University recognizes Service Awardees 6:13 PM

UA&P recently held the recognition ceremonies for 2009’s batch of service awardees, honoring employees that have spent a significant amount of time in the service of the University. For the first time, the Service Awards took place separately from the University Day celebrations in order to further highlight the significance of the awards.

[From left] Mr. Rolando Sison (VP for Administrative Affairs) and Dr. Placido Mapa (Board of Trustees chairman) give a Service Award plaque to Dr. Rolando Dy, dean of the School of Management and executive director of the Center for Food and Agri Business, for rendering 25 years of service in the University.

“We are currently working on the strategic plan for the next eight years, which will bring UA&P closer to its vision of being the leading university of choice. All of us who make up UA&P recognize the big part that employees, such as this year’s awardees, play in making this vision come to fruition,” said UA&P Vice President for Development Ruben Umali. “To say that this batch of awardees contributed to what has driven and what will drive UA&P to excellence would be, at the very least, an understatement.”Service Awards are given to University employees on their 10th year in UA&P, and again on their 15th, 20th, and 25th year. Below is the list of the recipients of this year's Service Awards.

25 Years

Dr. Rolando T. Dy

20 Years

Mr. Renato J. Batis
Mr. Antonio L. Garcia
Dr. Jose Maria Arsenio G. Mariano
Ms. Lenie G. Parales
Fr. Juan Manuel V. Perez
Dr. Theta C. Ponce
Ms. Estrellita M. Tan

15 Years

Ms. Ma. Theresa P. Benitez
Dr. Roberto E. De Vera
Dr. Fe Gladys B. Golo
Mr. Colin L. Hubo
Mr. Lorenzo D. Lapira
Dr. George N. Manzano
Mr. Jonathan B. Marturillas
Ms. Nonna J. Parrilla
Ms. Adoracion R. Relos
Mr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo
Mr. Juanito R. Tidoy
Dr. Peter L. U

10 Years

Mr. Rommel B. Casipit
Ms. Marie Annette G. Dacul
Ms. Jennifer D. Delfino
Ms. Monaliza M. Go
Ms. Ditas R. Macabasco
Mr. Winston Conrad B. Padojinog
Mr. Joel G. Pira
Ms. Florence M. Sevilla
Fr. Edgar F. Soria
Mr. Vivencio M. Talegon, Jr.

Dragons blaze trail of wins in WNCAA 6:08 PM

Having posted four straight wins, the UA&P Dragons basketball team secured themselves a slot in the finals round of the 40th Women’s National Collegiate Athletics Association (WNCAA) season.

They outplayed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 60-53, last Sunday (August 23). Earlier this month, they razed down their foes Consolacion College (49-41), Miriam College (62-33), and San Beda College (58-45) at the St. Scholastica’s College Gym.

The Dragons’ volleyball team, meanwhile, flogged College of St. Benilde for three straight sets at the Rizal Technological University Gym last August 9. The next Sunday, they defeated the Philippine Women’s University, making an impressive 4-2 triumph. They lost to St. Scholastica's College yesterday (1-3).

Dr. Villegas predicts boom 6:02 PM

Renowned economist and UA&P co-founder Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas said that the Asian region is up for an economic flight in the next 20 years – and the Philippines will take a key role in it.

Dubbed the “prophet of boom,” Dr. Villegas said in a briefing that the Philippine economy may grow 4% at yearend, 5% next year, and even 7% and above by 2011.

Boom factors

According to Dr. Villegas, several factors contribute to bringing off this scenario.

First, overseas Filipino worker (OFW) remittances continue to be strong at approximately $17 million this year, a figure higher than the last. Dr. Villegas refuted cynics speculating that OFWs will soon experience a decline.

“Filipino workers are always more qualified,” said Dr. Villegas. “[They are] more in demand than Mexicans, Indians, Turks…” He pointed out that OFWs’ qualifications go beyond technical knowledge. Many European employers, for example, prefer Filipino workers because they have better personal hygiene, he said.

Dr. Villegas said that the Philippine economy may grow 4% at yearend, 5% next year, and even 7% and above by 2011.

Second, the 2010 elections will spur a consumption boom. “There’d be so much money flowing into the economy,” said Dr. Villegas. He emphasized that even running for president already means spending at least P5 billion.

Third, current spending in infrastructure would also aid gradual development in agriculture. Dr. Villegas believes investing in agriculture – such as building farm-to-market roads and irrigation systems – is a key factor in advancing Philippine economy. Exporting agricultural products to heavily populated Asian neighbors China, Taiwan, and Japan could help boost Philippine economy in the next several years.

