UP Forum November-December 2013

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VOLUME 14 NUMBER 6

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013

The Day the Oblation Stood Still UP's Response in the Wake of Typhoon Yolanda, Part I

See Part II, "Rising from the Rubble" UP Forum, January-February 2014

2 | Rising from the Destruction of UP SHS by Supertyphoon “Yolanda”: Learning from History

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mmediately after Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” I took pictures of the massive destruction inflicted on the buildings and facilities at the main campus of the School of Health Sciences (SHS), University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) in Palo, Leyte in the morning of Friday, November 8, 2013. I also wrote more detailed notes on the devastation in my diary.

The photos attached to this report were taken

4 | The UPM Spirit in Times of Crisis: Project H20 of Mu Sigma Phi

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ecessity breeds innovation,” wrote Dr. Josephine Bundoc in her Facebook album after posting three pictures of four blue screw tighteners in different stages of fabrication by a 3D printer. The 3D printer belonged to her husband, Dr. Rafael Bundoc, an orthopedic surgeon. The blue screw tighteners, made of plastic resin, were for the water filtration units being prepared by volunteers for Yolanda-hit communities.

Mu Sigma Phi started donating water filtration units after the deadly Bohol earthquake of October 2013. Known as the MU H20 Potable Water Package (“H20” here meaning “Help 2 Others”), they can filter 20 liters of water in 20 minutes. Each unit can

16 | The Day the Oblation Stood Still: UP Responds to the Challenge of Typhoon Yolanda

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photograph by Rappler said it all: A landscape of ragged trees with torn branches, the rubble and the mud—and the silhouette of the UP Oblation standing unbowed in its midst.

The photo of the UP Visayas Tacloban College (UPVTC) campus made the rounds on Facebook1 November 10, two days after Super-Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the most powerful storm to make landfall in recorded history, smashed through the Visayas region and virtually disemboweled the country.

According to the Office of the President’s Of-

2 UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013

UP SHS Palo Oblation in Leyte still standing amidst the damage from Supertyphoon Yolanda.

RISING FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF UP SHS... continued from page 1

Rolando O. Borrinaga on three different visits to SHS on November 19, and December 3 and 5, 2013. Other undocumented data I mentioned are based on what I heard over the local radio (DYVL, assisted

by DZRH), since I had had no access to newspapers, TV and the Internet since the supertyphoon struck nearly a month ago.

Supertyphoon aftermath Supertyphoon “Yolanda” was classified by PAGASA, the government weather agency, as a Category 5 typhoon which packed 235 kph winds near its center with gustiness of up to 275 kph. But American meteorological sources said that the supertyphoon in fact carried 315 kph winds near its center and gustiness of up to 385 kph. It was said to be the

“strongest typhoon” on record ever to fall on land.

“Yolanda” made a landfall at Guiuan, Eastern Samar around 4:40 a.m. on November 8, 2013, few hours earlier than the PAGASA forecast.

Within the next two to three hours, very strong winds and heavy rains, accompanied by deadly storm surges, struck Tacloban, Palo and nearby towns of Leyte and Samar and caused catastrophic damage to human lives and property. Latest figures from the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) show at least 5,500 people dead and nearly 2,000 missing, most of them due to the storm surges in Tacloban and nearby areas. About 80 percent of the residential houses and public buildings, including schools, along

the supertyphoon’s path in Leyte suffered partial or total damage.

The piles of debris along the roads and the flattened landscapes of Tacloban and Palo and nearby areas reminded me of pictures and footage I had seen of Hiroshima, Japan following its bombing in August 1945.

The occurrence of storm surges seems to be a “best kept secret” in Tacloban’s collective memory. Tacloban chroniclers have recorded a lot of minor and virtually insignificant events in its annals, but never the storm surge of 1897, which caused the deaths of 200 (5%) of its estimated population of 8,000, nor the next storm surge that came with a strong typhoon in 1912, which showed a higher estimate (up to 50 percent in one estimate) of Tacloban’s population loss.

Learning from history In the immediate days before “Yolanda,” I had already alerted my students about the possibility of a storm surge with the oncoming typhoon. I even called it a tsunami to emphasize my point. The warning might have helped ensure that no SHS student would become a casualty in this disaster.

The basis for my warning was a very strong typhoon accompanied by storm surges that struck Samar and Leyte on October 12 and13, 1897, at the height of the Philippine Revolution. That phenomenon was investigated and a report was published by Fr. Jose Algue, SJ, the director of the Manila Observatory, on commission

by Admiral Patricio Montojo, comcontinued on page 3

Fig. 1. The path of the 1897 typhoon with accompanying storm surges. The circled numbers indicate the height of the storm surges in various areas.

(Source: Algue, Jose S.J. El Baguio de Samar y Leyte, 12-13 de Octubre de 1897. Manila, 1898.)

UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013 3

RISING FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF UP SHS... continued from page 2 manding-general of the Spanish Navy in the Philippines at that time.

As it turned out, “Yolanda” followed almost the exact path (from the Pacific Ocean) of the 1897 typhoon and produced storm surges with similar heights and magnitudes as its precedent event more than a century ago (see Fig. 1), i.e., 3 m. in Tanuauan, 3.9 m. in Tacloban, and 4.6 m. in its Anibong area. Even the destruction of representative buildings in Palo showed a repeat during the two disasters. Fig. 2 shows a fuzzy picture of the destruction inflicted on the Palo Church and the Palo Municipal Building, respectively, in 1897. Fig. 3 shows a similar pattern of destruction on the same two structures last month. The recent photo shows the damaged SHS buildings in front of the Palo Cathedral.

Severe damage at SHS All the buildings inside the SHS campus in Palo suffered severe damage.

The SHS Administration Building, a ca. 1940s Puericulture Center which was repaired after SHS occupied it in the early 1980s, is now roofless and suffered total damage to its wooden structures on the second floor. But the

An old prefab building inside the compound, which was used as storage area for old SHS items, was pushed flat to the ground by the supertyphoon.

The SHS flagpole has been bent to ground level.

Only the UP Oblation statue, which symbolizes the unflagging UP spirit, stands erect and seemingly unharmed by the disaster.

Recommendations Initial efforts for the SHS to resume operations in Palo should focus outright on providing temporary roofing (i.e., canvas tent material) to the sixclassroom Herrera Memorial Building, which can be used as temporary office and classrooms. The rooms at the ground floor of the SHS Administration Building can also be used as classrooms and/or offices while we continue to rehabilitate the other school facilities. The second floor of this building can be rehabilitated using materials stronger than the ones used to rehabilitate it in the early 1980s.

I hope these short-term recommendations will be given cognizance by decision makers in UP Manila and the UP System Administration, and donors for the SHS who are willing

Fig. 2. Picture of the damage in Palo due to the 1897 typhoon.

concrete-walled ground floor was virtually spared, except for some broken glass windows. See Fig. 4.

The six-classroom Dr. Florentino B. Herrera, Jr. Memorial Building, which faces the Palo Town Plaza, has been stripped of its zinc roofing and most of its ceilings. But the wooden beams for the roof are still intact in many places. See Fig. 5.

The two-room administration building, one room of which houses the Learning Resource Center (LRC), is now roofless and rid of its roof beams.

Its concrete wall facing the river had been destroyed and pushed and slanted inwards by the strong winds.

This building is a virtual wreck.

The Palo Maternity Clinic in the SHS compound, which was built with a grant from the Japanese Embassy, is roofless in most places. But the metal beams for its roof are still in place.

to provide the resources and funds.

There are now ongoing discussions on the long-term infrastructure rehabilitation of the UP campuses affected by the devastation, on the options to showcase the best designs, including future risks.

The SHS started in 1976 with only one buildin0g that had two classrooms. After “Yolanda,” we can certainly start again with the repair of the six-classroom building named in memory of our founder, the late Dr. Florentino B. Herrera, Jr., and pick up the pieces of our shattered campus from there.

We can always stand up again from where we fell.

-------------------Dr. Rolando O. Borrinaga is professor of history at the UP School of Health Sciences, Palo Leyte.

Email him at rolborr@gmail.com

Photos on left, top to bottom: Fig. 3. Damage to Palo due to Supertyphoon “Yolanda” on November 8, 2013.

The damaged SHS buildings are in front of the damaged Palo Cathedral (with the two bell towers to the left of center). Fig. 4.UP SHS Palo Oblation in Leyte still standing amidst the damage from Supertyphoon Yolanda.

Fig. 5.The damaged Dr. Florentino B. Herrera, Jr. Memorial Building. The photo also shows the SHS flagpole bent to the ground. Last two photos at the bottom: Damaged buildings on the UPM-SHS campus.

Cover photo from Newsgraph, http://www.newsgra.ph/2242/oblation-stands-strong-amid-yolanda-ruins/. All photos in page 2 and 3 from https://www.facebook.com/media/s et/?set=ms.793344780682891.793345917349444.793354717348564.793356494015053.793360130681356.793361877347848.793362960681073.793364050680964.7933 66580680711.793366980680671.bps.a.793344157349620.1073741866.100000221294883&type=1

4 UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013

THE UPM SPIRIT IN TIMES OF CRISIS... continued from page 1

Fedelynn M. Jemena provide clear, potable drinking water to 4-5 families or a small barangay. With regular cleaning, the unit can last up to five years. What’s more, it does not use electricity.

