Microfinance whiz Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip (BSA '78) copped one of two slots in the Outstanding UPLB Alumni Association (AA) Awards during the 89th Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming celebration last October 10, 2007. The other awardee was Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, a graduate from the College of Economics and Management.

Dr. Alip is recognized for helping poor women get access to microcredit when he set up the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD-MRI). With 307 offices in the country, CARD-MRI provides a holistic approach to development through a wide range of financial and non-financial services. Dr. Alip was also chosen by Earnst & Young as Social Entrepreneur of the Year. He likewise received in June 2007 the U.P Alumni Association Most Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Meanwhile, former College of Agriculture (CA) Dean Fernando A. Bernardo (BSA '55) was chosen as this year's awardee for the Nelia T. Gonzales Alumni Service Award. During the same event, he also launched his centennial coffee table books that trace the history of Los Banos in the last 100 years. He was cited for his creative talents and dedication to the UPLBAA by writing the said books. He also designed and supervised the construction of the Academic Heritage Tower and wrote the UPCA Class '55 yearbook.

Likewise, the CA Alumni Association Outstanding Alumni for 2007 awardees were: Dr. Resurreccion Banzon-Aspiras (Achievement in Fine Arts), Eladio M. Baradas (Rural Youth Development Through Sports), Emmanuel S. Cayton (Public Service-Military), Nicomedes P. Eleazar (Research Management and Administration), Catalino I. Flores (Plant Breeding Research and Agricultural Entrepreneurship), Alfredo T. Gonzales (Public Service and Extension), Dr. Francisco F. Penalba (Swine Research and Industry Development), Lydia Velasco-Magnaye (Agricultural Research), Erlinda P. Rillo (Coconut Research and Development) and Dr. Violeta N. Villegas (Science and Technology).