For the first time in two years since the pandemic, the commencement exercise was held face-to-face. This batch also includes the first graduates of the K-12 program.
LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA–Along with thousands of Iskolar ng Bayan that are ready to dedicate themselves onto the Filipino people and the nation, 21 resident members, together with five alumni, shift their sablays as they cap off their respective academic journeys on the 50th Commencement Exercises of UPLB last August 6-7 at the Copeland Gymnasium.
Among the undergraduates, 16 are from the College of Arts and Sciences under the BS Biology program, four are from the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences: two under the BS Agriculture program and another two from the BS Agricultural Biotechnology program, and one is from the College of Human Ecology under the BS Nutrition program. With that pool of graduates, two are graduating magna cum laude, and nine are graduating cum laude. From the alumni, three are graduating from their master’s degrees, while one is graduating from her doctoral degree.
The fresh graduates
Among the 16 graduates from BS Biology, six majored in Cell and Molecular Biology, which include Daniel C. Varias (Isochore), Sophia Marie A. Malagday (Allosyndesis), John Kenneth S. Tria (Allosyndesis), Jessica Mae M. Cortezano (Polyplex), Hannah Louise L. Cueto (Polyplex), and John Lawrence V. Dionisio (Retron).
Malagday has been a resident member of GeneSoc since 2019. She is a nominee of the Phi Sigma BIological Sciences Honor Society. She will be attending Metropolitan Medical Center’s Doctor of Medicine program with a Go Tong scholarship.
Cortezano served as GeneSoc’s Public Relations Officer and PR Committee Head in its 37th term (A.Y. 2020-2021), and as the President and Executive Committee Head in its 38th term (A.Y. 2021-2022). She is a DOST-SEI scholar, and a nominee of the Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society. She will be attending Our Lady of Fatima University-College of Medicine.
Five others majored in Genetics, which includes John Nicolas P. Olitin (Isochore), Jan Emmanuel G. Samson (Isochore), John Dane S. Valdez (Allosyndesis), Abegail A. Luna (Helraiser), and Beatrice Daniella R. Negosa (Ikirara).
Olitin served as GeneSoc’s GENEWS Editor-in-Chief in its 36th year (A.Y. 2019-2020), while Negosa served as the organization’s Treasurer and Finance Committee Head in its 38th year (A.Y. 2021-2022). Negosa is also a Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society nominee.
Two graduates majored in Microbiology, which are Drew Kyla L. Baysa (Polyplex) and Dun Matthew L. Nofuente (Ikirara).
Baysa has been a resident member of GeneSoc since 2019. She is a nominee of the Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society. Nofuente has been with the org since 2020. Nofuente is a scholar of DOST-SEI.
The remaining graduates majored in different specializations; Ecology: Jonalyn Jame D. Catedrilla (Polyplex), Systematics: Camille Faith D. Duran (Polyplex), and Wildlife Biology: Princess Yra L. De Silos (Ikirara).
Duran served as GeneSoc’s Publicity Committee Head in its 37th term (A.Y. 2020-2021).
The graduates of BS Agriculture, Jessica DL. Agustin (Securin) and Aljon Carl P. Garcia, both majored in Animal Science.
Agustin served as GeneSoc’s Vice President and Membership Committee Head in its 36th term (A.Y. 2019-2020), while Garcia served as the organization’s VYLH Committee Head in its 37th term (A.Y. 2020-2021). Garcia will be attending the San Beda University-College of Medicine.
Meanwhile, the two graduates of BS Agricultural Biotechnology majored in different fields, Angelo C. Hernandez (Polyplex) in Crop Protection Biotechnology, and Mylvie Alexis M. Vatican (Retron) in Animal Biotechnology.
Hernandez is a nominee of the 2022 UPLB Natatanging Iskolar ng Bayan, and a recipient of the Agricultural and Rural Development Scholarship Medal and the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Service Pin. He was also a presenter at the 2022 Pest Management Council of the Philippines Research Poster Presentation.
Last but not the least, Aimee B. Montes (Isochore) graduates with a degree of BS Nutrition.
The Laudes: Top Performing Genes
Jan Emmanuel G. Samson, cum laude
Samson served as GeneSoc’s Treasurer and Finance Committee Head in its 36th year (A.Y. 2019-2020). He is a recipient of the CAS Medal of Merit for Academic Excellence and the University President’s Medal. He is also a nominee of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
Aimee B. Montes, cum laude
Montes served as GeneSoc’s NIGQC Steering Committee Head in its 36 and 37th term (A.Y. 2019-2021). She is a recipient of the CHE Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence and the University President’s Medal. She is a DOST-SEI scholar, and a recipient of the DOST-SEI Medal of Academic Excellence. She is also a nominee of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
John Kenneth S. Tria, magna cum laude
Tria served as GeneSoc’s Technicals Committee Head in its 36th term (A.Y. 2019-2020) and as the President and Executive Committee Head in its 37th term (A.Y. 2020-2021). He is a recipient of the CAS Medal of Merit for Academic Excellence and the University President’s Medal. He is a DOST-SEI scholar, and a recipient of the DOST-SEI Medal of Academic Excellence. He is also a nominee of both The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society. Tria is an incoming medical student at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila-College of Medicine.