Forty MU H20 units were assembled and distributed in Bohol by Dr. Kazan Baluyot during his medical relief operations. Expected beneficiaries were more than 50,000 families.

After Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) devastated the Visayas in November 2013, 500 MU H20 units were bought, assembled, and distributed to needy areas. As the year ended, 400 more were being readied for distribution.

As of December 18, the filtration units had benefited communities in Samar, Capiz, Tacloban, and Ormoc through partnerships with Sungkod Organization (Guian, Samar), Ugnayan ng PahinungodManila (Roxas and Samar), Doctors To The Barrios (Samar), ACS Manufacturing (Tacloban), Dr. Darby Santiago (Ormoc, Leyte), Atty.

Jose Bayani Baylon and a five-member PGH team led by Dr. Jep Palo (Guian, Samar), Leyte (Dr Lito Acuin), Roxas City (Dr. Abundio Balgos), and a Dr. Roque (Tacloban).

The story behind the MU H20 units Mu Sigma Phi could have just asked for donations or bought bottled water for the survivors. However, aware of the environmental problem discarded plastic bottles can cause, the organization wanted something that would give safe water to families for a long time with zero pollution.

Hence, the MU H20 Potable Water unit.

Each package is composed of a Sawyer Point ZeroTWO™ Bucket Purifier from the US, a locally made 20-liter water bucket, a cloth of linen and net (for filtering twigs, soil, small stones), tools, and a manual of clear instructions in Filipino. The beneficiaries were taught how to assemble, use, and clean the units. Volunteers also drank the water produced to show how clear and safe it is.

Photo on the left: The Sawyer Point ZeroTWO™ Bucket Purifier Assembly Kit adapted for the MU H20 Potable Water unit. “At its core is a state-of-the-art filtration device made from the same technology as a medical dialysis filter. With a rating of 0.1 micron, the filter was designed to make it difficult for even the smallest dirt and microorganism to pass through – like E.coli, giardia intestinalis, vibrios cholera, and Salmonella Typhi. This means that this filtration system can be used to get clear, potable water from nearly all fresh water sources like lake water, well water, or flood water.” (“MU Project H20: What is it about?” from http://vimeo.com/81306055)

Undergrad brods prepare the filtration units.

Photo by Aldric Cristoval C. Reyes

The creation of the MU H20 units would not have been possible without the donations and volunteer work of many people. Alumni both here and abroad, like Dr. Abraham Rasul Jr and Dr. Manny Dalope of the UP Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA), campaigned to raise funds for the project. Non-UPM individuals and organizations like the Physicians for Peace-Walking Free (USA and Philippines) either bought or donated money to buy the Sawyer kit (which costs P3,500 each), buckets, cloth materials, plastic resin for the screw tighteners, other tools, and paper (for the labels and manuals).

Under the guidance of Dr. Rafael Bundoc, volunteers from Mu Sigma Phi (applicants, neophytes, brothers, and sisters) and the Prosthetic and Orthotic Laboratory of the UP-PGH Department of Orthopedics manually prepared by filtration units, translated the instructions into easy-to-understand Filipino graphic booklets, and had these printed. Dr. Bundoc himself AutoCAD-designed and printed the screw tighteners. Jom Chua and Emmanuel Limpin, both from UPCM Class 2016, took charge of the leg work, logistics, mechanics, and the planning/scheduling of the distribution.

Dr. Josephine Bundoc once wrote in her FB that the donations to continued on page 6

Three photos from right: Dr. Bundoc said, “We encountered several problems in assembling the units. There were no readily available tools to make our relief work easy. We resorted to 3D printing technology to design and fabricate our very own tools to facilitate the assembly of the filter units. These innovated tools are provided to those who go into the field to distribute the filters so that they can assemble the units with extreme ease!”

UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013 5

'Yolanda' Survivors in Leyte, Samar and Capiz Receive Medical and Relief Assistance from UP Manila Anne Loren Claire A. Santos

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f there is a positive side to the massive devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda, it is the rekindling of the spirit of generosity and solidarity among individuals, groups, organizations, and institutions not only in the Philippines but worldwide as well.

UP Manila was among the health institutions that responded early. Recognizing the urgency of an immediate response, UP Manila quickly organized relief and medical assistance efforts for the typhoon survivors in Leyte, Samar, and Capiz. Its own buildings in

Manila Director Eric Talens. The 21person team was composed of doctors from the Philippine General Hospital and East Avenue Medical Center; UP College of Medicine Alumni; and UP Manila and UP Visayas-Tacloban volunteers. Five members of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, Inc. also accompanied the team to help in the distribution of relief goods.

According to Dr. Talens' report published in the unit's Facebook account, the Palo mission was designed to “de-

face towel, toothbrush, toilet paper, sanitary napkin, diaper, alcohol, and betadine were provided to families who survived Yolanda's wrath. The team also gave out 120 coloring books, 120 packs of crayons, and 120 toys to children survivors.

The latest report from SHS Palo said that all its 179 students and 56 faculty and staff were safe, with some members relocated to safer places, including Metro Manila. UP Visayas-Tacloban College however, reported one student as among those who died when Yo-

Palo. Furthermore, Pahinungod is thankful to the Iglesia ni Cristo in Palo for allowing the team to encamp on their ground and use their facilities.

Hernani, Eastern Samar To augment the meager assistance provided to the 'Yolanda' survivors in Hernani, Eastern Samar, Pahinungod Manila deployed a team to the said town on December 3-5, 2013 to undertake much-needed medical and relief mission.

The team, composed of volunteers

Clockwise, from top photo from left: Arrival of the UP Manila Ugnayan ng Pahinungod team at Palo, Leyte. Top right photo: Mission to Barangay Baybay, Roxas City, Capiz. Photo at bottom and middle right: Mission to Hernani, Eastern Samar. Photo at bottom left: Mission to Barangay Daan-Sur, Tapaz, Capiz.

the School of Health Sciences campus in Palo, Leyte were destroyed and the School’s faculty, staff, and students were among those affected.

From November 18 to December 6, 2013, three batches of relief and medical assistance groups were deployed to three different areas in the three affected provinces. The teams rendered medical services to about 1,100 survivors, performed six surgical procedures, and distributed about 3,500 relief packs.

Palo, Leyte The first medical and relief mission was deployed on November 18-21, 2013 in Palo, Leyte, led by Pahinungod

liver relief to the community and UP constituents in Leyte, provide medical and surgical services needed in the immediate post-disaster period, and help evacuate UP constituents who need to be extricated to a safer and more habitable location.�

Pahinungod conducted around 500 consultations. The report also stated that the team distributed 1500 family relief packs, which contained repacked rice, canned goods, instant noodles, instant coffee, candles, matches, biscuits, candies and chocolates, bottled water, and water purification tabs. In addition, 400 sleeping mats, 400 mosquito nets, and 993 hygiene kits with bath soap, toothpaste, cotton balls/buds,

landa battered the city. In a statement, UP President Alfredo Pascual called on the University community to render all possible financial assistance and emotional encouragement to Erica Cressia Antonino's family and relatives as they cope with the loss of their loved ones.

Pahinungod is overwhelmed by the generosity of its donors and volunteers who helped prepare and repack the relief items. The unit is also grateful to a group of private individuals who provided security assistance to ensure the safety of the volunteers and relief goods. Transport companies Philtranco and JAM Liner provided crew and transportation that brought the team, relief items, and medical supplies to

from UP Manila, alumni from the UP College of Medicine and PGH, a mountaineer and civilian volunteers, and a private practitioner, performed six surgical procedures that included three debridements for neglected wounds, two incisions and drainages, and an emergency circumcision. Moreover, the team performed medical consultations mostly involving upper respiratory and gastro-intestinal infections.

According to a Pahinungod report, the team distributed 1,568 family packs of relief items. The people in Hernani also received 1,000 shelter packs, which had one mosquito net and a sleeping mat. In addition, the team allocated continued on page 6

6 UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013

THE UPM SPIRIT IN TIMES OF CRISIS... continued from page 4

Photos from the Mu Sigma Phi Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MuProjectH2O

make the water filtration units brought peace to the volunteers. Although she did not explain the reason, it is, perhaps, not because of what they accomplished in terms of the innovation and the number of units prepared and sent.

It was because they were able to help.

-------------------The author is a writer for the UP Manila Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office. Email her at fmjemena@yahoo.com.

SOURCES:

1 Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc and her FB page. Dr. Penny Bundoc is a doctor of rehabilitation medicine. She is known for her volunteer work for PFP-WF--tirelessly finding ways to help the neediest patients receive prosthetics to replace lost arms and legs, and ensure ongoing physical rehabilitation. She and her husband, Dr. Rafael Bundoc, are both multi-awarded physicians.

