Brod Manuel “Manolet” M. Dayrit ΜΣΦ 1976 was recently recognized by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) as the one of U.P.’s Distinguished Alumni for this year, naming him the 2008 Outstanding Awardee for Health.

Dr. Manuel “Manolet” M. Dayrit ΜΣΦ 1976
2008 UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awardee for Health
Director of the Department of Human Resources for Health, World Health Organization

The annual UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awards are intended to recognize U.P. alumni for their outstanding achievements that bring about substantial benefits to society and distinct honor to the University. Recognition is given to exceptional contributions in areas or fields that impact on the community (local, national, or international) in which the alumni have been active. For this year, instead of using the former categories of awards according to professions or colleges graduated from, the UPAA chose categories that cover broad areas or fields of involvement and achievement, including the category of Health for which Brod Manolet has been recognized.

The awards are given to those who have been nominated by their fellow U.P. alumni, UPAA chapters, and search committees. Earlier this year, the U.P. College of Medicine Administration decided to nominate two of our brods, Brod Manolet and Brod Alberto G. Romualdez, Jr. (ΜΣΦ ’65, a former Secretary of Health and former Dean of the College of Medicine), and sought the help of the Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity in completing the nomination requirements for both. 

Brod Manolet, also a former Health Secretary (from February 2001 to May 2005, under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo), specializes in public health management, medical epidemiology, and infectious and tropical diseases. He started his career as a community physician in the villages of Davao del Norte during the Martial Law Period, where he trained community health workers and organized community-based TB programs. In 1984 he joined the Department of Health as a research epidemiologist, founding various public health programs. He eventually climbed up the ranks to become the country’s Secretary of Health, where his work focused on developing human resources for health in the Philippines. Today, his work continues in the international level, as he is currently working for the World Health Organization as the Director of the Department of Human Resources for Health where he helps develop policies for health workers and professionals in other developing countries.

The formal awarding ceremonies will be held on June 21, 2008 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, during the U.P. Centennial General Homecoming.

For the official list of UPAA Distinguished Awardees, visit: http://www.upalumni.ph/_awards/upaa_distinguished_alumni_awards_2008.html#13

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