UP News June-July 2013

Vol.xxxiv no. 5 diliman quezon city June-July 2013 2013

U.P.News

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University of the Philippines Community Newspaper

UP mentoring for solons hits the ground running

Neophyte Sen. Binay goes back to school UP-NCPAG designs special course for special student

By Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

UP has just finished the task of providing the official introductory course for newlyelected congressmen so that they can hit the ground running when the 16th Congress starts.

House of Representatives (HOR) Speaker Feliciano Belmonte believes that the training partnership with the university will help make the 16th Congress surpass the accomplishments of the HOR’s bestperforming congresses.

The four-day Executive Course on Legislation facilitated by the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance was done in two batches.

These constituted the first time the HOR formally offered the course to all its newly-elected members, in partnership with the university. In the past, interested members had to enroll individually.

The first batch consisted of 30 participants with sessions from June 24 to 27; and the second, 49, from July 8 to 11. Reports say there are 86 rookie congressmen.

The course was jointly developed by the HOR’s Office of the Secretary General and UP, and featured resource persons from academe and veterans in Congress and the Executive.

By Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News

Newly-elected congressmen belonging to the first batch of two taking the Executive Course on Legislation listen and take notes during one of the lectures at the Andaya Hall of the House of Representatives.

Giving such introductory courses to public officials is not new to UP. The NCPAG has been providing such “crash” courses to local government officials, including LGU officials of Quezon City, where Belmonte used to be mayor and received good feedback on the 2004 training courses. For legislators, NCPAG has offered a training course since 2001.

The course on legislation consisted of lectures on matters such as turning platform

and election promises to legislative agenda, parliamentary procedures and rules, the context of the Philippine administrative system, working with Executive agencies to provide for constituent needs, the Philippine Development Plan, working with peers and institutions within the HOR, the national budget process, communicating with stakeholders, and the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel. There is also a sharing of experiences on dynamics PAGE

PAEP offers UP expertise to Congress

By Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

UP President Alfredo Pascual hosted two social gatherings for newly elected members the Philippine Congress as well as other alumni and friends of UP in the legislature.

In the middle of taking an introductory

At the same time, the new congressmen were informed about UP’s need to be consistently supported by the government as its national university.

Pascual sought the backing of Congress especially in an era of intense global

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competition and the ASEAN integration by 2015, which underscores the need to intensify faculty development, modernize the campuses, and internationalize faculty and students.

He thanked the last Congress for the 63percent increase in the UP budget, and the other support extended by the lawmakers to the school, notably as donations for infrastructure projects, assistance to the Philippine General Hospital, and subsidy for the athletes.

Pascual also cited other kind gestures of the solons, particularly the reform in the PAGE

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By Celeste Llaneta

UP President Alfredo Pascual has called on all graduates of the state university to use their knowledge to continuously serve the country and people.

Pascual made the call during a dinner he hosted last June 19 for the UP Alumni Association (UPAA) awardees at the UP 11 ►

OWWA scholar leaves PMA for USMA

course to legislation as facilitated by the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance, the newcomers in Congress were urged to continue utilizing UP expertise in the work of crafting laws.

UP experts could be tapped for policy briefings, information-communicationeducation, and testimonies and technical advice in committee hearings.

UP has a mandate to help public policymaking and regularly study the state of the nation.

Pascual said helping the government is part of UP’s tradition of public service.

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Alumni urged to continue supporting UP

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UP President Pascual, UP Vice President for Public Affairs J. Prospero De Vera and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte represent the partnership between the two institutions which is expected to improve the performance of the current Congress. Photos taken during a reception hosted by the former at the UP Executive House where plaques of partnership were distributed to the newly-elected and other friends from Congress, including Rep. Leni Robredo.

First-time senator Nancy Binay plunged recently into a crash course on legislation at the University of the Philippines in an apparent bid to disprove critics who said she was unqualified to sit in the Upper House of the legislature.

Binay, who drew hostile commentaries at the campaign trail of the mid-term elections, however, said her detractors were not the reason she took the course.

“This is for my self-enhancement. This is my way of preparing myself to serve my

A scholar of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is this year’s lone Filipino student to be accepted in the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, the state agency announced recently.

Don Stanley Dalisay, a cadet at the Philippine Military Academy and recipient of OWWA’s Education for Development Scholarship, was scheduled to fly to the US last June 26 in time for the start of his four-year military course scholarship grant on July 1, the OWWA said.

Before entering the PMA, Dalisay took up public health at the University of the Philippines Manila and eventually passed the 2011 licensure examination for medical technologists.

He graduated valedictorian in high PAGE

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Pasia-Comerford is welcomed by Alumni Relations and UPAA officials at the UP Bahay ng Alumni.

First Pinay White House Executive Chef revisits alma mater

By Angela Casauay, rappler.com

“Even now I’m cooking American dishes and providing American hospitality, it’s instilled in me. I’m still a Filipino. I’m a Filipino-American.”

What Cristeta Pasia-Comerford didn’t say was that her passion for cooking has brought her to the inner sanctum of the leader of the world’s most powerful nation, the United States of America.

As Executive Chef of the White House, Comerford set international records of sorts that made her native land, the Philippines, proud.

As head of the White House kitchen, Comerford, a graduate of the University of the Philippines, became the first female and first Asian to cook for the American president.

Comerford said “part of the culinary PAGE

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june-july 2013

ERDT Summer Technopreneurship Class winds up

By Celeste Ann Castillo Llaneta

An ERDT scholar explains his vision of a technology start-up enterprise to a panel.

A system that makes WiFi accessible even at your neighborhood sari-sari stores.

A device that monitors a driver’s level of alertness and attention.

A hygienic flushing system that reduces hand-to-surface contact.

Nutritional supplements for pets

utilizing indigenous vegetables.

These are but some of the revolutionary items being created at the Engineering Research and Development Technology (ERDT).

Also on the works at the ERDT are inventions designed to help generate

healthy drinking water, enable skilled construction workers find jobs, reduce labor for farmers and improve stock for vegetable vendors, and transform used cooking oil to biodiesel.

More pioneering ideas and proposals for future startup ventures were presented at

UP Baguio hosts ‘scishop’ for townsfolk

Photo courtesy of Ti Similla

By Dymphna Javier, Ti Similla

Participants of the workshop gather around basic gear and equipment considered essential in disaster response.

As an initial effort to capacitate local communities in disaster preparedness and mitigation, UP Baguio conducted a science seminar workshop (scishop) dubbed “Enhancing Science Awareness for Disaster Preparedness” recently.

The event, held in La Trinidad, Benguet, gathered together local chief executives, authorities on disaster risk reduction and management councils, and non-government organization (NGO) representatives from the townsof Tublay, Atok, Kibungan, and

Kapangan.

The scishop aimed to familiarize local communities on the science of weather and landslides; build an archive of landslides and other disaster events; and to introduce the technology of automated weather stations, satellite mapping and global navigation satellite system receivers.

A basic understanding of these topics was deemed essential in training community members in weather monitoring through automated weather stations, generating

and maintaining a landslides database, and formulating a community-based and science-based early warning protocol for heavy rainfall and landslides.

A follow-up scishop is expected to reinforce the scientific principles introduced and to provide more engaging handson and field-based activities aimed at enhancing skills for weather and landslide observations.

The activity is part of a 10-month research project funded by the Disaster Preparedness and Response Programme of the United Nations World Food UPOU launches new online Programme.

Upon completion, the project is expected course on Mobile Apps dev’t to empower local government officials and community residents to consistently The UP Open University, through the Communications Inc. Faculty of Information and Communication The course, which started last July 1, utilize site-specific and real-time weather Studies (FICS), is set to launch its online aims to equip students with the skills and information in making decisions related platform for massive open online courses know-how in using android application for to such phenomenona as preemptive evacuation, closure of roads, suspension (MOOCs), Aral. android phones and tablets.

The event will be marked by the offering Those interested in taking the course of classes and mobilization of emergency of its first ever MOOC “Introduction can sign up at http://fics.upou.edu.ph/aral. response teams. The goal is to build to Mobile Application Development The course is free of charge. For inquiries, climate change-proof and disaster-resilient Using Android Platform” which FICS contact mbandalaria@upou.edu.ph (Joyce communities. (Adapted from UNWFP Facebook entry) developed in collaboration with SMART Manalo).

the Summer Technology Entrepreneurship Final Pitch, the culminating activity of a summer entrepreneurship course for ERDT program scholars.

The scholars took part in the Summer Technology Entrepreneurship, held May 15, 2013 at the Engineering Theater, UP College of Engineering.

They came from five out of eight ERDT consortium universities—UP Diliman, UP Los Baños, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, the University of San Carlos and the Central Luzon State University.

In her welcome address, Dr. Aura Matias, dean of the UP Diliman College of Engineering and ERDT program leader, said some faculty members also sat in the summer class so they can set up their own technology entrepreneurship classes next year.

Scholars from the De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University and Mapua Institute of Technology have their own technopreneurship classes.

During the Final Pitch, the summer technopreneurship class participants— mostly MS and a few PhD in Engineering students—were divided into groups and presented their respective proposals to a panel of judges.

