WE salute the thousands of Australian-educated Filipinos, men and women, for their outstanding contributions in various fields in the Philippines.

The Australian government recognized the achievements of 10 of these Filipinos at the Annual Australia Alumni Excellence Awards last February 26.

The awarding ceremony was held at the Australian Embassy in Manila, according to Charge d’Affaires Dr. Moya Collett.

He said the awardees “have been using their Australian education, expertise, and networks to contribute enormously to the Philippines.”

Three are recipients of the Australia Alumni Excellence Awards – Dr. Dexter dela Cruz (Southern Cross University), Dr. Ma. Asuncion Beltran (James Cook University) and Abigail Tan (Deakin University).

Dela Cruz was honored for leading the development of ground-breaking coral reef restoration techniques used in the Philippines and Australia.

His reef experiments and studies in the Philippines assisted in the restoration of degraded reef areas, including the Great Barrier Reef.

Dr. Beltran was recognized for developing innovative agricultural technologies and practices that help boost food security in the Philippines.

She introduced technologies to improve the viability of backyard poultry as a source of livelihood among farmers across the country.

Tan, on the other hand, was honored for her work at increasing health-seeking behaviors and strengthening health governance at the local level.

Given special citations are retired Col. Ariel Querubin, National Museum Dir-Gen. Jeremy Barns, entrepreneurs Emmanuel and Mary Grace Belviz, Dr. Amy Dy, Dr. Dionisia Bola, Dr. Jayson Ibanez and Imari Roble-Cesario.

Indeed, this group of professionals deserves to be honored not only by the Australian government but also by the Filipino people.

We doff our hat to them.