THE University of San Agustin on its 65th anniversary as a university will bestow the prestigious USA Alumni Achievement Award to 13 of its outstanding alumni who have shown excellence in Culture and the Arts; Law; Entrepreneurship and Management; Media and Communications; Education; Public and Community Service; Medicine and Health Sciences; Environment, Science and Technology; and Sports. The awarding ceremony will happen on July 13, 2018 on the week of the 2018 Alumni and Personnel Homecoming of the University.
The following Augustinians are the 2018 Alumni Achievement Awardees:
Nelson Checa (Culture and the Arts)
Nelson Checa is an institution when it comes to music performance. He’s been the artistic director of the University of San Agustin Band and a faculty member of the Conservatory of Music for more than 30 years. His outstanding performance enabled him to be tapped as resource person in training-workshops initiated by the Department of Education and private institutions. Mr. Checa’s expertise includes creation of musical ensembles.
Alex Soncio (Culture and the Arts)
Alex Soncio’s popularity is tagged along with one of the country’s pageants – the Miss Iloilo Dinagyang. He’s a multi-awarded personality when it comes to fashion. Among his numerous prestigious stints are becoming the costume designer for the Search for Miss Iloilo Dinagyang, Kultura: A Showcase of Filipino Customs and Costumes in 2016 and Miss Silka Iloilo 2009. Mr. Soncio is also supportive of local tourism activities and even that of his Alma Mater.
Jose Mari Benjamin Francisco Tirol (Law)
Jose Mari Benjamin Tirol graduated Cum Laude both at the University of San Agustin – Bachelor of Law in 1998 and Master of Laws in 2004 at the University of Sto. Tomas. He was awarded as a model student for leadership at the Iloilo American Memorial School in 1985. He was given various certificates of appreciation, two of which are – lecturer on “Updates in Person During the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Compliance Program for the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Iloilo Chapter” in October 2015 at the University of the Philippines Law Center – Institute for the Administration of Justice, and speaker during the Law Career Orientation 2016 at the University of the Philippines – UPV Discursus. He received a certificate of Academic Excellence / Special Recognition for having obtained a general average of 1.5 among the graduating class of SY 1997-1998, attesting to his dedication, scholarship, and competence throughout the entire 4-year Law course during his stay in the University. He is currently the Dean of the College of Law in the University of San Agustin.
Nestor Dadivas (Entrepreneurship and Management)
Excellence has been Nestor Dadivas’ battle cry as a Certified Public Accountant. After finishing his bachelor’s degree at the University of San Agustin, he pursued a Master’s Degree in Business Management at the Asian Institute in Management in 1975. Mr. Dadivas spent his golden years working with the Consuji Group of Companies. He became the Chief Finance Officer of Semirara Mining and Power Corporation for 10 years prior to his appointment as the President of DMCI Power Corporation. Currently he is the President of said institution wholly owned subsidiaries: DMCI Masbate Power Corporation and DMCI Palawan Power Corporation. Mr. Dadivas has been recently tapped to lead Semirara in St. Raphael Power Generation Corporation, a joint venture project with Meralco. Due to his leadership and direction, DMCI Power Corporation is now the top power provider in the Small Power Utilities Group.
Jerry Opinion (Entrepreneurship and Management)
Having graduated with Latin Honors at the University of San Agustin when he took Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting, Jerry Opinion was among the cream of the crop. He was even bestowed the Presidential Award in 1981. His untarnished career as an entrepreneur enabled him to be invited as inspirational speaker in significant events and graduation ceremonies. Atty. Opinion is attested by his nominator to be a man of virtue and honest service in the various positions he held in the different offices and institutions he has served.
Tara Katherine Yap (Media and Communications)
Tara Katherine Yap is the Regional News Bureau Chief of Manila Bulletin. Her dedication to deliver the news to the Filipino people gave her Salute to Unparalleled People, Endeavors and Resources (SUPER) Award given by the SM Foundation, Inc. for her outstanding coverage of super typhoon Yolanda as well as the recognition of exceptional journalism in spite of dangerous conditions in covering the Yolanda tragedy. Ms. Yap has also wholeheartedly given her service to government agencies and youth.