The judges consisted of Christian Bester, vice president of Kickstart Ventures; Pia Bernal, also from Kickstart Ventures; Alvin Gendrano, director for developer platform; Katrina Macaraig, audience marketing manager of Microsoft Philippines; Dr. Anggie Resurecsion of the ERDT; Angela Cheng of the Silicon Valley Science and Technology Advisory Council; Carlo Tablizo, chief finance officer of iRipple; and representatives from the Research Dissemination and Utilization Office under the UP Diliman Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development.

U P P r e s i d e n t A l f r e d o Pa s c u a l encouraged the class participants to choose the path of a technopreneur.

“This class forms an integral part of the ERDT’s human resource development component. It is designed to help you, the ERDT scholars, commercialize your research and advance knowledge in Engineering—to get the products of your research and training out there in the real world where they can be of the greatest benefit,” Pascual said. “ You can do this by establishing your own start-up companies and growing them into world-class Filipino industries, with a global market and a positive impact on your community and of course our country,” he added.

On the other hand, UP Electrical and Electronics Engineering professor Dr. Luis Sison said; “It’s been a very good experience. Over all, I’m impressed by the projects the students have made.”

Dr. Sison, who is also a professor of the ERDT Summer Technolog y Entrepreneurship Class and program leader of the Enterprise Center for Technopreneurship, invited the students, faculty and professionals within and outside of UP to participate in a scaledup version of the Summer Technology Entrepreneurship Class, to be conducted in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with the participation of the UP Diliman Colleges of Engineering, Science, Fine Arts, Business Administration and Home Economics.

For more information, please email info.enterprise@upd.edu.ph.

june-july 2013

U.P. News 3

Australia grants P150M for K-12 research center

By InterAksyon.com

Photo by Bong Arboleda (UPSIO).

Australia is providing P150 million for the creation of the Assessment Curriculum and Technology Research Center (ACTRC) that will assess the Kindergarten to 12 program of the Department of Education.

In a press statement, the Australian embassy in Manila said funding from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is for the initial three years’ operation of ACTRC which was launched last week at the University of the Philippines’ College of Education in Diliman, Quezon City.

ACTRC is a tie-up between UP’s College of Education and the University of Melbourne’s Assessment Research Center (L-R) Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell, Commission on Higher Education Commissioner Cynthia Bautista, Associate Professor Esther Care, UP President Alfredo Pascual and Dr. Nemah Hermosa lead the formal opening of the Assessment Curriculum and Technology Research Center (ACTRC) at the College of Education, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

UPD fetes visiting professors UP Diliman feted recently multinational delegation of professors and research fellows to “a night of food, fun, and cultural exchange” at the Balay Kalinaw.

The affair, which also served as an acquaintance party, organized by the Center for International Studies (CIS) and hosted by the Office of Extension Coordination (OEC).

Fourteen academicians from such countries as France, Germany, Korea, Japan, and the United States joined UPD officials and a number of college deans in the revelry held last June 21.

“The purpose of the event is to identify and share common interests between visiting professors/researchers and other UP units and to introduce the CIS to international experts and scholars,” Dr. Cristine DLR Villagonzalo, OEC director said.

Among the visitors were Yves Boquet who teaches at the Department of Geography; Janina Brill, Department of European Languages (DEL); Danny

Castonguay, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering; Dr. Young-Jae Choi, College of Mass Communication; Dr. Byounsik Choi, Asian Center; Dr. Jong Wha Lee, Institute of Chemistry; and Jung Kyu Lee, Asian Institute of Tourism.

Also at the party were Timothy Marr (PhD), Department of English and Comparative Literature; Richard Ng (PhD), Cesar E. Virata School of Business (CEVSB); Mihyun Oh, College of Music; Robert Rownd, Film Institute; Yusuke Takagi (PhD), Third World Studies Center; Felipe Vasquez Rufes, and Maria Luna, both of DEL. The guests were likewise treated to a presentation by the CIS Bunraku Ensemble.

According to the CIS, the traditional puppet theater of Japan, the Bunrako, “showcases three puppeteers manning one puppet, a shamisen (a three-stringed instrument) player, and a chanter (wayu).”

The Department of Musicology of the College of Music provided a hand-held

bell tree and wooden clappers used by the ensemble.

UPD Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma welcomed the guests. With the chancellor were Deans Jose S. Buenconsejo, College of Music; Ben Paul B. Gutier rez, CEVSB; Jonathan Sale, SOLAIR; Rolando B. Tolentino, College of Mass Communications; and Aura C. Matias, College of Enginerring.

Also present were UPD professors and officers of the CIS, namely Sarah Jane S. Raymundo, Officer-in-Charge, Cynthia N. Zayas, PhD, Amparo Adelina C. Umali III, Vanessa L. Banta and former CIS director Consuelo J. Paz. The OEC initiates and assists in establishing linkages with international and local institutions in support of UPD’s academic programs. The CIS, meanwhile, seeks to generate knowledge about the countries of the world and their interrelated cultures and ecological, social, economic, political, ideological and gender systems.— CAI, UPDIO

UPOU set to boost research capability Photo courtesy of UPOU-IO

The UP Open University (UPOU) has drawn up a series of activities meant to raise the level of its research productivity.

To enhance its research performance, the UPOU aimed to increase research funding, organize training in research and publication and regular research forums, provide protected time for staff to conduct research, and develop a research management database system The project kicked off with a workshop spearheaded by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs held last June 6 at the UPOU Audio Visual Room at UP Los Baños in Laguna.

The workshop aimed to discuss issues expected to advance research productivity in UPOU, share research interests and accomplishments, and create research teams according to areas of interests.

Chancellor Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso opened the workshop with encouragement for the participants to continue creating a culture of research in the university.

Dr. Melinda Lumanta, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, discussed the indicators of a research university, UP as a research facility, and why UPOU should intensify its research performance.

Faculty members brainstorm ideas to enhance productivity in research.

Researcher Alvie Simonette Alip presented the targets and action plans for research as discussed in the recent UPOU strategic planning.

Some faculty members shared their research endeavors and interests. They were Dr. Patricia Arinto and Dr. Ricardo Bagarinao, both from the Faculty of Education; and Dr. Primo Garcia and Dr. Jean Saludadez, both from the Faculty of Management and Development Studies.

Assistant professors Aurora Lacaste of

the VCAA for Research & Development, Extension and Publication, facilitated the open forum.

Dr. Inocencio Buot, Jr., dean of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies, also shared his experiences in research and academic publishing. He discussed the qualities of peer-reviewed research papers and the importance of publishing. He said research should address disciplinal and societal problems. (Criscelle Moya)

meant to raise the quality of education in the Philippines by investing in research to support the K-12 implementation.

The center will undertake “grounded research and evaluation activities in the areas of assessment, curriculum, and technology as they relate to the implementation of the Philippine government’s K to 12 Program,” the Embassy said.

Australian Ambassador to Manila Bill Tweddell, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, and Commission on Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Cynthia Bautista graced the launch.

“Australia strongly supports the Philippine g overnment’s efforts in implementing the K to 12 program.

Investing in a quality education system will provide better opportunities for all, and a pathway out of poverty for the most disadvantaged,” the statement added.

Tweddell said if implemented well, the K-12 program will bring the Philippines’ school system closer to international standards.

“The curriculum is the blueprint of an education system. Assessment provides a picture of where we are in that blueprint today. Technology enables the curriculum to respond to the needs of the 21st century,” he said.

Prof. Field Rickards, dean of the Graduate School of Education of the University of Melbourne, said ACTRC “will provide an opportunity to put into practice evidence-based research outcomes through its collaborative activities with the Philippines Department of Education.”

UP College of Education dean Dr Rosario Alonzo said the ACTRC “will enable the University of the Philippines to contribute not only to the implementation of a major reform program such as the K to 12, but also to the professional development of the UP faculty, especially of the College of Education. This is crucial to the University’s fulfillment of its mandate as a research university.”

The center opening was also attended by UP President Alfredo Pascual, officials of the Department of Education, stakeholders from academe, non-government agencies, research groups, and aid agencies. ACTRC directors Associate Professor Esther Care from the University of Melbourne and Dr. Nemah Hermosa from the University of the Philippines presented an overview of the center’s mission and consequent activities at the launch.

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june-july 2013

Culture amid science CULTURE amid science parallels the bamboo’s zenith of its lifetime: flowers.

Rare.The surpreme white crown of the world’s tallest grass.

In like manner, culture in the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the country’s “tallest” institution of higher learning in the applied sciences, is becoming the University’s crown of distinction.

Unique.

This verdict of history, hardly heralded by reason of humility, marked its seminal seed when the College of Agriculture was founded on Friday, 6 March 1908. The old UPCA from which UPLB grew, had American scientist-educators who used a central factor in science education and culture – language.

Dean Edwin Bingham Copeland and his fellow pioneer professors, extended the American culture of altruism. And the Filipino pioneer students exercised their culture of assimilation.

The confluence of these two cultures, where culture is a “people’s way of life, simple or complex,” followed a continuous growth. Through the years, the traditional seven arts – architecture, dance, film, literature, music, theater arts, visual arts – were appended for a new phrase “culture and the arts.”

The Seven Arts

A piece for strings lends a classical touch to a musical concert on campus.

From the ‘80s onward, some professors added glitter to the crown of UPLB by winning major literary awards such as Palanca, FranciscoBalagtas, Pedro Bucaneg, Leona Florentino, etc.

Music. Music hit and took hold of a resounding note when the UPLB Choral Ensemble (UPLB CE) performed its world premiere in Essen, Germany, followed by performances in Brussels, Belgium in 1996.

The CE always held their audiences in awe each time they essayed in seamless harmony German, French, and Spanish songs, which they committed to memory.

Two years later, they shared in song and dance the blessings of the PH Centennial in Adelaide and Sydney, Australia. In concert halls and university theaters, the singers were always rewarded with resounding applause and prolonged standing ovation the moment they erupted into the vigorous strains of “Waltzing Mathilda,” which is not a waltz but a 4/4 allegro folksong.

Within the year, the UPLB CE was handpicked by the organizers of an international choral competition in Spain.

In one contest piece, in Spanish, they bested the 14 other foreign contestants.

The UPLB CE was as in a crescendo mode when it cut its first compact disc – an unprecedented milestone in culture and the arts in UPLB. This rich harvest of accolades was amassed during the time of Chancellor Ruben L. Villareal and UP President Javier.

With a completely new batch of singers (none of whom had any previous formal choral training like their predecessors), the UPLB CE continued the choral tradition of choral excellence with their sonorous blend of sopranos, tenors, altos, basses/baritones.

They “invaded” the Asian circuit, and came home with their trophies of triumph as 1st prize winners.

Flashback: In the mid-’60s, absolute and program music by Filipino and foreign composers, intrumentalists and/or vocalists, hit the airwaves through DZLB. The radio station, noted for its balanced magazine format, actually anticipated what was to be known, decades later, as broadcast arts.

Theater arts.Theater arts enjoyed all features of rural theater: rural setting, Filipino/Tagalog script, local dramatis personae, light and set designs, costume, directing- in a word, the works. Technology transfer, environmental concerns, the dichotomy between social contrasts and constructs calculated to uphold human dignity above penury, were dramatized by the collegial body of UPLB. A dependable talent source was the Department of Humanities.

Visual Arts. The visual arts, particularly sculptures and paintings, have been part of campus culture and the arts early on. “The

Tao” and “Mariang Makiling” were to be joined by another “Mariang Makiling,” “The Philippine Pegasus” aka Tamarau that is endemic in Mindoro, “Marya Makiling,” and other monumental figurative and abstract sculptures. The “Mariang Makiling” with game was a project of Chancellor Raul P. de Guzman.

At the UPLB Gate stand two pillars decorated with mosaic mural depicting some of the highlights of UPLB. This mural, a project of Chancellor Abelardo G. Samonte, is the first of its kind on campus.

A colorful toast to the autonomy given to UPLB after the declaration of martial law in 1972.

Almost a quarter of a century later, UP President Javier and Chancellor Villareal put their persuasive powers to work on Mr. Antonio Nocum to co-sponsor a huge mural on the theme “The Los Baños Spirit.”

The mural, done by grUPo, is now permanently displayed at the lobby of the D.L. Umali Hall. It depicts the University’s past and present achievements, and its future trajectories, with the Oblation, as the central figure, facing rightward for UPLB to continue moving on its IRE – instruction, research, extension. Always in the right direction.

And move on, culturally, UPLB did

during the watch of Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco. The Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts came into being. The lower campus marked the initial phase of a new landscape aesthetics with truncated concrete jars and flowering trees.

Starting under the term of Chancellor Velasco and carried on the term of Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz, almost all the streets have been renamed after Filipino and American scientist-professors. Above their names are ancient Tagalog syllables to showcase that we as a people had a language millenia before 1521. Incorporating the ancient syllables on the road signs is a stroke of linguistic and historical genius.

The numerous achievements of UPLB in culture and the arts since 1908, form the university’s unique crown of distinction – culture amid science.

Editor’s note: *The author. Dr.Zafaralla is a retired professor of Humanities, Creative Writing, Critical Writing, and Communication Arts, at the Department of Humanities. He is author of several books; former Chair of the UPLB Committee on Culture and the Arts. He is at present a professiorial lecturer of Humanities, Art Education, Philippine Literature, and World Literature at the Pamantasan ng Cabuyao.

Photos courtesy of UPLB-OPR

A r ch i t e c t u r e. T h e B a ke r H a l l miraculously survived the brutality of WWII – its eclectic exuberance kept unscathed. Other buildings were not as lucky. Fortunately some arches have stood their ground in their original grandeur.

Other structures, like kiosks, have been renovated.

Through the years, centenarian trees, mainly on the lower campus, were felled to give rise to modern buildings for academic, cultural, and scientific purposes.

A Thai temple and a Japanese arc have cleared the once bucolic landscape aesthetics around D.L. Umali Hall. The presence of these two structures may be viewed as a continuation of the Filipino culture of assimilation.

Dance. The curtains were raised when the UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe performed its dance debut in the ‘70s, followed by semestral dance concerts.

Muslim motifs, colors, and dance steps were recorded in situ to become parts of the Troupe’s repertoire from Abra to Zamboanga. Soon, they were performing in nearby provinces. When UPLB Sandayaw Cultural Group was founded on July 2, 2004, culture on campus was further enriched.

Films. Some Filipino film classics were shown at the D.L. Umali Hall. However, poor acoustics put an end to such shows.

Decades later, film marked its re-entry in the form of a subject in the Department of Humanities.

Literature. Poetry, essay, novel, and short stories by resident faculty, students and staff, as well as off-campus and established men of letters, formed the literary lode, which the UPLB community patronized when presented, sometimes under candle light (poetry readings) for dramatic effects.

The foreign students on campus, representing at least 32 countries, participated in some of the presentations to their great “honor” (their word) for having been finally recognized by UPLB, through the UPLB Committee on Culture and the Arts, for their rich culture.

These happened during the time of Chancellor Emil Q. Javier.

By Prof. Paul Blanco Zafaralla

A symbolic installation provides a thinking piece amid the greenery of UPLB.

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UP, my heartland The University of the Philippines (UP) is my heartland, truly Alma Mater, for with great mentors she nurtured my youthful mind and in her I found my lifework— teaching and research and writing.

In 1952, UP president Vidal A. Tan asked my father, Antonio M. Abad, to organize the Department of Spanish at UP Diliman. This was how our family came to live in Area 1 on the Diliman campus—first, at T-4, a sawali cottage near St. Cecilia’s Hall (a women’s dormitory) and, later, at T-1004, a short walk from the UP Infirmary.

T meant temporary. Those cottages were once soldiers’ quarters from Liberation days. At T-4, I used to hear every morning a medley of solfeggios from music majors with Jovita Fuentes and, sometimes, someone playing the piano and singing “When You Are in Love” and “It’s Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White.”

My brother Tony and I transferred from Far Eastern University, where my father had taught with professor Vidal Tan, to UP High, which was then at the College of Education building.

Shy and reclusive, I would often just read a book somewhere on campus, under a tree or in the empty grandstand at the parade ground. In the usual Christmas exchange of gifts, I received from a girl, who signed her name “Cremhilda” in the shape of an ice cream cone, “A Pocket Book of Robert Frost’s Poems,” selected with commentary

by Louis Untermeyer.

Frost-y ambition

By Prof. Gemino Abad

since sustained me.

It became very clear to me then that my lifework would be, as it was for my father, writing.

My restless quest finally ended in 1959. I took up English at the College of Liberal Arts, UP Diliman, and have since been faithful to the Muse in my fashion.

I also joined the UP Student Catholic Action (UPSCA) where the camaraderie in varied volunteer work fostered lifelong friendships—even onto marriage.

Fathers and exemplars

On a late afternoon when it would be cool, I would walk over to NVM Gonzalez’s cottage, a few yards away from T-1004, or to Franz Arcellana’s in Area 17 on the other side of the campus. It was enough for me that they welcomed drafts of my stories and poems and encouraged me to persevere in that solitary occupation called writing. They are my fathers “in my craft or sullen art” and, what is more, they are for me exemplars of men who lived their faith without fanfare.

I remember with a strange ache of longing that, in my youth, the UP Diliman campus was a peaceful community, seemingly a mirror-image of Arcady [in literature, a place of pastoral innocence and contentment]. On any day, one might sight sheep, goats or cows grazing in the open field and cogon.

There were very few squatters and, on the knoll just across from the present National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development, there was even a golf course on campus. One could walk secure in the long shadows of acacia trees at dusk and observe at leisure the twittering flight of birds and, at nightfall, the moon like a serene banca of light in the sky and the glimmer of fireflies amid the lush and hush of vegetation.

During my undergraduate years, there was a group of young writers, the Banana Club —among them, Erwin Castillo, Perfecto Tera and Wilfredo Pascua Sanchez—whose muse was Virgie Moreno; their special haunt was Virgie’s Music Room in the Main Library.

But, like Jun Lansang, or Atariq, I was not a joiner. In 1962, I enrolled in the only class Jose Garcia Villa ever taught at UP—my first literary workshop. Villa was a strange and possessed being who asked us all if we were virgins and insisted that we “clean our lines.”

Atariq, Jolico Cuadra and Ernesto Manalo would sometimes join Villa’s class, and sometimes we would meet in Little Quiapo, our pubescent verses excoriated over halo-halo especial.

How well I remember the fire trees

Photo by Bong Arboleda

Upon graduation in 1954, I went to UP Los Baños, imagining I would become a farmer-poet like Frost. There, mistaking a restlessness of spirit for freedom, I learned to drink Manila Rum, smoked Old Gold, went with friends to what passed for cabarets and joined the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity.

