UPAA President and Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton said this year’s honorees embody the highest ideals of the Iskolar ng Bayan.
“Beyond professional excellence, we looked for the strength of their leadership, the depth of their service, and the magnitude of their impact,” Aranton said. “These awardees reflect the very best of what it means to be an Iskolar ng Bayan.”
Top honor for Executive Secretary Bersamin
Leading the roster is Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin (AB Political Science ’68), the sole recipient of the 2025 UPAA Most Distinguished Alumnus Award. Bersamin, who served as the 25th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is being honored for his integrity, statesmanship, and decades of public service in one of the most influential roles in government.
Lifetime and distinguished awards
Five alumni will receive the UPAA Lifetime Achievement Award: Roberto P. Alingog, Benjamin S. Austria, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, and Rody G. Sy.
The UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards will go to leaders 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 promotion, and science and technology.
Among the awardees are Maria Gabriela R. Concepcion, Amenah F. Pangandaman, Grace Aguiling-Dalisay, Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, and Danilo C. Lachica.
Service, presidential, and family legacy awards
Three alumni chapters — UP Sigma Alpha Sorority Alumnae Association, UPAA in British Columbia, and UPAA Wisconsin Chapter — will be honored for distinguished service. The individual service award will go 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.
The UPAA Multigenerational Alumni Family Award will honor families whose UP legacy spans three or four generations, including the Ofilada, Palarca, Reyes-Lapus-Sandoval, De Guia, Espiritu, Fernando, Flor, Pacia, Pilar, and Reyes families.
Celebrating alumni excellence
The 2025 UPAA Awards Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman. The event will showcase the diverse achievements of UP graduates who have made a mark in public service, science, education, arts, health, and community development. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
