UP News November-December 2012

University of the Philippines Community Newspaper

Vol.xiii no.10 diliman quezon city nov-dec 2012

U.P.News Shaping minds that shape the nation

before the Lantern Parade assembly, several media people, project engineers and crew, Department of Science and Technology

Photo by El Bacani

I

t was an oven under the makeshift tent set up for the passengers of the maiden trip. A few minutes after lunch time, just

“Gawa ng Pilipino Para sa Pilipino,” says the tarp announcing this ground-breaking project from UP and DOST.

(DOST) and UP officials converged at a fenced-in site beside the College of Fine Arts where the 6.5-meter-high tracks of the UP-DOST monorail began. Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, UP President Alfredo Pascual, UP VicePresident for Public Affairs J. Prospero de Vera III, UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar Saloma, and College of Engineering Dean Aura Matias perspired as they waited for a signal from the crew that the coaches were ready for boarding.

Everyone braced for more heat as they saw the open steps toward the barren scaffolds flanking the elevated tracks.The

northwest along CP Garcia Avenue. There were no parapets to provide a semblance of protection. But passengers caught a glimpse of neighborhood kids playing with water from a nearby stream.

In less than 10 minutes, the trip to the other end of the tracks and back to the platform—a little less than a kilometer in total—was over. Communications were made by engineers through cell phones. Other than that and the officials conversing with each other, the trip was pretty noiseless. The coaches ran smoothly and DOST Secretary Mario Montejo told media people the coaches were running on

Monorail’s maiden trip Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

Photo from https://www.facebook.com/JCBinay/photos_stream

N

ot all politicians keep their promises, but this one did.

Last October 30, during the last Foundation activity of UP Manila, honored guest, Vice-President Jejomar Binay sealed his promise before an audience to head the fund-raising task force for UPM’s long-term development.

The Foundation activity was the launch of the TORCH Program, an introduction to both the 25-year strategic and visionary plan for UP Manila

by Chancellor M a n u e l Agulto and the fund-raising task force VP Binay Binay will be

championing. TORCH is acronym for the five-point strategic plan of Agulto: T--Technological Advancement, O-Operational Efficiency, R--Relevant Research, C--Community Orientation & Ser vice, H--Human Resource Development & Welfare. TORCH is in line with the “Path to Greatness” strategic plan of President Alfredo Pascual.

It was conceived as the “road” which will eventually turn UP Manila into a total Center of Excellence & Leadership in health systems and community development for the country, and an Asian Regional Center for Leadership & Transformative Education in the Health Sciences. It was inspired by Dr. Jose Rizal’s The Triumph of Science Over Death clay sculpture, a life-size statue of which stands before the UP College of Medicine on Pedro Gil Street.

Aside from Binay, another guest was Earl Martin S. Valencia, the head of the Corporate Development & Innovation

>page 9

Lantern parade draws thousands (Back page)

Winning Streak: Folio of winners (Insert)

Photo by Roehl Niño Bautista

Photo courtesy of UPDIO

INSIDE

shiny white double-coaches resting on towers reflected sun and clear blue skies.

Then engineers bade everyone to go up.

Everyone made their way from the gravelcovered grounds, up to the steps, and on top, found the doors of the two coaches already opened. The scent of air-condition wafted and everyone could not help but rush to the welcoming, quiet cool of the interiors. That was probably the first time the passengers felt the optimism that the team behind the project wanted to spread to the public. At that point, this much was clear: the research and development venture between the DOST and UP spelled the difference between comfort afforded by technology and the constant threat of heat stroke faced by Philippine commuters.

No one doubted that the two 30passenger coaches would run during the “maiden trip” of the UP-DOST Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) System last December 14 at the UP Diliman campus.

Though looking like shorter versions of the LRT coaches, the make of the coaches appeared solid and stable and it smelled of new gadget. What needed some adjusting to was the openness of the tracks, which curves from a straight path from east (Jacinto St.) to west to

Photo by El Bacani

VP Binay leads UP Manila’s fundraising drive

Montejo and other DOST officials pose with university officials led by President Pascual, Vice-President for Development Elvira Zamora and Vice-President for Public Affairs J. Prospero de Vera III, for the media minutes after the “successful maiden trip” of the monorail.

rubber wheels which further reduced noise and vibration.

The maiden trip was right on schedule, said both UP President Pascual and Montejo. With the coaches coming to a full stop back at the makeshift station, both announced the success of the veritable test >page 5

UP Cebu welcomes new dean

U

P Cebu welcomed Atty. Liza D. Corro as its new dean, whose term begins on December 4, 2012 and ends on December 3, 2015. Corro’s appointment as the new dean of UP Cebu was approved by the UP Board of Regents during its 1,284th meeting held last December 4. >page 2

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Nov-Dec 2012

NEDA, UP institutionalize cooperation for inclusive growth Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

the sharing of development analysis and insights as inputs to policy,” Balisacan further said.

The university counts itself a public ser vice university and welcomes the formalized partnership as another major development in this mandate. One of the first projects being considered under the partnership involves human capital development.

Balisacan, Pascual, Saloma, and Agulto sign the MOU formalizing cooperation between NEDA and UP.

UP Cebu welcomes... <page 1

International conference on cooperative enterprises held at UPLB

Photo courtesy of UPLB-OVCRE

UP Los Baños (PIA) – Laguna Province hosted the International Conference on Cooperative Enterprises from November 8 to 10, 2012 at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Auditorium

here. The event was jointly sponsored by the UP Los Baños (UPLB) Institute on Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise Development (ICOPED), the UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM) and the Cooperative Development

Practitioners and researchers of cooperative enterprises all over the world converge at the SEARCA Auditorium.

Photo by Jun Madrid

Corro is no stranger to the UP System.

She started her freshman year at UP Cebu and transferred to UP Diliman where she finished the degree of AB Political Science.

After graduation she proceeded to take up Bachelor of Laws at the UPD College of Law and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1987.

After passing the Bar, she started working as a Confidential Attorney at the Office of Justice Teodoro Padilla in the same year. She later became an associate of the Ledesma Saludo & Associates Law Offices in Makati. In 1993, she became a partner at the Catipay Corro & Associates Law Offices in Cebu. Starting from 2004 up to the present, Corro is managing partner of the Corro Cavada & Associates Law Offices.

Aside from her professional career, UP Cebu’s newly appointed Dean is also very active in non-government organizations.

She is currently a member of the board of trustees of the Legal Alternatives for Women (LAW) Center, Inc. Corro was president of LAW from 2008–2010.

From 2011 to the present, Corro has served as president of the UP Law Alumni Cebu Foundation Inc. She also actively served as the president of the UP Alumni Association Cebu Chapter Foundation Inc. from 2009 to 2011.

Coro has served as the club chairman of The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Club of Cebu Gloria Maris, District 3860 from 2007 to the present; and president of Federacion Internacional De Abogadas (FIDA) Philippines, Inc., Cebu Chapter from 2003 -2005.

During the search for the dean, Corro stated that her vision for UP Cebu is for the college to become “[a] vibrant and dynamic institution for higher learning with highly competent and qualified, passion driven faculty members, assisted by a strongly motivated administration, ably supported with appropriate resources and facilities that produce excellent graduates on niches it is particularly identified with, who will outstandingly serve and complement the business, social and cultural needs of the region and the nation as a whole.” (http:// www.upcebu.edu.ph/)

However, past engagements with NEDA were disparate in the university, made either unofficially, in ad hoc or on individual basis with particular units or experts.

“T his institutional cooperation arrangement should thus extend our cooperative activities beyond providing the professional expertise to run the institution but to strengthen the ties between the academe and the government through

NEDA and its implementing institutions, UP will also provide NEDA with research and policy services.

In return, NEDA will finance the delivery of these services, including administrative fees.

Signing for the university was President Alfredo Pascual. His counterpart from NEDA was Balisacan. Witnessing the event were Vice-President for Public Affairs J. Prospero de Vera III, Assistant VicePresident for Academic Affairs Antoinette Hernandez, Chancellors Caesar Saloma and Manuel Agulto, UPD Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development Benito Pacheco, UP Los Baños Vice-Chancellor for Community Affairs Enrique Tolentino Jr., and UPSE Dean Ramon Clarete, from UP; and consultant Gerard Suanes and National Planning and Policy Staff Director Rosemarie Edillon, from NEDA. UP has traditionally provided expertise to NEDA and most of NEDA staff directors and technical staff are from the university.

Since NEDA’s reorganization in 1986, seven of its nine director-generals came from UP.

Photo by Bong Arboleda

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and UP signed a memorandum of understanding last November 9 at the Office of the UP President in UP Diliman (UPD) to institutionalize a partnership aimed at enhancing the capability of NEDA to fulfill its objectives of “inclusive growth.”

According to NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, former dean of the UP School of Economics (UPSE), by tapping into the strengths of the university, “we should be able to fully embrace development from a more holistic point of view, not only from the eyes of the economists and statisticians but from other experts in the social and natural sciences.”

Through the institutional cooperation, UP will provide expertise to NEDA. Because the UP System administers across the constituent units, it should be able to come up with more comprehensive and interdisciplinary line-up of expertise in pursuit of holistic development.

Aside from capability building programs as trainings and mentoring activities to

Corro takes her oath before President Pascual at Quezon Hall, Diliman, Quezon City.

Authority (CDA).

Hosting the conference was the province’s contribution to the national celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2012 and one of the activities lined up by the IYC 2012 National Steering Committee chaired by the CDA. It was attended by 217 delegates from local and international coop communities from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Czechoslovakia.

Being the host province, its Governor Jeorge “ER” Ejercito sent delegates from the Provincial Cooperative Development Office (PCDO) Head Edwin S. Bautista and Provincial Cooperative Development Council (PCDC) to facilitate the conference.

The theme of the gathering was “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World.” Among the topics tackled were policy and institutional issues as well as challenges and opportunities affecting the operations of cooperatives as economic and social enterprises. There were presentations of scientific papers and testimonials on the different breakthroughs and significant experiences in cooperative promotion and development particularly in the areas of education, enterprise development, cooperative finance and women and youth in cooperatives.

Former Senator and UPLB Alumnus Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and Former Senator and Philippine Cooperative Center Chair Emeritus Agapito “Butz” Aquino delivered messages in support to the cooperative movement at the opening of the conference.

Likewise as a gesture of support and warm hospitality, the governor sponsored the fellowship night and dinner and entertained the participants and visitors with cultural dance presentation from the Laguna Tourism Culture Arts and Trade Office’s (LTCATO) Sining Katutubo Dance Assembly (SIKADA). ((Edwin S. Bautista/Carladene A. Payag/ACO, PIA-Laguna PIA-Laguna)

Nov-Dec 2012

U.P. News 3

Case study presented by Dr. J. Prospero de Vera III during the Asia Engage Regional Conference on Higher-Education-Community Engagement: Forging Meaningful Partnerships across Asia and published in University World News, Issue No. 222

DISASTER MANAGEMENT University’s key role during a major disaster Yojana Sharma

Photo courtesy of UP-OP

University researchers and scientists Without swift recovery, human tissue “With manpower, the logistical are increasingly playing a role in disaster decomposes in water, and DNA samples requirements are tremendous. But if you ‘One UP disaster research, analysis and data collection. But then have to be taken from bones, which bring in the experts and work with alumni on response!’ organized the University of the Philippines has gone much more difficult to analyse and increases the ground and work with local government, Fred Dabu much further, taking on a central role the cost tenfold,” he said. the cost is managed and the university in planning and response in Asia’s most Disaster preparedness involvement can be short but fruitful.

Responding to the call “Institutionalize disaster-prone country.

In the aftermath, the university drew “We could put together an assessment in One UP Disaster Response!”, theUP The Philippines island populations up a major report on the disaster and also a very short time—just a few days—because Office of the Vice President for Public are on the frontline of typhoons, floods, held regular disaster management summits, of the experts we brought in,” he said.

Afairs organized the first UP Padayon mudslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions most recently in April 2012. These included Some of that information was collated disaster risk reduction and management and other natural disasters. While some the politicians who spearheaded the relief by professionals on the ground. Alumni are (DRRM) conference-workshop last universities are content to provide solid efforts and national agencies. already linked up via social media, which November 20 at the lower ground floor data on disaster events, others such as the When disaster strikes, it is not just can be vital for providing fast, accurate of the AngBahayng Alumni, UP Diliman, University of the Philippines have set up academic staff and students who are information on affected areas in real time, Quezon City. a command centre to coordinate response mobilized but also the university’s alumni through SMS text messaging and Facebook, UP Padayon Director Ferdinand Llanes efforts. in all walks of life. The university made communicating with alumni, partner NGOs said the workshop aimed to identify the University of the Philippines Vice- good use of having a direct line to alumni and the media. various units, programs, specializations, President for Public Affairs Prospero de politicians, to cut through bureaucracy Disseminating information in real material and human resources, and pool Vera described how, just days after the during a severe emergency. time helps dispel rumours and fast-tracks of experts that the university has in impact of typhoon Sendong in December De Vera recommends that universities assistance to affected communities, de Vera relation to DRRM. The assembly shall 2011, he was charged with coordinating just keep their alumni databases up to date, so said. then formalize university protocols, such a response. that they can be tapped immediately during It was the university that uploaded formations and sub-organizations, and As the typhoon hit the eastern island of disasters, particularly those in national and photographs of the affected areas onto the capacity-building programs for UP’s Mindanao on 15 December, rainfall increased local positions and professional groups like worldwide web, because university experts internal and external constituencies. from 20 millimeters to 200 millimeters an doctors and civil society organizations. “You knew how to explain and analyse them.

UP Vice-President for Public Affairs J. hour in a part of the Philippines that had not need people at the highest level to intervene Before-and-after pictures and video shown Prospero de Vera III said UP has a distinct previously encountered typhoons, pouring and make decisions.” on national television “all came from us,” mandate to serve as a public service water into the river system.

No one has time during a catastrophe he said. university, as stated in the UP Charter or “What is normally a 50 metre-wide river to deal with swathes of bureaucracy. “So Post-disaster work continues Republic Act 9500. He said UP’s long became a one kiometre-wide river. Water many organizations have to be prepared Months after the destruction, the task of tradition of public service, the university’s was cascading down with tremendous force, and among them are the national public the university has not ended. expertise, linkages, network of alumni, wiping out areas on both sides, causing utter universities, which have a mandate to serve Post-disaster, it is part of a US$1.5 destruction,” de Vera said, adding that in the their communities. If disaster still strikes million project funded by the UN and and geographic reach to cover the whole urban areas of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro you have to be able to get involved,” de Australian development agency AusAid country place UP in a leadership position City, “whoe communities were obliterated.” Vera said. to assist Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities in the field of DRRM. During the morning session, conference More than 1,000 lives were lost and 700,000 “What we found was that universities’ to revise their land use maps by inputting participants discussed their respective people were affected by the cascades. civic engagement has the most impact if it is geohazard data collected by the university units’ capabilities, situationers, activities, Yet because the typhoons are normally well targeted, focused, strategic and includes such as typhoon maps and earthquake and measured in terms of wind speeds, rather services that have not been done by other tsunami data, so that local governments can accomplishments, and varying levels of preparedness. They also identified than water volumes, existing typhoon data institutions so that we do not duplicate.” be better prepared. were of little use. A local situation analysis For example, the university did not get And in April 2012 the university’s possible areas for improvement along with had to be done swiftly by experts from the involved in food and medicine donation governing body created a public service plans for the coming months.

UP Diliman Vice-Chancellor for bottom up, he said. because this was already being done by others, office at the institution to coordinate the Research and Development Benito Mobilising university expertise particularly non-governmental organizations. activities of the various campuses and Pacheco and Vice-Chancellor for “By 18 December reports started But it could play a coordinating role, based facilitate a swift response in future. trickling in of the devastation. I was asked to on both excellent local knowledge and an According to the UN Environment Community Affairs Melania Abadput together a task force. The University of analytical overview of the situation.

Programme, the Philippines is the world’s Flores, together with representatives the Philippines is the only public university “What we did was point them to other third most disaster-afflicted after two from the College of Social Work and with a public service mandate. We have groups that could help them bring donations Pacific island states, and the most prone in Community Development (CSWCD), campuses across the whole country so we to the affected areas.”

Asia. “We treat disaster preparedness and College of Social Sciences and Philosophy could mobilize experts on other campuses,” De Vera believes universities are more disaster management equally. You can do (CSSP), College of Engineering, National de Vera said. effective when bringing in expertise preparedness but there are times in a country Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS), This included calling on some of the top rather than manpower (such as student so prone to natural disasters, when you just Natural Sciences Research Institute DNA forensic experts from the campus in Manila volunteers). cannot avoid disasters,” de Vera said. >page 13 and geophysicists from other campuses.

From the command centre situated at Mindanao State University’s Iligan Institute of Technology, four university-led team were mobilized— a health team for immediate medical care; a water and sanitation team to help assess water evacuation centres; a forensic team with university experts training local health officials to identify victims’ bodies; and a geohazard team to gather data from devastated areas and assist in postdisaster reconstruction and planning such as resettlement or permanent relocation.

