The People of the OVPAA

Meet the dedicated team behind the operations and services of the OVPAA.

Lorraine Pe Symaco
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Heads of Offices
Staff

Dolores Cecilia T. Madrid, PhD

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Internationalization)
Director, Office of International Linkages

Francisco N. de los Reyes

Director, Office of Admissions

Galileo S. Zafra, PhD

Director, UP Press

Marie Aubrey J. Villaceran, PhD

Director, Center for Women’s and Gender Studies

Michelle R. Palumbarit, PhD

Director, UP CIFAL Philippines

Tristan Nathaniel C. Ramos

Director, Office of Student Development Services

Administrative

Fatima C. Gaspe

University Researcher III

Juan Carlos D. Soliman

Supervising Office Associate

Ken Russell M. Peñaflor

Junior Office Associate

Klarene A. Salazar

Supervising Office Associate

Marilyn R. Abear

Utility Worker II

Nelson S. Olivar

Secretary II

Rhona A. Villacruz

University Research Associate II

Socrates P. Jugo

Mechanic III

Curriculum & Instruction

Edward James R. Ente

Senior Project Associate

Kathleen Mai J. Cardoz

Senior Project Officer

Rasmin I. Dimaculangan

Junior Project Assistant

Renald A. Delos Santos

Junior Project Assistant

Faculty Development

Angelique Venus B. Alcantara

Senior Project Officer

Jenette C. Burlat

University Researcher III

Kenneth Carlo L. Rives

Senior Project Assistant

Maria Corazon S. Depone

Senior Project Associate

Initiative Development

Alice Ross T. Morta, PhD

Writer and Web Manager

John Peter A. Himor

Junior Research Analyst

Research

Dan Gabriel A. Castro

Junior Project Assistant

Joyce Efraim B. Villanueva

Senior Project Officer

Kate Maybelle N. Abulad

Senior Project Assistant

Larry Illich N. Souribio

Senior Project Officer

Quality Assurance

Geleen Rica R. Javellana

Senior Project Officer

Raymund Arthur C. Matias

Junior Project Associate

Rexie B. Quizon

Senior Project Officer

Lorraine Pe Symaco

Vice President for Academic Affairs

Vice President for Academic Affairs

Lorraine Pe Symaco assumed the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of the Philippines in August 2025. Prior to this appointment, she served as a professor at Zhejiang University, China, and was the founding director of the Centre for Research in International and Comparative Education (CRICE) and UNESCO Chair in International and Comparative Educational Research at the University of Malaya, Malaysia.

Dr. Symaco completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of the Philippines and earned her Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) from the University of Oxford. Her research interests are international education development and higher education. She is Editor of the Journal of International and Comparative Education (JICE) and Series Editor of Education in Southeast Asia (Routledge).

As Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Symaco is responsible for leading the development and implementation of university-wide policies on teaching and learning, faculty and student development and services, research, internationalization, admissions, and the oversight of the University Press.

Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay, PhD

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Quality Assurance)

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Alyssa Peleo-Alampay is currently Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Quality Assurance) of the University of the Philippines System in charge of quality assurance. She was Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Curriculum and Instruction) from July 2014- March 2019. Dr. Peleo-Alampay has served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the College of Science and as Deputy Director for Academic Affairs of the National Institute of Geological Sciences in UP Diliman.

Dr. Peleo-Alampay is a Professor of Geology at the National Institute of Geological Sciences at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. She obtained her B.S. and M.S. in Geology at the University of the Philippines and her Ph.D. in Earth Science at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, USA. Dr. Peleo-Alampay is a Balik Scientist Awardee of the Department of Science and Technology and awarded as one of The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service in 2007. She was also awarded the 2020 Outstanding Professional in Geology of the Professional Regulation Commission.

Assistant Vice President

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Curriculum & Instruction)

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dolores Cecilia T. Madrid, PhD

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Internationalization)
Director, Office of International Linkages

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Head of Office

Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla, PhD

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Faculty Development)

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla is a professor, UP Scientist I, and the head of the DNA Barcoding Laboratory in UP Diliman. He obtained his BS in Biology in 1997 and MS in Biology (Genetics) in 2001, both UP Diliman, and his PhD in Genetics in 2010 at the University of Nottingham. He specializes in Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Phylogenetics, and Wildlife Forensics. His lab has been working with the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in developing DNA barcodes for Philippine endemic species as well as handling cases of confiscations of illegally obtained wildlife. He is also involved in the use of eDNA methods to detect the presence of medically important pathogens as well as introduced species in the environment. Dr. Fontanilla has also been active in the development of the curricula of various degree programs under the College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, foremost of which are the BSc Biology, MSc Biology, MSc Microbiology, and PhD Biology.

