Beyond the Sablay: Here are 14 UP graduates who built their legacies to and for the people

Avril Nocos, Miguelle Aquino, and Jett Morales

Leaves swaying, scholars buzzing, graduates chattering — the harmonious sound that erupted on the open grounds of the University of the Philippines as the now degree holders carry their sablays brimming with honor, fortitude, and tenacity. 

As we commemorate the 118th Founding Anniversary of the University of the Philippines, we celebrate 118 years of producing individuals who have helped shape communities, industries, and the nation through their work. 

From the university’s rise on June 18,1908 up to the present pages, generations worth of Iskolar ng Bayan have set their foot beyond the four corners of their classrooms, and into the horizon of the ever-changing world. 

Zooming out, underneath the records of thousands of students, there remained the unyielding who deeply engraved their mark for years to come. They equipped themselves with their overflowing commitment to the public, to education, and to the arts; all in the name of standing for the nation that has always been their foundation. United by service, driven by excellence. 

Maria Leonor “Leni” Gerona-Robredo

A public servant whose work demonstrates the power of compassionate and people-centered leadership.

Leni Robredo graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the UP Diliman’s School of Economics in 1986, during the final years of the Marcos regime and the historic People Power Revolution that restored democracy in the Philippines.

Instead of immediately pursuing law, she first worked as a researcher for the Bicol River Basin Development Program, where she gained firsthand exposure to the realities faced by local communities in the region. She later earned her law degree from the University of Nueva Caceres then served as a lawyer at the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO). Afterwards, she worked in legal aid and grassroots development through organizations such as Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN) whose goal is to provide legal services to marginalized sectors. 

Her years in community work eventually led her to public service as Camarines Sur representative in Congress, where she authored bills focused on reforming and strengthening existing laws, and co-authored measures aligned with her advocacies. She later ran for Vice President of the Philippines and served from 2016 to 2022. 

After the 2022 national elections, she shifted her work to leading Angat Buhay, a nonprofit focused on disaster response, education, livelihood, and community development. She later ran for Mayor of Naga City, aiming to continue the good governance her late husband had started.

Miriam Defensor-Santiago

A trailblazing scholar and stateswoman remembered for her sharp mind and unwavering principles.

Miriam Defensor Santiago’s UP journey spanned two campuses. She graduated magna cum laude in Political Science from UP Visayas in 1965 before pursuing law at the UP College of Law in Diliman, where she graduated cum laude in 1969.

While in UP, she served as the first female editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian and later became vice chairperson of the University Student Council, which further honed both her leadership and ability to engage in campus and community discourse.

Those early leadership roles preceded a career that took her through the judiciary, the Cabinet, the Commission on Immigration and Deportation, and ultimately the Senate, where she became known for her sharp legal mind and assertive approach to governance as well as her wit and sharp rebuttals that often left both her colleagues and the nation speechless.

Alfonso Tomas “Atom” Araullo

A storyteller who uses journalism to illuminate the experiences of communities often left unseen.

Atom Araullo graduated magna cum laude with a BS Applied Physics degree from UP Diliman in 2005. During his time in the university, he became active in student leadership and campus journalism, serving in the University Student Council, leading STAND UP, and becoming editor-in-chief of Siyensya, the official student publication of the UP College of Science. 

Before I-Witness and The Atom Araullo Specials, there was a Physics major navigating laboratories, student organizations, and campus newsrooms in Diliman. Throughout his college life, he became a reliable student leader and campus journalist.

Araullo then pursued a career in journalism and documentary production after graduation. He first gained public recognition through 5 and Up before building a career in broadcast journalism. Today, he is one of the country’s most recognized journalists and documentarians, known for his immersive reporting on social issues, disasters, and underrepresented communities, along with his charm and keen alertness.

Maria Jessica Soho

A pioneering journalist whose commitment to credible reporting has informed and inspired millions of Filipinos.

Jessica Soho graduated with a BA Mass Communication degree from the UP College of Mass Communication in Diliman in 1984. Initially entering UP as a Political Science student with plans of pursuing law, she later shifted to Mass Communication after struggling with the program’s mathematics requirements. She would later joke that she became an “accidental journalist,” saying the change was partly driven by her dislike of math.

