Xavier School honors 5 exemplary alumni

MANILA, Philippines - Xavier School will honor five outstanding alumni with the Xavier-Kuangchi Award for exemplary alumni tomorrow, March 9. They join 15 other Xaverians honored in the last five years who all embody, to an outstanding degree, the school’s ideal of being “men fully alive” and are worthy role models for excellence, leadership and service.

Wellington C. Yu (Batch ’60) was one of only nine students of the first graduating class of Xavier School in 1960. He pursued a college education at De La Salle University (DLSU) in 1965 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. From 1973 to 1985, he was the Dean of the College of Business and Economics of DLSU and of the Graduate School of Business from 1981 to 1984. He was conferred the title of Dean Emeritus in the College of Business and Economics, and was awarded Most Outstanding Administrator in 1987.

Dr. Paulino Y. Tan, PhD (Batch ’62) is known for his pioneering work in information technology education in the Philippines. As Technical Panel member for IT Education of the Commission on Higher Education, he contributed to three major programs on faculty development of IT teachers, the accreditation of IT schools, and the industry readiness of IT graduates. In 2006, he received the Dr. Jose Rizal Award for Excellence for his achievements. He was among the “50 Great Men and Women of Science” by the Department of Science and Technology in 2008.

Harry T. Chua (Batch ’65). In 1970, Harry founded Pagkakaisa sa Pag-unlad and worked tirelessly in campaigning for jus-soli citizenship at the Constitutional Convention. The effort failed but was an impetus for greater involvement in the founding of Kaisa, which continues to work for the greater integration of Chinese Filipinos into mainstream Philippine society. During his term as president, he organized the first Tsinoy National Convention and established the Kaisa Heritage Center, which later on became the Tsinoy Museum.

DR. Lawrence Que Jr., PhD (Batch ’65) is a 3M/Alumni Distinguished Professor of Chemistry in the Institute of Technology at the University of Minnesota, which he is credited for establishing as a world-renowned center of excellence in bioinorganic chemistry. He is the author of over 400 publications and is the chief editor of the Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry. He has received numerous awards and honors including the Bader Award from the American Chemical Society, the premier award in his field. In 2008, he was listed among the top 100 living chemists in the world.

Enrico Emmanuel C. Angtuaco (Batch ’68) is program director of the Master in Management (MM) Program at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). Prior to joining AIM, he was a faculty member of the Ateneo de Manila University for 14 years and served as chair of the Business Management department for over a decade. An active Rotarian since 1984, he is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Sto. Domingo, Quezon City and was recognized as Most Outstanding Club Rotarian for seven years for superlative service to the less fortunate and to the district.

This year’s awardees will be honored during conferment rites attended by students, faculty, parents, alumni, and school administrators led by Fr. Johnny Go, SJ, president; Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, SJ, chairman, and the Jesuit Provincial Superior Fr. Jose Cecilio Magadia, SJ. Past recipients of the Xavier-Kuangchi award are John Burtkenley Ong (86), Atty. Richard Alianan (83), Atty. Ted Bonpin (82), Dr. Harvey Uy, MD (82), Dr. Ricardo Quintos, MD (81), Col. Ernesto Ravina Jr. (79), Dr. Joaquin Yap Jr., SW, DPhil (79), Dr. Kelly Salvador, MD (78), Vicente Perez Jr. (75), Dr. Edward Wang, MD (75), +Atty. William Chua (72), Gilbert Son (72), Amb. Francis Chua (67), Dr. John de Guzman, DBA, PhD (67), and Wellington Tong (66).