“Universities have a lot of expertise and sophisticated scientific equipment that even government agencies do not have. For example, our medical faculty was able to train people to recover bodies swiftly so that DNA samples could be taken High-tech mapping of hazards Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo and President Alfredo Pascual (with leis) lead the inauguration of the DREAM (Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation) Project of UP’s National Engineering Center, a project supporting from soft tissue for identification.” DOST’s Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (Project Noah), utilizing Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) instruments, run mostly by “These DNA samples could university experts. Right photo shows Pascual ceremonially pours a bottle of champagne on a plane to be used in surveying landscapes and making tested in university laboratories. three-dimensional models for virtual simulation of disasters, forest inventory, environmental monitoring, infrastructure planning, fault line mapping, archaeological surveys, agricultural assessment, government revenue management and post-disaster damage assessment. The inauguration took place at Clark International Airport last November 22.

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Nov-Dec 2012

Philippines is one of 17 “megadiverse” countries in the world with 50 percent of its marine and terrestrial species endemic to the country. But its bounty is being diminished by the accelerated degradation of biological diversity earning the country the title of the hottest of the biodiversity hotspots. About 0.1 percent of the species in the country are lost every year, Pascual said.

Pascual’s description of the situation aptly fore-grounded the talk of California Academy of Sciences Senior Curator and Dean of Science and Research Collections Terry Gosliner, who talked about worldwide biodiversity destruction. Gosliner said that the world is undergoing the sixth great extinction event and it is caused by human beings.

Gosliner estimates the extinction of 1537 percent of plant and animal species by 2050 if the current practices of extractive industries, private corporations and even the consumption behavior ordinary human beings continue.

Biodiversity education

Aside from pollution, destruction and degradation of key biodiversity areas in the country, Gosliner pointed out that lack of education and appreciation of species biodiversity contribute to the rapid extinction.

He also laments the reduction in funds for scientific research as well as science education.

California Academy of Sciences Director of Teacher and Youth Education Meg Burke said “science education is in definite need of some help.” Based on her experience as an educator in the US and in her frequent engagement with science teachers in several countries, including the Philippines, Burke said “there are teachers in the elementary and secondary level who did not have scientific training themselves” often resulting in a limited appreciation of the importance of biodiversity in societies and the environment.

Photo by Bong Arboleda

The Philippines: Hottest of the Biodiversity Hotspots UPLB hosts KIM Quilinguing international Speaking at the opening of a lecture seriesclimate change workshop at UP Diliman last November 12, UP President Alfredo Pascual said that the conference Rudy Fernandez, The Philippine Star

Assistant Vice-President for Academic Affairs Antoinette Hernandez and Vice-President for Academic Affairs Gisela Concepcion, and a participant listen to a speaker during the workshop on biodiversity.

Citing the need for updated materials in science education, particularly biodiversity, Gosliner said that scientific research and publication should be accelerated. “It takes 10-15 years for scientific research before (a recent discovery) appears on a textbook,” he said. He said that if the process can be reduced to two years, then published and circulated studies on biodiversity species will play an important role in their appreciation and conservation.

Knowledge Generation & Dissemination

Aside from publication of biodiversity research done by scientists, Burke also said that engagement of the media, local government units and other sectors in the dissemination of information on marine and terrestrial species is essential in efforts to conserve biodiversity. The involvement of various sectors in the process will enable even those outside of the scientific community to develop a commitment in the appreciation and protection of biodiversity species.

Underscoring the need for more collaboration in the promotion of biodiversity studies and engagement of more sectors, Pascual said that the university will continue to work with different research and academic institutions in the generation of studies and promotion of expertise in biodiversity

conservation. He particularly cited the 2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition where scientists from UP worked with experts from the California Academy of Sciences in studies of key biodiversity areas in the country.

The expedition yielded several discoveries of new species of marine and terrestrial biodiversity.

Pascual also said that the lecture seriesworkshop is just one of several activities geared towards the generation of knowledge in preparation for the creation of the Philippine Biodiversity Research and Resource Center. The center will be the manifestation of UP’s commitment to biodiversity research as well as conservation and protection of biological species.

Held from November 12-16, the Lecture Series-Workshop on Integrating Biodiversity Research, Education, Public Engagement and Conservation at the National Institute of Physics Auditorium, UP Diliman is organized by the UP Center for Integrative Development Studies, Marine Science Institute, UP Diliman Institute of Biology, California Academic of Sciences, Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Foundation for the Philippine Environment, Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Inc. and the Foundation for Integrative and Development Studies.

ARRAS workshop held in UP Visayas Cristy S. Acabado*

the three team activities, which included the Kite, Teardrop and the Experimental (area calibration, spectral Kd, staircase experiments) teams. Several feedbacks from the trainers, participants, and even the boatmen regarding the activities were gathered for the purpose of improving the tools that they have developed.

During the closing program of the workshop, a few processed data and some action shots were shown to everyone. A Teardrop unit was donated to IMFO, CFOS for the subsequent monitoring of the three sites visited.

The conception of this project began during the 2006 oil spill incident which hit the islands of Guimaras, in order to develop rapid reef assessment tools in cases of catastrophe. The project was not approved until recently when the need for these tools was recognized during the coral bleaching outbreak. These developed tools are used these days for the mapping and monitoring of the coral reefs in the Philippines. Initial data of this project have been posted on Google Earth. *The author is a faculty member of the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology.

Photo courtesy of UPV-IPO

The Automated Rapid Reef Assessment System (ARRAS) Project headed by Dr. Maricor Soriano from the National Institute of Physics (NIP) of UP Diliman (UPD) together with her team from the Marine Science Institute (MSI), UPD and the College of Engineering, Mapua University held a workshop in UP Visayas (UPV), in collaboration with UPV’s Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (IMFO, CFOS) from November 14 to 17.

The ARRAS project has developed cheap and innovative tools that can be used to generate very useful information on coral reefs. It particularly aims to train local communities on how to use these tools in order for them to monitor their own coastal reef habitats.

Participants from the LGU-San Joaquin, LGU-Anini-y Antique and LGU-Guimaras were gathered together with faculty members and students from IMFO, CFOS for the workshop, which started with a pre-field orientation about the equipment to be used and general instructions for the actual fieldwork. The activities were conducted in three reef sites: (1) Tiolas, San Joaquin, (2) Nogas Is., Anini-y, Antique and (3) Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, Guimaras. For every site, the participants were divided into three groups and were rotated each day among

Experimental team in the automated rapid reef assessment workshop instruments in the field.

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – A global scientific conference on climate change was held here from November 21 to 23.

The International Conference on Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation for Food and Environmental Security was organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and UPLB. SEARCA is hosted by the Philippine government on the UPLB campus.

The conference was supported by the Asia-Pacific Adaptation Network through the Institute for Global Environment Strategies in Japan; German Academic Exchange Service and Food Security Center of the University of Hohenheim in Germany; Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research; Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia; and Climate Change Commission under the Office of the President.

T he World Bank, Inter national Rice Research Institute, India-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), University of Tokyo (Japan), Manyang Technological University-Rajaratnam School of International Studies-Center for Non-Traditional Security Studies in Singapore, and Philippine Climate Change Adaptation Project had signified their commitment to participate in the conference.

The forum aimed to attract researchers, academics, policymakers and planners, development workers, and other professionals from international, government and non-government, and academic organizations from various parts of the world.

It served as a venue for the exchange of state-of-the-art knowledge on climate change science, adaptation strategies, disaster risk reduction, planning and management, and vulnerability and impact assessment tools among regional stakeholders, specifically in the agriculture and environment sectors.

It also gathered experiences and scientific information into an integrative body of knowledge to identify knowledge gaps and common, urgent and emergent issues related to food and environmental security.

Moreover, it identified knowledge and adaptation strategies that may be upscaled to the other regions; and promote partnerships and linkages among different sectors for collaborative activities on climate change adaptation.

Speakers included Dr. William Dar, former Agriculture secretary and now director general of ICRISAT; Dr. Ademola Brainmoh of the World Bank, Dr. Paul Ten of Manyang University, Dr. Scishi Nimemiya of Tokyo University, Dr. Reinhold Muschler of the Center for Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Education in Costa Rica, Dean John Pulhin of the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources, and Director Marcial Amaro Jr. of the Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesEcosystems Research and Development Bureau.

(Source: http://www.philstar.com/ science-and-technology/2012/11/15/ 866691/phl-host-international-climatechange-conference)

Nov-Dec 2012

U.P. News 5

Photo by Mariane Kay Torres

Baguio forests still support endemic species of mammals: Remaining forest cover in the city provides a habitat for the Large Luzon Forest Rat, among others Aris Reginaldo Green themes: A Luzon-endemic rat, New projects Bullimus luzonicus luzonicus, commonly known as the Large Luzon take off Forest Rat, was again captured at the Camp Joy Hay Forest Reserve during a two day-field trip of a group of students from UP Baguio. This rat, together with two other Philippine mammal endemics (Rattus everetti and Apomys musculus musculus,), was first documented in 2008, through a study that sought to determine the diversity and ecology of mammals in the city.

The Large Luzon forest rat has a total length of 4050 cm, with distinct white coloration of the last 1/3 of its tail. It is known to occur only in the forests of Luzon. Endemic species of small mammals are generally sensitive to habitat disturbance but this particular species is one of those that can tolerate moderate disturbance. The students were very lucky to catch one individual because of the relatively low number and wide home range of this species.

A recent study conducted by students of UP Baguio sought to determine the extent and patterns of distribution of mammal species documented in John Hay in 2008.

The study involved sampling of other pine forests in the city but no endemic species were documented. The absence of the endemic species in other pine forests of Baguio City indicates that the degree of disturbances (both anthropogenic and natural) limits their existence.

However, the patch of forest in John Hay or the Eco-Trail area as others commonly know it, differs from any other pine forests of the city because of its relatively thicker understory vegetation, thus possibly providing good habitat for the existence of mammals like the Large Luzon Forest Rat, and limiting human activities which may disturb them.

It was here that the Bullimus individual rat

Prof. Aris Reginaldo and the team of UP Baguio students who captured Bullimus luzonicus last August

was captured. The captured animal was immediately released back to the forest after it was examined, identified, and reported to CJH Development Corporation.

The field trip was part of a class requirement of Terrestrial Ecology, a course which is taken by students taking BS Biology. Their recent paper, “Small non-volant mammals in forest patches of Baguio CityLuzon, Philippines,” discusses the ecology of the endemic mammals of the forest of John Hay in full. In the paper, three other species of small mammals, namely Rattus exulans and Rattus tanezumi and Suncus murinus, all pest species, were also reported. murinus In the forest of John Hay, R. tanezumi and S. murinus were observed and found to be common, indicating that the area, despite its conditions, is also disturbed. The researchers are yet to find out the real effect of the existence of the both the pest and endemic species in John Hay. Continuous protection of the area and minimizing human-induced disturbances may do two things – limit the proliferation of the pest species and favor the existence of the other.

On the other hand, the two pest species documented there, together with R. exulans exulans, were all observed at the UP Baguio campus, the other site studied. During the time of sampling, areas of the campus with standing trees still had thick understory vegetation, especially between the KA and HKP buildings. All three species were found to be abundant and the conditions favored their existence.

The published paper is an undergraduate thesis problem which Prof. Celia Austria and Prof. Aris Reginaldo advised on and spearheaded in 2008. The students were Vonnete Ballesteros and Princess Gonzales.

They were also joined by some utility workers of the campus during the field work. Because they employed a standard methodology of capturing mammals and since the data generated is very important in mammalian studies in the country, Reginaldo decided to start writing the draft in 2009.

This inspired him to do another study in Mt. Sto Tomas, Tuba Benguet to further explore the diversity and ecology of small non-flying mammals (rodents and shrews) in the Southern Cordillera.

Matching policy with action, the UP Baguio (UPB) administration, spearheaded

by Chancellor Raymundo Rovillos and Vice-Chancellor for Administration Jessica Cariño, has gone full swing on greening projects.

One of these is the mini-agroforestry farm situated near the UPB Residence Hall, where 40 avocado, 10 guayabano, 10 langka, and 10 mango trees were planted to comprise the first crop of fruit trees. Cash crops will also be raised.

A medicinal garden has been established on a 100 sq.m. area leading to the Human Kinetics Department. The garden is planted with adelfa, akapulko, comfrey, damong maria, gepas, guava, ikmo, kalachuchi, kuchay, lagundi, luyang-dilaw, oregano, rosal, rosemary, sabila, sampaguita, takipkuhol, tanglad, tarragon, tsaanggubat, yacon, yerba-buena and yellow bell. The plants were provided by the Ecosystems Research and Development Services (ERDS), the research unit of the Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesCordillera Region.

Grassland with a total area of 3,118 sq. m. at the back of the Residence Hall has been allocated for a tree plantation.

608 narra seedlings have been planted.

Narra is deeply rooted, fixing nitrogen from falling leaves, serving as windbreak and sequestering harmful carbon from the atmosphere.

An arboretum has been established in the twin properties in Sabkil, Itogon with an approximate total area of four hectares.

Brushing, liberation cutting, layout and lining, staking and holing activities were conducted in five consecutive weekends in the past semester, followed by planting of 1,213 seedlings of premium tree species: narra, ipil, supa, molave, kamagong, dao, dungon, yakal, white lauan, kalumpit, bitaog, balitbitan, bani, talisai, bagras and agoho.

UP Baguio drafts Green Campus Policy The UP Baguio (UPB) administration, in consultation with its constituents, has formulated a policy statement that will further institutionalize the tradition of environmental consciousness at UPB. The policy articulates current and future measures for the integration of environmental protection in the curricular, research and outreach programs of UPB. For instruction, in 2011 UPB carried out

the Unit-based Sustainability Assessment Tool in six of the nine academic departments.

Results showed that Colleges at UPB have incorporated sustainability in courses and instruction. Offered at the College of Social Sciences, for instance, are: Social and Development Studies (SDS) 265: Community-Environment Relations; Social Anthropology (SA) 165: Human Ecology;

and Philosophy 27: Philosophizing on Being Human.

At the College of Arts and Communication, environmental awareness is integrated in curricula, readings and assignments; in Fine Arts, for one, the use of recycled materials, and other ecologically sound media is likewise encouraged.

At the College of Science, environmental concer ns such as climate chang e,

Monorail’s maiden trip <page 1

run of the all-Philippine-made project, which started construction six months previous to the maiden trip.

Earlier test runs had been conducted, they said, at 10-12 kph speeds. Montejo said the AGT could go up to 45 kph.

The monorail was the first of its kind to be installed in any university campus in the country. The prototype in UPD serves as basis for research that will determine if a full-scale AGT loop is

viable. Montejo said in two months, the system would be fully automated. The maiden trip only served to show that the system works.

Montejo said various LGUs had already expressed interest in the project, which is five times less the cost of an AGT if the technology and equipment are to be imported. A team from the College of Engineering and UP’s National Center for Transportation Studies are still conducting

evaluations.

Supervising the maiden trip were members of the project management and engineering design team of Brian Rasco (civil works); Ryan Roldan (electrical); Elljay Mutuc, Georg e Garcia, and Joseph Raymond Avarez (mechanical); and Jesus Tanchuco III and Franz Libao (electronics). All are graduates and students of UP College of Engineering.

biodiversity conservation, nutrient cycling or biogeochemical cycles, ecosystem management, and pollution are among the issues integrated in course syllabi of Science, Technology and Society; Geology 11; Natural Science courses and Biology.

Research at UP Baguio has long been marked by environmental concerns.

The agro-ecosystems (AES) framework has directed Cordillera Studies Center researches on upland communities, as backed by the Ford Foundation. CSC has also been designated as the Area Research and Training Center (ARTC) of the Population and Development Program of the NEDA. Colleg es have also focused on environmental concerns, like the College of Science’s research proposal on a rainwater harvesting system.

For Extension Service, UP Baguio’s major involvement is in the Balili River Revitalization Coalition that aims to reverse the degradation of the Balili River and its tributaries spanning Baguio and La Trinidad. (Culled from “Policy Statement on Managing UP Baguio as a Green Campus” Campus”)

6 U.P. News

Nov-Dec 2012

UPLB and FEED Inc. team up MMDA opens bike lane along for scholarships, land grant development Serlie B. Jamias and AM Bakker Commonwealth UPLB and the Fostering Education and of UPLB’s collaborative research and Calamba City for programs that support the Mike Frialde, philstar.com

development activities to develop its land grants.

Complementing the reforestation initiative is the scholarship by FEED Inc. to finance the thesis research of UPLB students in agronomy, environmental science, farming, forestry, and integrated land and water development.

UPLB is the premier university in agriculture, forestry, and environment in the region, while FEEDS, Inc. had been involved in reforestation, tree-planting and other greening initiatives in the country and worldwide since the 1990s.

The University and FEED, Inc. renewed a Memorandum of Agreement this month in

government’s thrusts in reforestation, sustainable farming, and agricultural livelihood.

