Rappler reporter Bonz Magsambol is one of 14 fellows selected for the prestigious FASPE journalism program in Germany and Poland
MANILA, Philippines – The New York-based Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE) chose Rappler multimedia reporter Bonz Magsambol as one of 14 fellows of its 2023 journalism program.
Magsambol, who joined Rappler as social media producer in 2016, is currently the social news network’s health and education reporter. He is also a part-time journalism instructor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, where he finished college.
At the FASPE fellowship, Magsambol and the other fellows will attend a two-week study program in professional ethics and ethical leadership, focusing on how journalists enabled Nazi policies during World War II. The fellowship will take place in Germany and Poland from June 24 to July 7.
The 2023 program will be co-taught by Mark Lukasiewicz, dean of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University, and Sarah Stillman, staff writer of The New Yorker.
“FASPE Journalism challenges its fellows to recognize their responsibility to act as ethical leaders in their careers in journalism and the media. FASPE begins by examining the actions and choices of German and international journalists in covering and supporting Nazi policies,” FASPE wrote on its website.
Fellows will visit key sites of Nazi history and participate in lectures and discussions led by specialized faculty.
Applicants went through “competitive process, with a large, impressive group of candidates vying for 14 fellowships.”
“FASPE selects its Fellows on the basis of their academic background, personal and professional experiences, capacity for leadership and ability to contribute to the program and the alumni community,” it said.
FASPE, now in its 13th year, also gathers professionals for programs in business, law, design and technology, medicine, and seminary. – Rappler.com
Paz Marquez-Benitez’s Google Doodle is set against a backdrop of stars.
MANILA, Philippines — On what could have been her 129th birthday last March 3, 2023, legendary Filipina writer Paz Marquez-Benitez was honored with her very own Google Doodle for her pioneering work in literature.
The Google Doodle shows a caricature or illustration of Marquez-Benitez against a field of shining stars, which refers to the title of her most important literary work, “Dead Stars.”
“Dead Stars” is Marquez-Benitez’s most famous work. It is the first ever modern short story in English from the Philippines. It gave birth to modern Philippine writing in English when it was released in 1925 because English was still a very young language at that time. The novel is a somber and melancholic love story of lawyer Alfredo Salazar, a gentleman in his 30s engaged to his fiancée Esperanza. They have been together for four years and are about to get married when he meets the young and charming Julia Salas. From there, he struggles between the two women, between doing what is right and just and choosing the desire of his heart. In the end, he decides to marry Esperanza and part ways with Julia.
More than just a love story, though, “Dead Stars” is an allegory critical of the American occupation existing at that time and its effect on local culture and social norms.
Marquez-Benitez would go on to become a popular writing professor at the University of the Philippines until she retired in 1951. The work and tutelage that she started at UP inspired other writers to pursue their passion and write significant literature over the decades.
Besides this accomplishment, she is also credited for founding Philippine Women’s University along with six other women Francisca Tirona Benitez, Clara Aragon, Concepcion Aragon, Carolina Ocampo Palma, Mercedes Rivera, and Socorro Marquez Zaballero in 1919, exclusively to female students back then. It was initially known as Philippine Women’s College, with Marquez-Benitez serving as its first president. In 1932, when the college won university status, it also received recognition for being the first for-women university in Asia founded by Asians.
“Google Philippines is proud to honor an important figure in Philippine literature, Paz Marquez-Benitez. Our rich literary heritage would definitely not be the same today without Marquez-Benitez’s impactful contributions, not only with her creations, but also with her valuable mentorship of a long line of writers in the country,” said Mervin Wenke, head of Communications and Public Affairs for Google Philippines.
Two alumni of the University of the Philippines (UP) were recognized for their exemplary government service by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at the awarding ceremony for the recipients of the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Presidential Lingkod Bayan, Pagasa, and Dangal ng Bayan Awards for 2022. The awarding ceremony was held on 8 March 2023 in Malacañang.
Among the six Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardees for 2022, recognized for having made significant strides in the nation’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, is Dr. Cynthia P. Saloma Executive Director of the UP Philippine Genome Center (UP PCG), and UP Professor.
According to the CSC’s press release, Dr. Saloma was recognized for laying the infrastructure for genomics research in the country and the foundation by which genomic biosurveillance is now part of the arsenal for pandemic preparedness. With her leadership, the UP PGC was able to provide the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases with science-based genomics data critical to the whole-of-nation approach management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Saloma earned her Bachelor of Science in Fisheries degree from UP Visayas, magna cum laude.
