MANILA, Philippines — Adamson University (AU) president Fr. Gregorio L. Bañaga,Jr., C.M. recently conferred the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa to Bro. Michael Thio Yauw Beng in ceremonies held at the AU Theater.

The honoree, who hails from Singapore, is the 15th president general of the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP), one of the oldest and largest Catholic lay organizations in the world today founded by Blessed Frederic Ozanam in Paris, France in 1833.

He is the first non-European and Asian to ever hold the position in the Society’s 177-year history. While serving a seat at the Society’s Council General International, Bro. Michael was widely credited for leading countless relief and rehabilitation projects in disaster-stricken areas, some of which benefited a thousand families displaced by devastating typhoons in the Philippines.

Fr. Rolando C. Santos, C.M., provincial visitor of the Congregation of the Mission-Philippine Province, read the citation for the conferment of the honoris causa while Maria Melinda Bernardino, national president of SSVP Philippines, assisted in the conferment. The program was capped by the acceptance speech delivered by the honoree, where he expressed his gratitude and humility in receiving the award.

Best Practices Seminar on H.R. policies, contracts set
The Center for Global Practices (CGBP) will hold a Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)-accredited seminar entitled “Best Practices in Crafting HR Policies and Contracts” on Jan. 13 and 14, 2011 at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong city.

The two-day solutions-oriented program aims to help business owners, HR practitioners, decision-makers, lawyers, and even laymen craft a working HR policy, code of discipline and employment contract. Other topics include issues relating to independent labor containing and outsourcing; union and CBA issues; and updates on the latest Supreme Court rulings (particularly significant decisions on dismissal cases and disciplinary actions).

There will also be lectures on contract provisions and special contract clauses for rank-and-file and high-level positions; formulating memos of agreement; special templates that will simplify the creation of HR contracts; how to enforce HR policies the right way; the proper method of terminating employment; and other secrets of labor lawyers that HR practioners need to know as well as tips in handling personnel.

The program is accredited by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Lawyers attending will get MCLE credits.

Speakers are Atty. Emerico de Guzman, senior partner and head of Labor and Employment of Angara Abello Conception Regala and Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW); Atty. Joselito Chan, CPA, senior managing partner of ChanRobles Law Firm; Atty. Bienvenido Laguesma, former DOLE secretary and founder/senior partner of Laguesma Magsalin Consulta and Gastrado Law Offices; and Ramon de Leon, former managing director of Ayala Corporation. For details, call 842-7148 or email project leader Jessica Ogang at jessica@cgbp.org.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina scores high in licensure examinations
The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMar) lauds its students who passed the September Licensure Examinations for Teachers (LET): English majors Analyn Basal, Cyril Pearl Balgua, Precious Irinco, Keishelyn Dela Paz, Jenny Rose Mendoza, Mary Jean Mondigo, Josephine Ordaniel, Maria Angelica Primero, Resryllieto Ramos, Rejoice Ann Sabordo, Ma. Victoria Salvador, Hazel Sy, Geraldine Villacruz; and Math majors Philip Martin Macapagal, Jessica Anne Macapagal, and Jean Santiago. Jerome Macapagal ranked second in the April 18, 2010 LET.

The Criminology department is also gaining its momentum with remarkably high turnout in the recent licensure examination. The following are the August 2010 criminology Board Examination passers: Gerald Alvarez, Novie Amaba, Christopher Curay, Mark Lester Chiombon, Dominador Gallego Jr., Mark Jamero, Junelle Jularabal, Aiza Lopez, Jefferson Marcos, Joseph Polo, Angie Oca, Johnny Olivia, Rodolfo Romero III, Jenjen Sanchez, Clariza Santos, and Abigail Torral.

PLMar president Dr. Dalisay Brawner says the university has initiated reforms in its governance, enriched its curricula, enhanced the delivery of instruction, revisited policies, institutionalized its research and community extension programs and projects, among others, all geared toward the attainment of quality of education.