During his visit to the University of the Philippines Los Ba?os (UPLB), ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø President Naoshi Sugiyama attended a welcome dinner hosted by UPLB and the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Alumni Association Philippine Branch on July 3, 2026. The event celebrated the longstanding partnership between ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and UPLB and provided an opportunity to reconnect with alumni in the Philippines.
Held at the UPLB Guest House, the dinner brought together ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø alumni, UPLB faculty and staff, and distinguished guests from both institutions. It offered a warm welcome to President Sugiyama and the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø delegation while highlighting the close ties that ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø has built with UPLB and its alumni community in the Philippines.
With ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø alumnus, UPLB assistant professor Dr. Kim Nyka C. Perdiguerra as an MC, the program opened with welcome remarks in Japanese by Dr. Cristino M. Collado, the first president of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Alumni Association Philippine Branch and the earliest Filipino graduate of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, who earned his doctoral degree from the Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences in 1982. His remarks were translated into English by Dr. Abriel S. Bulasag, a ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø alumnus and Associate Professor at UP Rural High School. Dr. Collado spoke of the pride felt by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø alumni in welcoming President Sugiyama to UPLB, particularly on the occasion of his visit as a guest speaker at the university¡¯s commencement exercises.
UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr. then reflected on the long history of collaboration between UPLB and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and emphasized the strength of the relationship between the two institutions. Following introductions of the UPLB and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø delegations, President Sugiyama expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and his gratitude to alumni for their continued support of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
Souvenirs were given to President Sugiyama and each of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø delegates from Director Barbara Caoili of UPLB National Crop Protection Center, Dr. Elmer E. Enicola of UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding, and Professor Neil Tan Gana, the former president of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Alumni Association Philippine Branch.
The evening was further marked by the presence of CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis and University of the Philippines President Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez, both of whom offered messages of welcome. Their participation underscored the significance of the occasion and the wide network of academic friendship surrounding the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-UPLB partnership.
The dinner concluded in a warm and festive atmosphere, with musical performances by Ms. Pauline Arejola, Dr. Abriel Bulasag, and Dr. Ronilo Jose Flores, as well as songs shared by other participants. The gathering provided a memorable opportunity to celebrate friendship, academic exchange, and the alumni ties that continue to strengthen ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø¡¯s connection with the Philippines.
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From left (second row):?Prof. Rolando T. Bello, Vice Chancellor for Administration, UPLB;?Ms. Pauline Therese DV. Arejola, Guest Performer and Alumna of Yamanashi Gakuin University;?Dr. Kim Nyka C. Perdiguerra, Assistant Professor, UPLB and NU ASCI Alumna;?Dr. Evalour T. Aspuria, Adjunct Professor at UPLB, and Tokyo University Alumna;?Dr. Joseph S. Masangkay, Professor Emeritus, College of Veterinary Medicine, UPLB;?Dr. Cristino M. Collado, Chair, UPLB Alumni-Industry Council and Vice-President, UPLB Alumni Association;?Dr. Barbara L. Caoili, Professor and Director, NCPC-UPLB;?Dr. Jiro Takai, Professor and Deputy Director, ACDD, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø;?Dr. Ayako Ido, Designated Associate Professor, ACDD, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø;?Dr. Lerma S. Maldia, Professor, CFNR-UPLB;?Dr. Maria Kristina G. Alinsunurin, Associate Professor, CPAf-UPLB, and College Secretary, UPLB Graduate School;??Dr. Abriel S. Bulasag, Associate Professor, UP Rural High School, UPLB;?Dr. Mary Jean G. Bulatao, Director, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Philippine Center.
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From left (last row):?Dr. Ronilo Jose D. Flores, Associate Professor, CAS-UPLB, and The University of Osaka Alumnus;?Dr. Neil H. Tan Gana, President, PhilFEJA, and Past President, NUAL-Philippines;?Dr. Reinabelle C. Reyes, Associate Professor, National Institute of Physics, UP Diliman;?Ms. Virma Rea G. Lee, Deputy Director, IPB-UPLB;?Dr. Rodmyr F. Datoon, Associate Professor and Director, ASI-UPLB;?Atty. Ruben P. Acebedo II, Vice President for Legal Affairs, OVPLA-UP System;?Dr. Anniver Ryan P. Lapuz, Supervising Science Research Specialist, DOST-FPRDI and NU ASCI Alumnus;??Dr. Thelma A. Saludes, Center Chief, PCC-UPLB, and NU ASCI Alumna;?Dr. Hadji C. Jalotjot, Director, CSPPS-CPAf-UPLB;?Dr. Joy B. Banayo, R&D Head & University Researcher, DTRI-UPLB;?Mr. Elmer E. Enicola, Director, IPB-UPLB.
(Credit: Media and Communication Office, University of the Philippines Los Ba?os)
