Recognizing excellence, dedication, and sustained commitment to public service, the University of Northern Philippines honored its outstanding personnel, long-serving employees, retirees, and departed members, alongside the teams behind its World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), UI GreenMetric, and Times Higher Education (THE) initiatives, during the UNP Awards Ceremonies on October 14, 2026, at the UNP Gymnasium.
The ceremony celebrated the university’s personnel whose commitment to excellence, years of loyal service, and meaningful contributions have helped sustain its academic mission and institutional development. It also paid tribute to employees who had dedicated their professional lives to public service and to those whose contributions continue to be remembered following their passing.
Dr. Rolando Navarro, Vice President for Academic Affairs and chairperson of PRAISE–Academic, opened the ceremony with his words of welcome, setting the tone for an occasion dedicated to honor the people behind the university’s achievements. UNP President Dr. Erwin Cadorna delivered his message, followed by the keynote address of Dr. Michville Rivera, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela in Valenzuela City. Their participation highlighted the importance of recognizing public servants whose professional dedication and commitment contribute to institutional excellence and the delivery of quality education.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of employees and administrators whose work, leadership, and professional contributions exemplify the university’s standards of service and performance. Mr. Dennis Buenavista, Construction Maintenance Foreman, was named Non-Academic Personnel of the Year under the Support Services Category, while Ms. Lilibeth Pizarro, Administrative Officer IV, received the Non-Academic Personnel of the Year award under the Non-Managerial Category. Mrs. La Paz Eulalia Aquino, Head of the Cashier’s Office, was recognized as Head Office of the Year (Non-Academic), while Atty. Jonalyn Almachar, Board Secretary V of the University and Board Secretary’s Office, received the Middle-Level Administrator of the Year award in the non-academic category.
In the academic sector, Dr. Richel Royce Chan, faculty member of the College of Business Administration, was named Faculty of the Year in recognition of his contributions to the university’s academic community. The Middle-Level Administrators of the Year awards in the academic category were conferred on Dr. Nelia Verzosa, Dean of the College of Engineering, and Dr. Ma. Teresa Susan Manzano, Dean of the College of Teacher Education, for their leadership and responsibilities in guiding their respective academic units. Meanwhile, Mr. Roderick Leti, job order utility worker of the College of Nursing, received the Dangal ng Manggagawa award, recognizing the value of dedication and hard work among the university’s workforce.
Adding significance to the occasion, Dir. Fernando Mendoza, Director IV of the Civil Service Commission (CSC)–Region I, delivered an inspirational message highlighting the importance of public service and the responsibility of government employees to perform their duties with professionalism, integrity, and dedication. Also present during the event was Dir. Marina Garcia, Director II of the CSC–Ilocos Sur Field Office, whose attendance further marked the occasion as a celebration of the university’s public service workforce.
The university also recognized employees who had devoted 10 to 45 years of their lives to public service through the presentation of certificates of recognition, loyalty pins, and cash awards. The length-of-service awards paid tribute to personnel whose sustained commitment has contributed to the university’s operations, academic mission, and institutional development.
Leading the roster of awardees was Mr. Elpidio Rafal, who received recognition for 45 years of service, followed by Dr. Mariano Paterno Avila, Director of the Office of Student Affairs and Services, who was honored for 40 years of service. Prof. Edgar Aquino was recognized for 35 years of service, while Dr. Eleanor Belizar, Prof. Gerard Edwin Malcaba, Mr. Feliciano Pangasinan, Mr. Ramon Opeña, Prof. Caesar Ziggy Perlas, Dr. Santiago Reolalas, and Dr. Necy Cesaria Romo were honored for completing 30 years of service.
Recognized for 25 years of service were Dr. Larraine Aguimatang, Mr. Ronald Amano, Dr. Joussie Bermio, Dr. Aldrin Jaramilla, Mr. Norman Martinez, Mr. Constante Tacata, Ms. Marites Tubon, Prof. Rommel Valencia, and Dr. Luz Gregoria Velasco.
For 20 years of dedicated service, the university recognized Prof. Evelyn Amano, Dr. Anita Arlegui, Ms. Leila Sylvia Bautista, Prof. Gerald Caezar De Peralta, Prof. Florence Dela Cruz, Dr. Grace Garcia, Prof. Mario Reotutar, Mr. Gener Retuta, Prof. Tirso Tactay, Mr. Reginald Tajon, Prof. Oswald Tolentino, and Mr. Lyndon Verzosa.
Meanwhile, the recipients of the 15-year Length-of-Service Award were Prof. Simeon Abarquez IV, Mr. Elmer Silvano Ablog, Prof. Irene Aguilar, Prof. Ane Leah Alconis, Ms. Sharon Anaya, Mr. Arnel Cabintos, Mr. Norman Damian, Dr. Efren Galapon, Ms. Antonina Lazaro, Prof. Shiela Obispo, Mr. Gerald Palce, Mr. William Reotita, Dr. Leila Ruelos, Mr. Ricky Talbo, and Dr. Erwin Tolbe.
Completing the roster were 34 personnel recognized for 10 years of service: Prof. Rosanne Agup, Mr. Glenn Aludino, Prof. Cherry Banilad, Dr. Dolores Bersamina, Prof. Matt Joseph Cabanting, Mr. Raffy Celedonio, Dr. Richel Royce Chan, Ms. Aprille Gem De Vera, Prof. Venerand Dela Cruz, Prof. Dichi Rica Fabre, Ms. Maricris Florendo, Dr. Christian Gea Florentino, Prof. Maria Theresa Forneas, Dr. Allan Guillermo, Ms. Marie Grace Jaramilla, Prof. Restituto Llagas, Jr., Prof. Madeline Lopez, Ms. Shiela Joy Moreno, Prof. Bondee Peñaflor, Prof. Karl Marx Pilar, Dr. Arnold Pio, Ms. Marieglo Presto, Mr. Hernani Purugganan, Mr. Rogelio Querubin, Jr., Mr. Laylord Rambuyon, Prof. Angelito Ramos, Dr. Joseph Taban, Mr. Rex Tomas, Prof. Clifford Maxel Torricer, Dr. Nancy Ubilas, Prof. Jose Unciano, Dr. Novie Ada Urbis, Dr. Gilbert Valdez, and Prof. Adora Velasco.
The recognition of employees in different service milestones highlighted the breadth of experience and institutional knowledge within the university. From those completing a decade of service to those reaching 45 years, the awardees represented generations of personnel who have contributed to UNP’s continuing role in providing higher education and public service.
Special awards were also conferred on university officials and personnel in recognition of their notable performance and contributions to their respective offices. The recipients were Dr. Edelyn Cadorna, Director of the University Research and Development Office; Prof. Rizza Cajindos, Director of the University Planning and Development Office; Dr. Eva Marie Avila, Director of the Quality Management Office; and Dr. Shareen Navarro, Director of the Information and Communications Technology Office. Also recognized were Prof. Florence Dela Cruz, Officer-in-Charge of the Production and Auxiliary Services Office; Prof. Elvin Balallo, Assistant Head of the Electrical Maintenance Services Office; Prof. Oswald Tolentino, Assistant Head of the Aircon and Telecommunication Services Office; Prof. Dimas Antonio Alconis, Special Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs; Engr. Johnny Belizar, Director of the Infrastructure Project and Management Office; and Prof. Jastin Soria, Coordinator for Disaster Risk Reduction Management.
The university also recognized the offices, colleges, and organizations that earned citations in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2026, highlighting UNP’s accomplishments in various innovation categories. The University Research and Development Office secured 5th place in both Ethics and Integrity and Future-Oriented Responses to Global Uncertainty and Geopolitical Risk, while the College of Medicine and the Information and Communications Technology Office jointly earned 3rd place in Infrastructure/Technologies. The College of Health Sciences placed 9th in Social Impact through Knowledge Transfer.
Other recognized units included the Student Council, which placed 63rd in Student Support and Engagement; the College of Business Administration and Accountancy, which ranked 40th in Student Mobility and Openness and 32nd in University-Based Entrepreneurial Projects; the University Emergency Response Team, which placed 30th in Crisis Management; and the College of Arts and Sciences, which secured 38th place in SDG- and ESG-Based Responses to Past and Present Global Challenges. The College of Communication and Information Technology ranked 66th in Digital and AI Transformation in Strategy and Management, while the University Information Office placed 41st in University Brand and Reputation. The College of Nursing earned 42nd place in Curricular Innovation for Future-Readiness and was also cited in Social Impact through Knowledge Transfer.