Ma. Shari Niña G. Oliquino

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Student Affairs)

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

Shari Niña Oliquino is the current UP System Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Student Affairs) and Director of the University’s Office of Student Development Services. She graduated cum laude with a degree in Broadcast Communication from the University of the Philippines, Diliman in 2017 and is set to receive her Master’s degree in Community Development in 2023 after completing all the requirements needed for the said program offered by the UP College of Social Work and Community Development.

Ms. Oliquino also served as the Head Executive Assistant / Chief of Staff of the Department of Transportation’s Undersecretary for Railways from 2022 to 2023 and as a Consultant for Public Affairs of the Mayor of the City of Manila from 2020 to 2022. She also worked as a TV Host at DZRH News Television, a News Reporter at People’s Television Network, an Online Program Host for civic media group Now You Know PH, and as a Political and Communications Officer for a national candidate during the 2022 National Elections.

Back in her undergraduate years, she was actively involved in various leadership positions in organizations such as the UP Broadcasters’ Guild and the UP Beta Sigma Ladies Corps where she served as the Vice President for Activities and Education and Vice President for External Affairs, respectively. From 2015-2018, she served as the Lead Convenor of the Rise for Education Alliance-UP Diliman — leading about a hundred member formations inside the campus. In 2017, She was elected as one of the UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) Councilors with over 4,500 votes and eventually served as the Head of the USC’s Students’ Rights and Welfare Committee.

A year later, she was selected as the UP Student Regent — the sole representative of around 50,000 UP students in the highest policy-making body of the University.

As the UP Student Regent, she was at the forefront of student campaigns such as Free Education, Academic Freedom, and Expansion of Student Services.

Dolores Cecilia T. Madrid, PhD

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Internationalization)
Director, Office of International Linkages

Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Head of Office

Francisco N. de los Reyes

Director, Office of Admissions

Head of Office

Assoc. Prof. Francisco N. de los Reyes teaches at the undergraduate and graduate degree programs of the UP School of Statistics (UPSS) where he obtained his B.S. (Statistics) and M.S. (Statistics) degrees. His interests are in statistical quality control, spatial statistics and multivariate theory. He was formerly Director for Undergraduate Studies, Director for Extension Services and College Secretary at the UPSS.

Assoc. Prof. de los Reyes is a published academic and was a statistician for various researches in government, industry, academe and training institutions. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Societies for academic excellence and Grand Champion of the 2017 SAS Philippines Analytics Competition (Faculty Division). He was awarded the Sunlife Brilliance Professorial Chair for Statistics in December 2017 and the UP Centennial Professorial Chair in 2020. Prof. de los Reyes was awarded the Gawad Tsanselor sa Natatanging Guro 2020. He was appointed Director of the Office of Admissions effective 1 July 2020.

Galileo S. Zafra, PhD

Director, UP Press

Head of Office

Galileo S. Zafra is a literature, language, and Philippine Studies professor at the Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. He obtained his doctoral degree in Philippine literature from the same institution. He served as Director of the UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (2001-2004, 2007-2009) and was a Visiting Professor at the Graduate Studies on Language and Cultures, Osaka University, Japan (2009-2014). He is an active member of the Filipinas Institute of Translation and Wika ng Kultura at Agham (WIKA) which implements projects for the advancement of teaching and intellectualization of Filipino. He is involved in programs of the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino and the Philippine Cultural Education Program of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (PCEP-NCCA). He is an active writer, editor, and translator. He is associate editor of the Theater Volume of the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art.

Marie Aubrey J. Villaceran, PhD

Director, Center for Women’s and Gender Studies

Head of Office

Marie Aubrey Villaceran is a faculty member of the Department of English and Comparative Literature in the University of the Philippines, Diliman and the curricular coordinator of its Creative Writing program. She is also the Director of the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies and the Convenor of the Decolonial Studies Program under the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies. She has a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of the Philippines and a PhD in Sociology from La Trobe University in Australia, where she is also an honorary research fellow. She has conducted research, training, and lectures on gender sensitivity; gender equality, disability, and social inclusion; gender dimensions of disaster risk reduction & disaster risk management; women local humanitarian leadership; and gender and the environment. She is currently involved in projects on arts-based social research methods.

