The UP School of Library and Information Studies is deeply honored to announce the establishment of the Jacoba de Guzman Viray Professorial Chair, made possible through the generosity of Dr. Francisco L. Viray and the Viray family. Created in memory of Mrs. Jacoba "Bing" de Guzman Viray, the Professorial Chair celebrates the life and legacy of a distinguished academic librarian, educator, and information professional whose decades of service helped shape Philippine librarianship.
For more than three decades, Mrs. Viray devoted her career to advancing academic and research libraries through her expertise in cataloging, classification, indexing, and bibliographic control. A graduate of our Master of Library Science program and a Registered Librarian, she served at the University of the Philippines Main Library, where she rose to the rank of College Librarian III and supervised the Bibliography and Indexing Section. She played a vital role in the original cataloging of library collections, the indexing of Philippine periodicals, and the editorial work behind the Index to Philippine Periodicals, while mentoring librarians and indexers who would continue the profession's tradition of excellence. Widely respected for her expertise in Filipiniana materials and her commitment to professional development, she also represented Philippine librarianship in numerous local and international conferences, including those of the American Library Association and the Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSAL).
More than her professional accomplishments, Mrs. Viray found deep fulfillment in librarianship. As her husband, Dr. Viray shared during the ceremonial launch, the profession allowed her lifelong love of books to flourish into a vocation dedicated to serving students, researchers, educators, and fellow librarians. She believed that librarianship was a noble profession with immense value to society, and her passion for learning and service inspired even members of her own family to pursue the field.
More than an academic distinction, the Jacoba de Guzman Viray Professorial Chair is an investment in the future of library and information studies. It will support faculty whose teaching, research, and public service continue to advance the discipline and inspire future generations of librarians and information professionals. As Dr. Viray reflected, the Chair is "a tribute to a life well lived" and a lasting reminder of the values Mrs. Viray embodied throughout her career: learning, service, stewardship of knowledge, generosity, integrity, and quiet excellence.
Our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Francisco L. Viray and the entire Viray family for this extraordinary gift to the School. Their generosity ensures that Mrs. Viray's legacy will continue to inspire scholarship, strengthen the profession, and empower future generations of librarians and information professionals.
Published: 2026-07-01 11:28:41