My closest friends were young writers and, together, we worked for the college paper, Green and Gold—Deomund Aglibut, a brilliant scholar in sugar technology; Godehardo Calleja from Bicol, who had read Graham Greene, and Nelson Lacambra whose sister, Tita (Lacambra Ayala), I admired and wanted in vain to meet.

But when in Poultry I, following an exercise in caponizing, the young rooster I gripped breathed its last as I took out more than its little endowment, I realized I had made the wrong choice.

Again, imagining that I might follow Gerard Manley Hopkins, I entered the Jesuit Order in 1956. That didn’t work out either, although I took from that brief sojourn with the good fathers a discipline of mind and hardihood of faith that have

Bedridden Don Fernando and his concerned sons

U.P. News 5

all in bloom, our poetic detritus adrift in the sunset sky and our youthful dejection there in that commercial hub on campus on exactly that tract of earth where later would rise the Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice.

Villa was a high grader but we were all hung like Cinna for our verses. You cannot imagine my lunar bliss when, after that semester, Villa told me that my poem, “To Caliban,” would be included in his Doveglion Book of Philippine Poetry. My first anthologized poem ever!

I gratefully remember, too, my teachers in the English department, foremost among them a great teacher of literature, professor Concepcion D. Dadufalza.

Indeed, their commitment to teaching and scholarship drew me to join them as assistant instructor right after graduation in October 1963. The chair then was Dr. Felixberto Santa Maria.

In 1965, on recommendation of the chair, Dr. Dionisia Rola, I obtained a

Rockefeller Fellowship for graduate studies at the University of Chicago where I joined my dear teacher-friends Ma. Lourdes Arvisu and Oscar Alfonso who were by then finishing their dissertations.

Since 1952, I have never left UP, but only when I look back do I see clearly that even then a path, though not straight nor without humor, had been cleared for me: My lifework was to be in UP. I recall telling professor Martin Gregorio, when I sought his assistance to see me through the retirement processing of papers, “Our university has treated me excellently well, perhaps more than I truly deserve.” Perhaps it is only a little hedge— one looks over it.-- By Gemino ““Jimmy” H. Abad (Philippine Daily Inquirer) (Editor’s Note: University Professor Emeritus Abad remembers his happy days at the national university. This year’s UP Jubilarians are from Classes 1953, 1963, 1973 and 1988.)

Recaptured and Released

A Review of Dulaang UP’s Adarna

by Arbeen Acuña

The elusive mythical bird, whose songs heal and whose excreta petrifies, was re-imagined in Adarna, Dulaang UP’s first offering for its 38th season.

Under the direction of Jose Estrella, Vladimeir Gonzales’s stage adaptation of the said corrido was staged at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater from July 17 to August 1. The tale was retold following the chronology of Antonio Buenaventura and Vitalania Pineda’s 1987 Ibong Adarna, a required reading for highschool freshmen—that comprised a significant bulk of the audience.

The first act introduced the impending sibling rivalry through the person of bedridden father-king Don Fernando, whose illness can only be relieved by the Adarna. Don Pedro and Don Diego, firstborn and middle child of the King and the Queen Donya Valeriana, attempted to pursue the bird, yet eventually failed. The brothers, petrified after being enchanted by the mythical bird, was later saved by Juan, the youngest brother. The first act ended with Juan’s elder brothers ganging up on him, leaving him to fend for himself inside an enchanted well, and taking home to Berbanya the Adarna, with the damsels he saved from distress.

At this point, one would already be somewhat familiar with the shifting roles—as there are three actors for every major character, who are only identified by costumes and references from other characters. For instance, the trinity comprising the protagonist Juan puts the viewers in the actor’s shoes, in the sense that viewers have to capture his person, while he, in turn, tries capturing the seven-feathered Adarna, represented by seven maidens. These seven maidens interchange roles, as they also become one of the three princesses or even one of the minor characters. This is where Brenda Fajardo and Carlo Pagunaling’s designs play a crucial role, as the unique costumes are instrumental in the identification of the character possessing particular actors—though the quality of the acting and the directing are major factors for pulling off this trinity trick.

The second act posed new challenges as Juan pursued Crystales’s Donya Maria Blanca, whose father, Don Salermo dared Juan to finish a number of unfeasible tasks (such as literally moving mountains,

among many others). With her magic, Maria Blanca helped Juan accomplish the challenges posed by her very father. After discovering her daughter’s treachery, the monarch of Crystales cursed her. Juan walked home, forgetting Maria Blanca while two damsels welcome his return.

Interestingly, the theme of the triad was repeated here: Maria Blanca, being the third woman in Juan’s life, would have been left alone, if she had not reminded Juan of his promise. Salermo’s curse was fulfilled for a while, but was later broken by love’s superpowers, as the corrido concluded with Juan and Maria Blanca, Crystalesbound, lived happily ever after.

The tandem of light and shadow aided in the storytelling—especially in depicting the change of settings and the battles with monsters. Complementing the costumes, the existence of Don Salubayba’s shadow puppets within the space created by Lex Marcos’s set-and-light design facilitated the vivid narration of scenes employing magic and mayhem. The visual feast of special effects was completed as a total experience with the music (Jeff Hernandez), sound (J. Victor Villareal), movement (Tess Jamias) and dramatic composition (Vanessa Banta and Bryan Viray). The text’s trinitycharacters delivered well within the fantastic context.

Theatrical techniques and spectacles were successfully executed, and in terms of content, the strain of resistance may be located in the assertion of gender sensitivity only. But like most efforts at defiance, the attempt is double-edged, as poking fun at effeminate Diego may work both ways. Though never confirmed as he never had a relationship with a fellow man, Diego’s implicit gender preference glaringly glitters in contrast to main character Juan’s manliness as an agile warrior, who won the favor of all the princesses in the story.

As in the original corrido, Adarna, just like the seven-persona Adarna and the three-in-one main characters, was released amid the King’s demise—to perhaps be retold at another point in time, pushing and pulling certain monoliths, other than machismo; or to take flight and flee for good, never to return again, so that other stories may tell their tales and negotiate meanings with a relatively contemporary audience.

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UP evolution UPV feat dislodges Romania now seen in in Guinness records celluloid

Lanterns fly in a ceremony upholding world peace.

UP Visayas (UPV) may just have unseated Romania from the Guinness Book of World Records when the school recently lighted up more than 15,000 skylamps to promote world peace.

The scenic grounds of UPV in the main campus in Miagao, Iloilo literally lit up when it served as a venue for the “Inaugural Light of Peace Event in the Philippines” on May 24, 2013.

A total of 15,185 sky lanterns glowed in the summer night to the delight of some 20,000 participants and spectators who gathered at the site for the big event.

Spearheaded and org anized by The Middle Way Meditation group, in collaboration with the Municipality of

Miagao and UP Visayas, the occasion was held to promote world peace through inner peace.

The sky lanterns that were simultaneously released set a new world record, according to the Guinness World Records whose representatives were present to document the activity. The previous record holder for the same event Romania that flew 12,740 sky lanterns in 2012.

Organizers and officials of The Middle Way Meditation group, along with the officials of the municipality of Miagao and UP Visayas, as well as leaders of various religious groups (Buddhist, Catholic, Muslim) joined in the release of the sky lanterns.

A tree garden at the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines showcasing native species was handed over to the public in a simple ceremony last July 5.

The garden embodies hopes that it will inspire further greenery of the urban landscape using native trees, crucial to arrest the continuing loss of native plant species as forest cover nationwide has reportedly dwindled to an alarming 24 percent.

The 4,700-square meter Washington SyCip Garden of Native Trees, a tribute of the Zuellig Group to their esteemed friend and director, was turned over to UP in a symbolic tree watering ceremony, led by prominent businessman and philanthropist Washington SyCip, along UP chancellor Caesar Saloma, and Daniel Zuellig, director of Zuellig-affiliate Bridgebury Realty Corp.

(BRC).

The area is located behind the carillon, between the UP Film Center and the UP Theater by Magsaysay Avenue, the Washington SyCip Garden of Native Trees has over 100 species of Philippine native trees.

The garden which used to be a parking lot, is now deemed a model site for the National Greening Program created under Presidential Order 23 which aims to establish urban native forests by planting indigenous and endemic trees in public schools.

Compared to foreign varieties, native trees are more suited to local conditions and allow for a healthy, sustainable ecosystem.

BRC, owner and developer of the PAGE

10 ► Photo courtesy of Prof. Gerard Lico

Tall cogon grasses dominating the area, young acacia trees hardly noticeable along the Academic Oval, and a dirt road named University Avenue were just a few of the lasting memories about the old UP Diliman.

There were also the massive colonnaded buildings that were standing few and far between.

Although these images were no longer visible at the same site, the scenes were preserved in the pages of the school’s yearbooks.

Todate, however, UPD has employed another medium for posterity’s sake—the cinema.

UP’s evolution since 1949 has been captured in film, now on exhibit called “The Celluloid Campus: The University of the Philippines in the Cinematic Imagination” at the University Theater Lobby.

The exhibit features eight stills from vintage Filipino movies, 16 photos of UPD buildings from the 1940s to the 1960s and an aerial photo of UPD in the 1960s—all reproduced in large scale.

Also featured are footages of 23 Filipino movies from the 1950s to early 2000 which were shot on location in UPD and the movie Charito, I Love You (1957), a musical romance set in UP starring then film luminaries Charito Solis and Leroy Salvador.

