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Nine cited for excellence

The leanest and choicest selection in the award’s 12-year history.

Nine members of the academic community were recognized for outstanding performance in the Gawad Chanselor for 2007, down from last year’s 11.

Standing tall. The 2007 Gawad Chanselor recipients with members of the
Office of the Chancellor’s Executive staff (left to right) UPDIO and OICA
Director Rubén D. F. Defeo, UPDIO and OICA director; Vice Chancellor for
Administration Mary Delia Tomacruz; Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Lorna I. Paredes; Mr. and Mrs. Alala, representing son Nilo Alcala II
(Natatanging Mag-aaral, College of Music); Natatanging REPS
Gayvelline C. Calacal (NSRI); Natatanging Kawani Rhodora Tolentino
(University Library) and Ma. Cecilia B. Olivar (Student Disciplinary Tribunal);
Natatanging Mag-aaral Mikaela Irene D. Fudolig and Ivan Chester G. Canoy,
(both from the College of Science); UPD Chancellor Sergio S. Cao;
Natatanging Guro recipients Dr. Ma. Gloria V. Talavera (College of Business
Administration), Dr. Genandrialine L. Peralta (College of Engineering), and
Dr. Cristina P. Hidalgo (College of Arts and Letters); Vice Chancellor for
Student Affairs Elizabeth L. Enriquez; Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs
Cynthia Grace G. Gregorio; and Vice Chancellor for Research and
Development Luis G. Sison.

This year’s crop is a far cry from the average of 61 recipients from 1992 to 2001, when the derby had, on the average, some 17 categories.

Of the awardees, three received the Natatanging Guro, three were named Natatanging Mag-aaral, one was awarded the Natatanging REPS (Research, Extension and Professional Staff) and two administrative personnel were recognized as Natatatanging Kawani.

Natatanging Guro. The faculty members named Natatanging Guro were Dr. Cristina P. Hidalgo of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), Dr. Genandrialine L. Peralta of the College Engineering (CoE) and Dr. Ma. Gloria V. Talavera of the College of Business Administration (CBA).

A seasoned literary writer, Hidalgo is a professor at CAL’s Department of English and Comparative Literature (DECL) and the former director of the Institute of Creative Writing.
Prior to receiving the award, videotaped testimonials of colleagues and co-workers in the awardees’ colleges were played.  “Jing is an excellent teacher and an excellent writer. Jing is the kind of teacher who pushes her students to be the best they can be,” CAL’s Dr. Priscelina P. Legasto said.

CAL’s Dean Virgilio S. Almario and DECL chair Dr. Naida U. Rivera echoed Legasto’s sentiments. “Bilang isang manunulat, si Jing ay isa sa lima na maituturing ko na pinakamahusay na manunulat na babae sa Ingles sa buong Pilipinas.”  As a teacher, “si Jing ay isa sa pinaka-epektibong propesora sa pagtuturo lalo na sa literatura. Nakikita ko kung papaano niya binibigyan ng inspirasyon ang mga eskwela niya,” Almario said.

“The award comes as no surprise. I am glad that despite her other responsibilities, Jing still finds a lot of time in the classroom, training her students in what she loves most to do—writing,” Rivera said.

“Among her students, she is known as The Goddess,” Sandra Nicole Roldan, a student taking up a Master’s degree in Creative Writing, described Hidalgo.  “She steps into the classroom and we fall silent. She strikes a kind of terror in her students, not because she is a terror teacher, but because we are so afraid of disappointing her.  She has such strict, exacting high standards for the writing (that) we really want to meet,” she said.

 Wilfredo Valera, DECL Administrative Officer, congratulated Hidalgo and wished her greater success.
Hidalgo’s citation reiterated the testimonials.  Her citation stated:  “Matagumpay na ginampanan ni Dr. Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo nang buong kahusayan at kakayahan ang tatlong uri ng serbisyo sa Unibersidad – pagtuturo, pananaliksik, at ekstensyon. Kilala siya bilang batikang manunulat. Ang kanyang mga pampanitikang produksyon ay naging epektibong kasangkapan para sa kapakinabangan ng mga estudyante at maging ng mga kapwa propesor tungo sa paglinang ng karunungan at pagbibigay lakas at halaga sa bawat indibidwal. Sa kanyang pambihirang talento, tunay na karapatdapat si Dr. Hidalgo sa 2007 Gawad Chanselor para sa Natatanging Guro”.

Natatanging Guro. (From left) Dr. Genandrialine L. Peralta, Dr. Cristina P. Hidalgo
and Dr. Ma. Gloria V. Talavera.

Hidalgo is not new to the award, having received the Gawad Chanselor Natatanging Guro (Associate Professor) in 1996 and the Gawad Chanselor Natatanging Alagad ng Sining in the Literary Arts in 1997 and 1998.

Accepting the award, Hidalgo said teaching was not her first choice as a profession.  When she was offered a teaching post upon earning her bachelor’s degree, she said she accepted “very reluctantly,” believing that becoming a teacher ensured her becoming “a spinster.” She however said she hardly regretted that choice.  “I have held a lot of jobs in different parts of the world (but) none of them have brought me as much in terms of excitement, fulfillment and especially, friendships both interesting and faithful, which makes such an award like this one almost superfluous,” she said.

The second Natatanging Guro called on stage was Peralta, chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering (DCE). Four co-workers from the CoE related why Peralta deserved the award: CoE’ dean Dr. Rowena Christina L. Guevara; Assistant Professor Antonio E. Senador Jr.; DCE senior Althea Mai Caballero; and Lournie de Sales-Papa, Ph.D. candidate and URA I assigned the Environmental Engineering Graduate Program.

According to Guevara, Peralta serves as a role model for young and junior faculty members.  “Ten years ago, the common comment about the CoE faculty was their non-presence and their lack of teaching skills.  We tried to address the problem in true engineering fashion by quantifying what presence and teaching skills we require of our faculty members.  Today, with Dr. Peralta’s award, we can say the CoE has solved the problem.”

Senador, an Associate Professor at the department, believed Peralta was a shoo-in for the award. “We nominated her for the award because what she had done for the department and the college best fits the award’s criteria.”
“Magaling siyang boss, strikto and pinupuna niya kapag may pagkakamali ka.  Hindi na niya patatagalin, pupunahin na niya kaagad para ang kalalabasan ng trabaho mo ay maganda. Very patient siya sa pag-gawa ng mga report, sa pag-delegate ng trabaho at sa pag-implement ng mga projects,” Papa related.

Caballero said “We are definitely proud of her. Having known her as the DCE Chair, we have witnessed how much support she has given to us, especially towards the student organization.”

Lauding her accomplishments, Peralta’s citation noted, “Tunay na katangi-tangi ang ipinamalas na dedikasyon at kahusayan ni Dr. Genandrialine L. Peralta sa larangan ng engineering. Ang kahusayang ito ay nagtampok sa kanyang Kolehiyo at Unibersidad sa mata ng publiko. Dahil sa kanyang mga gawain, nakita ng madla ang kahalagahan ng mga usaping may kinalaman sa kapaligiran at ang mundong nangangailangan ng proteksyon at pagkalinga. Nanguna siya sa pagtaguyod ng usaping pang-kapaligiran na makikita sa kanyang maraming pananaliksik at publikasyon kaugnay ng kanyang makatao at makakalikasan na tunguhin. Sadyang karapatdapat si Dr. Peralta sa 2007 Gawad Chanselor para sa Natatanging Guro.”

Accepting the award, Peralta acknowledged responsibilities attached to the award.  “I am now compelled to continue my good performance, which is exciting, but it scares me at the same time.  Not a day passes by without knowing I can do better as a teacher, given less administrative load and more time on my hands, which may be an ideal situation for most of us.”

She added that “teaching in UP is both a priviledge as it is both wonderful and difficult because we get the brightest students throught the country.  And yet, it is difficult because of the challenges they pose to us as professors to deliver the best in every class, every consultation and every investigation.”

The symbols of excellence. The citation,
a limited edition bas relief of the
Oblation, and a cash reward (not shown
in the photo) are UPD’s rewards for
outstanding performance.

She capped her short speech with sentiments on teaching. “I get my sense of fulfillment from knowing that I have somehow made a difference in the lives of my students.”

Talavera, the College Secretary at CBA was the final awardee.  Four constituents of the college lauded her accomplishments.

CBA dean Dr. Erlinda S. Echanis said Talavera’s award is a good signal to faculty in the college.  “Noong siya ay nag-attend ng international conference, ang kaniyang paper ay napiling best paper at na-publish pa.”  Echanis said Talavera once asked her the qualifications of faculty members who deserved a faculty chair.  “I told her she should publish three journal articles.  She has accomplished that by now and along the way, she won two awards—the Gawad Chanselor and the International Publications Awards.”

Former CBA dean Dr. Elvira A. Zamora said Talavera had the three elements of a good teacher: commitment, knowledge of the subject matter and the ability to communicate.  “She exerts every effort to come up with good materials for her class. She does more than what is expected of her and I can never question her commitment.” On her research outputs, Zamora said Talavera “does a lot of researches which are practical and really support her teaching.”

On the award, Zamora said, “Outstanding is too lame. She is spectacular.”

Dr. Ben Paul Gutierrez, chair of the Department of Business Administration, described Talavera as “a very good example of a teacher with a very good balance of teaching, research and extension and administrative duties without short-changing her students.”

He said Talavera was a dedicated teacher committed to providing the best classroom experience to her students. “Her energetic conduct of her lectures and class discussions has earned her rave reviews as manifested in the SET (Student Evaluation of Teacher). She was able to attract the attention of students in classes which students considered as boring.”

Ma. Anna Lia Cabral, vice chair of the college student council, said Talavera is not an ordinary teacher not only because of her noteworthy achievements but also because of her attitude. “She is down to earth, patient, understanding and very friendly to students.”

