UP News February 2013

Vol.xxxiv no.2 diliman quezon city february 2013 2013

U.P.News University of the Philippines Community Newspaper

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UP hosts senatorial debates Andre Encarnacion & KIM Quilinguing Photos by KIM Quilinguing

Participants in the 2013 Senate Elections Forum listen to a question from the audience. The Forum was organized by the UP Economics Society and the UP Advertising Core in cooperation with the Office of Vice President for Public Affairs through the Padayon UP sa Halalan 2013 project. President Pascual welcomes the participants and narrates UP’s more active involvement in the information campaign for elections.

Pascual cites three firsts in Tacloban rites UP President Alfredo Pascual witnessed many firsts in flying to Tacloban, Leyte and swearing in the new dean of the UP Visayas Tacloban College (UPVTC). It was the first time that a UPVTC dean had an installation ceremony, the first time a UP president installed the new UPVTC dean, and it was also Pascual’s first time to visit UPVTC and sit down with political leaders of Tacloban to promote closer UPVTC-Tacloban City relationship. Pascual, planed in from Manila along with UP vice presidents Prof. Liza Grace for finance, Prof. Prospero de Vera for public affairs, and Prof. Elvira Zamora for development; and secretary of the university Dr. Lilian De Las Llagas, together with UP Visayas chancellor Dr. Rommel Espinosa;. Although 13 is generally regarded as an unlucky number, the newly installed 13th dean of the University of the PhilippinesVisayas Tacloban College (UPVTC) expressed unshakeable optimism that better days await the school under her leadership. Dr. Anita G. Cular, who took her oath as the UPVTC dean last February 12, hinted that through unity and oneness, the school can reach new heights of academic excellence and freedom while pursuing its part in nation-building. In her acceptance speech, the new dean vowed that her administration would be anchored on “a shared vision and responsibility, collectivity, collegiality, trust, transparency, accountability, and justice.” Dr. Cular said she would be able to accomplish her goals for the school with the cooperation of the faculty members, the students, the staff, the alumni, and the UP System administrators.

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In line with the major thrust of the Pascual administration to contribute to the holding of intelligent and honest elections, the first three senatorial forums for the coming May elections were organized in UP recently. In partnership with media and student organizations, the UP Student Council organized two debates under its “Ang Pagsusuri Project.” The UP Diliman “Pagsusuri” was held last January 17 at the Malcolm Hall, while the UP Los Baños convocation was held at DL Umali Auditorium last January 31. By far the largest candidates’ forum held in the university, the February 7 “Rundown: The 2013 Senate Elections Forum” organized by the UP Economics Society (UP ECOSOC) and UP Advertising Core (UP AdCore), in cooperation with the Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs, gathered 14 out of the 33 candidates in the GT Toyota Auditorium, UP Diliman.

Participants

Makabayan’s Teddy Casiño, and independent Ricardo Penson joined Ang Kapatiran’s JC de los Reyes, Rizalito David, and Marwil Llasos; as well as the Democratic Party of the Philippines’s (DPP) Baldomero Falcone, Greco Belgica, and Christian Señeres in the senatorial UP Diliman “Pagsusuri.” Team PNoy bets Jun Magsaysay and reelectionist senator Antonio Trillanes joined bets from Ang Kapatiran and the DPP in the Los Baños leg of the debate. The “Rundown” was attended by Team PNoy’s Risa Hontiveros, Sonny Angara, Grace Poe, Sonny Trillanes and Bam Aquino; United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) bets JV Ejercito, Ernie Maceda and Mitos Magsaysay; Democratic Party of the Philippines candidates Bal Falcone, Greco Belgica and Christian Señeres; Ang Kapatiran’s JC De Los Reyes and Lito David; and Bangon Pilipinas candidates Eddie Villanueva.

Agreements

Risa Hontiveros of Team PNoy,

All the candidates present in the “Pagsusuri” were supportive of the Anti-Epal Bill and Freedom of Information Bill.

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Maroon sprinters grab 4th title in a row The UP Integ rated School (UPIS) track and field varsity team sprinted to its four th championship in as many years in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). The team’s 4-peat winning streak started in 2010. The Junior Maroons sprinters notched their fourth title in the 75th Season of the UAAP after garnering 15 gold, five silver, and four bronze medals under the stewardship of head coach Antonio Potenciano Jr.and assistant coaches Mark Reyes, Precious de Leon, PAGE

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Photo courtesy of Dr. Agnes Mejia

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Photo courtesy of Prof. Arvin de Veyra

Pascual congratulates newly-installed UPVTC Dean Cular during ceremonies also attended by the top UPV and UP System officials

UPIS Track and Field Team member Mejia clears a hurdle in this 12 ► 2012 file photo.

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Anti-dynasty alliance forged at NCPAG Various sectors forged a broad-based alliance against political dynasties following presentations of advocates and candidates in a forum held at the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG). Prof. Jose Tabbada said the January 24 forum which had for its theme “Political Dynasties: A Challenge to Political Reform,” manifested a consensus among the audience and the resource speakers that “monopoly (of political power) is detrimental to development.” The forum, co-sponsored by the UP Padayon and the League of NCPAG Organizations, had 31 representatives from different groups, organizations and institutions in attendance. Tabbada encouraged the participants to be part of the next steps which include organizing, alliance building, and signing of a petition against political dynasties. UP vice president for public affairs Prof. Prospero De Vera disclosed that UP signed an agreement with the Commission on De Vera narrated the many UP initiatives to Elections (Comelec) and ABS-CBN radio- decisions during elections. television network last November “to make sure the 2013 elections are not just clean, or perpetuation of public office and political but also an empowering exercise” where power by persons related to one another.” people vote with informed choice. The measure, also called the AntiDe Vera also cited other activities in Political Dynasty bill, was filed in 2010 by line with the upcoming elections, saying the Bayan Muna party list Rep. Teddy Casiño. students have initiated a senatorial debate Co said “political dynasties tend to in partnership with Rappler, and an election contribute to weak accountability, and poor microblog to kick off next month along check and balance.” with a fact-check project with ABS-CBN. “Voters, out of convenience and NCPAG dean Edna Co presented mindset, look to these (political) families as an overview of political dynasties in the dispensers of favors,” Casiño said. Philippines. She said “if the university can Among the perceived “pernicious serve as incubator of science, we can also effects” of the extended family system be an incubator to political issues as an in the political milieu is the limitation of academic institution.” service in the public office to political She added that the forum was not just an clans. advocacy, but a “thoughtful advocacy that “When Jesse Robredo died, supporters aims to initiate sketching alternative courses insisted that his wife should take over (the of action in dealing with the issues.” position vacated by her husband). Even if Co cited definitions of political dynasty family members don’t want to join politics, and studies about the phenomenon— voters themselves have the mindset that it’s indicating that 94 percent of the provinces within the family,” Casino said. are ruled by political families and that this Leadership is “not hereditary,” Casino domination is more apparent in the local stressed. than in the national level. Kapatiran party list president John House Bill 3413 defined “political Carlos “JC” de los Reyes admitted that he dynasty” as the “concentration, consolidation belonged to the Gordon political clan in Photo by Bong Arboleda

Winning the trust and confidence of the Marilog tribes (This article was published in the Mindanao Times, Vol. 67, No. 035, dated 12 February 2013, with Marilyn C. Roque in the byline and Rene A. Estremera, Joel N. Sagadal, and Gilda C. Rivero, Ph.D. as contributors.) It was back in February 5, 2011 when a full delegation from UP Mindanao first visited Sitio Ladi-an, located in Barangay Marilog, Marilog District, Davao City, and adjacent to the UP Mindanao Marilog Land Reservation. Chancellor Gilda Rivero led the group, ably supported by Vice Chancellor for Administration Vicente Calag, BA Anthropology students led by Prof. Anne Shangrila Fuentes, the Office of Extension and Community Service (OECS) staff led by Prof. Genevieve Quintero, and Land Management Officer Mr. Joel Sagadal. The occasion was “Araw ng Ladi-an”, an annual celebration in the sitio populated by indigenous peoples of the Obu-Manuvu tribe. The festivities were hosted by tribal chief and Deputy Mayor Datu Luis A. Lambac, Sr., who disclosed that the name “Ladi-an” originated from the names of the three clans who settled in the place, namely “La” from the name Lambac, “Di” from Dionog, and “An” from Antiolo. In attendance during the occasion were the members of the Supreme Tribal Council for Peace and Development*. The celebrations showcased a competition for “best in decoration” among the model huts representing the villages of Carmen, Tamugan, Pamuhatan, Lampos, Marahan, Langub, Ladi-an, and the Tribal Women’s Herbal Medicine Village. The BA Anthropology students, who study the development of indigenous peoples, served as judges in this competition. The OECS were present for the purpose of exploring possible extension and community service projects in the area. The Land Management Officer Mr. Sagadal was then in the process of developing an agricultural project in the Ladi-an area. A mass wedding was held for nineteen couples where the Chancellor graciously served as a “ninang” to the couples. Chancellor Rivero also took the opportunity to view the Marilog Land Reservation, a 4,100-hectare area under the stewardship of UP Mindanao through Presidential Proclamation 1253. On that day was conceptualized the idea of drawing up a “tribal village” with the combined disciplines of anthropology and architecture. It was contemplated that such a project could contribute to the development of the community while maintaining the cultural integrity of the tribes. In October of 2011, the architecture students presented designs and scale-models for tribal villages that were presented to Datu Lambac and Mr. Sagadal for their comment and feedback. The designs had titles such as “Tagkaburon”, “Katunhayan Kabalayan,” and “Bag-ong Baoy ni Apao Village”, and “Woy Nokudsukkad” a proposed Lampos tribal village. The students explained their research discoveries about the indigenous peoples in the area and how these discoveries were incorporated into their designs. Also during this period, Land Management Officer Mr. Sagadal continued to follow up prospects who expressed interest in investing in the land reservations. Discussions were held with various agricultural companies whose activities were suitable for the land and the communities. The Office of the City Agriculturist PAGE

make sure that people make intelligent

Olongapo City, and that his grandmother encouraged him to run when he was 25 years old using the family’s political machinery. Realizing that it was “not the kind of politics I wanted,” JC said he questioned the policies of his family. He maintained that principles should come first, whether one is a Gordon or not. He cited the “three cancers” afflicting the country today—a distorted notion of politics, a confused sense of common good, and lack of responsible and accountable political parties. De los Reyes said his group needs the support of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for a signature campaign against political dynasties. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) executive director Malou Mangahas said “about a third of the old clans have withered, another remain in power, and the remaining third are new arrivals reflecting more recent fortunes.” She also noted that members of political families were not just elected officials but also appointed ones.

Photo by Jun Madrid

NOTING GLITCHES. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson and Education and Information Director James Jimenez, UP President Alfredo Pascual and Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes observe the proceedings during the February 2 elections day dry run held by the commission at the UP Diliman Integrated School to thresh out possible glitches. UP, in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement with the commission last October, provided assistance to the activity.

