After a fun-filled week dedicated to rekindle and further strengthen ties among alumni, the 2023 University of the Philippines (UP) Alumni and Faculty Homecoming ended with the get-together of several jubilarian batches for a dinner-program and the awarding of outstanding professionals.
Graduates from the UP High School in Iloilo (UPHSI) and various colleges of UP Visayas, starting from batch 1948 followed by five-year intervals, were able to catch up and interact with their batchmates and fellow alumni on a night where they were celebrated and honored.
The UP Alumni Association (UPAA) – Iloilo Chapter and the Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) led the holding of the event, “2023 UP Alumni and Homecoming Dinner and Awards Night” on Aug. 20, at the Diversion21 Hotel in Iloilo City.
Video presentations, intermission numbers, and raffle draws helped sustain the energy of the participants, some of whom donned custom-made clothing to emphasize their batches.
Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor, the guest speaker of the event, and Dr. Ruel Malata, Outstanding Professional awardee, drew applauses and laughs from the crowd for giving resembling messages on finding success despite heavily struggling with some of their subjects in college.
Chancellor Clement Camposano, on the other hand, said the alumni are needed to share these stories of success despite their struggles during their time at the University to inspire the students.
One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of the 2023 Outstanding Professionals from various fields, of whom included:
Atty. Kenneth John Amamanglon (Law and Judiciary)
Mr. Robert John Blancaflor (Entrepreneurship)
Dr. Alexis Fillone (Education)
Energy Usec. Sharon Garin (Governance/Public Administration/Public Service)
Dr. Rhodora Gail Ilagan (Social Sciences and Human Ecology)
Dr. Ruel Malata (Health and Medical Professions)
UPV Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Philip Ian Padilla (Public Health Promotion)
Maria Imelda Pangantihon (Governance/Public Administration/Public Service)
Prof. Kevin Piamonte (Arts and Letters)
Dr. Glenford Refre (Health and Medical Profession and Education)
Mr. Cedric Sazon (Business Administration and Entrepreneurship)
Dr. Clarissa Zamora (Education)
Outgoing UPAA – Iloilo Chapter Board of Directors (BODs) were also given the Oblation trophies as they were awarded for their service to the Association, while the newly-elected BODs were introduced.
UPAA - Iloilo Chapter and OAR’s partners for the week-long homecoming festivities were iamUPHi, UP Silak Brotherhood and Silab Sisterhood, Validus Amicitia Brotherhood, UP Hamili Brotherhood and UP Hamilia Sisterhood, Scintilla Juris Juris Sorority, and the various colleges and schools of the University.
