Filipino Librarian: November 2025

Outstanding Librarian 2025: Easter B. Wahayna

Easter B. Wahayna

The Professional Regulation Commission conferred the Outstanding Professional Librarian of the Year Award on Easter B. Wahayna on 6 September 2025. The citation reads:

For her exceptional contributions to the field of librarianship, particularly in transforming the Baguio City Public Library (BCPL) into a vibrant community resource focused on lifelong learning and engagement. She implemented various programs in reading, media literacy, creative arts, and local heritage preservation, while also supporting barangay reading centers and advocating for the BCPL modernization ordinance. Her efforts have been recognized with several awards, including the 2025 outstanding woman leader of Baguio City and multiple accolades for excellence in librarianship. Additionally, she actively participates in professional associations, further underscoring her commitment to the profession.

Source: PRC

Outstanding Librarian 2024: Annabelle P. Acedera

Labels: Librarians: Awardees

Annabelle P. Acedera

The Professional Regulation Commission conferred the Outstanding Professional Librarian of the Year Award on Annabelle P. Acedera on 2 August 2024. The citation reads:

Annabelle P. Acedera has been a practicing librarian and a library educator for more than 5 decades and is considered as one of the pride and pillars in the field of Librarianship in Mindanao. She is also regarded as a mother and a mentor, and her LIS students have become successful in their careers as librarians. With her exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to uplifting the LIS profession, she founded the Academic Libraries Information Network, a resource-sharing program, in 1988, and expanded her network and linkages when she was elected president of the Academic Libraries Book Acquisitions Systems Association in 1993. Her wealth of knowledge and expertise was not just felt in the school where she was working but also reached librarians and libraries outside Mindanao. Mrs. Acedera has been active in terms of professional activities conducted by various organizations. This is evident in the various positions to which she has been elected, particularly in local, regional, national, and international organizations from 1994 up to 2023.

Thanks to Stephen Alayon for the citation and Annabelle Acedera for the photo.

Outstanding Librarian 2023: Blesila P. Velasco

Labels: Librarians: Awardees

Blesila P. Velasco

The Professional Regulation Commission conferred the Outstanding Professional Librarian of the Year Award on Blesila P. Velasco on 10 December 2023. The citation (condensed by me) reads:

Serving for more than two decades in the library and information science field, this public servant, professional teacher, and librarian specializes in public librarianship, with an interest in project management. While working at the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), she chaired several projects, both international and national projects from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Asia Foundation, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grants. She was one of the Innovators of the International Network of Emerging Library Innovators. Right after, she became the project director of the International Network of Emerging Library Innovators – Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the first president of ASEAN Public Libraries Information Network. She also became the idea originator and team leader of the Network of Emerging Filipino Library Innovators Cohorts 1 and 2.

As Public Libraries Division Chief of NLP, she has provided technical assistance to numerous public libraries/local government units in 51 provinces in the country, specifically more than a hundred public libraries monitored and inspected and provided inputs for their further development, 342 public libraries established/affiliated with NLP, and thousands of librarians and public library personnel were trained, and several training, seminars, and similar activities were designed and undertaken.

Outside work hours, she extends her time for the consultations and guidance of public libraries, is an active member of national library associations, and has chaired several committees in NLP, LIS Month in 2019, NBW in 2020, etc. Some of her initiatives are the Philippine Public Libraries Leadership Conversations which consists of 5 committees to work on the public library as an indicator of the Seal of Good Local Governance and Plantilla positions in public libraries, amendments of RA 7743, competencies of public librarians, revision of the Standards for Philippine Public Libraries, and departmentalization of public libraries; pioneered the webinars and online learning for public library personnel.
Source: PRC

Outstanding Librarian 2022: Juan C. Buenrostro, Jr.

Labels: Librarians: Awardees

Juan C. Buenrostro, Jr.

The Professional Regulation Commission conferred the Outstanding Professional Librarian of the Year Award on Juan C. Buenrostro, Jr. on 29 July 2022. The citation reads:

For his distinguished contribution in the field of Librarianship, his exemplary service in the profession such as the initiation and implementation of projects that significantly helped and improved the state of LIS education and practice in the Philippines, his expertise also contributed in the evaluation and revision of librarianship curricula of various reputable academic institutions such as the University of the Philippines, University of the East, and Baliuag University, and his active involvement in the continuing professional education of librarians being a member in the technical groups and committees created under CHED and PRC. He also published several books and series of licensure examination reviewers for librarians, all these show his commitment and professionalism in his field.
His competence, excellence, and commendable track record have earned him various awards and recognitions over the years, such as CODHILS Certificate of Recognition for Writing Textbooks for LIS Courses, PLAI and PATLS National Award of Recognition, UE Outstanding Teacher Award and Outstanding Faculty Evaluation Rating, BU Certificate of Recognition for “Highest Ranking,” and Gawad Parangal sa mga Retirado from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2016.
His membership and incumbency in major librarianship associations gained him his executive portfolio such as becoming the President of PATLS, Founding President of the Central Luzon Library Association, and spearheading the expansion of the student library assistantship and scholarship program at Baliuag University. He is also a lifetime member of Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. His relentless dedication to the aforesaid organizations is a testament of his outstanding career.

Source: PRC

Outstanding Librarian 2021: Marianita D. Dablio

Labels: Librarians: Awardees

Marianita D. Dablio

The Professional Regulation Commission conferred the Outstanding Professional Librarian of the Year Award on Marianita D. Dablio on 15 November 2021. The citation reads:

Marianita D. Dablio demonstrated exemplary service as Founding Chair, Department of Library and Information Science. With her commitment and professionalism she earned various awards and recognition such as PLAI Natatanging Laybraryan sa Mindanao; UPLSAA Distinguished Alumni Award, UPLSAA 50 Outstanding Alumni, MSU Loyalty Award, Presidential Merit, and Certificate of Commendation; Presidential Plaque of Recognition, Mindanao Librarians and Libraries Association, 2004; MISORLA Service Award. She was the President of the Mindanao libraries and Librarians Association, Office of MISORLA, member of the PAARL and UP Alumni - MSU Chapter, Assistant Secretary and Vice-Chair of the NCCA-NCLIS and accreditor of AACUP and PLAI and the Philippine Lirbrarians Associaation, and PLI-ARMMLC. Her professional dedication to professional organizations in her field is a testament of her outstanding career.