In Memoriam

Former professor and Clark Museum Curator Ms. Ceferina “Cefy” Yepez.

July 24, 2021

The UPDEPPO community mourns the loss of beloved former professor and Clark Museum Curator Ms. Ceferina “Cefy” Yepez.

Dr. F. Charito Imperial-Sebastian, former UPDEPPO Director, writes:
“I am sure no one could beat Ms. Yepez in the knowledge of the history of Clark. She served Clark earlier than most of us‐-mingled with the Americans in the early years of the military base, taught them in UP when the unit in Clark was officially named UP Clark Air Base and then served CDC Museum as curator from the time it was established up to the time she passed on.
She knew all the Ayta tribes in and around the area, helped UPDEPP organize its Ayta Studies Center and depicted the Aytas’ life and culture in a dedicated corner of CDC Museum. She helped me develop the Music, Literature and Physical Education part of the integrated Ayta alternative learning curriculum from her wealth of knowledge of the Central Luzon Aytas.

Ms. Yepez helped all the administrators of UP in Clark–from UP Clark to UPDEPPO days– as they managed the unit here, especially in organizing the alumni, preparing for recognition rites, and linking with CDC in regard to UP’s status as locator in the special economic zone. The most touching of all her efforts was when she patiently waited, along with many constituents, for the governor in the provincial capitol to follow up on UPDEPP’s request for a shuttle bus (used to carry faculty from Diliman to Clark and back). According to those who witnessed the scene, the governor was so surprised that in her frail and late senior stage, Ms. Yepez waited in line to beg her to expedite the granting of the vehicle as the old van of UPDEPP was already endangering the lives of the faculty in their daily travel to and from Diliman.

As CDC was surely aware that no one could surpass Ms. Yepez’s deep knowledge of the history of Clark and the multi-cultural facets of its spaces in the last century, the government corporation let her serve as CDC Museum curator beyond retirement age and until her last breath.”

Paalam, Ma’am Cefy. Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagmamahal sa UPDEPPO. Hinding-hindi po namin kayo malilimutan.

Ms. Yepez’s remains will be brought to the St. Peter’s Chapel at Cut-Cut, Angeles City for the wake starting on July 24 (5 PM) until July 26, 2021.

Source: UP Clark FB page

Dr. Priscilla “Ma’m Lil” C. Sanchez

July 18, 2021

𝗠𝗡𝗛 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The entire management, curators and staff of the UPLB Museum of Natural History conveys its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and loved ones of Dr. Priscilla “Ma’m Lil” C. Sanchez.

Dr. Sanchez was appointed as Head Curator of the UPLB MNH Microbial Culture Collection in 1987 until her retirement in 2000. She was first appointed during the term of Director Venus J. Calilung and succeeded Prof. William L. Fernandez, known as the Father of Philippine Microbiology, in heading the collection.

At the Museum, Ma’m Lil spearheaded a project with the Asian Network of Microbial Resources from 1997-2000 and served as correspondent to the World Federation of Culture Collections. Through her collaborative project, a new genus and species of hyperthermophilic archaeon, 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴, was discovered together with Japanese scientists in 1999. She also co-discovered in 2003, a novel thermoacidophilic crenarchaeote, 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴.

She is the author of “𝘔𝘪𝘬𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘩𝘪𝘺𝘢 𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘢𝘨𝘬𝘢𝘪𝘯” published by the UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino and “Philippine Fermented Foods: Principles and Technology” which was conferred the 2010 Outstanding Book Award by The National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines

A recipient of prestigious awards from the university and numerous professional organizations, Dr. Sanchez will always be remembered for being a staunch supporter of the Museum even after her retirement from academic life.

Source: UPLB Museum of Natural History FB page

Prof. Leonilo Doloricon (1957 -2021)

July 17, 2021

The Bulwagan ng Dangal University Heritage Museum deeply mourns the loss of Prof. Leonilo ‘Neil’ Doloricon of the UP College of Fine Arts. Prof. Doloricon was an indispensable member of the museum community, donating many of his works to the Bulwagan ng Dangal and actively participating in the museum’s exhibits throughout the years, such as in Monochromed Memories: UP Landmarks Exhibition (2010), Dissident Vicinities (2017), The Constantino Murals: Hidden in Plain Sight (2017-2018) and Tao at Tahan (2018).

Standing at the forefront of the Philippine social realism movement, Prof. Doloricon was not only a prolific artist, printmaker, and educator, but was also a dedicated activist whose body of work reflects his lifelong solidarity with the masses.

The museum sends its deepest condolences to the UP CFA community and to Prof. Doloricon’s family and friends.

Source: Bulwagan ng Dangal FB page

Prof. Louise Annette “Pinkie” B. Escoto (HS’77, BSFish’82, MMPM’93)

July 16, 2021

It is with great and unfettered sadness that we inform the U.P. Visayas community of the passing of our beloved Prof. Annette Escoto, Dean of the College of Management, last night, July 15, 2021. She succumbed to cardio-pulmonary arrest.

