Updates

New UPVI Officers (from left): Joey, Glo, Daisy, Gil, Jerry, Ann and Vee.

In a meeting held on May 15, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the UP Varrons International has elected a new set officers for the next two years to be headed by Vilma “Vee” Cardenas-Battad (Apollo Twelve ’70). The other officers are: Eufrosina “Ann” De Leon-Boado (21st BCT ‘67) as vice-president, Lilian Brioso-Macam (Original Varronettes ’63) as secretary, and Jerry Constantino (BWNN II ’74) as Treasurer. Elected as regional directors are Guillermo “Gil” Mendoza (Dirty Dozen ’69) representing the midwest region, Daisy Leonor-Turcotte (Multitudes ’79) for the southern region, Joey Comiso (Honorary Member) for the eastern region, Ryan Jaranilla (Batch ’84) for the western region, and Gloria “Glo” Manarpaac-Aves (Five Stars ’83) representing other countries.

New Honorary Members: Lita and Luis

During the meeting, honorary memberships were also conferred to Lita Rule, a professor at Iowa State University, and to Luis Natividad, a forester based in Seattle, Washington.  Both are alumni of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UP Los Banos.

Congratulations to Imelda “Aymeeh” Diaz-Mendoza (Thorn Among the Roses ’84) who received her master’s degree in Environmental Science at the Institute for Water Education at UNESCO in Delft, The Netherlands in a graduation ceremony held on April 29, 2010. While pursuing her advanced degree, Aymeeh was awarded the Netherlands Fellowship Program under NUFFIC (the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education) and was on sabbatical from the Natural Resources Development Corp. in the Philippines.

At the 38th Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), fourteen (14) members of the UP Varrons were awarded their university degrees on April 23, 2010. Topping the list are Rusty Abanto (BUTA ’91), Leilani Aparejado-Castillo (The Renegades ’87), and Rosalie “Lalie” Lapis (Honorary Member ’06), who received their advanced degrees. Rusty obtained his PhD in Environmental Science as a DOST/SEARCA scholar while on leave from his teaching position at the Camarines Norte State College. Leilani (DOST scholar) and Lalie (CHED scholar) obtained their master’s degrees in Natural Resources (Conservation/Biodiversity) and Forestry, respectively. Leilani works at the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines and Lalie is a faculty member at the College of Forestry, UPLB.

Alfie Torres (JAM ’07) graduated as cum laude with BS Forestry degree. Christian Kevin Latiza (Philanthropist ’05) and Mae Belen Llanza (Philanthropist ’05) were given the UPLB Alumni Association Leadership Award and the Society of Filipino Foresters Leadership Award, respectively, while receiving their BS Forestry degrees.

Other Varrons who are joining the ranks as alumni members are: Ana Bibal (Wollstone Craft ’00), BS Forestry; Jeth Mae Boongaling (H2O ’06), BS Applied Mathematics; Manilyn Chavez (JAM ’07), BS Forestry; John Darren Chua (JAM ’07), Cert Forestry; Elaine Inabangan (Bituin ’02), BS Forestry; Earl Christian Lerio (NaCl ’08), BS Food Technology; Bonifacio “Bonnie” Pasion (Anino ’05), BS Forestry; and Ericzon Sola (Unlimited ’05), BS Forestry.

Rusty	Lalie	Alfie	Kevin	Mae Belen
Ana	Jeth Mae	Manilyn	John	Elaine
Earl	Bonnie	Eric

Jonar (front) with some of the choir members

The Prime Note Ensemble (PNE), whose members include Jonar Sara (JAD ’94), won the People’s Choice award and placed third overall in the 26th Annual Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival held on April 10, 2010 at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse in Los Angeles, California. Jonar has been an active member of the PNE since its early beginning in 2001 as the first Filipino a cappella choir group in Saudi Arabia. Jonar and the PNE are now based in Los Angeles.

Constancio “Tantso” de Guzman (Humane Batch ’74) is one of the artists featured in the 11Y arts exhibit showcasing the artworks of students from the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts.  The exhibit opened on March 15, 2010 and runs until April 14 at the Sining Kamalig Art Gallery, L4 Gateway Mall, Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.  The  show is curated by Professor Nestor Olarte Vinluan.  To see more artworks of Tantso, please view this slideshow.

Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin