Out of more than 100 entries nationwide AUP and FANDA's (Filipino Adventist Nutritionist and Dieticians Association) “Healthy Life and Nutri-Emeal” headed by Merly Gabuco-Idaosos is one of the Top Five entries in the Search for the Five Outstanding Philip-pine Nutrition and Health Programs, 2007, as announced by Nestle, Philip-pines which sponsors the nationwide search. Winners will receive 100,000 pesos each and the awarding will be held in the Intercontinental Manila Hotel, on April 12.

Mrs, Idaosos (BS Foods and Nutrition, AUP), who is finishing her doctoral studies in UP is coordinator of the technology and home economics program of the College of Education and was last year’s president of the Nutri-tionists and Dieticians Association of the Philippines (NDAP), Cavite Chapter. Last year she received an award for most outstanding NDAP Chapter. It’s Nutrition and Health program which covered Silang area landed only in the top ten of the Search last year; this gave her the challenge to develop a health and nutrition program that concentrated on the immediate barangay of AUP which is Puting Kahoy. With the help of FANDA the program emphasized on the importance of breakfast (E-meal for early meal) for elementary school children based on a study conducted among malnourished communities in Cavite. Preliminary judging was held in Novem-ber, 2006 when the judges came to AUP to listen to the presentation of Mrs. Idaosos. She could not make it to the final presentation last month because the schedule fell on a Sabbath but the program was upheld.

The program which is a wholesome family package also includes feeding which has been voluntarily sustained by various sectors of AUP such as the College of Education, College of Health and other departments and individuals of the school and church, lectures and demonstrations on vegetarian diet especially food from soybeans, physical fitness for housewives, backyard gardening, AUP elementary pupils’ sharing of experiences and knowledge on nutrition with pupils in the public schools, nutritious cookies with messages on health and nutrition and others. The Wellness components and sustainability of the program for a period of three years were among the criteria. In the Silang town proper a big banner congratulating AUP for the victory was set up by the officials of the Local Government Unit. Ma’am Merly cannot help but express, “Praise the Lord for placing AUP in the limelight of health and nutrition and for all these blessings!”

Colors, pageantry and spectacular fireworks display dominated the first Commencement Exercises held in the AUP Soccer Field. Forty colorful flags of all nations, carried by international students and Master Guides, the grand marshal bringing in the 2.5 kg university mace, marshals in red, white and yellow outfits with blue and gold sashes carrying color coded college posts, tall and eye-catching uniformed saber escorts from the Philippines National Police Academy and faculty and staff in their elaborate graduation regalia, bearing flags of the different colleges marched down the red carpet aisle to introduce the 426 candidates for graduation on April 1, 2007.

Of the total number 259 come from the College of Nursing, CON; 20 each from the College of Education, COE and College of Theology, COT; College of Arts Sciences and Technology had 46; the College of Business, COB had 40; while the College of Health had 10; and the Graduate School had 31. Almost 200 faculty and staff joined the processional.

The program started at 4:45 p.m. a little over time since the heat of the sun was still a problem at 4p.m. signaling the end of the program at 10: 15 p.m. was the pyrotechnic fireworks display which was lit at the tennis court, just below the slope near the venue. Grand Marshal of the graduation week-end was Elmie Lynn Villagomez- Lagajino, Chair of the Secondary Education Dept. assisted by Amelina Rafael-Fabroa, Pastor Andresito Fernando, and Dexter Espelita; along with enduring 20 student marshals from the College of  Education.   Leading the  Class

was Alvi Perez, BSN class president with class advisers Suzy Jael, Ferdinand Esplana and Luh Sauza. Dr. Danilo P. Poblete, VPAA is administrator in charge.

Among the other highlights were the commencement address delivered by Dr. Samuel Roda, EASNAC president; Ceasar Montano multi awarded actor and now a senatorial candidate also spoke for a few minutes; the announcement of more than 50 academic awardees headed by 3 Summa Cum Laude awardees from the undergraduate and 2 from the graduate school. Also awarded were the second placer in the Medical Technology Board Exams who was also given a 10,000 peso cash incentive by the administration; and the first Alfonso P. Roda Leadership Award with certificate a medallion and 50 thousand pesos cash courtesy of the Alfonso P. Roda foundation awarded by the guest speaker.

Major awardees are as follows: