Retired MMSU CTE prof named 2025 UPAA Distinguished Alumna
By Niña Christelle Sumintac, STRATCOM Correspondent
Dr. Mary Lou Aurelio, a retired professor of the Mariano Marcos State University College of Teacher Education (CTE) and the Graduate School, has been named 2025 UPAA Distinguished Alumna in Education in the Cultural Promotion and Preservation category at the 112th UPAA Anniversary Awards Ceremony held on August 16.
Conferred by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA), the UPAA Alumni Award is regarded as among the most prestigious recognitions bestowed upon UP graduates, celebrating individuals who embody the values of honor, excellence, and service.
Dr. Aurelio completed her Teacher’s Diploma in Music in 1964 and Bachelor of Music in 1965 at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Music, where her passion for cultural heritage and musical traditions took root. Her early training later shaped decades of work that championed cultural identity, community arts, and regional expressions, especially in Ilocos.
UPAA President and Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton emphasized, “Beyond professional excellence, we looked for the strength of their leadership, the depth of their service, and the magnitude of their impact. These awardees reflect the very best of what it means to be an Iskolar ng Bayan.”
In a letter sent in June 2025, UPAA President Aranton explained that the award recognizes Dr. Aurelio’s exceptional leadership, significant accomplishments, and outstanding contributions that brought honor to MMSU and meaningful impact to the nation.
UPAA emphasized her major contributions, including the integration of cultural education at MMSU, her leadership within the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and her efforts in promoting regional expressions and presenting scholarly research on international platforms.
This recognition is an affirmation of MMSU’s commitment to preserving and enriching Ilokano and Filipino culture, an advocacy that Dr. Aurelio has helped advance for generations of learners and communities.
The ceremony was held at the Luciano Salazar Hall, Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, and presided over by UP President Angelo Jimenez and UPAA Alumni Regent Aranton.
A photo exhibit featuring enlarged portraits of awardees and the release of the 2025 UP Alumni Yearbook marked the culmination of the celebration, showcasing stories of leadership and service that continue to shape the nation.
Dr. Aurelio was also recognized in 2006 as Outstanding Laoagueña. Her work at MMSU CTE in advancing cultural literacy, leading community programs, and elevating Ilokano heritage has enriched not only the academic community but also the broader cultural landscape.
MMSU College of Teacher Education
Dec, 02, 2025 02:58:pm
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STRATCOM
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