UPAA recognizes 64 outstanding alumni, families

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) will honor 64 individuals, groups and families at its annual awards ceremony on 16 August 2025.

The awards celebrate alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service and achievements.

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, a political science graduate, will receive this year’s UPAA Most Distinguished Alumnus Award for his contributions to good governance and public service. Bersamin previously served as the 25th chief justice of the Supreme Court.

UPAA president Robert Lester Aranton said the honorees reflect the “very best of what it means to be an Iskolar ng Bayan,” a term for a student of the state-funded university.

The UPAA Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to five individuals: Roberto P. Alingog, Benjamin S. Austria, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Jesus Crispin C. Remulla and Rody G. Sy.

Forty-seven alumni will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards in various fields, including community empowerment, culture and arts, education, entrepreneurship and good governance.

Presidential Awards will be given to Solicitor General Darlene Marie B. Berberabe, Representative Marquez O. Go, Ambassador Rosario Gonzalez-Manalo and Atty. Rodrigo B. Libunao.

Three alumni chapters will be recognized with Distinguished Service Awards — the UP Sigma Alpha Sorority Alumnae Association, the UPAA in British Columbia and the UPAA Wisconsin Chapter. Jose Alvin C. Gonzaga, Elena Vicenta “Jingjing” Villanueva-Romero and Jesusa R. Wolgamotti will also receive Distinguished Service Awards.

Also, the UPAA will also honor 10 families with the Multigenerational Alumni Family Award for their continued commitment to the university across multiple generations.

The De Guia, Espiritu, Fernando, Flor, Pacia, Pilar and Reyes families will be recognized as three-generation awardees. The Ofilada, Palarca and Reyes-Lapus-Sandoval families will receive a special recognition for four consecutive generations of service and scholarship.

The UPAA Distinguished Service Award for Alumni Chapters recognizes three chapters this year: the 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 are given to Atty. Jose Alvin C. Gonzaga, Elena Vicenta "Jingjing" Villanueva-Romero and Jesusa R. Wolgamotti.

This year's UPAA Presidential Awardees are Solicitor General Darlene Marie B.Berberabe, Congressman Marquez O. Go, Ambassador Rosario Gonzalez-Manalo and Atty. Rodrigo B. Libunao.