Silliman University (SU) will confer the Outstanding Sillimanian Awards (OSA) on four of its alumni who have embodied the University’s motto, Via, Veritas, Vita, in a formal ceremony on August 28, 2024, 10:00 a.m., at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium.

Dr. Glenda S. Arquiza will be honored for excellence in professional regulation licensing, Lt. Gen. Fernyl G. Buca for excellence in military service and leadership, Dr. Gloria A. De Guzman for excellence in obstetrics and gynecology, and Ms. Estrella C. Mercurio for excellence in nursing practice and community leadership.

 

DR. GLENDA S. ARQUIZA

 

Dr. Glenda S. Arquiza has built a distinguished career in nursing education. She began her journey at Silliman University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1972. Subsequently, she took her Master of Arts in Nursing (Major in Maternal-Child Nursing) at the Philippine Women’s University. Poised for a career in academia, she earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Major in Educational Administration) from the University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Education. 

Throughout her career, Dr. Arquiza had consistently endeavored to elevate the quality of nursing education in the country. As an academic leader, she advocated for evidence-based nursing practice in the curriculum and promoted the use of technology in the classroom. Through her project planning expertise, she helped establish two nursing schools: J.P. Sioson Colleges and Guadalupe College of Nursing. She has shared her academic expertise in prestigious universities including Far Eastern University, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Inc., Philippine College of Health Sciences, and University of Sto. Tomas.

When she became a member and eventually the chair of the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing, she demonstrated exceptional professionalism and upheld the integrity of the Nurses Licensure Examination by meticulously overseeing the entire process, from question preparation to result release. 

In her capacity, she supported nursing organizations and interest groups by developing operational guidelines and empowering nurses across various specialties. She was instrumental in developing the Philippine Nursing Practice Standards and aligning the Career Progression and Specialization Program with the Philippine Qualification Framework. She also served as chairperson of the Continuing Professional Development Council for Nursing, helping craft ways to help nurses with their professional practice.

LT. GEN. FERNYL G. BUCA, PAF

A graduate of Silliman University High School in 1985, Lt. Gen. Fernyl G. Buca has made a name in the Philippine Air Force as an honorable leader with extensive academic training and impressive military experience. Shortly after high school graduation, he entered the Philippine Military Academy and graduated with the PMA Bigkis Lahi Class of 1990.  Thereafter, he joined the Philippine Air Force Flying School, marking the beginning of his military aviation career. He holds two master’s degrees: a Master of Arts in Public Management (Major in Development and Security) from the Development Academy of the Philippines and a Master of Defense Studies from the University of South Wales in Canberra, Australia.

In his years of service, he has held several important posts that have benefitted from his knowledge and brand of leadership. When he was assigned to the Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations, he revolutionized the budget and planning processes, institutionalizing them and establishing cost factors.  As Deputy Commander in the Air Logistics Command, he played a key role in the completion of the Air Force Inventory management system and its digitization. When he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, he successfully rolled out the Systematic and Managerial Approach towards Responsive and Transparent (SMART) Logistics for the AFP, effectively and efficiently procuring military hardware and assets for AFP’s modernization program. When the Covid-19 pandemic happened, he became the Task Force Group Commander of the Task Group Resource Management and Logistics, an operating arm of the Inter-Agency Task Force, responsible for distributing the Covid-19 vaccines all over the country. These are just a few of his many contributions to the military organization.

Those who have been privileged to be under his command describe him as a leader’s leader. He promotes a culture that empowers subordinates to become leaders themselves, advocating for a kind of leadership that is not authoritarian or hierarchical, but one that fosters mutual respect and a sense of responsibility and accountability. They also note Lt. Gen. Buca’s commitment to nurturing the spiritual well-being of his subordinates by encouraging discussions about faith and creating a space for individuals to find solace and strength in their beliefs, irrespective of their religious backgrounds.

