In celebration of the UP Open University (UPOU) 26th Anniversary, with the theme “The University of the Future: Sustainability and Agility Amidst Disruption,” UPOU recognized exemplary faculty members, Research, Extension and Professional Staff (REPS), and administrative staff during its anniversary day. The UPOU Family Day was held virtually in the afternoon of 23 February 2021.
Chancellor Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria delivered a brief opening message and expressed gratitude to the attendees of the occasion. To warm up the event, Chancellor Bandalaria gave a quiz about the history of UPOU wherein the UPOU employees gladly participated.
Following this activity was the Service Awards, recognizing the UPOU faculty and staff who rendered 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service in the university. A total of 20 UPOU employees were awarded: Mr. Renato G. Ilagan, Jr., Mr. Allan B. Pamulaklakin, Ms. Erlinda M. Manarin, Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Ms. Cecilia G. Santiago, Ms. Roselyn B. Gacosta, Ms. Ely A. Pamulaklakin, Mr. Jay V. Aldemita, Mr. Felix S. Bautista, and Ms. Amalia G. Perez for 25 years of service; Mr. Celestino D. Quina, Jr. for 20 years of service; Asst. Prof. Marie-Sol P. Hidalgo and Mr. Allan S. Nunez for 15 years of service; Asst. Prof. Rita C. Ramos, Ms. Ma. Sarah Q. Cabungcal, Ms. Anna Ma. Elizabeth F. Cañas-Llamas, and Mr. Benedict L. Reforma for 10 years of service; and, Ms. Phoebe Grace C. Dungo, Asst. Prof. Myra C. Almodiel, and Asst. Prof. Reinald Adrian D. Pugoy for five years of service.
Recent retirees of the UPOU family were also honored during the event: Mr. Dominador A. Ramos, Ms. Nida T. Pavia, and former Chancellor Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso.
The highlight of the event was the Gawad Chancellor Awards. Recipients of the award are distinguished faculty and staff who rendered exemplary work and service for the university. The 2021 Gawad Chancellor Awards were conferred to Asst. Prof. Mari Angeli Crisanto as Outstanding Faculty; to Ms. Luisa. A Gelisan for Outstanding REPS; to Mr. Michael Lagaya as Outstanding Administrative Personnel 2nd Level; and Mr. Benedict A. Reforma as Outstanding Administrative Personnel 1st Level.
Dr. Jean A. Saludadez, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, and Chair of the UPOU 26th Anniversary Committee, closed the program with messages of gratitude, service, and expectation for the upcoming events aligned with the UPOU 26th Anniversary theme.
Written by Janele Ann Belegal
Edited by Joane V. Serrano
Photos by UPOU Multimedia Center and Christian Guevarra
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