By Mikee Natinga Norico
Congratulations Dr. Reysa C. Alenzuela for your exemplary work in research, publication, and in advancing the library profession worldwide.
On March 7, 2026, Dr. Reysa C. Alenzuela, Consultant for Research and Publication at the Office of the Vice President for Research, Development and Extension of Central Philippine University (CPU), received the Excellence and Distinction Award in Global Filipino Practice and Service during the 13th Philippine Federation of Professional Associations (PFPA) Awards held at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.
Established in 2005, the Philippine Federation of Professional Associations (PFPA) Awards is regarded as the highest distinction conferred by the umbrella organization for professional associations in the Philippines. The recognition honors Filipino professionals who demonstrate exceptional performance, uphold high ethical standards, and contribute significantly to their respective fields and to nation-building.
In an interview, Dr. Alenzuela expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of the award as it came from her own professional community.
“Receiving the Excellence and Distinction Award in Global Filipino Practice and Service at the 13th PFPA Awards is truly an honor for me,” she said. “This recognition is particularly meaningful because it comes from my fellow librarians who understand the work, challenges, and dedication involved in advancing librarianship.”
Dr. Alenzuela highlighted that her work focuses on promoting equitable access to information and strengthening global engagement in research and scholarly communications. Among her contributions was her involvement in the development of Bahandian, the institutional repository of CPU, which helped ensure continued access to research outputs during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical library access was limited. The platform also helped increase the visibility of scholarly works produced by the university community.
Beyond her work in CPU, Alenzuela has been actively involved in international capacity-building initiatives and professional collaborations in countries such as Vanuatu and Kazakhstan, as well as in broader regions including Central Asia and the Pacific. Her engagement includes discussions on open science, artificial intelligence in libraries, and inclusive knowledge systems.
She also serves as the first Filipina Co-Editor of International Leads under the American Library Association International Relations Round Table, where she helps facilitate global dialogue among librarians and promotes the exchange of diverse practices and experiences from different regions.
Dr. Alenzuela is also the Co-Editor of Information Generation and Management (IGM), a peer-reviewed bi-annual open-access journal published by the Association of Special Libraries of the Philippines (ASLP). The journal publishes research, professional practices, and case studies that aim to promote knowledge sharing and broaden discussions within the information and library profession.
Prior to the PFPA recognition, Dr. Alenzuela received the Citation Award from the Association of Special Libraries of the Philippines in 2025 and the Global Librarian Award from the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. in 2023.
Despite these recognitions, Dr. Alenzuela emphasized that her work continues to be driven by service to the profession and to society.
“For me, awards are simply the cherry on top. I continue to do my work because I believe I have a responsibility to my profession and to society—even to the global community,” she said.
Dr. Alenzuela also encouraged aspiring academics and professionals to contribute meaningfully to their fields by giving back to the communities and institutions that helped shape them.
“No matter how humble or small the contribution may seem, every effort counts when it is guided by a genuine commitment to service,” she added.