UPV honors employees at 2025 Service Awards

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Employees of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) were recognized for their service and contributions to the university and the community during the UPV Service Awards 2025 held at the UPV Auditorium on the Iloilo City campus on Dec. 5, 2025.

Active and retired UPV personnel received awards during the program, which marked the culmination of the 78th anniversary of the UP presence in Iloilo with the theme, “Celebrating commitment, heritage, and collective excellence in a culture of innovation.”

The following individuals were given recognition:

Non-teaching Staff with One-time Cash Award for Earning a Degree

• Jason Sedantes (Master of Management-Public Management)
• Roeyna May Tosino (Master of Development Communication)
• Feby E. Carmen, PhD (Doctor of Philosophy in Process Engineering and Environment)
• Erna D. Decastillo, JD (Juris Doctor)

Academic Personnel Service Awardees (25 Years of Service in UP)

• Prof. Jose Neil Hortillo, DPA
• Leandro Gamarcha
• Annie Manzano
• Grace Palmos, PhD

Academic Personnel Awardees (Retirees with at Least 15 Years of Service in UP)

• Liah Catedrilla, PhD
• Prof. Ruben Gamala
• Christine Mae Hernando, PhD
• Prof. Caridad Jimenez
• Prof. Serafin Malecosio, Jr.
• Soledad Garibay
• Prof. Anelyn Yabillo (Posthumous Awardee)

Administrative Personnel Service Awardees (25 Years of Service in UP)

• Jimmy Fallarco
• Chona Herrera
• Eleza Jundes
• Wely Nalagon
• Duane Selibio

Administrative Personnel Service Awardees (Retirees with at Least 15 Years of Service in UP)

• Mary Paz Aguana
• Gilbert Bernadas
• Ian Jasper Brillantes
• Felicitas Capistrano
• Estela Facon
• Rogelio Gabriel
• Jocelyn Jinon
• Reyna Lima
• Ariel Murillo
• Teresita Quezon
• Rowel Ravena
• Ma. Chuchie Silveo
• Marie Christine Tilde

2025 UPV Special Citation for Excellence

• Prof. Mark Calabon, PhD (National Academy of Science and Technology Outstanding Young Scientists Awardee)
• Prof. Iris Ann Borlongan, PhD (2025 ASEAN Fisheries Education Network Outstanding Young Fisheries Scientist)
• Prof. Cristy Acabado, PhD (Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Merit Medal and Ribbon Recipient)
• Milyn Leghid (2025 Visayas Startup Awards Mentor of the Year)

2025 Chancellor’s Awardee for Outstanding Performance

Administrative Personnel

Ms. Nizzy Hope Cartago

Ms. Edna Monreal

Ms. Kristine Charisse Muyong

Research, Extension, and Professional Staff

Ms. Mary Jane Amar, PhD

Ms. Jade Pahila, PhD

Ms. Annie Manzano

Faculty

Asst. Prof. Leonilo Endoma, Jr.

Prof. Rhoda Mae Simora, PhD

2025 Chancellor’s Awardee for Outstanding Achievement

Asso. Prof. Christopher Marlowe Caipang, PhD

Asst. Prof. Lhumen Tejano

Some of the awardees were given the opportunity to deliver messages on behalf of their fellow awardees, namely Mr. Leandro Gamarcha for active service; Ms. Jocelyn Jinon and Asst. Prof. Ruben Gamala for the retired administrative and faculty awardees, respectively; and Ms. Nizzy Hope Cartago and Asst. Prof. Lhumen Tejano for the oustanding awardees for administrative personnel and faculty, respectively.

‘Work has deeper meaning’

UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano welcomed back university administrative personnel during the first flag-raising ceremony of 2026 at the New Administration Building on the Miagao campus on Jan. 5, 2026.

“There’s a deeper meaning to work,” Camposano said in an inspirational message aimed at helping UPV personnel re-acclimate after the long holiday break.

He emphasized that work is more than a means of sustenance and should be viewed as an opportunity to contribute to the common good of both the institution and society.

“Whatever your role is, when you think of how all of the pieces fit for us to deliver what we should deliver, then there are really no small roles — everybody is important,” he said.

Camposano said work allows people to develop skills, character and connections while taking on greater responsibilities that contribute to society.

“We take on bigger responsibilities and through these responsibilities, understand that in fact, we contribute to society,” he said.

He also underscored the value of service, saying, “You live for something bigger than yourself” by serving society and its people.

On a spiritual note, Camposano said work is a way to participate in divine creation, adding that creation itself is work.

He concluded by saying, “Work becomes a real blessing for all of us — and if it is a burden, it is a burden that we all should willingly carry and carry with good cheer.” (Carlson Alelis/IPO)