A true pillar of the UPV Community, Dean Escoto was colleague and friend to many of us who were blessed to have worked alongside her. She has been the guiding light for many generations of UP CM students. Dean Escoto is survived by her mother, Helen, and her siblings Jose Renan, Sr. Marie Annabelle, Gemma Therese, and Jose Rey.

The University extends its sincerest condolences to the family of Dean Escoto.

Source: UP Visayas FB page

David Wee Lim (1952-2021)

By Al Vitangcol 3rd

David Wee Lim (1952-2021) succumbed to Covid-19 on July 4 after a two-month-long battle with the disease. He was 69 years old. He is survived by his wife, Judy, and only daughter, Jessica.

David was an electrical engineering graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman and one of the elders of the Epsilon Chi Fraternity. He was a founding director of the Epsilon Chi Foundation, Inc. and the Epsilon Chi Fraternity Alumni, Inc.

David played a major part in the growth of the semiconductor subcontracting industry in the Philippines. He established and managed his own manufacturing company, SPI/Semicon Philippines Inc., which exclusively produces specialized semiconductor components.

“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy,” is a quote which aptly describes David. The Epsilon Chi Fraternity is left with fond memories of David. He was a mentor to some, a benefactor to others, and a model Radian to most.

On a personal note, beneath the bravado and loud facade of David, lay his humanity. He was not only a fraternity brother but a close friend to me, whose words of encouragement cannot be unheard. He muttered “I believe in you” and “I trust you” during my troubled times. He ignited the light amid my darkening surroundings during that depressing period.

We advised each other on a myriad of issues – just like real blood brothers. I will surely miss him. “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” (Proverbs 18:24) This was David.

David W. Lim is a Radian – first, last and always. May his soul rest in peace.

Source: https://bit.ly/36wFcsP

Prof. Cynthia T. Hedreyda (1955-2020)

July 8, 2021

The Faculty and Staff of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB) of U.P. Diliman are saddened to announce the passing of Prof. Cynthia T. Hedreyda in the afternoon of 6 July 2021. She was 65.

Prof. Hedreyda completed her B.S. Biology and M.S. Genetics degrees from the University of the Philippines Los Banos, and her Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Georgia, GA, USA. She joined the NIMBB faculty in 1996 and became the Institute’s director from 2003-2012. She remained a distinguished member of the NIMBB faculty until her retirement in December, 2020. She will be fondly remembered by numerous colleagues and students, especially from the Institute, who have learned from her expertise, leadership, and friendship.

Friends and colleagues of Prof. Cynthia T. Hedreyda may view her cremated remains on July 8-9, 2021 at the Heaven’s Garden Memorial Park in Los Banos, Laguna.

Additional information: Dr. Hedreyda completed her BS Biology and MS Genetics from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and obtained her PhD in Microbiology from the University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA. She was former Director of NIMBB UPD (2003-2012) and was the Head of the Molecular Microbiology Laboratory and faculty member of the Institute from 1996 until her retirement in December 2020.

Dr. Hedreyda was a Fellow of the Philippine Academy of Microbiology and recipient of an Outstanding Microbiologist Award from the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc as well as an Achievement Award in Biological Sciences from the National Research Council of the Philippines and a 2019 Filipino Faces of Biotechnology Award from the Department of Agriculture. In addition to teaching and research mentoring in Molecular Microbiology,

Dr. Hedreyda was actively involved in nationwide projects to promote and enhance Biotechnology Education in the Philippines . She Chaired a project aimed at instituting a General Education course in Biotechnology in colleges and universities and spearheaded the annual conduct of NBECT, National Biotechnology Education Conference for Teachers and the National Biotechnology Quiz Contest for High Schools.

PHOTO:
Prof. Cynthia T. Hedreyda, December 2020, during her retirement celebration in Quezon City, Philippines

Source: https://nimbb.science.upd.edu.ph/?p=1475

UP Message of Condolence on the Passing of Former President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III

University of the Philippines (UP) President Danilo L. Concepcion and the UP community condole with the country on the loss of former Senator and the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines (2010-2016), Hon. Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III.

During his term, President Aquino was a strong supporter of the higher education sector, including the University of the Philippines. He also understood the importance of high-value scientific research and innovation in the country and supported the various research initiatives within UP and collaborations between UP and the government sector.

President Aquino was honored with a Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, during the University of the Philippines Diliman’s General Commencement Exercises on April 17, 2011. He was cited “for providing leadership in rallying the people to stamp out corruption, campaigning for institutional reforms, and creating an environment for agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to act with dispatch on malfeasance in government, promote the rule of law, and respect people’s constitutional rights.”

Source: https://up.edu.ph/up-message-of-condolence-on-the-passing-of-former-president-benigno-simeon-c-aquino-iii/?fbclid=IwAR12hOVJIrrveJsbarJYUIxSWethBowvIG5PR8HccFSTojN8igzgUONYzwc