The exhibit is under the curatorship of Campus Architect Dr. Gerard Rey A. Lico, a professor of architecture and head of the National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Launched on June 18 to cap the 105th UP anniversary celebration in UPD, the exhibit was an Office of the Chancellor offering through the UPD Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA).

Lico said filming on campus began in the early 1950s “when the campus was newly formed out of a pastoral landscape destined to catalyze Manila’s urban expansion after the Pacific War.” “Diliman’s campus architecture championed the modernist capacity to facilitate a new social order in the aftermath of war by embracing a new aesthetics—the utilization of reinforced concrete, steel, glass, the predominance of cubic forms, geometric shapes, Cartesian grids, and absence of applied decoration—divorced from colonial reference,” he said.

The campus’ architecture even attracted filmmakers of period or epic dramas. One example was the film Pagsilang ng Mesiyas (1952), where the basement of Quezon Hall doubled for the film’s nativity scene.

The partnership of Filipino cinema and UP flourished when the Diliman campus’ architecture figured prominently in the “collegiate romance” movies of the 1950s and 1960s.

UP has been a favorite venue for location shooting by most film studios such as the LVN and Sampaguita needing a “picturesque campus of stately colonnaded modernist buildings set amidst a green open space with small trees; coeds, books in arm escorted by young men vying for their attention,” Lico said.

Movies of the era featured Philippine icons like Rogelio dela Rosa and Nida Blanca (Babaeng Hampaslupa, 1952), Carmen Rosales and Ric Rodrigo (ROTC,

Photo courtesy of UPV-IPO

By Lyncen M. Fernandez

Sycip turns over unique garden to UP Diliman

One of the stills on display show an Oblation Plaza before the asphalt and concrete paving.

1955), Nestor de Villa and Delia Razon (Dalagang Taring, 1955), to name a few.

The Celluloid Campus likewise featured clips of movies shot within UPD dating back to as early as 1952 (Armando Goyena and Tessie Quintana’s Tiya Loleng) to as late as 2008 (Kambyo, a film dealing with homosexuality).

Lico said UP as an imagined space in films possesses its “own materiality symbolic of academic excellence, social commitment and personal sacrifice.”

“Such awe-inspiring beauty and functional elegance plays essential roles in

the creation of a distinct sense of place, a milieu that hones the minds, shapes, values and nourishes the critical spirit and creative imagination. Truly, Diliman’s spirit of place projected in the cinema will always be cherished in the hearts and minds of those who once passed through its halls and broad avenues,” he said.

The exhibit fosters OICA’s theme of pride of place.

OICA Director Prof. José Danilo A. Silvestre explained pride of place “can only emerge in places where there is a strong bond between people and setting.”

Pride of place is a concept by the UPDOICA Board at the term of immediate past OICA acting director Rubén D.F. Defeo.

Meanwhile, Silvestre said he hopes in the future, students would “pick up the theme and somehow translate into projects which they themselves would feel is embodying their understanding of what constitutes pride of place in UP.” At the exhibit were UPD Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs José Wendell Capili, UP Press Director J. Neil Garcia, Vice PAGE

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U.P. News 7

CAL theater building to rise soon

Mindanao Auditorium to be built at UPD A Muslim-inspired architectural building will rise soon at UP Diliman.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the projected UP College of Architecture’s (CA) Mindanao Auditorium (MA) were held last June 26 at the Architecture Complex (AC).

The ceremony came six months after the college received a donation of some P40-million from Rep. Fatima Aliah Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte’s 2nd district.

Dimaporo said the groundbreaking marked the first phase of the construction of the new auditorium, which she regarded as “a symbol of modern architecture of the modernized culture of the modern Filipino.”

Among the guests at the groundbreaking rites were Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and officerin-charge District Engineer Ramon P. Devanadera of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Quezon City District II Engineering Office.

To be built behind the CA Architecture Building I, the proposed structure includes a 413-seat main theater which will be used for the College’s various events. It is expected to be finished by the second quarter of 2014.

CA dean Mar y Ann Espina explained that the MA was inspired

by Islamic Architecture. Among its features are wind catchers which will serve as ventilation systems, patterns on the acoustical wall which will echo Vinta colors and the word ARKI spelled out in alibata using mounted steel letters at the building façade.

Present during the ceremony were UP officials Assistant Vice President for Development Cristopher Stonewall P. Espina, UPD Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ronald S. Banzon, UPD Campus Architect Gerard Rey A. Lico, the CA faculty, staff and students. --H.C.P., UPDIO

Prof. Regina Banaag-Gochuico

A new theater building will soon dot the campus skyline courtesy of the Euro Towers International Inc. (ETII).

The ETII is spearheading the project for use by the College of Arts and Letters (CAL).

A simple groundbreaking ceremony was held last June 13 at the site, a 3000-square meters lot fronting Vidal A. Tan Hall.

Designed by architect Jayson Buensalida, the projected three-storey CAL Theater will have a 500 tiered-seating capacity and a proscenium-thrust stage.

The building will also house two rehearsal halls and seminar rooms.

The facility will employ academic architectural character consistent with the design styles on campus.

Present during the groundbreaking rite were UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, UPD Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma, CAL dean Elena Mirano, ETII officials led by its board chairman and UPD alumnus Ignacio Gimenez, Hotel Sogo chief executive officer Edmundo Las, and Eurotel managing director William Go. — ACG, UPDIO

Architect Jayson Buensalida, Hotel Sogo Chief Executive Officer Edmundo Las, ETII Chairman of the Board Ignacio Gimenez, UP President Alfredo Pascual, UPD Chancellor Caesar Saloma, Eurotel Managing Director William Go, and CAL Dean Elena Mirano, during the ground-breaking ceremony.

New UP sports gym is finally completed An additional sports facility for UP Diliman has been finally completed, ending 10 years in the making.

To be managed by the College of

Human Kinetics (CHK) as part of its academic, training and laboratory facilities, the building was designed as a smaller counterpart of the University Gymnasium

The exterior and interior of the new sports facility

(Ylanan Hall).

It has a curvilinear roof rising two stories high, utilizes a trussless structural system, a wooden floor, and with a separate one-story locker wing with shower rooms.

The new structure is visible from Commonwealth Avenue.

Construction of the gymnasium started almost 10 years ago with seed funding from the office of former senator John Osmeña.

Subsequent financial support came from the office of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, the Senior Citizens Party-List, and the private donors including Smart Communications, Inc., Robinsons Supermarket, FilOil, the MVP Sports Foundation, Inc., and the Alpha Sigma Fraternity.

As approved by CHK executive body, the new facility will be used by the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams, as well as

by CHK major and PE classes.

It was formally opened last June 15, attended by UP President Alfredo Pascual, Alumni Regent Ponciano Rivera, UPD Chancellor Caesar Saloma, CHK Dean Ronualdo Dizer, officers of the UP Alumni Association, CHK faculty and staff as well as UP alumni and friends of the UP Fighting Maroons and the Sports Development Program of UPD. The inauguration opened with a friendly basketball game between the current and the 2003 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Junior Champions of the UP Integrated School (UPIS) Basketball Team coached by Allan Gregorio.

It was followed by a game between the UP Fighting Maroons basketball squad headed by Ricky Dandan, and the GlobalPort Batang Pier of the Philippine Basketball Association.

Meanwhile,the UP Varsity Teams were geared for the 76th UAAP Season which kicked off on June 29.

(Article from: http://upd.edu.ph/ ~updinfo/jun13/index24.html)

june-july 2013

INQUIRER file photo

National Artist for Music Andrea Veneracion dies at 85

National Artist Andrea Veneracion with Philippine Madrigal Singers choirmaster Mark Carpio.

National Artist for Music Andrea O. Veneracion, 85, passed away evening of July 9, Tuesday, Cultural Center of the Philippines vice-president and artistic director Chris Millado told INQUIRER. net. She was 95.

“Tita Andy has been comatose for many years,” Millado said.

Veneracion was founder and former choir master of the world-acclaimed Philippine Madrigal Singers or Madz. She founded Madz in 1963.

Her death came just a month before the CCP was to hold the first Andrea Veneracion International Choral Festival in her honor.

Last December, the CCP announced the festival will be held on August 8 up to 11, 2013, in all venues of the CCP. It aimed to bring choral groups from the Philippines and all over the world to compete in folk music, vocal ensemble and chamber choir.

The competition was also meant to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Madz.((Totel V. de Jesus, INQUIRER.net)

SC justice tackles leadership at UP Cebu forum

By Irene Dimitiman

Photo courtesy of UP Cebu TBI

8 U.P. News

Justice Leonen uses his life experience as case study for a values-driven career to inspire professionals taking higher studies in UP Cebu.

Supreme Court Justice Marvic Mario Victor Leonen gamely talked about his personal experiences and how he was able to develop a successful career during a recent leadership forum in UP Cebu.

Dubbed “Creating a Values-Driven Career,” the forum was held last June 27 under the auspices of the UP Cebu Professional School with Justice Leonen as guest speaker.

During the event, the participants were enjoined to reflect on their chosen careers paths, and where they were expected to deliver above average results while continually improving their knowledge and skills.

Justice Leonen also encouraged the audience to also consider core values, to achieve greater meaning and satisfaction.

He emphasized that understanding oneself and his/core values enable individuals to determine how they can more effectively use their talents and abilities, resulting in more successful outcomes for the organizations they serve.