Michelle R. Palumbarit, PhD

Director, UP CIFAL Philippines

Head of Office

Dr. Michelle R. Palumbarit obtained her doctoral degree in Political Science from Yonsei University, Seoul in 2016 and her master’s degree in Korean Studies in 2012 from the same university. Prior to her graduate studies in Korea, Prof. Palumbarit studied at the Asian Center, UP Diliman with Korea as her country of specialization. She is currently an associate professor at the Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman. Her research interests include Korea Studies, ASEAN-Korea relations, Filipinos in Korea, and environmental politics.

Tristan Nathaniel C. Ramos

Director, Office of Student Development Services

Head of Office

Fatima C. Gaspe

University Researcher III

Administrative

Serves as the Administrative Officer; monitors work of administrative staff and supervises day-to-day operations of the OVPAA; reviews incoming documents before distribution to appropriate official/staff/team; provides data needed by the VPAA in letters and queries received by the office

Juan Carlos D. Soliman

Supervising Office Associate

Administrative

Provides administrative support to the implementation of the International Publication Awards

Ken Russell M. Peñaflor

Junior Office Associate

Administrative

Klarene A. Salazar

Supervising Office Associate

Administrative

Carries out OVPAA budgeting and bookkeeping process, maintains supply inventory, and manages procurement needs, among other administrative duties, in the OVPAA Main Office

Marilyn R. Abear

Utility Worker II

Administrative

Performs messengerial tasks

Nelson S. Olivar

Secretary II

Administrative

Records incoming and outgoing documents

Rhona A. Villacruz

University Research Associate II

Administrative

Provides administrative support to the implementation of UP-PCARI projects, the Balik PhD program, the Emerging Interdisciplinary Research Program and the Enhanced Creative Work and Research Program

Socrates P. Jugo

Mechanic III

Administrative

Drives office vehicle for transporting authorized personnel and delivery and collection of documents for the VPAA

Edward James R. Ente

Senior Project Associate

Curriculum and Instruction

Provides assistance in coordinating and reviewing curricular proposals and in the implementation of the General Education Program Evaluation

Kathleen Mai J. Cardoz

Senior Project Officer

Curriculum and Instruction

Provides assistance in coordinating and reviewing curricular proposals and in the implementation of the General Education Program Evaluation

Rasmin I. Dimaculangan

Junior Project Assistant

Curriculum and Instruction

Provides assistance in coordinating and reviewing curricular proposals

Renald A. Delos Santos

Junior Project Assistant

Curriculum and Instruction

Provides assistance in coordinating and reviewing curricular proposals

Angelique Venus B. Alcantara

Senior Project Officer

Faculty Development

Provides administrative support to the implementation of the International Publication Awards

Jenette C. Burlat

University Researcher III

Faculty Development

Supervises the Faculty, REPS & Admin Staff Development Program, Enhanced Creative Work & Research Grant, Research Dissemination Grant, Balik-PhD Program, Emerging Interdisciplinary Research Program, and Gawad Pangulo for Progressive Teaching & Learning; staff support to the Academic Advisory Committee

Kenneth Carlo L. Rives

Senior Project Assistant

Faculty Development

Maria Corazon S. Depone

Senior Project Associate

Faculty Development

Provides assistance in the Teaching Assistantship Program and Appointments

Alice Ross T. Morta, PhD

Writer and Web Manager

Initiative Development

Supervises the Research Incubation Section; handles web content and management, social media management, research, speech writing, and proposal/report/concept paper writing

John Peter A. Himor

Junior Research Analyst

Initiative Development

Conducts research and analysis related to priority projects and strategic objectives of the OVPAA

Dan Gabriel A. Castro

Junior Project Assistant

Research and Innovation

Joyce Efraim B. Villanueva

Senior Project Officer

Research and Innovation

Kate Maybelle N. Abulad

Senior Project Assistant

Research and Innovation

Larry Illich N. Souribio

Senior Project Officer

Research and Innovation

Geleen Rica R. Javellana

Senior Project Officer

Quality Assurance

Provides assistance in the implementation of system-wide quality assurance initiatives

Raymund Arthur C. Matias

Junior Project Associate

Quality Assurance

Rexie B. Quizon

Senior Project Officer

Quality Assurance

Provides assistance in the implementation of system-wide quality assurance initiatives

The People of the OVPAA