philippine Eagle.
Dr. Roberto Puentespina Jr., succumbed to an illness at a private hospital around 10 p.m. on November 15, his wife Olive confirmed to Manila Bulletin.
Popularly known by his nickname as Dr. Bo, the 57-year old veterinarian is known for his “Malagos Bird Show” at the family-owned Malagos Garden Resort in Baguio District here.
For 17 years, he hosted the 45-minute bird show, which had been his medium in promoting awareness in wildlife conservation, environment protection and climate change mitigation.
Every weekend, the interactive bird show have attracted hundreds of people, many of them were children.
He employed a variety of birds and other animals to create awareness in the importance of environment protection.
Puentespina, who finished his veterinary medicine at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, was also instrumental in the conservation works in saving the critically-endangered Philippine Eagle particularly in the early 1990s.
Philippine Eagle Foundation executive director Dennis Salvador acknowledged Puentespina’s contribution in saving the Philippine Eagle particularly in providing medical services.
“This was particularly instrumental when a number of our eagles were hit with trichomoniasis back in the early 90s. He had also helped nurse injured eagles back to health, allowing us to release them back to the wild, “Salvador recalled.
Fellow veterinarian Bayani Vandenroeck acknowledged Puentespina’s contribution in the industry particularly in the field of wildlife conservation.
“Dr. Bo was one of my mentors early on in my career, not only in companion animal practice but especially as a wildlife veterinarian,” said Vandenbroeck, who also graduated from UP Los Baños.
He added that there are many other veterinarians also whom Puentespina has inspired to save wildlife and fight for the environment.
In 2017, he established the Davao Thermo Biotech Corporation, a large-scale biodegradables-to-fertilizer in 2017 that employs Hyperthermophilic Composting Technology, which originated in Japan, to produce biofertilizers.
He continued his advocacy work for the environment through this new project by encouraging waste segregation down to the household level.
Puentespina launched the The Yellow Drum Project, which aims to divert biodegradable waste even on the household level from the landfill to their composting plant.
“It is a campaign to raise awareness on proper waste segregation; that the waste we segregate, especially biowaste, does not end up in the landfill but instead to a composting plant where we can compost them and convert them to biofertilizer,” explained Puentespina in previous interviews.
Engr. Diego Tautho, chief executive officer of Ridge to Reef, also expressed sadness on the passing of Puentespina saying: thank you for sharing to us your advocacies, including how you turn a 50-ton biowaste from various sources into valuable soil conditioners and bio-fertilizers.”
Tautho and his firm had worked with the late veterinarian to develop a more sustainable solution to address solid waste problems.
He described Puentespina’s technology as a “definitive solution to biodegradable wastes.”
Source: https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/17/colleagues-mourn-the-death-of-dr-bo-davaos-famed-vet/
ROGELIO DULAY COLTING
(February 5, 1951-October 17, 2021)
BS Agriculture (Soil Science), 1974 UPLB
MS Soil Science 1981 UPLB
PhD Soil Science 1988 UPLB
Dr. Colting is a son of the Ibaloi tribe of Tublay, Benguet. He is the first in his tribe to graduate at UP Los Baños (UPLB) and become President of Benguet State University (BSU).
He studied at UPLB through scholarships as a son of WWII Veteran, the BSU-Ford Foundation, and PCAARRD. After a year’s stint with Benpres Holdings Corp. in Negros Occidental, he returned to his high school alma mater BSU where he spent his lifetime of public service of almost 40 years (1977-2015). He started as Instructor and retired as University Professor, the first at BSU. He became Department Chair for Soil Science, Dean of Graduate School, Director of the Institute of Highland Farming Systems and Agroforestry, and Vice President for Research and Extension. With his commendable management style, he was elected and reappointed by the Board of Regents as fourth BSU President (July 1, 2003-December 6, 2011). His Student First Policy and capacity-building initiatives for employees had excellent domino effect in achieving the four-fold functions of the university. During his first term, BSU attained SUC Level IV in 2007, the highest category of SUC Levelling by CHED and DBM that elevated BSU into the elite group of Top 20 Performing SUCs with SUC Level IV status.
As a Soil Scientist and BSU President, his desire to rehabilitate degraded farm soils and his advocacy to eliminate pesticide pollution was realized. He made a bold decision to declare BSU in 2004 as pro Organic Agriculture University despite pessimism from various sectors. A comprehensive BSU Organic Agriculture (OA) Program was developed that included the offering of Organic Agriculture as a major field in BS Agriculture, now adopted by other SUCs. The establishment of certified OA Demo Farm and production areas, and delivery of free trainings have convinced many farmers to shift to organic farming. In 2007, the Institute for Marketecology (IMO) based in Switzerland certified BSU as producer and processor of Arabica Coffee, the first in the country. To institutionalize OA, a Regional OA Congress was conducted in 2006, a Cordillera Organic Agriculture Development Center (COADC) was established in 2009. In 2015, a National OA Scientific Congress started with him becoming founding president of the Organic Agriculture Society of the Philippines (OASP). Some sectors say that Roger is the Father of OA in Benguet.
With the BSU-OA Program being adopted in various LGUs in the country, the concept became a working paper in the framing of the Organic Agriculture Act (RA10086) in 2010. And, when the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) was created, Dr. Colting was chosen as the first representative of the academic sector. After his retirement, he worked with the Diocese of Baguio and helped organized and became Technical Consultant of Our Farmers’ Haven (OFH) Federation, Inc., a group of organic farmers in Benguet forging partnerships with various markets such as Healthy Options in Metro Manila.
Dr. Colting is also considered as the bastion in the establishment of the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC), the biggest in the country. In 2010, he convinced the university Board of Regents to allot four hectares of land for the project to support the agriculture industry in Benguet and nearby provinces. He also convinced Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to fund a Vegetable Processing Center to process excess market supply into enriched vegetable noodles and other products. In addition, an Agri-technology-based Industry funded by the Japanese government was established and enabled young farmers to learn how to start a business and be competitive.
Dr. Colting is a recipient of various awards, foremost is the Highest Commendation for Outstanding Performance as University President by the Board of Regents (Res. No. 2012, s. 2011). He was UPLB-CA Outstanding Alumni, was a Benguet Province Leadership Awardee, and had Achievement Awards in Soil Science and in Research Management. He is Grand Knight (4th degree) of the Knights of Columbus, a member of UP Kappa Phi Sigma Honor Society, and a PAARRFI Chair Holder in Soil Science Research. Soka University in Japan bestowed him the Highest Honor Award for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of higher education and advancement of culture. He was officer of various organizations such as UPLB Baguio-Benguet Alumni Association, Cordillera History Society (founder), Philippine Society of Soil Science and Technology, Philippine Fruit Association and Crop Science Society of the Philippines.
On October 18, 2021, BSU hosted a virtual wake to Dr. Colting, to pay tribute to a soft spoken, calm and deeply passionate man who served communities with humility.
Dr. Colting is survived by his wife Lita P. Molitas (UPLB alumna: BS Agriculture 1975, MS Entomology, 1987, and PhD Entomology 1998) with three children, Job Rogelio, and two UPLB alumna: Gretchen Shagami Colting-Hudson (BS DevCom 2001 and DComm 2016, UPOU), and Clarice Shalumai Colting-Pulumbarit (BS Bio 2001 and MS EnviSci, 2015); and six grandchildren: Aivien Shudimai, Lila Shalumi, Gael Luntian, Ramone Rogelio, Sebastian Rogelio, and Keagan Malik.
References:
https://www.facebook.com/338566995032/posts/10159150632280033/?d=n
https://www.facebook.com/100005514910235/posts/1655403201320161/?d=n
https://www.facebook.com/100002888978321/posts/3986192868153640/?d=n
https://www.facebook.com/821039687996202/posts/3944775612289245/?d=n
https://www.facebook.com/100068959038119/posts/177988634509770/?d=n
https://www.facebook.com/338566995032/posts/10159151815870033/?d=n
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is deeply saddened over the passing of Instructor Albert Francis Reginald “Treb” T. Ramos (from the Department of Human Kinetics).
We pray for the eternal repose of his soul and offer our sympathies and prayers for the bereaved family.
Rest in Peace, Albert.
Source: UP Mindanao CHSS
Chemistry professor Florentino C. Sumera, PhD passed away on Oct. 18. He was 70.
Sumera started teaching at UP Diliman (UPD) in 1976 as an instructor and eventually became a professor, a post he held until his retirement in 2016.
He served as director of the UPD Institute of Chemistry from 1993 to 1996. Sumera was also the coordinator of the Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSEP) from 2006 to 2009. MSEP is a partnership between the College of Science and the College of Engineering that offers graduate studies leading to professional careers as materials scientists and engineers in the industry, academia, or the public sector.
Sumera taught organic chemistry and specialized in the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymers and nanomaterials. His numerous studies were published in ISI and local journals. He also presented his research in many international and local chemistry conferences and symposia.
For his outstanding works in chemistry, Sumera received many awards such as the Outstanding Young Scientist by the National Academy of Sciences and Technology in 1991, the Federation of Chemical Societies Award for Chemical Research in 2007, the National Research Council of the Philippines Achievement Award for Chemical Sciences in 2013, and the 2014 Outstanding Professional Award in Chemistry by the Philippine Regulation Commission.
He was a recipient of the UP Centennial Professorial Chair in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2013; the UP International Publication Award in 2000, 2006, and 2007; the Antonio de Leon UP Chemistry Award in 2008; and the 2008 Gawad sa Natatanging Publikasyon sa Filipino by the UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino for hisFilipino book in organic chemistry.
Sumera mentored over 80 undergraduate and graduate students in their theses and dissertations. Many of his former students paid tribute to Sumera in their Facebook posts, expressing their appreciation of Sumera’s selfless guidance. He treated them not as mentees but as friends.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1974 and a Master of Science in chemistry in 1980 from UPD. In 1985, he earned his doctoral degree, with highest honors, from the École Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Rennes, Université de Rennes, France. He was invited for fellowships abroad, such as the IDP Fellowship in Australia in 1986, and the UNESCO Fellowship at the University of Auckland, New Zealand in 1987.
Source: https://upd.edu.ph/sumera-70/
A dedicated staff member of the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Arts and Letters (CAL) Office of the Dean, Evelyn Dela Cruz Mariano, passed away on Sept. 16. She was 58.
Mariano first worked at UPD on June 1, 1989 as a research assistant under then CAL dean Vivencio R. Jose. Later on, she was promoted as a university research associate (URA), a position she held until she passed.
Ma. Teresa Peralta, Mariano’s colleague, described her as “a cheerful soul always ready to welcome people with a warm smile, a devoted and loving mother and wife, a hardworking employee, a compassionate friend, and someone with profound generosity and sensitivity, always thinking about the needy.”
On Sept. 25, CAL offered a thanksgiving mass for the life of Mariano via Zoom.
Born on July 6, 1963, Mariano is survived by husband David and their three children.
Source: https://upd.edu.ph/mariano-58/
We send our deepest sympathies to the family of Dr. Gil N. Octaviano, Jr. (AA’55, UPIC). He passed away Oct. 25, 2021.
He was President of UPAA Negros Chapter.
His wake will be in Rolling Hills Hope 2, from Oct. 26 to 28, 2021. Interment will be on Oct. 29, 2021 at Bacolod Memorial Park.