In Memoriam

Former UP Law dean and international law luminary Merlin Magallona passes on

January 3, 2022

Written by Celeste Ann Castillo Llaneta

Former UP College of Law Dean Merlin M. Magallona. UP Media and Public Relations Office file photo.

A “Filipino luminary in the field of international law,” “a pillar of the Philippines’ international legal academy,” and “one of the best Supreme Court justices we, unfortunately, did not have,” not to mention “one of the staunchest legal defenders of our country’s territorial sovereignty.”

These are only some of the accolades from colleagues, former students, and friends to Prof. Merlin M. Magallona, University of the Philippines (UP) Professor of International Law and former Dean of the UP College of Law. Dean Magallona passed away on the evening of January 1. He was 87.

He earned his Bachelor of Laws from the UP College of Law. He spent decades teaching international law to generations of UP Law students, who have since become renowned scholars and leading practitioners of international law themselves.

He served as Dean of the UP College of Law from 1995 to 1999, as Associate Dean from 1991 to 1995, and as Director of the UP Law Center’s Institute of International Legal Studies from 2000 to 2001. He was a participant in the Tokyo External Session of The Hague Academy in 1968 and a Visiting Fellow at Oxford University in 1969. In 1994, he was Visiting Research Fellow at the Graduate School of International Development of Nagoya University in 1994.

In 1999, the Judicial and Bar Council nominated Dean Magallona for the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. He was chair of the Department of International and Human Rights Law of the Academic Council of the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) of the Supreme Court. He is also a member of the Panel of Arbitrators of the Permanent Court of Arbitrators.

In 2001, he was appointed an Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, which he served until his resignation in July 2002. He served as a member of the Supreme Court Committee on Legal Education from 1999 to 2003. Twice, he served as counsel for the Republic of the Philippines in the oral arguments before the International Court of Justice. First, he handled the case of Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons (Advisory Opinion, 1995), and second, the case Concerning Sovereignty over Pulau Ligitan and Pulau Sipadan (Indonesia v. Malaysia), in which the Philippines intervened in 2001.

Dean Magallona was a member of the Expert Group on the Legal Aspects of the New International Economic Order established by the UN Institute on Training and Research in 1992, and also listed as an Expert in Human Rights of the UN Human Rights Commission. From 1999 to 2000, he served as a member of the arbitral tribunal of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France.

In 2002, he represented the Philippines in the Working Group of the UN Diplomatic Conference on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court in Rome in 1998. He headed the Philippine Delegation to the meeting of the ICC Preparatory Committee in 2002. In 2004, the Supreme Court appointed him as an amicus curie in the controversial Fernando Poe citizenship case. He was part of the organizing committee and the Executive Council of the Asian Society of International Law (AsianSIL) in 2004 and is a member of the International Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the International Honor Society for the Social Sciences, Pi Gamma Mu.

Dean Magallona was a prolific author of books, papers, and publications on international law. His published book-length works include Globalization and Sovereignty: The Republic in Crisis (2017); Legal Education: The Search for its Strategic Center in Filipino Cultural Development (2016); The Philippines in the International Law of the Sea (2015); Philippine Constitution and International Law (2013); Dictionary of Contemporary International Law (2011); Supreme Court and International Law: Problems and Approaches in International Law (UP Law Center, 2010); Fundamentals of Public International Law (2005); A Primer on the Relation of Philippine Law and International Law (2000); International Issues in Philippine Perspective (1998); A Primer on the Law of the Sea (1997); A Primer on the Law of Treaties (1997); Japan in the New State of World Capitalism: Problems in Law and Development in Philippine-Japanese Relations (1995); and The Dismantling of the Philippine State (1994).

He often served as a resource person for issues such as constitutionality of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. He was renowned for his advocacy in upholding the Philippines’ territorial sovereignty against the incursions of foreign powers such as China.

In the landmark case, Magallona vs. the Executive Secretary 2011, Dean Magallona, Akybayan Party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros, Prof. Harry C. Roque Jr., and UP College of Law students as petitioners, took on then Executive Sec. Eduardo Ermita, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, and other executive officials of the national government questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act No. 9522, or “An Act to Define the Baselines of the Territorial Sea of the Philippines.”

Then Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio penned the unanimous decision in Magallona v. Executive Secretary upholding the amendment to the country’s archipelagic baselines to conform to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He shared in an opinion article published in Rappler on December 12, 2020.