‘Emerging engines of growth’

Dr. Villegas also identified “emerging engines of growth” – a group of economies known among economists’ circles as BRICA – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and the ASEAN region, which includes the Philippines. He pointed at these countries’ large consumer markets as a major driving force for growth. These countries will dominate the world’s economic scene in the next 20 years, he said.

Commenting on the Philippines’ export industry, however, Dr. Villegas warned against being overly dependent on the US and Japan as export markets and official development assistance (ODA) sources. He said that being among the countries hardest hit by the economic crisis, the US and Japan have low consumption of Philippine products.

Lecture on work-life balance by SMN prof highlights 14th University Day 5:43 PM

A formal lecture on work-life balance and the announcement of this year’s winners of the Academic Research Awards marked the 14th University Day celebration last August 14 at the Dizon Auditorium.

Work-life balance and materialism

School of Management (SMN) assistant professor Dr. Ma. Victoria Q. Caparas delivered this year’s University Lecture entitled, “Work-Life Balance and Materialism: How the Young People Can Help their Working Parents Set the Right Priorities.”

Dr. Caparas, who earned her doctorate in management from the IESE Business School in Spain, based her lecture on a recent study, which she had conducted among 197 student-respondents from various Metro Manila universities.

Dr. Caparas delivers her lecture entitled, "Work-Life Balance and Materialism: How the Young People Can Help their Working Parents Set the Right Priorities.”

The study sought to find relationships between materialism and work-life balance. It was built on five hypotheses regarding “materialistic children” (compared to “non-materialistic children”). Dr. Caparas hypothesized that materialistic children are (1) more likely to view their parents as working too much; (2) less likely to view their parents as putting their families first before their work; (3) more likely to judge their parents as unsuccessful in managing work and family; (4) less likely to imitate their parents in managing work and family when they have a family in the future; and (5) more likely to wish for greater material benefits, given the chance to change the way their parents work.


According to Dr. Caparas, the results of the study support the first four hypotheses. Referring to the fifth hypothesis, she said, “The results were very different from expected. When I coded their answers to this open-ended question, the mean of the responses was almost the same: everyone would wish to have more time with their parents.”


Dr. Caparas said that many parents have now fallen into materialism by lavishing their children with material goods. “Guilt-ridden parents give their children material things to make up for the time they spend in the workplace or out of the family homes,” she said. “These parents care for their children’s happiness but mistakenly value material things as a source of happiness for their children.”


Dr. Caparas added: “[M]aterialistic children also wish for time with their parents like their less materialistic peers. This implies that the real happiness of the children, as well as adults, is outside the realm of material possessions, regardless of how convincingly a consumerist culture may advertise to the contrary.”

President’s Cup IX: Solidifying Foundations 2:18 PM

Written by: Tyrone Emmanuel I. Limon (alumnus, ABHGHUM ’98)
Posted: June 22, 2009

January 4, 2009 marked the opening of the 9th season of the President’s Cup as an Alumni Initiative under the Office of Alumni Affairs. This year, 18 teams participated across two divisions, the Alumni/Open and the Students’ Divisions.

This was my fifth year as Tournament Director. Personally, I am just thankful for the opportunity of being able to contribute to my alma mater and at the same time, enjoy basketball. Being involved with the program in various capacities (as a player, assistant coach, and tournament director) has provided me with lifelong skills and values in conducting myself. If only for this, I am eternally grateful to this university.

It seems only a while back when Varick Ong spearheaded this noble undertaking. Being a member of the men’s varsity basketball team, it was only natural for him to set his eyes on sports. He initiated the league in 2000 with the help of longtime program head and coach, Benjamin Sipin III. What initially began as a humble venture has become the premier sports event of our young university. Moreover, it is probably one of the rare opportunities in which the alumni, students, faculty, and staff come out to participate. Quite literally and figuratively, the community shares one roof in enjoying a wholesome and worthwhile activity.

While it serves as a breeding ground for potential varsity players, its foremost contribution has been an intangible one: the fostering of camaraderie amongst the players, non-playing students, and parents from different batches. In fact, alumni players of older batches even bring their wives and young kids to watch their games.

Indeed, there is nothing like the excitement that sports generates which makes students more proud of their heritage and brings forth a sense of belonging. For the alumni, it serves as an excuse to see each other regularly – exchanging pleasantries, reliving their school days and establishing business contacts – all the while engaging in this stress-relieving activity. They may not run as fast or jump as high anymore but, at the end of the day, knowing they had fun is all that matters.

The 2009 season was no different. Two prominent homegrown basketball teams, the Hardy Boys and the Freshmen United, won their respective divisions in convincing fashions, thereby laying down the groundwork for possible dynasties.

