Dr. Ruben L. Villareal is recognized for his significant contributions in tropical vegetable breeding and promotion of modernization of agriculture and vegetable gardening. Among his contributions to science and technology in the country are the following: (1) his pioneering efforts in the concept of heat tolerance for vegetable crops in the tropics and studies on the morphological and physiological bases of heat tolerance; (2) development of heat tolerant tomato varieties; (3) control of bacterial wilt through grafting and cross protection; (4) breeding of sweet potato for intensive cropping, under drought stress and minimum input; (5) his discovery on the non-Mendelian or cytoplasmic inheritance of the southern leaf blight disease (Helminthosporium maydis) of corn which ended the incorporation of "T" cytoplasm in the U.S. and in local inbred lines.
Birthdate: 19 April 1939
Educational Background:
- B.S. Agriculture - University of the Philippines Los Baños 1960
- M.S. Agronomy - University of the Philippines Los Baños 1964
- Ph.D Horticulture - Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey 1966
Honors and Awards Received:
- 1971 - Ten Outstanding Young Men Award (TOYM) - Philippine JAYCEES
- 1978 - Achievement AWard - Society for the Adavancement of Vegetable Industry
- 1981 - Balik Scientist Awardee - Philippine Government
- 1981 - Rizal Pro Patria Award - Philippine Government
- 1982 - A.R Tangco Achievement Award in Crop Science Research - Crop Science Society of the Philippines
- 1983 - Natatanging Marikeño - City of Marikina
- 1983 - Pantas AWard - Philippine Council for Agriculture Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development
- 1984 - Honorary Fellow - Corp Science Society of the Philippines
- 1985 - Distinguished Merit Award - Crop Science Society of the Philippines
- 1985 - Award of Merit - Philippine Seed Industry Association Inc.
- 1987 - Professional Awardee - University of the Philippines Alumni Association
- 1987 - Distinguished Service Award in Science - City of Marikina
- 1987 - Plaque of Appreciation - Rotary Club of Lucena South
- 1988 - Achivement Awardee - Philippine National Science Society
- 1989 - Most Outstanding Rotary Club for Internation Service - RC Los Baños International Service
- 1989 - Cetificate of Distinction - Rotary Club of Los Baños
- 1989 - Best Research Output - University of the Philippines Los Baños
- 1990 - Academician - National Academyo f Science and Technology
- 1991 - Outstanding Rotarian - Rotary Club of Los Baños
- 1993 - Ten Outstanding Presidents - Rotary International, District 3820
- 1993 - Ten Outstanding Rotary Clubs - Rotary International, District 3820
- 1993 - Significant Achievement Award - Rotary International
- 1993 - Outstanding Alumnus in the Academe - University of the Philippiens Los Baños
- 1995 - Golden Award as District Governors Aide for Laguna
- 1996 - Dangal ng Upsilon Sigma Phi Outstanding Achievement Award - UPLB Upsilon Sigma Phi
- 1996 - Ginituang Parangal sa Bayaning Marikina - City of Marikina
- 1999 - Certificate of Recognitaion - University of the Philippines Diliman
- 1999 - Outstanding Citizen of Los Baños - Municipality of Los Baños
- 1999 - Outstanding Horticulturist Award - University of the Philippines Los Baños
- 2000 - Most Outstanding Alumnus Award - Marikina Institute of Science and Technology
- 2000 - Distinguished Alumnus in Institutional Administration - UPLBCA Alumni Association
- 2000 - Most Distinguished Alumnus of UPLB - UPLB Alumni Association
- 2000 - Upsilon Noble and Outstanding Award - UPSILON Sigma Phi Alumni Association
- 2005 - Gawad Pagkilala - Pamahalaang Bayan ng Los Baños at People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB)
- 2010 - Recognition for Noble Devotion to Humanitarian Service - UPSILON Sigma Phi Los Baños