During her time in UP, she studied under veteran journalist Luis Beltran, whose classes helped spark her interest in journalism and storytelling. She would later recall how his teaching pushed her to look at everyday events differently, treating them as possible stories worth telling, which slowly shaped her interest in reporting.

After finding her passion, she then joined GMA News in 1985 starting as a reporter and was later assigned to the defense and military beat. Over the years, Soho became known for her coverage of major national events and groundbreaking reports, earning recognition both locally and abroad. She also helped conceptualize I-Witness, one of the country’s most influential documentary programs, before becoming the longtime host of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, one of Philippine television’s most enduring news magazine shows.

Dolly de Leon

An artist whose decades of dedication to her craft culminated in recognition on the world stage.

Long before international audiences recognized her work, Dolly de Leon was studying Theater Arts in UP Diliman from the UP College of Arts and Letters and performing with Dulaang UP, the university’s resident theater company.

After her graduation in 1995, she spent decades building a career in theater, television, and film, often taking supporting roles while continuing to refine her craft. Years later, that persistence led to international acclaim, including recognition for her role in Triangle of Sadness, showing how some of the most celebrated careers begin in humble college theater productions and grow through years of dedication to the stage.

Raymundo Cipriano “Ryan” Pujante Cayabyab

Hear the symphony of the threads of his wit.

Ryan Cayabyab, born on May 4, 1954, is a Filipino musician, prolific composer, and conductor deeply intertwined with the notes of music, composition, and performance. His presence was recognized as one of the pillars that built as well as supported the Original Pinoy Music (OPM), transforming into the driving force that promoted Filipino cultural identity through music. 

His way towards harmony started when he was just four years old, with his late mother allowing him to envelop himself with knowledge not only with the precise fingers from the music boarders of the University of the Philippines, but also with the passion ignited with the melody of the Abelardo Hall. As a young pianist, he started his collegiate academic journey in UP Diliman, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Accounting. Finally, he continued later on with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music major in Theory, one that he too completed in UPD in 1983. 

Throughout his musical journey, Cayabyab composed a career crafted around the rhythm of genres such as OPM, chorale, musical theater, classical, and sacred. With his versatility and flexibility conducting its way in his life, Cayabyab successfully blended classical as well as theatrical discipline with the tempo of mainstream song styles, allowing him to collide both worlds with rich musical craftsmanship in mind.  Some of his works that changed the flow of modern music include, Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Da Coconut Nut,  Kailan, Rama, Hari, Katy!, and MISA 2000.

“I’ve only felt happiness and joy, working with young people and infecting them with the importance of learning music,” were the thread of nodes that erupted within him as he endlessly expressed his undying flame towards his passion, in a report conducted by the GMA News Online, the official digital news portal of GMA Network. 

With resilience and creativity banked in every wave he conducted, Cayabyab stood at the frontlines of symphony spreading his influence — leading the obsolete San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts, teaching composition at the University of the Philippines College of Music, and ultimately establishing The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab. 

As an emblem of his contributions, Ryan Cayabyab was named as the National Artist of the Philippines for Music in 2018, and was also awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2019 — all highlighting his dedication in continuing to spark the notes of Philippine and Southeast Asian culture.  

Francis Pancratius “Kiko” Nepomuceno Pangilinan

Just as how the soldiers wound, he too, bled for the nation. 

Born on August 4, 1963 at the heart of Manila, Philippines, Kiko Pangilinan built a career of public service not with the bricks of prominence, but rather, the structures of accountability. He continuously stands as a Filipino lawyer, farmer, host for public affairs and a Philippine senator who has served the office from 2001-2013, 2016-2022  and later in 2025. 

Before entering the battlefields of governance, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in English major in Comparative Literature at the UP Diliman where he earned his degree in 1988 while being part of the UP Men’s Volleyball team. Following the lines, he pursued UP College of Law and finished his Bachelor of Laws in 1993. During these times, Kiko was a freshman who was elected chairperson of the UPD University Student Council in 1986 and utilized his voice as well as platforms to land as a student regent on the UP Board of Regents in 1987. He was also equally active and eager to underscore the depths of his purpose at Sandigan para sa Mag-Aaral at Sambayanan (SAMASA), a student political party. To finally conclude his academic journey, Pangilinan attained his degree in Master of Public Administration under the institutional roots of Harvard Kennedy School. 

With his heart aiming to hit the bullseye of the integrity of public service, Pangilinan started to kindle his flame as the youngest elected member of the Quezon City Council from 1988 to 1992, and later established the National Movement of Young Legislators. Throughout the span of his career, Pangilinan endlessly plowed his relentless advocacy for agriculture and food security. 

After his service as the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization under President Benigno Aquino III from 2014 to 2015, he returned to his agricultural roots in the Senate for a third term. In this period, he also watered and principal authored the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 and the Sagip Saka Act with the objective of supporting small-scale farmers and modernizing agricultural productivity. 

“Ang nagpapakain sa atin, nagugutom. Kapag hindi natin tinutukan ang kanilang gutom, magugutom din ang buong bansa,” (Those who feed us are hungry. If we don’t focus on their hunger, the whole country will also go hungry) were the words that erupted from his determined spirit as he continuously strived to capture the flag of urgence, transparency, and action in the nation, in his privilege speech on the devastation caused by unrestricted rice imports on Philippine farmers in 2019.

Pangilinan also dauntlessly led the Liberal party during his third term from 2016 to 2022, sprouting from the ruins as a prominent opposition figure during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. He didn’t allow his voice to swamp the soil, he affirms his ground on criticizing policies involving violations against human rights such as war on drugs, attempts to reinstate the death penalty, and proposals for constitutional amendments that could extend term limits. Stretching into the pasture of his capabilities, Pangilinan authored legislation such as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (Republic Act No. 9344).

Despite failing to secure a seat in the 2022 national elections as a Vice President candidate under Leni Robredo’s partylist, he sustained his platform and was eventually re-elected as a Philippine Senator in 2025. 

José Veloso Abueva

He rose from the ruins. 

The world is dynamic and changeable; everything grows massive in just a blink of an eye. It doesn’t feel an inch of sympathy for those who can’t keep up with its tormenting revolution. Yet, for the bowed but unbroken, every shackle blocking their path must be desolated from their fate. 

José Abueva, born on May 25, 1928, was one of the young victims of World War II in the Philippines — a tragedy that led to the bloodied end of his parents. However, he didn’t let his spirit die. Abueva attained his A.B Arts/Law as a Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1951, before proceeding to graduate academy at the University of Michigan, where he finished a Master of Public Administration in 1954 and a PhD in Political Science in 1959.

He stood as a former Filipino political scientist, author and public administration scholar who governed as the 16th UP President. Championing the essence of education, leadership, democracy, nation-building, and service through ideas, he became a national and international faculty member of the National College of Public Administration and Governance of the University of the Philippines Diliman and a visiting professor at Brooklyn College and Yale University. He then later received the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee for political science in 1962.

The late political scientist also served as the secretary of the 1971 Constitutional Convention, executive director of the Legislative-Executive Local Government Reform Commission and Chairman of the Legislative-Executive Council. With the sheer volume of his contributions encircling countless institutions and communities, Abueva’s legacy stretches into the fields of academia, democracy and progress.

Shamcey Gurrea Supsup-Lee

Her glass shards illuminate the abyss down below. 

Sprouting from the core of Iligan, Philippines on May 16,1986, Shamcey Supsup-Lee painted the vertices of her crown with the gems of academic brilliance, architectural mastery, and pageant royalty. 

Before dominating the stage of beauty and wits, she graduated Bachelor of Science in Architecture, earning her diploma as the Magna Cum Laude in the UP Diliman. As she continued to achieve the pursuit of excellence, Supsup-Lee armed herself with preparedness and faith allowing her to sweep the Philippines’ licensure examination for architects in June 2010 with a board rating of 86.60%. 

