THE University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) will honor 64 exceptional individuals, including Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, at the upcoming UPAA Alumni Awards.
Executive Secretary and former Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin (AB Political Science ’68) is the sole recipient of the 2025 UPAA Most Distinguished Alumnus Award.
“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,” the UPAA said in a statement.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla (ABPolSci’83; LLB’87) will receive the UPAA Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside Roberto P. Alingog (BSBA’71; MBA’74), Benjamin S. Austria (BSGeo’65), Jhosep Y. Lopez (ABPolSci’84 cl; LLB’88), Rody G. Sy (BS’69; MD’74).
“Beyond professional excellence, we looked for the strength of their leadership, the depth of their service, and the magnitude of their impact. These awardees reflect the very best of what it means to be an Iskolar ng Bayan,” UPAA President and Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton said.
The UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards are conferred to Maria Gabriela R. Concepcion, Ma. Lynette Josephine V. Ortiz, Romulo Gerardo S.A. Ramos, Kennedy Nickolai B. Sarmiento and Pablito M. Villegas in Community Empowerment; Paz S. Abad Santos and Abel C. Icatlo in Culture and Arts; Mary Lou F. Aurelio, Johanna Patricia Adevoso-Cañal, Alicia P. Catabay and Elena E. Pernia in Education; Mario A. Aurelio in Environmental Conservation (Geoscience Education); Robert L. Go, Benjamin Y. So and Jose E. Tapay, Jr. in Entrepreneurship; Constancia Somera-Uy in Gender Equality (Women Empowerment); 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 in Good Governance; William Honorato E. Romero and Grace Aguiling-Dalisay in Human Capital Development; Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba in Peace and Order; 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 in Public Health Promotion; Faustino C. Icatlo, Jr., Danilo C. Lachica and Paolo Antonio S. Silva in Science and Technology.
The UPAA Distinguished Service Award for an Alumnus and Alumna are given to Atty. Jose Alvin C. Gonzaga, Ms. Elena Vicenta “Jingjing” Villanueva-Romero and Ms. Jesusa R. Wolgamotti.
This year’s UPAA Presidential Awardees include Solicitor General Darlene Marie B. Berberabe, former Baguio Rep. Marquez O. Go, Ambassador Rosario Gonzalez-Manalo and Atty. Rodrigo B. Libunao.
The 2025 UPAA Awards Ceremony will be held at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman on Aug. 16. — Cathy Rose A. Garcia