The University Extension Office likewise received recognition for Inclusive Social Innovation for the Underserved, placing 35th in the category. Meanwhile, the Center for Gender and Development and the University Planning and Development Office were cited in SDG- and ESG-Based Responses to Past and Present Global Challenges. These distinctions reflect the university community’s contributions to innovation in governance, academic development, student engagement, social responsibility, and institutional advancement.
The university also recognized the contributions of the WURI Management Team, led by Dr. Edelyn Cadorna, with Dr. Randolf Agup, Dr. Joseph Taban, and Dr. Dean Alvin Pablico as team members, for their roles in advancing UNP’s participation in the World University Rankings for Innovation.
Citations were likewise conferred on the writers and initiators whose work contributed to the university’s submissions in the different WURI categories. For Student Support and Engagement, the recognized contributors were Ms. Rachel Anne Imperial as writer, with Dr. Erwin Cadorna and Mr. Jhunel Tanurio as initiators. In Student Mobility and Openness, Dr. Glenn Paul Briones and Dr. Scott Jason Llanes served as writers, while Dr. Sally Jarin, Dr. Edelyn Cadorna, and Dr. Erwin Tolbe served as initiators. Mr. Jastin Soria was recognized as writer and initiator for Crisis Management, while Dr. Randolf Agup received recognition as writer and initiator for Ethics and Integrity, with Dr. Edelyn Cadorna and Dr. Joseph Taban as initiators.
For Future-Oriented Responses to Global Uncertainty and Geopolitical Risk, Dr. Dean Alvin Pablico served as writer, with Dr. Erwin Cadorna, Mr. Albert Tejero, and Dr. Edelyn Cadorna as initiators. The contributors to SDG- and ESG-Based Responses to Past and Present Global Challenges included writers Atty. Katrynn Louise Eder, Dr. Eleanor Belizar, Prof. Maria Cresalyn Betita, Prof. Renee Grace Tungpalan, Dr. Victoria Arce, Atty. Christian Casildo, Prof. Arlan Reburon, Prof. Alexandria Blake Pisalbo, Prof. Mico Molina, and Mr. Joseph Padua. The initiators for this category were Atty. Eder, Prof. Pisalbo, Prof. Molina, Dr. Erwin Cadorna, and Prof. Rizza Cajindos.
In Digital and AI Transformation in Strategy and Management, the writers recognized were Prof. Rosanne Agup, Dr. Richard Arruejo, and Dr. Arpee Arruejo, while Prof. Agup, Dr. Shareen Navarro, Prof. Maribel Tacla, and Dr. Arruejo served as initiators. For Infrastructure/Technologies, Prof. Daryl Buen was recognized as writer, with Dr. Pablo Quedado and Dr. Shareen Navarro as initiators. Dr. Angelica Arquines was cited as writer and initiator for University Brand and Reputation.
Meanwhile, the contributors to Curricular Innovation for Future-Readiness were Prof. Sheila Obispo, Prof. Rizza Abinsay, and Prof. Epifania Marlene Purisima as writers, with Dr. Francis Don Nero as initiator. For Social Impact through Knowledge Transfer, the writers were Prof. Ace Danielle Avero, Prof. Jennifer Cabides, Prof. Hyacinth Feliciano, Prof. Judilyn Tabin, and Prof. Joyreina Refuerzo, while Dr. Francis Don Nero and Prof. Cabides served as initiators. In Inclusive Social Innovation for the Underserved, Dr. Lloyd Mata and Dr. Bernardo Oliber Arde, Jr. were recognized as writers, with Dr. Fatima Rocamora and Dr. Mata as initiators.
For University-Based Entrepreneurial Projects, the recognized writers were Prof. Jhonniño Serdenia, Prof. John Paul Robert Marzan, and Prof. Deborah Jaena Reoliquio, while Dr. Erwin Cadorna and Dr. Erwin Tolbe served as initiators. These recognitions highlighted the collective efforts of the university’s administrators, faculty members, and personnel in developing and documenting innovative practices that contributed to UNP’s representation in the international rankings.