Spearheading the partnership are officials of the UPLB and FEED, Inc. These include Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz; Vice-Chancellor for Community Affairs Enrique Tolentino; Vice-Chancellor for Instr uction Oscar Zamora; and College of Forestry Dean Juan Pulhin from UPLB. The FEED Inc. Board of Directors includes Offie BakkerMananquil, chair; Anne-Marie Bakker, CEO; Dr. Asuncion Raymundo; Dr. Gil Fernandez; Dr. Elvira Fernandez; and Dr. Virginia V. Cardenas.

UPV conducts seminar for tricycle drivers Lyncen M. Fernandez Photo courtesy of UPV-IPO

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) last December 4 opened a bicycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Opening the bicycle lane were MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista along with other cyclists who rode on the 2.92kilometer lane that stretched from the University Avenue at the entrance of UP to Tandang Sora.

“We wanted to have bike lanes in the roads of Commonwealth to further promote the healthy practice of using bicycles as every day means of transportation,” Tolentino said.

The bicycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue – dubbed as the “killer highway” of Metro Manila with its record of fatal traffic accidents - is equipped with traffic directional signs and safety devices to aid bikers.

Last November 27, the MMDA created a 4.58-kilometer bicycle lane from the Santolan Light Rail Transit (LRT) 2 station to Imelda Avenue in Marcos Highway in Marikina City. On November 15, the MMDA opened to bikers a 1.755-km bicycle lane from the Remedios Circle up to the Paraiso ng Batang Maynila Park on M. Adriatico Street in Manila. The MMDA on that same day also opened a 550-meter bicycle lane from Quirino Avenue up to the Cultural Center of the Philippines along Roxas Boulevard.

Nation. A similar bicycle lane is also being studied for implementation by the MMDA along EDSA, Tolentino said.

(Source: http://www.philstar.com/ nation/2012/12/04/880313/mmdaopens-bike-lane-along-commonwealth) h h) UPD had earlier created its own bicycle and joggers lane around the Academic Oval, which has been permanently reserved from vehicular traffic. The carless Oval during Sundays is also continuously implemented on campus. The bicycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue will further promote the campus to biking and health enthusiasts.

Environment for Development (FEED Inc.) has launched last November the program, “A Living Legacy: Plant a Tree, FEED Our Future,” by planting indigenous trees in one hectare of a UP land grant in Quezon province.

The plantation will serve as a prototype for the integrated development of about 8,800 hectares of wild forest land owned

by UP while supporting the government’s National Greening Program (NGP). The tree planters include stakeholders, public and private supporters, volunteers, UP staff, and soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The plant-a-tree program is one

Ticao speaks before a batch of tricycle drivers.

“Safety on the road is not just a priority. It is a lifestyle,” says Marlon Ticao, Information Officer of the Land Transportation Office, Regional VI, during the “Traffic Safety Seminar for BSUTODA Drivers” last November 14 at the UP Visayas (UPV) Miagao campus.

The BSUTODA (Bolho, Sapa, UPV Tricycle Owners and Drivers Association) was given the franchise to operate as public utility vehicles inside the UPV Miagao campus and vicinity.

Prior to the lecture of Ticao, data based on the Traffic Accident Report by the PNP Traffic Management Group (2001 to 2006)

were presented. The 2003 data revealed that 16,425 accidents occurred in year with an average of 45 accidents in a day. A very slight decrease was marked in 2006 wherein there were 15,064 accidents recorded, averaging 41 accidents in a day.

The most striking and alarming data of the report, however, was the fact that it pointed out that “driver’s error” is the number one cause of traffic accidents.

UPV Vice-Chancellor for Administration Nestor Yunque’s welcome remarks informed the drivers of the P2-million hospital bill of one of the two UPV students who were hospitalized as a result of the July 13, 2012

Photo courtesy of NCTS

NCTS offers advanced traffic administration course

vehicular accident on the highway just before the UPV Miagao main entrance. In that accident, one of the UPV students died as well as the tricycle driver.

Sixty-four of the 70 members of BSUTODA attended the seminar which was a good 92-percent turnout.

The seminar was just one of the many measures that the UPV’s administration has taken for a safer, friendlier UPV campus. It was organized by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Administration in collaboration with the Auxiliary Services Office and the assistance of the members of the UPV Housing Committee.

Engr. Sheila Flor D. Javier and Mary Kristen C. Clamor

The UP National Center for Transportation Studies (NCTS) re-launched the training course Advanced Traffic Administration Course (ATAC) as part of their regular training program held from November 19 to 23, 2012.

The course was first offered to member local government units of Metro IloiloGuimaras Development Council. This time, a total of 35 city engineers, city planners, traffic enforcers, traffic administrators, managers, and a Sangguniang Bayan member coming from 19 local government units from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao participated in the program.

The course aimed to make participants (1) have an enhanced understanding of environmentally sustainable transportation (EST) and travel demand forecasting; (2) identify appropriate EST applications at

The participants and lecturers of the NCTS course

the local level; (3) illustrate the significance of outputs and results of travel demand forecasting models in transportation planning and, (4) provide a mix of hands-on training, exercises and workshops to ensure a high level of retention.

A lecture on Land Use and Travel Demand Forecasting was given by Dr. Crispin Emmanuel D. Diaz from the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP). The lecture on Trip Generation and Parking Generation was delivered by Sajid A. Kamid of

NCTS. Public Transport System Analysis and Planning was discussed by Dr. Cresencio M. Montalbo Jr. from SURP. Transportation System Evaluation was discussed by Dr. Ma. Sheilah G. Napalang from SURP. Transportation Laws and Regulations was handled by Atty Merwyn Paul L. Rostrata from the RCBC Legal Department, who explained RA 4136.

Physical Distribution and Logistics was lectured on by Dr. Jun T. Castro from SURP. Introduction to Environmentally Sustainable Transportation was the topic

of Dr. Hilario Sean O. Palmiano from the UP Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE).

EST Strategies and Policies was discussed

by Dr. Karl N. Vergel of ICE. A workshop was held on the last day to apply the EST concepts learned in identifying appropriate EST application at the local level and at the same time, to identify ways on how to integrate EST in the development of their local plans.

As the course ended, NCTS hoped to have created yet another batch of advocates for EST.

Nov-Dec 2012

CM conducts forum on doing business in Free Trade Areas

UP Cebu MBA program accepts applicants

Anna Razel L. Ramirez

The College of Management (CM), UP Visayas (UPV) in collaboration with the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) and the Philippine Trade of Training (PTTC) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a forum on “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas (DBFTA)- A Market Approach” last November 14 at the UPV Auditorium, Iloilo

City.

The Philippine Free Trade Agreements and the Philippine Exports Development Plan were expounded on by Senen Perlada, director of the BETP. Five resource persons from various agencies also discussed topics, which include the ASEAN Free Trade Agreements (AFTA) and ASEAN India Free Trade Agreements

Photo courtesy of UPV-IPO

Cebu Daily News

The UP Cebu MBA program is accepting applicants for next school year 2013-2014. The entrance test is on the third Saturday of February 2013.

Interested applicants may email their transcript of records for evaluation to upcebu_ management@yahoo.com or fax it to 233-5634 or hand-carry their forms to UP Cebu Business Management cluster office.

The curriculum is patterned after that of the UP Diliman MBA program.

For further inquiries, visit website www.upcebu.edu.ph or UP Business Management Cluster in UP Cebu campus in Lahug, Cebu City.

U.P. News 7

DTI’s Senen Perlada, Chancellor Espinosa, and CM Dean Mary Ann Gumban after signing the MOA

Forum discusses relevance of Bonifacio, nationalist economics Fred Dabu

Photos by El Bacani

During the first of the “Remembering Bonifacio” lecture series held last November 28 at the College of Mass Communication Auditorium in UP Diliman, National Artist Dr. Bien Lumbera, former UP Student Regent Ms. Krissy Conti, CCP Thirteen Artists Awardee for 2012 Ms. Kiri Lluch Dalena, and IBON Executive Editor Ms. Rozb Guzman shared their insights on the relevance of the nationalism espoused by the revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio and the need for a nationalist economics.

Lumbera, a leader of the educators’ movement for nationalism and democracy, discussed how Filipino artists and writers portrayed Bonifacio in their respective milieus. He cited the works of National Artists Guillermo E. Tolentino on the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco’s paintings, and Amado V. Hernandez’ verses, to name a few of the prominent works that show the role of Bonifacio and revolution in shaping Philippine society.

Conti, presently a law student, described the search of the post-EDSA 2 youth, the so-called Facebook generation, for their definition of patriotism. She said Bonifacio, founder of the Katipunan and leader of the 1896 revolution against the Spanish colonizers, lived a heroic life. She said Bonifacio lived by the nationalism that can be read in his writings. In the poem “Tapunan ng Lingap,” she said Bonifacio called for faith and action, “…don’t be afraid to fight the race of executioners…(translated)” and in “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa,” he advocated for “militant nationalism” and collective action in pursuit of freedom, “…kung ang bayang ito’y nasa panganib at siya ay dapat na ipagtangkilik, ang anak, asawa, magulang, kapatid, isang tawag niya’y tatalikdang pilit...” (…if my country in danger be, and she needs my protection, the son, husband, parents, brother, a single call will force us all to heed...).

Conti said the youth of today has to “transcend the information overload”

(AIFTA), the Philippine Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) and ASEAN Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (AJCEPA), the ASEAN-Australian-New Zealand Free Trade Ag reement (AANZFTA), the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreements (ACFTA), and ASEAN Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA).

According to Perlada, the Philippines, as it aspires to be in the group of the next emerging economies of the world, needs to forge agreements with other countries to be able to export and import at lesser tariffs.

He avers that such agreements are seen to bring about greater economic benefits for businessmen, the entrepreneurs, and the country. He also claimed that despite the economic crises that hit Asia and the US and Europe, the Philippine economy has remained standing and has been even in an upward trend since 2010; which he partly ascribed to the FTA’s existence in the Philippines.

Success stories of the private sector in utilizing the FTA were shared by an entrepreneur, Archie Armada, who is a managing partner of the Marinduque Land Corporation. His company is into the production of various products from coconut and has benefitted from the AANZFTA. Atty. Jocelyn Cruz, Chair of the Commercial Law Department of the De La Salle University, Manila discussed the experience of academic institutions that partner with DTI in the DBFTA Program.

A memorandum of agreement was signed by the DTI and UPV for collaboration in the effective and sustainable delivery of DBFTA projects in the areas of information, and knowledge dissemination. The two institutions also agreed on projects and activities that will be implemented to realize the goals of DBFTA. Chancellor Rommel Espinosa signed the MOA for UPV, while Perlada represented DTI. Dean Mary Ann Gumban of CM witnessed the signing of the agreement.

Celebrations of Bonifacio Day included a tribute to revolutionary leader prior to the actual day, organized by the UP Diliman Department of History and held at Vinzons Hall

and unite for genuine freedom for the country.

Dalena, a cinematographer and the youngest in a family of artists, narrated how she became an activist during her college years. She said the writings and works of artists and revolutionaries would have greater significance in a person’s life and the nation if the lessons are put into action. She said nationalism would only have meaning today if it is attuned to the people’s needs and aspirations.

Guzman, a researcher and development advocate, discussed the need for nationalist economics as she outlined the challenges faced by the people in the era of globalization. She said there is even greater need to advance nationalist alternatives and debunk the claims made by those who defend globalization. Globalization and the policies imposed by foreign powers, she said, have only been proven to worsen the national and global economic and political crises.

Guzman explained that nationalist economics requires freedom from foreign control. It should also be progressive, self-reliant, and responsive to the needs of the citizenry. She said Bonifacio’s “Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog” gives us

a clear picture of what the Katipuneros had in mind. “…Itinuturo ng katwiran ang tayo’y umasa sa ating sarili at huwag antayin sa iba ang ating kabuhayan. Itinuturo ng katwiran ang tayo’y maglakas na maihapag ang naghaharing kasamaan sa ating bayan…

Panahon na ngayon dapat nating ipakilala na tayo’y may sariling pagdaramdam, may puri, may hiya at pagdadamayan. Ngayon ay panahong dapat simulan ang pagsisiwalat ng mga mahal at dakilang aral na magwawasak sa masinsing tabing na bumubulag sa ating kaisipan; panahon na ngayong dapat makilala ng mga Pilipino ang pinagbuhatan ng kanilang mga kahirapan…

Kaya, mga kababayan, ating idilat ang bulag na kaisipan at kusang igugol sa kagalingan ang ating lakas sa tunay at lubos na pag-asa na magtagumpay sa nilalayong kaginhawahan ng bayang tinubuan…” (“Reason tells us that we must rely upon ourselves alone and never entrust our livelihood to anybody else. Reason tells us to be one in sentiment, one in thought, and one in purpose so that we may have the strength in confronting the evil that reigns in our Country...

Now is the time that the light of truth must shine; now is the time for us to make it known that we have our own feelings, have honor, have self-respect and solidarity. Now is the time to start spreading the noble and great teachings that will rend asunder the thick curtain that obfuscates our minds; now

is the time for the Tagalogs to know the sources of their misfortunes… And so! Oh compatriots!

Let us dispel the blindness from our intellects; let us resolutely dedicate our strength to the triumph of our true and mighty cause, the prosperity and peace of our native land.”)

In sum, the panelists explained the importance of learning the nation’s true history and adapting to the challenges of the times. They urge the public to study the works of patriotic leaders such as Andres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal, Crisanto Evangelista, Amado V. Hernandez, Claro M. Recto and many others. They called for the defense of our people and economy from foreign plunder and exploitation.

Lastly, they reiterated the continuing relevance of Bonifacio’s nationalism and nationalist economics as the Filipino people relentlessly struggle for genuine democracy and freedom.

The forum, in celebration of Bonifacio’s 149th birthday, was sponsored by IBON, in cooperation with the Dean’s Office of the UP College of Mass Communication, the Associate Dean’s Office for Student and Public Affairs of the College of Science, UP Center for Nationalist Studies, SOLIDARIDAD, AGHAM-Youth and the Bonifacio150 Committee.

8 U.P. News

Nov-Dec 2012

Int’l study on Philippine television ongoing

ABS-CBN partners with UP for Halalan 2013

President Pascual and Vice-President de Vera meet with ABS-CBN’s department head Ging Reyes, president and COO Santos-Concio, and chairman and CEO Lopez III.

ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs has partnered with the UP System for the country’s first and biggest fact-checking project that will verify candidates’ claims in ABS-CBN’s “Halalan 2013” election forums and coverage, marking the first time a Philippine media organization will use the feature, which is standard in foreign news coverage and election debates.

Faculty and experts from UP will appear in fact-checking segments to air on ABSCBN’s TV and online platforms, a part of the collaboration between the network and the university to promote transparency and public participation among voters.

To formalize the partnership, ABSCBN Chairman and CEO Eugenio Lopez III, ABS-CBN President and COO Charo Santos-Concio, and ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Head Ging Reyes, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with UP President Alfredo Pascual and UP Vice President for Public Affairs J. Prospero De Vera III last December 5.

Pascual called the partnership a new milestone for UP as it is the first time that the university system has officially partnered with a media organization to provide the media component for the elections.

Santos-Concio said, “We believe UP’s

La Salle University, and local television networks ABS-CBN and GMA. “Western influence in modernization, technological determinism, the worldview of digital television withering away in the next five years, and the non-evolutionary development of television” were some of the points Turner seeks to study.

He argued that the one-sided view that modernization is attributable to the West is untrue as television programming and consumption is highly national in most countries. He also contested the predicted disappearance of television, considering the highly commercial and entertainmentoriented character of mass media.

Photo by El Bacani

The Philippines is now part of an international study on television being conducted by pop culture expertProf.

Graeme Turnerfrom the Center for Critical and Cultural Studies of the University of Queensland, who visited UP recently.

Turner’s visit to the Philippinesis part of his research work under the Australian Research Council, which seeks to look at Philippine television within an international comparative line-up.In this project, he collaborates with Prof. Anna Pertierra.

Pertierrasaid that since the project began, she and several other academic researchers from the same department as Turner’s worked closely with Australian networks, the people’s television network in China, the growing Indian television industry from 2007 until 2011, and similar organizations in Cuba and Argentina.

Turner has done numerous researches in Australia and abroad in cultural studies involving literature, film, television, radio, journalism, new media and popular culture.

He has already published 23 books, most of recent of which are Ordinary Peoplein the Media (2010) and What becomes of television?

(2012) both published by Sage. At the moment, a book about the consumption of media in television is being written by Turner with Pertierra and will be published

by Routledge in December this year.

Turner’s visit included a public lecture hosted by the UP Diliman Asian Center last November 20 at the GT Toyota Asian Center Conference Hall, in which it was highlighted that mass media have never been more far-reaching than during this age of new media and the worldwide web. This new reach changed the landscape of mass media and became vital in the globalization campaign.

The lecture “Television, globalization and the future(s) of mass media” was attended by members of institutions of mass media research and practice, namely, the UP, Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, St. Scholastica’s College, University of Asia and the Pacific, De

Photo from pep.ph

Stephanie S. Cabigao

role in nurturing future leaders will be a boon to Halalan 2013’s ‘Tayo Na.’ With the UP system as our partner, ABS-CBN is ever confident and optimistic that the coming elections will again show our citizen journalists at their finest.”

Aside from fact-checking, the MOA will also create projects related to ABS-CBN’s election campaign “Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo: Tayo Na” and voter information drives, including a microsite where overseas Filipino voters can get information on the 2013 elections.

The micro-site will be featured in the websites of all UP units, constituent campuses, and UP Alumni Associations all over the world. It will not only teach voters how to vote but also how to choose among candidates, said Pascual.

Aside from UP, ABS-CBN also signed a partnership with civic organization Regional Emergency Assistance Communications System (REACT) Philippines in gathering election-related news stories, including situational reports in the field from all over the country.

(Source: http://m.pep.ph/guide/ tv/11211/abs-cbn-partners-with-theuniversity-of-the-philippines-for-halalan2013)

Prof. Turner

Mass Media Awareness Month 2012 urges students to ‘think again’ Stephanie S. Cabigao

Photo courtesy of Aly Suico and Earl Usi, UP CMC Student Council

“Mockery, rumor, mongering, guilt by association, buzz words and impossible promises” are some electioneering practices that votes could easily be based upon, according to Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Director James Jimenez at the launch of the Mass Media Awareness Month (MMAM) last November 9 at the of the UP Diliman College of Mass Communication (CMC).

He warned students against falling for such fallacies, which media have helped spread. He referred to television, which for him “has changed its approach in providing platforms for election coverage.” Today, he said, “it has only been engaged in a ‘he said versus she said’ kind of debate, if not election drama.”

Jimenez recognized the importance of social media sites, which “provide a communal space to increase the reach of voter educators and propaganda.” He challenged the students to realize their potential to organize others to become engines of change; and intelligently use media and social media.

Prof. Ed Lingao of CMC shared his

Jimenez answers a question from a student while Lingao listens

observation that journalism and broadcast communication students seem to prefer becoming news anchors. He reminded them about the importance of news writing and research, and critical thinking. He encouraged them to nourish their ideals which “most of us don’t have anymore.”

This year’s month-long celebration of the MMAM urges individuals to “think again” and one of its advocacies is promote media literacy in the 2013 elections. The Think Again Campaign is a series of fora focusing on media ecosystems, and included a Media Students’ Congress on December 3.

UPOU partners again with PLDT’s InfoTeach Outreach Program UP Open University (UPOU) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), INTEL Philippines, and Philippine Community eCenter Network (PhilCeCNet) for the Implementation of PLDT’s InfoTeach Outreach Program, last October 22 at the PLDT building.

This partnership is a new chapter in the PLDT’s InfoTeach Outreach Program that has been implemented for several years now. It is a convergence of advocacies – with PLDT, Intel, PhilCeCNet, DepEd, and UPOU joining hands to reach more schools, teachers, and students for a digitally literate Philippines. The program will cover more municipalities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

According to Chancellor Grace Javier Alfonso, “the outreach program will reach more areas and more skills; will provide a ladderized program towards increasing the levels of digital literacy and applications and as a result will provide more and page 18>

Nov-Dec 2012

UP CMC holds indignation program on 2nd IDEI

VP Binay leads... <Page 1

of Smart Communications, the UP System’s partner in its eUP flagship project. Valencia is also the President and Co-Founder of IdeaSpace Foundation, Inc. Binay’s promise was made in August when Agulto and his team approached him for help. The Agulto administration wanted a wellknown “doer” who can jumpstart its 25-year strategic and visionary plan for UP Manila. Binay, who earned his high school diploma from the UP Preparatory School in 1958, received his AB Political Science (1962), Bachelor of Laws degree (1967), and Diploma in Land Use Program (1993) from UP Diliman. He also completed a Diploma in Environmental and Natural Resources Management (2004) from the UP Open University.

Under Binay’s leadership, the best and the brightest of UP Manila will be asked to plan activities which will help realize a fund-raising target of Php1 billion. The amount will be used to: (1) initially fund infrastructure projects; (2) jumpstart the UP health insurance project for the employees and the faculty; (3) modernize the Philippine General Hospital; (4) improve services (to students and PGH patients); and, (5) start a seed money for an endowment fund of another Php 1billion that would allow UPM to increase salaries and wages without raising tuition fees.

March vs. impunity held at the UPD Academic Oval Stephanie S. Cabigao

The UP Diliman College of Mass Communication (CMC) and the CMC student council organized a pledge run along the two-kilometer Academic Oval last Sunday, November 18, to symbolize their protest against impunity.

At around seven in the morning, over a hundred faculty members, staff members, and students as well as other media practitioners and advocates registered for the pledge run “March Against Impunity” in commemoration of the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre. The event was part of the activities for the Mass Media Awareness Month and its ‘Think Again’ theme which included a campaign against impunity and for justice to the victims of the massacre and their families.

The run aimed to establish a widened network of supporters for the cause.

According to Mario Urrutia III, CMC Student Council Chairperson and a fourth year BA Journalism student, “the event was able to raise awareness among the UP community of the culture of impunity that we have in the country.” She added that beneficiaries included National Union of Journalists in the Philippines Tolentino lights candles for media people killed in line of duty.

(NUJP) scholars who are mostly from the T hree years ag o in Ampatuan, BenignoAquino III assumed presidency. families of the Ampatuan-Maguindanao Maguindanao, armed henchmen massacred According to the IDEI web site, a massacre victims. Since the massacre, at least 58 people, including 32 media global network of press freedom advocates the NUJP has been assisting the victims’ workers, and, using a government-owned launched the IDEI on November 23 in backhoe, buried the victims in a mass time for the anniversary of the Ampatuan grave. That single event highlighted to massacre to intensify the campaigns for the the world “the brazen manner in which attainment of “justice for those persecuted human rights violations are committed in for exercising their right to freedom of the Philippines.” expression.” The IDEI aims to end the According to the National Union of “culture of impunity” that “exists when Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), those who seek to control the freedom of 154 journalists have been killed in the line expression of others do so knowing that it of duty since 1986. Fourteen of them is unlikely they will be held accountable for have been “silenced permanently” since their actions.”

Photo courtesy of Aly Suico, UP CMC Student Council

The College of Mass Communication (CMC) of UP Diliman (UPD) commemorated the third year of the Ampatuan massacre and the second year of the International Day to End Impunity (IDEI)last November 23.

Around 100 UP students and faculty members gathered at the Plaridel Hall to demand justice for the civilians and media workers murdered in Ampatuan, Maguindanao and elsewhere. Wearing black shirts, they vowed to help end what they call culture of impunity ailing Philippine society, stop media killings, and uphold press freedom. They lit three white candles and laid 58 white roses at the permanent marker inside the Bulwa ganngKalayaansaPamamahayag. During the indignation program, the UP Carillon bells pealed continuously in memory of the massacre victims.

CMC Dean Roland Tolentino insisted it is necessary to express outrage over what has been considered as the single deadliest attack on journalists as well as the continuing injustice under the present administration. Prof. Luis Teodoro read a statement calling on all educators and students to “participate in changing the media landscape, especially in a situation where the number of those killed continues to increase.” Prof. DaniloArao added that laws such as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10175) and other legislations on data privacy and right of reply also threaten freedom of expression and the press.

After representatives of various student organizations delivered their messages of solidarity, the group marched around the Academic Oval and joined the multisectoral“funeral march” to Malacañang.

From España Boulevard to Mendiola Bridge, a huge contingent of students, media workers, relatives and friends of the victims, and human rights advocates carried streamers and cardboard coffins bearing the names of victims of extrajudicial killings.

Photo by Jun Madrid

Fred Dabu

U.P. News 9

‘Impuni-Trees’ planted in UP Stephanie S. Cabigao

UP students, administrators, faculty members, and staff members, and various media and human rights advocates, alongside several mainstream media representatives, assembled in the morning of November 21 at the College of Mass Communication (CMC) in UP Diliman to plant symbolic “Impuni-Trees,” one on each side of the college’s entrance.

The trees signify the culture of impunity which as evidenced by a history of unresolved killings in the country.

The participants were welcomed by CMC Dean Rolando Tolentino.

A press conference followed at the CMC Auditorium. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism executive director Malou Mangahas reported that

“in 2012 alone there have been about 187 cases of impunity through violence committed mostly by state-parties in the10member states in the ASEAN.” Center for Community Journalism’s executive director Ipe Dapayo questioned why President Aquino during his keynote address at the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) assembly did not make mention of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill but instead, presented the law on the “Right of Reply,” which is considered by journalists as a form of “restraint.” Prof. Luis Teodoro described the “Right of Reply” law as a fundamental assault on the right to freedom of expression. He also lamented the fact that more than 150 suspects in the 2009 Ampatuan Massacre are still at large.

Of the five projects under the TORCH program, the Agulto administration is currently prioritizing several infrastructure projects. These are: (a) creation of a multistorey PE building; (b) construction of the UPM Torch Building at the old NEDA site in Padre Faura Street—this will house not only the administrative offices, but also a University Gymnasium and the new Sports Science & Wellness Center for the

students; (c) the Waste & Materials Recovery Project—both Sewage Treatment Facility Rehabilitation and Solid Waste Processing & Recovery Facility; (d) infrastructure development of the three UPM-School of Health Sciences in Leyte, Baler, and Koronadal; (e) UP Manila Museum—with on-going interior and curatorial work in the original building, and a modern threestorey background building which Senator Edgardo Angara pledged to support; (f) creation of the College of Arts & Sciences

A child participates in the pledge run against impunity.

family members aside from covering the on-going trials of the cases.

UP CMC Dean Rolando Tolentino gave a message of support to the fight against the culture of impunity, which victimizes not only people in media, but also indigenous peoples and others exposing anomalies to the public.

The CMC Student Council officers served as field marshals. Various other UPD student councils were also present, particularly from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, National College of Public Administration and Governance, College of Science, School of Economics, College of Fine Arts, and the College of Engineering.

The “March Against Impunity” was covered by several media partners: Business World World, GMA, Click the City.com, DZUP 1602, Where in Manila?, and RX 93.1. Sponsors included Smart, Master, Clear, Vaseline, Sunsilk, Rappler, Prints ETC, and Sofia Advertising.

10 U.P. News

Nov-Dec 2012

Neo-Liberalismo at wikang Filipino, tinalakay

UPD’s GE and the K-12: some scenarios She listed six expectations from a K+12 graduate. The first is to “produce all forms of texts (e.g. written, oral, visual, digital) based on solid grounding on Philippine experience and culture; an understanding of the self, community and the nation; competency in formulating ideas/arguments logically, scientifically and creatively; and clear appreciation of one’s responsibility as a citizen of a multicultural Philippines and a diverse world.”

The other expectations include: “ s y s t e m a t i c a l l y a p p l y k n ow l e d g e, understanding, theory and skills for the development of the self, local and global communities using prior learning, inquiry and experimentation; work comfortably with relevant technologies and develop adaptations and innovations for significant use in local and global communities; communicate with local and global communities with proficiency, orally, in writing and through new technologies of communication; and interact meaningfully in a social setting and contribute to the fulfillment of individual and shared goals, respecting the fundamental humanity of all persons and the diversity of groups and communities.”

With the lofty expectations, she however cautioned: “(T)hough the default is that they will come to us from the higher education stream, we actually could get students who are not from the higher ed(ucation) stream.

What we need to figure out is how we are going to help them make up for that.”

Ocampo briefly discussed what she called the “game changers” or drivers that impact on UPD’s GE program, such as national development and employment related matters; globalization; academic leadership and directions for the university; failures; and information and communication technologies.

She asked of UP’s GE programs: “May May Honor and Excellence ba dyan? Do we have the 21st century skills in there?

Are we a member of the ASEAN or not?

Do we have the global perspective in there?

Have we responded to the game changers of nationalism, globalization, the K+12 program?”

Noting that the university has “forgotten to emphasize technology,” she proposed that at least one unit of every syllabus in a GE course or program be delivered via web-based instruction and be assessed using the web.

Capping her presentation, she offered seven scenarios for the university to consider as regards the K+12 program.

CHK holds 1st National Sports Pedagogy Conference More than 400 physical education and sport science teachers, researchers, coaches, fitness instructors, athletes and students from various colleges and universities nationwide participated in the first National Conference on Sport Pedagogy organized by the UP College of Human Kinetics.

Officially endorsed by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the threeday conference titled “Pedagogical Trends and Approaches in Physical Education and Sports Science towards the 21st Century” was held from October 12 to 14 at the CHK Gym. It showcased the latest trends, issues and scientific approaches in teaching Physical

Education and featured seven plenary and 21 keynote sessions with more than 30 workshop activities from the areas of team and individual sports; and dance and fitness.

Among the guest speakers were Dr. Michael Babuin, member of the USA Table Tennis board of directors; and Fariba Ghavamzadeh Alrazavi, the International Table Tennis Federation’s technical expert and coach from Iran.

Chancellor Caesar Saloma and CHK Dean Ronualdo Dizer formally opened the program and welcomed the participants.

The event was supported by the Office of the UP President, Office >page 18

Bilang bahagi ng buwanan nitong Critical Pedagogy Lecture series, idinaos ng Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND-UP) sa pakikipagtulungan ng Sentro ng Wikang Filipino-UP Diliman (UP SWF), ang “Ang Filipino sa Labas ng Wika: Talakayan sa Neoliberalismo at Wikang Filipino” noong Nobyembre 27 sa Pulungang Claro M. Recto sa Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura (KAL).

Binigyang-diin sa talakayan ang mahigpit na ugnay ng wika at lipunan. Sa kanyang pambungad na pananalita, binanggit ni Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu, direktor ng UP SWF na “ang English teaching ay tinuturing na ring tourist attraction,” kaya mainam pagaralan ang wika labas sa disiplina ng wika.

Para naman kay Dr. Rolando Tolentino, dekano ng Kolehiyo ng Komunikasyong Pangmadla, transliterasyon ang salin mula Ingles patungong Filipino. Isa sa binangguit na halimbawa ni Tolentino ay ang “impunity,” isang salitang walang saktong katumbas sa wikang Filipino dahil wala tayong kulturang pinatutungkulan ng mga ganitong bagong wika o konsepto.

Para kay Tolentino, daluyan din ang wika ng kontra-gahum o counter-hegemony.

Ang naging mga tagapagsalita ay sina Dr. Gonzalo Campoamor at Prop. Melania Flores ng Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas (DFPP) ng KAL. Ang mga naging kritiko naman ay sina Dr. Ramon Guillermo ng DFPP at Dr. Ricardo Nolasco ng Departamento ng Linggwistiks.

Sa “Neo-Liberalismo at Pilosopiya ng Wika,” inilahad ni Campoamor ang tatlong “trend” sa Filipino o sa paghuhubog ng pambansang wika: ang Tagalog, ang Linggwistika at ang Pambansang Demokratikong kilusan sa wika. Sa “NeoLiberalismo at Palisi sa Wika” naman tinalakay ni Flores ang kaugnayan ng pagpaplanong wika at ng mga polisiya.

Binanggit niyang halimbawa ang pagtawag sa pagtaas sa matrikula bilang “tuition fee adjustment” at pagtawag sa Overseas Filipino Workers bilang “bagong bayani.”

Para kay Flores, hindi lamang salita ang wika, lalo sa panahong tila “patented” na ng Estados Unidos ang salitang “democracy.”

Kuha ni Bong Arboleda

No new freshmen will enter UP and other institutions of higher learning in the country from 2018-2019 as a result of the implementation of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) K-12 Program.

The K-12 Program (K-12) prescribes kindergarten and 12 years of basic education comprising six years in the primary level, four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school, according to the Official Gazette.

Other than this obvious outcome however, are other urgent concerns that have bearing on UPD’s General Education (GE) program that must be addressed even before the first batch of K-12 graduates arrive. These concerns were discussed at the UPD General Education Conference 2012 held from October 18 to 19 at the National Institute of Physics.

“We stand now at the threshold of change, especially with the implementation of the K+12 Program, the effects of which we will begin to feel in four short years. Planning and preparation in this regard should be carried out as soon as possible,” noted UPD Chancellor Caesar Saloma in a message read by Dr. Benito Pacheco, Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development.

Stressing the importance of the GE program, Saloma also pointed out that these GE courses “are crucial for laying the foundation for critical, creative and independent thinking necessar y for expertise.”

The K+12, on the other hand, seeks “to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle level-skills development and entrepreneurship.” Currently, Congress has assured that the K+12’s enabling law, House Bill 6643 or the Revised Education Reform Act of 2012, will be passed on its final reading in November, according to the Manila Bulletin.

“At the end of 12 grades, they are supposed to develop learners who are integrative, who are savvy with information, (have) media and technology skills, effective communication and life career skills,” Dr. Dina Ocampo said, reiterating the DepEd. The dean of the College of Education, Ocampo put the issue in clearer focus in the paper “K+12 and the UPD GE Program.”

Walking the participants through the K+12, Ocampo said there were four paths for graduates to choose from: higher education, middle skills development, entrepreneurship and direct employment.

