9 October 2011, UP at Los Banos, College, LAGUNA. A total of 30 Omegans and 2 guest brethren-awardees were honored today as the Gamma Epsilon International UPLB Omega Chapter celebrates its 45th founding anniversary. The awarding, as lead by Dr. Manny Regalado (PhilRice Executive Director) and Dr. Malou R. Soliven (current Central Mindanao University president), coincides with the traditional celebration of UPLB Loyalty Day 2011, where alumni and guests of this state university pay their annual tributes to the beloved alma mater. The following paragraphs constitute the report of the GEI awards committee chaired by this blogger.
This year’s grand homecoming of the Gamma Epsilon Fraternity and the Gamma Lambda Epsilon Sorority (UPLB Omega Chapter and Alumni Council) is one of the rare opportunities for us to meet each other while giving due recognition to selected brethren who have done outstanding deeds to this organization, as well as those who achieved the highest formal degree by the academe, our bonafide residence.
This significant reunion coincides with the 45th founding anniversary of this Chapter (Sept. 8, 1966), and the traditional UPLB Loyalty Day (October 10) for our beloved Alma Mater; indeed a double-whammy for us fellow Omegans to be with our alma mater.
Time flies so fast. Thus, it is indeed fitting to present awards and recognize brethren who made a difference in our fraternity/sorority, as well as in our academic achievements, making them a “cut above the rest”.
This first- ever formal Awards and Recognition for GEI are categorized into two:
A. Gawad Agila . Described as the “Outstanding Falcon Award”, Gawad Agila may be considered as the most prestigious, as it recognizes select brethren who made a significant impact to the organization resulting from their exemplary dedication and unrelenting commitment to Gamma Epsilon International, making this organization ever-honorable and sustainable. The first recipients under this category are as follows:
1. Bro. Percival “Percy” Bertuso – Batch 1967
2. Bro. Manuel “Manny” Reyes – Batch 1967
3. Bro. Rolando “Rolly” Labios – Batch 1968
4. Sis. Nancy “Nancy” Morales-Belvis – Batch 1968
5. Bro. Daniel “Anye” Onate – Batch 1971
6. Bro. Roberto “Bert” Natividad – Batch 1972
7. Sis. Cerila “Ela” Lanceta-Caramihan – Batch 1972
8. Bro. Rodolfo “Rudy” Galang – Batch 1973
9. Bro. Jeremias “Jerry” Corrales – Batch 1973
10. Sis. Felicidad “Fely” Udanga-Matundan – Batch 1975
GA Conjugal Special Award
1. Bro. Virgilio “Gil” and Sis. Blessie Villancio – Batch 1976/77
2. Bro. Felimon “Toto” and Beth Faner – Batch 1977
GA Special Award for (Non-Omegans) Outstanding Brethren
1. Bro. Tomas “Tom” Rodriguez – Founder 1963 (Alpha Chapter)
2. Bro. Diosdado “Dado” Melegrito – 2011 National President (Sigma Chapter)
B. Grand Echelon Award. Based on GE/GLE history, the term “Grand Echelon” was used and made as a public media outfit to “whistleblow” outstanding achievements and breakthrough in the organization. In this awards category, the same term was used to recognize brethren who successfully completed their terminal (doctoral) degree course (or equivalent). In the academic and research community, they are the so-called the “cut above the rest”. They are as follows, (with doctoral field, in parenthesis) :
1. Dr. Anastacia M. Gochangco – Batch 1968 (Crop Protection)
2. Dr. Sergia P. Milagrosa – Batch 1968 (Plant Pathology)
3. Dr. Luciana M. Villanueva – Batch 1969 (Crop Protection)
4. Dr. Jerry T. Amoloza – Batch 1969 (Economics)
5. Dr. Josue S. Falla – Batch 1973 (Educational Research and Evaluation)
6. Dr. Catalino I. Flores – Batch 1973 (Genetics and Plant Breeding)
7. Dr. Bonifacio F. Cayabyab – Batch 1973 (Entomology)
8. Dr. Manuel Jose C. Regalado – Batch 1974 (Agricultural Science)
9. Dr. Lucena U. Mercado – Batch 1974 (Rural Development)
10. Dr. Blesilda M. Calub – Batch 1974 (Soil Science)
11. Dr. Audimar P. Bangi – Batch 1975 (Wood Polymer Composite)
12. Dr. Marina Alipon – Batch 1975 (Wood Technology)
13. Dr. Eduardo C. Fernandez – Batch 1975 (Crop Protection)
14. Dr. Ma. Luisa R. Soliven – Batch 1976 (Economics)
15. Dr. Virgilio T. Villancio – Batch 1977 (Community Development)
16. Dr. Lex Badayos – Batch 1994 (Medicine)
17. Dr. Edgardo N.Fullante, Jr. – Batch 1998 (Medicine)
Congratulations! Keep up the good works, folks. (JSF blogs)
