Silliman Receives Nat’l Environmental Heroism Award
Silliman University is the lone academic institution to receive this year's Fr. Neri Satur Awards for Environmental Heroism on April 22 at the Malacañang Palace.
The University joined eight other recipients selected for their significant contributions to the environment by the Climate Change Commission (CCC), chaired by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"The award is being bestowed upon the University in recognition of being a center of excellence for academic initiatives in coastal and marine conservation, as a pioneer in community-based coastal resource management, and for being a research facility at the forefront of the environmental movement," CCC Vice Chair Secretary Heherson Alvarez wrote in his congratulatory letter to Silliman President Dr. Ben Malayang III.
Dr. Hilconida Calumpong, Director of the Silliman University Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences received the award on behalf of Dr. Malayang, in a ceremony that served as one of the highlights of the country's Earth Day celebration.
Named in honor of the late priest-environmentalist Fr. Neri Satur, the award is given to individual, groups or entities from different sectors all over the country who have contributed to the protection of the environment. Fr. Satur was a deputized forest ranger who lost his life in the hands of illegal loggers in the forests of Bukidnon in 1991.
This is not the first time for Silliman University to be cited for its environmental initiatives. It has received various distinctions, among them, as Center of Excellence in Coastal Resource Management, with support from the United States Agency for International Development, and as an Academic Center of Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation by the Haribon Foundation.
In the province of Negros Oriental, Silliman was instrumental in the establishment of the Negros Oriental Advisory Council on Climate Change, which later organized the first Negros Island-wide climate change summit that pooled local chief executives from Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.
The other recipients of the Fr. Neri Satur Awards for Environmental Heroism: Climate Change Congress of the Philippines, GMA 7's Born to be Wild, Miss Earth Philippines of Carousel Productions, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Architect Felino Palafox, Jr., Muelmar Magallanes (posthumous), Lutgardo Labad and Illa Daiz.
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Acacia Seedlings Planted to Honor Outgoing Heads
Ten outgoing academic deans and directors were honored with acacia seedlings as a symbolic recognition of their continuing value to the University.
The ceremony held April 15 started with a morning service done al fresco under one of the acacia trees fronting the University House. It was attended by officials of the University, headed by Silliman President Dr. Ben Malayang III (click here to access the "President’s Reflections" on this event.)
After the service, the audience moved from one planting site to another located on the east and west quadrangles which are enveloped by the view of the sea on one end and the Cuernos de Negros mountain on the other. The outgoing academic heads were each presented with a Certificate of Stewardship at their designated planting sites before they were given the seedlings.
“This Certificate entrusts unto (him/her) a seedling that symbolizes (his/her) continuing value to the Silliman community, highlighting (his/her) dedication to enriching the academic life beyond (his/her) administrative functions,” it read.
As the tree will bear the name of the outgoing academic head, the certificate also encouraged the recipient to oversee the growth of the seedling.
“As a steward, (he/she) is enjoyed to nurture the seedling into one of the age-old acacia trees that define the Silliman landscape. This, too, as the seedling, from this day on, will officially stand and grow with the rest of the University as a testament to (his/her) legacy,”
The following are the outgoing academic heads who will reach the maximum term of six consecutive years in the post by the end of May 2010:
- Prof. Santiago B. Utzurrum, Jr., College of Agriculture
- Prof. Carlos M. Magtolis, Jr., College of Arts and Sciences
- Atty. Tabitha E. Tinagan, College of Business Administration
- Dr. Pablito A. de la Rama, College of Education
- Atty. Myles Nicholas G. Bejar, College of Law
- Dr. Rosario M. Baseleres, College of Mass Communication
- Dr. Ma. Teresita S. Sinda, College of Nursing
- Prof. Joseph B. Basa, College of Performing Arts
- Dr. Edna Gladys T. Calingacion, Office of Students Affairs
- Dr. Earl Jude Paul L. Cleope, Office of Instruction
Meanwhile, Silliman University has issued appointments to new academic heads for three school years, starting school year 2010-2011. The University underwent a rigid selection process that involved nominations, consultations on the academic unit level, screening by a committee composed of different sectors in the University, including the alumni, headed by Vice President for Academic Affairs, and an endorsement to and a confirmation by the Board of Trustees.
The following are the new academic heads effective June 1, 2010:
- Dr. Jose Edwin C. Cubelo – Dean, College of Agriculture
- Dr. Margaret Helen U. Alvarez – Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
- Prof. Jane Annette L. Belarmino – Dean, College of Business Administration
- Prof. Dave E. Marcial – Dean, College of Computer Studies
- Dr. Muriel O. Montenegro – Dean, Divinity School
- Dr. Earl Jude Paul L. Cleope – Dean, College of Education
- Dr. Tessie A. Cabije – Dean, College of Engineering and Design
- Atty. M. Mikhail Lee L. Maxino – Dean, College of Law
- Dr. Ma. Cecilia M. Genove – Dean, College of Mass Communication
- Dr. Jonathan C. Amante – Dean, Medical School
- Prof. Florenda F. Cabatit – Dean, College of Nursing
- Dr. Elizabeth Susan V. Suarez – Dean, College of Performing Arts
- Prof. Carlos M. Magtolis, Jr. – Dean, Office of Student Affairs
- Dr. Ma. Teresita Sy-Sinda – Dean, Graduate Program
- Dr. Reynaldo Y. Rivera – Dean, School of Public Affairs and Governance
- Dr. Edna Gladys T. Calingacion – Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
- Prof. Teodora A. Cubelo – Director, Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Dr. Lynn L. Olegario – Director, Institute of Rehabilitative Sciences
- Prof. Francisco E. Ablong, Jr. – Director, School of Basic Education
- Dr. Nichol R. Elman – Director, Extension Program
- Dr. Enrique G. Oracion – Director, Research and Development Office
- Dr. Pablito A. Dela Rama – Director, Instruction Office
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2 Companies Donate P3M for Energy Eng’g Professorial Chair
Two energy companies donated P3 million to Silliman University for a professorial chair directed at energy research and development.
First Gen Corporation (FGC) and the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) signed recently with Silliman a Deed of Donation to establish the “Oscar M. Lopez Distinguished Professorial Chair in Energy Engineering” at the College of Engineering and Design.
Recipients will be selected based on their research outputs and proposals on any engineering or energy issues. They will be made to deliver presentations or talks to share their findings at any relevant fora that the donors may invite them to.
The P3 million donation from First Gen, represented by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Federico Lopez, and EDC, through its CEO Mr. Paul Aquino, is consistent with the two companies’ strong programs on corporate social responsibility that include, among others, helping improve the educational system, empowering education service providers, and promoting the welfare and development of Filipino educators.
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CHED Names Silliman Reg’l Winner in 2 Science Categories
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has named the research papers of two distinguished Silliman professors as the regional winners of the 2009 REPUBLICA Awards.
Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management Director Dr. Angel Alcala won in the natural sciences category and Director of Instruction Dr. Earl Jude Paul Cleope in the social sciences category.
Dr. Alcala received the award for his paper, No-Take Marine Reserves and Reef Fisheries Management in the Philippines: A New People Power Revolution, which was published in AMBIO (Royal Swedish Academic of Sciences, 2006) Vol. 35, No. 5. For his part, Dr. Cleope topped other entries with his paper, The Visayas: Islands in the Seas, a Historical Perspective, (Series 1-3), published in the Journal of History Vol. 19.
Each of the regional winners received a P50,000 cash prize. They are now finalists to the national search.
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