UP awards Gawad Oblation to 14 outstanding achievers
THE University of the Philippine ( UP), the country’s premier State University, has just awarded 14 outstanding Filipinos for their “extraordinary” contribution to the campus. The awards were given during the tenure of outgoing president Alfredo Pascual.
The Gawad Oblation is considered as the “highest honor UP can bestow on its alumni and friends.” This year’s winners include former UP Board of Regent member and Phinma vice- chairman Magdaleno Albrarracin; UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation president Alfonso Aliga Jr.; Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano; Sen. Francis Joseph Escudero and former Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad.
The other awardees were I. B. Gimenez Group of Companies president Ignacio Gimenez; Robinsons Retail Holdings president and chief operating officer Robina Gokongwei- Pe; Sen. Loren Legarda; Commission on Higher Education chair Patricia Licuanan; and former Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.
Completing the list are SM Prime Holdings executive committee chairman Hans Sy; Department of Public Works and Highways Region V director Reynaldo Tagudando; former Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab; and former senator and Vista Land chairman Manuel Villar Jr.
The awarding ceremonies were held at the UP Bonifacio Global City campus on Tuesday night. Pascual said the citation is UP’s way of expressing gratitude to the awardees.
“Your initiatives have truly made a positive impact on the development of UP and have allowed us not only to make great strides but also to take giant leaps in your journey toward marking the path for greatness in the 21st century,” said the outgoing president.
Villar spoke on behalf of the awardees. “I’m sure all awardees of the Gawad Oblation have been profoundly affected by their stay in the State University,” Villar said.
“Whether in clarifying our life direction, raising our social and political consciousness, developing our character or honing our skills, UP has helped shaped what we have become today,” he said.