“Nakaka-inspire yung work attitude ni Madam Glo kasi hindi niya binibitiwan ang isang trabaho hanggat di natatapos,” Rosalinda P. David, a Student Records Evaluator, said.

Summing up her accomplishments, Talavera’s citation stated: “Si Dr. Ma. Gloria V. Talavera ay kilala bilang pinakamahusay sa serbisyo ng pagtuturo, ito man ay may kinalaman sa taas ng pagtayang natamo o sa  paraan ng kanyang pagpapahayag at pagpapaliwanag. Ang husay sa pagtuturo ay lalong pinaigting ng kanyang mga makabuluhang pananaliksik at serbisyong ekstensyon kaya’t tunay na karapatdapat siya sa 2007 Gawad Chanselor para sa Natatanging Guro ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman. Ang mataas na ebalwasyon sa kanya ng mga estudyante ay hindi lamang pagkilala sa kanyang kakayahan, bagkus, pagtalunton sa tradisyon ng unibersidad sa larangan ng kahusayan. Ani ng isang dating estudyante, “there is the great passion and radiance in her teaching.”

Natatanging Mag-aaral. The three students awarded for excellent performance were Mikaela Irene D. Fudolig and Ivan Chester G. Canoy, both of the College of Science (CS), and Nilo B. Alcala II of the College of Music (CM).

Fudolig, who will earn her BS Physics degree this semester, is presently the youngest student at UPD and among the very few admitted to the University without finishing her secondary education and without taking the UPCAT.

She was 11 when she began taking courses at UPD in 2002. A sophomore at the Quezon City Science High School and evaluated to be way ahead of her batch, her enrolment at UPD was endorsed by the Department of Education. The following year, after earning remarkably high grades at UPD, the Board of Regents approved her admission upon the condition that how she copes emotionally is closely monitored by her parents and by Dr. Leticia Penano Ho, who was then dean of the College of Education.

“Bilang pagkilala sa kanyang pambihirang kahusayang pang-akademiko na pinatunayan niya sa pamamagitan ng matagumpay na pagpasok sa Unibersidad habang nasa ikalawang taon pa lamang sa mataas na paaralan, at sa kahanga-hangang grado na naglagay sa kanya sa estadong kandidato para Summa Cum Laude,” her citation stated.
Canoy is a senior BS Biology student and is also a candidate for the university’s top honors of summa cum laude. He was recognized as, “Sa kanyang kontribusyon sa mga gawaing pangkomunidad, lalo na sa pakikisangkot sa mga medical at dental missions sa mga pamayanan, na bahagi ng paghahanda niya upang maging doktor na maninilbihan sa mga kanayunan.”

 Alcala has been a University Scholar for the duration of his enrolment for at UPD. At the ceremonies, he was represented by his parents, since he was representing the University in a competition abroad.

Part of his citation stated, “Bilang pagkilala sa kanyang malikhaing talino na naging kasangkapan upang makalikha siya ng musikang kinilala at ginantimpalaan sa ilang pandaigdigang timpalak sa musika, na nagbigay karangalan hindi lamang sa Unibersidad kundi sa bansa;” and “Sa kanyang mga kahanga-hangang nagawa bilang kompositor ng musika, mang-aawit, lider estudyante, mananaliksik at manunulat tungkol sa musika at sa kanyang aktibong pakikilahok sa mga kilusang kultural.”

Natatanging REPS. The sole awardee for Natatanging REPS was Gayvelline C. Calacal of the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the Natural Sciences Research Institute.  Her citation stated: “Para sa kanyang natatanging kontribusyon sa larangan ng forensic DNA typing sa bansa: sa identipikasyon ng mga biktima sa Paco Fire tragedy, sa analisis ng mga ebidensya para sa DNA sa mga kasong natapos nang ilitis, at sa mga kaso ng child support, immigration at sexual assault.”

Natatanging Kawani. Rhodora S. Tolentino and Ma. Cecilia B. Olivar were chosen as Natatanging Kawani.
Tolentino, who is a Clerk IV at the Acquisitions Section of the University Library, was recognized as, “Puspos ang kanyang suporta sa mga programa at serbisyo nito. Ginampanan niya rin nang buong husay ang mapanghamong gawain ng bookkeeping at fund control ng pitong pang-kolehiyong aklatan. Higit sa lahat, malaki ang kanyang tulong sa Acquisitions Section ng Aklatan ng Unibersidad kung saan napasinop at napabilis ang lahat ng proseso.”

A DEMO III  at the Student Disciplinary Tribunal, a unit under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Olivar was recognized as, “Sa kabila ng kakulangan sa empleyado ng opisina, ginampanan niya ang trabaho ng tatlong personel. Ginampanan niya ito ng buong husay at dedikasyon na walang kaparis. Nasinop niya ang lahat ng case folders mula 1977 hanggang 2005 kung saan madalian na itong maakses kapag kinakailangan. Nasinop niya rin ang lahat ng SDT decisions mula 1997 hanggang 2006 sa pamagitan ng electronic retrievable forms.

—Chi A. Ibay