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Phl’s pioneer aviation school pays tribute to outstanding alumni, industry partners and students
STA. CRUZ, Manila – Outstanding achievements of alumni from different generations of FEATI University will never be forgotten as the pioneer aviation school paid tribute to their sterling careers both from public service to private enterprises.
FEATI University president, Dr. Ing. Adolfo Jesus R. Gopez and FEATI University CEO Francisco A. Segovia were present to honor trailblazing men and women of Philippine aviation history.
The recognition night dubbed FEATI Aviation Awards 2018 was held on February 2, 2018 at the FEATI University Activity Center attended by alumni, faculty, students and stakeholders. This is the 2nd edition of this annual celebration of achievements. The university gave the FEATI Aviation Alumni Award to Capt. Efren C. Rocamora for his exemplary achievements in aeronautical engineering. He graduated BS Aeronautical Engineering in 1978. He is currently Department Manager III of the Regulatory Department and Flight Standards and Inspectorate Service or FSIS under the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines or CAAP.
The FEATI Aviation Alumni Award is given to an alumnus or alumna in recognition of his outstanding professional performance and contribution in aviation bringing pride and honor to his Alma Mater.
Hall of Fame
The FEATI Aviation Lifetime Achievement Awards, on the other hand, is considered one of the most prestigious awards being given by the university to outstanding alumni with impeccable career records. This recognition, which may be considered as a major step toward the Hall of Fame, was accorded to Engr. Charles D. Castro of Class 1966, Engr. Diosdado G. Luna of Class 1953, and Ms. Virginia Flores-Rivera, the first licensed female commercial pilot in the country, who belonged to Class of 1951.
The Lifetime Achievement Award symbolizes an alumnus’ life’s work beyond material gain, profit, personal renown and places focus on the importance of progress for the good of humanity and our way of life. It is given to an alumnus whose significant contribution in Aviation has made positive impact in the industry. It is also given in recognition of his exemplary character, professionalism and dedication both in the academe and aviation industry truly living the FEATI values, worthy of emulation.
Engr. Castro gave his response on behalf of the awardees by thanking his FEATI brand of education that prepared him for the many challenges in his career and for the training that was instrumental in molding his character as well. Engr. Castro graduated with a degree in BS Aeronautical Engineering in 1966. His career spans 30 stellar years with the Philippine Air Force, the United States Air Force (USAF) Research and Development and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In 2009, he was conferred the title of Balik Scientist in Aeronautical Engineering by the Department of Science and Technology.
On the other hand, Engr. Luna completed his Airline Maintenance Engineering course in 1949 and received the Dona Victoria Araneta Presidential Gold Medal for Highest Honors. In 1953, he graduated once more with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering with honors. After graduation he worked at Southern Air Pacific in Clark as Line Maintenance for five years and in 1958 he was hired as Researcher and Technical Writer of the US Air Force and taught at the US Armed Forces Institute. From 1960 to 1970, upon the invitation and insistence of Dr. Zara, he came back to FEATIU and took charge of the Aero Lab while teaching algebra, geometry and calculus. Then in 1970, he went to the United States and worked at Pacific Southwest Airlines as Supervisor of Airline Maintenance until his retirement in 1991.
Ms. Flores-Rivera made her first solo flight on July 13, 1950, after 10 hours and 53 minutes of flying with her American instructor, while enrolled at FEATI, then known as FEATI Institute of Technology. In 1951, she completed her course in flying and became the second Filipina to fly, the first being Erlinda Tolentino. She became a private pilot, after logging in 35 hours of solo, dual and cross-country flying. She later qualified for the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) exams for commercial flying where she logged 200 cross-country hours, flying to Hong Kong, Guam, Saigon, and other countries. She retired from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (then known as the Air Transportation Office) in 1993.
FEATI’s young guns
The University, while paying tribute to veteran alumni, also recognized the newly-minted Aeronautical Engineers for passing Aeronautical Engineering Board Examination with 2017 with the Batch Achiever Award. Awarded were: Arman John D. Aguil, Pergentino V. Bayani Jr., Ramon Patrick Delfin, Paul Christian T. Devera, Marc Kenneth B. Nadar, Psalm July Cyd R. Raco, and Ronwald Collins S. Santos.
For its students, the University also gave the Red Hat Award for Academic Excellence
to Aeronautical Engineering and Aircraft Maintenance students, on regular status, who attained the highest grade point average in the last academic year in his or her year level in the program enrolled in. To qualify as a Red Hat Awardee he or she must have also exhibited exemplary character and discipline, serving as a role model for other students to emulate.
The Aeronautical Engineering awardees for this category were Medrick Lloyd Ariel L. Hidalgo (1st year), Rodge Lorenz N. Quilala (2nd year), James Angelo M. Santiago (3rd year), Revor E. Velasquez (4th year), Talitha Isabelle S. Melgar (5th year). The awardees for Aircraft Maintenance Technology were the following: Enrico F. Paulino III (1st year), Julian V. Victoriano (2nd year), Harvey Clemen D. Maasin (3rd year), and Meek G. Pangilinan (4th year). Senior high school student Wilbur Von L. Mendoza was also given the award in STEM – Aeronautics.
FEATI University also gave the Model Student Award to Elija Gabriel V. Adaza who is now on his 3rd year in Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. This award is given to a working student for proudly exhibiting the values of honesty, dignity of work, industriousness and scholarship.
Industry bigwigs
Prominent aviation industry companies were also given a fitting tribute by FEATI University for their unrelenting support to the University in the development of the aviation industry and its human capital. This award is given in recognition of industry partners who continue to support the University and its Aeronautical Engineering and Aircraft Maintenance Technology programs through students' academic activities and curricular requirements. There to receive the awards were representatives of the following companies: Alpha Aviation Group Philippines, Aviation Partnership Philippines Corporation, PAL Express, and SIA Engineering Philippines Corporation. The University also gave special awards to new supporters from the industry with the FEATI Aviation New Industry Partner Award, namely: Fliteline Aviation Services, Inc. and SkyJet Airlines, Inc.
“The awards that the university gives to its outstanding graduates and alumni are but small tokens of appreciation for the honor that they gave to their alma mater and this is a testament that the FEATI brand of education is of the highest quality,” concluded Dr. Rogelio A. Panlasigui, Dean of the College of Engineering.
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