The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) is a state university located in the towns of Los Baños and Bay in the province of Laguna. It traces its roots to the UP College of Agriculture (UPCA), which was founded in 1909 by the American colonial government to promote agricultural education and research in the Philippines. UPLB was formally established in 1972 following the union of UPCA with four other Los Baños and Diliman-based UP units.
The university has played an influential role in Asian agriculture and biotechnology due to its pioneering efforts in plant breeding and bioengineering, particularly in the development of high-yielding and pest-resistant crops. In recognition for its work, it received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding in 1977.
While people affiliated with the University of the Philippines Los Baños practice in various disciplines, most of them specialize in agriculture and related fields. These include alumni, (among them 13 National Scientists) faculty and honorary degree recipients. As of 2014, there have been 33 who have graduated summa cum laude, the highest distinction awarded by the university.
Alumni and faculty Alumni
Name Relationship Discipline Known for Notes Undergraduate Development communication Musical composer Undergraduate Agricultural Economics Founder and Chairman Emeritus of CARD-MRI Undergraduate Development communication Congresswoman, 3rd District of Laguna and former ABS-CBN reporter Undergraduate Chemistry Miss Universe 2013 3rd runner-up and Binibining Pilipinas 2013 winner Undergraduate Sociology Governor of Catanduanes 2025; President of Catanduanes State University 2021-2025 Undergraduate Agriculture Fighter Pilot, Philippine Air Force Undergraduate Agriculture President, Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Company; President Emeritus and Co-Founder, Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) Undergraduate Agriculture Former Superintendent, Philippine Military Academy; Consultant Lopez Holdings Corporation Undergraduate Economics Activist martyr and student leader honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, who helped spearhead the establishment of the Textbook Exchange and Rental Center (TERC) Undergraduate Human Ecology Mayor of Makati and former Congresswoman, 2nd District of Makati City Undergraduate Sociology Former Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines Graduate Civil engineering GMA News reporter and former civil engineer Graduate Meteorology Former director-general of Pakistan Meteorological Department Undergraduate Agriculture Founder of the Kasetsart University Undergraduate Communication arts GMA News reporter Undergraduate Agriculture Chairman of San Miguel Corporation Graduate Horticulture Director-general of International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics Undergraduate Biology Bb. Pilipinas 1976 Undergraduate Communication Arts ABS CBN Reporter and Producer Undergraduate Development Communication PTV news anchor Graduate Development communication Multi-awarded Theater Actor, Composer, Director, Educator https://www.broadwayworld.com/philippines/article/2013-BroadwayWorld-Philippines-Awards-Winners-Announced-20140108 https://www.broadwayworld.com/philippines/article/Photo-Coverage-LORENZO-A-New-Rock-Musical-20130914https://theaterfansmanila.com/nominees-2015-aliw-awards-announced/https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/143663/the-resurrection-of-the-original-filipino-musical/ Undergraduate Agricultural economics Director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority from 1992 to 1998 Undergraduate Agriculture Founder of the Kasetsart University Undergraduate Communication arts GMA News reporter Interview with Jiggy Manicad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irO_QYslLDA Undergraduate Agriculture 2010 Philippine presidential candidate Undergraduate Communication arts GMA News reporter Undergraduate Forestry DENR Secretary Undergraduate Agribusiness management Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines Undergraduate Veterinary Medicine Wildlife show host Undergraduate Agriculture First woman president of the University of the Philippines Sabrina Undergraduate Communication arts Bossa nova singer Undergraduate Agribusiness management Film director Graduate Master of Science Chairman of Development Bank of the Philippines Undergraduate Agriculture Founder of the Kasetsart University Undergraduate Agriculture Radio broadcaster Undergraduate Agricultural economics Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines Undergraduate/Graduate Agribusiness management, environment and natural resources management Senator of the Philippines Undergraduate Communication Arts Actress
Faculty
Name Relationship Discipline Known for NotesAloysius BaesFaculty memberEnvironmental chemistryEnvironmental activist honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani as a hero who fought against the Marcos dictatorship. Department head Systematic entomology National Scientist of the Philippines Professor Political science Vice president for administrative affairs of National Defense College of the Philippines Department head Biophysical chemistry National Scientist of the Philippines Division head Genetics Genetic study of spiders Professor Rural sociology National Scientist of the Philippines UPCA dean Botany One of the first five professors of UPCA Professor emeritus Genetics and plant breeding National Scientist of the Philippines Professor emeritus Poultry husbandry National Scientist of the Philippines Chancellor Plant breeding UP President from 1993 to 1999 Professor Organic chemistry National Scientist of the Philippines UPCA dean Genetics and plant breeding National Scientist of the Philippines Professor Chemistry President of Centro Escolar University since 2006 Professor emeritus Development communication Senior fellow at Communication for Sustainable Social Change Professor emeritus Plant taxonomy National Scientist of the Philippines Professor Biochemical genetics National Scientist of the Philippines Professor emeritus Sugar technology First Filipino doctor of philosophy Professor Development communication Former chairperson of Development Bank of the Philippines UPCA dean Agricultural chemistry National Scientist of the Philippines College of Veterinary Medicine dean Veterinary medicine National Scientist of the Philippines UPCA dean Genetics and plant breeding National Scientist of the Philippines Professor emeritus Plant physiology National Scientist of the Philippines
Honorary degree recipients
LLD – Doctor of Laws Name Degree Year Known for Notes LLD 1980 Former Prime Minister of Tanzania Sirindhorn LLD 2009 Princess of Thailand
References