2 Cortez, Kiko A. (UPCM Batch 2018). (n.d.). Project H20: MU donates water filtration units to Bohol. Mu Sigma Phi. Retrieved from http://www.musigmaphi.com/index.php/Latest/Project_ H2O_MU_Donates_Water_Filtration_Units_to_Bohol.html 3 Berba, CM. (n.d.). MU Project H20: What is it about? Retrieved from http://vimeo. com/81306055 4 Rasul, Abraham T. (2013, November 12.) Portable Water Filtration Units for Disaster Victims from UP Medicine Mu Sigma Phi Foundation USA. Office of the President of the Philippines Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Retrieved from http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index. php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2109:portable-water-filtration-units-for-disastervictims&catid=171:updates-on-typhoon-yolanda-from-abroad&Itemid=859 5 Project H20 of Mu Sigma Phi, https://www.facebook.com/MuProjectH2O 6 Physicians for Peace Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PhysiciansforPeace 7 Ugnayan ng Pahinungod-Manila Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pahinungod 8 Sawyer Point ZeroTWO™ Bucket Purifier Assembly Kit. (n.d.). Sawyer. Retrieved from http://sawyer.com/products/sawyer-point-zerotwo-bucket-purifier-assembly-kit/

'YOLANDA' SURVIVORS IN LEYTE, SAMAR AND CAPIZ... continued from page 5 722 blankets, 881 hygiene kits, 419 tarpaulin sheets, 125 underwear kits, 285 packs of diapers, and eight big boxes of used slippers and shoes. Pahinungod also divided among children survivors one big box of various toys and 258 kiddie packs that contained coloring materials, slippers, and stuffed toys. Water purifiers and aquatabs were likewise distributed to the typhoon survivors.

Roxas City and Tapaz, Capiz The need for assistance raised by former UPM Vice Chancellor and UP-PGH Consultant Dr. Abundio Balgos prompted Pahinungod to send a team to Capiz to provide medical and relief services to constituents who survived the wrath of 'Yolanda'. On December 4-6, a team was deployed to Barangay Baybay in Roxas City and Barangay Daang-Sur in Tapaz, Capiz.

The 17-person team led by Dr. Carlos Gundran, chairperson of Pahinungod Disaster Response Program, served 270 patients during the half-day medical and relief operations at Barangay Baybay. In addition, 240 patients in Tapaz received medical assistance. The remaining medical and relief supplies were coursed to the local office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

With the lack of potable water in Tapaz, diarrhea became a major health concern within the community. Hence, the team also demonstrated the use of and distributed water purifiers to residents.

-------------------The author is a writer for the UP Manila Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office. Email her at alclaires_8@yahoo.com.

More photos from the UPM-Ugnayan ng Pahinungod mission to Palo, Leyte

Safe water for all. A total of 40 villages/barangays, rural health units, and schools from seven municipalities (Guiuan; Mercedes; Salcedo; Gen. MacArthur; Hernani; Quinapondan; and Giporlos) of Eastern Samar were identified/confirmed to have water contamination.

These MU H20 water filtration buckets reached their very doorsteps through the effort of SUNGKOD. (https://www.facebook.com/MuProjectH2O)

UPV Continues Aid for Northern Iloilo Lenilyn B. Gallos

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rue to its mandate as a public service university, UP Visayas (UPV) tapped international aid agencies for rapid relief, early recovery, and rehabilitation assistance to typhoon Yolanda-affected communities in Panay Island.

As an initial effort, the UPV through the Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS) and the Community Outreach Program (COP) of the College of Arts and Sciences organized a rapid response effort together with volunteers from the faculty, staff, students, and alumni to help the survivors of Yolanda in Panay Island.

The initiative gathered generous donations in cash and in-kind from the UPV community and other sources. A total of Php242,775.00 cash was coursed through the COP and also some amount through the UPV Foundation Inc. (UPVFI).

Thousands of affected households in Carles, Iloilo and in the identified towns in the provinces of Antique, Capiz, and Aklan were benefited by the collective effort. The distribution of relief goods took place on November 13, 14, 16, 17 and 30 and December 27, 2013.

The UP Alumni Association, Inc. (Iloilo Chapter) raised a total of Php2, 867,472.00 in donations from its generous members, friends and other private individuals and institutions. The recipients were the towns of Balasan, Ajuy, Sara, Estancia, San Dionisio, and Concepcion in northern Iloilo; Dumarao, Roxas City and Pilar in the province of Capiz, and Passi City.

Various student organizations of UPV likewise organized fund-raising events such as a concert, Christmas caroling, Tree of Hope, SagipEskwela Project, and other income-generating projects. Based on the approved permits from the Office of the Student Affairs (OSA), these organizations were the UP Akeanon, UP Ichthyophilic Society, UPV Hamilia Sisterhood, Sandigan Para sa Mag-aaral at Sambayanan (SAMASA), UP Sinirangan, UP CapizeĂąo, CAS Student Council, UP Lipad, UPV Hublag, UPV Choristers, Virtouso, Intermedius, Sonata, Daebak, Media.com, Balay Lampirong, UPV University Student Council, Scintilla JURIS/Stella JURIS and Partido sang Mainuswagon nga Bumulutho (PMB).

UPV through Prof. Jorge S. Ebay, CWVS director and Prof. Josephine Firmase of COP, both faculty members of the Division of Social Sciences, CAS, also tapped Christian Aid for potential relief assistance primarily for the small island communities in the Gigantes Group of Islands, Carles, Iloilo where UPV has an on-going project on Risk Reduction and Capability Building in collaboration with the Community Development Society of the Philippines (CDSP).

Ebay wrote to Christian Aid UK, which fielded Jessica Dator Bercilla, a former faculty member of UPV and currently connected with Christian Aid UK, to lead the on-ground assessments in northern Iloilo on November 10, 2013. The assessment yielded the decision to conduct the rapid relief efforts, not just in Gigantes Islands but in other areas of northern Iloilo as well.

Christian Aid UK and UK Aid provided a multi-million peso hu-

UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013 7 Photos from Janerie Octavio, UPV-IPO

Dr. Eric Talens, director of Ugnayan ng Pahinungod-Manila, drinks MU H20 water to show its safety to survivors in Samar.

Efforts Yolanda Survivors manitarian assistance to a local consortium composed of UPV, Panay Rural Development Center, Inc. (PRDCI), Iloilo CODE NGO (ICODE) and the Jaro Archdiocesan Pastoral Secretariat (JAPS).The two-phase emergency relief assistance initially covered the towns of Batad, Carles and Concepcion and expanded to other towns in northern Iloilo.

During the first phase, UPV took care of transportation, volunteer care management, and assessment and distribution in the Municipality of Carles while the All UP Workers Union led the warehousing and repacking of relief goods. The Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (SWF) and the Community Outreach Program (COP) served as the Command Center and the Operations Center, respectively.

During the second phase, UPV took charge of procurement, inventory, warehousing, repacking, quality control, hauling and loading of relief packs, transportation and volunteer care. It also expanded its distribution coverage to the upland communities of Lemery.

The UPV community—alumni, students, faculty, and staff—volunteered on official time to repack thousands of sacks of rice, and other goods worth Php18M as of this reporting. The UPV Auditorium, Graduate and Continuing Education Building lobby and the UP High School in Iloilo building in the Iloilo City campus served as the warehouse and repacking centers.

Each household beneficiary received packed goods in accordance with international humanitarian standards: 30 kg of rice, 10 tins of sardines, one 2.5 kg tin of assorted biscuits, one liter of cooking oil, 20 liters of bottled water, one kg brown sugar, 10 pieces of 135 g bath soap, four pieces 380 g laundry soap, five toothbrushes, two tubes of 145 ml toothpaste, two packs of sanitary pads, three pieces of nail clippers, two double size blankets, two sleeping mats, one can opener, a water container, water dipper, and one bottle of bleach.

Distribution started on November 20, 2013 in the barangays of Punta Carles and Cabuguana, Carles. Succeeding distribution schedules covered14 island barangays of Carles and six island barangays of Concepcion.

UPV Chancellor Rommel Espinosa issued Administrative Order No. 431 creating a committee for the second relief distribution for northern Iloilo on December 14-27 in Lemery, San Dionisio and the mainland barangays of Concepcion.

As of January 3, 2014, relief efforts had benefited 9,996 households out of the initial 8,000 target recipient households.

Christian Aid is a key member of the ACT Alliance, a coalition of 100 churches and church-related organizations working together in humanitarian assistance and development while UKaid (from the British people) is a United Kingdom agency for international for development.

Humanitarian assistance will last for three years and will include emergency assistance, early recovery and livelihood rehabilitation. UPV is committed to sustaining the efforts in helping rebuild the lives of the Yolanda survivors in northern Iloilo.

-------------------With reports from Janerie Octavio, Vanessa Malaga, COP, Prof. Jorge Ebay, and Prof. Jose Julie Ramirez. Email the author at upvipo@gmail.com.