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BALITANG UNYON Sa unang tatlong buwan ng 2013, maraming naganap sa pagsusulong ng All UP Workers Union (AUPWU) at All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) sa militante, progresibo at makabayang unyonismo sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Tumindig ang ating mga unyon sa usapin ng pagkaltas ng P5,000 sa dating P10,000 Performance Enhancement Incentive (PEI) at sa mapanlilang at mapanghating Performance Based Bonus (PBB). Patuloy tayong nanawagan sa pagkaroon ng promosyon sa UP. Nagpalabas ng tindig ang AUPAEU kaugnay ng naging kontrobersiya sa pagpapatupad sa patakarang “extension beyond 65” ng mga propesor. Nakiisa tayo sa panawagan ng mga iskolar ng bayan na bigyang hustisya si Kristel Tejada at tiyaking maalis ang mga programa’t patakaran at mga praktika na nagpapahirap sa mga walang perang estudyante na makapanatili sa UP. Naging bahagi rin ang ating mga unyon sa pandaigdigan at pambansang pagkilos para wakasan ang karahasan sa kababaihan sa pakikilahok natin sa One Billion Rising sa UP at sa Quezon City (Peb. 14, 203). Nakipagkapit bisig tayo sa iba’t ibang sektor sa loob at labas ng UP sa panawagang sagipin ang Tubbataha Reef at wakasan ang Visiting Forces Agreement.

PEI P10,000 dapat hindi P5,000PBB Ibasura

ON THE EXTENSION OF FACULTY APPOINTMENT BEYOND THE AGE OF 65 Statement Of The All-up Academic Employees Union -diliman Chapter It is no secret that the academic union has consistently called for a higher state budget for the National University so that there can be an adequate staffing of qualified teaching personnel in all fields of study. The union recognizes that the University is duty-bound to foster a proper and balanced mix of junior and senior teaching personnel to ensure the sustainability of academic programs and course offerings. The continued service of retired faculty as professorial lecturers, professors emeriti or full-time faculty extended beyond 65 years old are some of the mechanisms available which the University employs to try to attain this proper mix. These institutional arrangements are nothing new to UP. However, the extension or nonextension as full-time faculty of retired teaching staff has recently become a contentious issue in the University. This demonstrates the need for even greater transparency of policy and more explicit criteria in the processing of applications for extension beyond retirement. It is obviously not enough that the criteria used for evaluating the extension as fulltime faculty of retired academic staff be transparent, these criteria must also be reasonable and based on merit and clear justifications, and not on the perceived closeness to the powers that be. These must take into account the different types of roles played by professors of retirement age in the different disciplines, and the serious problems of transition which the retirement of their most distinguished senior faculty poses for many of the departments and colleges of the University. These criteria must be reasonable and arrived at by means of continuing dialogue within the diverse academic community. The value of the unique, irreplaceable accumulated wisdom and experience of retired professors must also be given its proper due. But all of these considerations must be balanced by: 1. The urgent necessity of recruiting, nurturing and developing young faculty who will ensure the long-term institutional viability and sustainability of fields of study within departments, colleges and the larger University as a whole. 2. Seriously taking into account the rights, welfare and promotion of junior faculty which should be prioritized within the larger scheme of things so that the institutional future of UP can be ensured. According to the Minutes of the 1184th Meeting of the BOR (22 July 2004), “By extending a faculty member’s appointment beyond retirement, therefore, the University recognized that faculty’s outstanding and ongoing contribution. Units diminish the value of the faculty’s contribution when they extend the appointment simply to make up for their failure to develop qualified PhD faculty to carry out their graduate programs. It is the latter which causes concern.” (underscoring ours) Some academics who have attained universal recognition in their fields may be recognized as professors emeriti. These are by definition a highly select few. Short of the extension of retired faculty, some can continue serving the University and the Filipino people as professorial lecturers until the age of seventy. The extension of retired faculty in general, taken within a broader institutional perspective and in the longer term, must not prejudice the welfare and prospects for employment and promotion of new and younger faculty.

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Hindi natuwa ang ating mga unyon sa ipinahayag ni Pangulong Aquino na magkaroon ng Performance Based Bonus (PBB) na maaaring umabot sa P35,000 bawat kawani. Unang-una na, kinaltasan ang ating Performance Enhancement Incentive mula sa P10,000 tungo sa P5,000. Ikalawa, ang PBB ay mapanghati. Ang pagbibigay ng bonus ay nakabatay sa mga isinumiteng performance outputs ng iba’t ibang opisina upang maihanay sila sa iba’t ibang kategorya na best, better at good. Sa loob mismo ng iisang opisina ay magkakaroon ng iba’t ibang halaga na maaring matanggap ang mga kawani. Lilikha ito ng bitak at hidwaan sa pagitan ng mga ahensiya, sa loob ng mga opisina at sa pagitan ng mga kawani. Dahil pare-parehong nangangailangan, pantay na benipisyo para sa lahat ng kawani, REPS at faculty ang ating panawagan. Dahil lahat naman ay nagsumikap sa paggampan ng tungkulin sa pamahalaan, hindi nararapat na gamitin ang PBB sa

pambabarat ng bonus para sa nakararami. Ayaw nating magkaroon pa ng isang uri ng diskriminasyon dito sa pamantasan kung saan sa mga sinasabing “Best” na CU ay P35,000 ang posibleng matatanggap ng sampung porsyento lamang ng mga kawani, REPS at faculty na itinuturing na pinakamataas ang perfor mance. P25,000 naman para sa 25 porsyento na “katamtaman” ang rating. Samantalang P10,000 lamang ang matatanggap ng 65 porsyento na sinasabing “mabuti” lamang ang pagsisilbi. Pinapaglaway tayo ng pamahalaang Aquino sa kapirasong buto habang itinataas at ibinababa ito sa ating harapan. Ang ganitong istilo ay tunay na mapanghati at dapat lamang tutulan. Sa halip na mapanghating PBB, dapat na: 1) Ibigay ang natirang P5,000 na kinaltas sa ating PEI 2) Ipatupad ang patas at across the board na bonus ngayon na! 3) Itaas ng P6,000 sa minimum na tinatanggap ng mga kawani ng pamahalaan 4) Itaas ang personal exemption sa binabayad nating buwis para mapababa ang kinakaltas bawat buwan sa ating sahod Panawagan para sa promosyon

ang AUPWU at AUPAEU na nanawagan sa kagyat na pagkakaroon ng promotion sa faculty, REPS at kawani ng UP. Binigyang diin ng pahayag na hindi pa nagkaroon ng promotion mula 2010 nang umupo ang bagong administrasyon ng Unibersidad. Nilinaw din ng pahayag na may mga slacks sa mga items na inuupuan ng mga faculty at kawani na batay sa limitadong datos na nakuha ng ating mga unyon ay nagkakahalaga ng P300 milyon sa UP Los Banos at ng P258 milyon sa UP Diliman.

Tindig sa Extension ng Appointment ng mga Propesor na Umabot na ng 65 taong gulang

Naging kontrobersyal ang usapin sa extension ng appointment ng mga propesor na umabot na ng 65 taong gulang nitong nakaraang mga buwan kaugnay ng kahilingan ng isang dating Chancellor ng UP Diliman na tatlong taon nang na-extend lampas sa 65 taong gulang na patuloy na maglingkod bilang regular na faculty ng pamantasan. Nagpalabas ng malinaw na tindig ang AUPAEU-Diliman Chapter na inendorso ng National Council ng unyon (tingnan ang nasa side bar).

Pakikiisa sa Justice for Kristel, Save the Iskolar ng Bayan

Bilang follow up sa dayalogo noong Disyembre 19, 2012 sa pagitan ng mga opisyal ng dalawang unyon at UP President Alfredo E, Pascual, nagpalabas ng petisyon

Bahagi ang ating dalawang unyon sa pagkilos para magkaroon ng katarungan para kay Kristel Tejada, ang 16 na taong gulang na first year student ng UP Manila na nagpakamatay pagkatapos na sapilitang PAGE

UP, PRC tie-up to save lives

By Stephanie S. Cabigao

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The University of the Philippines (UP) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) meant to beef up volunteer forces that may be mobilized in times of emergencies. The MOA was signed by UP President Alfredo E. Pascual and PRC chair Richard Gordon last February 8 at the UP Board of Regents Conference Room. The MOA also signaled the launch of the Red Cross 143 or Red Cross “I Love You” project, a flagship volunteer program that encourages people to look after the welfare of their respective communities. The project has concretized the agreement with its main thrust not only to raise awareness on the importance of creating networks and capacity building in communities, but also to draw people’s participation. Also present at the MOA signing were UP Prof. Lisa Grace S. Bersales, vice president for planning and finance; and Prof. Jose Wendell P. Capili, assistant vice president for public affairs and director of the Office of Alumni Relations; along

with PRC secretary general Gwendolyn Pang and PRC Quezon City Chapter administrator Annie Torres. Pang said the document makes sure that every barangay and educational institutions in the country can respond quickly to emergency cases. The project aims to enlist 44 volunteers in every barangay trained in disaster preparedness and response, health and welfare, voluntary blood donation and advocacy. As Red Cross 143 envisions a network of volunteers who would provide essential services and assistance during emergency situations or disasters, the MOA would provide training seminars and similar events to interested members of the UP faculty, staff, and students that would eventually quality them as Philippine Red Cross volunteers. The PRC-QC has its training and seminar headquarters located near the University of the Philippines along Carlos P. Garcia Ave. where sessions on quick disaster response, fire and earthquake drills, and first aid trainings were being held regularly.

PRC and UP though have jointly prepared various activities for the coming days. Last February 10, two editions of the “Million Volunteer Run 2” simultaneously kicked off at the Quezon City Memorial Circle and along Roxas Boulevard in Manila and Pasay City. This year’s fun run was aimed at establishing volunteerism in communities was designed to deliver timely, effective and humanitarian assistance to people in need. UP and the PRC encouraged people to join millions of Red Cross volunteers in such charity causes as fun run for humanity and become volunteers themselves. The running event had gathered some 1.13 million people of all ages and walks of life who attended the simultaneous runs in Quezon City, Manila, and a total of 156 other venues nationwide. PRC governor and former Public Works Undersecretary Mabini Pablo disclosed that the project drew about 460,000 people at Roxas Boulevard, 385,000 at Quezon City and 285,000 in other parts of the country.

