University of Antique is honored to welcome Senator Loren Legarda as the Commencement Speaker for the 73rd Commencement Exercises for the College of Engineering and Architecture, College of Industrial Technology, College of Computer Studies, and College of Teacher Education. Sen. Legarda is a cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippines, and was conferred the award of Honoris Causa, a Doctor of Laws degree. She is a National Defense College of the Philippines topnotcher and a graduate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Command and General Staff College. She is a reserve officer of the Philippine Air Force with the rank of colonel.

She is a four-term Senator who has authored and sponsored numerous laws aimed to improve the lives of Filipinos and promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development. She is the only female senator who topped two senatorial elections in 1998 and 2007. She was the Philippine Senate’s first female Majority Leader and also held the position of Senate President Pro Tempore during the 1st and 2nd Regular Sessions of the 19th Congress. She also served as a Representative of the Lone District of the Province of Antique, and is notably the sole Antiqueña who served as Deputy Speaker of the House.

Our speaker is recognized because of her outstanding leadership and advocacies. She is an awardee of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) and The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS). She has been recognized as a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum, a UNEP Laureate, and an ASEAN Biodiversity Hero among others. She is also currently the UNDRR Global Champion for Resilience, the UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion, a Commissioner of the Global Commission on Adaptation, the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Ambassador for Parliaments, and the Women Political Leaders Global Ambassador for Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change and Environment. For her leadership and efforts to support the arts and culture, she was conferred the Dangal ng Haraya – Patron of Arts and Culture Award by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Sen. Loren Legarda is a public servant, an advocate, an Antiqueña!