The Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association of North America (USPNA) announced on May 10, 2024 the list of twelve fellows who will be honored with the USPNA Tanglaw Award for the year 2024. The Tanglaw Awards is given every two years to outstanding alumni of the Upsilon Sigma Phi based in North America who exemplify virtues of brotherhood, leadership, service and excellence in their fields and professions.

This year’s awardees come from diverse backgrounds and includes two posthumous awardees. This year's awards will be presented in Las Vegas on June 1, 2024 during the USPNA Global Bente Singko 25th Anniversary reunion to be held at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.

The 2024 USPNA Tanglaw Awards Committee was chaired by Dr. Angelito “Tito” Tan ’62 and composed of members - USPNA President Jory Catibog, ‘71, former Tanglaw awardees Danilo “Chuggie” Sichon ’68 and Dr. William “Bill” Romero ’76, and USPNA Vice President and Upsilon Sun executive editor Roderick “Ricky” Rionda ‘83.

The text of Chairman Tito Tan’s ’62 announcement follows:

TANGLAW AWARD FOR BROTHERHOOD

Jaime “Jimmy” Velasco ‘70 excels in the field of veterinary medicine for more than four decades and helps his community, as well as the brotherhood with their pets and other personal matters; a former president of UP Alumni Association of Los Angeles and former President of the USPNA.

Dr. Valentin “Bim” Dolorico ‘62 volunteered in many medical missions to different areas in the Philippines and has been very generous in his support for the Upsilon Medical Assistance Program (UMAP).+

Attorney Nathan “Nate” Tibayan Sese ’84 is one of the most recognizable brods among Upsilonians. Although wheelchair bound, his physical restrictions have not dampened his enthusiasm for fellowships. He is present at most local USPNA Northeast Chapter outings and National events. As a lawyer, he readily offers his expertise in immigration to help Brods, Sigma Deltans and their families.

Nestor “Tor” Budy ’61 - Posthumous awardee, for fostering camaraderie among his brothers; a founding member of the original Southern California Chapter and served as its long time president. Tor's home in Anaheim Hills in Los Angeles was known as the Anaheim Hilton and was the favorite hangout of brods in the area. Tor was the elder statesman of the west coast Upsilon fellowship, always quick to lend a helping hand to brods in need, small in physical stature but with a giant heart. He is missed by many brods whose lives he has touched in many ways.

TANGLAW AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Alfred “Alfie” Kwong '67, a poet extraordinaire, his “Controlled Burn,” a collection of poems says it all. He has contributed significantly in the field of literature and artistic writing. His talent can easily be likened to a diamond sparkling in the sand.

Dr. Ulysses “Uly” Magalang ’76 is a Professor of Medicine with the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine of The Ohio State University, Dr. Magalang has been involved in the Sleep Apnea Genetics International Consortium (SAGIC). The mission of SAGIC is to enable research in the genetics and genomics of sleep apnea at an international level. This unique collaboration comprises international experts in the field of sleep research dedicated to further unraveling the genetics of sleep apnea and its associated co-morbidities.

TANGLAW AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP

Rafael “Piling” Francia ’55 - The very first president of the East Coast Chapter, Piling was the guiding light to a number of brods living around the eastern seaboard which became the foundation of the USPNA with its roots deeply planted in our East Coast Chapter now officially known as the Northeast Chapter. A number of our senior brods have stood witness to how we have grown and spread to the Midwest and California and finally keeping in touch with our brods in Canada. In his written introduction of “A Resource Book on the Credo: a Lifetime Endeavor for Those who Aspire to be Tried and True Upsilonians,” he believed the way to prove oneself as a tried and true Upsilonian is to live the Upsilon Credo. To those who knew him well in addition to his being a leader, he left an indelible mark of pure Upsilon brotherhood. RIP!

Edwin Paña '69, served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the USPNA and led the Board with superb efficiency. A retired businessman and entrepreneur with remarkable versatility who resides in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, he served multiple times as Chairman, last serving in 2022. He publishes an environmental blog - EP Resource Page, One Planet, One Chance (www.epresourcepage.com). Mr. Paña holds a bachelor's degree in forestry from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños.

Angel “Angie” Fandialan ’60, in August 27, 1999, he organized the fellowship and initiated the meeting which ratified our by-laws and elected the USPNA BOD which elected our first set of officers. He has contributed significantly to the preservation of the USPNA tenets and traditions. He is now the head of the USPNA's Archives Committee.

Steven “Bing” Yuvienco '67 has shown leadership qualities in the USPNA, leading by example, and always the first in providing support to all our projects in his self-effacing way. He was the first USPNA Chairman when the association was established on August 27, 1999.

TANGLAW AWARD FOR SERVICE

Dr. Jose Vicente “Jhovin” Poblete ’79 for his exemplary readiness to serve the fraternity as Chairman of our 25th anniversary USPNA global reunion. He is a cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery specialist in Avon, OH and has over 36 years of experience in the medical field; a graduate of University of Pennsylvania and University of Virginia. He is affiliated with medical facilities Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital.

Dominic “Dom” Gonzales ’84 has been an integral part of the Northeast Chapter the past several years. He was the point person in the planning and execution of Kapatiran sa Karagatan that would have been our 2020 USPNA reunion had it not been for Covid-19., and now as we celebrate Bente Singko sa Las Vegas, Dom once more answered the call of the brotherhood and readily took on several roles in the Reunion Team- Marketing, On-line Registration, Webmaster, Souvenir Program graphic artist, all facets of this global reunion have been made better because of Dom’s participation. In short, he has put a smile on the Mona Lisa!

Signed:

Angelito D. Tan ‘62

Chairman – USPNA Board of Directors Awards Committee, May 10, 2024