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Celebrating the achievements and contributions of Australia-educated Filipinos
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson AO remarked, "It makes us very proud to see our alumni use the knowledge, expertise, experiences, and networks that they gained in Australia to become leaders, influencers, and changemakers."
Among the 16 nominees of the three major categories, six were honoured:
- 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 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.
- 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 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 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 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.
Meanwhile, 11 alumni were honoured with the Bayanihan Award for their exceptional contributions at helping the Philippines respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The roster of Bayanihan awardees is led by Hans "Chico" Sy, Jr., president of SM Engineering Design and Development, who led the construction of emergency quarantine facilities at the height of the pandemic, and promoted active transportation in support of medical and economic frontliners by building cycling infrastructure in SM Supermalls across the country. Further, through SM's partnership with local government units nationwide, almost 10 million Filipinos have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in 66 SM Supermalls.
Other Bayanihan awardees include Cherrie Atilano, John Baluyot, Dr Lawrence Belo, Dr Pacifico Calderon, Paola Ceriola, Apple Davalos, Ronnil Carlo Enriquez, Gabriel Sebastian Lizada, Dr Jose Rafael Marfori, and Christianne Santos.
Since the 1950s, thousands of
Filipinos have studied in Australia and now form part of the dynamic Australia Global Alumni community in the Philippines, which include senior Philippine government officials, scientists and esteemed members of the academe, and business and industry leaders.
Australia Global Alumni in the Philippines are invited to register/update their contact information at australiaawardsphilippines.org/alumni.
