DSCTA alumnus is recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award in CommunityEmpowerment by the UP Alumni Association

Bryan Jayson ‘BJ’ T. Borja, BA Theatre Arts (2011) is recipient of the 2023 UP Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award in Community Empowerment in recognition of his leadership in creating positive change by revitalizing our local heritage.

As a UP graduate imbued with an abiding sense of responsibility to his people and nation, the skills and mindsets to improve human life, and a commitment to the freedom and welfare of all, BJ envisioned a community group that advocates civic awareness and development that is responsive not only to the community’s current pertinent issues but of the whole country as well. He dreamt and actualized this dream. It led to the formation of other cultural groups - BJ being the founder or consultant of each. The activities of these groups stimulate the increasing awareness in the importance of culture and the practices it entails.

BJ served as the President of Tourism Officers League of Laguna championing the revitalization and promotion of local heritage between and among the municipalities and cities in Laguna. At present, he is the President of the Southern Luzon Association of Museums. The organization emphasizes the value of raising national pride in the rich culture and heritage of the Filipino people, which are reflected in all forms of art as well as historical and religious objects and embody the ambitions of the country

He founded other groups to support various local heritage thrusts: Samahan ng mga Nangangalaga ng Poon, Friends of the Biñan City Museums, Inc., Likhaan Biñan Collective and Rotaract Club of Metro Biñan Babaylan, and many others, therefore creating bigger stage for cultural education. The establishment of these groups create a ripple effect - propagating civic works aligned to BJ’s vision of building strong sense of identity for the community.

In 2019, BJ was awarded as the Most Outstanding Tourism Officer of the Philippines by ATOP and Department of Tourism highlighting his contributions in tourism development through heritage conservation and promotion. Not long after, BJ’s brainchild, the “BALIK-BIÑAN PROJECT” (Tourism Development through Heritage Conservation), was among the Ten Outstanding Local Governance Programs in the Philippines recognized by the Galing Pook Foundation in 2022. The said feat is Laguna’s first ever Galing Pook Award.

The 2023 UPAA Awarding ceremonies will be held at Luciano E. Salazar Hall, Ang Bahay ng Alumni, on Saturday, 19 August 2023 at 4:00 pm.