Two UP Diliman (UPD) College of Science (CS) professors and an academic unit from the UPD College of Engineering (COE) were this year’s recipients of the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) awards. Reynaldo L. Garcia, PhD of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB) and Cristine D. Villagonzalo, PhD of the National Institute of Physics (NIP) were honored with the 2023 NRCP Achievement Award, while the Department of Chemical Engineering (DChE) was recognized as 2023 NRCP Outstanding Institution (Cluster II). Garcia. Photo from the DOST-NRCP According to the NRCP website, the NRCP Achievement Award “is given to its members whose works greatly contributed to the advancement of their respective fields of expertise and responded to the needs and challenges of various industries.” On the other hand, the NRCP Outstanding Institution Award “is given to institutions or agencies in recognition of their dedicated support and/or significant contribution to the growth and development of basic sciences and humanities in the country.” According to an email of the CS Science Communication sent to UPDate Online, Garcia and Villagonzalo were recognized for their outstanding works in the fields of physics and medical sciences, respectively. CS Science Communication stated that, “Garcia founded the NIMBB Disease Molecular Biology and Epigenetics Laboratory in 2011. He and his team played a crucial role in detecting and preventing the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic. He is currently investigating how specific mutations in colon cancer cells affect their resistance to treatments, and how these mutated cells divide, migrate, and survive.” Villagonzalo. Photo from the DOST-NRCP Villagonzalo, on the other hand, “served as the president of NRCP governing board from 2022 until 2023. She is the deputy director for academic affairs at NIP and the project leader of the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development-Philippines. She is currently working on a research project to integrate the quantum mechanics principle called the perturbation theory in a quantum circuit,” stated CS Science Communication. Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, the COE stated “DChE was recognized for its remarkable commitments to scholarly pursuits, community engagements, and academic excellence.” The COE added that “through its exceptional research endeavors, extensive network of collaborations, and dedication to nurturing future leaders in the field, the department has truly distinguished itself as a trailblazer in the realm of chemical engineering and scientific innovation.” COE poster. Image from the COE Facebook page

Tatlong guro ng UP Diliman (UPD) ang binigyang pagkilala ng iba’t ibang organisasyon nitong Abril. Ang mga pinarangalan ay sina Dekano Jimmuel C. Naval ng Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura at Apolonio B. Chua, PhD, professor emeritus sa UPD Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas; at Nicanor G. Tiongson, PhD, professor emeritus sa UP Film Institute (UPFI). Naval. Larawan mula sa UPDIO Archive Chua. Larawan mula sa UPDIO Archive Tiongson. Larawan mula sa UPFI website Pinarangalan ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) si Naval ng KWF Gawad Dangal ng Panitikan. Samantala, ipinagkaloob naman ng Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) ang Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas kila Naval (Katha sa Filipino) at Chua (Kritisismo sa Filipino). Iginawad naman kay Tiongson ng Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) ang FDCP Lifetime Achievement Award. Mula sa website ng KWF, “Ang Gawad Dangal ng Panitikan ay ang mataas na pagkilala sa naiambag sa panitikang Pilipino o lifetime achievement award. Binibigyang-pagpupugay nito ang natatanging manunulat na nagpakita ng pagpapahalaga sa kultura, kaakuhan, at kayamanang pamana, bukod sa pambihirang pagkasangkapan sa Filipino at iba pang wikang panrehiyon o panlalawigan.” Ayon sa Facebook page ng UMPIL, “Ipinagkakaloob ang Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas sa mga manunulat para sa kanilang katangi-tanging obra sa anumang wika sa Filipinas at ambag sa pagpapaunlad ng panitikang Filipino.” Kinilala ang mga naging ambag ni Tiongson sa larangan ng pelikulang Pilipino na nagkaroon ng malaking bahagi sa pagsulong at pag-angat nito. Naganap ang taunang Gabi ng Parangal ng KWF noong Abril 17 sa Sheraton Manila Hotel, Lungsod ng Pasay at ang FDCP Parangal ng Sining noong Abril 19 sa Seda Vertis North, Lungsod ng Quezon. Ang seremonya ng pagpaparangal ng UMPIL ay gaganapin sa Abril 27 sa Gimenez Gallery, UPD.  

A memorial service for former UP Diliman (UPD) College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) dean Evelina Asuncion Pangalangan gathered former students, colleagues at the CSWCD, colleagues from National Association for Social Work Education, Inc. Philippines (NASWEI), and members of her family at the college’s Bulwagang Tandang Sora recently. CSWCD Dean Lenore Polotan-dela Cruz said Pangalangan was a major driving force in the CSWCD’s development. Polotan-dela Cruz speaking before the attendees. Photo by Jerald DJ. Caranza, UPDIO Known as Dean EAP, she led the fundraising for the construction of the CSWCD building. She was also instrumental in the creation of the Master of Social Work program in distance mode. “Her vision for the college extended physical buildings and facilities. Her academic leadership also focused on people and programs while prioritizing the human aspects of education. She was a woman ahead of her time. A true pioneer foreseeing the potential of distance education, she spearheaded the creation of the Master of Social Work in distance mode which was the first of its kind during that time,” Polotan-dela Cruz said. “Under her guidance, the CSWCD strengthened its role in social development education, becoming a member of the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific network of centers of academic excellence. She fostered crucial national, regional, and international ties, fostering collaboration across the Asia Pacific region.… Her legacy lives in the students she empowered, the programs she established, and the college she helped build,” she added. Meanwhile, Teresita Marie Bagasao, a lecturer at the CSWCD and former country director of the Joint UN Program on HIV/AIDS spoke about Pangalangan’s influence on her journey as a social worker. Bagasao. Photo by Jerald DJ. Caranza, UPDIO “She mentored me as I joined a non-government organization, then joined the UN and then went back to being retired,” Bagasao said. She shared Pangalangan was the one who convinced her to teach at the college and on how even after retirement, Pangalangan still taught at a college in New York in the United States. “Sabi niya, ‘Sayang naman iyong pinagdaanan mo,’” Bagasao said. “Iyong kaniyang pagiging consummate educator hindi natapos noong nag-retire siya dito sa UP. Kahit nandoon na siya sa New York, alam ko nagturo siya sa college, full-time, walang retirement….For me, she was not the feather on my cap; she was my cap because she was the caring, affirming presence in my life,” she added. Two members of Pangalangan’s family who attended the memorial were her son Jose Roberto “Bobby” Pangalangan and granddaughter Gaby. Bagasao. Photo by Jerald DJ. Caranza, UPDIO “Superwoman namin siya sa pamilya. Binalanse…