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Scholars for service

By Eunice Barbara C. Novio, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Photos courtesy of PDI

Dacuma

Ronatay

Pasion

While many graduating college students aspire to pursue master’s and doctorate degrees, the cost of additional years of schooling forces them to abandon their dream or put it on hold, and gear up instead for job hunting. Three UP students clearly showed however, that graduate studies are within reach through scholarships. Nery Ronatay, 35, was a recipient of the Nippon Foundation for Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship for academic year 2012-2013. He is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Gender and Peace Building at the University of Peace in Costa Rica. T he Albay native was for merly humanitarian worker in Malawi. As a United Nations Volunteer in Bangkok, Thailand, he was involved in the HIV-AIDS program. The atmosphere is generally laid-back at the University of Peace, according to Ronatay. Although its 190 students, taking specialized courses on various aspects of peace, represent 50 different nationalities, there is no cut-throat competition seen in bigger universities. Another scholar, Bonifacio “Bon” Pasion, 25, from Tarlac, admitted he did not plan to study in China, but obliged to apply for a scholarship in that country. One of the professors at the academy who noticed Pasion’s intelligence and keen interest in ecology convinced him to take the scholarship examination and undergo the interview. In 2011, Pasion, a research associate from the Institute of Biology at the University of the Philippines, enrolled in a field course at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Last year, Pasion received a three-year scholarship at the Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to pursue a Master of Science in Ecology and Conservation Biology degree. Pasion finds lots of fun and excitement in being a student in another country. “I was able to travel and meet new people of different nationalities and learn their cultures, develop greater confidence and discover new perspectives… my life here as a student is easier than when I was in college because here they provide everything I need. The only downside is… being away from family and friends, which is very difficult to overcome,” he says. While the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China does not cause any problem, he finds if more difficult to deal with the cultural and language barrier. Mary Grace Dacuma, a B’laan of Kitagas, Sarangani province is currently on study leave assistant professor at the UP Los Baños as she pursues a Doctor

of Philosophy in Infectious and Tropical Diseases degree at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London (LSHTM) Initially, her studies were supported by the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP), but since the program was nearing its end in the Philippines, three-year grants were no longer given. The UP System Faculty Development Program Doctoral Studies Fund gave her a scholarship grant so she could complete her post-graduate studies. Dacuma is expected to get her degree in 2014. “Being at the LSHTM is a breathtaking journey to a highly modernized research institution. The school is open to research students 24/7. We [have] world-class facilities and services, and experts are on hand to discuss our research findings,”

Dacuma said. Explaining his field of study, Ronatay says, “Peace is abstract, just like development, that is why we need experts who understand and can implement this.” His area, which focuses on Gender and Peace Building, studies “the roles of women, children and men in the peace process, as well as gender issues…” For his internship in October, Ronatay chose Myanmar because of its unique setting and geopolitical relevance, as well as its peace process after the release of Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Helping Filipinos “The Philippines has set a national goal of eliminating malaria by 2020,” Dacuma said. “My study… will provide epidemiological data about malaria in Sarangani, South Cotabato and Tawi-Tawi. I study malaria

parasites to know what species continue to circulate in the human population despite existing control and elimination measures. My research findings will (help channel) control and elimination measures where (most) needed.” Her study is expected to benefit not just the Philippines but other countries still battling malaria. Dacuma will resume her teaching at UPLB and do more research on malaria control and elimination in the Philippines. For his part, Pasion said he would come home and teach forest plant ecology or do research work related to forest conservation. He intends to pursue a PhD in Plant Taxonomy and become a botanist like his mentor Leonard Co, who was killed while on a field trip to inventory local flora, and to discover new plants.(http://globalnation. inquirer.net/65403/scholars-for-service)

Sonny

By Behn Cervantes

(Reprint of his column “Take Ten,” which appeared in BusinessWorld, February 8, 2013. “Sonny” refers to Salvador Escudero, former UP College of Veterinary Medicine dean and Philippine secretary of agriculture, who passed away recently.) I called him Sonny. But, at first, I used to call him Badong. Sonny and Badong were one and the same. They were fine persons and good friends. I first met Sonny as a Vet Med student who was a friend of Upsilonians enrolled in the College of Veterinary Medicine. It was then in what is today the College of Fine Arts. Vet Med had a number of American students who studied there for educational advancement. The dollar-peso exchange rate at the time was about P4 to the dollar. The exchange rose to P7 to $1. Now it is about P41 to a dollar. Indeed a bargain for Americans studying in the University of the Philippines (UP)! Why, Yankee students could afford renting their own apartments since the exchange exempted them from dorm life. They rented apartments at P120 a month. (A real bargain, to be sure!) Badong, as he was called by Oliver Tuico, was a bright student. Upon graduation, he became a young professor, and then the Dean of the College. When Martial Law was declared, President Ferdinand Marcos assigned him to his Cabinet. He eventually held two powerful Cabinet positions. Despite Marcos, Sonny remained a friend of UP radical chums. He also remained a faithful Marcos ally when People Power took place and other former Marcos allies would not have anything to do with the

Marcos family. Above all, he was still a brod (in a Vet Med fraternity) of Oli, Tor Budi, Osping Timbol, et a. He married his college sweetheart, Evie from the College of Home Economics. The amiable couple had many children including Senator Chiz Escudero. Sonny became a popular congressman of his district. I was told by one of his constituents that Sonny did NOT have to campaign since during his weekly visits to his district he would meet with different barangays and solve their problems. Thus, when election time came, Sonny no longer promised of things which would be done. They had been accomplished! Thus, Bicolanos called Sonny their equivalent of the word “mabait” (good). Indeed, he was. Not surprisingly, many of his Congress colleagues, like Fernando Gonzales, came to the wake. I espied former President Fidel Ramos and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, as well as senators Frank Drilon and Roilo Golez. I encountered a former classmate and former governor of Leyte, Rosette Yñiquez Lerias, as well as past and present members of the UP Alumni Association (UPAA) board. Migs Zubiri came. Even actor Eddie Garcia came to condole with the Escudero family. I also noted Armida Siguion Reyna and daughter-in-law Bibeth Orteza as well as husband Carlos Siguion Reyna. I noted wreaths sent by the President, former President Joseph Estrada, Imelda Marcos, and even Kris Aquino. There were

many more, of course! I didn’t see Sonny for many years. We met again when we sat together in meetings as UPAA Board members. Evie was its efficient Treasurer. The couple was an efficient tandem of the Board. During UPAA’s long meetings, Sonny (as he was now called by all and sundry) would occupy himself by answering letters from his constituents. (This was revealed by Ching Evangelista during the wake.) He was multitasking, to be sure, but Sonny never lost a beat (reports Ching) because Sonny would agree or disagree with the speakers. I liked Sonny. He was a good Filipino! Evie invited me to Sorsogon to hold a workshop on the importance of regional culture. I brought along chums and fellow cultural comrades like Cecile de Joya, Emlyn O. Santos, as well as a UP Bicol professor named Francisco Datar. Clifford Rivera came along too as our production assistant. It was a busy but fun seminar. We met regional cultural leaders. Mitch Sulit, the Escudero aide in the province, arranged for me to return and lecture on Lino Brocka in a Sorsogon museum. I stayed in a hotel formerly owned by the family of Eugenia “Egie” Duran Apostol who used to edit the cultural page of Manila Chronicle many years ago. It was sentimentally memorable and delightful. I was not surprised when I saw many graduates of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Sonny’s wake. He was loved. You reap what you sow.

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U.P. News 5

Experts see potentials of research on local mollusks

By Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

Experts foresee the drug and biofuel potentials of Philippine mollusks based on an ongoing scientific research being conducted by a multinational team of scientists. So far, 40 new compounds have been identified, two patents granted, and two articles recently published in an international chemistry and biology journal as a result of the study being done over the past five years. Dr. Margo Haygood of the Oregon Health and Science Discovery, principal investigator of the Philippine Mollusk Symbiont – International Cooperative Biodiversity Group (PMS-ICBG), gave a progress report on the research, which she has been doing in collaboration with UP scientists and students. Haygood’s report, titled “Mollusks, Microbes and Molecules: Biodiversity-

based Drug Discovery in the Philippines,” formed part of a lecture series by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs that was delivered last February 11 at the National Institute of Physics Auditorium, National Science Complex in UP Diliman. ICBG is a US-funded research project aimed at building scientific and economic capablities of developing countries, and enhancing skills and incentives needed to conserve biodiversity. During an open forum on the feasibility of the research, Haygood expressed enthusiasm over the result of their study. “Our group is highly regarded so we expect to be funded for the next five years,” Haygood added. Prof. Car mencita Padilla of the Philippine Genome Center, lauded the collaboration among the researchers

Dr. Margo Haywood reports about an international research project on Philippine mollusks and the microbes they interact with.

Solons cite potentials of biotech researches and products

By Searca-BIC

for maintaining high standards in their endeavor, and for “doing a lot of good to local research.” Haygood underscored the central role of the Philippines in the study, citing the country’s estimated 10,000 species of marine mollusks and a large shell industry. Mollusk interaction with bacteria or symbionts has a rich potential for yielding processes, molecules, and enzymes useful for biomedical and energy production, she pointed out. Other scientists, among them Baldomero Olivera, a member of the US National Academy of Sciences, in cooperation with local scientists, have made breakthroughs in drug discovery using venoms from Philippine cone snails. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Marine Science Institute (MSI) professor Gisela Concepcion announced after the lecture that Haygood is set for appointment as a Visiting Professor at MSI next semester.

Photo by Jun Madrid

Lawmakers and technocrats have acknowledged the potentials of biotechnology in attaining national food security. This developed during the four-day biotech exhibit and seminars held in the House of Representatives last Jan. 21 to 24. The event sought to generate greater public awareness on the benefits and potentials of biotechnology for the country and the people. Journalists also attended the seminar, along with prominent members of the academe and the legislature. In his speech at the opening of the exhibit, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said despite environmental and agricultural threats, biotechnology continued to grow. “The good news is that alongside the emergence of these challenges, parallel advances in science are being made which carry the hope of possible solutions (to the problems),” he said. “The challenge remains, however, on how this potential is to be fully realized,” he added. Belmonte said conversion of prime agricultural lands into other uses, poor soil fertility and climatic factors such as typhoons, are among the challenges that need to be addressed in the agriculture sector. In biotech research and development, he said attracting more investments, accessing new technologies, dealing with anti-biotech groups, formulating bio-safety guidelines and managing commercial

In Photo: Negros Oriental Rep. George Arnaiz (right, standing) stresses a point on biotech crops during the open forum of the seminar for policy-makers. Also in photo are UPLB-Biotech Director Dr. Reynaldo Ebora (seated at the presidential table, center), Searca Director Dr. Gil Saguiguit Jr. (seated, left), Pangasinan biotech corn farmer-leader Rosalie Ellasus, and National Scientist Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz (left, standing). (Sophia Mercado/Searca-BIC)

release of genetically improved products are constraints that needed high priorities. Belmonte cited a proposal to strengthen the intellectual-property rights law “that will protect and stimulate private investments in biotechnology in the region” to help in biotech research and development in the country. “Development of low-cost and appropriate technologies is particularly important for farmers,” he said. Belmonte also acknowledged the need for more education on the safety of biotech crops adoption, as well as the review of agricultural policies on land use. Apart from Belmonte, other prominent personalities who attended the seminars

included Dr. Evelyn Mae Mendoza of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Dr. Reynaldo Ebora of the University of the Philippines Los Baños-National Institute of Molecular Biolog y and Biotechnolog y (UPLBBiotech), and Dr. Nina Gloriani of the College of Public Health-UP Manila. Noted biotech corn farmer from Pangasinan Rosalie Ellasus acted as one of the resource speakers. The seminar served as an opportunity for policy-makers, media and other House constituents to clarify the issues and concerns on biotechnology, particularly genetically modified crops. The event was organized by the offices of

UP-PCA tie-up for coco industry dev’t

By Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

The University of the Philippines (UP) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) have forged a partnership to further develop the domestic coconut industry and help improve the lot of coconut farmers and other downstream sectors. The two institutions signed last February 5 a memorandum of agreement (MOA) providing for collaborative efforts in the pursuit of research in line with the development component of the Coconut Industry Development Roadmap (CIDR). UP president Alfredo Pascual signed

the MOA, along with Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, concurrent chair of the PCA governing board. PCA administrator Euclides G. Forbes and UP vice president for academic affairs also signed as witnesses during ceremonies held at the UP Board of Regents Room in UP Diliman, Quezon City. The MOA provided for collaboration in such undertakings as social action research with coconut producing communities, inventory of the state of science in coconut, inventory of Philippine scientists

and researchers doing work on coconut, development of a “clonal” propagation protocol to improve oil yield and prevent pest and disease, coconut improvement and multiple product development, and efficient coconut processing and production engineering systems. The accord also created opportunities for training young scientists and researchers, econometric studies, exploration of the coconut value chain, and institutional development and capacity building including the upgrade of experimental facilities.

