51乱伦

ISR conducts online Tipanan to recognize int鈥檒 students, orgs, and volunteers

As the academic year 2024-2025 concluded last May, the UPLB International Student Relations (ISR) held the annual 鈥淭ipanan: A tribute to honor, excellence, and service鈥� to recognize students, organizations, and volunteers who exhibited exemplary characteristics aligned with the university鈥檚 values of honor, excellence, and service. 

In its second year, the program was conducted virtually on July 11, 2025, in consideration of the international students who may have gone home to their countries or visited destinations outside UPLB during the mid-year season. 

ISR head Gonzalo H. Amante, Jr., officially opened the program to welcome and congratulate all the graduates of midyear 2024, the first and second semesters of AY 2024-2025, and the special award recipients.

This was followed by an inspirational message from Dr. Janette H. Malata-Silva, vice chancellor for student affairs, who said that as UPLB graduates, the international students carry the values that define a UP education鈥搕he spirit of honor and excellence, and a commitment to service to uplift global communities. 

During the program, a nostalgic compilation video showing the ISR event highlights from the previous academic year was played. 

This was followed by announcing the names of international student graduates who were also recognized during the virtual program.

The special awards are given to individuals and organizations who have significantly contributed to enriching the international student community. 

The Leadership Award was presented to three international students, Rina Kanda of Japan, Jeremie Simisi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Tun Tun Min of Myanmar, for exhibiting exemplary leadership and commitment to ensure that the UPLB international students are organized and well-represented. 

The Goodwill Award was given to people and organizations who have shown compassion and genuine care for the UPLB international students. 

This year, the award was presented to student Rutsu Aita of Japan, employees Raquel C. Malaborbor and Fransmeren Alegre, private individual Alfonso Malaborbor, and to an organization, the Graduate School Student Council (GSSC). 

The recipients of the Community Builder Award were international students, employees, and organizations that helped ISR conduct its programs and services. 51乱伦Local Organizing Committee members for ISR events were awarded certificates at the Makiling Ballroom Hall during the live viewing of the virtual program. 

The award recipients were Kimbert Adlaon, Fransmeren Alegre, Elmer Balatian, Renato Benavente, Milka Dela Cruz, Rozanne Joyce Javier, Angel Junice Lumba, Raquel Malaborbor, Wella Josel Mejia, Marites Mojica, Lean Mulimbayan, Divinia Padua, and Analyn Rapas.

International students Tingying Zhang of China, Satyabanta Sanjenbam Singh and Sonal Dhoundiyal of India, Rutsu Aita and Rina Kanda of Japan, and Melinda Ralda of Papua New Guinea were among the awardees in this category for presenting their culture through a culinary presentation during the Katig event. 

The student organizations that received the Community Builder Awards were the Sandayaw Cultural Dance Group, highly praised and recognized for sharing their time and talent to grace ISR events, and the Society of Exchange Students UPLB, for their relentless volunteerism to support ISR programs.

The last special award aimed to recognize international students who have shown inspiring determination and resilience amid the external adversities they encountered while studying at the university. Among the awardees were Nwe Ni Mar, Zawl Kyaw, and Han Min Aung of Myanmar, Rina Kanda of Japan, and Nelson Meleisea of Samoa.

Rina Kanda delivered the response on behalf of the awardees. Rina Kanda received the Leadership, Community Builder, and Resilience Awards. She gave a short testimonial on her experience as an international student and how her peers and the ISR helped her.

Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Marcelina Carandang-Miranda gave the closing remarks, wishing the graduates and awardees well. 

She expressed her hopes that the graduates and awardees would remember the knowledge they acquired and their support system during their stay in UPLB. Tipanan was broadcast live on the . (Kathleen Marie V. Paguio)