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Nominations for the 2023 Australian Alumni Excellence Awards are now open
Every year, the Australian Embassy in the Philippines celebrates the exceptional achievements and contributions of Australia-educated Filipinos through the Australia Alumni Excellence Awards.
Spotlight on the 2022 Australia Alumni Excellence Awards Winners
Congratulations to the outstanding alumni who were recognised at the 2022 Australia Alumni Excellence Awards! These alumni leaders have used their Australian education to make a positive contribution in their profession and community.
- Dr Maria Soledad Antonio, Alumnus of the Year, for her work in mobilising resources from international health partners to support the Philippines’ COVID-19 response.
- Dr Doralyn Dalisay, Excellence in Innovation, for her contributions to antibiotic and anti-cancer drug discovery in the Philippines.
- Engineer Neilsen Campit, Young Achiever, for leading the use of plastic bag wastes in the construction of asphalt roads by the DPWH.
- Special Citations were also awarded to Dr Rex Bernardo, Dr Armand Mijares and Dr Isidoro Malaque III for their outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of public governance, archaeology, and architecture, respectively.
The program features three award categories:
Alumnus of the Year
Demonstrated visionary leadership and best practice at a local or international level
Excellence in Innovation Award
Demonstrated innovation in his/her field or industry. This can include: creation of a successful enterprise or project; creative new ideas, designs or products for industry or government; or innovative research findings.
Young Achiever Award
Demonstrated excellent achievements and/or contribution in his/her chosen field that shows initiative and innovation and is under 35 years old by deadline date at the time of nomination.
Australian Alumni Excellence Award Winners
Dr Ma Soledad Antonio
Alumnus of the Year
Dr Maria Soledad Antonio is the 2022 Alumnus of the Year. As Director of the Bureau of International Health Cooperation in the Philippines at the Department of Health (DOH), Dr. Antonio worked tirelessly to support the Philippines’ COVID-19 pandemic response by mobilising resources from international health partners to ensure access to lifesaving vaccines and medical supplies. Dr Antonio completed her PhD in International Trade at Griffith University as an Australia Awards scholar. Thereafter, her doctoral thesis was translated into DOH’s “National Policy Framework on Trade and Health.”
Dr Doralyn Dalisay
Excellence in Innovation Award
Dr Doralyn Dalisay was honoured with an Excellence in Innovation award for leading research on antibiotics and anticancer drugs. She has been a major contributor in the brain gain efforts of the Department of Science and Technology, and a leader in the drug discovery program of the Philippine Government. Dr Dalisay is currently Director of the Center for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology of the University of San Agustin. She earned her PhD in Microbiology from the University of New South Wales.
Engr Neilsen Campit
Young Achiever Award
Engineer Neilsen Campit is the recipient of the 2022 Young Achiever Award for spearheading innovations in support of sustainable development at the Department of Public Works and Highways where he led the construction of the first asphalt road in the Philippines made from plastic bag wastes. Engineer Campit completed his Master of Environment and Sustainability at Monash University as an Australia Awards scholar.
Dr Armand Salvador Mijares
Special Citation
Dr Armand Salvador Mijares received a Special Citation for leading an international team of researchers that discovered a species of ancient human, the Homo luzonensis, said to be one of the most important archaeological finds in recent years. He earned his PhD in Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology from the Australian National University.
Dr Isidoro Malaque III
Special Citation
Dr Isidoro Malaque III received a Special Citation for contributing new knowledge regarding built environments through his peer-reviewed publications and leading the reopening of the postgraduate program in Urban and Regional Planning program at the University of the Philippines Mindanao. He completed his PhD in Architecture at the University of Adelaide as an Australia Awards scholar.
Dr Rex Bernardo
Special Citation
Dr Rex Bernardo received a Special Citation for his contributions to mainstreaming disability inclusion in education through policy changes and provision of equal opportunities for people with disability especially in Camarines Norte. He completed his Master in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from the University of Sydney.
Joji Ilagan-Bian
Alumnus of the Year
Ms. Joji Ilagan-Bian is the 2019 Alumnus of the Year awardee, for her significant contribution to the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) sector of Mindanao. She established foundations and schools in Davao City, including the first international school in Mindanao, that allows students to earn globally-recognised certifications. Her initiatives helped create a favourable business and investment climate in Davao City since 1988, resulting to high employment rate. She pursues strong collaboration between the TVET sectors of Australia and Mindanao, which includes sending of Mindanao-based TVET leaders to Australia for enterprise-based training and benchmarking. Joji completed a short course on Enterprise-based management and Tech-Voc Education Business Planning at the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) New South Wales.