Topmost photo: The UPV team heads to Isla Gigantes. Second from top photo: A truck delivers 206 containers of distilled water, donated by Christian Aid through UPV to the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Carles, Iloilo, in front of the town's wrecked Municipal Hall. Third from top photo: Senior citizens line up first to get the relief gods donated by Christian Aid through UPV. Photo on right: UPV professors distribute the 206 containers of 16 liters of distilled water to each household of survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Carles, Iloilo. Bottom photo: UPV volunteers work with Carles PNP personnel in the distribution of relief goods from Christian Aid.

8 UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013

UPV Musters Support for Its Tacloban College Lyncen M. Fernandez

Photo by Micaela Papa, GMA News, http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/335638/news/nation/up-president-asks-constituent-units-to-accept-cross-enrollees-from-up-tacloban

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s soon as it was possible to travel to Tacloban, UPV sent a team to the Yolanda-wrecked UP Visayas Tacloban College on November 12, 2013 to check on the faculty, staff and students as well as to assess the campus’ condition.

Vice-Chancellor for Administration Prof. Nestor Yunque led the team along with University Physician Dr. Marchette Noble; Director of the Office of Student Affairs Prof. Ruben Gamala; and Campus Development and Maintenance Chief Engr. Rolando Jamero. The team brought with them cash, medicine, and water.

UPV Chancellor Rommel A. Espinosa issued a Letter of Appeal on November 11, 2013 to the UPV community including the alumni to help colleagues in UPV Tacloban College.

Cash and relief goods poured in, which were used to respond to their immediate needs such as bottled water, dried fish and other food items, and toiletries.

From the cash donations, UPV also provided the Tacloban campus with a laptop computer, broadband access, cell phones, cell phone loads and SIM cards to enable them to start office operations.

Transportation expenses were extended to 60 students from the Tacloban campus who cross-registered in the UPV Iloilo City (53) and the Miagao campuses (7). They were accommodated in the different UPV dormitories and buildings in the Miagao and Iloilo City campuses. Blankets, mattresses, pillows and towels were purchased from the cash donations. They were given free dormitory and three meals at the cafeteria. Since the cafeteria is closed on Sundays, some faculty members, staff and alumni have been sponsoring lunch for these students on these days.

In addition, they were temporarily granted E1 bracket level in the Socialized Tuition and Financial

Assistance Program which allowed them to enroll without paying tuition fees.

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) looked for foster parents for students who could not go home during the Christmas season. It also organized a stress debriefing program for them.

Meanwhile, some members of the UP Alumni Association Inc., Iloilo Chapter raised P30,610.00 for the roundtrip transportation expenses and meal allowance of eight UPV Tacloban students who wanted to be with their families during the Christmas season. Their tickets and allowances were given to them on December 17, 2013 after the UPV Lantern Parade and Christmas program.

The University also launched the “Bangon na. May Paglaum Pa!” (Rise! There is hope.) T-shirt campaign on December 2, 2013 to raise funds for the rebuilding of the Tacloban campus. The activity raised

P 63, 240 in two weeks which was turned over to Chancellor Espinosa on January 7, 2014.

The UPV Student Council through the various student organizations also did fund-raising activities. Students of the College of Management launched a “Meet a Friend from UPVTC” program, a buddy system effort to help them adjust and cope. The Validus Amictia together with some University officials and staff sponsored the Christmas party of UPVTC students on December 16, 2014 at the Iloilo City campus.

Various sectors of the University including alumni and friends continue to contribute to the rebuilding of UPVTC. As of December 5, 2014, the total cash donations for UPVTC had reached P192,875.50.

-------------------With sources from Staff Regent Anna Razel Ramirez. Email the author at upvipo@gmail.com.

Photos show the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, which destroyed several structures in the UPV Tacloban campus. The Oblation, though, remained standing.

Photo on left and middle photo courtesy of Mrs. Lorena Yunque, taken from the UP Visayas website at http://www.upv.edu.ph/upv/index.php/component/content/article/98-announcements/1019-photos-of-upv-tacloban-college. Photo on right, which appeared in the Facebook page Narinig Ko sa UP (https://www.facebook.com/groups/NarinigKoSaUP/permalink/10151870418168369/), by Rappler.

UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013 9

Starting Anew in Cebu

About 200 displaced UP Tacloban students find temporary ‘home’ in UP Cebu Peter L. Romanillos

Prayers, Songs Highlight UP Cebu Relief Drive for Yolanda Survivors

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tudents and alumni of the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu) invited the general public to an all-night event to collect donations for survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda.

The event dubbed “1UP: The Yolanda Relief Drive” was held on the school grounds Friday, Nov. 15 from 5 p.m. until midnight and featured a solemn moment of candle lighting and prayer at the Oblation Square for those who perished during the storm and the ones they left behind.

Participants were encouraged to bring candles that were lighted during the memorial.

1UP, organized with the Philippine Red Cross, exceeded its target of packing 15,000 sets of relief goods for Yolanda survivors in northern Cebu, and Leyte and Biliran provinces.

Volunteers packed an estimated 18,000 sets of goods.

The repacking began Sunday, Nov. 10. The countdown to 15,000 packs was headed by the hosts of 1UP between performances by local bands and disc jockeys.

O

Photo from Jason Baguia, UP Cebu

nly the iconic Oblation statue is Program (STFAP).

January,” she said. standing amid the storm debris Students in the E2 bracket beBut as much as the college at the University of the Philippines long to families with an income wants to provide three meals a day (UP) Tacloban campus, but some of P80,000 or less and enjoy free to the students, Corro said they are of its students are already back in tuition, miscellaneous, and laboratory limited by their available funds. school, in UP Cebu. fees plus a standard stipend.

“Some said we should give them The roof of the buildings in the Ta“During the enrollment, the transthree meals but considering that UP cloban campus were blown away and ferees underwent the normal screenCebu is a small branch of the systheir windows shattered. The caming and applications for the STFAP,” tem, every cent counts,” she said. pus is filled with debris and several Corro said.

A pre-fabricated dormitory uprooted trees.

Corro said students who come made of concrete and galvanized However, the university’s symfrom Tacloban City or the neighboriron sheets has been completed bol—the Oblation, was able to ing towns and cities in Leyte will be beside the college’s dormitory at withstand the strong winds brought classified under the E2 bracket espethe back of the campus where the

by Yolanda. cially if they were directly affected students will be housed, she said.

About 200 students from the

by Yolanda.

The temporary shelter was protyphoon-devastated campus have “The interviews and deliberation vided free by local construction firm moved to UP Cebu to continue their were still implemented to screen the Greenovate, Inc., and can accomeducation. ones worthy of the E2 bracket. Some modate around 90 people, she said.

“Here, they are given free lunch might be from UP Tacloban but their A UP alumnus who now resides while a pre-fabricated dormitory is families are abroad or in other places in Australia has also pledged to being constructed in the campus to not affected by the storm,” she said. sponsor double decker beds made accommodate them,” said UP Cebu “But for those who say that they of bamboo while Mandaue Foam Dean Liza Corro. lost all their belongings and houses, will provide the mattresses.

UP Cebu has also extended the even family members, we put them Corro said students are rentenrollment period for the second under E2. Even if they do not have ing out rooms in boarding houses semester up to the end of November to accommodate all displaced students who were coming in. UP president Alfredo Pascual earlier ordered all of the state university’s campuses to open their doors to UP Tacloban students and extend all the help to enable them to resume their studies.

“We already anticipated that most of the students there were not informed about the announcement of the UP president because communication lines were down,” she told Cebu Daily News.

“Our professors are taking the extra load with the increase in the number UP Cebu students pack relief goods deposited at the campus' Arts and Sciences Lobby during the week-long relief drive titled "1UP" organized of students per class, but by the alumni association and student council. it doesn’t matter. This is Some donors drove through the relief also our sacrifice for the center and dropped off packs of goods students,” Corro added. some as far as barangay Talamban proof, we believe them,” Corro said. using the "1+2+3+1" formula. That The students are enrolled in subjects in Cebu City.

UP has an economic bracketing meants each pack contained a kilo of in line with their degree programs in “The students told me that they scheme for its students through the rice, two canned goods, three packs of UP Tacloban. Most transferees are sleep on the floor in some boardSTFAP wherein tuition fees of each instant noodles and one liter of water. taking courses in business administraing houses because it’s really full student vary according to their ecoOthers stayed in the venue with a tion and management, psychology and as of now,” she said. nomic status. donation of P20 each and joined the political science, she said.

According to earlier reports, A corresponding tuition fee bracket volunteers in packing collected goods.

A week after the storm, Pascual classes in the two UP campuses in is assigned to a student based on the While in the venue, they bought issued an urgent request to UP conLeyte–UPVTC and the UP Marange of his or her parents’ or guardgoods to donate, availed of the serstituent universities to allow students nila School of Heath Sciences in ians’ annual income and assets. vices of concessionaires, or bought the from UP Tacloban to cross-enroll for Palo—were canceled after several works of local artists.

