Peter Solis Nery, an Ilonggo consummate artist, top West Visayan literature producer, and University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) alumnus, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award in Championing Hiligaynon Literature and Regional Culture from the UP Alumni Association (UPAA) on Saturday, Aug. 19.
In a letter from UPAA, Nery was given the award in recognition of his leadership and achievements in his field, and contributions that benefit the lives of many.
Specifically, the UPAA recognized Nery’s lifetime contributions to local journalism, creative writing, advocating Hiligaynon literature, and promoting Ilonggo arts and culture, through the initiatives of The Peter Solis Nery Foundation for Hiligaynon Literature and the Arts, Inc., in particular.
UP President Angelo Jimenez hosted a dinner on Aug. 16 for the awardees, who will formally receive their awards at the rites to be held at the Luciano E. Salazar Hall, Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, on Aug. 19.
Jimenez and UPAA President Robert Lester Aranton introduced the awardees during the dinner-program.
Nery, the lone Ilonggo who has been feted with the said award thus far, earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from UPV in 1990, where he was also named the Most Outstanding Student in 1989 and the Most Outstanding Graduate the following year.
Together with Nery, the roster of awardees includes former Vice President Leni Robredo and Sec. Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as the Most Distinguished Alumna and Most Distinguished Alumnus awardees, respectively.
The awarding is part of the festivities for the system-wide Grand Alumni Homecoming Week.
UPV alumna Christine Joy Aguirre-Trespeces nominated Nery for the award.Carlson B. Alelis, IPO
