The Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association, Inc. (USPAA) held elections for its Board of Directors for 2011-2013 yesterday at Congress XIII. The fifteen fellows elected as directors of the board are:

Simon A. Cuyson ‘57
Hospicio S. Timbol ‘59
Reynaldo C. Laserna ‘62
Benedicto L. Tabin ‘64
Fernando B. Malveda ‘69
Edgar M. Sandalo ‘73
Joselito Z. Tapay ‘75
Rodolfo O. Reyes ‘78
Enrico R. Merioles ‘79
Carlos P. Gatmaitan ‘83
Jonathan James C. Duque ‘91
Noel B. Damot ‘93
Rhichie Gerard T. Brown ‘96
Melvin John M. Tan ‘97
Ivan Anthony S. Henares ‘98

The newly-elected directors took their oaths of office before outgoing USPAA chairperson Eliseo M. Ilano ‘57 immediately after they were proclaimed by COMELEC Chairperson Atty. Ramon Quintin C. Allado ‘00.

Laserna and Malveda were elected by the directors to serve as chairman and president respectively. Congratulations brods! (Photos courtesy of Edilberto “Bong” Uichangco, Jr. ‘81)

The Commission on UNO Awards & Recognition formally announced the UNO (Upsilonian Outstanding & Noble) awardees for 2011. The UNO Award is the highest form of recognition conferred on Upsilonians based on the Fraternity’s Five Imperatives namely Brotherhood, Integrity, Excellence, Leadership and Service. The process of selection of the UNO awardees is focused on establishing a continuous body of lifetime work and accomplishments marked with excellence, consistent high quality, concern for the greater good, and integrity and conduct beyond reproach. 

After serious deliberations, the panel of judges were unanimous in approving and endorsing the conferment of the UNO award to Justice Romeo M. Escareal ‘48, lawyer and Sandiganbayan Justice; Dr. Jose D. Drilon, Jr. ‘51 (posthumous), U.P. Regent, multi-awarded public servant and the Father of Agribusiness in the Philippines; Romeo M. Liamzon ‘53 (posthumous), lawyer, banker & president of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines; Engr. Claudio B. Altura ‘54, technocrat, valedictorian and board topnotcher; Ponciano E. Rivera, Jr. ‘61, businessman, U.P. Regent & UP Alumni Association President; Carlos A. Pedrosa ‘62, investment banker, consultant and enterpreneur; and Health Undersecretary Teodoro J. Herbosa ‘78, physician, author and public servant.

The seven UNO awardees for 2011 join the illustrious company of thirty-two other awardees who include Finance Secretary Pio P. Pedrosa ‘22, Father of Philippine Television and Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) founder Antonio Quirino ‘26, student leader and World War II hero Camarines Norte Governor Wenceslao Q. Vinzons ’30, U.P. President Salvador P. Lopez ‘31, Vice President & Senate President Arturo M. Tolentino ‘31, House Speaker Jose B. Laurel, Jr. ‘32, Dean Armando J. Malay ‘34, Senator Gerardo M. Roxas ‘46, U.P. President Onofre D. Corpuz ’47, Vice President Salvador H. Laurel ‘47 and Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. ‘50.

The brods all won their respective races in the U.P. Diliman University Student Council and local college council elections held last February 17, 2011.

Juan Carlo P. Tejano ‘09 of Buklod CSSP won by a landslide in the race for Chairperson of the College of Social Sciences & Philosophy Student Council. He received 741 out of 1154 votes cast. He is the third Upsilonian to serve as CSSP-SC Chairperson after Christopher Ryan T. Tan ‘00 (2000-2001) & Herminio C. Bagro III ‘02 (2004-2005).

Noel L. Bernardo ‘11 of MATTER won handily as Chairperson of the College of Science Student Council, with 807 of 1069 votes cast. He takes over from Sean Vincent L. Aquilino ‘09, incumbent CSSC Chairperson.

Christian Rayson P. Ildesa ‘09 of KAISA got the top slot for College of Engineering Representative to the University Student Council. While incumbent USC Councilor Raphael Dominic U. Ibaviosa ‘09 of ARISE won as Councilor of the Engineering Student Council. In the College of Arts & Letters, Rafael Natal P. Roque ‘09 of Stand-UP won as No. 1 Councilor of the CAL Student Council. Congratulations brods!

Mapagpala at mapagpalayang umaga sa inyong lahat. Binabati ko ang mga miyembro ng Lupon ng Rehente, si Pangulong Emerlinda Roman, mga dating rehente, mga dating Pangulo ng pinakamamahal nating unibersidad, mga dati at kasalukuyang opisyal ng UP, kaguruan, kawani, estudyante, ang aking mga kaibigan, kamag-anak at miyembro ng pamilya.

Ladies and gentlemen.

First and foremost, let me thank all those who have given me their trust and confidence. Thank you for this opportunity to serve our beloved Alma Mater. It will be an honor for me to build upon the legacy of UP’s past leaders.

My predecessors have done much in setting the stage for the second century of UP’s existence. We take note, in particular, the contributions of my immediate predecessor, the first and, so far, only woman to be at the helm of our University. President Roman pushed the envelope for research in science and technology. The other accomplishments were described in her valedictory speech and these we do recognize.

Under my administration, our plans and programs will be guided by the vision statement that accompanied my acceptance of nomination for the UP presidency. That vision will mark our path for the next six years.

Sean Vincent L. Aquilino ‘09, chairperson of the College of Science Student Council, was selected as one of three recipients of the Gawad Chanselor para sa Natatanging Mag-aaral for 2011. Aquilino also won the U.P. Diliman BPI-DOST Science Award for 2011. Congratulations brod!

Alfredo E. Pascual ‘67 took the helm of the University of the Philippines today at Turnover Ceremonies for the 20th U.P. President at Quezon Hall. Pascual received the University Mace from outgoing U.P. President Emerlinda R. Roman.

Pascual is the fourth Upsilonian to lead the University of the Philippines. He joins an illustrious roster of Upsilonians who have served as U.P. President which includes Enrique T. Virata ‘22, Salvador P. Lopez ‘33, and Onofre D. Corpuz ‘47. Here is the speech of Pascual during the Turnover Ceremonies.

The brods attended the turnover ceremonies in full force. Among those present were former U.P. Alumni Association Presidents (from left to right) Eduardo F. Hernandez ‘48, Ponciano G. Mathay ‘48, Gari M. Tiongco ‘62, Pascual (himself a former UPAA President), Estelito P. Mendoza ‘47, Edgardo B. Espiritu ‘55, and Ponciano E. Rivera, Jr. ‘61 (not in photo). Also there were UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco ‘74, U.P. Vice President for Legal Affairs Danilo L. Concepcion ‘89 and Diliman Illustrious Fellow Gregorio Angelo C. Villar.

Alfredo E. Pascual ‘67 assumes the presidency of the University of the Philippines tomorrow morning at Turnover Ceremonies for the 20th U.P. President. Pascual had earlier taken his oath of office before President Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacanang on January 31, 2011. He was elected by the Board of Regents (BOR) on Dec. 3, 2010 out of 11 candidates.

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