In Conversation with Outstanding U.P. Alumni Awardees, part 6

Join us for part 6 of a series of free virtual conversations with the recipients of the 2025-2026 UPAAA Outstanding UP Alumni awards.  Hear their remarkable stories and be inspired.

Friday, September 26, 2025

9 pm Eastern

Zoom Link: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83561157060?pwd=uLV4b1ScJe5W3tkRjGBXbHGFrSCfab.1

                                          Meeting ID: 835 6115 7060      Passcode: 812456

Moderator

  Marilou C. Areno, DComm; UPAAA Assistant Public Relations Officer

GUESTS

Outstanding UP Alumnus Award in Educational Leadership and Advocacy

Dr. Ronie Mataquel is a respected educator, scholar, and community leader. He co-founded the United Federation of Fil-Am Educators (UNIFFIED) and served as its National President from 2013 to 2020, advancing educational excellence and civic engagement in Filipino communities. (Read about UNIFFIED here.)

He holds multiple advanced degrees, including two doctorates in education and development administration, and a postdoctoral degree in strategic management and leadership. He currently teaches STEM at John Bowne High School in New York and serves as an adjunct lecturer at several colleges.

Dr. Mataquel has led numerous community initiatives in both the U.S. and the Philippines, including a multicultural adult literacy program in the Bronx. His work has earned him many honors, such as the 2024 Bugal Kang Antique Award, the UFT Excellence in Education Award, and multiple national recognitions for leadership and service.

From humble beginnings, Dr. Mataquel’s life and work reflect a deep commitment to education, cultural pride, and community empowerment.

Stanley Omar PB Samonte, PhD

Outstanding UP Alumnus Award in Agricultural Innovation

An internationally recognized rice breeder, Dr Samonte is Associate Professor at Texas A&M AgriLife Research. A graduate of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (BS Agriculture, cum laude; MS in Plant Breeding) and Texas A&M University (PhD in Plant Breeding), he leads the Specialty Rice Breeding Program focused on developing high-yielding, high-quality, and stress-tolerant rice varieties.

His groundbreaking work has resulted in the release of nine rice varieties—including low glycemic index, jasmine-type, basmati-type, and high-anthocyanin rice—seven of which are patented. His breeding innovations have significantly improved U.S. rice competitiveness and quality.

Dr. Samonte has secured over $8 million in research funding, published more than 370 technical and scientific papers, and delivered numerous invited talks worldwide. His work integrates advanced genomic tools, marker-assisted selection, and UAV-based phenotyping to accelerate rice improvement.