Dr. Vella Atienza-WinMawTun (CF 1993, BSF 1997, MDM 2002)

Dr. Vella Atienza-WinMawTun, an alumna of UPLB and also holds a PhD in Asia Pacific Studies from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu, Japan in 2009, visited the Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) last May 27, 2011.

She is currently working as a research fellow in the Institute of Developing Economies-Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO) in Chiba, Japan. She came back to our country to attend the Philippine Society for the Study of Nature, Inc. (PSSN) conference and share her expertise about “Scientific and Technological Innovations for Environmental and Disaster Management.”

Reminiscing her experience in UP, Vella mentioned that her parents’ upbringing play a very big role in achieving her dreams and for instilling the importance of education in one’s life. She considers her education as a treasure that helped her succeed and broadened her horizon to a greater enlightenment. “There’s no short-cut to success, one should diligently work for it in order to attain it. There will always be a sacrifice but in the end, there’s a fruitful reward.” Vella beamingly quoted as saying.

She credited time management as another significant thing she had learned to excel both in her work and studies. According to her, UP student is talented and skilful (“maabilidad”). But most importantly, she emphasized that perseverance and an unwavering faith in God helped her surpass the trials and hardship of life.

Presently, she’s now living in Japan but considers herself as very much “a Filipino” and always remembers her native land. She added that being patriotic does not only mean you have to stay in your own country. But it is more on the heart, with the conscious effort to become of help to your country even in simple ways and by being a good “ambassador” wherever you are. Through her attendance to conferences and workshops she continuously shares the benefits of her works to her fellow countrymen.

“God has given you the talent that you should share. You have to work hard not for yourself but how can you be a blessing to others.” she ended up as saying. (PXMADelosReyes)