Free food, shelter the second semester. school buildings and facilities All proceeds were used to purchase Pascual last week asked the heads At noon, the college’s canteen is were destroyed by the typhoon. more relief goods, all of which were of the other UP campuses to temfilled with cross-enrollees who are Despite the sudden change distributed through the Philippine Red porarily waive the requirements for provided free meals by the school of environment, Corro said the Cross and 1UP’s partner organizations cross-registration of students from administration. administration wants the “new situated in the areas hardest hit by UP Tacloban in light of the emergenCorro said they issue meal tickets students” to feel at home.

Yolanda. cy situation caused by supertyphoon for one meal to ensure that the stu-------------------Netizens used the hashtags #1UP, Yolanda. dents have eaten during the day.

This story originally appeared in #YolandaPH and #ReliefPH to keep Some students from Tacloban will “One time I had lunch with all of the Cebu Daily News and www. abreast of the relief effort. not be paying a single centavo since them and I really got to ask them inquirer.net. The author, Peter L. The UP Cebu Student Council and Romanillos, is a newswriter from they were accepted under the E2 about what they need. They told the UP Alumni Association Cebu the Cebu Daily News. Email him bracket of the university’s Socialme all they need is food, that’s why Chapter spearheaded the drive. at forum@upd.edu.ph. ized Tuition and Financial Assistance we’re giving them free lunch until

10 UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013

Project Lightline

Tugon ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan sa mga Nasalanta ng Kalamidad Fred Dabu

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yon kay Dr. Giovanni Tapang ng UP National Institute of Physics, ang mga mag-aaral ng UP ay marami pang maitutulong sa mga tinamaan ng kalamidad, dagdag sa relief operation, weather and climate prediction, civil work, preparedness and response, at iba pang uring suporta na naging karaniwan nang kaparaanan. Isang halimbawa nito ay ang Project Lightline, kung saan ginamit ng mga estudyante ang kanilang natutunan sa klase upang makagawa ng mga emergency charger para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Yolanda noong Nobyembre 2013.

Sinabi ni Propesor Tapang na maaaring makagawa ng ibang mga kagamitang tutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga nasalanta. "Pwede rin yung mga hand-cranked generator o solarpowered device na mabubuo mula sa mga kagamitang nariyan na o makakalap pa, depende sa pangangailangan."

"Maraming project sa mga klase natin, hindi puro teorya ang pinag-aaralan, na pwedeng isagawa lalung-lalo na kapag may kalamidad. Kailangan lang suportahan ng faculty at ng university, kung saan may mga ganitong kaalaman at kagamitan, kagaya ng nasa VISSER. Natutuwa ako na naalala ng isang dati kong estudyante ang kanyang electronics class at na-mobilize niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan para sa Lightline.

Bilang teacher, susuportahan mo talaga ito," ayon sa propesor.

Sa Project Lightline, nakita ng mga estudyante na maaaring magamit ng mga nasalanta ang mga lumang baterya para makapagpadala sila ng text message na magsasabing ligtas sila, o maipararating sa mga kamaganak o kaibigan nila kung ano na ang sitwasyon sa mga lugar na nawalan ng kuryente.

"Kung walang kuryente para sa cell phone, maghanap tayo ng paraan para mapagana ang cell phone. Napakilos

sa Lightline ang mga taga-Physics, taga-Engineering, at lahat ng gustong mag-solder para makatulong sila. Pero kapag matagal na walang kuryente, mas magandang magkaroon ng alternative power generation na pwedeng i-explore ng faculty at ng mga estudyante. Ito ang isa pang itinuturo sa atin ng Lightline: It doesn't have to be high-tech; it just needs to be realizable," dagdag ni Tapang.

Simula ng Project Lightline Nang lumabas sa balita ang mga ulat ng pinsala at kawalan ng kuryente sa mga lugar na sinalanta ng bagyong Yolanda, nagmungkahi sa social media si Gillian Uy, isang graduating physics student at naging estudyante ni Prop.

Tapang sa Applied Physics 181 (electronics), na gumawa sila ng joule thief para sa mga nasalanta.

"Ito ang Lightline. Ang joule thief ay isang device na makakapag-extract ng kuryente sa lumang baterya para mapaandar ang mga low-voltage lang na mga kagamitan tulad ng cell phone," paliwanag ni Tapang.

Sa madaling panahon, bumuo sila ng grupo ng mga volunteer na gagawa ng maraming joule thief, at ginamit nila ang mga soldering iron at testing equipment na nasa laboratoryong VISSER, isang proyektong naka-base sa UP-NIP. Nagdisenyo sila ng final circuit kasabay ng kanilang panawagan para sa mga donasyong lumang cell phone charger na kukunan nila ng mga piyesa.

"Tinawag namin itong Lightline kasi magbibigay ito ng 'lifeline' o just enough charge for one text to tell their family na 'okey pa kami'. Nakabuo kami ng ilang unit kasama ang mga volunteer galing sa physics, engineering, biology, mga alumni; mayroon ding galing sa ibang school, at iba pang campus. Ang ibang pumunta, talagang walang alam sa electronics, pero will-

ing silang magbukas ng cell phone charger, mag-solder, mag-desolder, at mag-assemble. Halos 200 ang tumulong. Maraming tumulong. May mga nag-donate rin ng mga lumang cell phone," kwento ni Tapang.

Dagdag pa niya, "Lightline just starts an oscillation galing sa lumang baterya. Papalakihin ng transformer ang voltage para mag-charge, pero hindi ito malakas. Konti lang din ang maidaragdag, enough lang para hindi mamatayan ng phone habang nagtetext. Hindi rin ito designed para sa call. Pero pwedeng gumana gamit ang ano mang bateryang nasa bahay. We designed it for AA pero pwede namang gamitin sa mga C o D battery."

"Maraming naging interesado kasi it's a different way of helping out.

Ngayon, may mga dumarating pa ring donated charger. Pwede naman itong ituloy, to make these things even before disasters occur para pagdating ng disaster, merong mabilisang maidedeploy. Ang caveat lang, it's really a lifeline. Lightline is a lifeline. You don't use it often kasi pwedeng magovercharge. It was designed to just give the initial charge. Hindi siya gagamitin lagi," paliwanag ng propesor.

Bilang pang-wakas, nanawagan si Tapang na makilahok at makialam ang mga siyentista at dalubhasa sa mga usaping panlipunan bilang pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng bayan.

"The whole scientific community should mobilize to find kung ano ang lugar nila sa disaster response at kung paano maia-apply ang kanilang kaalaman at kakayanan, hindi lang para sa disaster response kundi para sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas It's really a wake-up call for everybody to make science and technology relevant to the ordinary Filipino," ani Tapang.

-------------------Email the author at forum@upd.edu.ph.

Larawan sa itaas: Mga Isko at Iska na tumulong sa pagbubuo ng mga "lightline."

Mga larawan sa ibaba: Mga lumang cell phone, charger, kagamitan at piyesa na ginamit ng mga volunteers sa pagbubuo ng mga "lightline" sa UP-NIP

UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013 11

UPLB Extends Assistance to Students Affected

by Typhoon Yolanda Mervin de Roma

U

Photo sent by Kristine Araguas, UPLB-OC-OPR

PLB raised funds and in-kind donations for survivors of super typhoon Yolanda, including students affected by the devastation wrought by the killer typhoon. The University demonstrated a concerted and comprehensive approach in its various outreach and relief assistance activities.

Relief operations UPLB was the first among UP System constituent universities to send a truckload of relief goods on Nov. 15, 2013. With the Office of the ViceChancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA) coordinating the relief efforts, UPLB generated more than Php130,000 on Nov. 26, 2013. This was complemented by donations from the UPLB Foundation Inc., student organizations, and other socio-civic organizations coursed through the OVCCA, conduit national and local organizations, or given directly to the victims themselves.

Student cross-enrollees Through the initiative of the Office of the ViceChancellor for Academic Affairs, the University waived the tuition fees of at least 30 undergraduate students from typhoon-affected areas. This was achieved through STFAP re-bracketing of the concerned students to E1 and E2.

Those who applied for the STFAP during the semester were re-bracketed to E2, which entitled them to full tuition discount and a stipend of Php 2,400 per month during the semester. A total of 30 undergraduate students were re-bracketed to E2.

Photo sent by Kristine Araguas, UPLB-OC-OPR

On the other hand, 34 students who did not apply for the STFAP will, upon application, be re-bracketed to E1, which will entitle them to free tuition and exemption from payment of miscellaneous fees.

To date, UPLB has identified 66 undergraduate and 28 graduate students from the typhoon-affected areas and two students who cross-registered from the UP VisayasTacloban City Campus. They were contacted by SMS and by email to inform them of the assistance that UPLB could provide.

Apart from the tuition break, UPLB has also provided free dormitory accommodations, which were availed of by 19 undergraduate and 15 graduate students.

