Silliman University Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee Engr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Merto Engle was among the recipients of the 2026 Dakila Awards, held on October 17, 2026, at the Anchorage Museum in Alaska, USA.
Organized by Multiple Resources Services (MRS), LLC in celebration of Filipino American History Month, the Dakila Awards recognize Filipino Alaskans and local organizations for their outstanding leadership, community service, and commitment to volunteerism.
Engle, former president of the Filipino-American Society of Fairbanks, was honored for her leadership, advocacy, and longstanding contributions to the Filipino-American community in Alaska. The recognition celebrates her years of volunteer work and dedication to strengthening community ties.
Reflecting on her journey, Engle shared how volunteerism had enriched her life through the people she met and the communities she served.
“When I look back at the years I have spent volunteering, I realize that service brought me to different places and introduced me to so many wonderful and interesting people,” she said.
She emphasized that the award was not hers alone but a recognition of the collective efforts of those who had supported her throughout her years of community service.
“I accepted the Dakila Award with gratitude and humility—not as a recognition of what I have done alone, but as a tribute to all those who walked beside me in my volunteerism journey,” Engle said.
For Engle, the true measure of service lies not in accolades or extraordinary accomplishments but in the willingness to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
“For me, service is not about titles or recognition; it’s not about doing extraordinary tasks. It’s about being present and doing something to make things a little bit better than when we found them,” she said.
She summed up the legacy she hopes to leave in a simple declaration: “I was willing to serve!”
Engle also expressed gratitude to her family, friends, and members of the Filipino-American community in Fairbanks who joined her at the ceremony. She thanked the organizers and acknowledged messages of support from Alaska Senator Scott Kawasaki and Representative Maxine Dibert.
The awards ceremony brought together community leaders, families, and cultural organizations to celebrate the contributions of Filipino Americans across Alaska. Among the other honorees was Elsa Malapit Sargento.
Engle graduated from Silliman University High School in 1958 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University in 1963. In 2016, she received the Outstanding Sillimanian Award in the field of Engineering: Project Management.