Cecile M. Genove

Ten alumni of Silliman University, truly the embodiment of the university's motto of 'Via, Veritas, Vita' (The Way, The Truth, The Life), will receive the Outstanding Sillimanian Awards in fitting ceremonies. tomorrow at the Luce Auditorium as one of the highlights of the celebration of the SU 105th Founders Day.

Ten alumni of Silliman University, truly the embodiment of the university's motto of "Via, Veritas, Vita" ("The Way, The Truth, The Life"), will receive the Outstanding Sillimanian Awards in fitting ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Luce Auditorium as one of the highlights of the celebration of the 105th Founders Day of Silliman University.

Another major event follows at 3 p.m. on the same day with the investiture of Dr. Ben Sobong Malayang III, 12th president of Silliman University, who will be administered his oath of office by Dr. Nona Ricafort of the Commission on Higher Education. To present the Presidential Medallion is Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, chair of the Silliman University Board of Trustees. Expected to attend are presidents or heads of tertiary institutions, local and national government officials, former presidents of Silliman University, officials of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, and alumni and friends from various parts of the country and abroad.

This year's Outstanding Sillimanian Awardees are Evelyn Nombrado Abad in the field of humanitarian service; Dr. Sylvester B. Almiron Jr. in the field of community service; Filomena Tan Cang in the field of Christian business management; Gonzalo O. Catan Jr. in the field of science and technology; Dr. Leoncio P. Deriada in the field of creative writing; Justice Isaias P. Dicdican in the field of government service (judiciary); Dr. Alexander G. Flor in the field of communication and distance learning; Prof. Amiel Y. Leonardia in the field of theater arts; Dr. Edilberto D. Redona in the field of rice research and development; and, Col. Roman T. Yap in the field of business.

Abad was nominated by the Silliman University Alumni Association Northern California Chapter for her tangible commitment to humanitarian service through the spirit of volunteerism. Popularly known as "St. Evelyn" among the beneficiaries of her generous heart, she does volunteer work as a mission coordinator of Rotaplast Foundation, Inc. in San Francisco, California, USA which carries out numerous medical missions and sends out volunteers annually worldwide. A graduate of the degree of bachelor of science in nursing at Silliman University in 1960, she made full use of her nurturing skills acquired further through training by attending to the needs of those in need of "a human touch."

Endorsed by the Silliman University Alumni Association New York-New Jersey Chapter, Almiron graduated with the degree of bachelor of science in biology from Silliman University in 1963 and doctor of medicine in 1968 from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City. He took post-doctoral training in the United States in 1974-1979. A son of church ministers, Almiron thought he could do much even without following in the footsteps of his parents. His medical training included, among others, taking care of the health needs of miners and their families in Benguet, Mt. Province and overseeing clinics located in the remotest villages in the country.

A native of Larena, Siquijor Province, Cang graduated from Silliman University High School in 1948. While yet a freshman business administration student at Silliman University, she and her husband, Agapito - who would become her business partner for 56 years, and who died in March 2005 - established Cang's General Supply, a landmark in Dumaguete City and, much later, Bethel Guest House. True to its name, Bethel - which is referred to in the Bible as the "house of God" - makes a deliberate effort to reflect Christian hospitality and fellowship. To date, it is the only establishment in Dumaguete where there is no smoking and drinking. Nominated by the Dumaguete alumni chapter, Cang is a member of the Dumaguete Christian Church and was a delegate to the Evangelism Explosion at the 6th Asian Leadership Conference in Manila last November. She was a member of the SU Board of Trustees for 10 years as well as the Silliman University Medical Center Board.

Also nominated by the Dumaguete alumni chapter is Catan Jr., a professional agriculturist, scientist, inventor, researcher, consultant on pest control, and entrepreneur. He graduated with the degree of AA (Associate in Agriculture) from Silliman University in 1957 and a bachelor of science in agriculture (major in entomology, minor in chemistry) at the UP Los Banos in 1959. Among his numerous awards are the 2000 Outstanding Manilan Award, the 1999 Silver Medal for Geneva's 24th International Exhibitions of Inventors, and the 1998 Most Commercialized Award by the Department of Science and Technology. He is the founder and executive vice-president of the Manila Pest Control Company (MAPECON) Philippines, Inc., the country's largest in pest control business since 1961, with its operations extending throughout the country and ASEAN nations, including the United States.

