Pinned

written by Thea Claudette Castañeda

UP officials and alumni topnotchers from 2024 licensure examinations attended “Pagkilala sa mga Natatanging Alumni na Nagkamit ng Pinakamatataas na Marka sa Licensure Exam” last 17 June 2025. The event celebrated 254 topnotchers from 44 licensure exams in 2024, who are alumni hailing from all UP constituent universities.

The event was hosted by Prof. Ma. Crisanta Flores, who livened up the dinner celebration. The voices of the acapella group Iskollas also brightened the stage with their dinner serenade and intermission numbers, as well as singing of the National Anthem and their debut event performance of “UP Naming Mahal”.

The program centered on recognizing the topnotchers by calling them up on stage for photo opportunities. UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez also gave his congratulatory remarks to the topnotchers, reminding them to uphold the UP core values of honor, excellence, and service, in the midst of dealing with expectations as a professional.

Among the 254 topnotchers in 2024, there were 16 UP alumni who earned first-place distinctions in their respective fields. Top 1 from the October 2024 Fisheries Professionals Licensure Examination and UP Visayas alumnus, AJ March Ryanne Felongco was chosen to give a speech in the event as he embodies the spirit of honor, excellence, and service, by continuing to actively empower aspiring fisheries professionals by helping other board exam takers through collaborations with various review centers.

Vice President for Public Affairs Atty. Marian Coquia-Regidor concluded the event with her closing speech by sharing anecdotes and sentiments as a former bar exam taker, relating them to the event attendees.

The dinner reception event, led by the UP Office of Alumni Relations in partnership with TVUP, was held in GT Toyota Auditorium, UP Diliman, as part of this year’s Linggo ng Unibersidad, which celebrated the University’s 117th Founding Anniversary, with the theme “Ani at Alay: Paglilingkod at Pasidungog sa Bayan”.

More photos of the event may be browsed through the OAR official FB page. 

UP alumnus and former court administrator Raul B. Villanueva officially became the 195th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines as of yesterday, 10 June 2025. He is also the first appointee to the Supreme Court by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Apart from his previous role as Court Administrator, Justice Villanueva also taught at the UP College of Law, among others. He was honored the Distinguished Alumni Award for Court Administration and Public Service by UPAA in 2023.

Congratulations, Justice Villanueva! The UP community is proud of you.

Congratulations to our elected UP alumni in the 2025 Midterm Elections!

Your success makes the UP community proud. May you continue to bring honor, excellence, and service to the Filipino people, and continue to carry on these core values that UP embodies.

Below is a list of UP alumni who have been elected as representatives in the legislative branch, and local executive branch (provincial and city level) in the 2025 Midterm Elections.

Senate of the Philippines
Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (BA English, 1988; Bachelor of Laws, 1993)
Pia Cayetano (BA Economics, 1985; Bachelor of Laws, 1991)
Rodante D. Marcoleta (Doctorate in Public Administration, 2020)

House of Representatives
Alexandria “Queenie“ T. Pahati-Gonzales (BA Journalism, 2000)
Marcelino “Marcy” R. Teodoro (BA Philosophy, 1990)
Romero Federico “Miro” S. Quimbo (BA History, 1991; Bachelor of Laws, 1996)
Roman Gabriel T. Romulo (BS Economics, 1991; Bachelor of Laws, 1994)
Ysabel Maria “Bel” J. Zamora-Jornada (BA Political Science, 2003; Juris Doctor, 2007)
Cielo Krisel B. Lagman-Luistro (BS Zoology, 1991; Master of Public Administration, 2015)
Antonio Agapito “AA” Jr. B. Legarda (BA Communication, 1992)
Maria Angela “Gila” S. Garcia (BS Business Administration, 1989)
Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang (BS, 1987)
Ciriaco “Jun” Jr. B. Gato (Doctor of Medicine, 1984)
Jonathan Keith Atty. John T. Flores (BA Political Science, 1995)
Danilo “Danny“ A. Domingo (Bachelor of Laws, 1976)
Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica (Bachelor of Arts, 1969)
Arnulf Bryan “Arnie” B. Fuentebella (BA in Philosophy, 1998)
Karen Hope “Karen” M. Flores-Garcia (BA in Mass Communication, 1995)
Lorenz R. Defensor (BA Philosophy, 2000)
Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (Bachelor of Laws, 1992)
Anna Victoria M. Veloso-Tuazon (Bachelor of Laws, 2003)
Richard Frank I. Gomez (Associate in Arts, 2009)
Edwin C. Ongchuan (BA Sociology, 1991)
Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Master of Arts in Economics, 1979; Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, 1985)
Anna York Cristina P. Bondoc (Bachelor of Science, 1988, Doctor of Medicine, 1993)
Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona (Bachelor of Laws, 1978)
Adrian Michael A. Amatong (BA Sociology, 2001; Master in Public Affairs, 2006)
Jeyzel Victoria C. Yu (BS Agribusiness Management, 2018)
Rufus B. Rodriguez (Bachelor of Laws, 1980)
Isidro T. Ungab (BS Agriculture, 1983)

