The University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu) celebrated its Grand Alumni Homecoming on December 6, 2024, at the newly inaugurated UP Cebu Gym. The highlight of the event was the fifth installment of the Tatak UP Awards, organized by the UP Alumni Association Cebu Chapter (UPAAC). This prestigious recognition honors alumni who have exemplified the university’s core values of honor, excellence, and service in their respective fields.

The Tatak UP Awards 2024 commenced with a press conference held on February 28, 2024, at the University of the Philippines Cebu’s Administration Building. This event marked the official launch of the fifth edition of the awards, which aim to honor UP Cebu alumni who have made significant contributions to the Cebu community.

During the press conference, the University of the Philippines Alumni Association Cebu Chapter (UPAACC) announced a more inclusive approach for this year’s awards. For the first time, eligibility was extended to individuals who have studied in any UP campus for at least one semester, provided they maintained good academic standing. This change was implemented to recognize a broader spectrum of contributors to the Cebuano community.

In the lead-up to the much-anticipated homecoming and awards night, the UPAACC presents its celebrated video series: PAGHANDUM UG PASIDUNGOG, a reflective and heartfelt tribute to outstanding alumni and community figures who have significantly contributed to society while upholding the ideals of honor, excellence, and service. The series was produced by UP Cebu Communication alumnus Zhynnon Mantos.

Building on the spirit of tribute and inspiration, the Tatak UP Awards formally recognized individuals whose achievements and service reflect the highest ideals of the University. The following awardees were honored for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields, exemplifying what it truly means to carry the mark of a UP education.

Arts, Design and Culture

• Kenneth C. Cobonpue – Internationally acclaimed designer whose work champions Filipino craftsmanship.
• Roberto G. del Rosario – A devoted music educator and arranger who has championed Cebuano musical heritage through decades of mentorship and performance.
• Prof. Palmy Marinel Pe-Tudtud – An academic leader who mobilized UP Cebu’s Fabrication Lab to produce lifesaving PPEs during the height of COVID-19.
• Prof. Ligaya Rabago–Visaya – A revered educator and cultural artist whose decades of teaching have enriched Cebuano identity and performance arts.

Media and Communication

• Rosette Yñiguez–Lerias – A pioneering educator who laid the groundwork for media studies in the Visayas through UP Cebu’s Mass Communication program.
  Business and Entrepreneurship
• Lucio Roger E. Lim, Jr. – A visionary shipping executive who opened vital sea routes that transformed regional economies in the Visayas.

Public Service

• Atty. Rester John L. Nonato – A lawyer-reservist whose pandemic-driven innovations and outreach efforts embodied public service in action.

Social Change and Advocacy

• Atty. Jose Aaron Pedrosa, Jr. – A fearless public-interest lawyer defending environmental rights and marginalized communities against development aggression and repression.

Education

• Alden F. Salazar – A returning IT and real estate professional who revitalized his family’s educational legacy with a vision grounded in community empowerment and industry collaboration.

Public Health and Medicine

Dr. Juanito Zuasula, Jr. – A public health expert whose epidemiological work guided Cebu’s data-driven response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Also, the following individuals were previously recognized by other UP institutions and were affirmed by the Tatak UP Awards for their continued excellence in this year’s ceremony.

1. Dr. Felisa U. Etemadi (Education) – An award-winning educator and researcher, recognized for her contributions to local governance and poverty alleviation.
2. Dr. Peter Y. Mancao (Public Health and Medicine) – A leading surgeon and pandemic frontliner, instrumental in Cebu City’s vaccine rollout and COVID-19 response.
3. Eileen G. Mangubat (Media and Communication) – A trailblazing journalist whose decades of editorial leadership earned her national and international accolades.
4. Alice K. Queblatin (Business and Entrepreneurship) – A tourism innovator and eco-tourism advocate linking communities to sustainable travel opportunities.
5. Telibert Laoc (Social Change: Community Empowerment) – veteran of election reform, now advancing democratic practices through civic-focused initiatives.

These awardees exemplify the University of the Philippines’ core values of honor, excellence, and service, making significant contributions to their respective fields and communities.

UPAAC President Marylou “Lotlot” Labrador-Neri and UP Cebu Chancellor Leo Malagar expressed their gratitude to the alumni community for their unwavering support and contributions, emphasizing the importance of unity and continued service.

The Tatak UP Awards, first held in 2011, continue to uphold the university’s tradition of recognizing alumni who make significant societal impacts, reinforcing UP’s commitment to nurturing leaders dedicated to public service.

(with reports from Atty. Ian Vincent Manticajon)