The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) bestowed the 2020 Most Distinguished Alumni Award as recognition to all UP health frontliners for their continuous heroic service during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr. received the award on behalf of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) health frontliners in the 2021 UPAA Alumni Awards ceremony on May 28.
The award is an appreciation for frontliners “for giving freely of their expertise, in whatever capacity, and to their utmost ability, to alleviate the suffering of their fellow human beings, at great personal risk and cost, above and beyond the call of duty.”
The trophy was then handed over to Dr. Jessie Imelda F. Walde and Dr. Myla Lourdes R. Avena of the University Health Service (UHS) and other representatives of the UHS team on May 30 at the UPLB flag ceremony.
The sculpture-trophy was specifically made by UPAA Awardee Luis E. Yee, Jr. or better known as Junyee. He is a pioneer of installation art in the Philippines.
"Patuloy na lumalaban at nangangalaga sa UPLB ang mga health frontliners ng UHS. Kaya salamat sa recognition na ito. Ito ang nagpapalakas loob sa main ( The UHS health frontliners are continuously fighting and caring for the UPLB so thank you for this recognition. This is what keeps our spirit strong)”, said Walde.
She also noted said that the fight against Covid-19 and emerging infectious diseases is not yet over.
The event was witnessed by Assistant to the Chancellor Eileen Lorena M. Mamino, Vice-Chancellors Roberto P. Cereno (community affairs), VC Rolando T. Bello (administration), VC Fernando O. Paras, Jr. (planning and development), AVC Benevieve D. Villanueva (Community Affairs), Dr. Rowena dT. Baconguis, dean of the College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf), and personnel from CPAf and the University Police Force. (Luisa Cabato)