A Multi-Generational Alumni Family in NISMED

On its centennial year, celebrated on 22 June 2013, the UP Alumni Association recognized multi-generational families with at least three generations of members who graduated from UP during the General Alumni Homecoming held at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman. The call for nominations and search yielded one such family among the NISMED staff.

Dr. Risa L. Reyes, Deputy Director for Research and Extension and Elementary School Science (ESS) Group Chair, represented the Lansang-Reyes family in accepting a plaque of recognition and a citation for her family’s “ distinct achievement of having produced three generations of UP graduates, thus upholding the UP tradition of academic excellence and nurturing a heritage of the finest family values, both of which are highly worthy of admiration and emulation by our present, as well as future, generations.”

L-R: President Alfredo E. Pascual, Reyes, UPAA President Ponciano
E. Rivera, Jr. and First Vice-President Renato B. Valdecantos

Dr. Reyes’ father, Jose A. Lansang, graduated from UP in 1930 with a PhB (Bachelor of Philosophy) degree while her mother, Flora Celi-Lansang earned her BSE (Bachelor of Science in Education) from UP in 1937. One other sibling, Florinna Lansang-Joaquin, finished her BS Psychology degree in 1965. Her five brothers, like the two sisters, all attended UP Elementary School and/or UP High School though they did not graduate from the University. Their father was a professorial lecturer in UP Diliman teaching Philippine Institutions 100 (PI 100: The Life and Writings of Rizal) at the time of his death in January 1970 while their mother retired in 1978 as a full professor at the Institute of Social Work and Community Development (now a College).

Three of Dr. Reyes’ four children graduated from the University. The eldest, Leandro Paolo, graduated a with BS Metallurgical Engineering degree in 1997 and was a 4th placer in the board examinations. The second, Joanna Katrina, is a Business Administration (major in Marketing) cum laude graduate in 2008. The third, Mark, graduated in October 2012, as an Outstanding Student of the BS Physical Education Program at the College of Human Kinetics. The fourth and youngest, Christi, is on her 4th year BS Mass Communications Majoring in Film.