In her opening remarks, UP Cebu dean Liza Corro briefly talked about the UP Cebu Professional Schools and the programs

being offered by the school, including the Master in Business Administration and other graduate studies such as the Masters program in Computer Science, and others.

Corro, herself a lawyer, was newly installed as dean of UP Cebu, an autonomous unit of the UP System. She currently teaches Business Organization and Labor Law as part of the curriculum of the Business Management Cluster.

The forum was attended by the deans, chairpersons, faculty members, and students from the CIT University, UP Cebu, University of San Carlos – TC and the University of San Jose – Recoletos.

Also in attendance were executives staff of technology service providers such as the Alliance Software Incorporated led by its president and chief executive officer Robert Cheng, chief operating officer Sherwin Yu, and the NEC Software Telecommunications Philippines headed by its general manager for human resource and general affairs Gina Alonzo.

Justice Leonen, presently the youngest SC justice, assumed the position in November 2012.

Prior to his appointment to the High Tribunal, he was the government’s chief negotiator with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Under his leadership, the government negotiated an agreement with the MILF for the establishment of the Bangsamoro political entity, bringing new hopes for sustainable peace in Mindanao. He also co-founded the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center Inc.- Kasama sa Kalikasan.

A magna cum laude with a degree in Economics from UP, Leonen has also served in various capacities in UP, including dean of the College of Law from 2008 to 2011, vice president for legal affairs, and general counsel and faculty member of the College of Law. Leonen reputedly helped nurture the careers of those he has worked with.

The forum was sponsored by the Alliance Software Incorporated, and co-sponsored by UP Cebu and its projects: DOST-UP Cebu Technology Business Incubator (CebuinIT) and UP IT Training and Development Center (UP ITDC).

UPSIO File Photo

Prof. Dulce Flores bids UP adieu

By Rene Estremera, UPMin

Prof. Dulce M. Flores, Ph.D., of UP Mindanao retired from service last month, and was at the center of thanksgiving rites organized by the school.

Flores was one of the pioneers of UP Mindanao, having transferred here from UP Los Baños. She was the first dean, heading the College of Arts and Sciences, the precursor of the present three colleges in Southern Philippines.

The event was marked by warm peer testimonials from vice chancellor for academic affairs Karen Joyce Cayamanda; chancellor Sylvia Concepcion; professors Virginia Obsioma, Annabelle Novero, Vicente Calag, Adela Ellson, and Ruth Gamboa;, and Cherrylyn Cabrera.

A slide presentation was also conducted

by College of Science and Management colleagues thru Prof. Jess Claire Sanchez.

The ougoing professor was also presented with a plaque of appreciation and some tokens of appreciation for her services to the school.

Prof. Dulce Flores (6th from the left), during the launch of facilities credited to her efforts in making UP Mindanao a center for sago research in the country. With her officials at the System and UPMin level during the Emerlina Roman administration.

june-july 2013

UPD, UPM mentors win ISI awards Two assistant professors in UP Diliman

Photo from http://merliemalunan.blogspot.com/2012/08/miss-merlie-m.html

UP Tacloban poet wins Thai award

Dr. Merlie M. Alunan-Wenceslao has become the first Filipino recipient of the Sunthorn Phu Award conferred last June 26 in Bangkok, Thailand under the auspices of the ASEAN. The 2013 Sunthorn Phu Award held at the Small Hall, Thailand Cultural Centre, was organized by the Thai Ministry of Culture to promote and honor the literary talents of ASEAN creative poets.

The national selection committee of

each ASEAN-member country selected one poet nominated their respective candidates based on the artists works deemed valuable to society and humankind.

Dr. Alunan is a multi-awarded poet from Eastern Visayaswho has written, translated and edited several Visayan literatures. She is also a prolific writer in English, Waray Cebuano and other Visayan dialects.

The other awardees were Dr. Awang Haji Hashim bin Haji Abdul Hamid of Brunei Darussalam, Ven Son of Cambodia, Agus Rahmat Sarjono of Indonesia, Dara Kanlagna of Lao PDR, Dr. Zurinah Binti Hassan of Malaysia, U Saw Lwin of Myanmar, Emeritus Professor Edwin Nadason Thumboo of Singapore, Naovarat Pongpaiboon of Thailand, and Tran Dang Khoa of Vietnam.

During the ceremony, each poet was asked to recite their respective winning poems.

Here is an excerpt of Dr. Alunan’s winning entry entitled “Butchery”.

“The river Himanglos, witness to all these events, flows ever to the sea, and says nothing.

But you, you to whom I am now telling what I have heard,

U.P. News 9

I pray that you too would hear the roar of pain, the cry of the fallen, wounded beast, I pray the agony of those who are oppressed will echo deep in the caverns of your brain— So I won’t be alone now, I will have you, two of us now to share this grief— through its quite true, neither of us can change what’s fixed.”

and UP Mianila have won in this year’s search for International Statistical Institute (ISI) Jan Timbergen awardees based on their joint scientific study.

The awardees are Iris Ivy Gauran and Ma. Sofia Criselda Poblador, both assistant professors in UPD’s School of Statistics and UPM, respectively, who won for their paper entitled “Classification of Congenital Hypothyroidism using Artificial Neural Networks.”

The paper is a requirement for a graduate course in UP School of Statistics.

They will receive the prestigious award during the 59th ISI World Statistics Congress to be held in Hong Kong from 25-30 August 2013.

The Jan Tinbergen Awards is a biennial competition for young statisticians (less than 31 years old) worldwide based on a research paper in the theory and applications of statistics. This year, over 1,000 papers were submitted by young statisticians worldwide.

Gauran (BS 2009-Cum Laude, MS 2012) is a tenured faculty of UPSS. She will pursue her PhD at University of Maryland Baltimore County starting September 2013.

On the other hand, Poblador (BS 2009Cum Laude, MS 2012) is a faculty member of UPM’s College of Arts and Sciences,

The Sunthorn Phu award, launched on June 26 last year, was named after the famous Thai poet, Sunthorn Phu, who was recognized by the UNESCO as one of the world’s great personalities.

The Sunthorn Phu awardees were presented with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s plaque of honor, and received cash prize and airline tickets courtesy of Air Asia. They were also invited to a cultural exchange programme in Thailand from June 25-30, 2013.

Philippine Ambassador to Bangkok Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia and Cultural Attache Sylvia M. Reyes attended the award ceremony and banquet. ((Article from: http://www.bangkokpe.com/ dr-merlie-m-alunan-is-the-first-filipino-recipient-toreceive-sunthorn-phu-award-2013/)

UP Baguio mathematicians make waves in Palawan

By Paul Ignacio, Ti Similla

A delegation from the UP Baguio made a strong presence in the 2013 Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP)Annual Convention held last May 1718 at the Legend Hotel in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The conference marked the 40th founding anniversary of MSP as the country’s largest professional organization dedicated to the promotion, development, and appreciation of mathematics and mathematics education in the country.

The event was highlighted by four plenary talks featuring UP Baguio vice chancellor for academic affairs, Dr. Wilfredo Alangui, and five parallel paper presentations covering Algebra, Analysis, Graph Theory, Combinatorics, Applied Mathematics, and Mathematics Education.

Six faculty members from UPB’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (DMCS) presented their researches during the parallel paper sessions.

In the Applied Mathematics session, DMCS chair Dr. Joel Addawe presented his paper, “Modeling Malaria Transmission in an Age-Structured Population”; Dr. Juancho Collera on “Compound Laser

Modes of a Ring of Delay-Coupled Lasers”; and Andrei Domog o on “Numerical Bifurcation Analysis of Delay-Coupled Lasers with Unidirectional Coupling.”

In the Algebra session, College of Science secretary Dr. Edna Gueco discussed “The Inertia of Complex λH-Orthogonal Matrices,” and I presented my work “On the Square and Cube Roots of p-adic Numbers.”

The two-day convention was capped by Dr. Alangui’s talk entitled “The Ancestral Domain is My Classroom: Teaching Mathematics in a Culturally Responsive Way.” Citing literature, Dr. Alangui discussed the impact of mainstream education on indigenous students and presented current efforts on indigenous peoples’ education by indigenous communities and other institutions, including the Department of Education. He then shared his experiences in PAMANA KA, a school for Mangyan in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, especially in the teaching of math lessons that are rooted in the day to day life of the community.

Dr. Alangui challenged mathematics educators to support the various initiatives in IP math education. His session was chaired by Dr. Joey Balmaceda, dean of the College of Science in UP Diliman and chair of CHED’s Technical Panel for Mathematics.

The convention also served as a venue to renew ties not only with colleagues across the country but also with our alumni.

For mer DMCS faculty Rommel Gregorio, now with the Philippine Science High School – CAR campus and BS Math graduates Aldous Bueno, Julius Fergy Rabago, and John Rafael Antalan, all faculty members of Central Luzon State University, also delivered paper and poster presentations.

Prof. Brenda Lyn Gavina, UPB alumnus and for mer DMCS faculty (and my undergraduate program adviser), was also present at this year’s convention, along with Prof. Puring Tangco, a graduate of the old MA in Math Education program of UP Baguio. DMCS faculty Rizavel Addawe and Joy Ascaño, and Mathematics alumnus Michelle Nicolas were also with the group.