From the funds it has raised from organizations and other groups, UPLB has been providing financial assistance and meal tickets to the students. To date, 24 of the undergraduate students have been provided living allowances of Php4,000-5,000 per month for the month of December. In addition, from November to December 2013, groups of concerned individuals have provided meal tickets that entitle students to three meals per day. Fourteen students availed themselves of the meal tickets.

To address the mental and emotional well-being of the students, UPLB has also been providing counselling services to the distressed individuals. The Counseling and Testing Division of the Office of Student Affairs organized the session “Makulay Tuloy-tuloy ang Buhay,” composed of ‘creative stress buster’ activities through art, dance, music relaxation techniques, TaiChi and ‘Laughter Yoga’ for 15 students.

Faculty, alumni, and student contributions In the Spirit of the Yuletide Season, UPLB launched a special program for displaced students called ‘Foster Family for Christmas.’ Ten students from the typhoon-affected areas who were unable to go home were ‘adopted’ by families from UPLB. Moreover, some groups chose to forego their traditional Christmas parties and instead donated the money they would have spent to financially support the students. Those who pushed through with their Christmas parties invited the students and gave them Christmas gifts and cash.

Faculty members and alumni from the different colleges contributed to the collective fund as well, while some stucontinued on page 13

12 UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013 Photo by Anthony Montecillo, UP Mindanao

The UP Mindanao Mission to UP Tacloban Rene Estremera

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delegation from UP Mindanao left on December 11, 2013 to deliver relief goods and cash donations to UP Tacloban. The UP Mindanao bus was used to carry the goods collected by the UP Mindanao constituents, the Mindanao Times newspaper, and those from other donors. The trip was organized by the Office of Extension and Community Service composed of Director (Prof.) Erwin Protacio, Extension Officers Michael Gatela and Diocy Cloribel-Guilabtan, with drivers Henry Fernandez and Ildefonso Magpusao Jr, Land Mgt. Officer Joel Sagadal, Administrative Officer Michelle Panis, and Scholarships Officer Analiza Fulvadora. Vice Chancellor for Administration (Prof.) Antonio Obsioma would meet up with the team at the site.

The UP Mindanao team arrived at the UP Visayas Tacloban College on December 12. The team was met by UP Tacloban officials led by Dean Anita Cular. On December 13, Vice-Chancellor Obsioma turned over to Dean Cular the cash donations from Davao Doctors College, the UP Mindanao constituents, and the donations sourced by the Office of Extension. VC Obsioma also gathered information for the plan of the Davao City Chamber of

Commerce to send construction materials.

The UP Mindanao team conducted gender-related activities.

Team members—who are also UPVTC alumni—Michael Gatela, Michelle Panis, and Joel Sagadal met and talked with fellow-alumni and contacts working in different UNICEF-affiliated NGOs on the relief and reconstruction efforts. A briefing was given by Task Force Yolanda commanding officer, and UP Vanguard alumnus, Col. Peale Jon Bondoc.

It was reported that a new city ordinance was issued stipulating that no buildings shall be located within a certain distance from the coastline, a ruling which may affect the campus. There is talk that UP Tacloban and UP Palo may be relocated to a new upland site some distance from the city, in a place called Sta. Elena.

The team left at dawn on Saturday, December 14, and were back in UP Mindanao by Sunday morning. Mr. Gatela and VC Obsioma shared the groups experience with the UP Mindanao constituents during flag ceremony the following day.

-------------------From reports by MA Gatela, JN Sagadal, MA Panis. Email the author at raestremera@up.edu.ph.

Yolanda Heroes fr UPMin Students join Tulong Aynaderka Odessa Vyan Padilla-Sison Photo by Anthony Montecillo, UP Mindanao

Photo by MA Gatela, UP Mindanao

U

P Mindanao students helped Typhoon Yolanda victims by participating in Tulong Kabataan, a relief drive initiated by sectoral organizations.

The UP Mindanao University Student Council and Himati student publication led the relief efforts. A page was created in the social media named "Tulong Kabataan UPMin" to disseminate the call.

The repacking of relief goods took place on November 15 at the UP Mindan-

UPVTC Dean Cular formally accepts the relief goods donated by UPMin constituents, Mindanao Times newspaper, and other donors, from UPMin Vice-Chancellor Antonio Obsioma. Present are (left-right) UPMin's extension director Erwin Protacio, land management officer Joel Sagadal, extension officer Michael Gatela, and four UPVTC constituents

Donation of Davao Doctors College for Photo by Rene Estremera, UP Mindanao

Photo by MA Gatela, UP Mindanao

UP Mindanao extension director Erwin Protacio and Task Force Yolanda commander Col. Peale Jon Bondoc talk with UPVTC Dean Anita Cular and Kerima Jopson.

The Davao Doctors College (DDC) and its organized constituents donated a total of P321,832.15 as assistance for UP Tacloban which they coursed through UP Mindanao. The donation was delivered on November 25, 2013 by a delegation led by DDC President Miguel Soledad. The cash was contributed by the DDC itself and its various sectors: DDC Faculty Union, DDC Alumni Association Inc., DDC Student Council, Clarion student publication, the Physical Therapy Dept., and a PE class.

Seen in the photo holding the contributions from their respective sectors are (front row, left-right) DDC Extension Dir. Angelica Torres, DDC Vice-Pres. Ma. Leah Villano, UP Mindanao Chancellor Sylvia Concepcion, UP Min Cashier Emma Ruth Caalaman, DDC Clarion student publication representative Jann Julia M. Dadivas, DDC Student Council representative Karla Mae C. Esquierdo, DDC Alumni Assoc. Pres. Ralph Augustus Manaois, (back row) UP Min Vice-Chanc. Antonio Obsioma, UP Min Extension Dir. Erwin Protacio, DDC Faculty Union Pres. Owin Ferolino, and DDC Pres.

Miguel Soledad.

The amount was turned over by Vice Chancellor Antonio Obsioma to UPVTC Dean Anita Cular on December 13, 2013. (By Rene A. Estremera)

UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013 13 Photo by Anthony Montecillo

UPLB EXTENDS ASSISTANCE... continued from page 11 dent organizations conducted various fund-raising activities to support the tuition fees and living allowances of affected UPLB students.

In particular, the two cross-registrants from UP Visayas-Tacloban City Campus, together with 10 other UPLB students, were provided Php5000 each by the alumni, faculty and staff of the College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT).

The UPLB Faculty Follies, which traditionally features performances by faculty members, staff and students of the different UPLB colleges, was transformed into a benefit show to raise funds for the students affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

The event was graced by Miss Universe 3rd Runner-Up Ariella Arida (UPLB BS Chemistry graduate, Class 2011) who herself has been busy with Yolanda relief efforts. The activity raised more than Php 145,000 for the survivors.

Other fundraising activities organized by UPLB and its constituents were the following: Photo sent by Kristine Araguas, UPLB-OC-OPR

om UP Mindanao Kabataan •A fundraising show by the Institute of Chemistry (IC) and Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics (IMPSP), College or Arts and Sciences (CAS); • A Christmas fundraising and thanksgiving get-together organized by the University Housing Office (UHO) and the UPLB Dormitory Association; • Sponsorship of four students (one each per department) by the College of Economics and Management (CEM); • A pledge of Php 100 per month by all the faculty members of the College of Development Communication (CDC) for the whole semester;

Photo sent by Kristine Araguas, UPLB-OC-OPR

ao Administration Building Atrium. The goods were consolidated into a larger shipment and transported under the auspices of the sectoral organizations.

On November 21-26, eleven UP Mindanao students, with student leaders from the Davao region, joined a land trip to Tacloban City organized by Balsa Mindanao (Help for Mindanao), a Mindanao-wide network formed in response to Typhoon Sendong in 2011.

Joineing the trip were: BA Anthropology students Chary May Yvon Dicto, Enzo Salvador, Nikko Stefanni Ibanez, Aynaderka Sison, Cherry Mae Mondilla, Janna Pantonial, Charlene Erbito, Therese Tinio, and Shem Roxas; and BA Communication Arts students Kit Iris Frias and Keziah Francisco. In Tacloban, the students participated in the fact-finding, medical mission, psychosocial therapy, and relief operations. This activity developed their skills in fact-finding, documentation, medical treatment, and psychosocial therapy, and impressed upon them the importance of service to fellow-Filipinos.

Postscript In the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, Vice Chancellor for Administration Antonio Obsioma issued a call for donations and designated collection points and point-persons for cash and donations in kind. The Office of Extension and Community Service designated a receiving bank account for cash donations. Collections from these efforts were consolidated and delivered to UPVTC in December. Likewise, when UP President Pascual issued instruction for UPVTC students to be allowed to cross-enroll in other UP constituent universities, there were families in Davao who expressed willingness to host cross-enrollees.

-------------------Email the author at raestremera@up.edu.ph.

UP Tacloban

• A pledge of support for six agriculture students from typhoon-affected areas by the College of Agriculture (CA); • A pledge to support three Veterinary Medicine students from typhoon affected areas by the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM); and • A fundraising Fun Walk organized by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).