Tinalakay ni Flores ang kaugnayan ng pagpaplano ng wika at ng mga palisiya.

The first scenario is to wait and see how the K+12 program goes. K+12 graduates are admitted using the UPCAT that will be redesigned to cover the K+12 standards, UPD offers the same degree programs and the total number of school years is from 17 to 18.

The second scenario is to gradually phase in the K+12 graduates by offering a Senior High School or a Junior College program.

In this scenario, UPD admits from the graduates of Grade 10 using the UPCAT in 2016 and Grade 11 in 2017. UPD keeps the degree programs as they are for a total of 16 to 18 years of schooling.

The third scenario is to admit at Grade 10 and grant a Liberal Arts degree after the GE program of two years. UP shortens degree programs by a year for a total of 16-17 years of schooling.

The fourth scenario seeks to ensure the quality of Grades 10 and 11 graduates with UPD offering a Senior High School or a Junior College program. The university admits from Grade 10 graduates using the UPCAT; degree programs are shortened by a year because UP has ensured the quality of Grade 11 and 12 for a total of 16-17 years of schooling.

The fifth scenario has several steps.

Scenario 5A is to admit at Grade 10 in 2016 and grant a Liberal Arts Associate degree after the GE program (two years) and shorten the degree programs to three years. UPD adopts an honors program for those qualified to enter into a second degree or an additional qualification for a straight

masters’ program (1 year). The total number of school years is from 16 to 18.

Scenario 5B is to admit at Grade 11 in 2017 into a shortened GE of one year then proceed to a shortened degree program of three years. UPD adopt an honors program for those qualified to enter into a second degree or an additional qualification for a straight masters’ program (1 year). The total number of school years is from 16 to 18.

Scenario 5C is to admit at Grade 12 in 2018 to a shortened GE of one year then proceed to a shortened degree program of three years to graduate. The graduate may proceed to a program to enter a second degree or an additional qualification or to a straight masters’ program for one year and then graduate. The total number of school years is from 17 to 19.

Scenario six proposes to use the career tracks of the K+12: plan the transition for years 2016 and 2017; revise the UPCAT to admit directly to the professions/disciplines such that there are desirable UPCAT profiles for the different degrees. The GE program covers one year while the degree program covers from three to four years for a total of 16 to 17 school years.

The final scenario is to trust the system.

UP admits from the graduates of Grade 12 using the adjusted UPCAT. UP shortens its degree programs by one year because of the ensured quality of Grades 11 and 12 for a total of 16-17 school years.

There will be no new freshmen for two years in the final scenario and the faculty members and Ocampo suggested that

page 14>

Nov-Dec 2012

U.P. News 11

UP Manila joins other health groups in pushing for sin tax bill’s approval The fight for a real sin tax bill is a fight for the lives of millions of Filipinos.

With this battle cry, officials, faculty, students, employees, and alumni of UP Manila led a huge assembly of health advocates representing different organizations, medical associations, and civil society in throwing strong support for Senator Franklin Drilon’s version of the sin tax bill and urging the senators to vote for the bill. The declaration was made in a forum held at the UP Manila Social Hall last November 15.

Classes in most colleges of UP Manila were suspended during the forum to enable students and employees to attend and voice their support. Together with doctors, nurses, and other health professionals, they vowed to join the march to the Senate to closely monitor the senators and see the bill to its final passage.

“Let me assure anyone that I will resist any effort to reduce the taxes on cigarettes because we believe this is the most effective

Warning Bill on cigarettes she is authoring with Drilon as co-author.

Apart from the increase in taxes, the other salient features of the bill are the removal of prize classification freeze, the implementation of unitary tax rates, and annual tax increases of 5% to ensure corresponding rate of prize increases of cigarettes to prevent them from getting cheaper with the consumers anticipated increase in income.

Asked on UPM’s role in the effective implementation of the bill, Drilon said that UP Manila can help in monitoring whether proceeds from the bill are actually spent on sectors where they are earmarked. The university can also help by continuing the conduct of researches on smoking and alcohol-related diseases and waging information and education campaigns.

To allay fears of tobacco farmers on possible loss of livelihood, Drilon explained that with almost 80% of tobacco land in Northern Luzon for export, the price increase will not affect them. In addition, the bill will grant tobacco farmers P6 billion so they can shift to alternative crops that are more profitable, such as onions, garlic, pepper, tomato, and eggplant. He added was succeeded by a twothat even before sin tax, the hectarage day basic acupuncture planted to tobacco in Northern Luzon training facilitated by had been reduced to 10% during the last acupuncturist Wilfredo 5-12 years.

Apinado. Participants UPM College of Dentistry Dean were expected to do Vicente Medina also urged Senators Drilon actual acupuncture and Pia towards the end of the Cayetano to include the provision of training, Apinado said. dental health services in the forthcoming Barangay UP implementation of UHC. Campus Councilor Before the forum ended, the health Ana Falcon and overall champions and advocates signed a manifesto Barangay UP Campus pressing for vigilance in monitoring the People’s Organization progress of the bill and warning the senators President Jun Cr uz that they are being closely watched. The awarded certificates manifesto declared: “This is a war against of attendance to the dangerous products and deadly decisions. participants.

As caregivers, it is our duty to inform and November has defend our people and country, and today been celebrated since show our strength and fight back.”

2004 as the Traditional The signatories join other supporters and Alternative of the bill in pledging not to vote for Health Care Month politicians who promote deadly products through Presidential and defend the interests of the tobacco Proclamation No.698. and alcohol companies. Apart from UP Its declaration was Manila and the Philippine General Hospital, based on the 1997 health organizations represented in the T r a d i t i o n a l a n d Participants prepare samples of medicinal plants. forum were, the Department of Health, Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA), which “aims to not only develop traditional and alternative health Philippine Heart Association, Philippine improve the quality and delivery of health care integrated into the national health care Medical Association, Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine College of care services to all Filipinos, but also to delivery system.”

Chest Physicians, Philippine Society of Hypertension, Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society, Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Philippine Association for the Study of food-borne illness in of Overweight and Obesity, Philippine their establishments.

Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philippine The lectures that Neurological Association, Philippine were given covered good Pediatrics Society, Philippine Society of manufacturing practices, Gastroenterology, Philippine Society of cross-contamination, Oncology, Stroke Society of the Philippines, proper hand-washing, Academy of Family Physicians, Philippine personal hygiene, and College of Surgeons, Philippine Academy proper cleaning and of Family Physicians, Philippine Society of sanitizing of one’s Head and Neck Surgery, Philippine College workspace. of Geriatric Medicine, Philippine Dental The training course Association, Association of Philippine was grouped into four Medical Colleges, Philippine Association categories namely: frozen of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, meat products, bakery products, indigenous Food handlers of indigenous food products learn new skills in safe Health Action Information Network, Manila Doctors Hospital, Action for food products, and fish food handling practices. given a certificate which they can post on Economic Reforms, University of the products with about 30 their establishments. (With sources from the East Ramon Magsaysay, Research Institute different participants in each session.

Those who completed the course were School of Technology) >page 18 way to save lives, moving it to a level where they will be beyond the reach of the poor and the youth,” Drilon, the interim chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee declared.

Compared to Senator Ralph Recto’s watered down version, the bill was described as a “good compromise” that, according to UP Manila College of Medicine professor Dr. Antonio Dans would lead to 2.2 million Filipino smokers to quit and save 66,000 Filipinos from smoking-related diseases.

It would generate P28.8 billion in excise tax revenues from cigarettes that will be earmarked for the health sector: P13.3 billion for the PhilHealth coverage of an additional 5.2 million indigent families and P10 billion for additional hospitals, researches, and anti-smoking information campaigns.

Dr. Dans lamented that 240 Filipinos were dying daily because of smokingrelated diseases which means more than

87,000 of annual deaths due to lung cancer, stroke, heart attack, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. For these four smoking and alcohol-related diseases, the government spends about P188.8 billion a year. “We’ll never get this opportunity again to save 42,000 more lives in one fell swoop,” referring to the additional number of Filipinos who will be saved if Drilon’s version is passed, as compared to Recto’s version that projects only 24,000 lives to be saved. “We will never get the chance to show that we are able to provide healthcare to Filipinos regardless of their ability to pay,” the noted cardiologist stated.

“This is a health bill more than a fiscal, revenue measure,” said Drilon as he asked for continued support from the health workers during hearings. He was joined later by Senator Pia Cayetano, chair of the Senate Health Committee, in expressing support for the measure as well as others pending legislation, such as the Reproductive Health bill and the Graphics

UPD celebrates Traditional and Alternative Health Care Month Stephanie S. Cabigao

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Cabigao

A multi-stakeholders’ dialogue by the people’s organizations (POs) of Barangay UP Campus featured an herbal medicine and acupuncture training program, as part of their month-long celebration of the Traditional and Alternative Health Care Month.

The training program resulted from a partnership of the POs with the local government of Barangay UP Campus, the UP Diliman (UPD) Office of Community Relations (OCR) and the UPD Health Service (UHS). The Health and Wellness Program and Acupuncture Training was launched last November 6 at the UPD Public Health Conference Hall.

The inauguration was attended by UHS representatives Dr. Jesusa Catabui, UHS director, and Public Health Unit Nurse Grace Santos; OCR Community Development Officers Nelin Estocado, Lara Castillo and Dennis Raymundo; and Barangay UP Campus Chairwoman Isabelita Gravides.

The three-day training was attended by 23 participants mostly volunteers from the 17 areas of Barangay UP Campus, and some UHS nurses.

The herbal medicine training on day one featured ways to prepare the malunggay plant according to necessity and function. It

UPV SoTech conducts course on food sanitation and hygiene In order to provide safe and hygienic food for Iloilo City, the School of Technology (SoTech) of UP Visayas (UPV) conducted a “Basic Course on Food Sanitation and Hygiene for Food Handlers” from October 22 to 25 at the 5th floor of the multipurpose hall of the new Iloilo City Hall building. The activity was organized in collaboration with the UPV Office of Continuing Education and Pahinungod.

Prior to the week-long course, some SoTech faculty members, led by Dean Emeliza Lozada, met with the Sanitary Inspectors of Iloilo City last October 5 who assisted them in identifying food handlers who are interested in gaining additional knowledge, awareness, and skills in safe food handling practices and in reducing the risk

Photo courtesy of UPV-IPO

Lyncen M. Fernandez

12 U.P. News

Nov-Dec 2012

UPV holds seminarworkshop on culture in gender, development

BALITANG UNYON Petisyon para sa Kagyat na Promosyon ng Faculty, REPS at Kawani ng UP Ibinigay na sa Administrasyong PAEP Ipinadala na ng All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) sa opisina ng Administrasyong PAEP ang daan-dang pirma ng mga faculty, staff at kawani mula sa iba’t ibang Constituent Unit (CU) ng UP na sumusuporta sa panawagan ng AUPAEU na magsagawa na nang kagyat ang administrasyon ng “call for promotion.”

N a n i n i w a l a a n g AU PA E U n a napapanahon na ang pagsasagawa ng naturang promosyon bago pa ipatupad sa darating na taong 2013 ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ang National Payroll System (NPS). Sa ilalim ng NPS ay diretso nang manggagaling ang pagpapasahod sa mga empleyado ng gobyerno mula sa sentral na pamahalaan.

Dulot nito’y wala nang makukuhang pondo ang UP mula sa mga unfilled items at “slacks” na mga item. (May “slack” ang isang item kapag mas mababa ang salary grade ng nakaupo dito kaysa sa totoong nakasaad na salary grade para sa item.) Dating ginagamit ang “labis” na pondong ito ng UP para sa iba’t ibang gastusin sa pagpapatakbo ng pamantasan tulad ng sweldo ng kontraktwal at pagbayad sa mga bayarin sa kuryente at

The University Center for Women Studies (UCWS) in cooperation with the UP Visayas (UPV)-Iloilo Gender and Development Program (GDP), conducted a creative pedagogy seminarworkshop titled, “Engaging Culture in UP Gender and Development (GAD) Programs” from October 22 to 26 at the Training Room 1, Graduate and Continuing Education Building, UPVIloilo City.

Wilson Billones and Marichu Belarmino of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) facilitated the workshop, which aimed to provide a venue for deepening knowledge, skills and attitudes of the participants on the use of creative arts, particularly in theater, in teaching and promoting gender equality and women’s rights. The workshop also aimed to produce plans, programs, and innovative processes that can complement the university thrust of promoting gender-responsive curriculum and programs, incorporating local cultural and historical treasures of the region.

Seventeen participants from the different UP constituent units attended the seminar-workshop.

For exposure and interaction, there was a visit to women organizations that engage in livelihood activities in the different barangays in Oton, Iloilo.

These include Barangays Salngan, Abilay Sur, Lambuyao, and Botong where women groups engage in weaving, constructing gowns from recycled materials, bags and hats from empty juices packs rags, and potholders from recycled cloth.

Kuha ni Jun Madrid

Ana Razel L. Ramirez

tubig. Mawawala sa UP ang mga halagang ito kapag ganap nang ipinatupad ang NPS. Ito ang konteksto ng panawagan ng AUPAEU para sa kagyat na promosyon. Tinataya na umaabot ito ng mga P235M sa UP Diliman at P300M sa UP Los Baños. Sapat na sapat na ang ganitong halaga para sa promosyon ng mga faculty, kawani at REPS na matagal nang hindi nakakatikim ng promosyon sa kabila ng kanilang makabuluhang ambag at tapat na serbisyo sa Unibersidad.

Kasalukuyang hinihintay ng AUPAEU ang tugon ng Administrasyong PAEP sa mungkahing ito.

SRP@60: Forum Hinggil sa SRP at Regularization Isinagawa Matagumpay na naglunsad ang All UP Workers Union (AUPWU) at AUPAEU ng isang joint forum nitong nakaraang Disyembre 5 hinggil sa usapin ng pagpapababa ng edad ng pag-avail ng Service Recognition Pay (SRP) sa 60 taon.

Dumalo ang maraming kawani mula sa iba’t ibang opisina ng pamantasan upang makinig at makipagtalakayan.

Ibinahagi ng Pambansang Pangulo ng AUPWU na si Felix Pariñas ang kanyang pangkalahatang pagsusuri ng pambansang sitwasyon sa empleyo, kawalan ng trabaho at kontraktwalisasyon. Pinalamnan niya ng datos ang kanyang pananaw hinggil sa

Ang rally ng All-UP Workers Union sa Quezon Hall noong Nobyembre 22 kung saan hiniling ang pagpapadismis sa dating dekano ng UP Cebu College, Prop. Enrique Avila, kasama ang budget officer na si Alsidy Sharif at consultant na si Ernesto Pineda.

OSA organizes Pagpanghinun-anun

Lyncen M. Fernandez

Photo courtesy of UPV-IPO

“There is no English equivalent to really capture this Ilonggo word. You may say consultation but it means more than this.

If I may translate it, it would mean, ‘to consider what others think, feel and believe before acting on something,’ ” says Prof.

Ruben Gamala, director of the UP Visayas Office of the Student Affairs (UPV-OSA) during the paghinun-anun with the students last November 21 at the audiovisual hall of the Pidlaoan Building, UPV Miagao campus.

University Council Chair Jonathan Students discuss UPV-related issues and concerns.

Anna Mones, OIC-University Librarian, Gonzales encouraged his fellow students medical emergency cases.

Dr. Ma. Cecilia Villaruz of the Health explained that the library is constantly to take the opportunity to raise issues and concerns that affect their welfare and well- Services Unit (HSU) Villaruz said that they pursuing improvement of library services. will try to improve on medical instruments The need to file for permits to use being. but budgetary constraints prevent the HSU facilities such as the covered court for One of the issues and concerns raised bona fide students was questioned. Yunque was medical services. Some suggested that from giving more free medicines.

Prof. Jose Go, University Registrar, explained that filing permits prevents UPV ambulance be used to fetch UPV students who live outside the campus; better presented the proposal of the staggered chaos. Esterlina Gamez, OIC Chief of instruments for basic medical services such increase of graduation fees from its current the Auxiliary Services Office in charge of as suturing be made more available; and rate of P300 to P900 in 2013, and finally processing permits, advised the students free medicines be expanded to more than P1,200 in 2014. He pointed out that the to file permit applications at least a week fees have not been increased for the past before the event. mefenamic acid.

Issues and concerns raised in the Vice-Chancellor for Administration 22 years. It was decided that it would be Paghinun-anun at the Iloilo City campus Nestor Yunque said that lack of dormitories studied further.

The bracketing of the STFAP received by the College of Management students forced students live outside of the campus, and so the administration can be more the most number of questions from the include the increase in the graduation fees, flexible on the use of the ambulance. students and clarifications were made by the STFAP bracketing, the “red-tagging” Gamala added that OSA is coming up with Marites Geonanga, Scholarship Affairs of students, and the alumni parking their cars in the Iloilo City campus. guidelines on the use of the ambulance for Officer of the OSA.

pangangailangang maging mapagbantay sa mga iskemang kontraktwalisasyon.

