The University of Santo Tomas Engineering Alumni Association Inc. (USTEAAI) conferred the Outstanding Thomasian Engineer Award for 2020 to nine UST Faculty of Engineering alumni during its General Assembly on September 10, 2022, at the Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom, Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P. Building.
Joining the roster of alumni who have received the award in the previous years for their outstanding achievements in the different fields of engineering are Engr. Frederick C. Parayno and Engr. Joseph Cerezo both BS Civil Engineering, Batch 1987; Engr. Jerenato B. Alfante, BS Civil Engineering Batch 1984; Engr. Restituto A. Cabrera, BS Civil Engineering, Batch 1983; Engr. Maria Virginia Braga-Magat, BS Civil Engineering, Batch 1982; Engr. Emmanuel L.R. Estrada, BS Electronics Engineering, Batch 1982; Engr. Nathaniel R. Orillos, BS Chemical Engineering, Batch 1981; Engr. Elvira Q. Nombrefia-Arceo, BS Industrial Engineering, Batch 1980; and Engr. Justo Ma. J. Lopez, BS Electrical Engineering, Batch 1974.
Engr. Parayno was President of the USTEAAI from 2014 to 2016 and of the UST Alumni Association from 2015 to 2017. For almost 10 years, he was University Researcher and Senior Lecturer at UP Diliman. He was Senior Project Manager of Metro Rail Transit Corp. and VP for Commercial Development & Special Project of MRT Development Corp. Currently, he is the Executive Vice President of MRT Development Corporation and President of Metro Rail Transit Corporation.
Engr. Cerezo, who is also a lawyer, was the President of USTEAAI from 2012 to 2014. At present, he is a Trustee of the University of Santo Tomas Law Alumni Foundation, Vice President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Quezon City Chapter and Managing Partner of Cerezo, Malasig, Samonte, Cajigal and Associates Law Office.
Engr. Alfante was President of USTEAAI from 2016 to 2018. He received various awards including Awards of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Outstanding Man of the Year among others. At present, he is the treasurer of PMA Maharlika Class of 1984 and the Chairman of OFW Partylist. Before he became President and CEO of Macro Wiring Technologies Co. Inc., he was the General Manager of JBA Builders, President of Superstar Packaging Corporation, and Chairman of Saint John Bosco Faith Training Center.
Engr. Cabrera was President of USTEAAI from 2009 to 2012. He started and relentlessly grew many companies under his leadership. He was the President and CEO of Cabres Builders, Inc. (Manila) which later expanded offshore to South Carolina, California, Guam, and Papua New Guinea. He also built several other businesses such as a food processing facility in Naga and is currently working on the management of Papua New Guinea’s agricultural program which is for implementation soon.
Engr. Braga-Magat is the Chairman and President of Dreamhauz Management and Development Corporation and the Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of MB Prime Landholdings and Development Corporation. She was a consultant at NJR Realty and Development Corporation, Meridian Properties Inc. and Drydock Corporation and worked with the Special Projects of the Technical Services Group of the Office of the Vice President of Home Guaranty Corporation.
Engr. Estrada is a registered ASEAN engineer and a member of the ASEAN Academy of Engineering Technology. His 38 – year career in the telecommunications industry included stints in the engineering academe, government and the private sector. He devoted eight years as a faculty member in the UST ECE Department, nine years as a telecommunication regulator at the National Telecommunications Commission. In 1995, he joined Globe Telecom and held various positions. In 2019 he took on the role of Sr. Vice President for Technology Strategy & Service Integration focusing on emerging technologies & services. He is at present head of Regulatory Development and Strategy Group of Globe, Telecom, Inc.
Engr. Orillos is the President of the newly established UST Chemical Engineering Alumni Association (USTChEAA). He was conferred the Outstanding Aklanon Award in the field of Science and Technology during the 55th Founding Anniversary of the Province of Aklan and Outstanding Chemical Engineer Award at the 73rd PIChE National Convention. He started his career as a Process Engineer and rose from the ranks to be the Assistant Vice President of Petron Bataan Refinery until his retirement in 2019.
Engr. Nombrefia-Arceo was president of the UST Engineering Alumni Association from 1998 to 2001. During her term, she organized projects and activities for the welfare of the Faculty of Engineering, and to promote unity among Thomasian Engineers. Over the last decade, she has dedicated herself in promoting the history & culture of her hometown, Baler, Aurora, helping organize a civil society group for this purpose. She is currently involved in a community of indigenous people – the Agtas of Casiguran – bringing education to their children
Engr. Lopez is a Professional Electrical Engineer, ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer, ASEAN Engineer and Fellow at the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE). He was awarded as IIEE Most Outstanding Electrical Engineer for Construction and Project Management in 2010 and Most Outstanding Alumnus of Don Bosco College in 2011. He was an electrical engineer for 48 years working in the field of industrial, commercial, institutional and residential construction and project management. He designed and constructed the electrical system of numerous commercial, factory, institution buildings and residential houses. He was a consultant for Special Projects of the City of Manila and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The Thomasian Engineer Award recognizes UST Faculty of Engineering alumni who have shown exemplary achievements in their area of practice in the field of Engineering and the Thomasian values of competence, commitment, and compassion in the practice of their profession.
Present during the award ceremonies were Rev. Fr. Roberto L. Luanzon Jr., O.P., S.Th.D., DL, Regent of the Faculty of Engineering and UST Vice Rector for Finance, Prof. Angelo R. dela Cruz, Ph.D., Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the president of USTEAAI, Engr. Jason Ong.