“This case opened my eyes—that we could defend and preserve our sovereign rights in the WPS through the Rule of Law by questioning before an UNCLOS tribunal the validity of China’s historic claim under its nine-dash line. We had, however, to first put our house in order by bringing our archipelagic baselines into conformity with UNCLOS so that we could go to an UNCLOS tribunal with clean hands.”

Dean Merlin Magallona’s legacy lives on in his former students, colleagues, and fellow advocates for nationalistic international law, who continue the fight to protect and preserve Philippine sovereignty in the global arena.

Source: https://up.edu.ph/former-up-law-dean-and-international-law-luminary-merlin-magallona-passes-on/

Conrado “Dondi” C. Ong III, 55



The Upsilon Sigma Phi mourns the loss of Fellow Conrado “Dondi” C. Ong III ’88, who passed away at the age of 55 on December 28, 2021.

Dondi was an acclaimed Filipino artist. He has been featured as a vocal soloist in several programs for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Manila Chamber Orchestra, and Clarion Chamber Orchestra. He also performed the roles of King Rayo in Lucrecia Kasilag’s Why Flowers Bloom in May and Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini’s Le Bohème.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree, magna cum laude, from UP Diliman and was given the Presidential Distinguished Alumni Service Award by the UP Alumni Association in 2011.

In 2012, he was the only Filipino to the join the touring cast of Phantom of the Opera as Piangi, the production’s principal tenor.
Throughout his life and career, he manifested the Upsilonian imperative of excellence. He was elevated to the Aliw Awards Hall of Fame in 2016 after receiving the Best Male Classical Performer Award thrice in 2009, 2011, and 2014.

We join the country in remembering his passion and contributions to the Filipino music industry.

Brother, when we see you in the sun, we shall tell you much.

Source: Upsilon Sigma Phi Facebook post

Armando F. Bonifacio passes at 93

December 17, 2021

Professor Emeritus of philosophy Armando F. Bonifacio passed away on Dec. 10. He was 93.


Bonifacio. Photo courtesy of Prof. Ma.  Amihan L. Bonifacio-Ramolete, PhD of the UPD Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts


Born on Oct. 20, 1928, Bonifacio was described in the 2014 UP Diliman General Education Conference Proceedings (https://oat.upd.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Proceedings-of-the-2014-UP-Diliman-GE-Conference.compressed.pdf) as one of the “eminent UP faculty in the mid-20th century.” His works “Reflections on the Problem of General Education for the University of the Philippines” and “Some Further Comments on the General Education Program” were among those reviewed at the conference as the UPD faculty discussed and reviewed the original framework of the general education program. His works, written in 1959, discussed key issues for a new general education program for UP.


Bonifacio received his emeritus appointment on Jan. 29, 1987. According to the “UP Gazette” (Vol. XVIII, No. 1) the UP Board of Regents approved his appointment “for being an effective teacher and able administrator; for his valuable contributions to the University, particularly the development of the general education program, the curricular improvement of the medicine program, and the institution of the Institute of Health Sciences (Tacloban) where he introduced the concept of a social contract between student and community; and for his marked scholarship.”


Bonifacio. Photo courtesy of Prof. Ma.  Amihan L. Bonifacio-Ramolete, PhD of the UPD Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts


As part of UP’s academic community, Bonifacio held positions in various capacities. On July 1, 1974, he was appointed to the professorial chair of philosophy, a post he held until June 30, 1977. He was also a member of the University Academic Personnel Board, a post that was renewed from Jan. 26, 1978 to Jan. 25, 1979.


His work “A Concept of Transcendental Knowledge” was published in “Dialectics and Humanism,” an academic journal for all fields of contemporary Polish philosophy, in autumn of 1976. Bonifacio was the brother of UP Professor Emeritus of sociology, Manuel F. Bonifacio, PhD, and uncle of former College of Arts and Letters dean, Prof. Ma. Amihan L. Bonifacio-Ramolete, PhD.