Ang Pambansang Pangulo naman ng AUPAEU na si Ramon Guillermo ay tumalakay sa ipinalulutang na ideya sa mga System-wide Faculty Conference na isinagawa ng Administrasyong PAEP hinggil sa “tenureless track” sa hanay ng faculty.

Ipinaliwanag niya na naiiba ang pakahulugan ng bagong mungkahing ito sa mga “nontenure track position” na dati nang nakasaad sa manual na Shaping Our Institutional Future (2004). Batay sa pagpapaliwanag sa ideya ng “tenureless track” sa mga faculty conference, nangangahulugan ito ng pagbabago o paglalansang ng kasalukuyang sistemang “Up or Out” sa pagbibigay ng tenure. Maihahalintulad ito sa nagaganap sa USA na paglalansag sa sistema ng tenure sa pamamagitan ng pagsasakontraktwal na sa kasalukuyan ng mahigit 75 porsyento ng mga guro sa mga Unibersidad doon.

Ang Pambansang Pangkalahatang Kalihim naman ng AUPAEU na sa Peye Raña ay masinsinang nagpaliwanag hing gil sa nakikita niyang magiging epekto ng pagpapababa ng pag-avail ng SRP sa edad na 60 sa tindi at tantos ng kontraktwalisasyon ng mga kawani na magaganap sa Unibersidad. Bagama’t inilinaw niya na may kalayaan at karapatan ang sinumang magpasya na magretiro nang mas maaga, idiniin niya na ang mga naiwang item ay hindi na lalagyan ng mga regular na empleyado at papalitan na ng mga kontraktwal. Magkakaroon ito ng negatibong epekto sa pangkalahatang operasyon ng UP, pagsama sa kondisyon ng empleyo dito at pangkalahatang paghina ng nagkakaisang lakas ng unyonismo.

Nagkaisa ang mga dumalo sa forum na pag-aralan ang pagpapalawak ng mga kondisyong pangkalusugan para maka-avail nang mas maaga ng SRP, paglulunsad ng mas marami pang mga forum at pagpapaliwanag sa isyu, at pagsusulong ng regularisasyon ng mga kontraktwal sa buong Unibersidad.

Tutulan ! Pagpapababa ng PEI mula P10K Patungong P5K Mapanlinlang ang mga ibinandila sa mga pambansang pahayagan at press release ng gobyernong Noynoy Aquino nitong nakaraan na sa pamamagitan ng tinatawag na Performance-based Bonus (PBB) ay tataas ang matatanggap na halaga ng mga empleyado sa gobyerno ngayong Pasko. Diumano ay makakatang gap daw ang bawat isa ng P35K. Dahilan itong ginagamit upang mapatanggap sa mga kawani ng pamahalaan ang masakit na pagpapababa ng PEI mula P10K patungong P5K. Tutal tataas din naman daw ang kabuuang matatanggap nila sa kabuuan dahil sa PBB. Ang unang mali sa ganitong balita ay ang mga nakasaad sa mismong mga guideline sa implementasyon ng PBB. Ayon dito ay sampung porsyento lamang ng pinakamatataas ang rating (Best) na mga ahensya ng pamahalaan ang makakaasang makatanggap ng PBB. At, dagdag pa, sa mga piling-piling ahensyang ito ay ay sampung porsyento lamang ang sa mga pinakamatataas ang rating na kawani ang makatatanggap ng ibinabandilang P35K. Samakatwid ay binawasan ang PEI ng mga kawani at ginawang piling-pili lamang ang makakatanggap ng mga halaga ng PBB upang lalo pang baratin ng pamahalaan ang mga nahihirapan ng mga manggawa sa pampublikong sektor. Masasabing sa kabuuan ay iskema lamang ito ng pagtitipid ng pamahalaan na mangangahulugan ng pagbabawas ng mga benepisyong natatanggap ng mga empleyado nito.

P10K, hindi P5K na PEI, Ngayon Na !

Nov-Dec 2012

Democratic access in UP debated and Community Development Prof. John Erwin Bañez, and Student Regent Cleve Kevin Robert Arguelles. They were asked the question, “Pangmayaman na lang ba ang UP?” the third topic in the TWSC’s forum series “Ang Tama ba sa UP, tama rin sa bayan?”

President Alfredo Pascual attended the forum and answered most questions during the open forum.

According to Franco, UP’s admissions process has been a constant effort to balance equity and excellence considerations.

“We need to get the best students and to implement that is to give an exam.

But students may be disadvantaged [in terms of examinations] because of their

Photo by Bong Arboleda

University administrators, faculty members, researchers and students gave different perspectives and answers to the question whether UP has instituted adequate measures to ensure democratic access to it, in a forum organized by the UP Third World Studies Center last November 14 at Pulungang Claro M. Recto in UP Diliman (UPD) in cooperation with the Office of the Vice-President for Public Affairs and the UPD College of Social Sciences and Philosophy.

The resource speakers were Admissions Director Gerald Pio Franco, former UPD Office of Scholarships and Student Services officer-in-charge Richard Philip Gonzalo, UPD College of Social Work

President Pascual and Regent Arguelles exchange views on the issue of democratic access in UP.

One UP Disaster... <page 3

Analysis Laboratory (NSRI-DAL), and other colleges, discussed what UP Diliman has to offer. Officials from UP Los Baños, UP Manila, UP Visayas, UP Mindanao, UP Baguio, and UP Cebulikewise presented their respective campus situationers and DRRM efforts.

In the afternoon session, participants of the three concurrent workshop groups discussed specific tasks and protocols that need to be institutionalized by a university DRRM organization. Delegates also identified existing and prospective DRRM capacity-building programs for both UP and the various communities the university aims to serve.

Pa r t i ci p a n ts i n cl u d e D r.

MaharLagmay and Dr. Carlo Arcilla of NIGS, Dr. Eric Talens of PahinungodUP Manila, Dr. Raquel Fortun of College of Medicine, UP Manila, Dr. Ma. Corazon de Ungria of NSRI-DAL, Dr. Emmanuel M. Luna of CSWCD, and other members of the UP taskforce who have been assisting Mindanao communities after typhoon Sendong hit the country last December 2011.

UP Padayon, the public service office of UP under the Office of the Vice-President for Public Affairs, was created to “coordinate and mobilize the resources of the university in responding promptly and efficiently to the demands of public service and develop relevant networking and support from the different ‘publics’ of the University.”

Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

background, so we try to introduce equity factors,” Franco said. One way to level the playing field has been to increase the percentage of the exam questions that measure aptitude, opposite achievement.

“Aptitude-based [exams] also cancels the advantage of review classes [that only a few can afford]. Maganda ring ipamalita ito,” Franco continued.

Ensuring democratic access also involved increasing the number of test centers and waiving exam fees for the top 10 of a public high school and for applicants whose family income is less than P100,000.

Franco believes that when it comes to the UP College Admissions Test (UPCAT), the playing field is level. But the results are constantly being monitored, and seeing the trend of less and less qualifiers from the barrio and barangay high schools, the office is conducting reviews to determine if the democratic access measures in UPCAT are adequate.

Gonzalo mentioned cases of students not having to pay a single centavo to pay for their UP education as a result of availing all scholarship programs within and outside the university. However, he did admit to the difficult processes of availing these services, the most difficult of which according to him is the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP).

One of his suggestions to make STFAP friendlier is for it to defer its verification

UPOU conducts 2nd & 3rd RTD on the ‘Openness’ of Open Universities The UP Open University (UPOU) conducted its second and third of the round-table discussion (RTD) series on “The Openness of Open Universities” last October 9 and November 8 at the Sandbox, the meeting lounge located at the CCDL Building, and the UPOU Oblation Hall.

The second RTD focused on two issues related to opening up educational possibilities to a wider audience—open admissions and accreditation of prior learning.

Dr. Maria Mercedes “Ched” Arzadon, program chair for the Bachelor of Education Studies, delivered “Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Models and Frameworks.”

She tackled the different models abroad and in the Philippines, particularly the Extended Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).

She also tackled the problems encountered in the implementation of RPL. She ended her discussion with a quote from John Dewey: “The beginning of instruction shall be made with the experience learners already have… this experience and the capacities that have been developed during its course provide the starting point for all further learning (1938).”

The second speaker was Dr. Ricardo Bagarinao, associate professor of the Faculty of Education and current UPOU University Registrar. In his presentation, “Open Admissions: Rethinking the Use of Admission Criteria in Degree Programs,” he defined open admission as the “unselective and non-competitive college admission process.” He also discussed the guiding principles of open admissions, the practices involved in the United States and in the United Kingdom, the downside of open admissions, and the admission process at

U.P. News 13

the UPOU. The Faculty of Education (FEd) and the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) co-organized the third round-table discussion, which focused on open curriculum and multiple entries/ exits.

In Prof. Cesar Luna’s presentation, “Multiple Entries/Exits and Open Cur ricula: Can These Improve My Program?” he tackled the Multiple Entry Continuum, using the curriculum structures of the Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management and the Master of Land Valuation and Management programs as examples. He also discussed the differences of conventional learning versus alternative learning. The Open Curriculum Continuum was also defined and Prof. Luna explained its possible implementation in the UPOU setting.

Through patched video conference via Skype, Prof. Marie-Sol Hidalgo delivered her presentation, “An Exploration of Open Curriculum in the Context of Social Transformation.” Hidalgo delved in the “communities of practices” where the community creates knowledge through practice and common habits and methodologies. Education is a means for initiating individuals to a community of practice; and the curriculum is considered as a codified knowledge.

She also defined the open curriculum and its structure in her presentation with sample curricula from Open Educational Resources (OER) Universities for reference.

Attendees were composed of faculty members from the three faculty offices and some REPS and administrative staff members. ((Anna Anna MEF Cañas-Llamas Cañas-Llamas))

and correction for later. After all, he said, there is a system of accountability in place. He also recommended a less centralized and lower-level manner of approving applications and appeals to unclog bottlenecks in the approval, among other reform measures. Later in the open forum, Gonzalo would cite eUP as a major development toward improving service delivery to students, which is expected to become more streamlined and simpler.

Bañez also highlighted the tedious process of the STFAP and the insufficient scholarships available and repeated the call for easier, shorter and more accessible processes of availing these.

Arguelles argued that the demographics of UP students becoming wealthier is a reflection of deteriorating public education, which UP should also address.

He pointed out that if UP is not for the rich, then it should actively work to accept and make leaders of the poor. Arguelles cited instances that even without qualifying for UPCAT, students accepted through extension programs such as the UP Manila School of Health Sciences pass licensure exams, “because UP provides the best training. So there is merit in prioritizing equity considerations.”

He also scored the university for policies mimicking those in commercialized/private education such as not allowing students to enroll without having to settle accounts first. “Sa UPD, kelangan magbayad ng balance bago maka-enroll. Sa UP [Manila] di na pwede ang late payment. Di na babasahin ang sulat. Sa UP [Los Baños] bawal ang promissory note sa student loan.”

Arguelles said the benefits from STFAP and other scholarships are generally not enough to sustain a poor student.

“May increase pa sa laboratory fees.” He regretted that STFAP had veritably gone down to the level of “witch-hunting” through re-bracketing.

“Bawal ang mahirap sa UP,” he concluded.

Reacting to the general sentiment of UP not living up to its mandate of ensuring democratic access, Pascual pointed out that the university is considering a lot of measures but are encumbered by great difficulties. He agreed with Arguelles about the problematic state of public basic education in the country, which would necessitate initiatives from local and national government leaders.

However, Pascual clarified that UP no longer has the sole burden of providing college education to the poor, because there are now a multitude of state colleges and universities. “UP has shifted to leadership in higher education, which involves lifting the other public and even private institutions in our country to a level that will reach the same quality as in UP.” As national university, UP has the mandate to make research, increase graduate students, and make leaders.

Nonetheless, Pascual reported the review being made on the UPCAT and the STFAP. “Hopefully mahabol natin ang changes sa STFAP by the next [Board of Regents] meeting. Immediately, we want to broaden the range of E1 and E2,” he said.

But he defended the re-bracketing citing the need to change a system that encourages our students to be dishonest. “When I came in [as president], our parking lots were bursting with student-driven vehicles.

How many were in Bracket A? Less than a hundred. [But] how many applied for car stickers? More than a thousand,” Pascual noted.

14 U.P. News

Nov-Dec 2012

Asian Center celebrates Diliman Month 2013 with multiple events The Asian Center of UP Diliman will celebrate UP Diliman Month, and the National Arts Month with a series of important events.

The first event is the “Festival of India” to be held on February 2, presenting India to local residents first through the Ratha

Yatra Parade, in which elaborate chariots containing gods will be drawn along the Academic Oval from 8-10AM. The parade will be led by Janananda Maharaja and officials from UP and the Embassy of India.

Afterwards, the formal inauguration

of the festival and other events will be at the GT-Toyota Auditorium of the Asian Center, starting with a lecture on “Karma and Reincarnation” by Giridhari Swami at 11AM; followed by free vegetarian lunch at 12:30; Indian classical dance at 1:30PM

by Priya Khanna; Kirtan yoga music by

UPV holds IP and faculty expertise audit Lyncen M. Fernandez Photo courtesy of UPV-IPO

An international research university with an entrepreneurial mindset is what UP should be, according to Atty.

Elizabeth Pulumbarit, UP Legal Counsel, during the “Intellectual Properties and Faculty Expertise Audit” held last November 5 at the Interactive Learning Center, UP Visayas (UPV) Miagao campus.

She emphasized, h owe ve r, t h a t e ve n i f U P d e ve l o p s a n entrepreneurial spirit, it Faculty members and researchers discuss how to best describe their expertise. must never compromise with products and services, coming up with Pulumbarit was accompanied by Dr. its mandate as an academic institution.

IP policies on commercialization, and doing Roy Tumlos, Project Development Officer Pulumbarit briefly reviewed various IP protection and enforcement. of the Office of the Vice-President laws governing intellectual property Part two of the IP audit was briefing for Development, Dr. Susan Festin, rights (IPR) and UP’s Revised Intellectual the faculty members and researchers on the Project Development Assistant (PDA) for Property Rights Policy. She also explained importance of a more detailed description Computer Science, Dr. Sonia Jacinto, PDA that the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO) under of their expertise. They were made to fill for Biology, and Dr. Junie Billones, PDA the Office of the Vice-President for up forms for this prior to the event. The for Chemistry.

The UPV Office of the Vice-Chancellor Development manages the intellectual information will be pooled in a system-wide electronic database as part of UP’s directory for Planning Development coordinated the property of UP by conducting IP assets event for the TTBDO. inventory and valuation, matching of IP of experts.

UPD’s major infra projects in full swing

<page 10

UPD’s Science and Engineering complexes are the new campus landmarks, but many other infrastructure projects are quietly but vividly changing the landscape.

Some P250 million in construction projects have been allocated to UPD by members of the House of Representatives and the Senate and implemented with the assistance of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Projects range from the rehabilitation of classrooms to the construction of entire buildings.

Just this year, renovation works were made in the Colleges of Education, National College of Public Administration (NCPAG), Human Kinetics and Engineering. Vinzon’s Hall, Kamia Residence Hall, the UP Women’s Center and the Carillon Plaza also underwent rehabilitation.

Even with all the construction going on, UPD is also keen on making campus roads just as well cared for. Muchneeded improvements were done on key thoroughfares on campus. National roads C.P. Garcia and University Avenues were widened and reblocked, respectively, and campus roads like Magsaysay, are being repaved with concrete and are having sidewalks widened, while Osmeña and Roxas Avenues have been given a fresh asphalt overlay. Even the minor roads inside Pook Ricarte, Pook Palaris and Pook Dagohoy underwent needed maintenance.

Several more projects are in store for 2013, the most high-profile of which

faculty members “can go on sabbatical leave by batch.” The last scenario was the best received by the audience.

Other speakers at the two-day conference were Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu, director of Sentro ng Wikang Filipino who presented the paper “The UPD GE Program and the UPD Language Policy” and Dr. Ma. Cristina Padolina, president of Centro Escolar University who presented “The CHED GE Program.”

Specific GE concerns were raised

by Prof. Benjamin Vallejo Jr. (Science, Technology and Society: Challenges and Opportunities), Prof. Flaudette May Datuin (Aesthetic Literacy and Changing Education Paradigms); Professors Benito Pacheco and Mark Albert Zarco (Mainstreaming Disaster Mitigation, Adaptation and Preparedness Strategies through the General Education Program); Prof. Lalaine Yanilla-Aquino (What GE Teachers can Glean from UPCAT Results: Lessons Learned and Insights Gained from the Reading and Language Tests); and Prof. Fidel Nemenzo (Math and GE: Why is Mathematics Part of Liberal Education?).

The conference was organized by a committee comprising officers under the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and faculty from the colleges of Engineering, Home Economics, Science and Social Sciences and Philosophy. Prof.