Dr. Ma. Teresa S. Sarabia (Education)
True to the Augustinian value Caritas, Dr. Ma. Teresa S. Sarabia is among the pillars of St. Therese MTC Colleges and Hospital which provides an opportunity for the youth to be educated and for the sick to be well-taken care of. She has also been a Trustee of the John B. Lacson Maritime University. Among the numerous commendations she received is the Ten Outstanding Women of Iloilo City (TOWIL) in the field of the Academe and Education in 2011. Dr. Sarabia maintains to be a competent member of the Toastmaster International and is given a Presidential citation from the Zonta Club of Iloilo City II in 1996.
Dr. Eveleth Gamboa (Education)
Recognized by the Metrobank Foundation as one of its Outstanding Teachers in 1995, Dr. Eveleth Gamboa has proven excellence in education. She is the Department of Education Division Superintendent of Capiz as well as Council President of the Capiz Girl Scout Council. Dr. Gamboa’s excellence in the field of education is instrumental in the significant achievement and milestones of DepEd Capiz and its constituents.
Gregoria Baterna (Public and Community Service)
Gregoria Baterna is an embodiment of the Augustinian value Caritas. In fact, she was awarded as one of The Outstanding Women of Iloilo (TOWIL) in 2013 in the field of Philanthropic Works by the Iloilo City Government because of her generosity in donating lands to be used as venue for the education of the less fortunate, pump boats for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, among others. She is also notable because of the community projects that she initiated which benefited the marginalized sector of her community. She also received awards from the Bank of the Philippine Islands for being the Top Sales Awardee for the year 2012 and 2014, Top Brass Awardee in 2015 and 2nd Runner up for the Top Brass in 2014.
Dr. Aurelio Ampig (Medicine and Health Sciences)
Dr. Aurelio Ampig is the first oral surgeon in Western Visayas registered and recognized in the roster of members of the Philippine College of Oral Surgeons. He received the Fellowship in Clinical Pedodontia 1959-60 given by Murray and Leoni Guggenheim Dental Clinic, USA. He became a Life Fellow of the Philippine College of Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgeon and a Fellow of the International College of Oral Surgeons. He is also an awardee of Lifetime Achievement Award (Iloilo Dental Society, 2006), Rotary’s Governor Group Representative Award (Rotary International, 1979), Presidential Award (Rotary Club of Iloilo), Project of the Year Award (Rotary Club of Iloilo, 1973). Among the many advocacies pursued by Dr. Ampig is the free dental service to some of the municipalities in Iloilo.
Engr. Jeffrey Mijares (Environment, Science and Technology)
This year’s roster of AAA 2018 awardees includes Engr. Jeffrey Mijares who is a licensed Chemical Engineer with 35 years of experience in the field of environmental management. In 2001, Mr. Mijares was awarded by the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineering (PICHe). He’s the former Vice President for Luzon of the PIChE-National. Among his many outstanding accomplishments are his appointment as Examiner of the Chemical Engineering Board of the Professional Regulation Commission in 2007, and his election as President of the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PCAPI)-National. Moreover, he is considered as one of the first 38 Filipino engineers who are registered in the ASEAN Charter of Professional Engineers Registry (ACPER). He is a true embodiment of what a true Augustinian is.
Dr. Erlinda S. Ganzon-Naret (Environment, Science and Technology)
Dr. Erlinda S. Ganzon-Naret is a University Researcher from the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Institute of Aquaculture at the University of the Philippines Visayas for almost 38 years. She’s a recipient of the various international publication awards in recognition of her scholarly articles published in the ISI peer reviewed journal by the University of the Philippines System. She’s also recognized as Outstanding Miagaowanon by the local government of Miag-ao, Iloilo for her great contribution in the same field.
Lauro Crisostomo (Sports)
A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1991, Mr. Lauro Crisostomo pursued a career in sports. He coached in international and national events, namely: 28th South East Asian Games, 2nd GAC Group ITTF Philippines Open World Tour, ASEAN University Games, 77th UAAP Season, 27th South East Asian Games and 20th Sea Junior Table Tennis Championship, 48th World Table Tennis, among others.
Note: All Augustinians are invited to join the 2018 Alumni and Personnel Homecoming this 7 to 15 July 2018. For details, contact info@usa.edu.ph or 0999-997-1485./PN
