UPAA honors 64 outstanding alumni on Aug. 16

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) will celebrate the achievements of 64 exemplary alumni, chapters, and families during the 2025 UPAA Alumni Awards on Aug. 16 at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

- By MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

The annual awards—considered one of the most prestigious recognitions for UP graduates—honor individuals and groups who embody the values of honor, excellence, and service.

This year’s honorees were selected for their outstanding leadership, societal contributions, and remarkable accomplishments in the Philippines and abroad.

“Beyond professional excellence, we looked for the strength of their leadership, the depth of their service, and the magnitude of their impact,” said UPAA President and Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton. “These awardees reflect the very best of what it means to be an Iskolar ng Bayan,” he added.

This year’s distinguished roster of honorees are 47 individual awardees, three outstanding UP alumni chapters, four recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award, and 10 families recognized with the Multigenerational Alumni Family Award.

Most Distinguished Alumnus Award

Leading the 2025 roster is Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin (AB Political Science ’68), the sole recipient of the Most Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Bersamin is recognized for his exceptional public service, including his tenure as the 25th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and his current role as Executive Secretary—often referred to as the “Little President”—a position that reflects the breadth and gravity of his national responsibility.

“His enduring commitment to the rule of law and the public good continues to serve as a beacon of integrity and statesmanship for the nation,” UPAA said.