Portia Padilla, director of the Office of Instruction, emceed the proceedings. —Chi A. Ibay reprinted from upd.edu.phh with permission from UPDIO

is the first phase of UPD’s Olympicsize pool, enabled through the efforts of Representative Feliciano Belmonte Jr. The groundbreaking ceremonies are scheduled for January 2013. Representative Fatima Aliah Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte’s 2nd District is generously supporting the construction of a new auditorium for the College of Architecture, to be finished by the end of 2013. Construction of the Law Forum at the Law Complex, facilitated by Senator Miriam Santiago in 2012, is still ongoing. Various renovation works are also scheduled for the colleges of Law and NCPAG through Belmonte and Senators Pia Cayetano and Trillanes. The projects were coursed through the Project Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Members of the UPD administration and officials of the DPWH came together in a luncheon meeting hosted by UPD Chancellor Caesar Saloma at the Balay Tsanselor on November 14. Representing DPWH at the meeting were District Engineer Ramon Devanadera, and Engrs. Benedict Diamat and Art Gonzales from the DPWH Quezon City 2nd Engineering District. Belmonte was represented by his chief of staff, Margie Santos-Roa. The other UPD officials were Vice-Chancellor for Community Affairs Melania Flores, CMO OIC Alden Aynera, Engr. Omar Marzan from the Office of the Campus Architect and Diliman Information Office Director Maureen Anne Araneta.— AKR reprinted from upd.edu.phh with permission from UPDIO

UPD’s GE and...

Giridhari Swami and the Kirtan Ras Band at 2PM; vegetarian cooking demonstration

by Mahendra das and Gokula Candra das at 3PM; and yoga classes by Gokula Candra das at 4PM. All events are open to the public, and participation in classes and demonstrations are on a first come-first served basis.

“Festival of India” is co-organized by the South Asia Program of the Asian Center and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). For details on “Festival of India,” kindly contact Radhalila devi dasi at mobile No. 0917-8378176, or landline No. 896-3357; and Sridama dasa at mobile no. 0917-8210951, or landline no.

238-5258.

On Febr uar y 12, the exhibition “Reimag[in]ing the Nation: Sulu Sojourns,” co-curated by Dr. Reuben Ramas Cañete and Dr. MCM Santamaria will be opened at the ASEAN Hall of the GT-Toyota Hall of Wisdom, Asian Center. The exhibition is the result of an exhausting analysis of the slide collection of the Asian Center, which originated from the Martial Lawera Philippine Center for Advanced Study (PCAS). Back then, the institution was heavily supported by the Marcos regime in documenting Filipino traditional culture, as well as the understanding of Asian foreign affairs in order to assist the government in establishing pivotal relations with the Peoples Republic of China; as well as in the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Images dealing with the Sulu Archipelago and its peoples, particularly the Sama Badjao seafaring peoples, were chosen from this vast photo archive to feature the most “marginal” of the marginal peoples of Mindanao, the so-called sea gypsies and their unique culture as documented by photographers in the 1970s. The exhibition is the result of a collaborative effort under the Creative Works Grant of the Office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and shall run from February 13 to April 30.

For details on this exhibition, kindly call the Asian Center at tel. 981-8500, local 3580.

On February 26, the exhibition titled “Bulul: Guardians of the Highland Harvest,” co-curated by Dr. Reuben Ramas Cañete and Dr. Joaquin Palencia will be opened at the Philippines Hall of the GT-Toyota Hall of Wisdom, Asian Center. This exhibition will feature 20 “named bululs,” or sculpted spirit guardians of the Ifugao that usually watch over rice fields and granaries that are currently in the collection of the ABEM Museum. This exhibition will feature the relationship between belief, art, and the rituals of rice-growing and storage that is central to the life and culture of the proud Ifugao peoples, who are famed for their rice terraces that cling to rugged mountainsides of the Gran Cordilera in Northern Luzon.

The exhibition opening will be highlighted by a blessing ritual among mumbaki (religious elders) to welcome these sacred bulul to the venue. The exhibition will be on display from February 26 to April 30.

On closing day, the book documenting the exhibit pieces and their relationship to Ifugao society and culture, written by cocurator Dr. Joaquin Palencia, will be launched at the exhibition venue. “Bulul: Guardians of the Highland Harvests” is presented by the Asian Center, the ABEM Museum, the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples, the Lone Congressional District of Ifugao, and the Provincial Government of Ifugao. For details, kindly contact the Asian Center at tel. no. 920-3535. ((Press Press release release))

Nov-Dec 2012

2012 Davao Writers Workshop held Rene Estremera

U.P. News 15

23rd conference on West Visayan history, culture held

Photos by Dominique Cimafranca, et al

Eliodora L. Dimzon

Seated from left to right are panelists Cruz and Bengan, Vice-Chancellor Calag; keynote speaker Reyes, and panelists Tiu, De Veyra, and De Ungria, with workshop fellows behind them.

The Davao Writers Guild, in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and UP Mindanao (UPMin), held the 4th Davao Writers Workshop from October 15 to 19 in Davao City.

UPMin professor and workshop director Ricardo de Ungria described the workshop as a success, with 15 fellows selected from a record total of 62 applicants.

Welcome remarks were given by UPMin Vice-Chancellor for Administration Vicente Calag. Keynote speaker Lina Sagaral Reyes

shared with the “youthful crop of writers grown on the rich soil of Mindanao cultures” her “four fragments on the writing life,” which she enumerated as, to “choose whether to go slow or hurry up,” to “immerse oneself in the worlds of other writers,” to “say it in your own words,” and to “find a way home where you develop context for a life.”

The panelists for the 2012 workshop were UPMin faculty members Jhoanna Lynn Cruz, Antonino Salvador de Veyra, and John Bengan, with Davao-based

writer Macario Tiu, and guest writer Lina Sagaral Reyes. The fellows for poetry were Jan Vaughnce Yrish Plaza, Melona Grace Mascariñas, Nasseth Macla, Peachy Cleo Dehino, and Arian Tejano. The fellows for fiction were Joy Montecalvo, Kenneth Ballena, Rolly Jude Ortega, Romulo Vinci Bueza, and Ruthlyn Hinampas-Sumandang.

The fellows for creative nonfiction were Doreen Mae Alolod, Gracielle Deanne Tubera, Karen Kae Ferraz Dicdican, Marc Josiah Lapus Pranza, and Marlouzel Mabunga.

UPV launches Locsin-Nava’s latest book Eliodora L. Dimzon

printing the novel in book form, which was sold to homesick Ilonggos abroad for two dollars a copy by a local entrepreneur.

An exotic blend of history, legend, romance and epic, Margosatubig deals with the struggles of a young, talismanned Muslim hero, Salagunting, to regain Margosatubig, the kingdom his grandfather lost to an ambitious tyrant. His own father failed to regain it and even lost his own life in the process. Written after the Second World War, the novel struck a nationalistic chord with its post-war audience who read into Muzones’s portrayal of his young hero’s repeated efforts to wrest back control of his kingdom the Philippines’ own attempts to ward off successive foreign invasions.

Nava’s translation is a readable English version of a regional literary treasure. It is a lucid, unornamented rendition of the original Yuhum novel that quite effectively gave to its readers the delicious sensation of following the development, chapter by chapter, of the serialized popular novel.

Through her labors, she hopes to have secured for Muzones a position in the line-up for the title National Artist for Literature. She has long been advocating for his nomination as a national artist given that Muzones had written 62 novels of various types and was one who made the radical shift

in the development of Hiligaynon literature from the expository (“telling”) to the dramatic (“showing”) narrative technique.

During the launch, Nava delivered a paper entitled “Ramon Muzones: The Most Outstanding Hiligaynon Writer of the Century.” Dr. Alicia Tan Gonzales, a Palanca awardee for literature and a faculty member of the Division of Humanities, College of Arts and Sciences introduced the author.

Prof. Dominique Maquiran and Prof. Maria Joji Tan read excerpts from the original version of Ramon Muzones and the English translation by Nava, respectively. Maquiran and Tan are faculty members of the UP High School Iloilo, CAS. The highlight of the launch was Nava’s presentation of the first copy of her translation to Atty. Rex Muzones, eldest son of the late Atty. Ramon Muzones.

The affair was also graced by the children of the late Ramon Muzones, multi-awarded writers, Dr. Leoncio Deriada and Dr. Isidoro Cruz, UPV Chancellor Rommel Espinosa, UPV Consultant for Culture and the Arts, Mr. Lincoln Drilon, UPV constituents, and other invited guests.

Nava’s book launch caps the first day of CWVS’ annual conference on Western Visayan Culture and History at Carmina’s Balay na Bato in Villa. (CWVS) CWVS CWVS)

Photo from http://www.ateneopress.org/image/cache/data/Margosatubig-500x500.jpg

Dr. Ma. Cecilia Locsin- Nava’s English translation of Ramon Muzones’ Margosatubig, Margosatubig the first Hiligaynon international bestseller was launched by the Center of West Visayan Studies (CWVS), UP Visayas (UPV) last November 15 at the UPV Art Gallery, Iloilo City campus.

The book, which is endorsed by the Commission of Higher Education, was launched initially by two National Artists for Literature, Bienvenido Lumbera and Virgilio Almario last August 17 at the Ateneo de Manila University. Lumbrera in his book blurb called Nava’s version “a wonder work in translation, literate and literary”; while Almario hailed Nava as his” model of a good critic in regional literature and of a dedicated translator.”

The book also had a sold out launch at the Negros Museum in Bacolod City last September 7.

Muzones’s lone novel, “Margosatubig,” made publishing history in 1946 when it raised Iloilo’s City’s Yuhum magazine’s weekly circulation from 2,500 to 37,000. Such was a considerable increase in circulation when compared to the circulation of only 12,000 of Hiligaynon, which was nationally distributed then. Its success inspired Mariano Diolosa, a local publisher to cash in on the popularity of “Margosatubig” by

Continuing its long tradition of disseminating knowledge on the rich cultural heritage of the region, the Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS) held the 23rd Conference on West Visayan History and Culture last November 15 and 16 at the Camiña Balay nga Bato, Arevalo, Iloilo City. The annual conference’s theme was “Finding Heritage: Continuing the Search for the West Visayan Cultural Identity.”

The two sub-themes of the conference were artistic traditions (visual, culinary, and performing arts, folk traditions, beliefs, and practices); and heritage institutions (museums, heritage councils, schools for living traditions, the academe, LGUs, and non-government organizations).

Ten papers were presented and these included 1) “Rereading Ilonggo History through New Sources in Print and the Internet Media” by Eugenio Jamerlan of the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICHCC); 2) “Old Buildings, Streetscapes, and Globalization: Heritagebased Development and Sustainability of Iloilo Central Business District” by James Mozart Amsua of the University of San Agustin; 3) “Rediscovering Buenavista, Guimaras through Artifacts and Natural Heritage” by Dr. Lilian Diana Parreño, et al. of Guimaras State College; 4) “The War in Panay, 1942-1945: Searching for the View from the Barrio” by Matthew Riley of the Visayan Historical Consultants, California State University, East Bay; 5) “War Memorials in Southern Iloilo” by Irene Bel Ploteña of UP Visayas (UPV); 6) Aklanon Values in Aklanon Proverbs, Idiomatic Expressions and Folk Songs” by Alexander de Juan of Aklan State University-Ibajay Campus; 7) “Metaphor or “Palaanggiran” in Ilonggo Folk Speech” by Dr. Alicia TanGonzales, of UPV; 8) “Ramon Muzones: Most Outstanding Hiligaynon Writer of the Century” by Dr. Ma. Cecilia Locsin-Nava, of Bacolod City; 9) “Cultural Intensions in Panubok Embroidery” by Dr. Maria Christine Muyco, UP Diliman; and 10) “Reclaiming the Glory of the Bamboo” by Alice Prieto-Carolino of UPV. The conference consisted of paper presentations and a tour of two heritage houses in Arevalo, the Iloilo Sinamay House, and the Camiña Balay nga Bato.

Humanities, social sciences, and social studies teachers, cultural workers, tourism officers, and history students comprise the participants of the conference.

Cover

16 U.P. News

Nov-Dec 2012

DMPCS, UPAA Davao hold math literacy training

UPIS holds earthquake drill, simulation Living up to their motto “Laging Handa,” the UP Integrated School (UPIS) Scouting community tested their disaster preparedness and capability by holding an Earthquake Drill and Simulation last October 20 at the UPIS High School

grounds.

The exercise was led by First Responders composed of units of the Senior Scouts, Senior Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts, Scout Leaders. and UPIS Administrative Staff.

They were assisted by elements of the 51st

UPIS officials play incident commander, onsite commander, and safety officer roles.

Photo courtesy of Rene Estremera

The UP Alumni Association (UPAA) Davao and UP Mindanao (UPMin) organized and implemented a five-day training workshop on math literacy for public elementary school teachers, under the tutelage of the UPMin Department of Math, Physics and Computer Science.

The UPAA-Davao’s Math Literacy Development Program was drawn up to address the observation that Davao City ranked far below other regions in the National Achievement Test. A total of 178 teachers from 53 public elementary schools from the 1st Congressional District of Davao City attended the workshop from October 22 to 26, with support from Davao City Congressman Karlo Nograles.

The guest speaker was National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Academician and former UP Los Baños Chancellor Ruben Villareal, proponent of the Math Literacy Training in Los Baños, Laguna, who shared his experiences with the training program. UPMin Chancellor Gilda Rivero set the objectives and expectations by underscoring the importance of math and science to enable Filipinos and the Philippines to achieve competitive international rankings.

The conduct of the training was anchored on experiential lear ning approaches, lecture-discussions, hands-on problem-solving exercises, interspersed with fun energizers to heighten the learning process.

Grade 3 Teacher Rubylyn Abella Renegado said the training equipped them new methods and techniques which can be incorporated in their lesson plans

Photo courtesy of Rene Matias

Rene Estremera

Some of the public elementary school teachers join Congressman Karlo Nograles and UPAADavao President Doris Tagle-Villareal for a photo at the closing program.

for teaching math. Nograles thanked the proponents and expressed his hope that Davao City’s ranking in the National Achievement Test would improve in the near future. UPAA-Davao President Dr.

Doris Tagle-Villareal said “UPAA Davao believes that as an ‘Iskolar para sa Bayan,’ our sense of academic excellence should be shared to empower the community to which we belong.” She also acknowledged the

Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army under the command of Col. Silvino Alcabasa Jr. Holding the distinction of being only the second unit in the whole UP Diliman (UPD) campus to conduct such an exercise (next to the College of Engineering under Dean Aura Matias) the UPIS Earthquake Drill and Simulation not only tested the schools’ preparedness in evacuating its buildings during a massive earthquake but also enhanced the school’s capability in supporting itself in terms of fire-fighting, rescue, and first-aid medical treatment.

This is in recognition of the fact that during a massive earthquake, most units in UPD will be isolated from outside help particularly from the Police and Health Service; that in order to save lives and property, the UPIS residents will have to learn to fend for themselves.

Before the actual drill, select members of the Senior Girl Scouts, Senior Scouts, Scout Leaders, Faculty and Admin personnel led by Sr. Scout Leader Mike Dela Serna and Sr. GSP Leader Portia Dimabuyu, attended a whole-day First Responder Training Course conducted by the 51st Engineer Brigade and Rescue Academy, who also served as evaluators during the exercise.

UPIS principal Ronald San Jose played the role of Incident Commander during the simulation while Dimabuyu and Dela Cerna acted the roles of Onsite Commander and Safety Officer respectively.

Rated as “Good” by the evaluators, the ISCOM Earthquake Drill and Simulation serves as a dry-run for a school-wide exercise to be scheduled as soon as the new UPIS Buildings are completed. (Rene Matias Matias) other project collaborators, such as former UP President and NAST Academician Emil Javier who gave the keynote speech during the project launch in 2011, the Department of Education, and the BPI Foundation.

IMSP staff, students join robotics forum Alexandria Camille M. Castillo, UPLB in the News

Faculty and students from UP Los Baños’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) - Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics (IMSP) led by physics Professor Nelio Altoveros recently attended the Philippine Association of Career Scientists’

(PACS) 6th Annual Scientific Forum last October 5 at the National Museum, Manila.

The forum, themed “Harnessing Robotics for the Philippine Society,” was an opportune activity for the faculty and

students who have been aiming to advance their interest and knowledge in robotics.

In her keynote in the opening program, Dr. Filma Brawner, director of the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI),

UPV-OSA addresses depression, suicide Teresa Hortillo and Lyncen M. Fernandez

Depression and suicide is on the rise among today’s youth. This was an alarming reality presented by Dr. Japhet Gensaya Fernandez- De Leon, resource person during the seminar-workshop on “Managing Depression and Suicide Among the Youth” organized by the UP Visayas Office of Student Affairs (UPV-OSA) last October 19 at the audio-visual room of the Graduate and Continuing Education Building, UPV-Iloilo City.

De Leon is an established doctor of medicine with specialization in Psychiatry (a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellow).

Her lecture not only included statistics on depression and suicide but underscored the idea that mental health is as important as physical well-being. She pointed out that this should not be seen as a weakness of character. Her other topics included “Mood Disorders and Suicide in Children and

Adolescents” and “Management of Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents.” An open forum allowed the participants to ask questions related to their work situations.