Rep. Angelo B. Palmones and Rep. Agapito H. Guanlao of party-lists Agham and Butil, respectively; the House committees on science and technology, agriculture and food, and the special committee on food security; the UPLB-Biotech, UPLB-Crop Science Cluster-Institute of Plant Breeding, NAST, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca)-Biotechnology Information Center, Philippine Science Journalists Association Inc., Program for Biosafety Systems Philippines and the Department of Agriculture. The exhibits, according to Palmones, was “a must-see and a learning opportunity for legislators and their staff who have direct and indirect access to their respective constituents—the end beneficiaries of all these development activities.” Searca director Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit Jr. said the exercise is the center’s effort in widening its reach to non-traditional sectors who should be equally concerned with the development of biotech. Negros Occidental Rep. Julio Ledesma IV, chair of the House committee on science and technology, said he fully appreciates the potentials of biotech crops, adding that he was aware of it as early as the 1980s after seeing a biotech field trial in the United States. Negros Oriental Rep. George Arnaiz and Rep. Sandra Sema of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said they were enlightened about benefits and potentials that biotechnology could bring to local agriculture. During the seminars, the scientists explained the importance of continuing biotech researches, such as the research and field trials on the insect-resistant Bt eggplant. They said since these were government-funded projects, the benefits should go back to the Filipino people. The upcoming biotech crops and technologies were expected to hold great potentials in bringing socioeconomic benefits to its adopters. On the debates about biotech, Dr. Saguiguit said; “Being rational individuals, we should go for evidence-based, rather than anecdotal basis in choosing between the pros and cons of biotech.” (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index. php/features/science/8968-phl-legislators-seepotentials-of-biotech-researches-and-products)

6 U.P. News

By Jessica Cariño

february 2013

UP Baguio implements P41.5-M expansion works The University of the Philippines Baguio is currently implementing a P41.5-million infrastructure project designed to enhance further its educational capabilities and cope up with its increasing family of students, faculty and administrative staff. The project involves the construction of five additional buildings to house the school’s extended service facilities. Construction began in earnest last January, bankrolled by President Aquino’s Disbursement Acceleration Plan through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). UP Baguio commissioned architect Aris Go for the design of these infrastructure development plans. As far as practicable, adherence to green and sustainable building design was a major consideration in the project. The project also involved the extension, repainting and repair of the UP Baguio Residence Hall, set for completion in six to eight months. As envisioned, the Residence Hall would be wider to provide more comfortable accommodations to student-residents by focusing on a total redesign of the interior. There would also be a larger study area. The project includes provisions for high efficiency and low energy LED lighting, as well as solar and reverse cycle water heating. The extension of the Human Kinetics Program building called for the construction of a gymnasium with a full-sized basketball court on campus. Once completed, the new gymnasium would meet the university’s need for a suitable venue for major academic, cocurricular and even extra-curricular activities, as well as an adequate space for graduation, freshman night, and other exercises. Demolition of the old Psychology Building and its conversion into a laboratory and extension of the Kolehiyo ng Agham Image courtesy of Ti Similla

By Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

UPD promotes institutional research and creative works

Architect’s perspectives of the new buildings and their locations on campus

Building has been awarded to CAD Construction for P8.29 million. The project also envisions a green roof that would give the KA and University constituents an open space and garden as an outdoor haven for relaxation and a break from the indoor confines of their academic spaces. However, additional funds will have to be sourced out to complete the project, including glass walls, partitions in the building interior and research laboratory equipment. Extension of the College of Arts and Communication Building involves the construction of a 100-seater mini-theater to address the space requirements of the college’s academic programs, and to serve as a venue for performances, lectures, and other fora and gatherings. This decades-old open amphitheater has been a historical reminder and symbol of UP Baguio’s role as a center for culture and the performing arts in Baguio and the region.

The for thcoming extension and repainting of the Galerya Kordiyera is a step towards the construction of a space housing the projected Cordillera GalleryMuseum. The museum was envisioned to be an interdisciplinary project that will include an ethnohistorical museum, a natural history museum and a cultural and art gallery. The museum space is designed to be a subterranean two-level building underneath the present IM Plaza as an expansion of the existing Galerya building. The facility would be linked to the existing auditorium, which, incidentally, is also targeted for upgrading and renovation within the year. Since the design called for an underground structure, its physical footprint has been minimized. Once the project is completed, the IM Plaza will be restored as an open courtyard to continue functioning as an open space. http://www.upb.edu.ph/attachments/ article/65/Feb2013.pdf

Winning the trust ... ◄ PAGE

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introduced various prospective investors to UP Mindanao. Simultaneously, links were maintained and strengthened with the indigenous peoples’ communities and leaders through personal meetings and exchange of letters. The tribal leaders extended their full trust and cooperation by issuing resolutions of support to the various negotiations that UP Mindanao entered into. In 2012, an international agricultural company expressed their sincere intention to invest in the Marilog Land Reservation. Agreements and details were drafted in preparation for a possible contract of agreement, with the indigenous peoples’ communities in the area manifesting their full support through signed resolutions. UP Vice President for Development Elvira Zamora visited the land reservations in February 2012 likewise to gather firsthand impressions of the land and the residents and communities. On 05 February 2013, Chancellor Rivero was once again invited to celebrate Araw ng Ladi-an with the community. On this particular day, a number of traditional events were observed. T he datus of the tribe and the neighboring communities were present, as were representatives from the Army, the Police, the tourist resort, and local public officials. A wedding was also held for a number of couples where tribal music and dances were performed. The festive atmosphere heralded the prospect of an agreement in the horizon

that would bring economic development to the area. However, a special honor was to be awarded on that day. And this honor would come from neither UP, the stewards of the land, nor the economic investors. Instead, it would come from the community itself, in appreciation for the efforts that UP Mindanao had exerted so far. On this day the Obu-Manuvu-Towhorog Tribal Council headed by Datu Luis A. Lambac, Sr., held a special meeting early in the day to issue their resolutions naming the leading proponents of their development as adopted members of their tribe. Their resolutions read, “in acknowledging the continuing and full support to the economic plight not only for the ManuvuTohowrog Tribe but to the entire Indigenous cultural Communities /Indigenous Peoples in Davao City, and having heartfelt concern for the Obu-Manuvu-Tohowrog ethnic tribe of Davao City” ** . Chancellor Gilda Rivero was named “Bae Pantibog”, wherein the female honorific title of “Bae” was attached to the name “Pantibog”, a word pertaining to her being a professor and an educator. Mr. Sagadal was named “Datu Palinta”, for being an administrator and manager. Mr. and Mrs. Marco Suarez, an agriculturist and a planner who interact with UP Mindanao in the area, were likewise honored as adopted members of the tribe. The UP Mindanao officials were deeply honored by the gesture that symbolized that UP Mindanao had gained the acceptance, trust, and confidence of the indigenous

peoples in the land reservations by being adopted as one of the members of the tribe. It was a fitting culmination to the efforts that UP Mindanao had exerted and a fitting start to prospects for socio-economic development in the land reservations. ------------* Namely Datu Lito Wenao of Bgy. Tamugan, Datu Jaime Impin of Kawawan, Datu Andaum Asaum of Baguio District, Datu Paulino Randem of Carmen, Baguio dist., Datu Ernesto Andres of Baguio Dist., Datu Aweng Maanib of Tamugan, Datu Lemer Dasim of Sitio Lapinig, Datu Samuel Nogan of Marilog (who, according to Datu Lambac, gave 24 hectares for what is now Bgy. Marilog and the school grounds), Datu Oscar Saro of Bgy. de las Lomos, Datu Paulino Paimalan of Tamugan (who supported the construction of the huts for the festivities) and Datu Domeng Duyan of Bgy. Lamanan. The other guests of honor on that occasion were officers of the Philippine Army and Mrs. Babao of Yellow Gate Adventure Resort. ** The Resolutions were certified by Datu Luis A. Lambac, Sr., Datu Benito A. Paundag, Datu Samuel Nogan, Datu Leo Bandihan, Datu Manuel L. Lawingan, Datu Rudy Maanib, Datu Tumanding S. Liwas, Datu Tomas Agao (http://www.upmin.edu.ph/index. php?option=com_content&view=article&i d=1114:winning-the-trust-and-confidenceof-the-indigenous-peoples-of-marilog&cati d=1&Itemid=19)

UP Diliman has showcased a wide array of its institutional research, development and extension (RDE), and creative works during the third “Paliwanagan sa UP Diliman,” a bi-annual colloquium aimed at creating greater public appreciation, foster academic collaboration, and promote such endeavors among Filipino enthusiasts. The presentations held last January 21 at the National Institute of Physics Auditorium, National Science Complex, UP Diliman, came on the heels of two colloquia last year which focused on individual and team projects funded by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development, and UP Diliman journals. Presented during the last colloquium was a published preliminary inventory of the research, creative work and extension units (RCWEU) in UP Diliman, which put the number of RCWE-performing units at 104and counting, based on an ongoing inventory. Aside from the presentations by the units, the colloquium featured special sessions evaluating extension service practices on campus and scientific mentoring, and research group concept. The unit presentations were categorized under four clusters. Featured under the first cluster dubbed “The University and the Government,” were the Asian Center’s paper providing a strategic framework for management of the West Philippine Sea; the Asian Institute of Tourism’s formation of a technical panel for establishing Tourism Enterprise Zones; the Institute for Government and Law Reform’s formation of panels studying revisions for the country’s Family, Revised Penal, Election, and Labor Codes, and for the Constitution; and forensic DNA typing for judicial reform being conducted at the DNA Analysis Laboratory. The second cluster labeled “The University and the Public” featured the Center for Policy and Executive Development’s research on policy reforms in hospital licensing governance; the Center for Ethnomusicology’s dictionary of Filipino musical terms for publication in 2013; the National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development’s promotion of teaching mathematics through problem solving and teaching science through inquiry using “lesson study”; and the National Institute of Geological Sciences’ involvement in the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (Project NOAH). The third cluster called “Micro contexts” involved studies for understanding fundamental societal issues provided by the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino’s research on Inonhan dialects on Isla de Carabao, Romblon; the Jorge Vargas Museum and PAGE