-------------------Email the author at kearaguas@up.edu.ph or opr@uplb.edu.ph.

Photo sent by Kristine Araguas, UPLB-OC-OPR

14 UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013

Weep Not, Rise Up! Interview with Arianne Kris Villegas, Representative, Tindog UP–Network of UP Tacloban students, families, friends, supporters of victims and survivors of Typhoon Yolanda from Eastern Visayas Stephanie Cabigao

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t is unimaginable how to survive a storm as dreadful as Yolanda. But a young survivor emerges and talks about what she and her folks back home look forward to after the devastation.

Arianne Kris Villegas, a third year Biology major student from UP Tacloban and now a cross registrant in UP Diliman, has assumed the role as the spokesperson of Tindog Network— the bridge between the world and the students, families and supporters of Typhoon Yolanda victims and survivors.

With only two days worth of clothes, Arianne packed her bag, walked away from the evacuation center to Tacloban airport, and boarded the C130 plane to Manila. Arianne, now in UP Diliman, recalls her experience of a lifetime and reflects how owning up to her personal struggles has transformed into a unified struggle for justice for the survivors and victims of Yolanda.

Q. How did you learn about cross enrollment for students of UP Tacloban?

Villegas: It just spread like gossip.

There was no statement from the UP Tacloban administration as they, too, lost their homes and family members.

After the storm,

ABS-CBN news reporter and UP alumnus Atom Araullo (second from left) with students from UP Visayas Tacloban at the "A Thousand Meals for UP Tacloban: A Benefit Concert."

all of us wondered if our classmates were still alive. There was no way to regroup. It was only on November 20 that I was able to go to Tacloban to check on my phone and contact people from our school. A classmate told me that the deadline for cross enrollment to other UP campuses was on November 22. With only two days left, there was no time to talk things over with

my parents. It was very informal telling them that I was going to Manila to cross-enroll.

Q. Did you come to Manila with your classmates?

Villegas: No. We had to do it on our own. When we got to UP Diliman, it was the only time when we had some kind of system. They told us what to do, where to go, and were even given a guardian. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs under Prof.

Marion Tan and The Office of the Student Housing under Prof. Gerry Lanuza assisted us with our basic necessities, dorm accommodations, and enrollment orientation. The OVCSA hosted a dinner for the 264 cross registrants at the School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR). That was the first time I saw my classmates, batch mates, and school mates after the typhoon. We were just too happy that we lived.

Q. Describe your life away from home.

Villegas: At first, we didn’t know what to do. We told ourselves we would cross enroll, but after that, what do we do with our lives? Then, we thought of reaching out, locating and contacting our batch mates and the rest of our schoolmates in UP Tacloban. It was necessary to move for-

ward as one so that we can ensure a genuine support system for us. If we want to say something to the administration, we will say it together. There is strength in numbers. Thus, the need for Tindog UP - Network of families, friends and victims of Typhoon Yolanda. But we we must not tag ourselves as mere victims but survivors.

If we can’t stay in Tacloban for our families, we can still do something for them here. Our one solid moment was

Arianne Kris Villegas ( right) and a friend at the "A Thousand Meals for UP Tacloban" benefit concert.

our presentation at the 2013 Lantern Parade.

Q. Can you share with us your insights about your participation at the 2013 UP Lantern Parade?

Villegas: Some people told us to simply enjoy the occasion and watch it as it happened. However, it was more meaningful to be part of it. We were with other Tacloban folks living with their relatives in Quezon City. They have become refugees and are jobless. We wore headdresses and called for “Kabuhayan, katarungan, tirahan, pagkain” during the program. It was addressed not just to the community but more importantly to the national government. We introduced Tindog UP composed of people who chose to live for those who have died.

The UP Lantern Parade in 2013 was symbolic. It meant that we could really do something. Before, I was one of those who looked down on people trying to make a difference. But when I saw the people’s reaction at the Lantern Parade and heard the well wishes of my folks, I knew I was not destined to simply keep quiet.

Hearing “Thank you for the courage, thank you for being our voice,” I realized our sentiments for Tacloban are, indeed, universal.

Q. After mobilizing to do relief operations and establish Tindog UP, what are your other plans?

Our clamor now is to continue to raise everyone’s awareness. We have to help the government come up with sustainable solutions by airing our demands and hope that the government

would listen. We clamor for justice for Tacloban, not just about free tuition, but our right to free education because it’s the only thing that we can hold on to. Tinuruan tayo ng UP na huwag maghintay ng limos para sa ating karapatan dahil ito ay ibinibigay. Kung sakali mang hindi ibigay, sinisingil ito sa kinauukulan.

Dumudulog ang mga estudyanteng apektado ng Bagyong Yolanda sa Lupon ng mga Rehente ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas na sila ay mabigyan ng maksimum na tulong upang ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pag-aaral sa UP. Kagyat sanang tugunan ang mga sumusunod na panawagan: 1. Automatic rebracketing sa Bracket E2 ng mga apektadong estudyante hanggang sila ay makapagtapos. Mayroong ilang CUs na tumanggap ng mga cross-registrants mula sa UP Tacloban para sa semestreng ito subalit hindi sila pinagkalooban ng libreng matrikula at stipend.

Ang libreng matrikula para sa mga estudyanteng nasalanta ay dapat maibigay sa lahat ng mga apektado na hindi kailangang dumaan pa sa mahabang proseso. Para sa mga estudyanteng hindi naging Bracket E2 ngayong semestre, hinihiling na sila’y agad na mailipat ng bracket at ma-refund ang anumang halaga na kinailangan nila para makapag-enroll.

2. Pagbibigay ng food allowance sa mga estudyanteng apektado sa mga susunod na semestre.

Isang malaking problema ng mga estudyanteng nasalanta ay ang kanilang pagkain. Sa continued on page 15

UP FORUM Volume 14 No. 6 November-December 2013 15

WEEP NOT, RISE UP... continued from page 14 ngayon, may mga indibidwal na nagdo-donate para sa pagkain ng mga cross-registrants sa UP Diliman. Sana’y hindi lamang iasa sa charity ang buhay ng mga estudyanteng nasalanta ng bagyo.

3. Libreng pabahay/dorm allowance hanggang sa mga susunod na semestre. Mayroong mga cross-registrant sa ibang mga campus na umuupa pa rin sa mga boarding house.

4. Kagyat na tuition refund para sa mga nakapagbayad na ng matrikula sa UP Tacloban.

5. Basic school supplies gaya ng scientific calculators, laboratory gowns, etc.

6. Pagpapatuloy ng scholarship at study grants. Mayroong mga estudyanteng nag-cross register sa ibang campus na hindi na nakatatanggap ng mga financial assistance mula sa kanilang mga scholarship at study grant pagkatapos ng bagyo.

7. Pagpapalipat ng tuluyan ng mga estudyante mula sa UP Tacloban na nagnanais na lumipat sa ibang campus para sa susunod na semestre kahit kulang pa sila ng

required number of units. Sana’y magbigay- konsiderasyon sa usaping ito dahil kinikilala natin na sa pagbabalik-aral sa UP Tacloban ay hindi lamang ang kalagayan ng campus mismo, ng mga pasilidad at classrooms, ang kailangang isipin ngunit pati na rin ang kalagayan ng buong Tacloban.

8. Pagbigay-credit sa UP Tacloban ng mga subject na kinuha ng mga cross-registrants sa ibang campus.

9. Pagbibigay ng maximum na luwag sa number of units na maaaring kunin ng mga cross-registrants upang maiwasan ang delay.

Bukod sa mga ito ay may ilan pang mga panawagan kung sakaling mapagpasyahang buksan na ulit ang UP Tacloban.

1. Seguridad ng mga estudyante sa loob ng campus.

2. Maayos na mga classroom at mga pasilidad.

3. Libreng medical assistance para sa mga estudyante.

4. Libreng tirahan, o kung sakaling kulang ang mga dorm ay siguruhing may mga kalapit na boarding house at bigyan na lamang ng boarding house allowance at transportation allowance ang mga estudyante kung

THE DAY THE OBLATION STOOD STILL... continued from page 16 transferees unable to present proper academic records.3

STFAP rebracketing The UP campuses have exerted efforts to make their adopted UPVTC students feel at home, as well as support their own students whose families hail from Tacloban and have suffered losses.They have offered free dormitory accommodation, free meals (through funds and donations provided by donors), counseling services, make-up or enrichment classes over the Christmas break, free tuition for the second semester for students in the STFAP E1 bracket as well as a monthly stipend for those in bracket E2.

Some of the cross-registrants from UPVTC, and some who are enrolled in other UP campuses but who come from Tacloban, have been rebracketed to bracket E2 under the STFAP and given free tuition, miscellaneous and laboratory fees, plus a monthly stipend.

According to Pascual, the students were rebracketed following the normal screening and application process of the STFAP. No automatic rebracketing to E2 took place, either among the UPVTC students or the students among the other campuses affected by the typhoon. In fact, in UP Diliman, out of the 158 students affected by Typhoon Yolanda, only 48 were rebracketed to

kinakailangan.