The Hardy Boys only became the third team in PresCup history to win back-to-back titles. They edged out surprising Neverquit. MVP David Castillo was also in his best element, delivering consistent performances game after game. Not to be outdone, his Division 2 counterpart, Matty Naguiat quarterbacked excellently for his team en route to the summit. They captured an unprecedented third crown in a classic overtime win against Petex Express. Moreover, the 9th PresCup also introduced the first-ever three-point shootout. Marco Figueras of the IMC Crimson Lions won the individual division while the ZPackers-duo of Paolo Inigo and Rarri Lu dominated team play.

The 2010 edition of the tournament will celebrate 10 years of the President’s Cup. The theme for next year is “A Decade of Excellence”. So, come and join us! Support the countdown for the upcoming games. More than the statistics, the cheers, and the games, it is the sheer excitement of upholding this tradition that makes it uniquely, UA&P. As the ball is tossed midair, we’ll all be a step closer to our common dream of further solidifying the UA&P community.

The League of the Red Dragon 2:13 PM

Written by: Nicholas T. Mapa (alumnus, MSIE ’03)
Posted: June 22, 2009

On March 24, 2009, The League of the Red Dragon, an informal association of UA&P alumni interested in supporting the UA&P community and varsity teams was launched as an Alumni Initiative under the Office of Alumni Affairs.

The inauguration coincided with the annual Dragons' Night Awarding ceremony where the UA&P Varsity Hall of Fame Awards and UNITAS Alumni Initiative Award were launched as well.

The Hall of Fame acknowledges outstanding alumni athletes who have greatly contributed to the academic and athletic life of the University. This special induction ceremony only happens every 5 years.

The Gold Awards recognize UA&P varsity alumni who have made the University proud by competing internationally in their respective sports. The awardees have been nominated by UA&P’s Center for Students and Alumni. This year’s inductees were:

• Charissa Marie Mijares Aguiling (Gold medalist, Figure Skating)
• Krishna Day Figueroa Javier (RP Team Futsal, Bronze medalist SEA Games)
• Jaime Amiel Atienza Pahati (4th place ESPN Asian X Games, Sports Climbing)
• Nicholas Valino Reyes (RP Team Futsal, Asian Football Federation 2007)
• Christian Jan Raquepo Suarez (RP Bowling, World Champion)

The Red Awards recognize UA&P varsity alumni who have made the University proud by competing locally in their respective sports. Again, the awardees have been nominated by UA&P’s Center for Students and Alumni. This year’s inductees were:

• Stella Marie Tinoloc Baltao (Dan Landry Invitational Champion, 2000)
• Raphael Miguel Paola Fabie, Jr. ( NCRAA and MNCAA final four, 1st Runner-up)

The 1st UNITAS Alumni Initiative Award was handed to Mr. Tyrone Emmanuel Ignacio Limon, Tournament Director of the President’s Cup Basketball League. Coach Tye as the students and alumni would call him has been organizing the PresCup for the past 5 years. He was also the former assistant coach of the Men’s Basketball Varsity Team.

All the awardees were given special framed certificates prepared by the Office of Alumni Affairs. They were also given gift certificates from Red Corner, the official sponsor of the 2009 Dragons’ Night.

Also something to note, Dragons' Night this year did away with the usual sit down dinner in the MPC. The ceremonies were held at Li Seng Giap where all the athletes were dressed in their formal attire, each given hoodie jackets provided by the OSA–SportsDEV. It was quite an enjoyable experience as an alumnus to see all the Red Dragons dressed up to receive their awards. The venue and the atmosphere really enhanced the camaraderie amongst the teams and all the different varsity teams really looked like one team: TEAM UA&P.

At the end of the ceremony, Squadra asked the athletes to wear their hoodie jackets and led the teams in cheering our first ever alumni written cheer (in Latin!) with all the teams joining in!

After the awarding, we all headed down to Prom B (now called the Study Hall B) and had cocktails complete with some red wine. We also took in our first donations for the League of the Red Dragon Fund, which aims to support varsity student-athletes by way of tuition scholarships. Red Dragon Scholars are varsity athletes who maintain an academic GWA of 1.75 or better, all the while retaining their varsity status in their respective team.

It was also nice to see some familiar faces in the audience as a number of varsity alumni were present for the awarding ceremonies.

We hope to see more alumni in the next event!

All the best and UNITAS UA&P!

For all those interested in supporting the League of the Red Dragon Fund, please call the Office of Alumni Affairs at 637-0912 local 397 and look for Carla Estanislao or e-mail alumni at uap.asia.