Outstanding faculty, staff, and administrators of the University of Northern Philippines were honored at the annual Awards Ceremony held at the Auditorium on October 14, 2024.

The special event is not just about accolades; it’s a heartfelt tribute to UNP’s dedicated loyalty awardees who have served UNP for years, embodying the spirit of commitment and excellence.

Atty. Ryan L. Estevez, executive director of the Commission on Higher Education’s Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), served as the guest of honor and speaker.

University President Erwin F. Cadorna described the awardees as persons who have “given their time, energy, and often their own resources to uplift those in need, protect the vulnerable, and strengthen our society.”

He also exhorted the UNP community to emulate the deeds of the awardees.

“As we celebrate these exemplary members of our UNP community, let us also take this moment to reflect on our own capacity to serve. The spirit of thanksgiving calls us to not only express gratitude but to become the very blessings we are thankful for,” he said.

Most noteworthy among the awardees are Dr. Edmar M. Paguirigan (Faculty of the Year), Dr. Edelyn A. Cadorna (Middle Level Administrator of the Year, Academic), Herbert P. Realin (Non-Academic Personnel of the Year, Support Services Category), Regina R. Tobia (Non-Academic Personnel of the Year, Non-Managerial Category), Jane A. Leones (Head of Office of the Year Award, Non-Academic), and Rino C. Reyes (Middle Level Administrator of the Year, Non-Academic).

Special awards were also given to Dr. Edelyn A. Cadorna, Atty. Gerwin A. Rabang, and Edgar Q. Aquino.

The following are the Length of Service awardees: 40 years–Albert R. Tejero and Eva Occencia T. Rubia; 35 years–Ma. Editha H. Ramos, Lucila R. Corpuz, Leonida G. Tabije, Franklyn T. Amistad, Saturnino T. Tablada, Mariquit M. Obrero, Honorato R. Patubo, Ma. Jesusa R. Unciano, Aurora R. Quero, and Arnel I. Taaca; and 30 years–Jesus C. Garcia and Joel M. Arruejo.

In addition, other awardees are Ruben C. Cadaoas, Sally A. Jarin, Dennis B. Prudencio, and Mariano T. Romano, Jr. for 25 years; Lorely A. Ablog, Julius Moises S. Albalos, Richard A. Allagadan, Nathalie P. Almero, Simeon A. Aludino, Jr., Melchor A. Amistad, Michael D. Arruejo, Lorie R. Astom, Marie Graciel R. Balbuena, Leilani A. Basa, Nelson F. Benzon, Imelda Q. Nesperos, Mario Celito D. Ong, Josephine B. Opeña, Mercita Q. Queddeng, Peter R. Rabanal, Rainalda T. Rambuyon, Eric F. Reotutar, Ismael C. Rivera, and Alma B. Segismundo for 20 years.

Others on the roster of Length of Service awardees are Marifel Q. Acena, Claudine H. Almachar, Maria Yolanda R. Aquino, Eden A. Bueno, Lilibeth C. Castañeda, Flynn V. Castro, Mary Loreen V. Cayabyab, Lorena T. Darisan, Karen B. David, Novelyn T. Fuller, Anna Liza E. Morales, Leo S. Naidas, Susan T. Reynon, Mary Joy A. Roqueta, Pablo R. Roqueta, Jr., Romelia P. Tamayo, and Fe T. Tuzon for 15 years, as well as Vic Norman F. Naval, Karen A. Ramirez, Society V. Salcedo, Dexter T. Tacbas, Teodoro P. Torrano, Lorenzo D. Urbano, and Romeo L. Villegas for 10 years.

Likewise recognized were the winners in the international ranking of HEIs 2024, particularly the World University Rankings for Innovation. The College of Architecture placed second along culture/values. The University Research and Development Office, particularly the Mushroom Research and Development Center, placed 17^th in social responsibility. The Office of Student Affairs and Services placed ninth in student support and engagement.

Involved in attaining these rankings were the working committees for SHIELD or “Support Hub for Inquiries and Ease from the Load of Distress: A Project Nurturing the Mind Strength of UNPians,” “Oyster Mushroom Production Program: Providing Livelihood Opportunities for Rural Communities,” and “Pride of Place: University Initiatives on Conserving Built Heritage in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

They are Mariano Paterno F. Avila (leader) and Marifel Q. Acena (initiator) for SHIELD, Maritess R. Raboy and Jessy C. Domingo (initiators) for Oyster Mushroom Production, and Fatima Nicetas Rabang-Alonzo and Maila P. Ragasa (initiators) as well as Mon-Cres A. Toje, Monserrat Stevens F. Pescador, and Ludivina A. Lozano (leaders) for Pride of Place. With them are the members of the working committee, namely: Edelyn A. Cadorna, Randolf M. Agup, Joseph G. Taban, Jonalyn R. Almachar, Irene Abigail S. Guerrero, Novie Ada B. Urbis, Aldrin S. Jaramilla, Eleanor R. Belizar, Jastin R. Soria, Luzviminda P. Relon, and Mark Louie Tabunan.

Also, recognized were the members of the working committee for the application to UI Green Metric, composed of Albert R. Tejero, Edelyn A. Cadorna, Saturnino T. Tablada, Rino C. Reyes, Gerwin A. Rabang, Joseph G. Taban, Randolf M. Agup, Anna Liza E. Morales, Edgar Q. Aquino, Larraine U. Aguimatang, Mariano Paterno F. Avila, Nelia P. Verzosa, Johnny P. Belizar, Chasen G. Almazan, Oswald T. Tolentino, Ruben R. Ragunjan, Elvin A. Balallo, Shareen A. Navarro, Warmie R. Tabuso, and Elena R. Buguasen.

For the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the committee members were Albert R. Tejero, Rolando B. Navarro, Edelyn A. Cadorna, Rizza P. Cajindos, Joseph C. Padua, Alfredo Corpuz, Christian Philip B. Chan, Edgar Q. Aquino, Francis Don Nero, Joussie B. Bermio, Jane A. Leones, Larraine U. Aguimatang, Jonalyn R. Almachar, Laura I. Azurin, Antonina R. Lazaro, Shareen A. Navarro, Karl Marx C. Agup, Karl Loix R. Robiñol, Anabetie A. Briones, Rosalia R. Martinez, Remedios T. Navarro, Sina C. Bestre, Pablo R. Quedado, Yaye D. Lares, and Elena R. Buguasen.

Recognized as well were the colleges and officers who prepared entries in the University’s application to the WURI 2024, namely: College of Business Administration and Accountancy, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health Sciences, College of Nursing, Laboratory Schools, College of Fine Arts and Design, College of Teacher Education. College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and University Research and Development Office.

The retirees who were recognized were Christopher F. Bueno, Dionisio O. Tabuno, Jr., Lilibeth B. Baja, Ricarte R. Arcaparlas, Rolando S. Artates, Victoria V. Pacris, Ofelia R. Espiritu, Germana Gloria V. Molina, Tito A. Rabara, Dea Meir L. Tacbas, Honorato L. Foronda, Jessy C. Domingo, and Victor B. Navarro.

Lastly, recognized with a Posthumous Award was Dante B. Bajet.

Article by Mark Louie Tabunan. Photo by Joel Tipon.