A total of 117 retirees were honored at the Parangal at Pagkilala para sa mga Kawani at Retirado ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas 2021 held last June 23, 4 p.m. The ceremony was once more virtual and livestreamed on the UP Diliman (UPD) official Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Retirado and Gawad Paglilingkod. Each retiree received a trophy, a certificate, and a medallion in the form of the UP seal.

The program had different segments. The segment on the retirees was prefaced by a short interview of representative recipients under each category: Emmanuel M. Luna, PhD, a professor of community development at the UPD College of Social Work and Community Development (faculty); Ma. Wilma S. Azarcon, a college librarian at the UPD University Library (REPS); and Dr. Jesusa T. Catabui, a medical specialist and former director of the UP Health Service (administrative staff).

Fifty-five retirees were each given a special award for their long years of service. Thirty-six received the Special Retirees Award. The award is given to retirees who rendered at least 40 years of continuous service to the University and carries a one-time PHP60,000 cash gift.

The other 19 awardees received the Special Recognition Award. These are granted to retirees who have rendered at least 40 years of cumulative service but have incurred more than five days of leave of absence without pay (LAWP). It carries a one-time PHP10,000 cash gift.

A segment was devoted to the 15 recipients of Service Award or Gawad Paglilingkod. They are active employees who have already rendered at least 40 years of continuous service with no LAWP. It was prefaced by a video interview of one of the awardees, Josefino Toledo, PhD, a professor of music composition at the UPD College of Music. The Gawad Paglilingkod carries a one-time PHP40,000 cash gift.

A special segment was devoted to eight retirees who were also former university officials that included former vice presidents, college deans, and directors. This was prefaced by an interview with Lourdes Nepomuceno, PhD, a professor of educational leadership and management at the UPD Extension Programs in Pampanga and Olongapo and head of the Confucius Institute-UPD.

PRAISE. The second batch of awardees under the Program on Recognition of Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Honor and Awards Program was given to three teams and 11 individuals in recognition of their contributions to the attainment of academic and operational excellence.

Also known as the Natatanging Galing, Utak, Puso at Dangal ng UPD Awards, they are aligned with the Civil Service Commission’s Hero and Public Servant Honor and Awards Program.

The first ever Utak award (Pagkilala sa Natatanging Inobasyon at Tuklas Tipid) was given to Jose Paolo Bernardo, a senior information and communications technology associate at the UPD Computer Center.

The award recognizes an individual’s “significant contribution to the unit by introducing a new system/process/procedure in the workplace that results in the efficient delivery of service.” It carries a one-time cash prize of PHP25,000.

The Galing award (Pagkilala sa Pinakamahusay na Yunit/Pangkat) was given to three units: the UPD Natural Sciences Research Institute DNA Analysis Laboratory, the UPD National Engineering Center (NEC) Post-ECQ Team, and the Training and Development Section of the Human Resource Development and Benefits Division, UPD Human Resource Development Office.

The award recognizes a team in a section/division of a unit “for their outstanding contribution resulting in a significant impact on the efficient delivery of services, evidenced in increased client’s satisfaction of the services provided by their unit.” It carries a one-time cash prize of PHP 30,000.

The Puso award (Inspirasyon at Husay Kagalingan Award) was given to Jonathan Beldia, an administrative assistant at the UPD College of Mass Communication; Willie Dineros, an administrative assistant at the UPD National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (NISMED); Maria Amparo D. Jadloc, a media production specialist at the UPD Information Office (UPDIO); Marissa Rullan, a university research associate at the UPD College of Fine Arts; and posthumously, to Glennis Uyanguren, a university extension specialist at the UPD Institute for Small-Scale Industries.

The award recognizes “inspiring real stories about any member of the administrative staff or REPS in the University, regardless of employment status, that made a positive impact to other employees and contributed to the culture of positivity at work in the unit.” It carries a one-time PHP10,000 cash prize.

The Dangal ng UPD award (Pagkilala para sa Pinakamahusay na Kawani) was given to Jacelle Isha B. Bonus, a media production specialist at the UPDIO; Archie Clataro, an administrative assistant at the UPD College of Arts and Letters; Rodel del Valle, an administrative aide at the UPD College of Science; Pepito Dizon, a university extension specialist at the NEC; and Nelson Mariano, an administrative aide at the NISMED.

The award recognizes individuals who have performed “an extraordinary act of public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior based on his/her observance of the eight norms of behavior provided under Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the ‘Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.’” It carries a one-time PHP50,000 cash prize.

The awardees for the Gawad Tsanselor para sa Natatanging Kawani—the highest honor given by UPD to administrative staff—are chosen from the qualified nominees in this category. The Parangal at Pagkilala sa mga Kawani at Retirado ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas 2021 is part of the Linggo ng Parangal 2022 with the theme “kaMULATan.” The Linggo ng Parangal is an annual week-long celebration of the achievements of the UPD faculty, REPS, students, staff, and community.