Source: https://upd.edu.ph/armando-f-bonifacio-passes-at-93/

Dr. Vivencio R. Jose passes away

December 7, 2021


Retired UP Professor of English Vivencio R. Jose passed on at around 3:00 p.m of December 6 in his ancestral house in San Nicolas, Gapan, Nueva Ecija. He is the founding Director of UP’s PhD Philippine Studies Program (reorganized years later as the UP Diliman Tri-College PhD Philippine Studies program). He also served as Director, UP Press. Later, he served as Chair, Department of English and Comparative Literature (UP Diliman, 1986-1988), Dean, College of Arts and Letters (UP Diliman, 1988-1991), and Secretary of the University and of the Board of Regents (UP System, August 1993-December 1995).


He is the author of The Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna (Philippine Social Sciences and Humanities Review 36, 1972 and Solar Publishing, 1991) and Heneral Luna: The Story Behind the Movie (Anvil, 2018). The Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna became the basis for the well-regarded film “Heneral Luna”, directed by Jerrold Tarog and produced by Artikulo Uno Productions (2015). Dr. Jose also worked as a consultant for the United Nations University (Tokyo) and UNESCO (Paris).


Of The Rise and Fall of Antonio Luna, says John N. Schumacher: “…it is welcome as the first scholarly full-length biography of this major figure of the Revolutionary period, the most prominent Filipino to play a role both in the Propaganda Movement and the Revolution itself. For a study of the life of Antonio Luna is one of the most important keys to clarifying the relation between the two phases of the nationalist struggle. Though Vivencio Jose is a professor of literature rather than of history, his command of the historical sources and bibliography on Luna is impressive, and his biography provides ample information on most of the facts of Luna’s life. Jose has likewise made a commendable effort not to limit the scope of his biography to the subject himself, but to place him within the wider context of the Revolution as a whole.” (Schumacher, John N., Philippine Studies vol. 24, no. 1, 1976: 122–125).


Paalam at maraming salamat, Sir Ven 🙏


Update: The remains of Dr. Vivencio R. Jose lie in state at St. Peter Chapels, in Sto Nino, Gapan, Nueva Ecija.


Source: Jose Wendell Capili I Facebook post

Filipino music legend Heber Bartolome passes away

November 18, 2021

By: Angelica Yang


Filipino folk singer and composer Heber Bartolome. Photo lifted from his Facebook


MANILA, Philippines — OPM music legend Heber Bartolome passed away on Monday evening, his brother confirmed on Tuesday.


“Oo. Kagabi lang…nawalan daw ng pulso,” his brother Jesse Bartolome said on DzBB Super Radyo.


He added that his brother has had a lingering prostate illness for more than a year.


Jesse said his brother just celebrated his birthday last Nov. 9.


“Biglaan [ang pagpanaw ni Heber]. Masaya po kami nung bertday niya eh,” Jesse said.


There are no details yet on the burial schedule, but he said that this may be open to the public since his brother’s death was not related to COVID-19.


Heber is known for his songs “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy,” “Nena,” “Pasahero,” and “Almusal,” among others.


Bartolome, formed the band Banyuhay with is brothers Jesse and Levi, during the martial law years. He was a University of the Philippines alumnus before his band became one of the pillars of original Pinoy music. A natural-born artist, Bartolome was a singer and composer, aside from being a painter.


Among the songs Bartolome and the band popularized were “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy” that evoked patriotism, “Dukha” that tackled poverty, “Salome” and “Nena” that pushed for women’s rights and empowerment, and “Payag ka Ba?” a protest music popular among activists.


In one of the articles posted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on the INQUIRER.net’s Lifestyle channel, Bartolome described himself as a hippie who wore kurtas (Indian shirt) and showed up barefoot for class during his college years.


He founded the UP Astrological Society and inevitably greeted people with the query “what’s your sign?”


But he was also interested in writing, and had been editor of the Pilipino section of the Philippine Collegian.


He joined the UP Writers’ Club in 1973 and the Galian sa Arte at Tula the following year. He also enrolled in a master’s program in Philippine literature.


Source: https://entertainment.inquirer.net/426793/filipino-music-legend-heber-bartolome-passes-away

Colleagues mourn the death of Dr. Bo, Davao’s famed vet

by Keith Bacongco


DAVAO CITY — Colleagues mourn the passing of a renowned veterinarian Dr. Roberto Puentespina Jr., who is known for his advocacy works in wildlife conservation, especially on his contributions to save the critically-endangered Philippine Eagle.


Dr. Roberto Puentespina Jr., succumbed to an illness at a private hospital around 10 p.m. on November 15, his wife Olive confirmed to Manila Bulletin.