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february 2012

U.P. News 7

Forum on nationalism highlights KAPP anniversary

By Fred Dabu

PAEP speaks at CSSP 30th year Isang mapag pala’t mapag palayang pagbati sa inyong lahat. First of all, my warmest congratulations to the faculty, students, staff and alumni of the UP Diliman College of Social Sciences and Philosophy on the occasion of its 30th founding anniversary. It is with great pride that I address all of you today. I am proud to say that I took my BS Chemistry degree in what was then the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), thus, being here in CSSP and to Palma Hall is like coming back home. I have so many fond memories of my social science GE subjects and the great teachers at the old AS. For our generation of UP students, Palma Hall and AS was our home. This was U.P. for us. Now as UP President, I find myself celebrating with you at a crossroad. Thirty years of CSSP means you have come of age, too early for a mid-life crisis but certainly a time for looking back, and being more directed about the future. Perhaps a bit of history will help us better understand the context of our celebration today. From its humble beginnings 30 years ago, the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) is now the largest college in UP Diliman in terms of number of departments and institutes, and the second largest in terms of student population. The CSSP is home to nine major social science disciplines, from anthropology to sociology and the home of internationally recognized research and training institutions like the Population Institute and the Third World Studies Center. The CSSP is unquestionably the home of the best and brightest social scientists in the country. Its faculty includes so many internationally recognized scholars and many of its departments are CHED Centers of Excellence. And the best and brightest U.P. students who walked the portals of Palma Hall have distinguished themselves in government, the private sector, and in civil society. Looking back, I wonder if all these achievements were every expected or imagined by the Board of Regents in 1910 when they first established the College of Philosophy, Science and Letters, and renamed it a few months later to the College of Liberal Arts (CLA). It was in this College of Liberal Arts where the social sciences and philosophy emerged as distinct disciplines, history and philosophy being the earliest, followed through the decades by linguistics, anthropology, sociology, political science, psychology, geography and, as recently as 1964, population studies. UP’s social science offerings were among the first in the world to be offered outside of Europe and North America. Over the decades, the College of Liberal Arts took on the very important role of providing general education to hundreds of students while training the country’s first social scientists, including those who would become UP faculty. In the 1950s and 1960s, many scholars were sent abroad, mainly to the United States, for postgraduate work while American professors came to UP to teach. In 1959, the CLA was reorganized into three academic units - the University College, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Undergraduate general education studies were handled by the University College for the first two years of college life while the College of Arts and Sciences tackled the last two years, with fields of specialization. The College of Arts and Sciences, which came to be known simply as “AS”, had three divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. Finally on 26 October 1983, the UP Board of Regents issued Administrative Order No.170 creating three new colleges out of the CAS - the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), and the College of Science (CS). UP alumni joke about how they are dated by the college where they took their general education subjects. If you took it in “CLA”, you had to be old, very old. “AS” meant you were younger, but many of them, like me, are now senior citizens too. To be “CSSP” meant you were post-martial law, not necessarily that young but still a recent graduate. Now may I take this moment to ask who among you took your GE during the “CLA” era? “AS” era? And “CSSP” era? Whatever era you may have come from, it is an undeniable truth that the social sciences and philosophy are the most important foundations of a relevant university education. It is through the social sciences and philosophy that students develop critical thinking, an inquiring mind, a desire to search further into the depths of knowledge, and to pursue truth. Over the years we have seen how UP social scientists have been at the forefront of social change, sometimes in opposing ideological camps. Presidents and senators, judges and military officers, those who seek to maintain the status quo and those who plot to destroy it have all passed through the portals of Palma Hall. Many CLA graduates led the protests during the tumultuous 1960s, the First Quarter Storm of 1970, and the antidictatorship movement during the martial law period. These were difficult and painful times, and we lost so many of our students and graduates during the dark days of the dictatorship.

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University of the Philippines faculty members agree that promoting the use of the Pilipino language strengthens the youth’s sense of nationalism. During the forum “Nagagampanan ba ng KAPP ang Pagpapasidhi ng Nasyonalismong Pilipino sa UP?” professors from the Departments of Philosophy, Linguistics, Psychology, History, and Political Science of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, also known as the Kolehiyo ng Agham Panlipunan at Pilosopiya (KAPP) discussed how the college enhances nationalism in the UP System. The forum, sponsored by the Third World Studies Center, was held last January 23 at University of the PhilippinesDiliman. KAPP dean Michael L. Tan gave the audience an overview of the topic covering a span of 40 years. He said many UPCAT passers and their parents have the misimpression that the university espouses a Filipino-only language policy, and that there are parents who do not send their children to UP due to that perception. Tan added that the college has a reputation for nationalism, being a leading advocate for the use of Filipino as a national policy, and that indigenization efforts is a continuing endeavo. He expressed hopes that the students would participate in the college’s initiatives, and in the future, they would also talk about how these initiatives for nationalism were being pursued. Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education Department of Linguistics professor Ricardo Ma. Nolasco discussed the importance of institutionalizing and developing a mother tongue-based instruction in the country. He pointed out that according to surveys, one out of three Filipinos could not understand what they read. He added that even elementary education does not guarantee functional literacy. Nolasco expressed dismay over the Philippines’ consistently low rankings in international surveys, saying it indicated the low quality of education in the country. He noted that the Philippines ranks number one among non-native language users, adding that “the English-dominated education system in the Philippines has condemned many of our children to failure, and as a consequence, to a life of poverty.” Nolasco said former Ferdinand Marcos used education, with English as the medium of instruction, “as the primary vehicle to perpetuate the authoritarian values of his New Society -- with disastrous historical consequences. Rather than promote genuine literacy, the bilingual policy only exacerbated the deepening crisis in our education system.” “It took us 40 years to realize the folly of that policy,” Nolasco lamented. “The Department of Education (DepEd) replaced it with a new one called Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTBMLE). But despite the change in name, functional illiteracy and poor quality of instruction continued to victimize us,” he said. Nolasco said “language and education researches worldwide consistently show that children learn better and faster when they are taught in their first language or the mother tongue.

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Rivero admin’s gains cited during turn-over ceremony

By Rene Estremera

8►

Professor Gilda C. Rivero stepped down last February 28 as chancellor of the University of the Philippines Mindanao, leaving behind a nine-year legacy of fruitful service in the institution. She turned over the school mace to her successor, Sylvia B. Concepcion. Prof. Rivero, erstwhile UP assistant vice president for development, joined UP Mindanao in 2004 as vice chancellor for academic affairs. In 2007, she was designated chancellor of UP Mindanao, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Her three-year term was extended for another three years which ended this year. Under her watch, UP Mindanao underwent significant structural and administrative reforms. UP Mindanao was also named as a center of development in information technology (IT) education, and as the Zonal Research Center for Region XI. Early in her term, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) awarded a total of P39 million to UP Mindanao for a sago biotechnology research project. More grants came from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for researches on tuna and miniature cattle. Strong partnerships were forged with the Hiroshima University for peacebuilding research, and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, for supply-chain studies. Academic programs were improved,

laboratories were upg raded, faculty members acquired advanced degrees, and student enrollment breached the 1,000 mark. The school also produced two UP scientists and one UP artist in addition to and three magna cum laudes. A consistent 100 -percent passing rate and two topnotchers in the Licensure Exam for Architecture resulted in the creation of the Department of Architecture in UP Mindanao. New scholarships and donations were given by th e U P Alumni Associations of Greater Chicago, Greater Los Angeles, and Sacramento Vicinity. In campus administration, new academic facilities were constructed for the natural sciences, PAGE

Photo courtesy of Rene Estremera

Outgoing Chancellor Rivero hands over the University Mace to 11 ► incoming Chancellor Concepcion.

8 U.P. News

february 2013

Hiroshima U, SouthSouth Network, UPMin holds wrap-up seminar

By Rene Estremera

12th Asian Studies Program opens

By Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo

The University of Mindanao (UPMin) hosted recently a multinational tripartite seminar featuring peace-related researches and similar activities with a view to helping restore normalcy in strife-torn Southern Philippines. Major participants consisted of delegates from the Hiroshima University, the SouthSouth Network for Non-State Armed Group Engagement, and UPMin. The seminar, held last February 4, was a follow through to a partnership forged in March 2011 via a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to encourage the conduct of peace-related researches and other peace-building activities, thus the label “Wrap-Up Seminar and Presentation of Researches.” The partnership provided for research grants to qualified members of the academe and other like-minded sectors. Mindanao State University Prof. Sulog Bra presented a paper titled “Problems and Aspirations of the MNFL Integrees in the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police.” UPMin instructor Sheila Mae G. Tampos presented “Pangajow: Concepts and Offense and Resolution in the Agusanon Manobo Revenge Killing.” On the other hand, UP Mindanao Anthropolog y student Marlouzel B. Mabunga presented, “Imagine Peace: Understanding Notions of Peace Through Metaphors and Symbols among the BagoboKlata of Sitio Kahusayan”. The reactors were UP Mindanao Prof. Antonio G. Moran, University of Mindanao

Most solid. Strongest. Longestrunning. Austrian Ambassador Wilhelm Donko and Universität Innsbruck Prof. Christian Traweger applied these adjectives to the Asian Studies Program (ASP), a collaborative academic program between Austria and the Philippines now on its 12th year. Traweger, concurrent director of the ASP and Honorary Consul of the Philippines to Tyrol and Vorarlberg, Austria, said that while learning is the primary goal of the program, he also expects the participants to share their insights on the Philippines with their colleagues and classmates back in Austria. UP Diliman (UPD) College of Science dean Jose Maria Balmaceda, who has been involved in the program since its inception, said the ASP is an important academic exchange activity that has always been strongly supported by the university. The ASP opened last February 4 at the UPD Computational Science Research Center. Prof. Reynaldo O. Cuizon, and Ateneo de Zamboanga Univ. Prof. Robert V. Panaguiton. UP Mindanao Vice Chancellor Emma Ruth Bayogan delivered the welcome remarks, while Hiroshima University Prof. Osamu Yoshida gave the closing remarks. UP Mindanao Prof. Anne Shangrila Fuentes gave the project background. On February 5, the principal delegates called on UPMin chancellor Gilda Rivero in the Gaisano Room of the university.

Photo by El Bacani

UP Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Jose Wendell Capili brief participants about UP, while ASP coordinator College of Science Dean Jose Balmaceda, Austrian Ambassador Wilhelm Donko, and Universitat Innsbruck Prof. Christian Traweger listen, during the opening of the UP leg of ASP 2013.

The nine participants first had a dialogue with Ambassador Donko and listened to a lecture on Philippine history by Prof. Ricardo Jose. Other lectures in the program consisted of transnational migration in the Philippines,

Philippine culture and society, issues in cross-cultural communication, Philippine economic update, and doing business in the Philippines. An examination was given at the end of their academic program on February 11.

Use of Pilipino... ◄

UPV, German firm ink pact on land dev’t

By Anna Razel L. Ramirez

The signing of the MOU

The University of the Philippines Visayas has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a German firm, allowing for the embedding of a German expert in land use and urban planning expert in the school. The signing rite for the document which provided for the “placement of an integrated expert at the UPV in support of academic courses in land use and urban planning and management,” was held last February 12 at the UPV Iloilo City campus. The event was also seen as supportive of UPV’s role in the Western Visayas Local Governance Consortium (WVLGRC).” UPV vice chancellor for academic affairs Emilia S. Yap signed the document on behalf of UPV chancellor Rommel A.