Pobrador (top) and Gauran (above)

UP evolution now... ◄ Photo courtesy of Ti Similla

The UP Baguio delegation

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Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ronald Banzon, UPDIO director Maureen Anne Araneta, University Registrar Evangeline Amor, Diliman Interactive Learning Center director Peter Sy, members of the OICA Board, Professor Defeo, and other Diliman and UP System officials.

Special performances were rendered at the exhibit opening by the UP Concert Chorus, fresh from their successful stint at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia and the UP Dance Company.

The Celluloid Campus: The University of the Philippines in the Cinematic Imagination runs until July 31 and is open for public viewing Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University Theater Lobby.—MDJ, UPDIO

10 U.P. News

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UP Madz opens concert series celebrating Abelardo Hall’s 50th year

By Celeste Llaneta

The UP Madrigal Singers during their “Madz Turns Gold” performance

The Philippine Madrigal Singers a.k.a.

Madz, opened the UP College of Music’s concert series for the first semester of 2013-2014 on June 27 and 28 at the Abelardo Hall auditorium with a rich choral feast dubbed “Madz Turns Gold!”

The concert series was organized to celebrate the Abelardo Hall 50th year which, incidentally is also Madz’s golden jubilee, hence, the title “Madz Turns Gold.”

The UP-based singing sensation perfor ming under the direction of choirmaster Mark Anthony A. Carpio, treated fans and supporters to an array of hymns and religious music arranged by Filipino and foreign composers, European madrigals, and Filipino folk songs, as well as local and foreign pop hits.

It was, therefore, appropriate that the group, recognized as one of the world’s most awarded choirs, opened the UPCM’s new concert series, dubbed “Towards AHA@50.”

The UP Abelardo Hall auditorium,

named after the great Filipino composer and one of the UPCM’s first two graduates Nicanor Abelardo, was completed on August 24, 1963.

The facility has since served as venue for the performances of countless generations of great Filipino musicians, music students and artists.

The concerts in the series held to honor one of the oldest concert halls in the country included performances by the Department of Musicology and the Boston Iskwelahang Pilipinas Rondalla’s “Biyaheng Diliman: An Evening of Philippine Music” on July 10; the UP Concert Chorus’ “KOReoKAPELA” on July 12; Antonio Maigue and Rudolf Golez’s “Great Works for Flute and Piano” on July 17; the UP Symphonic Band’s “Ode to the Filipino People” on July 18; a joint concert between the UPCM and Japanese pianist Naoko Matsuoka and soprano Satsuki Hayashida entitled “A Philippines-Japan Friendship Concert” on August 8; Lester Demetillo

UP spikers win Ateneo Open crown

Rappler photo

The University of the Philippines-Los Baños has sealed a scholarship program with NESTLE Philippines Inc. (NPI) meant to attract more students to take up agriculture.

The UPLB and NFI signed recently a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signaling the launch of the first-ever Nescafe Coffee University of the Philippines Scholarship, or Nescafe Cups.

Under the program, three deserving students of UPLB will be given full scholarship with stipends.

Junior students specializing in any plant science with at least a 2.0 average and with an annual family income of less than P500,000 are qualified to apply.

The grant also offers the scholars internship opportunities at the Nestlé Experimental and Demonstration Farm (NEDF) in Tagum, Davao del Sur, where they will be trained by Nestlé’s team of agronomists.

Christophe Stern, Nestlé’s business executive manager for Coffee and Creamer, said he hopes the scholarship program will help generate interest in agriculture, especially coffee farming, among the youth.

This is important, according to Stern because despite the relevance of the agriculture industry in promoting economic growth and food security, the Philippines has seen a decline in the volume of the agricultural workers.

“There is a huge opportunity for the Philippines to turn around the coffee industry and be self-sufficient again. We want to be able to buy all our coffee beans here from our very own farmers, and to give jobs to as many people as possible, and to be dependent on our own coffee farmers,” Stern said.

“This requires long-term planning and we need all the help we can get, especially from the youth who are the future scientists, managers, and leaders of the agriculture industry,” he added.

Nestlé, through its Nescafe Plan, aims to increase its Philippine-sourced coffee from the current 30 percent to 75 percent by the year 2020. The Plan also involves training over 90,000 farmers, and distribution of 25.2 million seedlings over the same period.

“The Nescafe Plan is a collaborative effort and we are working with various stakeholders in the coffee industry. We are very happy that we were able to cement this partnership with UPLB and we look forward to working with the younger stakeholders as well,” Stern said.

UPLB Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz acknowledged Nestle’s assistance, saying the “partnership with Nestle will help us achieve our goal of increasing the level of recognition, stature, and competitiveness of UPLB among our Asian counterparts.”

The MOA signing was held last May 8 at UPLB. Apart from Stern and Chancellor Cruz, also present during the signing were Nestlé’s corporate affairs head and senior vice president Edith de Leon, and College of Agriculture Dean Domingo E. Angeles. ((Article from: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/ manila/business/2013/05/29/nescafe-partnerslos-banos-launches-agri-scholarship-program284801)

Photo by Celeste Castillo Llaneta

UPLB forges scholarship tieup with Nestle

By Myke Miravite

The volleybelles from UP rejoice in victory.

University of the Philippines reigned supreme in the 2013 Ateneo Volleyball Open tournament after trouncing fancied Unicorns in the final match last June 16, at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

The Lady Maroons, who finished 7th in the UAAP last season, rode on the heroics of Kathy Bersola to clinch the title, 2520, 25-15, 19-25, 25-21, under new coach Jerry Yee. Bersola, a sophomore middle hitter, was named the finals Most Valuable

Player (MVP) as the Maroons tamed the Unicorns despite presence of the so-called Ateneo’s Fab Five made up of Gretchen Ho, Dzi Gervacio, A Nacachi and Fille Cainglet.

On the road to the championship, the Lady Maroons also waylaid 2012 titleholder Hope-Laiya Coco Grove, bannered

by Jem Ferrer, in the semis.

In the men’s department, the Makati Idols edged Team Agot, 24-26, 24-26, 2523, 25-16, 15-13. --Rappler.com

and Jerry Duran’s “JS Bach’s Goldberg Variations for Two Guitars” on August 15; the UP Keyboard Department’s “OPM!” on August 27; the UP Jazz Ensemble’s “Golden Jazz” on September 5; the UP Composition Department’s and UP Dance Company’s “Kathain 2” on September 12; the Jerry Dadap musical “Andres Bonifacio: Ang Dakilang Anakpawis” on September 16, 17 and 20; a concert featuring the works of Maceda, Santos and Baes entitled “Ading, Nabasag ang Banga, at Patangis Buwaya” on September 19; and the AHA@50 Anniversary Gala Night on September 24.

For tickets, please call 926-0026 or 9818500 local 2639. Students with valid IDs will get a 50 percent discount on tickets, while senior citizens will be given a 20 percent discount.

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Zuellig Building in Makati, in cooperation with the Department of Education, will sponsor dendrological tours of the garden for high school students from 90 public schools in the National Capital Region to further encourage public participation in the protection of the environment.

The Zuellig Group also sponsored the publication of a guidebook to the garden, which serves as a map of the tree species planted. It was compiled and written by Imelda Sarmiento of Hortica Filipina Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization that promotes the use of Philippine plants, and Emiliano Sotalbo, one of the pioneers in the development of the National Botanic Garden at the UP, together with professor Edgardo Gomez of the UP Marine Science Institute. The guidebook will be given away to high school students who will participate in the educational tours of the garden and will be given to the libraries of the public high schools.

The turnover ceremony was attended

by Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario Deriquito.

“We are confident that these trees will thrive, now that the garden is under the care of the UP faculty and students. We are also optimistic that this garden will inspire the youth to participate in the national effort to save and protect the environment through native trees,” Daniel Zuellig said. (The Philippine Star)

june-july 2013

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President Pascual speaks before UPAA awardees during the dinner at the Executive House.

Former UPAA president Edgardo Espiritu speaks on behalf of UPAA awardees during the Executive House ceremonies.

Executive House in Diliman, Quezon City.

“Tonight, we honor outstanding men and women. Tonight we celebrate their achievements. Tonight we take pride in our own,” Pascual said in his message to the 2013 UPAA awardees.

“You are all great minds and unselfish servants. These are intertwined because you are UP. We are UP. We are all bound by One UP. Let us continue to use our brilliance to serve the Filipino nation,” Pascual said.

“UP remains committed to shaping minds that shape the nation. We must not fail in this task, not because we have a reputation to keep, but because we have a country to serve,” he stressed.

UPAA) president and regent Ponciano Rivera Jr., in his opening remarks, A viewer of an exhibit celebrating UP’s 105 years gets into the scene. (See separate story underscored the significance of the event. on Page 6.)

“This evening is most special, one that will be repeated only until after a hundred that of excellence and leadership to those “very happy and very honored.” “It came years. This year, we celebrate the 100 years following in our path.” as a surprise. I was not hoping for this of the UPAA.” During the dinner, which included a award…Basta Basta I just work and work and The affair had for its theme “Bagong musical performance by the UP ARCO, the do whatever I can…I’ve been with UP for Siglo, Bagong Si Sigla,” signifying renewed vigor string section of the UP Orchestra led by maybe more than 35 years, just doing my for the incoming century. music director and conductor Prof. Edna job to the best of my abilities.”