Stretching the borders of her limitations, she let her heels grace the runway, ultimately becoming the queen of the 48th Edition of Binibining Pilipinas in 2011 and a 3rd Runner-Up as the representative of the Philippines in Miss Universe 2011. She then carried on displaying her glimmering light, serving as the appointed National Director for the Miss Universe Philippines Organization, aiding in molding and guiding the country’s delegates starting in 2019.

Today, Supsup-Lee breathes as a symbol of a tenacious Filipino architect, entrepreneur, and a beauty queen, illuminating the very abyss of the indomitable. 

Kidlat Tahimik

Long before he shook the world of cinema with the force of an electrifying storm, UP’s most eccentric filmmaker proved that true lightning doesn’t need to be shouted to be felt.

National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik, born Eric Oteyza de Guia, is one of the most influential figures in the Philippine cinema that graduated from the UP-Diliman with a degree in AB Speech and Drama in 1963. 

During his time at UP, he distinguished himself not only as a student but also a leader, serving as president of the UP Student Council from 1962 to 1963. His years as an Iskolar ng Bayan helped shape the critical and socially conscious perspective that would later define his work.

After graduating from UP, Tahimik pursued further studies and worked abroad before eventually devoting his years to storytelling and filmmaking. His experiences deepened his critical understanding of society, which would later become a defining feature of his films.

His cinematic vision became deeply intertwined with the Third Cinema movement, using sharp critiques of neocolonialism to challenge the Westernized cultural dominance in the film industry. This revolutionary approach earned him local and international accolades, including the prestigious Plaridel honorarium for independent cinema, cementing his status among critics and peers as the undisputed “Father of Philippine Independent Cinema.”

His recognition as a National Artist for Film in 2018 reflects the impact of his lifelong contributions to Philippine arts and culture. From being a student leader to internationally acclaimed filmmaker, Tahimik knows how to inspire generations of Iskolar ng Bayan proving that the most powerful lightning strikes are those that dare to disrupt the norm.

Dr. Fe Del Mundo

Shielding the nation’s fragile future with unmatched devotion, this UP alumna transformed Philippine medicine into a sanctuary where every child — from the bustling capital to the power-deprived provinces — could find a fighting chance. 

Long before she became the “Grand Dome of Philippine Pediatrics,” Fe del Mundo’s calling was born from profound childhood grief. Growing up in Intramuros, Manila, opposite the Manila Cathedral, she witnessed three of her siblings die in infancy and lost an older sister to appendicitis. The passing of her younger sister, Elisa — who had openly dreamed of becoming a doctor for the poor — ignited a fierce fire within Fe. At just 15, she entered the University of the Philippines Manila, where she later graduated as valedictorian of the UP College of Medicine in 1933 and ranked third in the medical board exams. 

Her excellence brought her to advanced training in the United States, including pediatric research at Harvard-affiliated Boston Children’s Hospital and graduate studies at Boston University. Despite international opportunities, she returned to the Philippines during World War II, where she served with the Red Cross and cared for child internees at UST. Her compassion in the midst of war earned her the title “The Angel of Santo Tomas,” later extending her service to overwhelmed wartime hospitals in Manila.

After the war, she committed herself to building a healthcare system that reached beyond urban centers. In 1957, she founded the Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City, the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines, after personally financing its creation. She also organized rural medical outreach programs and developed low-cost innovations like a bamboo incubator to help infants in electricity-deprived areas survive.

Her lifelong work reshaped child healthcare in the country and earned her global recognition, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award and the title of National Scientist in 1980. A pioneer in pediatrics and public health, she continued practicing medicine well into her later years, becoming a lasting symbol of service, innovation, and compassion in Philippine medicine. 

Dr. Gerardo Legaspi

Operating at the very frontier of the human mind, this UP alumnus maps out pathways of hope for his patients while anchoring the nation’s premier lifeline for public health.

Dr. Gerardo “Gap” D. Legaspi is one of UP’s most distinguished alumni in the field of medicine, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from UP Diliman in 1983 and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the UP College of Medicine in 1987.