Espinosa, while Wolfgang Mollers, German Development Corp. (GIZ) portfolio manager and deputy regional director for the Philippines and the Pacific signed for his company. Others personalities present during the signing rite were UPV vice chancellor for planning and development Evelyn Belleza, College of Management dean Mary Ann T. Gumban, program coordinator of the Asia Region Centre for International Migration Sebastian Schlebusch, and GIZ program manager for the decentralization Dr. Herwig Mayer. Also present were representatives of the different member- agencies and universities of WVLGRC that included the Department of the Interior and Local Government ,

The worst results have been recorded when the children were educated using a foreign language or when they were exited early from the native language medium of instruction.” He said educators must let all Filipino learners develop their critical faculties using the native language or the language they already think in, with proper transitioning into the use of second languages, and without abandoning and forgetting the mother language. He said UP can effectively help institutionalize MTBMLE in the country. Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology) Department of Psychology professor Elizabeth Protacio-De Castro and University of New South Wales professor Rogelia Pe-Pua discussed the development and impact of Sikolohiyang Pilipino (SP) or Filipino psychology which was established in the 1970s. De Castro said the Sikolohiyang Pilipino movement sought “to foster national identity and consciousness” through its identification of “indigenous concepts and approaches in Filipino psychology.” It refers to “sikolohiyang ipinanganak mula sa karanasan, kaisipan at oryentasyong Filipino.” She said Prof. Virgilio Enriquez defined it as “ang pag-aaral ng kalooban at kamalayan, ulirat, isip, diwa at kaluluwa, daan upang pag-aralan ang budhi ng tao.” Pe-Pua talked about historical notes and experiences on how learning materials, tests and curriculum were developed in line with Sikolohiyang Pilipino (SP). She discussed how SP helped practitioners and intellectuals understand and respond to the people’s needs better.

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The resourced speakers agreed that psychology should serve the people’s needs. “Ang pag-unlad ng Sikolohiya ay dapay nagsisilbi sa kapakanan ng nakararami at tumutulong sa paglutas ng mga problema ng lipunan,” they said.

Pantayong Pananaw

Department of History professor Neil Martial R. Santillan tackled the historical milestones and contributions of the Pantayong Pananaw (PP) or From Us For Us Perspective developed by professor Zeus A. Salazar. Santillan explained that PP “sought to re-examine Philippine history based on the Filipino perspective and to strengthen the Philippine nation through the use of the Filipino language.” To summarize the topics covered during the forum, Department of Political Science professor Maria Lourdes G. Rebullida cited “nagagampanan ng KAPP ang pagpapasidhi ng nasyonalismong Pilipino sa UP.” She said this claim is backed by evidence and decades of history. Rebullida also said the use of the Filipino language, the development of Sikolohiyang Pilipino and Pantayong Pananaw helped the colleges’ programs to flourish as well. “Nagkaroon ng mga bagong kurso, mga tesis at disertasyon na ginamit ang ating wikang pambansa. Nakikita rin natin na hindi pa tapos ang pagyabong ng mga pananaw na ito,” she said. Rebullida added that UP should take a stand on the MTBMLE and K-12 program. She challenged the students to find out how nationalism, Sikolohiyang Pilipino and Pantayong Pananaw would have more meaning in the people’s lives.

Photo courtesy of UPV-IPO

Central Philippine University, University of San Agustin and Western Visayas College of Science and Technology. The MOU stated that the GIZ would provide UPV with an integrated expert in the person of Engineer Ubo Pakes from CIM who has a solid background on land use and urban planning, geographic information system, and natural resource

management. The GIZ would also provide capacity development to UPV as a member of the WVLGRC for the application of an integrated ridge to reef land use planning and management approach and its related tools and methodologies. It would also extend technical assistance in mentoring and coaching local government PAGE

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february 2012

U.P. News 9 Contributed photo to the PDI

Hina visits UPD a year after assault

By Stephanie S. Cabigao

Ivatan lass tops Architecture board exams

By Juliet Cataluña, Inquirer Northern Luzon

Without doubt, stabbing victim Lordei Hina is on the road to recovery, and one of the paths she has taken took her to the University of the Philippines Diliman where a benefit candle lighting rite was held in her behalf. The event, dubbed “A Candle for Lordei” took place last February 1at at UP Diliman’s Sunken Garden. Organized by Task Force Lordei Hina, the affair, timed to mark the first year of the assault, aimed to raise funds to help partly defray expenses for Lordei’s rehabilitation, estimated at P100,000 per day, give or take. Present were Lordei’s family, friends and relatives, along with UP faculty members, staff, and students who showed their support through candle sponsorship. Hina was visibly enthusiastic seeing her friends and mentors again. She was accompanied by mom Connie who proudly described her daughter as “a work-in-progress.” Mrs. Hina’s optimism stemmed from the significant improvements that Lordei has been showing lately. Asked to elaborate on Lordei’s encouraging recovery, Mrs. Hina said her daughter has regained her usual weight. The stabbing caused a severe damage to Lordei’s hypothalamus, leaving her with an ever erratic body temperature and uncontrolled urges and emotions, among others. The incident also took away her ability to talk, and she could barely make a sound, Mrs. Hina revealed. However, Lordei’s speech faculty has improved a lot owing to the rigid therapy she has been undergoing eversince. Mother and daughter now enjoy talking to each other. Lordei’s motor ability has also been getting back to normal. “From not being able to stand up to using a cane for a month, now she could walk. There were even times that she felt the urge to run,” the mother said. Mrs. Hina thanked her daughter’s therapists who were responsible for her fast recovery. “Lordei has four therapists for physical, occupational, speech, and neuro-psychology,” she said. Lordei still has to improve on the therapies meant to strengthen her basic survival reflexes like mobilizing the hands to write. Likewise, she has to improve on her neuro-psychology therapies since the stabbing had largely affected her memory. Fruits and vegetables were helpful agents for Lordei’s recovery, Mrs. Hina said. Doctors said cases like Lordei’s have 98 percent recovery chances given another year

IVANA, Batanes—Having topped the last architectural board examinations must have presumably opened a lot of lucrative career opportunities for this top-notcher, but Rhoupheline Aya Cadiz, 25, said going back to her roots in the outback town of Ivana, Batanes is her top priority. Cadiz, who registered the highest passing rate of 87.60 percent in the Architecture license tests given in Manila this year, said she wants to give back what she received from her hometown of Ivana and its people. Ivana is reputedly the smallest town in the country population-wise (only 1,181 as of 2010). Cadiz said she wants to use her skills and knowledge as an architect to help preserve the culture and heritage of Batanes. “I want to share what I learned in school and help in the cultural conservation in Batanes,” she told the Inquirer. Cadiz, a graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman, became the first Ivatan to top the architecture board exams. She admitted that she herself could not believe she did it. “I have mixed emotions and I almost cried when I attended the thanksgiving Mass,” she said. “I always pray for guidance so that God will give me the wisdom to be able to pass because that is my best gift to my parents.” Cadiz was a consistent valedictorian since the elementary grades. She was also a youth leader and has been active in civic and religious organizations. Her parents, Rolan and Rosalinda Cadiz, are both educators. Dad is a high school principal in Mahatao town while Mom is a division supervisor.

Her father said he got much more than he bargained for, and that he was overwhelmed by her achievement. “I am the happiest father and I could not believe it. I only prayed that she passes, never expecting that she meant what she told us (that she would top the exams),” he said. He said his daughter would always tell them, “I don’t want to be [in the] top 20 or top 10. I want to be Number One.” Cadiz’s former teachers at Ivana National High School (INHS) were equally proud of her. Evangeline Agudo, INHS head teacher and Cadiz’s former teacher, said she never doubted that Cadiz would excel because she is an intelligent a diligent student. Cadiz said she would continue working at VVZ Architects in Makati City while pursuing a master’s degree so she could effectively help her in preserving its cultural heritage of Batanes. In an earlier Philippine Daily Inquirer interview, former Gov. Telesforo Castillejos-turned director of Batanes Cultural Travel Agency (BCTA), said there have been efforts to Cadiz and her father, Rolan. preserve and restore Batanes’ stone houses to qualify them for the World annual income of P90-P180 million in the Heritage Site for culture, seascape and northernmost tip of Luzon. (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/354967/ landscape by the UNESCO. Batanes (pop: 15,974 as of 2010) is top-architect-is-ivatan-wants-to-preserve-batanesa fifth-class province with an average heritage)

UP Diliman stude is Phl rep to int’l public speaking tilt By Jovan Cerda, philstar.com of therapy. However, financial constraints forced Mrs. Hina to stop Lordei’s therapy sessions. She would need some P100,000 a month for her daughter’s rehabilitation treatments inclusive of therapy, medicines, medical supplies, and payments for at least three attending nurses, not to mention her outstanding hospital bill amounting to P2.2 million at the Capitol Medical Center. Despite all her worries, Mrs. Hina was thankful for the donations that poured in for Lordei. Among the donors were the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano, and Vice President Jejomar Binay, to name a few. She was also grateful to the UP students who continued to hold fund-raising activities such as fun runs, benefit concerts and this lighting ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Rosanna Parinas

The 2013 ESU Philippines champion John Lenard Robles (sixth from left) with 3rd place winner Arman Ghodsinia (fifth from left) and 2nd place winner Vincent Yu (fourth from right). With them are (L-R) UP Debate Society President Candice Chung, UP Asst. VP for Public Affairs Wendell Capili, 2008 ESU IPSC winner Gian Karlo Dapul, 2012 Phl representative Germaine Chuabio, ESU Philippines President Maria Luz Vilches, former Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James Cesar Bautista and national debate champion Claire Jiao. (Jose WendellCapili)

Photo credit: Philippine Star photo

A smiling Hina participates in a program for her at the Sunken Garden grandstand.

A senior student from the University of the Philippines Diliman won this year’s search for the Philippine representative to the English Speaking Union’s International Public Speaking Competition (ESU-IPSC), slated in London this May. John Lenard Robles, a fourth year business administration and accountancy student, beat some 30 contestants with his speech titled “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Robles talked about the importance of balancing intelligence with empathy, and how people should be attuned to their logical and creative attributes in order to make the most out of their lives. Vincen Yu, a medical student from the UP Manila, was adjudged runner-up, while Arman Ghodsinia, a student from the Philippine Science High School, took third place. Robles will be flying to London in May

after his training with ESU Philippines. The Philippines has won twice in the International Public Speaking tilt, with Patricia Evangelista (2004) and Gian Karlo Dapul (2008). The national search for the Philippine representative to the ESU-IPSC was organized by the UP Debate Society, ESU Philippines, HSBC and Shell. The panel of judges included ESU Philippines President and Ateneo de Manila University Humanities Dean Marlu Vilches, former Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James Cesar Bautista, Philippine Star columnist and prizewinning writer Alfred Yuson, UP Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Jose Wendell Capili, 2008 ESU Philippines and International winner Gian Dapul, 2011 ESU Philippines winner Germaine Chuabio of De La Salle University and Business World senior reporter Claire Jiao.