Rivera explained that the theme Marcil M. Martinez, the UPAA awardees For her part, former UP Regent Nelia “delineates our constancy of purpose were presented with tokens in recognition Teodoro-Gonzalez (BSA’44; CGM’77), bolstered by renewed energy as we forge of their achievements. also a UPAA Lifetime Distinguished ahead into a new century of service to the The UPAA Awardees, in turn, were Achievement Awardee, said the honor she University and to our country.” appreciative of the honor shown them received was in recognition of her long “As the primus inter pares pares, the first among by the Alma Mater. “We’re very much years of service to UP: “UP is my seventh equals, of your UP alumni classes, you are honored,” UPAA Lifetime Distinguished child. I have six children, and the seventh is deservingly the role models of our younger Achievement awardee Dr. Augusto D. UP…and so I have always loved supporting generations of mga iskolar ng bayan. As Lionjua (AA’51w/honors; MD’56) said. it. I have been Regent for many years, and I such role models, you are the forerunners Another awardee, Dr. Rhodora V. feel that now that I’m getting this award, I passing on the baton of UP tradition: Azanza (MS’79; PhD’86), said she was feel I’m humbled by that recognition.”

A close-up of an alagao tree in bloom, with wasps

A showcase of native trees

In light of the centennial celebration, a special award was given to past UPAA presidents, and incumbent president Pascual.

Asked about the tasks that the UPAA must undertake in the coming years, former UPAA president Eduardo Hernandez (AA’49; ROTC’51; LLB’53) said some of UP’s promising students cannot afford the cost of high quality education, scholarships and similar assistance must be sustained.

“Funding can come from astute investments of UP’s finances. We have to learn to take some risks, if only to be able to continue to help the students who are most deserving,” Hernandez said.

“There should be the basic philosophy to attract the best and the brightest, but they are not necessarily the people who can afford (the cost of UP education). So we must continue to search, because we cannot just wait [for these promising students to come]. We should take a proactive stand in looking for unusually brilliant persons and graduates,” Hernandez said.

For his part, lawyer Ponciano Mathay (AA’52; LLB’53) underscored the need to expand UP’s facilities to cope with its evergrowing student population. “In fact, that’s the reason why our schools in the survey have gone down; we don’t have the physical facilities. And we hope that the UPAA will be able to help the administration…to enlarge and to accommodate all our students who are willing to study and are qualified to study in UP.” For Lt. Gen. (ret.) Jaime De los Santos (BMA’74), the most important part of the UPAA’s work is how to generate resources for UP using the UPAA. “Right now, we have not maximized the alumni’s support. So let us invite them to be more involved in our alumni, especially our fund-raising.”

Edgardo Espiritu (ROTC’56; LLB’58) agreed with his fellow past UPAA presidents.

“If you look at the history of other schools and universities abroad, a big chunk of support comes from the alumni group.

And we should expect this also from the alumni of UP, knowing for a fact that over the years we have grown in numbers and we have produced a lot of successful professionals.”

Asked about UPAA’s tasks in the next 100 years, former Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza (AA’48; ROTC’52; LLB’52cl) quipped; “Make it one hundred times stronger.”

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Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program of the university so that no one is denied access to quality education on account of poverty.

In response, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte acknowledged House of Representatives Secretary General Marilyn Barua-Yap for initiating the course offering. He

emphasized that no other institution came to mind except the NCPAG for providing the course.

He echoed the call for utilizing UP’s research pertaining to legislation. This way, Congress can upgrade its services to the people, Belmonte said.

The Speaker also said the 16th Congress

“can and should exceed the performance of the 15th Congress,” which he considers an exceptionally productive Congress.

Belmonte also reminded the congressmen that they all have a stake in the national university.

The first dinner was held last June 24 at the UP Executive House, while the second

took place last July 10 at the Speaker’s Lounge of the Batasan Complex, also in Diliman, Quezon City.

In both instances, the participating congressmen received a plaque from UP congratulating them and signifying the university’s readiness to forge a partnership with their offices.

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Photo by Bong Arboleda

discipline of being a White House chef is to celebrate the guest coming over to visit, and not just promote your own roots,” adding that she cannot help inject the Filipino flavor in her dishes.

“For every chef, no matter who you are, no matter where you are, whatever is your native cuisine, it’s always going to be a part of you,” she explained.

She said she tried to come back home to the Philippines every year, but this year, it was her first time to visit her alma mater in 30 years after graduation.

During that recent homecoming last June 22, the University of the Philippines

Batch 2 of the Executive Course on Legislation and other friends of UP in Congress pose for a souvenir shot during a dinner hosted by President Pascual at the House of Representatives Speakers Lounge.

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constituents,” she said.

“During my campaign up to now, hindi sila ang main concern ko. Ang main concern ko is mapagsilbihan ngayon ang mga kababayan natin, lalong lalo na ‘yong mga sumuporta sa akin.”

The executive course on legislation, designed by the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance for Binay and her team, ran for a week.

Subjects included the roles and accountabilities of a legislator, the Philippine administrative system, the

national legislative process, and preparing the national budget, among others.

“Exciting. Feeling ko freshman ako ulit ulit,” said Binay, a tourism graduate of UP. Binay said she was particularly interested in learning how to draft a bill and seeing it through the legislative process, especially since her experience was limited to the government’s executive branch.

Before running for the Senate, Binay was a personal assistant to her father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, who also heads the Housing and Urban Development

Coordinating Council.

“I admit hindi ako familiar with the workings of the Senate,” she said. “I guess malaking tulong ito to familiarize myself with the Senate.”

Aside from taking the short course, Binay is also attending briefings and holding consultations with sectors involved in her advocacies, such as transportation and children’s welfare.

She promised to be an active senator, and avoid skipping plenary sessions.

“My presence will be felt in the Senate,” the young lawmaker said.

UP mentoring for solons.. ◄

Faculty members of NCPAG led by Vice President for Public Affairs Prospero de Vera and Dean Edna Co brief Senator Nancy Binay about the course they have designed for her, during a courtesy call at De Vera’s office at Quezon Hall.

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Dalisay

school at the University of Batangas. His father works as a seafarer.

Dalisay is an accomplished debater in the Philippines and elsewhere in Asia. He was adjudged as one of the top speakers in major speech contests here and abroad.

He was awarded as the second best debater in the Philippines at the National Debating Championship in Cagayan de Oro City in October 2011. He also made it as the eighth best debater in Asia at the United Asian Debating Championship in

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of legislation.

The university considers the capacitybuilding partnership with HOR as part of its public service mandate as the national university.

UP President Alfredo Pascual notes that the course parallels the Harvard University Institute of Politics’ Bipartisan Program for Newly-Elected Members of Congress.

Macau held in May 2011.

Dalisay was among the fourth batch of OWWA scholars for the school year 2007 to 2011.

“OWWA is very happy to know that one of our scholars made it to the West Point academy. He is not only OWWA’s pride but he is the pride of the entire country. This is indeed good news,” OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said.-- By Jovan Cerda (philstar.com)

U.P. NEWS J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III Editor in Chief DANTE M. VELASCO Editorial Consultant JOSE WENDELL P. CAPILI Issue Editor JO. FLORENDO B. LONTOC Managing Editor JIMMY MONTEJO Copy Editor ARBEEN ACUÑA, STEPHANIE CABIGAO, FRED DABU, ANDRE ENCARNACION, CELESTE ANN CASTILLO LLANETA, JO. FLORENDO B. LONTOC, KIM QUILINGUING, ARLYN VCD P. ROMUALDO Writers BONG ARBOLEDA, MISAEL BACANI, JONATHAN MADRID Photographers OBET EUGENIO Editorial Assistant TOM MAGLAYA Circulation The U.P. NEWS is a monthly publication of the UP System Information Office, Office of the Vice-President for Public Affairs. We welcome contributions from the faculty, non-academic staff, REPS and students. Please send your contributions to: THE EDITOR U.P. News Mezzanine Floor, Quezon Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City 926-1572, 436-7537 e-mail: upnewsletter@gmail.com, upnewsletter@upd.edu.ph

Dalisay with fellow PMA cadets

Photo from Dalisay’s Facebook account, as featured in Rappler.com

Photo by Jaymee Gamil, PDI

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Pasia-Comerford receives her award during ceremonies at the UP Theater.

Alumni Association’s (UPAA) conferred to her a Presidential Award , along with two other outstanding alumni. Sorsogon Rep Evelina Escudero and Dr. Fernando Sanchez.

It’s definitely a great homecoming, according to Comerford. It was the first time she set foot on UP after leaving for the United States in 1983.

“First of all, it’s very humbling and this is surely a great homecoming for me because I’ve been out of UP since 1983 and coming back years later and getting an award, it’s such a big thing,” she said in her acceptance speech.

Just two years into her BS Food Technology course in UP-Diliman in 1983, Comerford left the Philippines for the US. Prior to her employment at the White House, Comerford headed various fine dining restaurants in the US. She was designated Executive Chef in 2007 when the post became vacant under the watch of President George Bush.

Unlike most female Iskolar ng Bayan at UP’s general alumni homecoming who opted for the classic baro’t saya, Comerford was clad in a formal dress that resembled an oversized Barong Tagalog.

At the Bahay ng Alumni before the awarding ceremonies, Comerford chose to catch up with her classmates and professors before granting a short media interview.

While huddling with friends and teachers she has not seen in 30 years, she partook of the lumpiang sariwa, chicken, and rice from the dinner buffet.