Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by University of the Philippines Alumni Association
University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) alumni and members of its academic community were recognized for exemplary service in healthcare, education, research, public service, and community empowerment at the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) Awards on Aug. 15, 2026, in Quezon City.
Dr. Marita V. Tolentino-Reyes and Dr. Lorna F. Ramos-Abad received the 2026 UPAA Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award. This award recognizes senior alumni who have demonstrated professional distinction and meritorious service throughout their careers.
Dr. Tolentino-Reyes earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from UP Manila in 1964 and later became a professor of Biochemistry at the UP College of Medicine (UPCM). She served as Dean of UPCM from 1988 to 1991, Faculty Regent in 2001, and Chancellor of UP Manila from 2002 to 2005. She has worked on newborn metabolic disease screening, hepatitis B detection, medical education, bioethics, research ethics, and health technology assessment. She chaired the National Ethics Committee from 1997 to 2016, the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board from 2006 to 2010, and the DOH-DOST Health Technology Assessment Council from 2019 to 2023. In 2026, she was also named Member Emeritus of the National Research Council of the Philippines.
Dr. Ramos-Abad, a UPCM alumna, retired as a professor of Pediatrics in 2021 and was named Professor Emeritus in 2024. She completed her pediatric specialty training at the Philippine General Hospital and subspecialty training in pediatric endocrinology at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Throughout her career, she combined clinical service, teaching, research, and community work, particularly in caring for marginalized patients at the Philippine General Hospital. She continues to teach and mentor medical students, clinical clerks, and interns.
The 2026 UPAA Distinguished Alumni Award in Public Health Promotion was conferred on Dr. Romina Angangco-Danguilan, Dr. Jack Arroyo Jr., and Dr. B. Januario Antonio D. Veloso Jr.
Dr. Danguilan, a senior consultant nephrologist at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, has devoted more than three decades to renal care and kidney transplantation. She pioneered the Philippines’ first ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation program and spearheaded the development of the PhilHealth catastrophic benefit for kidney transplantation. She also advocated for expanded coverage of medicines and laboratory monitoring for transplant patients. She promoted peritoneal dialysis (PD) through the PD Caravan, bringing home-based renal replacement therapy to communities across the country.
Dr. Arroyo, a UPCM alumnus, has contributed to ophthalmology, healthcare governance, business, and public service. He founded the American Eye Center and performed the first LASIK (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) procedure in Asia in 1995. During nearly two decades of clinical practice, he performed more than 34,000 eye surgeries. He also served on the Board of Directors of PhilHealth and contributed to efforts to address fraudulent cataract surgery claims and strengthen the administration of the National Health Insurance Program.
Dr. Veloso, recognized for his contributions to Philippine hematopathology and laboratory medicine, helped advance laboratory services at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, where he led efforts that resulted in the country’s first ISO 15189:2007-accredited clinical laboratory and the local establishment of total laboratory automation. He currently chairs the Department of Laboratories at PGH and continues to contribute to specialized healthcare and the training of medical professionals.
In Science and Technology, the UPAA recognized Dr. Raymundo Wong Lo, Dr. Jean Anne B. Toral, and Dr. Edward “Ewang” Wang.
Dr. Lo pioneered immunological techniques in the Philippines, including flow cytometry, electrophoresis, immunohistochemistry, and transplantation testing, after returning from training in the United States. He also established the country’s first AABB-accredited relationship testing laboratory and has trained generations of pathologists and other health professionals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned to active service to establish the COVID-19 testing laboratory of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.
Dr. Toral is a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UPCM and director of the UP Manila Office of Research Integrity. Her work spans gynecologic oncology, medical education, research, and research integrity. She has also served as a research coordinator at PGH and held leadership positions in professional organizations in obstetrics and gynecology.
Dr. Wang was recognized for his pioneering work in orthopedic oncology, particularly life- and limb-saving procedures for patients with extremity cancers. His three-decade patient registry, international collaborations, and research have contributed to the development of Philippine orthopedic oncology and helped place local practice on the global stage.
In Community Empowerment, the UPAA honored Dr. Mariella “Yella” Sugue-Castillo, a UP College of Medicine alumna and member of the second batch of the INTARMED program. A pediatrician and child-rights advocate, Dr. Sugue-Castillo began her career at PGH’s multidisciplinary Child Protection Unit and later worked with the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Her work has focused on child protection, health systems strengthening, breastfeeding, health financing, and improving services for vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
The UPAA Distinguished Alumni Award in Education went to Dr. Alvina Pauline Dy Santiago, a three-time UP alumna and associate professor at UPCM. She is executive vice chair and division chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at UP-PGH. Her contributions include curriculum development, competency-based training, residency and fellowship leadership, research, and the development of educational resources in pediatric ophthalmology. She continues to incorporate health informatics and artificial intelligence into health professions education while emphasizing patient-centered care.