The university also recognized the members of its Times Higher Education (THE) Technical Working Group for their contributions to the institution’s participation in international university assessments. The team, composed of VP Albert Tejero, Prof. Rizza Cajindos, Dr. Joussie Bermio, Dr. Pablo Quedado, Dr. Francis Don Nero, Dr. Sine Bestre, Atty. Katrynn Louise Eder, Mr. Joseph Padua, Dr. Larraine Aguimatang, Mr. Karl Loix Robiñol, Ms. Antonina Lazaro, Ms. Anabetie Briones, and Ms. Mary Joy Torrano, was commended for its collective efforts in supporting the university’s ranking-related initiatives.
Likewise, citations were conferred on the members of the UI GreenMetric Working Committee in recognition of their contributions to the university’s participation in sustainability assessment initiatives. The committee is chaired by VP Albert Tejero, with Dr. Edelyn Cadorna, Dr. Joseph Taban, and Dr. Randolf Agup serving as co-chairs. Its members are Mr. Robin Villanueva, Mr. Ronell Amgao, Ms. Elena Buguasen, Engr. Johnny Belizar, Engr. Charles Stephen Perilla, Dr. Shareen Navarro, Prof. Anna Liza Morales, Prof. Bondee Peñaflor, Atty. Christian Philip Chan, Atty. Katrynn Louise Eder, Prof. Rizza Cajindos, Dr. Ruben Ragunjan, Dr. Mariano Paterno Avila, Dr. Larraine Aguimatang, Atty. Gerwin Rabang, Prof. Jastin Soria, Mr. Dennis Buenavista, Dr. Chasen Almazan, Mr. Ariston Avera, Prof. Edgar Aquino, Mr. Alvin Balallo, Dr. Nelia Verzosa, and Mr. Warmie Tabuso. Their recognition highlighted the importance of collaborative institutional efforts in advancing UNP’s international visibility and sustainability agenda.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Dr. Mariano Paterno Avila, a 40-year Length-of-Service Award recipient and Director of the Office of Student Affairs and Services, delivered the awardees’ response. His participation represented the collective appreciation of employees whose years of service have been marked by professional growth, shared responsibilities, and commitment to the university’s mission.
The ceremony also honored retirees whose years of work and dedication helped shape the university’s operations and institutional development. Diplomas of service were awarded to Engr. Saturnino Tablada, Mr. Ruben Cadaoas, Ms. Josephine Opeña, Mr. Ramon Opeña, Mr. Adelino Robiñol, Dr. Remigio Obrero, Mr. Larry Quilala, Engr. Joselito Totaan, Mr. Edu Mejos, Ar. Fatima Nicetas Alonzo, Prof. Allen Magdaleno De Vera, Prof. Edgar Aquino, Mr. Mamerto Panay, and Mr. Elpidio Rafal.
The recognition honored the retirees’ contributions to the university and marked an important milestone in their professional lives. Their service forms part of the institution’s continuing story, reflecting the efforts of employees who have helped carry out its responsibilities in education, administration, and support services.
In a solemn and meaningful part of the program, the university presented posthumous awards to the families of Prof. Fernandino Perilla, Ms. Judith Bermudez, and Prof. Jayson Cajindos. The awards paid tribute to the three members of the university community and recognized the importance of preserving their memory and contributions to the institution. By extending the recognition to their families, the university acknowledged that the service of its personnel remains part of its institutional heritage even after their passing.
Closing the ceremony, Mr. Albert Tejero, Vice President for Administration and Finance and chairperson of PRAISE–Non-Academic, delivered the closing remarks.
The awards ceremonies served as an occasion for the university community to reflect on the importance of employee recognition, professional excellence, loyalty, and dedicated public service. By honoring outstanding performers, celebrating years of service, recognizing retirees, and remembering departed personnel, UNP paid tribute to the people whose contributions help sustain its institutional mission.
The event reaffirmed the university’s appreciation of its workforce in the academic, administrative, and support-service functions, recognizing that institutional progress depends not only on organizational goals but also on the people who work collectively to achieve them. Through the recognition of its personnel, the University of Northern Philippines continues to celebrate a culture of service, acknowledge individual contributions, and honor those who have devoted their time and expertise to the university and the communities it serves.
