By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
Published Aug 9, 2025 06:47 pm | Updated Aug 10, 2025 12:35 am
The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) will celebrate the achievements of 64 exemplary alumni, chapters, and families during the 2025 UPAA Alumni Awards on August 16 at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman.
The annual awards—considered one of the most prestigious recognitions for UP graduates—honor individuals and groups who embody the values of honor, excellence, and service.
This year’s honorees were selected for their outstanding leadership, societal contributions, and remarkable accomplishments in the Philippines and abroad.
“Beyond professional excellence, we looked for the strength of their leadership, the depth of their service, and the magnitude of their impact,” said UPAA President and Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton. “These awardees reflect the very best of what it means to be an Iskolar ng Bayan,” he added.
This year’s distinguished roster of honorees includes 47 individual awardees, three outstanding UP alumni chapters, four recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award, and 10 families recognized with the Multigenerational Alumni Family Award.
Leading the 2025 roster is Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin (AB Political Science ’68), the sole recipient of the Most Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Bersamin is recognized for his exceptional public service, including his tenure as the 25th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and his current role as Executive Secretary—often referred to as the “Little President”—a position that reflects the breadth and gravity of his national responsibility.
“His enduring commitment to the rule of law and the public good continues to serve as a beacon of integrity and statesmanship for the nation,” UPAA said.
Five individuals will receive the UPAA Lifetime Achievement Award: Roberto P. Alingog (BSBA ’71; MBA ’74), Benjamin S. Austria (BSGeo ’65), Jhosep Y. Lopez (AB Political Science ’84 cl; LLB ’88), Jesus Crispin C. Remulla (AB Political Science ’83; LLB ’87), and Rody G. Sy (BS ’69; MD ’74).
The UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards, meanwhile, will honor outstanding contributions in fields such as community empowerment, culture and arts, education, environmental conservation, entrepreneurship, gender equality, good governance, human capital development, peace and order, public health, and science and technology.
Community Empowerment: Maria Gabriela R. Concepcion, Ma. Lynette Josephine V. Ortiz, Romulo Gerardo S.A. Ramos, Kennedy Nickolai B. Sarmiento, and Pablito M. Villegas
Culture and Arts: Paz S. Abad Santos and Abel C. Icatlo
Education: Mary Lou F. Aurelio, Johanna Patricia Adevoso-Cañal, Alicia P. Catabay, and Elena E. Pernia
Environmental Conservation (Geoscience Education): Mario A. Aurelio
Entrepreneurship: Robert L. Go, Benjamin Y. So, and Jose E. Tapay, Jr.
Gender Equality (Women Empowerment): Constancia Somera-Uy
Good Governance: Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres, Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita, Linglingay Fonacier-Lacanlale, Amenah F. Pangandaman, Ernesto V. Perez, Angelene Mary Quimpo-Sale, Gerardo P. Sirios, and Patrick Lester N. Ty
Human Capital Development: William Honorato E. Romero and Grace Aguiling-Dalisay
Peace and Order: Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba
Public Health Promotion: Maria Stephanie Fay S. Cagayan, Cary L. Calimlim, Francis B. Daytec, Jr., Ma. Rebecca Maraña-Galvez Tan, Constante I. Palabrica, Yolanda R. Robles, Nathaniel L. Tablante, Jr., and Bernard U. Tansipek
Science and Technology: Faustino C. Icatlo, Jr., Danilo C. Lachica, and Paolo Antonio S. Silva
The UPAA Distinguished Service Award for Alumni Chapters will go to UP Sigma Alpha Sorority Alumnae Association, Inc., UPAA in British Columbia, and UPAA Wisconsin Chapter.
The UPAA Distinguished Service Award for an Alumnus and Alumna will be conferred on Atty. Jose Alvin C. Gonzaga, Elena Vicenta “Jingjing” Villanueva-Romero, and Jesusa R. Wolgamotti.
Four recipients will receive the UPAA Presidential Award: Solicitor General Darlene Marie B. Berberabe, Congressman Marquez O. Go, Ambassador Rosario Gonzalez-Manalo, and Atty. Rodrigo B. Libunao.
The UPAA Multigenerational Alumni Family Award will honor families whose UP legacy spans generations.
Four Consecutive Generations Awardees: Ofilada, Palarca, and Reyes-Lapus-Sandoval families, whose “legacy of service and scholarship to the University is a testament to their enduring loyalty and deep-rooted connection” to UP.
Three-Generation Awardees: De Guia, Espiritu, Fernando, Flor, Pacia, Pilar, and Reyes families.
UPAA said this year’s awardees showcase the breadth of UP alumni impact—from public service and governance to science, arts, health, and community development.
“These awardees have distinguished themselves through professional achievements, meaningful service, and impactful leadership,” UPAA said.
Their collective achievements, UPAA added, reaffirm the enduring influence of the Iskolar ng Bayan in shaping the nation and inspiring future generations.
“They represent the diverse and far-reaching influence of UP alumni in areas such as public service, science, education, the arts, health, and community development—proving once again the power of the Iskolar ng Bayan spirit,” UPAA added.
Source: Manila Bulletin