10 U.P. News

february 2013

UPLB hosts 2012 Cinema Rehiyon 5

By Stephanie S. Cabigao

UPV opens film museum

By Prof. Martin G. Genodepa

Move over, Hollywood. Here comes Cinema Rehiyon, a program spearheaded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), marking its 5th anniversary with a two-fold ground-breaking success. First, it offered 17 full-length films and 71 short films resulting from a tedious selection of films produced in 2012 by first time participants from the various regions of the Philippines, other Asian countries, and Europe. The entries reflected a growing number of prolific movie producers interested in regional filmmaking. Luzon alone came out with 30 titles (narrative and documentary) about 20 percent of which consisted of newly released films, including straight-to-video titles that more than doubled the previous years’ entries only 13 full-length films. There were 14 entries in 2010, seven in 2009, and 10 in 2008,” according to Teddy Co, guest curator of the Luzon-based films. The resounding success of this year’s filmfest was also attributed to NCCA’s partner institution, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Professor Katrina Ross Tan revealed in an interview that “this year marks the first time that Cinema Rehiyon was held outside of a city center, and hosted by a university. Tan said the event is a diversion from the first two years of the festival that were held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Manila, then in Davao City and Bacolod City. She was designated as festival director of the Cinema Rehiyon Los Baños 2013, backed up by a team of faculty members and students from the College of Arts and Sciences. In time for the observance of the Arts’ month, the 5th Cinema Rehiyon had its four-day celebration with a series of free screenings, fora, and cultural presentation held last February 5-8 at the UPLB. During the opening ceremony at the Makiling Botanical Garden, some 90 delegates and guests were greeted by a message of gratitude and congratulations from UPLB chancellor Rex Victor O. Cruz. Cruz cited the “integration of the arts and sciences in innovative and creative works that will contribute to establishing a Filipino identity amongst diverse global influence.”

The University of the Philippines films, and the Cinematheque’s major Visayas (UPV) opened recently a film donor. museum showcasing a collection of The UPV film museum, the second of film-related materials like movie props, its kind in the Philippines after Mowelfund’s equipment, posters, books, souvenirs and Pambansang Museo ng Pelikulang Pilipino, toys. was envisioned to generate greater Also on display during the inauguration last February 19 were ephemera from films and movies in the collection of Oliver L. Exmundo, an animation artist who has worked in the production of the “Lord of Rings” trilogy, among other blockbuster inter national Exmundo (third from left) leads the cutting of the ribbon during the museum inauguration.

appreciation and understanding of the art of film-making “not only by the UPV community, but by everyone who comes to visit the institution.” Among the exhibits at the opening were some 19th century animation gadgets like the zoetrope and praxinoscope, the armature of the 1933 King Kong, helmets used in the epic Hollywood movie “Ben Hur” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The film museum was one of two such facilities under the UPV Cinematheque; the other being Cinema Exmundo, a movie theater whose 74 seats were salvaged from the old Allegro Theater in Iloilo City. The UPV Cinematheque also hosted a lecture on film by award winning Ilongga film editor and director Tara Illenberger, followed by a screening of Illenberger’s films. The UPV Cinematheque is located in the Iloilo City Campus of UP Visayas. Gallery hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. For inquiries call (033) 509-1501.

For her part, NCCA executive director Emelita V. Almosara, pointed out that the festival’s theme “Nurturing C i n e m a s of Home” underscored the need to explore films as the ‘best representations of the way of life Crowds gather for a film exhibition at the DL Umali Hall. of Filipinos.” out to students.” Dr. Mike Q. Rapatan, chair of the UPLB was able to simultaneously screen NCCA cinema committee, said this year’s the 88 films entries and hold a series of festival “showed the accelerating dynamism for a. of regional cinema.” On the first screening day, the 600Rapatan noted that the exercise seater DL Umali Hall was packed and SRO raised “a lot of interesting questions crowd of some 900 high school and college regarding choices, decisions, directions, and students, while the short film audience was curatorship.” composed of about 200 people. In her closing remarks, Prof. Tan A significant feature of the full-length said the film festival “highlights the films is the tribute to Laguna’s son, the commitment of its stakeholders to late Celso Ad. Castillo, through Gorio developing regional audiences by reaching Vicuna’s The Gospel According to Da Kid,

Photo courtesy of UPV-IPO Photo courtesy of Prof. Kate Ross Tan

a documentary about the so-called messiah of Philippine cinema. Among the short films was 5:00 Ning Gatpanapun under the Pampanga’s Best category which represented the UP delegation to the festival. It was a work by Petersen Vargas, currently a third year student from the Institute of Film at UP Diliman College of Mass Communication. On the third day, Bacolod’s pride Lawrence Fajardo and his film titled “Strangers” opened a discussion on the unexplored domain between regional filmmakers and opportunities in mainstream cinema. The festival closed with the screening of one of the most remarkable films of 2012 – Ang Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim – by Davao-based filmmaker Arnel Mardoquio. Prof. Tan recognized the upsurge in fulllength film production, which according to her, “was due in part of the continued support of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) under its chair Briccio Santos through the Sineng Pambansa sa National Film Festival and the Cinema One Originals under the leadership

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tinanggal bilang estudyante dahil hindi nakapagbayad ng tuition. Ipinaabot natin ang pagpapaalaala sa mga opisyal ng Unibersidad na walang iskolar ng bayan na mapaalis sa UP bunga ng kahirapan , tulad sa nangyari kay Kristel. Bilang kasama sa Alliance for Justice for Kristel, Justice for All Iskolar ng Bayan, sinusuportahan natin ang pagpawalang bisa sa mga probisyon ng UP Code na anti-estudyante at sa mga patakaran at praktika tulad ng Forced Leave of Absence. Ipinaabot din natin na hindi sapat ang pagreporma sa STFAP para matiyak ang democratic access sa UP kundi kailangan itong ibasura at magkaroon ng mga kongretong hakbang para masuportahan ang pagpasok at pananatili ng mahihirap na mga estudyante sa UP sa pamamagitan ng mga polisiya ng “affirmative action.”

Save Tubbataha, Junk VFA

Sa pagsadsad ng USS Guardian, isang

barkong pandigma ng United States, sa Tubbataha Reef noong Enero, muling napasentro ang mga usapin ng pangangalaga sa likas na yaman at soberaniya ng ating bayan. Ang Tubbataha Reef ay isang World Heritage Site na bahagi ng binansagang “Coral Triangle” na tahanan ng 40% ng mga isda at 75% ng mga coral ng buong mundo. Ito rin ang tahanan ng mga coral at mga isda sa Greater Sulu Sea na siyang nagsususteni sa pangingisda sa paligid na mga isla. Bukod sa pagkawasak sa Tubbataha Reef, malinaw na binalewala ng USS Guardian ang soberaniya ng Pilipinas sa pangyayari. Hindi nito pinansin ang babala ng Tubbataha Park Rangers na pumapasok ang barko sa isang “protected area” at hindi dapat magpatuloy. Nang sumadsad na ang barko, pinigilan ng mga sundalong Amerikano ang Park Rangers na lumulan sa barko.

Paglahok sa One Billion Rising

para wakasan ang kahirapan at karahasan laban sa kababaihan

Bilang pakikiisa sa panawagang wakasan ang lahat na porma ng karahasan sa kababaihan, bahagi ang ating dalawang unyon sa One Billion Rising—UP Community (OBR-UP Community). Nagdaos ng mga porum kaugnay sa isyu ng karahasan sa kababaihan at ang ugnay nito sa kahirapan at mga atrasadong pananaw sa kababaihan. Nagdaos ng programa sa Quezon Hall noong Pebrero 14 kung saan nagbigay ng mga mensahe ng pakikiisa sina UP President Alfredo E. Pascual at UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma at sumali sa pagsayaw sa OBR-Philippines dance, Bangon, Babae, Bangon. Tumulak pagkatapos ang contingent ng UP Diliman para makiisa sa ginawang programa ng One Billion Rising Philippines sa Morato na dinaluhan ng iba’t ibang unibersidad, eskwelahan at mga organisasyon.

However, once an academic unit clearly justifies the need for the extension beyond 65 years old of a faculty member based on agreed upon criteria, it is the responsibility of the university authorities to shoulder the compensation and benefits of such appointment for the agreed duration. The union therefore calls for greater participation of the academic community in the formulation of the relevant criteria and greater transparency in the following: (1) the appointment and renewal of retired faculty as professorial lecturers; (2) the extension and renewal as full-time faculty of retired faculty; (3) the process of recognition of professors emeriti. The union also calls for the implementation of the grievance procedure it has proposed which could ensure the fair and speedy resolution of any grievances related to the above processes. (2/7/2013)

february 2012

U.P. News 11

UP ITDC releases UP Alumni Mobile Android app Stay connected to the University of the Philippines (UP) through your Android mobile device. This is now possible with the recent launch of the UP Alumni Mobile app, an Android port of the UP Alumni Website. Developed by Bryan Matthew Batanes, Jewel Lex Javier, and Jayvee Eljohn Pascual from the Department of Computer Science, the UP Alumni Mobile app was a trimmed-down version of the UP Alumni Website — one of the first websites to be deployed through the eUP Project. Users of this Android app can view featured contents and other information about UP alumni events, alumni stories, UP traditions, the Office of Alumni Relations (OAR), the Carillon, other UPrelated news, and important services across the different constituent universities and campuses of the UP system. The UP Alumni Mobile app was published by the UP Infor mation Technology Development Center (UP ITDC) through Google Play. (From http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/ story/296397/cbb/up-itdc-releases-up-alumnimobile-android-app)

UPAA-Netherlands donates new server to UP Diliman library The UP Diliman University Library has received a P294,570-Xitrix PowerFrame R-2500 rack-mount server, the third of such donations by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association -The Netherlands Chapter (UPAA-NL). Owing to its large storage capacity, the server which was delivered in April last year, is now being used to preserve most of the University Library’s databases, and the uploaded digitized resources (rare books, theses, dissertations, special collections) of the Diliman libraries. Founded in 1992, the UPAA-NL was re-activated in 2006 as an association of UP alumni residing, working, or studying in The Netherlands. In compliance with Netherlands law, the UPAA-NL was registered as an association with full legal rights at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in The Hague. The organization was officially awarded in February 2009 a certificate of accreditation by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association and the UP Office of Alumni Relations. The UPAA-NL has been supporting the automation and digitization projects of the UP Diliman library since 2008 when it agreed to provide five server units for the University Library network in order to give students, faculty members and staff of all university constituents and outside researchers the best possible access to information necessary for instruction, research and extension purposes. The PowerFrame R-2500 server was

