In separate occasions this month, Dr. Ryan C. Guinaran, Dr. William D. Dar and Mr. Abner Lawangen who are all BSU alumni received various awards. On December 12, 2016, Dr. Guinaran received The Outstanding Young Men and Women (TOYM) award and Dr. Dar received The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award at the Malacañan Palace. On December 19, 2016, Mr. Abner O. Lawangen received the Dangal ng Bayan Award also at the Malacañan Palace.

Dr. Ryan C. Guinaran

Dr. Guinaran is a current member of the Board of Regents representing the private sector, adjunct faculty member of the BSU-Open University, is the first Ibaloi and first Igorot from Benguet to receive the award for the 2016 TOYM program. He won the category under the Social and Cultural Leadership. He is an honoree of Indigenous Peoples Advocacy. As a doctor and Indigenous Peoples advocate, his advocacies focus on health, youth mobilization, education, history and culture and arts. Recently, he published his book entitled “To my fellow Igorot Youth” launched at Benguet State University (BSU) in October 2016. During the awarding ceremony, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte with the JCI Foundation directors led by chairman Manny V. Pangilinan handed the medal and trophy to the 11 honorees. The Junior Chamber International -Philippines (JCIP), TOYM Foundation and Gerry Roxas Foundation screened and reviewed over 60 nominations and selected 22 finalists to compete in the final round of judging. The Board of Judges conducted extensive review process to the 22 finalist. Present during the awarding were Benguet Governor Crescencio Pacalso, Benguet State University President Feliciano G. Calora Jr. , Guinaran’s Family members, friends and relatives. Guinaran was born in La Trinidad, Benguet but traces his roots from Bokod and Kabayan, Benguet. His academic, community service and leadership awards during his schooling years were his starting line in devoting himself to community and youth development. He is a graduate of BS Biology at Saint Louis University and he pursued his medical degree at the UP College of Medicine in 2002. He is also a graduate of MS Community Development at BSU, MS in Development Management at Asian Institute of Management, Makati Philippines.

Dr. Guinaran with Benguet Governor, Hon. Crescencio C. Pacalso and BSU President, Dr. Feliciano G. Calora Jr.

Dr. William D. Dar

After 15 years as Director General of ICRISAT, Dr. Dar returned to the Philippines in 2015 and founded the Inanglupa Movement, a social crusade for a science-based, climate-smart, and competitive Philippine agriculture for the empowerment of Filipinos especially the smallholder farmers. The movement presents a formula for the New Philippine Agriculture 2020 and advocates natural resource management, championing appropriate policies, knowledge and information sharing, building climate-smart communities, inclusive market-oriented agriculture, environmental protection, and education or capacity building. Dr. Dar earned his Bachelor’s Degree at the University where he was employed as a faculty member until he was designated as Vice-President for Research and Extension. The Outstanding Filipino or TOFIL Award is the honor given by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Philippines to Filipino men and women, 41 years of age and over, whose exemplary achievements are worthy of emulation. The award was conceived in 1988 to institutionalize the public recognition of these outstanding individuals.

Dr. Dar with his fellow TOFIL awardees

Mr. Abner O. Lawangen

Mr. Lawangen is a BSU graduate of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. He is a local disaster risk reduction and management officer in Tublay, Benguet. The Dangal ng Bayan award that he received is under the Honor Awards Program of the Civil Service Commission.

Mr. Lawangen with President Rodrigo R. Duterte//Photo courtesy of Redgie Melvic Cawis
//Mary Cris P. Basilio and JSTabangcura