The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA) honored students, retirees, and staff on its 66th Founding Anniversary Celebration at the Molawin Mural Wall, witnessed by the collage of UPLB’s history, with the theme “Animnapu’t Anim: Katuwang sa Tagumpay at Kaagapay sa PagSablay ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan” on June 26, 2026.

In his inspirational message, Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. emphasized the value of OVCSA’s mandate to prioritize student welfare and reflected on the phrase “what lies beyond,” which was printed on the Mural Wall. He also appreciated the dedication of the OVCSA workforce and pledged the administration’s support through the approval of requests that translate to additional resources, expanded services, and greater accountability for students.

“Ultimately, if we fail OVCSA, we fail our students. And therefore, we fail for their future. Pero ang paghanga ko sa pag-overcome ninyo ng mga pagsubok, and in doing your responsibilities, is you go beyond this physical structure. Kaya maraming salamat… your service to the university, and to the OVCSA, is truly appreciated,” Chancellor Camacho said. 

The celebration was also a call for reflection, as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Janette H. Malata-Silva reminded attendees of the realities beyond the walls of the university in her opening remarks. She underscored that with the recognition of excellence, dedication, and service of students and staff, OVCSA’s greater responsibility is to help poor citizens who value human dignity.

“Kaya nga po ang ating ginagawa sa Student Affairs has always mattered. Every scholarship we administer, every counseling session we provide, every student organization we assist, every leadership opportunity we create, every disciplinary case we attempt to resolve fairly, and my fervent wish timely, every safe space we build—these are not isolated services. Together, they are deliberate acts of community building,” Malata-Silva underlined. 

“Let us celebrate not only excellence but our shared responsibility to build a more humane, compassionate, and dignified UPLB,” she concluded.

2026 OVCSA Student Awards

As part of their founding anniversary celebration, OVCSA led the annual recognition of outstanding students and organizations by awarding the UPLB Natatanging Organisasyon (UNO), UPLB Natatanging Iskolar ng Bayan (UNIK), and the 2026 Seals of Excellence in Leadership, Public Service, and Culture and the Arts. This was organized by the UPLB Office of Student Activities (OSA) in coordination with the 2026 OVCSA Selection and Recognition Committee.

The UP Society of Agricultural Engineering Students (UP SAGES) was the 2026 UPLB UNO awardee, while the 2026 Seal of Excellence in Leadership was given to the UP Cell Biological Society. The 2026 Seal of Excellence in Culture and the Arts was awarded to The UPLB Com Arts Society.

Gabriel O. Nafura (BA Communication Arts) was awarded as the 2026 UPLB UNIK. Meanwhile, Anthony Franklin R. Paunlagui (BS Agricultural and Applied Economics), Josh Andrei D. Hermosilla (BS Statistics), and Dyan Dane A. Chomawat (BS Development Communication) became the recipients of the 2026 Seal of Excellence in Leadership. Christian Jay C. Sevilla (BS Statistics) was awarded the 2026 Seal of Excellence in Public Service, and Cris Jabriel P. Cruz (BA Communication Arts) was honored with the Seal of Excellence in Culture and the Arts.

As the UNO awardee, UP SAGES received a plaque and cash prize of PhP 15,000, while UNIK awardee Nafura was given a plaque and cash prize of PhP 10,000. Recipients of the Seals of Excellence awards were given plaques of appreciation from OVCSA.

2026 OVCSA Personnel Awards

The OVCSA Selection and Recognition Committee administered the awarding of the 2026 OVCSA Personnel Awards through the OVCSA Service Awards. The ceremony honored staff who have notably devoted years in public service, those retiring in 2026, the OVCSA Outstanding Personnel, Team, and Program/Project Awards (OPTPA), and outgoing OVCSA staff.

