Trustee Engr. Emmanuel D. Abellanosa to speak at 12th Summer Commencement Exercises
Engr. Emmanuel D. Abellanosa, a member of the Silliman University (SU) Board of Trustees, will serve as commencement speaker during the University’s 12th Summer Commencement Exercises on May 31, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium.
A distinguished engineer, accomplished industry leader, and dedicated servant-leader, Engr. Abellanosa is among SU’s outstanding alumni whose professional excellence has been matched by a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and faith.
Born in Cagayan de Oro City, Engr. Abellanosa earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from SU in 1974, where he distinguished himself not only academically as an Entrance Scholar and Class Honors scholar, but also as a campus leader deeply involved in student, church, and community life. In 1972, he received the prestigious SU Outstanding Student Service Award in recognition of his exemplary leadership and service to the University community.
During his years in Silliman, he served in various organizations, including the Silliman Church Covenant Choir, Christian Youth Fellowship, Inter-Dorm Religious Council, and the famed Silliman Singers, which promoted the University throughout the Visayas and Mindanao. He also played active leadership roles in the Aces and Lilies Fraternity and numerous civic-oriented initiatives, including voter education and volunteer service projects in Dumaguete City.
Professionally, Engr. Abellanosa built an illustrious career spanning nearly five decades in the Philippine power industry. He served in key leadership positions at the National Power Corporation, National Transmission Corporation, and later the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, where he became Head of Mindanao Operations and Maintenance. Under his leadership, transmission and maintenance teams in Mindanao received numerous national recognitions for operational excellence, reliability, and system performance. He also represented the Philippines in international energy conferences, technical missions, and negotiations in countries including Germany, the United States, Austria, Canada, Brunei, and China.
Beyond engineering, Engr. Abellanosa became known for his humanitarian and disaster-response leadership. He played significant roles in rescue, restoration, and relief efforts during major national crises, including the Cebu Pacific Flight 387 tragedy, Typhoons Sendong, Pablo, Yolanda, and Glenda. His work earned commendations from government agencies, corporations, and civic organizations for his exceptional public service and crisis leadership.
A committed church worker and civic leader, he has likewise devoted much of his life to community service through the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Rotary, and various environmental and medical outreach initiatives. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to the engineering profession and public service, he received the Outstanding Sillimanian Award in 2015 in the field of Power and Resources Engineering and Management.
Today, Engr. Abellanosa continues to serve as a member of the SU Board of Trustees and as Director and Board Secretary of the Silliman University Medical Center, where he actively advocates for renewable and sustainable energy initiatives in support of institutional resilience and environmental stewardship.