5. Pagtalaga ng mga taong tutulong sa pagpapabilis ng mga papeles para sa scholarships and study grants sa UP Tacloban.

Ang mga panawagang ito ay nakonsolida sa pamamagitan ng mga konsultasyon at diskusyon sa mga Iskolar ng Bayan na nasalanta ng bagyo at asahan ninyong sama-sama rin naming igigiit at ipaglalaban ang mga panawagang ito hangga’t sila’y mabigyang tugon ng administrasyon ng Pamantasan. Bukod sa paglapit sa Lupon ng mga Rehente ay kinikilala rin ng TINDOG UP na may ilang mga panawagan din na kailangan igiit mula sa ating gobyerno.

Q. Do you have constant communications with the students in UP Tacloban?

Villegas: Yes, all the more that we have to talk constantly even if communication is still difficult at this time.

One of the student council members in UP Mindanao sent me a Facebook message asking, what the student body can do? I told them that this is not just about rallies and Facebook posts but for the student body to realize that we have an urgent task in asserting our right to free education. We can do it in diplomatic way but when it ceases to be effective, we should unite and fight.

-------------------Email the author at forum@upd.edu.ph.

E2; of the over 250 UPVTC students cross-registered in UP Diliman, 108 were rebracketed to E2.4 “The bracketing was the same as anywhere else in the UP System,” Pascual clarified. “[What the documents said was that] those affected would be given bracket E2—that means financially affected. But not all were financially affected.” In UPVTC, not all of the students enrolled there actually come from Tacloban; some come from neighboring cities and provinces that were not as affected by the storm, and some have other resources not available to the other students.

“We follow the process that is now part of the rules for STFAP…,” said Pascual, “because we're spending tax money here. We can’t spend tax money on students who don’t need the assistance, because that will mean we lose our capability to provide sufficient assistance to those who really need it.”

Rebuilding the future For the UPVTC and the UPM-SHS, the only way to go is forward. Steps are now being taken to support the UP community in Leyte in rebuilding and rehabilitation.

Pres. Pascual addressing the UPVTC students in Diliman during a dinner held for them on December 3, 2013.

Photo by UPSIO

One of these steps is a proposal to provide around P6M in calamity assistance, in the form of housing and construction materials, to the Yolandaaffected faculty and staff of UPVTC and UPM-SHS, to allow them to repair or rebuild their houses.

“These houses, though, will have to be temporary,” Pascual said. “Eventually, we expect them to be relocated to areas declared as safe.”

The entire UPVTC campus itself must be moved out of the danger zone, most probably to a property of UP in Barangay Sta. Elena, Leyte.

“That property is 113 hectares, so it can easily accommodate the UPVTC campus and provide land for other settlers there, both residential and commercial establishments, to provide support facilities and services to the campus. That’s the direction of resettlement, toward the mountain.”

As for the UPM-SHS, which was reduced to a wasteland, “the thinking based on our last President’s Advisory Council Meeting is that we will not rebuild the old site anymore. We will rebuild in a better location,” said Pascual.

Padayon, UP By and large, “I think that UP and the UP alumni have been very responsive,” said Pascual, who expressed his appreciation for the quick and generous response of the UP alumni and private donors to the call for help.

In keeping with its mandate to serve as a public service university, UP has offered its disaster response-related services and expertise to the government, aside from contributing to the pool of relief goods and donations for all the typhoon victims. “Our keeping our students enrolled—[this is more of a demonstration] of the value we place on our students. But it is also in a way public service,” Pascual pointed out.

In terms of promoting disaster risk mitigation, the UP administration aims to do things better. “We are conducting seminars and training programs in each of the campuses,” Pascual said. “We are trying to institute a system whereby there will be a committee in each campus that will respond to disasters. We continue to exert effort to make sure that we’re able to help and protect our constituents—our students, faculty and staff. As you know, there is no substitute for awareness and preparedness.”

-------------------Email the author at forum@upd.edu.ph.

NOTES:

1 The photo can be accessed at the Facebook group Narinig Ko Sa UP (Overheard at UP) at https:// www.facebook.com/groups/NarinigKoSaUP/ permalink/10151870418168369/ 2 Official Gazette. (2014 January 23 last updated).

Typhoon Yolanda. Retrieved from http://www.gov. ph/crisis-response/updates-typhoon-yolanda/ 3 Commission on Higher Education. (2013, November 20). Memorandum from the Chairperson: Assistance for students affected

by Typhoon Yolanda. Retrieved from http:// www.ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ Assistance-for-The-Students-Affected-ByTyphoon-Yolanda.pdf 4 Numbers based on a list compiled by the UP Diliman Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs.

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THE DAY THE OBLATION STOOD STILL... continued from page 1

Celeste Ann Castillo Llaneta ficial Gazette,2 the worst hit provinces were Leyte and Eastern Samar, which bore the brunt of Yolanda’s 270-kph sustained winds and 312-kph gusts, as well as a storm surge as high as seven meters. Entire towns and cities were leveled, and among the casualties were the UPVTC campus and the UP Manila School of Health Sciences (UPM-SHS) in Palo, both in Leyte.

Later, as UPM-SHS Dean Buddy Dastura and members of the UP community surveyed the damage, photos of the other stricken UP campus emerged.

Again, they were images of utter destruction. Again, amidst the wreckage, the Oblation remained upright, standing over the remains of what had been a vibrant place of learning mere days ago, in quiet expectation that UP—and the cities of Leyte and Samar—will rise again.

There was no better symbol for UP’s strength, resilience and spirit. Over the months, as the UP community came together to help in whichever way it can, the Oblation also became an icon of hope for both the UP and the victims of Yolanda.

Helping hands, UP System-wide UP responded quickly to the disaster.

On November 11, three days after Typhoon Yolanda hit, UP President Alfredo Pascual released a memoran-

dum directing all members of the UP community to course their offers of financial assistance through the UP Foundation. Within a span of a few days, colleges, units, offices, student organizations, alumni associations and individuals from all the UP campuses collected and sent donations in cash and kind to the affected UP campuses and other communities.

“We sent not only food and clothing—the basic needs for relief—but also goods that can help them cope with [the disaster and aid them] as they try to recover from the calamity, [such as] tarpaulin materials for temporary roofing, flashlights, medicines,” Pascual said in an interview with the UP FORUM. In addition, UP Manila, whose experts have had much experience in disaster response, sent a Pahinungod medical team, led by Dr. Eric Talens, and a forensics team led by Dr. Racquel Fortun to handle the management of dead bodies in Leyte and Samar.

Across all UP campuses, students, faculty and staff gathered to sort and repack relief goods and donations for transport, while some utilized their creativity and innovation to provide for the other needs of the victims. UP alumni gave generously in the form of cash donations, held fund drives and networked with national and international organizations to facilitate delivery of the relief

goods and rehabilitation assistance.

One UP for Tacloban In a letter to the UP President, UP Visayas Chancellor Rommel Espinosa described the devastation wrought by Typhoon Yolanda on Tacloban City as “horrendous.” In UPVTC, many of the buildings sustained major damage. Three students, Erica Antonino, Mariel Orejola and Yasmeen Naputo; one employee, Marjorie Cobacha; and around 15 immediate family members of UPVTC constituents, were killed.

Others were displaced by the storm, or left the city when the peace and order situation deteriorated. Life had turned upside down, and a sense of normalcy was painfully scarce.

Again, UP responded quickly, with Pascual issuing a memo on November 13 instructing all chancellors plus the dean of UP Cebu to accommodate UPVTC students who would like to crossregister in their respective campuses.

“The move enabled the UPVTC students to start their second semester of the current school year right away, without waiting for the resumption of classes in UP Visayas Tacloban,” said Pascual. “At the same time, it helped decongest the UP Tacloban campus, where support facilities had been drastically reduced, and some areas destroyed. Nawala talaga, like

the dormitories, the sleeping quarters of students, the boarding houses. They were all gone, so that’s a big problem.”

According to Chancellor Espinosa’s report, as of December 16, 510, or 39 percent of the original UPVTC student population, have cross-registered in other UP campuses—250 in UP Diliman, 196 in UP Cebu, two in UPLB, 53 in UP Visayas Iloilo, seven in UP Visayas Miag-ao, and two in UP Baguio. As of February 3, 808 undergraduate and 26 graduate students are enrolled in UPVTC, which began classes on January 13; only seven students out of the expected number of enrollees have not enrolled or are unaccounted for.

“By succeeding in attracting about 500 students out of Tacloban, we have fewer students to worry about in UPVTC,” said Pascual. “In the campus itself, we have converted some areas and rooms as temporary dormitory facilities. So we’re in a coping mode.”

The immediate opening of UP’s other campuses to the constituents of UPVTC sent a positive signal across the country. Seven days later, the Commission on Higher Education issued a memo to all heads of public and private higher education sectors to offer assistance by, among others, allowing the admission of all affected enrollees/ continued on page 15