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'Life well-lived': Multi-awarded food scientist, UP prof succumbs to cancer

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/03/31/alonzo-gabriel.jpg"/><figcaption><em>From Alonzo Gabriel&#x27;s Facebook account</em></figcaption></figure></div><p><br/>MANILA — Multi-awarded food scientist and University of the Philippines Diliman professor Alonzo Gabriel lost his battle to cancer on Tuesday, leaving behind a body of work in food science and technology aimed at helping small-scale food enterprises.</p><p>Gabriel, 39, succumbed to cancer after less than a year of fighting the disease. </p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialUPDiliman/photos/a.640857382658085/2834888516588283/?type=3&amp;theater" data-width="auto"> </div><p>His death was confirmed by the university, where he served as professor in the College of Home Economics&#x27; Department of Food Science and Nutrition. It did not say what form of cancer ailed Gabriel.</p><p>&quot;Gabriel generously shared his innovations and researches in food science and technology with micro and small-scale enterprises,&quot; UP Diliman said as it honored the late professor. </p><div><strong>&#x27;Cancer ka lang, maganda ako&#x27;</strong></div><p>Gabriel&#x27;s cancer battle was well-documented in his social media accounts, where he enjoys a sizable following.</p><p>&quot;Being diagnosed with cancer may have been one of the biggest trials given to me, but it has also made me realize how loved I am,&quot; Gabriel told his Facebook friends in September last year when he announced his diagnosis.</p><p>On Twitter, Gabriel was known as &quot;Sir Casm.&quot; </p><p>Despite the pains of cancer treatment, Gabriel never lost his humor. </p><p>&quot;&#x27;Yung totoo? Pagooooood na pagooooood na ako. Pero p*ta, laban!!! Cancer ka lang. Ako, maganda ako,&quot; he captioned in a photo where he can be seen strapped in a chemo device. </p><p>(The truth? I&#x27;m exhausted! But fight! You&#x27;re just cancer. I&#x27;m beautiful.)</p><p>Over a week before his untimely demise, Gabriel was still working on a research project, but admitted that his body was &quot;already giving up.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Thank you, Lord for making my mind work even if my body is already giving up on me,&quot; he said on Twitter. </p><div><strong> Advocate for food safety and security</strong></div><p>In 2017, Gabriel was named one of the 2017 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, where he explained his advocacy in promoting food security and food safety among micro food businesses. </p><p>&quot;[My advocacy is] tulungan ang mga family-based business na magkaroon ng access o kaalaman tungkol sa maayos at tamang pagha-handle ng pagkain,&quot; Gabriel told Metrobank Foundation in an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0Ha4ZNelJs&amp;t=189s">interview</a>. </p><p>(My advocacy is to help family-based business to have access or knowledge about proper food handling.)</p><p>Aside from the recognition from Metrobank Foundation, Gabriel was also among The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM) in 2013. </p><p>Gabriel obtained his PhD in Bio-functional Science and Technology (Food Microbiology and Hygiene) from Hiroshima University in Japan.</p><div><strong>A life well-lived</strong></div><p>For many young and aspiring scientists, Gabriel was well-regarded as an inspiration and mentor.</p><p>&quot;Mayroon ngang kasabihan na wala na daw ibang mas magandang trabaho pa bukod sa pagiging guro kasi you&#x27;re able to touch the future kasi napakalaking responsibilidad non eh,&quot; Gabriel said of being a teacher. </p><p>(There&#x27;s a saying that there&#x27;s no better profession than being a teacher because you&#x27;re able to touch the future and that&#x27;s a huge responsibility.)</p><p>The Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. (PSMI), in a Facebook post, paid tribute to their former president. </p><p>&quot;He showed exceptional leadership in guiding the society and bringing its officers and members closer together. He was known and respected for his achievements in research particularly in Food Science,&quot; PSMI said.</p><p>&quot;A life well lived. Sir Al will be greatly missed,&quot; the group added. </p>

<p>Multi-awarded food scientist and UP Diliman professor Alonzo Gabriel lost his battle to cancer on Tuesday, leaving behind a body of work in food science and technology aimed at helping small-scale food enterprises.</p>

Multi-awarded food scientist and UP Diliman professor Alonzo Gabriel lost his battle to cancer on Tuesday, leaving behind a body of work in food science and technology aimed at helping small-scale food enterprises.