Party List Representatives
Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” I. Diokno (AB in Philosophy, 1983)
Percival “Perci” Vilar Cendana (AB in Araling Pilipino, 2002)
Jude Avorque Acidre (BA Social Sciences (Political Science), 2011)
Iris Marie D. Montes (BA Political Science, 1992)
Franz Vincent F. Legazpi (BA Creative Writing, 2020)
Paolo Henry M. Marcoleta (BA Broadcast Communications. 1998)
James Mark Terry Ridon (BA Development Studies, 2006; Juris Doctor, 2011)
Antonio L. Tinio (BA Comparative Literature, 1990)
Renee Louise M. Co (BA Political Science, 2018)
Rolando L. Macasaet (BS Business Economics, 1980; Master in Business Administration, 1981)

Governors
Edgar Batalla Aglipay (Master in Business Administration, 1978)
Patrick Alain T. Azanza (PhD in Education, 2003; Juris Doctor, 2007)
Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. (AB Philosophy, 1992)
Marisol “Sol” Aragones (BS Development Communication, 1999)
Ramon Velicaria Guico III (AB Philosophy, 1997; MA Education (Educational Administration), 2004)
Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua (BS Business Administration, 1999)
Trina Alejandra Q. Firmalo-Fabic (AB Sociology, 2004)
Dulce Ann K. Hofer (Diploma in Public Administration, 2004)

Vice Governors
Enrico Raymundo “Rico” Corvera (MS Agricultural Engineering 1983; BS Agricultural Engineering, 1976)
Farida “Diday” Co (BS Tourism, 2001)
Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas (Master in Business Administration, 1969)
Marc Douglas Chan Cagas IV (AB History, 1997)
Nathalie Ann “Lee Ann” Debuque (BS Industrial Pharmacy, 2018)
Mark Ronald De Guzman Lambino (BS Geography, 2004)
Anacleto “Third” Alcala III (AB Philosophy, 2003)
Josefina “Pining” Galang-Gatlabayan (BS Education, 1969)

