UPAA to Recognize 67 Outstanding Alumni, Alumni Chapters and Families at its 2026 Awards Ceremony

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) honors 49 individual awardees, two outstanding UP alumni chapters, three recipients of the Presidential Service Award, and 13

awardees of the Multigenerational Alumni Family Award. The 2026 UPAA Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman.

Leading this year’s roster of Outstanding Alumni Awardees is Jorge L. Araneta (BS Business Administration ’58) the recipient of the 2026 UPAA Most Distinguished Alumnus Award. He is being honored for his lifelong dedication to nation-building, philanthropy, and community development. By consistently championing social progress, cultural preservation, and grassroots

humanitarian aid, Araneta embodies the highest ideals of excellence and civic duty, making him an exemplary reflection of this lifetime achievement honor.

The UPAA Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Awards will be given to Dr. Lorna Ramos-Abad (BS’75; MD’80, MSEpi’01), Dr. Virgilio Bautista (BSBA’67), Dr. Rex B. Demafelis (MS’90; PhD’16), FCJ. Teresita Leonardo-de Castro (ABPolSci’68; LLB’72; JD ’22), Ms. Lenore Raquel Santos Lim (BFA’67), Ms. Carmen F. Martinez-Pascual (BFA’71), Dr. Marita V. Tolentino-Reyes (AA’59; BS’61; MD’64), Hon. Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. (BSGeo’84).

These awards celebrate alumni who have shown honor, excellence, and service, and who continue to make a positive impact through their leadership, contributions to society, and achievements in their fields—both in the Philippines and abroad.

As UPAA President and Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton remarked: While professional excellence is worthy of recognition, what truly distinguishes our honorees is the way they have led with integrity, served with purpose, and created meaningful and lasting impact.”

The UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards will be conferred to Brig. Gen. Peter C. Suchianco in Human Capital Development; Assoc. Justice Jaime Fortunato A. Caringal, Usec. Felix William Buquid Fuentebella, Sec. Sharon S. Garin, Justice Karl B. Miranda, Atty. Gerardo P. Sirios, Atty. , Carlos D. Sorreta, Atty. Francis Saturnino C. Juan, Atty. Raissa Herradura Jajurie in Good Governance; Mr. Rey Claro C. Casambre in Peace and Order; Jacqueline Abing Caancan, Neil Aldrin D. Mallari, Norben T. Mata, Jr., Yari Thomas A. Miralao in Environmental Conservation; Romina A. Angangco-Danguilan, Jack Domingo G. Arroyo, Jr., B. Januario Antonio Dolorico Veloso Jr. in Public Health Promotion; Raymundo W. Lo, Jean Anne B. Toral, Rogelio G. Laraya, Gerald Glenn Fidel Panganiban, Edward Wang in Science and Technology; Perfecto Ray Bayo Jr., Ericson N. Dela Cruz, Alpha Faith G. Macailing, Eric Gene C. Pilapil, Mariella Sugue-Castillo, Melvin John Mondejar Tan, Reginald Tieng Yu in Community Empowerment; Elizabeth Orteza-Siguion Reyna, Agnes M. Inventor in Culture and Arts; Marisol De Luna Anenias, Alvina Pauline

D. Santiago in Education; Lilian Concepcion Maligalig Castro-Selda, Elenita Trinidad De Manuel, Edilberto D. Elegado, Teresita Serquina Ladanga, Stella Marie B. Santos in Entrepreneurship.

The UPAA Distinguished Service Award for Alumni Chapters will recognize two chapters this year. Meanwhile, the UPAA Distinguished Service Award for an Alumna will be given to Rosalina S. Calderon and Lilia Ronquillo-Bautista and The UPAA Distinguished Service Award for an Alumnus is given to Rodrigo B. Libunao Jr.

This year’s UPAA Presidential Awardees are Constancia E. Angeles, Nilo Thaddeus P. Rodriguez, and Luis Enano Yee Jr.

The UP Alumni Association will honor families whose commitment to the University spans multiple generations through the UPAA Multigenerational Alumni Family Award. This year, we proudly recognize the Añonuevo Family, Caluag-Santos Family, Jose Family, Padua Family, Samson-Reyes Family, Soliven Family, Tomas Family, Yap Family, and Yasol Family as Three-Generation Awardees. Navarrete-Flores Family, Puyat Family, Reyes Family, and Samson-de Padua Family as Four-Generation Awardees.

In addition, we extend special recognition to the Ofilada, Palarca, and Reyes-Lapus-Sandoval families, whose legacy of service and scholarship to the University now extends across four consecutive generations—a testament to their enduring loyalty and deep-rooted connection to the University of the Philippines.

For inquiries, please get in touch with the UPAA Secretariat at (02) 79106390/ 09178372098 and look for Ms. Shentara Carullo.

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