John Dane S. Valdez, cum laude
Valdez served as GeneSoc’s Educations Committee Head in its 36th term (A.Y. 2019-2020) and as the Vice President and Membership Committee Head in its 37th term (A.Y. 2020-2021). He is a recipient of the CAS Medal of Merit for Academic Excellence and the University President’s Medal. He is also a nominee of the Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society.
Abegail A. Luna, cum laude
Luna served as GeneSoc’s NIGQC Steering Committee Head in its 38th term (A.Y. 2021-2022). She is a recipient of the CAS Medal of Merit for Academic Excellence and the University President’s Medal. She is an incoming medical student at the St. Luke's Medical Center College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial.
Jonalyn Jane D. Catedrilla, cum laude
Catedrilla served as GeneSoc’s Vice President and Membership Committee Head in its 38th term (A.Y. 2021-2022). She is a recipient of the CAS Medal of Merit for Academic Excellence and the University President’s Medal. She is a DOST-SEI scholar, and a recipient of the DOST-SEI Medal of Academic Excellence. She is also a nominee of both The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society.
Hannah Louise L. Cueto, cum laude
Cueto served as GeneSoc’s Outreach Committee Head in its 37th term (A.Y. 2020-2021). She is a recipient of the CAS Medal of Merit for Academic Excellence and the University President’s Medal. She is also a nominee of both The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society. She is an incoming medical student at the St. Luke's Medical Center College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial.
John Lawrence V. Dionisio, cum laude
Dionisio served as GeneSoc’s Technicals Committee Head in its 37th term (A.Y. 2020-2021). He is a recipient of the CAS Medal of Merit for Academic Excellence and the University President’s Medal.
Mylvie Alexis M. Batican, cum laude
Batican has been a resident member of GeneSoc since 2019. She is a recipient of the CAFS Dean’s Medal of Academic Excellence and the University President’s Medal. She is a DOST-SEI scholar, and a recipient of the DOST-SEI Medal of Academic Excellence.
Princess Yra L. De Silos, cum laude
De Silos served as the GeneSoc’s Genetics Camp Steering Committee Head in its 38th term (A.Y. 2021-2022). She is a recipient of the CAS Medal of Merit for Academic Excellence and the University President’s Medal. She is a DOST-SEI scholar, and a recipient of the DOST-SEI Medal of Academic Excellence. She is also a nominee of both The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society. De Silos finished her degree in BS Biology in 3.5 years. She is an incoming medical student at the St. Luke's Medical Center College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial.
Alumni achievers
Four alumni are graduating with an MSc, while one is graduating with a PhD.
Jamaica Ann A. Aras of Batch Recon is graduating with a degree of Masters of Science in Environmental Science from UP Diliman, with her thesis entitled Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Factors in the Marine Environment: Cetaceans as Sentinels.
Another graduate is Chembie Almazar of Batch Telomerase, who is graduating with a Masters of Science degree in Genetics - minor in Biochemistry from UPLB. Her thesis was entitled Characterization of the Genomes of Five Protease-Producing Bacteria Isolated from Manleluag Hyperalkaline Spring, Pangasinan, Philippines.
Also finishing her masters is Shaira F. Bañega of Batch Polylinker. She is graduating with a Masters of Science degree in Plant Breeding from UPLB, with her thesis entitled Validation of Transcriptome-Derived Microsatellite Markers and Identification of their Association with the Tensile Strength of Abaca (Musa textilis Nee). She was a scholar under the DOST-Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program-National Science Consortium (DOST-ASTHRDP-NSC).
Last from our MSc graduates is Juan Rodrigo A. Vera Cruz of Batch Riboprobes. He is also graduating with a degree of Masters of Science in Plant Breeding - minor in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from UPLB. His thesis was entitled Morphological, Phytochemical, Molecular Characterization, and Preliminary Evaluation of 'Sibujing' (Allium sp.) in the Philippines. He was also a DOST-ASTHRDP-NSC scholar.
Our lone PhD graduate for this year’s commencement exercises is Asst. Prof. Neilyn P. Ona-Villa of Batch Polytenes. She graduates from UPLB as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Genetics, with her dissertation entitled Genetic Polymorphism of κ-Casein (CSN3) and ß-Lactoglobulin (BLG) Genes and Association of their Variant Alleles and their Combinations with Milk Yield and Quality in Holstein x Jersey Milking. She is a recipient of the Academic Achievement Award of the UPLB Graduate School. aProf. Ona-Villa graduated summa cum laude from BS Biology (Genetics) from her undergraduate study, and she is one of the only 14 SCL graduates of UPLB BS Biology program as of today.
The 50th Commencement Exercises was graced by Former UP President and National Scientist Emil Q. Javier, UP Board of Regents, and University Chancellors and Officials. UP President Danilo L. Concepcion served as the commencement speaker and guest of honor.
The Class of 2022 is officially out of the gene pool–to be remembered as the hardworking and supportive brods and sisses. The UPLB Genetics Society wishes them well as they venture into a bigger pool of experience and opportunity that life has stored for them.
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