A three-star military officer, Lt. Gen. Buca is currently the commander of the Northern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, stationed at Camp Aquino in Tarlac City and has been given the gargantuan task of protecting the country’s sovereignty in the face of complex regional challenges.

DR. GLORIA A. DE GUZMAN

Since childhood, Dr. Gloria A. De Guzman has cultivated the desire to be a doctor. Thus, she took up a Bachelor of Science, Major in General Science as a pre-medicine course at Silliman University, successfully finishing it in 1975. She then continued her medical education at the Cebu Institute of Medicine.

Her stint as a Post Graduate Intern at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital proved to be self-illuminating, as it was there when she first experienced delivering babies that decided the course of her career. The joy she felt facilitating the miracle of life was unparalleled that when she passed the Physician’s Board Examination, she started her OBGYN Residency Training at the Rizal Medical Center. In her fourth year of training, she became the chief resident of the government hospital and found herself drawn to indigent patients, leading to a lifetime goal of championing the needy by educating and supporting them.

Eventually, she completed and ranked second place in the OBGYN Medical Specialist Qualifying Examination given by the Department of Health in 1989, and a year later passed the Diplomate Qualifying Examination given by the Board of Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her exceptional proficiency in the art and science of Obstetrics and Gynecology has led to her many professional highlights: fellowship at the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society, Inc. and OBGYN consultancy in established hospitals including St. Luke’s Medical Center, The Polymedic General Hospital of Mandaluyong, World Citi Medical Center, Metro Antipolo Hospital and Medical Center, and Marikina Valley Medical Center. Because of her expertise and reputation, she has represented the country in many international professional engagements including the XXI FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Vancouver, Canada; the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist World Congress in Birmingham, UK; among others.

Despite her professional success, Dr. de Guzman has remained committed to serving the underserved. She regularly spearheads community outreach activities that extend beyond health care.

MS. ESTRELLA C. MERCURIO

Being a nurse for more than 50 years, Ms. Estrella C. Mercurio has a wealth of knowledge and experience in health care, most of which was gained through her professional career in Canada. She has served the nursing care profession in different capacities: as educator in various schools of nursing, as a nursing home supervisor, and as a care and services manager. Since 2017, she has been a wound, ostomy, and continence consultant for several health and home care facilities in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Ms. Mercurio’s nursing career began after obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Silliman University in 1971.  For some time, she was part of the academe, holding deanship positions at the Our Lady of Mercy School of Nursing in Bacolod and at Santa Mission Schools, Inc. in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. These administrative positions led her to obtain her Master of Arts in Educational Management from Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro. However, when she moved to Canada, she went back to hands-on nursing practice, furthering her knowledge and skills with a Certificate in Enterostomal Therapy and a Certificate in Gerontology – Multidiscipline.

Her passion to help others is evident in her professional output. She has been involved in many research projects on health care and has shared her experiences and insights in publications. She is generous with her knowledge and is always willing to share what she knows about best practice guidelines in wound and ostomy care.

She has also diligently served the profession and its professional organizations. She contributed significantly to the development of the Greater Toronto Area Enterostomal Therapy Group’s Referral and Assessment Form for Ostomy Clients, which eased health provider agencies’ determination of patients’ required services. She collaborated with the College of Nurses of Ontario to ensure that the Standards of Care for patients are maintained. She was an original member of the organizing committee for the Community Ethics Network. Moreover, she represented Home Health Care in a Town Hall Meeting and sought the politicians’ support for the establishment of standards across Canada that ensure equitable access to services for the elderly in order for them to continue staying in their homes and to increase the support to Canadians who take care of aging relatives.

 

ABOUT THE OSA

The OSA was conceptualized in 1962 during the presidency of Dr. Cicero D. Calderon. Its establishment had only one purpose: to recognize Silliman alumni who, guided by the ideals of The Way, The Truth, and The Life, have made outstanding contributions in their fields of expertise.