De Leon left a copy of the Suicide First Aid Guidelines for reproduction and distribution to the participants.

OSA Director Ruben Gamala, in his welcome message, cited studies showing that diminishing personal interactions among the youth, mostly brought about by their being hooked on computer games or too much time spent on social networking sites, may result in mood disorders.

As part of the workshop, the participants were divided into three groups for the small group discussions with the goal of coming up with guidelines for managing depression and suicide. The guidelines agreed upon included identification of clients or patients and referral systems for emergency medical

and mental health cases. The participants suggested that a follow-up session on the topic be held during the first week of December 2012. A separate session for faculty members was also proposed.

Twenty-four participants, who included the OSA director, six Guidance Services Specialists, six dormitory managers, four Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program personnel, the OSA administrative officer, two medical officers, one nurse, the Health Services Unit (HIS) administrative officer, an HSI/Professional Education faculty member, and a staff member from the Office of Continuing Education and Pahinungod attended.

The Guidance and Counseling Unit of OSA spearheaded the seminar-workshop with Jeanette Gallo at the helm. She is the unit’s coordinator and served as lady dean of ceremonies in the activity.

encouraged the participants to continue developing their skills so that they and the country can keep up with its Southeast Asian neighbors.

During the remainder of the forum, three notable robotics experts shared their knowledge and gave demonstrations of some of their robots. Melvin Matulac, founder of the Genetic Computer Institute, introduced the concept of robotics and showed an affordable robotics equipment, the e-Gizmo, and demonstrated the opensource software Arduino that is used for programming microcontrollers.

The second speaker, Dr. Jasper Tallada of Nanotechnologies, Inc., shared his experiences in using microcontrollers.

“I was going to the US then and I was concerned about who will water my tomato plants,” he said. To solve this, the former UPLB College of Engineering and AgroIndustrial Technology (CEAT) professor and now DOST Balik-Scientist built a simple device which watered his plants following a fixed schedule.

Lastly, Dr. Elmer Dadios of De La Salle University showed several videos of his students’ robotics projects which can be used by the industry. One particular project, the Man-walker robot, can assist the elderly and has caught the audience’s attention since it has tremendous potential in geriatric >page 18

Nov-Dec 2012

China, DFA welcome Basilio appointment as new PH envoy to China

Basilio.

Senior government panel member Professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer of UP took oath last December 7 as the new chair of the negotiating panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“President Aquino has appointed panel member Professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer as the new government peace panel chair,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said in a statement.

“Professor Ferrer’s appointment signifies continuity and harmony in the peace talks, which is crucial towards the completion of the comprehensive agreement this December.”

“Her appointment as panel chair is well-deserved given her competence and credentials as a peace negotiator,” Deles stressed. “She has been with the Panel since 2010 and serves as adviser of the

technical working groups on powersharing and normalization.”

Ferrer is a “staunch advocate of human rights and an expert in conflict resolution and justice. She served as the director of the Programme on Peace, Democratization and Human Rights and also the deputy director and subsequently, the director of the UP Third World Studies Center at the University of the Philippines.”

Ferrer takes over the panel chairmanship from Dean Marvic Leonen who was recently named Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by President Benigno Aquino III. She was involved in the global campaign to ban landmines, which won the Nobel Peace Prize. She co-founded the Philippine campaign in 1995 and joined international fact-finding missions

investigating violence in Cambodia and human rights violations in East Timor and Nepal.

As peace negotiations move towards the homestretch, Deles reiterated the government’s commitment “to finish the comprehensive agreement with the MILF before the year ends in our endeavor to achieve just and lasting peace in Mindanao that will benefit all Filipinos.”

Both parties are scheduled to meet soon to resume discussions on the annexes on power sharing, wealth sharing and normalization that will make up the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. (A ( December 7, 2012, press release from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, opapp.gov.ph, accessed at http://www.gov. ph/2012/12/07/ferrer-takes-oath-asnew-gph-panel-chair/)

UP grad 1st Filipino head of California university Ruben V. Nepales, PDI Los Angeles correspondent

LOS ANGELES—Dr. Luis Ma. R. Calingo, a UP alumnus, was installed as president of Woodbury University in ceremonies held at the institution’s Burbank, California, campus last October.

Calingo is the first Filipino president of Woodbury in its 128-year history and is the second Filipino to become president of a US university.

Dr. Amado Gabriel Esteban, president of Seton Hall University in New Jersey and the first Filipino to head an American university, attended Dr. Caling o’s inauguration and installation. In his call to service remarks representing the academic community, Esteban, who is also a UP alumnus (BS Math 1981; MBA 1983), congratulated the board of trustees and the Woodbury University community “on an excellent choice.”

Esteban, who greeted the crowd “Magandang Magandang umaga (Good morning),” said, “You have chosen well. As a fellow student and alumnus of the University of the Philippines, during a turbulent time while under martial law, I know that Dr. Calingo was shaped as a leader by these experiences and learned to temper idealism with the practicalities of operating in the ‘real world.’

In my years of knowing Luis, I have always been impressed by his ability to see the big picture, knowing how to motivate people, and bringing consensus to diverse groups of individuals.”

In his inaugural address, Calingo paid tribute to F.C. Woodbury, who founded Woodybury’s Business College, the university’s original name.

Calingo said, “Before we can think about what lies ahead, we must consider both our past and our present. F.C. Woodbury created this institution to meet a pressing need. In 1884, the city of Los Angeles was still in its infancy. There were only 35,000 Angeleños at the time, but Mr. Woodbury

and the civic leaders of this fledgling city understood that an educated citizenry would be essential to future growth and prosperity. Mr. Woodbury, who came to the frontier that was Los Angeles from the more established San Francisco, has been described as an entrepreneur, an innovator.

In other words, he was willing to take risks that offered rewards.”

The Quezon City-raised educator brought up his own ancestors’ risk-taking spirit. “At about the time Mr. Woodbury founded Los Angeles’ oldest business school, my paternal great-grandfather left the comforts of the city of Manila to settle in a less developed province,” Dr. Calingo recounted. “There he established a banana plantation, while my great-grandmother went into the business of embroidery.

Getting out of one’s comfort zone, taking intelligent risks, establishing ventures and engaging in honest self-reflection have, therefore, also been part of the DNA of my family.”

Dr. Calingo spoke about his vision and plans for the future of Woodbury, which sits on a 22.5-acre campus in Burbank, and has another campus in San Diego, California. He touted Woodbury, which offers professional and liberal arts education, as “being one of only 20 Colleges of Distinction in California.”

He gave special thanks to Gemeline Calingo, his wife of 31 years, and daughters Ashley, Alexandra and Arienne, who were seated in the front row with other family members and guests.

Calingo holds a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering (1976) and a master of science degree in urban and regional planning (1978) from UP Diliman.

He earned his MBA and Ph.D. degrees from the Katz School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.

A member of UP High School Batch

Photo from woodbury.edu

China last December 5 welcomed the appointment of Erlinda Basilio (AB 1965; MA 1990) as the Philippines’ new envoy to China, saying that its country hoped that the new ambassador would contribute to the development of the two countries’ bilateral relations.

“We attach importance to our relation s with the Philippines. It is our hope that the early appointment of the new amba ssador may facilitate the communication between both sides and the developmen t of our bilateral relations,” Zhang Hua, spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in Manila, said in a statement.

The 68-year old seasoned diplomat, who had helped draft national diplomatic policy in her stint as foreign department undersecretary, was named to the post by President Benigno Aquino III. She would take over the post left vacant at the height of tensions involving territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Basilio would be replacing Sonia Brady, who had to leave her post and return to Manila after she suffered a stroke in August.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also backed Basilio’s appointment, saying that it was confident that Basilio could carry out her task of enhancing the relationship between the Philippines and China.

In a statement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario noted that the department was endeavoring to significantly enhance the country’s bilateral relations with China, adding that they were counting on Basilio to “play a major role in achieving our defined objectives.”

“Our nominee is a seasoned senior diplomat who brings with her experience and expertise in dealing with all current matters pertaining to our relations with China. She moreover enjoys the confidence of the President,” Del Rosario said in a statement.

“We are relying on her to enhance the bilateral relations between the Philippines and our very important neighbor and friend, China,” DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said in a statement.

China claims most of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), including waters close to the shores of its neighbors.

These areas include major sea lanes and are believed to hold vast mineral and oil resources.

China’s claim is contested by the Philippines as well as Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, which have overlapping claims to some or all of those same areas.

(Source: http://globalnation. inquirer.net/58785/china-dfa-welcomeappointment-of-basilio-as-new-ph-envoyto-china) a a)

Ferrer takes oath as new GPH panel chair

Photo from http://opapp.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Oath-taking%20of%20Ferrer%20as%20GPH%20chair.jpg

Photo from dfa.gov.ph

Fat Reyes, INQUIRER.net

U.P. News 17

Calingo.

‘71, Calingo’s extensive experience includes various positions at universities and colleges in Singapore and California.

Robert W. Kummer Jr., chair of the school’s board of trustees, presided over the investiture ceremonies. He placed a ceremonial medallion on Calingo’s shoulders. The back of the medallion bore the names of Woodbury’s 13 presidents.

Esteban and the other guests congratulated Calingo in the reception that followed the installation ceremonies.

He told PDI that another Filipino, Dr. Divina Grossman, bachelor of science in nursing, a cum laude graduate of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, became the chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. Several Filipinos have become presidents of American colleges but Esteban, Calingo and Grossman are the first heads of US universities.

(Source: http://globalnation.inquirer. net/53450/up-alumnus-installed-as-firsty y) filipino-president-of-california-university)

18 U.P. News

Nov-Dec 2012

Alumna signs 3rd deed of donation with UP New York – December 5, 2012 was a momentous event not just because of Pagilaw, the official beginning of the Christmas celebrations at UP. It was also the signing of the deed of donation to the university which now combines previous scholarship funds solicited by Dr. Carmencita C. Quesada Fulgado since 2000 as national president of the UP Alumni in America.

During the signing, now president of the UPAA-NY and UPAAA historian Fulgado presented the UP president a copy of Memories, her second coffee-table book

of personal and family stories from fellow alumni, friends, including non-Filipinos, from which she was able to raise an amount for the donation. UP President Alfredo Pascual gave her a UP Pin. In 2008, during the UP Centennial Celebration, Fulgado was appointed Centennial Commissioner Abroad and developed the concept of soliciting stories.

For a tax-deductible donation, the stories were edited and published into a coffee-table book. The first was Memoirs of UP Alumni Abroad. Its sequel is titled Memories…a

Legacy Gift of Filipinos and Friends.

Both publications raised $50,000 for the UP Foundation, Inc. The endowment fund uses only interest accrued by the fund to award eligible needy students systemwide.

UP Foundation records show that Fulgado is the only UP graduate who has signed deeds of donation with three consecutive UP presidents: Francisco Nemenzo in 2000, Emerlinda Roman in 2006, and now Pascual.

Her “shepherding the flock from

UPD Corps of Cadets celebrates Bonifacio Day Lance Jestin R. Calub

To highlight the past sacrifices of Filipinos in the fight for freedom , the UP Corps of Cadets paid homage to the great revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio last November 30, his 149th birth anniversary.

The day started out with the formation of troops at the DMST Complex. Along with the cadet officers came the members of the Rayadillo Unit, the Honor Guards of the Unviersity, as well as the UP ROTC Band. As the team marched to Vinzons Hall, the band filled the air with tunes and marches such as “Gibraltar March,” and the university’s own “Push On UP.” Leading the group on its way to the Alaala ng Bayang Pilipino sa mga Bayani ng 1896 Shrine were the colors of the Republic and the university.

After the singing of the National Anthem, the band played “Sampaguita” as two wreaths were layed in front of the shrine. One was offered by the Corps Commander of the UP ROTC, CMaj Daniel Manuel Macrohon Jr., on behalf

The UP Corps of Cadets during the tribute at the Alaala ng Bayang Pilipino sa mga Bayani ng 1896 shrine in front of Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman

of the UP Corps of Cadets and the UP Corps of Sponsors. The other was offered by alumni of the Rainbow Rangers, a unit pioneered by the Corps.

Afterwards, Macrohon Jr. delivered

UPOU partners again...

IMSP staff and.. <page 16

care. According to Dadios, his university has also developed entertaining mobile robots such as the humanoid dancing and soccer goalie robots.

The program also included a brief presentation by PhilRobotics, the amateur robotics club of the Philippines.

The club featured their flood water control device which can measure the level of flood water in a specific area.

In ending the forum, Dr. Manuel Jose Regalado, Scientist I and deputy executive director for research of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, said,

a speech, in which he said Bonifacio “embodies the shibboleths that we, the UP ROTC, proudly uphold: duty wellperformed, honor untarnished, and country above self.” He instructed the officers

to emulate Bonifacio’s ideals and the exemplary lives of the country’s other revolutionary heroes.

The ceremony ended with the playing of “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.”

CHK holds 1st... <page 10

<page 8

better opportunities to both the teachers and students who will participate in the program.”

She further announced that the teachers who will participate in the outreach program will be the first among the enrolees of UPOU non-formal courses on IT which include Web Design and Development;

abroad” has already helped 19 students.

With the additional $50,000 brought by Memories Project, the grand total, with accrued interest, after awards were made to beneficiaries, still reached $153,000. Now named the UP Alumni, Quesada-Fulgado and Friends Scholarship Fund, it aims to allot at least one slot for one student from each of the seven constituent units, eventually to include UP Cebu.

After the DOD signing, Fulgado visited UP Open University, UP Los Baños, UP Diliman, and UP Manila. She met with the chancellors and their alumni relations/affairs teams, presenting a copy of Memories for each campus. She shared with them how her Give Back Mission, as she calls it, can be moved to a higher level. Energized by the warm reception she received from Pascual and the chancellors, she is encouraged to do a third book with a goal of 2015 publication.

She plans to invite all chancellors and/or their designated persons to build “Team One UP,” a team of managing editors in the Philippines and abroad who would search for donors for the book. Donations are taxdeductible.

Dr. Fulgado can be reached at me moriesbyfulg adophd@gmail.com or mencheeqf@yahoo.com. Her address is 85-15 Edgerton Blvd Jamaica Estates, NY 11432, with telephone number 01-718 658 2106. She is also on Facebook.

Memories…a Legacy Gift is still available at $89 /per copy and shipped free in the US. For more info and the table of contents, visit http://memoriesbyfulgadophd.blogspot. com. (Press release)

Basic Course on Database Development for Education, among others.

In line with UPOU’s vision, Alfonso expressed optimism that UPOU’s involvement in the PLDT InfoTeach Outreach Program will touch every Filipino family and would further increase the radius of influence of a digitally empowered Philippines.

Present during the MOA signing were Ramon Isberto, public affairs head of PLDT; Evelyn Mamauag-del Rosario, head of PLDT Community Relations Division; Dr. Angelo Ramos, chair of PhilCeCNet; Tess Camba of Telecentre. org Foundation; and Dr. Melinda Bandalaria, dean of UPOU Faculty of Information and Communication Studies and chair of Capability Building Committee, PhilCeCNet. ((Eleanor PayawalManipol Manipol)

“although it is apparent that the robotics field in the Philippines is still in its infancy stage, with the continuous efforts of experts, students and hobbyists such as yourselves, the country will be able to find its success in the near future.”

of the Chancellor, UP Film Institute, National Institute of Physics, Bahay ng Alumni, Rodic’s, TOPCOMS Marketing, Gatorade, Uniwood Ply, MILO, Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Pia Cayetano and Congressman Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.

Meanwhile, the event was also made

UPOU Manila joins... <page 11

for Tropical Medicine, Lung Center of the Philippines, Society of Adolescent Medicine of the Philippines, and New Voice Association.

As early as July 2012, even before the onset of heated hearings on the bill, the UPM Chancellor’s Management Team urged the senators through individual letters to approve RA 5727 (amended bill by Cong. Abaya) because of its health impact by curbing smoking and alcohol use among the youth and poor and getting increased funds for the government’s “Kalusugang Pangkalahatan”

possible by the CHK Org anizing Committee composed of the management committee headed by Prof. Oscar Yoshihiro Santelices with Professors Francis Carlos Diaz and Gilda Uy as members; committee heads Prof. Michiko Aseron (secretariat) and Mona Maghanoy (prog rams); Prof. Reylin San Juan (advertising and promotions), Prof. Marla Cuerdo (food and accommodations), Ralph Ramos (marketing and finance), Roque Tapel (logistics), Elena Sabeniano (transportation), Paul Li-boon (official website designer); CHK faculty, non-academic personnel and student volunteers.

Providing the intermission numbers during the conference dinner banquet on October 12 were UAAP Season 75 Cheerdance Competition Champions UP Varsity Pep Squad and the UP Filipiniana Dance Group.—College of Human Kinetics reprinted from upd.edu.phh with permission from UPDIO

program. He also led a delegation of health workers and employees during the last hearing of the Senate Ways and Means Committee presided by Recto. (Cynthia M. Villamor UPM-IPPAO) Villamor, UPM-IPPAO