The UP Diliman College of Engineering (COE) celebrated the exemplary performance of its faculty, REPS (research, extension, and professional staff), and administrative staff at the recent Araw ng Parangal sa Paggunita ng ika-115 na taon na Kagalingan ng Kolehiyo ng Inhenyeriya.
COE Dean Maria Antonia N. Tanchuling recalled the establishment of the COE at the Manila campus and its eventual transfer to Diliman, and shared the COE’s numerous achievements and honors received through the years. She then emphasized that the college’s accolades would not have been possible without the talent, expertise, and dedication of its faculty members, REPS, and staff.
“This afternoon we recognize the excellence that our faculty and staff have demonstrated as members of the UP engineering community. This is our humble way of showing our appreciation to your dedications to your jobs,” said Tanchuling.
Three administrative staff and two REPS were recipients of the REPS and administrative award.
Keith Ann E. Cortez, college librarian, and Ma. Cecilia T. Ramos, administrative aide at the COE Library, were awarded the Most HeartwarmEng’g Staff Member Award. The award is given to administrative staff or REPS who are most approachable, courteous, friendly, and helpful to their fellow staff and other employees.
Jerome N. Ballarta, university extension specialist at the National Center for Transportation Studies, and Ricardo Moralejo, education research assistant at the COE Printing Office, were the recipients of the Most InspirEng’g Story Award, which recognizes REPS or staff with the most inspiring real-life stories.
The Haligi ng Engineering Award was given to Gloria G. Tamayo, administrative officer V at the Office of the Dean. The award is given to personnel whose accomplishments have helped improve the COE or any of its units.
Meanwhile, eight faculty members were honored with various faculty awards.
Francesca Valerie T. Cabanding, instructor at the Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering (DMMME), received the Limcaoco Instructor Award for Teaching Excellence. The recognition is given to instructors for teaching effectiveness, teaching innovation, undergraduate advising of a senior course, and mentoring in a competition.
The Outstanding Junior Engineering Research Award given to faculty members with the ranks of instructor and assistant professor for their outstanding research productivity in the last three years, was awarded to Tiffany Louise B. Lao, instructor at the DMMME, and Julius Rhoan Lustro, PhD, assistant professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DME).
Karl Ezra S. Pilario, PhD, associate professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, and Mary Donnabelle L. Balela, professor at the DMMME received the Outstanding Engineering Researcher Award. The award recognizes associate professors and full professors for their outstanding research productivity over the past five years.
John Carlo S. Garcia, assistant professor at the DME, won the Outstanding Junior Engineering Professor Award. The award is given to assistant professors who have shown consistent and outstanding performance of day-to-day college assignments, and for honors brought to the COE during their tenure.
Eden May B. Dela Peña, associate professor at the DMMME, received this year’s Outstanding Engineering Professor Award. The recognition is given to associate professors or higher who have shown consistent and outstanding performance of day-to-day college assignments, as well as for honors brought to the college during their tenure.
This year’s recipient of the UP Alumni Engineers Lifetime Achievement Award is Ricardo DG. Sigua, PhD, of the Institute of Civil Engineering. The award recognizes a retired COE faculty member who dedicated many years of full-time quality service to the college and contributed meritorious achievements throughout their entire career.
Additional recognitions were given to COE personnel who received university-wide honors: Sharon Maria S. Esposo-Betan, COE head librarian, recipient of the 2025 Gawad Tsanselor Hall of Fame Award para sa Natatanging REPS; Aloha D. Nacu, student records evaluator at the Office of the College Secretary, 2025 Dangal ng UPD Award; and the COE Women’s Volleyball Team, who bagged the second runner up in the 2025 UPD Sportsfest.
Loyalty awards were also given to REPS and administrative staff who have served for five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of dedicated service to the COE. Retirees for the last three years were also feted at the event.