Popularly known by his nickname as Dr. Bo, Dr. Roberto Puentespina Jr. is known for his “Malagos Bird Show” at the family-owned Malagos Garden Resort in Baguio District in Davao City. (Keith Bacongco/Manila Bulletin)


Popularly known by his nickname as Dr. Bo, the 57-year old veterinarian is known for his “Malagos Bird Show” at the family-owned Malagos Garden Resort in Baguio District here.


For 17 years, he hosted the 45-minute bird show, which had been his medium in promoting awareness in wildlife conservation, environment protection and climate change mitigation.


Every weekend, the interactive bird show have attracted hundreds of people, many of them were children.


He employed a variety of birds and other animals to create awareness in the importance of environment protection.


Puentespina, who finished his veterinary medicine at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, was also instrumental in the conservation works in saving the critically-endangered Philippine Eagle particularly in the early 1990s.


Philippine Eagle Foundation executive director Dennis Salvador acknowledged Puentespina’s contribution in saving the Philippine Eagle particularly in providing medical services.


“This was particularly instrumental when a number of our eagles were hit with trichomoniasis back in the early 90s. He had also helped nurse injured eagles back to health, allowing us to release them back to the wild, “Salvador recalled.


Fellow veterinarian Bayani Vandenroeck acknowledged Puentespina’s contribution in the industry particularly in the field of wildlife conservation.


“Dr. Bo was one of my mentors early on in my career, not only in companion animal practice but especially as a wildlife veterinarian,” said Vandenbroeck, who also graduated from UP Los Baños.


He added that there are many other veterinarians also whom Puentespina has inspired to save wildlife and fight for the environment.


In 2017, he established the Davao Thermo Biotech Corporation, a large-scale biodegradables-to-fertilizer in 2017 that employs Hyperthermophilic Composting Technology, which originated in Japan, to produce biofertilizers.


He continued his advocacy work for the environment through this new project by encouraging waste segregation down to the household level.


Puentespina launched the The Yellow Drum Project, which aims to divert biodegradable waste even on the household level from the landfill to their composting plant.


“It is a campaign to raise awareness on proper waste segregation; that the waste we segregate, especially biowaste, does not end up in the landfill but instead to a composting plant where we can compost them and convert them to biofertilizer,” explained Puentespina in previous interviews.


Engr. Diego Tautho, chief executive officer of Ridge to Reef, also expressed sadness on the passing of Puentespina saying: thank you for sharing to us your advocacies, including how you turn a 50-ton biowaste from various sources into valuable soil conditioners and bio-fertilizers.”


Tautho and his firm had worked with the late veterinarian to develop a more sustainable solution to address solid waste problems.


He described Puentespina’s technology as a “definitive solution to biodegradable wastes.”


Source: https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/17/colleagues-mourn-the-death-of-dr-bo-davaos-famed-vet/

Dr. Rogelio D. Colting (1951-2021)

November 8, 2021


ROGELIO DULAY COLTING
(February 5, 1951-October 17, 2021)


BS Agriculture (Soil Science), 1974 UPLB
MS Soil Science 1981 UPLB
PhD Soil Science 1988 UPLB


Dr. Colting is a son of the Ibaloi tribe of Tublay, Benguet. He is the first in his tribe to graduate at UP Los Baños (UPLB) and become President of Benguet State University (BSU).


He studied at UPLB through scholarships as a son of WWII Veteran, the BSU-Ford Foundation, and PCAARRD. After a year’s stint with Benpres Holdings Corp. in Negros Occidental, he returned to his high school alma mater BSU where he spent his lifetime of public service of almost 40 years (1977-2015). He started as Instructor and retired as University Professor, the first at BSU. He became Department Chair for Soil Science, Dean of Graduate School, Director of the Institute of Highland Farming Systems and Agroforestry, and Vice President for Research and Extension. With his commendable management style, he was elected and reappointed by the Board of Regents as fourth BSU President (July 1, 2003-December 6, 2011). His Student First Policy and capacity-building initiatives for employees had excellent domino effect in achieving the four-fold functions of the university. During his first term, BSU attained SUC Level IV in 2007, the highest category of SUC Levelling by CHED and DBM that elevated BSU into the elite group of Top 20 Performing SUCs with SUC Level IV status.