Mayors
Greg Gelvosa (AB Political Science, 1992)
Maria Leonor “Leni” Gerona-Robredo (AB Economics, 1986)
Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez (Bachelor of Business Management, 1995)
Francisco Javier “Francis” Zamora (Master of Public Administration, 2007)
Paul Joseph “PJ” Untaran (BA Political Science, 2015)
Anne Lorraine Adorable-Inton (BA Public Administration, 2003; Juris Doctor, 2011)
Ace Jello “Kuya AJ” Cruz Concepcion (AB Political Science, 2005)
Atty. Arth Jhun “Ajam” A. Marasigan (BS Economics, 1999)
Nelson “Sonny” Perez Collantes (Bachelor of Arts, 1975)
Erik Donn C. Ignacio (AB Social Sciences, 2003)
Gretchen Stephanie Mendiola Espina (AB European Languages)
Emmanuel Aladin “Mawell” D. Tumanda (AB Political Science, 1997; MBA, 2001; Bachelor of Laws, 2002)
Cesar Tomas “Yul” M. Lopez (Bachelor of Science, 1981)
Henry ” Atorni Henry” Resurreccion Villarica (Bachelor of Arts, 1967; Bachelor of Laws, 1971)
Ian Mark “Mac” Panganiban Marcos (BS Mechanical Engineering, 2011)
Cristina “Tin” Antonio (Juris Doctor, 2013)
Emerito Emmanuel “Tito-Tito” Calderon (Bachelor of Science, 1985)
Mar Bianca Cualing-Brua (BS in Economics, 2003)
Samuel Gumaring (Master of Public Health, 1997)
Florencio “Lolen” Nalula (MS in Civil Engineering, 1998)
Victoria Ina Favis (BS Speech Pathology, 2005)
Nene Loida Espinosa (BS Fisheries 2003; Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management 2008; Master in Environment and Natural Resources Management, 2016)
Carl Vincent Mondejar (BS in Accountancy, 2014)
Joe Abad Lazaro (BS in Applied Mathematics, 2011)
Joelle Mathea Panganiban (BS Management Economics, 2017)
Maria Lourdes “Malou” Respicio-Saguban (BA in Political Science 2001)
Faustino “Dondon” Dy (Juris Doctor, 2009)
Redentor Jardin (BS Civil Engineering 1988; MS Civil Engineering, 1992)
Solomon Vicencio (BA Psychology, 2012)
Mario Lacurom (Master of Management in Public Management, 1999)
Lovella “Lally” Belmonte-Espiritu (BS in Hotel & Restaurant Administration, 1994)
Antonio Sergio “Tony” Bagasao (BS in Business Administration & Accountancy, 1980)
Philip Dacayo (BS in Agriculture, 1986)
Casimiro “Jun” Ynares (Master of Public Administration, 2006)
Lisette Arboleda (AB Political Science, 2002)
Viannery “Via” Mabag (BS Speech Pathology, 2013)
Ronnel Lim (AB Political Science, 2002)
Eliordo Ogena (Bachelor of Laws, 1978)
Femilyn “Doktora Fem” Sobrevilla Domingo (BS Nursing 2008; Doctor of Medicine, 2019)
Pablo Yves “Dom” Dumlao (BS in Civil Engineering, 2002)
Alfredo Coro II (BS Computer Science, 1998)
La Rainne Abad-Sarmiento (Bachelor of Arts 1979; MA Anthropology 1990; PhD Public Administration, 2006)
Silvano Zanoria (MS Civil Engineering, 1978)

Vice Mayors
Gabriel “Gabby” Hidalgo Jr. (Master in Development Management and Governance, 2013)
Phillip Yerro Kimpo (BS Computer Science, 2006)
Rogelio “Doc Butch” Rivera (Master of Hospital Administration, 1996)
Adam Relson Jala (BS Community Development, 2001)
Marie Nickie Bolos (Juris Doctor, 2013)
Gilbert “Bebong” Gatchalian (BS Mining Engineering, 2003)
Lemuel “Kalem” Surtida (BA in Sociology, 1999)
Jacinta Maria Remulla (Certificate in Theater Arts 2009 BA in Theater Arts 2012)
Joanne Michelle “Bamm” Gonzales (BA in Development Studies, 1997)
Michelle Alice Baguilat (BA Journalism, 2003)
Rema Pazvia “Via” Cabatu (BA Political Science, 2014)
Christine “Tingting” Garin (BS Accountancy, 1996)
Arvin Losaria (Diploma in Urban & Regional Planning, 2016)
Rosario Mediatrix “Trixie” Fernandez (BS Management, 1998)
Ryan Zerrudo (BS Management, 2001)
Aleli Concepcion (BA Political Science, 2006)
Rexon Arevalo (BS Agriculture, 2003)
Rianne May Diaz (BS Civil Engineering, 2018; Diploma in Land Use Planning, 2021)
Miguel Jorge Tan (Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2001)
Romeo Albarida (Forest Ranger Certificate, 1983)
Nestor Alvarez (Bachelor of Science, 1976; MS in Botany 1986; PhD in Biology 1998)
Walter “Wally” Dapla (BS Nursing, 2004)
Eunice Uy Babalcon (BA Mass Communication, 2002)
Emilio “Jay” Ubaldo (BA in Public Administration, 1996)
Florence “Jingle” Bansuelo-Carlos (BA Psychology, 1996)
Joseph Jonathan Bactad (BS Tourism, 1996)