Rodel Banares was chosen to represent the academic sector in this year's DECS-AVON "Teodora Alonso Gintong Ilawan Awards". He is part of a 4-person selection committee comprised of the president of Rotary Alabang, the president of New Era University and the Executive VP of the PNOC. Rodel is representing Angelicum College as its Head of the Office of Media & Public Relations. The selection finals will be on the 16th of November 1998 at the Makati Sports Club.