Prof. Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, who served as UP System vice president for Public Affairs (VPPA) for five years, recently retired from her post.

In a farewell dinner on June 10 at the Executive House, UP President Emerlinda R. Roman told the story of how Hidalgo was hesitant to accept the position when it was offered to her in 2005, fearing that she would be inadequate for the job. After assurances from the president, she decided to accept the assignment and according to Roman, did an excellent job.

While the administration was sad that Hidalgo was leaving, President Roman said that it was just a retirement from the post and not a retirement from teaching at the University.

Prof. Pantoja Hidalgo expressed
satisfaction in the knowledge that
she was working for a leading
institution.

President Roman then presented Hidalgo with a certificate of appreciation, stating that UP is “deeply grateful for the dedicated service rendered [by Hidalgo] as writer, mentor, professor, and administrator over the past thirty years.”

Hidalgo was recognized as someone who has not only achieved excellence in the academe but in the literary world as well. While she is a professor of creative writing at the UP Diliman (UPD) Department of English and Comparative Literature, she is also a renowned writer and has received numerous honors such as the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature, the National Book Award from the Manila Critics’ Circle, the Philippines Free Press Award, the Philippine Graphic Award, among many others.

Her published work includes novels, collections of short stories and creative non-fiction, critical essays, textbooks, and manuals. She is also part of many anthologies, both as contributing writer and editor.

In her response to the tribute , Hidalgo said that “she has much to be grateful to UP for.” As a writer, her peers provided invaluable support and as an administrator, she recognized and appreciated the selfless effort and generosity of spirit the job entailed. Moreover, she said that there was satisfaction in the knowledge that she was working for a leading institution.

While Hidalgo was part of the UP System administration, administrators from UPD paid tribute to her as well. UPD Chancellor Sergio S. Cao sang two songs with UPD College of Engineering Dean Rowena Cristina Guevara playing the piano.

Hidalgo’s successor to the VPPA post is Prof. Isabelita O. Reyes, who served under her as assistant vice president from 2005 to 2009.