Deriada, who was nominated by the Iloilo alumni chapter, is Silliman University's first graduate of a doctor of philosophy in English and Literature, with specialization in creative writing, in 1981 and was chairperson of the Department of English and Literature of the same university in 1979-1985. One of the country's leading writers, he has published books and won many awards, including being elevated to the Palanca Awards Hall of Fame in 2001. He was chosen Outstanding Teacher (college level) by the Metrobank Foundation in 2002 and Lingkod Bayan Award in 2003 by the Civil Service Commission, the highest award given by the government for outstanding government service. His play, "Matigam Kaw, Matigam Ak," which was produced and performed by Silliman University's Hijos de Davao organization, won the grand national award at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1982. Deriada is the only Palanca winner in three languages (English, Filipino, and Hiligaynon), although he writes professionally also in Kiniray-a and Cebuano. At present, he is a full professor of comparative literature at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas in Miag-ao, Iloilo.

Endorsed by the Cebu alumni chapter, Dicdican was consistently at the top of his class, graduating valedictorian in the elementary and secondary levels in his native Dalaguete, Cebu and graduating with the degree of bachelor of arts, magna cum laude, in 1966 from Silliman University, and bachelor of laws, magna cum laude, in 1970 from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City. He placed 11th in the bar examinations in 1970. He and his wife, together with their five highly accomplished and intelligent children, were awarded Model Family of the Year in 1993. At present, he is associate justice and chairman of the 20th Division of the Court of Appeals, deciding the most number of cases of all associate justices in the entire country.

A graduate of journalism in 1975 from Silliman University, Flor was nominated both by the Dumaguete and Los Banos alumni chapters. A prolific scholarly writer, he is president of Madecor Career Systems, an international consulting firm, and is either an adjunct professor, visiting lecturer, or affiliate professor of local and international institutions of higher learning. Flor is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the InfoBridge Foundation, the Netherlands. He is listed in the International Who's Who in Distance Learning (Berlin, 1998) and the International Futurists Directory (Bethesda, Maryland, 1990 to millennium editions). Since January 2004, he is dean and professor, Faculty of Information and Communication Studies of the UP Open University.

A pioneering technical director of the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium of Silliman University, the Manila alumni chapter describes Leonardia's talent "on and behind the stage as unmatched." He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1961 at Silliman University and obtained a master of fine arts degree at the East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii. Leonardia is credited with his acting portrayals in such television programs as "Your Honor," "Maalaala Mo Kaya," "Maynila," the children's show "ATBP," and some movies. He was a former teacher of the Speech and Theater Arts Department of Silliman University.

Graduating with a degree of bachelor of science in agriculture, major in agronomy in 1979 from Silliman University, Redona's passion for the specialization of science in rice production has been widely recognized. He was the proponent and key implementor of the hybrid Rice Commercialization Program and principal proponent for the creation of the Crop Biotechnology Center of the Philippines. Redona earned his doctor of philosophy in genetics from the University of California, Davis, California, USA in 1995. He edited and co-edited books that specialize on hybrid rice technology. He was nominated by the Dumaguete alumni chapter.

A native of Cebu City, Yap is also a member of SUHS Class 1948 where another awardee, Tan-Cang, belongs. He finished the degree of bachelor of science in chemical engineering in 1951 at the National University, Manila, passing the licensure examination for chemical engineers on the same year. Nominated by the Metro Manila alumni chapter, Yap, who is a reservist, is president of several corporations/companies and is affiliated with numerous business interests. He is a member of the SU Board of Trustees, serving as chairman for eight years and has been named chairman emeritus.

Also to be recognized tomorrow evening at the Tipon Alumni and Community Fellowship Night is Dr. Josefina Solis Cornelio, professor emeritus, who will receive the Alumni Recognition Award.

back to top