Text by: Charmaine A. Lingdas

Two faculty members of the University of the Philippines College of Pharmacy (UPCP) were honored for their exemplary contributions to the profession during the National Convention of the Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc. (PPhA) at the Iloilo Convention Center on April 11, 2024.

Professor Imelda G. Peña, Director of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the National Institutes of Health, UP Manila, was awarded the Bowl of Hygeia Award for her exemplary contributions to pharmacy education, research, and institutional linkages.

The Bowl of Hygeia Award recognizes an outstanding Pharmacist with exemplary contributions to the profession and society through his/her exceptional excellence in practice and leadership, and who exemplifies the PPhA’s core values of competence, integrity, professionalism, altruism, and solidarity.

Previously, Dr. Imelda Peña, former dean of UPCP, was honored with the 9th Philippine Federation of Professional Associations (PFPA) Distinction Award for her outstanding contributions to the Pharmacy profession in the Academe/ Research Development Category in 2022.

Additionally, she was recognized as the 2022 PRC Outstanding Professional of the Year in Pharmacy by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Foundation for Outstanding Professionals Inc. In 2023, she further solidified her standing in the field, receiving the esteemed Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA) Section Award for Social and Administrative Pharmacy.

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Peña emphasized the importance of collaboration and the role of future pharmacists in shaping the profession and driving positive change in public health, stating: “As pharmacists, we are bound not only by our oath but also by a commitment to extend our obligations beyond our practice area. This involves fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals and other disciplines such as chemists, engineers, and microbiologists. Moreover, it entails a dedication to continuous professional development and the advancement of our practice.”

She added, “To all my students, who will be the future leaders of the pharmacy profession, I share this award to you. Remember, as public health pharmacists, our work is very valuable as we can influence and implement change at all levels, impacting various stakeholders, whether for pharmacy students, practicing pharmacists, the healthcare system, and policymakers alike, all for the betterment of Filipino society.”

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Bienvenido S. Balotro, a faculty member of the Department of Industrial Pharmacy and former Dean of the College of Pharmacy, was honored as The Outstanding Pharmacist (TOP) Awardees pose for a souvenir snap during the National Convention of the Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc. on April 11, 2024 at the Iloilo Convention Center. in Research. This award recognizes exemplary contributions of pharmacists in their respective areas of practice through their leadership, embodiment of PPhA’s core values, commitment, and dedication to the profession and society. “

This award is the result of my years of involvement in research as project leader and co-investigator,” Balotro noted. “As a researcher in drug product development with a keen interest in technology transfer and innovation, I have published my research articles in journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings. I have also assisted in training workshops, conferences, and webinars for local and foreign participants both as organizer and resource speaker and as reviewer of research publications.”

Associate Professor Balotro has led numerous research projects funded by government agencies like DOST-PCHRD, NRCP, PITAHC, and UPM-NIH, including a project titled “Establishment of Pharmaceutical Sciences Services for Clinical Research.”

The following UPCP alumni also received commendations during the event: Alicia P. Catabay, RPh, MS, PhD (BSP 1983), Lifetime Achievement Award; Anthony Aldrin C. Santiago, RPh, MClinPharm (BSP 1991), Gawad Lourdez Echauz; Chrisel G. Carreon, RPh, BCPS (BSP 2007), The Outstanding Pharmacist in Clinical Pharmacy; Emma T. Caramat, RPh (BSP 1983), The Outstanding Pharmacist in Community Pharmacy; Jennifer Olive B. Arellano, RPh (BSIP 1991), The Outstanding Pharmacist in Industrial Pharmacy; and Faye Diana C. Chua, RPh (BSP 2000), The Outstanding Pharmacist in Public Health. ■