Since the U.P. Sigma Delta Phi Sorority (SDP) turned 50 years old in 1983, and every five years hence, the Mariang Maya Award has been its means to celebrate and honor outstanding members in various fields of endeavor.
In its illustrious roster of past awardees are foremost female modernist painter Anita Magsaysay-Ho, broadcaster and economist Solita Monsod, former Senator Eva Estrada Kalaw, culinary icon Nora Daza, beauty queen-women’s rights activist Nelia Sancho, to name just a few.
For the 90th anniversary of the sorority’s formal recognition by the state university in 1933, and the 9th Mariang Maya Awards, eight outstanding achievers for 2023 received their statuettes during the gala night at Bahay Alumni in UP Diliman on February 25, apropos to the People Power 37th anniversary. Their citation in their field of endeavor reads:
Marlene Catalina Paje-Rodriguez ‘66 – PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
“For being one among the rare breed of women Regional Directors at the National Economic Development Agency (NEDA) spending a successful decade in Bicol and six years in Central Visayas, likewise involving herself in poverty alleviation and community service.”
Emelyn Lynett Advincula-Villariba ‘68 – VISUAL JOURNALISM
“For creating some of the most memorable images in contemporary times including a portrait of Ninoy Aquino for a 1983 magazine cover story about his untimely death, painstakingly rendered in pen & ink dots signifying with powerful imagery every Filipino’s struggle for freedom; mastheads and numerous Page Ones of trailblazing newspapers that sought to defend press freedom and resist tyranny.”
Virginia Honrado-Benavidez ‘68 – DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
“A stalwart career diplomat who gained people’s trust and friendship wherever posted – Brunei Darussalam, New Zealand, some Pacific island states – including overseas Filipinos, especially the women, whom she pledged to serve.”
Maria Lourdes Santos ‘72 – FOOD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
“A pioneering product innovator who has done research and development for major food companies across Southeast Asia, producing commercial-grade food and beverage items that have garnered international recognition.”
Linda Luz Bacungan-Guerrero ‘73 – SOCIAL RESEARCH
“For having proven herself as a highly respected social scientist, a recognized leader in the field of highly credible social surveys and opinion polls for public interest.”
Annie Gerona Dee ‘73 – BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
“A woman trailblazer in the world of mining that is traditionally led by men – a forerunner of today’s version of Women in STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – with her responsible mining advocacy while paying back nature’s gifts by directing the planting of thousands of native trees.”
Maria Elizabeth Santiago-Sichon ‘76 – HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
“Made her mark in the fields of human resources development and organizational psychology, coaching and training people to move up the corporate ladder and creating opportunities for more Filipino executives in global corporations, her insights mostly chronicled in her book, The Art of Human Resources.”
Frances Rivera ‘89 – BROADCAST COMMUNICATIONS
“A two-time Emmy Award winner for news anchoring (in the United States), who also produced news segments and, as moderator of various forums and discussions that shed light on the Asian-American experience, brought a better understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives to a wide audience.”
