Photo Caption: The awardees at the Iloilo Convention Center during the Alumni and Faculty Homecoming Dinner and Awards night. Photo source from UPV Office of Alumni Relations FB post.
by Abegail Lapating, Elyn Joy Estimada, Mary Angel Lou Tribiano
The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) Iloilo Chapter recognized its outstanding alumni during the homecoming dinner last August 21, 2022 at the Iloilo Convention Centre. Among the seven awardees were the West Visayas State University (WVSU) President, Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz and College of Medicine (COM) faculty, Dr. Ma. Pilar S. Malata.
WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz (BS Biology 1987, MA in Public Management 2004) was honoured for his work in the field of Governance, Public Administration, and Public Service.
With 25 years of public service, Dr. Villaruz was recognized as a 2022 UPV Jubilarian by the UP Alumni Association, an acknowledgment of his dedication and hard work. The WVSU President established the Juris Doctor program, Doctor of Dental Medicine program, and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Dr. Villaruz is also dedicated to making WVSU a premier research institution.
In an interview with the Forum Dimensions, the UPV Jubilarian Awardee said that “the recent award given by the UPV Alumni [Association] as an outstanding professional in the field of governance and public service is an affirmation and is proof of the acknowledgment of the efforts and services that I have given in the public sector.”
Another pride of WVSU and a mental health advocate, Dr. Ma. Pilar Servigon-Malata (UPHSI 1982) from WVSU College of Medicine, spoke on behalf of the awardees during the event. UPAA Iloilo Chapter recognized her with an award for achievements and contributions in the field of education.
The recipients had to comply with the necessary documents to be validated by the association and were selected through a strict screening process.