As a Soil Scientist and BSU President, his desire to rehabilitate degraded farm soils and his advocacy to eliminate pesticide pollution was realized. He made a bold decision to declare BSU in 2004 as pro Organic Agriculture University despite pessimism from various sectors. A comprehensive BSU Organic Agriculture (OA) Program was developed that included the offering of Organic Agriculture as a major field in BS Agriculture, now adopted by other SUCs. The establishment of certified OA Demo Farm and production areas, and delivery of free trainings have convinced many farmers to shift to organic farming. In 2007, the Institute for Marketecology (IMO) based in Switzerland certified BSU as producer and processor of Arabica Coffee, the first in the country. To institutionalize OA, a Regional OA Congress was conducted in 2006, a Cordillera Organic Agriculture Development Center (COADC) was established in 2009. In 2015, a National OA Scientific Congress started with him becoming founding president of the Organic Agriculture Society of the Philippines (OASP). Some sectors say that Roger is the Father of OA in Benguet.


With the BSU-OA Program being adopted in various LGUs in the country, the concept became a working paper in the framing of the Organic Agriculture Act (RA10086) in 2010. And, when the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) was created, Dr. Colting was chosen as the first representative of the academic sector. After his retirement, he worked with the Diocese of Baguio and helped organized and became Technical Consultant of Our Farmers’ Haven (OFH) Federation, Inc., a group of organic farmers in Benguet forging partnerships with various markets such as Healthy Options in Metro Manila.


Dr. Colting is also considered as the bastion in the establishment of the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC), the biggest in the country. In 2010, he convinced the university Board of Regents to allot four hectares of land for the project to support the agriculture industry in Benguet and nearby provinces. He also convinced Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to fund a Vegetable Processing Center to process excess market supply into enriched vegetable noodles and other products. In addition, an Agri-technology-based Industry funded by the Japanese government was established and enabled young farmers to learn how to start a business and be competitive.


Dr. Colting is a recipient of various awards, foremost is the Highest Commendation for Outstanding Performance as University President by the Board of Regents (Res. No. 2012, s. 2011). He was UPLB-CA Outstanding Alumni, was a Benguet Province Leadership Awardee, and had Achievement Awards in Soil Science and in Research Management. He is Grand Knight (4th degree) of the Knights of Columbus, a member of UP Kappa Phi Sigma Honor Society, and a PAARRFI Chair Holder in Soil Science Research. Soka University in Japan bestowed him the Highest Honor Award for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of higher education and advancement of culture. He was officer of various organizations such as UPLB Baguio-Benguet Alumni Association, Cordillera History Society (founder), Philippine Society of Soil Science and Technology, Philippine Fruit Association and Crop Science Society of the Philippines.


On October 18, 2021, BSU hosted a virtual wake to Dr. Colting, to pay tribute to a soft spoken, calm and deeply passionate man who served communities with humility.


Dr. Colting is survived by his wife Lita P. Molitas (UPLB alumna: BS Agriculture 1975, MS Entomology, 1987, and PhD Entomology 1998) with three children, Job Rogelio, and two UPLB alumna: Gretchen Shagami Colting-Hudson (BS DevCom 2001 and DComm 2016, UPOU), and Clarice Shalumai Colting-Pulumbarit (BS Bio 2001 and MS EnviSci, 2015); and six grandchildren: Aivien Shudimai, Lila Shalumi, Gael Luntian, Ramone Rogelio, Sebastian Rogelio, and Keagan Malik.


References:


https://www.facebook.com/338566995032/posts/10159150632280033/?d=n


https://www.facebook.com/100005514910235/posts/1655403201320161/?d=n


https://www.facebook.com/100002888978321/posts/3986192868153640/?d=n


https://www.facebook.com/821039687996202/posts/3944775612289245/?d=n


https://www.facebook.com/100068959038119/posts/177988634509770/?d=n


https://www.facebook.com/338566995032/posts/10159151815870033/?d=n

Instructor Albert Francis Reginald “Treb” T. Ramos

November 2, 2021


The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is deeply saddened over the passing of Instructor Albert Francis Reginald “Treb” T. Ramos (from the Department of Human Kinetics).


We pray for the eternal repose of his soul and offer our sympathies and prayers for the bereaved family.


Rest in Peace, Albert.


Source: UP Mindanao CHSS