Receiving recognition for devoting five years of service were Benzon D. Subijano (Administrative Officer II), Marvin Jerald F. Villador (Junior ICT Associate), Louise Joymee E. Lanuang (Junior Office Assistant), Antonio O. Banasihan (Junior Utility Worker), Eliazar B. Bolotano (Junior Utility Worker), Daniel A. Bueza (Junior Utility Worker), Geoffrey John M. Eusebio (Junior Utility Worker), Engelbert C. Lopez (Junior Utility Worker), Arnaldo T. Pablo (Junior Utility Worker), Arnel N. Villanueva (Junior Utility Worker), and William N. Villanueva (Junior Utility Worker). 

Those who have devoted 10 years of service were Marcelina C. Miranda (University Extension Specialist I, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, OSH Director, RECOMMIT Coordinator), Ariane Joyce H. Siena (Administrative Officer II), Raquel C. Malaborbor (Senior Utility Worker), Honey Faith R. Evangelista (Dormitory Manager IV), Jenny Lyn N. Genil (Houseparent III), Ma. Jessica S. Del Rosario (Household Attendant II), Crispin H. Escosura (Junior Security Aide), Myrna O. Pablo (Junior Security Aide), Azeneth B. Salazar (Assistant Utility Worker), and Peter Paul P. Tuiza (Junior Utility Worker).

Receiving recognition for their 15 years in public service were Robert P. Aguilar (Administrative Aide I), Rodel M. Calibo (Administrative Aide I), Osmondo E. Evangelista (Administrative Aide I), Leo S. Llamas (Administrative Aide I), Jimmy A. Nalzaro (Administrative Aide I), Anthony DG. Tagana (Administrative Aide I), Carlo DG. Maligalig (Junior Utility Worker).

Honored for their 20 years of service were Consorcia V. Gonzalvo (Administrative Aide I) and Elisa M. Malbataan (Administrative Aide I).

OVCSA also honored Emerito R. Otero (Household Attendant II) for his 25 years of public service and Raphael D. Talag (Household Attendance II) for devoting 40 years to public service.

OVCSA recognized its 2026 retirees by bestowing them with the UP Oblation Statue during the activity. The honors were given to Ferdie C. Ocampo (Scholarship Affairs Officer I) from the UPLB Office of Scholarships and Grants (OSG) and Rowena B. Sodela (Administrative Aide I) from the UPLB Office of Student Housing (OSH).

Recognized as the 2026 OVCSA Outstanding Administrative Personnel were Ivy Mary U. Selarde, Scholarship Affairs Officer II, for the Office Personnel category, and Manolito M. Jolo, Household Attendant II, for the Blue Collar category. 

OVCSA also honored its staff under individual contract of service (ICS) with the 2026 OVCSA Outstanding ICS Personnel award. This was given to Frederick Q. Malayba (Junior Security Aide), Ricardo M. Nuñez (Assistant Utility Worker), Adrian A. Sandoval (Junior ICT Associate), and Angel Junice P. Lumba (Junior Office Assistant). 

The Research, Communication, and Information Technology’s (RECOMMIT) OSAM System: A Digital Transformation Initiative in Streamlining Student-Support Services was awarded as the 2026 OVCSA Outstanding Research Team or Extension Program.

Outgoing personnel received due recognition as well, namely Dr. Alona C. Linatoc, who is ending her term as the director of the Office of Counseling and Guidance (OCG); Elmer L. Balatian (Junior Utility Worker) from the Learning Resource Center (LRC), and Margaux Maria Yzabelle G. Riola (Junior Office Assistant) from OSA.

To conclude the program, OSA Director and 2026 OVCSA Selection and Recognition Committee Chair John Lorenzo A. Yambot delivered the closing remarks and echoed the celebration’s theme as a fitting foothold of OVCSA’s milestone in its 66 years of service. He insisted on OVCSA’s role in helping every student thrive not only as learners but as individuals, leaders, and Filipinos.

“Student welfare has never been limited to academics. It is about creating an environment where students feel supported, challenged, respected, and empowered. It is about making sure that every Iskolar ng Bayan knows that they do not have to face their journey alone. Sa ating mga UNO at UNIK awardees, service awardees, OVCSA outstanding personnel, at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, maligayang pagbati,” he ended.