General Rigoberto J. Atienza
General Rigoberto Joaquin Atienza (1911-1966) graduated with a degree in civil engineering, at the University of the Philippines, and was a member of the U.P. ROTC class of 1933. While studying at the U.P., he became one of the founding members of the Tau Alpha engineering fraternity, and was the editor of the school newspaper, the Philippine Collegian.
Atienza was in command of the engineer battalion of the 42nd Infantry Regiment of the 41st Division, during the Battle of Bataan in 1942. He was later captured and became a part of the Bataan Death March.
Atienza would continue his serve after the war, and serve as the Chief of Staff of the AFP under President Diosdado Macapagal. He is known best for being the AFP Chief of Staff that was in power when the AFP then enjoyed the real term of best military power in Southeast Asia. In his honor, the military camp of the 51st Engineering Brigade was named Camp Atienza, in 1979.