As a word-class neurosurgeon and the visionary Director of the UP Philippine General Hospital (PGH), he embodies the exact trifecta of academic excellence that the university seeks to instill in every Iskolar ng Bayan. In his commitment to the trenches of public healthcare, his presence reshaped the landscapes of both medical education and clinical practice in the country.

Beyond his work as a surgeon, Dr. Legaspi has demonstrated leadership in healthcare administration. As Director of PGH, he has guided the institution through myriad of challenges while ensuring that quality healthcare remains accessible to the masses.

From navigating the intricate, microscopic neural pathways of the brain to managing the massive, complex systems of public health, he remains an undeniable source of pride for the UP community and a true lifeline to and for the Filipino people.

Lourdes J. Cruz

Inspire. Ignite. Innovate. 

In the frigid chambers of a sterile laboratory, a pair of meticulous hands constantly tend to the product of her hypothesis, her eyes directly scrutinizing every detail magnified by her microscope. Born on May 19, 1942 at Tanza, Cavite, Philippines, Lourdes Cruz tilted her devotion as a graduate of the UP Diliman under the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She then continued to balance her scale as she illuminated her way in the United States to receive her master’s and doctorate in biochemistry from University of Iowa in 1966 and 1968 respectively.

With the drips of expertise grazing on her fingertips, Cruz has published over 130 academic papers and created a career surrounding research. During her stay as an assistant professor at the UP College of Medicine in 1970, she became a renowned Filipino biochemist after pioneering a study about the biochemistry of toxic peptides from the venom of Conus geographus (the venomous fish-hunting cone snail). The findings encapsulating the snail’s peptides were proved to possess applications in becoming diagnostic tools for cancers and the development of drugs for the treatment of neurological disorders. In a similar length, Cruz also gave her strength in the development of conotoxins as instruments to examine the activity of the human brain. 

Due to her persistent contributions in science, Cruz earned multiple awards and acknowledgements including being named as the National Scientist of the Philippines in 2006, as well as the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science in 2010. 

Encarnación Amoranto Alzona

Armed with a revolutionary quill and an unyielding belief in equality, this UP alumna shattered the academic glass ceiling to rewrite the future of the Filipino woman.

National Scientist Encarnación Amoranto Alzona was one of the most distinguished alumni of the UP and a pioneering figure in Philippine education, history, and women’s rights. She brought her sharp intellect to the UP Manila, earning her degree in history in 1917 and her master’s degree just a year later. With the shoe fitting, her master’s thesis focused on the historical survey of women’s education in the country, a choice that foreshadowed her lifelong crusade for gender equality and intellectual liberation.

Her pursuit of knowledge knew no geographic boundaries, taking her across the globe as an American government pensionado. She earned a master’s degree from Harvard University’s Radcliffe College in 1920 and, in 1923, became the first Filipino woman to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree after completing her studies at Columbia University. Upon her return, all roads lead back to her alma mater, joining the history faculty of the original UP Manila campus and continuing her tenure as the university transitioned to Diliman.

Beyond academia, Alzona played a vital role in the movement for women’s suffrage in the Philippines. Through her writings, research, and leadership in various organizations, she advocated for equal political rights for women and helped build public support for women’s right to vote, which was finally granted in 1937.

Alzona’s contributions as a historian, educator, suffragist, and public servant earned her the title of National Scientist in 1985. Her achievements continue to inspire Filipinos, particularly women in academia and public service.

Maroon runs deeper than a color

These individuals are only a few among the countless alumni who have left their mark far beyond the halls and classrooms of UP. 

Through public service, journalism, research, law, and the arts, they built careers that challenged expectations, broke barriers, and opened doors for those who came after them. Their journeys remind us that there is no single path to success, only different ways of serving, leading, creating, and making a difference.

As the University of the Philippines marks its 118th year, may their stories inspire us to use our knowledge with integrity, serve with compassion, and dedicate our talents to something greater than ourselves. 

For it is beyond the Sablay that the true measure of an Iskolar ng Bayan is found, not merely in what one achieves, but in how one chooses to live with Honor and Excellence.