MOST DISTINGUISHED UP ALUMNUS. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo is honored as Most Distinguished Alumnus by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) in ceremonies held during the U.P. General Alumni-Faculty Homecoming and Reunion last June 21 at Luciano E. Salazar Hall, UP Diliman. The recognition was part of UPAA’s annual Distinguished Alumni Awards conferred on graduates with sterling achievements in their chosen fields that have greatly benefited society. Sec. Montejo, who earned his BSME from UP in 1974, is one of the country’s most outstanding engineers. His leadership has pushed DOST toward new directions allowing the creation of top-flight technologies poised to make local industries more globally competitive, improve social services, and solve multi-sectoral problems including disaster preparedness. The NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) Program in particular, one of the Department’s flagship projects featuring cutting-edge technology for early warning against calamities, was established during Montejo’s term. Photo also shows (from left) UPAA President Ponciano Rivera, UP President Alfredo Pascual, and UPAA 1st Vice President Renato Valdecantos. (S&T Media Service)