The latest server to be donated

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social sciences, the humanities, and information technology. New buildings were constructed, among them the School of Management building, Dorm Annex building, Kalimudan Student Center, University Infirmary, other smaller buildings, and the improvement of the Administration Building. Road networks within the campus were concreted, including the University Avenue, Maguindanao Road (formerly Kanluran Road), internal road networks, and covered pathwalks. The land reservations in Marilog and Laak were marketed with support from the indigenous peoples’ communities. To acknowledge her extraordinary accomplishments for UP Mindanao, a testimonial and turn-over ceremony was held on February 22. The speakers consisted of former chancellor Professor Ricardo de Ungria, DOST Regional Director Anthony Sales, Davao City Chamber of Commerce Chairman Sebastian Angliongto, UP Mindanao Foundation Vice Chairman John Gaisano, UPAA-Davao Pres. Doris Tagle-Villareal, Obu-Manuvu-Tohowrog

actually the third such donation received by the University Library from the UPAANL. The first was a Dell PowerEdge 1950 Rack-mount Server worth P310,000 which arrived in June 2008, and currently being used to host this Web site (www.mainlib. upd.edu.ph). In 2010, the UPAA-NL funded the installation of a structured cabling, including voice and data nodes, at the Main Library Building (Gonzalez Hall) in lieu of another server. The structure cabling work, valued at P298,990 enabled the library’s data center to provide a more efficient and stable network infrastructure as a central hub of the Diliman network of more than 35 College/Unit libraries. The financial assistance provided by the UPAA-NL was made possible through its fund raising activities. More information on their projects and activities can be found in their website at http://www.upalumni.nl. The UP System expressed its deep gratitude to the UPAA-NL headed by Lulu van der Meer Altamirano as president, for their continued support to the institution. (From cnangeles’s blog, http://www.mainlib. s) upd.edu.ph/?q=UPAA-NL_Donations

Photos courtesy of http://www.mainlib.upd.edu.ph/?q=blog/2

The server and structured cabling

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If we produced graduates who catalyzed the ferment of the 1960s and 1970s, those turbulent times also reshaped the academic environment. There was soul-searching on the part of social science faculty, interrogating the past and especially the American colonial imprint. We saw the emergence of Sikolohiyang Pilipino, Pantayong Pamantayan, and the campaign to use Filipino in teaching pioneered by the linguistics department. Anthropologists fought indigenous communities and the need to rediscover our precolonial past. Our political scientists like Remigio Agpalo introduced metaphors of “pandanggo sa ilaw” for our politics, and the bibingka – heat introduced from above and below – for governance. We now live in more quiet times, but

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units (LGUs) on comprehensive land use planning based on enhanced government guidelines and policies, such as mainstreaming of climate change and disaster risk reduction into the planning processes and tools. UPV, for its part, would provide residence and work papers for the integrated expert who would be hired as a member of the College of Management faculty with a term of two years as well as provision of his compensation and benefits based on

established policies and procedures. UPV would also extend its services within the framework of the MOU in terms of providing capacity building, coaching and mentoring to LGUs and consortium members on integrated land use planning and management. (http://www.upv.edu.ph/upv/index. php/96-news-and-features/805-upv-tohost-monash-university-students-for-thein-search-of-iloilo-study-tour)

many of CSSP’s officials and faculty continue to play vital roles in the life of our nation and our national university. Many of your faculty members serve in my administration and I would like to thank CSSP for lending your precious resource in helping make UP the Great University we want in the 21st century. At the national level, CSSP’s faculty and graduates have been recognized as National Scientists, National Academicians, and public intellectuals; or become the movers and shakers of our country as corporate executives, government leaders and civil society advocates. CSSPs contribution to our national life is so pronounced that at the 2012 commencement exercises, your dean proudly introduced the new graduates as the “konsyensya ng bayan”. I was also told that he almost had an anxiety attack right after, wondering if CSSP could live up to that ideal. I’m optimistic that you can. I am elated, and grateful for CSSP’s response to the university’s call to participate in important projects initiated by the Padayon Public Service Office. CSSP, too, was quick to say yes when I called on colleges to join our on-going voter education program with COMELEC and ABSCBN. I am encouraged to hear that a faculty conference planned in May will take off from this theme of 30 years of CSSP to plan for the future which has become more challenging because of the K-12 system and ASEAN integration. I have been briefed about your CSSP

modernization program, rebuilding spaces from the science pavilions, Benton Hall and Solidor Hall to provide more infrastructure support for teaching and learning. With limited physical space to expand, your dean tells me that priority has been given to the Computer Laboratory for the creation of more virtual spaces, and networks, to link CSSP to e-UP, the rest of the country, and to the world. I am intrigued by the plans to ensure that all this expansion will incorporate principles of ecological sustainability, of health and wellness, for faculty, students and staff. Ladies and gentlemen. All over the country today, if not the world, we see the paradox of people wanting to modernize, yet fearing modernity, often searching for comfort and security in old traditions and institutions. UP, as a microcosm of Philippine society, has those tensions too. Change is not easy, but I believe UP, and especially CSSP, can lead the way and show that we can retain and build on the best of our traditions, harnessing them to build the future. Social scientists talk all the time about social change. I am glad to see CSSP’s social scientists are walking the talk and producing Best Practices to help move UP and the Philippines forward. Thank you and mabuhay ang CSSP!! Padayon U.P.!! Alfredo E. Pascual President, University of the Philippines

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february 2013

U.P. NEWS FEBRUARY 2013

UP hosts senatorial...

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Maroon sprinters grab...

Mike Pelaez, and Jolo Rivera. Jaime Immanuel Mejia, a 3rd year high school student, bagged the Most Valuable Player award for this year’s UAAP season by pocketing seven gold medals (100m, 110m hurdles, 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, and 4x100m and 4x400m relays). Clocking at 51.27 seconds in the 400 meter dash, Mejia broke the 51.48 seconds record of Patrick Unso, former member of the University of Sto. Tomas High School team, done in 2010. Mejia also set a new UAAP record of 56.86 seconds for the 400m hurdle. Mejia joined fellow gold medalists Earl Mandapat, Bryan Morales and Melvin Sangalang (assistant team captain) in setting a new record for the 4x100m relay clocking at 45.31 seconds. For the 4x400m relay, with Mejia, team captain Renzo Domingo, Sangalang and Morales recorded an impressive speed of 3 minutes and 36.09 seconds. Domingo also took home a bronze medal for the 1,500m run, while Sangalang had two bronze medals for the 100m and 200m dash. Jasper Navoa completed the

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Angara Photos by Bong Arboleda and KIM Quilinguing

Aquino

David

Delos Reyes

Ejercito

Falcone

Maceda

Seneres

All candidates in the “Rundown” pledged to oppose the inclusion of the right of reply provision in the still-pending Freedom of Information Act. They also agreed that the Cybercrime Law contained provisions that violate freedom of information and of communication, and committed to work for reforms in the Department of Education.

UP initiatives

“Ang Pagsusuri” is part of Tatak Botante, a voter’s registration and education campaign spearheaded by the UP Diliman University Student Council and other

student groups, together with the UP System Administration. The Rundown is also among several events and initiatives supported by the Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs under the Padayon UP sa Halalan 2013 voter information and education project. In the pursuit of its public service mandate, UP, in cooperation with the Commission on Elections and ABS-CBN Corporation, extends the expertise and skills of its faculty, staff and students in the campaign of promoting honest, clean and empowering elections.

team’s four bronze medals by placing third in the javelin throw category. Justin Monje took home two silver medals inthe octathlon and high jump. Mandapat and Jethro Esposo earned silver medals for the triple long jump and 5,000m walk, respectively. Sano Amante mustered gold and silver medals for the 5,000m walk and 3,000m walk, respectively. The team members were Robin Banta, Gabo Galao, Mig g y Garcia, Jomike Gemora, Herwin Lor, Jerome Natividad, Emerson Sandoval, Fryl Vicente and Yzrael Dumaging. The UPIS track and field team paid a courtesy call and presented their championship trophy and medals to Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma on February 6. Also present during the courtesy call were Dr. Aura Matias, College of Engineering dean; Jose William Ortiz, coach of the college-level track and field team, and Engr. Jimmy Mejia, Jaime Immanuel’s father. -H.C.P (Reprinted with permission from UPDIO) Photo courtesy of Eiza Nasis

UP Alumni who are candidates in the Philippine Senate Elections 2013 Candidate Juan Edgardo Angara Maria Lourdes “Nancy”Binay-Angeles Teodoro Casiño Alan Peter Cayetano Rizalito Y. David John Carlos G. de los Reyes Francis Escudero Richard Gordon Gregorio Honasan Loren Legarda Marwil N.Llasos Mitos Magsaysay Aquilino Pimentel III Grace Poe Antonio Trillanes IV Eddie Villanueva Cynthia Villar Juan Miguel Zubiri Party LDP UNA Makabayan Nacionalista AngKapatiran AngKapatiran Independent UNA UNA NPC AngKapatiran UNA PDP-Laban Independent Nacionalista Degree Bachelor of Laws 2000 BS Tourism 1997 BA Sociology1993 BA Political Science 1993 BASociology 1984 Master of Management:Public Management 2000 BA Political Science 1988; Bachelor of Laws 1993 Bachelor of Laws 1975 BS Mechanical Engineering/BA Economics student (1965-1967) BA Broadcast Communication 1981 (cum laude) Bachelor of Laws 2003 BS Business Administration 1985 Bachelor of Laws 1990 BA Development Studies student (19861988) Master of Public Administration 2005 Bachelor of Laws student (1970-1973) BS Business Administration 1970 BS Agribusiness Management 1990; Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management 2011 Members of the champion team pose with UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar Saloma at the Oblation Plaza.

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Nacionalista UNA

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@up.edu.ph upsio@up.edu.ph

Filipiniana Research Center’s study of museum history informing art history; the National Center for Transportation Studies’s transport and traffic management study for Olongapo City; and the Marine Science Institute’s Bolinao mariculture experience. The last cluster tagged “Macro contexts” covered presentations by the Institute of Civil Engineering’s development of vulnerability curves of key building types to different hazards; the Center for Labor Justice’s studies identifying and defining the working class in the Philippines; and the Population Institute’s Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study 4. Vice chancellor for research and development Benito Pacheco, in his closing remarks, expressed optimism that the colloquium provided a “click moment” or a realization of what other units can do for another unit. He challenged the campus constituents to take the next step of putting their works “out there,” marketing them, and learning entrepreneurship, all the better “to make what we’re doing useful to us and society.”

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UP-PCA tie-up...

Alcala cited the possibility of tapping UP researches in raising the standards for virgin coconut oil and coconut sugar. The CIDR aims to improve the quality of life of the coconut farmers, workers, and dependents; as well as to enhance the local coconut industry’s competitiveness in the world market, hence, the need to support it “through a clear, deliverable blueprint of its ◄ PAGE

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Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez also graced the oath-taking ceremony held at the school’s multi-purpose building, along with some local government officials of Region 8. Dr. Victor Sugbo, chair of the Division of Humanities, introduced Dr. Cular. Prior to the oath-taking rite, Dr. Pascual had a dialogue with faculty members at the conference hall where they discussed important issues of mutual concerns. In that meeting, the UP chief underscored that UP is a major research institution in the country hence, they must continue to preserve its culture of research and education geared at addressing problems confronting the country. The UPVTC Chorale awed the guests and other spectators with their rendition of two songs, with Dr. Stephen Lagarde as conductor. The UP An Balangaw, under Prof. Joycie Dorado-Alegre, performed Waray Folk Performance Suite just as well. The ceremony ended at about 5:30 in the afternoon, followed, by a testimonial dinner

research and development component.” Representatives from the UP Diliman, UP Los Baños, UP Manila, and constituent units involved in coconut researches and development activities were also present during the signing ceremony.