Dr Rene Abesamis
Excellence in Innovation Award
Dr. Rene Abesamis has been awarded the Excellence in Innovation Award for his contributions to Philippine and global marine science. His work focused on how marine protected areas can help restore coral reef biodiversity and productivity. Recently, he led a multidisciplinary research on fish larval dispersal, involving top Filipino and international scientists. This cutting-edge research, which combines genetic (DNA) analysis and computer modelling, aims to help reverse decades of decline in fisheries and biodiversity in the Philippines, and even mitigate the impact of climate change. Dr Abesamis received his Masters in Tropical Marine Ecology and Fish Biology and PhD in Marine Biology from James Cook University.
Dr Jason Alacapa
Young Achiever Award
Dr. Jason Alacapa is the winner of the Young Achiever Award. He currently leads the implementation of innovative health systems WHO STOP TB Partnership (TB REACH) Project which adopts a sustainable social enterprise hub-and-spoke model in public health in the Philippines. Dr. Alacapa completed his Master of Public Health in Economic Evaluation and Master of Health Management at the University of New South Wales.
Prof Abelardo Apollo David, Jr
Special Citation Award
Prof. Abelardo Apollo David, Jr. receives a Special Citation award for his contribution in empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs) and children with special needs. He established Living Learning Centers in key Philippine cities – the largest private school for children with special needs. He also formed the Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Adults and Children with Handicap (REACH) Foundation, Inc., which provides underprivileged families access to a network of health and education services. Dr. David received his Master of Occupational Therapy (Contemporary Practice) from the University of Queensland.
Gen Benjamin Madrigal Jnr
Alumnus of the Year
Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jnr is the 2018 Alumnus of the Year awardee, for his significant contribution to peace and security in Mindanao. He initiated the Tribal Re-empowerment and Initiative Building Operations (TRIBO). His multi-sectoral approach to peace and development unifies military and civilian efforts in conflict-affected communities. This enabled him to the gain support of local communities in his area of operation in Mindanao and prevent an escalation of conflict. Lt Gen Madrigal Jnr completed a Master in Management Studies at the University of New South Wales.
Benedict Bernabe
Excellence in Innovation Award
Mr Benedict Bernabe has been awarded the Excellence in Innovation Award for his HIV awareness program through the Red Whistle Organisation. Through partnerships between private and public institutions, Mr Bernabe launched the campaign #SAVESEXY, and developed #SAFELYPH, a geolocation app that makes HIV services more accessible to communities. He completed a Master of Development Studies at University of Melbourne.
Atty Francis Ron de Guzman
Young Achiever Award
Atty Francis Ron de Guzman is the Young Achiever’s Award, completing a Master’s degree in Climate Change at the Australian National University. He is a recognised as a youth leader in environment and sustainability, having been involved in disaster mitigation projects for the local government, and co-authored a textbook on disaster risk reduction, community engagement, solidarity and citizenship.
Clarissa Chikiamko
Special Citation Award
Ms Clarissa Chikiamco receives a Special Citation award for her contribution in art curatorship, art management, and art writing in the Philippines, Singapore and South Korea. She completed a Master in Art Curatorship at University of Melbourne.
Dr Marla Corazon de Ungria
Alumnus of the Year
Dr Maria Corazon de Ungria, head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory at the University of the Philippines Diliman, was awarded the 2017 Alumnus of the Year for her pioneering work in DNA forensic science in the Philippines. She received her Bachelor of Science degree with Honours in Biology from Macquarie University and completed her PhD in Microbiology at the University of New South Wales.
Dr Roy Ponce
Excellence in Innovation Award
Dr Roy Ponce, State College President at the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology, received the 2017 Excellence in Innovation Award for his afterschool care project for children in underprivileged communities. He earned his PhD in Education from the University of Melbourne.
Milton Medina
Young Achievers Award
Mr Milton Medina, Director of Qualitative Studies and Biodiversity Research at Mindanao University, received the 2017 Young Achiever’s Award for his work on science education materials using flora and fauna endemic to the Philippines. He received his Master in Science from Curtin University.