The 2026 UPAA Awards also recognized families whose connection to the University has been sustained across generations. The UPAA Multigenerational Alumni Family Award honors families whose commitment to UP spans three or four generations.
Among the families with strong UP Manila connections are the Tomas Family, Navarrete-Flores Family, Jose Family, Yap Family, Samson-Reyes Family, Soliven Family, Calauag-Santos Family, Añonuevo Family, Padua Family, and Samson-De Padua Family.
The Tomas Family received the UPAA Multigenerational Alumni Family Award: Three Generations. The family’s UP legacy was built by Dr. Cecilia Velasco Tomas, a physician, medical educator, and pioneer of bioethics in the Philippines, and Dr. Jaime G. Tomas Jr., a leader in radiology. Dr. Cecilia Tomas served as Dean of the UP College of Medicine and contributed to reforms in medical education, including the Organ System Integrated curriculum and the development of bioethics education. Dr. Jaime Tomas pioneered angiography training in the Philippines and held leadership positions in radiology departments while mentoring generations of specialists.
Their children and extended family have continued this tradition of service in medicine, education, and other fields. Among them are Dr. Angelica Cecilia V. Tomas, a pediatrician and Medical Specialist at the Philippine General Hospital; Dr. Maria Dulce Regina Tomas-Zarraga, a geriatrician based in Oregon; and Dr. Ignatius Gerardo “Randy” Zarraga, a cardiologist and educator in the United States.
The Navarrete-Flores Family was recognized with the UPAA Multigenerational Alumni Family Award: Four Generations. Its UP connection traces back to Primitiva Raval Ruiz-Navarrete, a 1930s UP graduate with a degree in education who later served in government. Succeeding generations continued the family’s connection to UP through medicine, law, community development, education, the arts, and public service. Among them is Dr. Rosano Mario Navarrete Flores, a family medicine specialist who completed a postgraduate certificate in Occupational Health and Safety at the UP College of Public Health.
The Jose Family received the UPAA Multigenerational Alumni Family Award: Three Generations. The family’s UP Manila legacy traces back to grandparent Regalado Jose Sr., whose influence shaped succeeding generations across music, history, medicine, education, architecture, psychology, and community work. Among the family’s UP graduates are Dr. Stella Marie Jose, who earned her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1984 and Master of Arts in Health Professions Education in 1999; Dr. Renato T. Jose; Dr. Roberto Juan L. Jose; Dr. Maria Nerissa K. Jose; Regalado Isagani L. Jose, a BS Biology graduate; and Rosina L. Jose, a BS Behavioral Science graduate. The family’s connection to UP reflects generations of contributions to healthcare, education, research, the arts, cultural preservation, and community initiatives.
The Yap Family also has a strong connection to UP Manila through Dr. Jose Jorge Yap, continuing the family’s tradition of service through the health professions.
The Samson-Reyes Family traces its UP Manila connection to Delfin D. Samson, who graduated with a BS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1929. His legacy continues through succeeding generations of the family, including members who have contributed to healthcare and other fields.
For the Soliven Family, the family’s UP Manila connection includes Dominique Soliven, a graduate of BS Political Science.
The Calauag-Santos Family includes Dr. Cecilia Calauag Santos-Acuin, who earned her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1982, as well as Dr. Jose M. Acuin, Dr. Miguel Enrico Santos-Acuin, and Stella Vicenta Santos Acuin. Their educational and professional journeys reflect the family’s continuing connection to UP and the health sciences.
The Añonuevo Family traces its UP Manila legacy to Tomas P. Añonuevo, who earned his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1948.
The Padua Family includes Melchor T. Villanueva Sr., who earned a BS in Education and MA in English in 1933, and Francisco A. Padua Jr., who completed a Master in Public Administration in UP Manila.
The Samson-De Padua Family likewise carries a multigenerational UP legacy. Among its alumni are Delfin D. Samson, a 1929 BS Pharmaceutical Chemistry graduate; Dr. Lizbeth S. De Padua; Dr. Ma. Eloisa Albay-de Padua; and Dr. Donald Daniel S. De Padua. Their collective contributions further demonstrate how a family’s connection to UP can extend across generations and professional fields, particularly in healthcare and public service.
Together, these families reflect one of the University’s enduring legacies: the passing of knowledge, values, and a commitment to public service from one generation to the next.
The recognition of these alumni and families features the continuing contribution of the UP Manila community to healthcare, education, research, and public service. Their achievements reflect the University’s enduring tradition of honor, excellence, and service, carried not only through individual careers but also across generations of UP families.
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