Golden night for WVSU-COM’s finest

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It was a night of elegance, pride, and nostalgia as the West Visayas State University College of Medicine marked its golden “Balik Roxas Hall 2025” reunion last July 10, with the crème de la crème of its alumni coming home to celebrate.

Among the evening’s most celebrated honorees was Iloilo City’s own Dr. Rollin Palermo Tabuena, a prominent researcher recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his groundbreaking work in medical research.

The award, one of the highest honors the college bestows, recognized Dr. Tabuena’s studies that have advanced knowledge, driven innovation, and improved countless lives.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” Dr. Tabuena said. “It is a testament to the hard work and support of my team, colleagues, and institution.”

Other distinguished alumni awardees in the field of research included pulmonologists Dr. Marie Grace Dawn Tindog-Isidro of Batch 1995 and Dr. Anjuli Mae P. Jaen of Batch 2001.

For the academe category, honorees were pediatricians Dr. Celina Cordero-Gellada of Batch 1994, Dr. Jasmin Lagman of Batch 2002, and Dr. Ramon G. Zarceno of Batch 1983.

In government service, the awardees were Dr. Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral of Batch 1997, Dr. May Ann Soliva-Sta. Lucia of Batch 1989, and WVSU President Dr. Joselito Villaruz of Batch 1991.

The community service awardees were Dr. Rumalie Alparaque-Corvera of Batch 1996, Dr. Melvin Dela Serna of Batch 1985, and Dr. Japhet Gensaya-Fernandez De Leon of Batch 1983.

For clinical practice, honors went to Dr. Nathaniel Chan of Batch 1997, Dr. Malbar Ferrer of Batch 1983, and Dr. Mae Concepcion Jarencio-Dolendo of Batch 1991.

For five decades, the WVSU College of Medicine has remained one of the nation’s top medical institutions, producing board topnotchers and distinguished practitioners in the Philippines and abroad.

The evening ended with warm applause, lively reunions, and the promise of continued excellence from its proud alumni network.