Among the six CSC Pagasa awardees, on the other hand, is Professor Emeritus Edward A. Barlaan of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), North Cotabato. A Master of Science in Agronomy graduate of the UP Los Baños Graduate School, Dr. Barlaan was recognized for his exemplary efforts and outstanding output as an academician, administrator, researcher, scientist, and extension worker. Besides being a professor in undergraduate and graduate courses, he also served as Vice-President for Research, Development, and Extension (RDE) of USM from June 2020 to April 2022, providing improvements in RDE systems in the university.
The CSC’s Presidential Lingkod Bayan (PLB) Award is conferred on an individual or group for exceptional or extraordinary contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had nationwide impact on public interest, security, and patrimony. The Pagasa Award, on the other hand, is conferred to an individual or group for outstanding contribution/s resulting from an idea or performance that directly benefit more than one department of the government.
With reports from the UP Office of Alumni Relations.
A PROFESSOR from the University of the Philippines in Mindanao has developed a technology using artificial intelligence (AI) to maintain banana plantation and help detect diseases that could affect them.
Dr. Jose Ildefonso Rubrico, UPMin professor and Autonomous Societally Inspired Mission Oriented Vehicles (Asimov) program leader said in a press conference that they are currently developing AI-powered vehicles for maintaining banana plantations.
Rubrico said these types of vehicles are ”first of its kind in the Philippines”.
“Usually kasi, [kapag] mag-dedeploy ka ng mga manual [labor] (Usually if we deploy manual labor), it will take at least two weeks to get the whole 100 hectares [of maintaining the banana plantations],” Rubrico added.
Currently, UPMin developed one aerial drone called unmanned automated vehicles (UAVs) and a land vehicle called Robot for Optimized and Autonomous Mission Enhancement Response (ROAMER) for the Asimov program. UPMin plans to add one more for each vehicle variety as soon as they can.
Rubrico said AI-powered vehicles will be a big help to farmers especially if they will be deployed to use pesticides and survey plantations, keeping humans away from dangerous chemicals.
He added that these vehicles can also record more accurate data which can be helpful to farmers and stakeholders alike for easier management and control of the yield.
“Importante din kasi siya sa (These are important for our) stakeholders so that [through this technological advancement] they have a quick idea how much yield will be,” Rubrico said.
“If you use, let’s say aerial vehicles that can be tapped down very quickly, then you will get an accurate picture much much quicker and you can make decisions based on the current data,” he added.
The AI-powered vehicles were presented during the 1st Artificial Intelligence Pinas R&D Conference and Workshop 2023, dated March 14 to 15. The vehicle is also being developed to be used for search and rescue, updating maps, and traffic monitoring.
These vehicles are funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). ICE
By Ritzi Villarico-Ronquillo, APR, IABC Fellow
(UPCC 1975-1980, BA Broadcast Communication 1980)
UPCC 60TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT. A glorious finale and standing ovation for the sold-out 60th anniversary concert of the UP Concert Chorus held on February 4, 2023 at the UP Theatre, Diliman, Quezon City. (Photo by Sharmaine Maldia.)
February 4, 2023 has passed, balikbayan alumni have flown back to their homes in other continents, and Philippine-based alumni have settled back into their daily schedules, but the euphoria from the 60th homecoming concert of the UP Concert Chorus continues to linger like a LSS (Last Song Syndrome) that continually runs through one’s head.
Titled “UPCC@Sixty: Sama-sama Together,” the concert brought together more than 200 alumni and current members from the 1960s to the present, performing on stage best-loved songs through the decades. In the audience in the UP Theatre that seats more than 2,000 people, were some 100 more alumni (some who had flown in just for the homecoming), National Artists for Music Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, Ramon P. Santos, and Ryan Cayabyab, and National Artist for Literature Gemino Abad; UP officials led by outgoing UP President Atty. Danilo Concepcion, composers, musical arrangers, songwriters, and artists; UPCC concert tour hosts, media, family and friends. The newly refurbished UP Theatre was jam-packed at the sold-out concert.
The hiatus brought about by the pandemic only served to weigh in the intensity of the 60th homecoming. It was like old times as alumni rehearsed, blocked onstage and performed before a capacity crowd.
UPCC alumni talents were all out as they took on multiple roles, both onstage and offstage with production and organizing roles. Conductors were: UPCC Artistic Director and Conductor Prof. Jai Sabas-Aracama of world-renowned and multi-awarded UPCC, Dr. Ed Manguiat, founder and conductor of multi-talented and lauded UP Singing Ambassadors; and Dr. Joel P. Navarro, professor, book author, composer and esteemed choral conductor.
Among the UPCC alumni were musical arrangers whose works were performed: National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, Dr. Navarro, Prof. Sabas-Aracama, Nick Pacis, and Raymond Roldan. Assisting artists were: Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-GaPi) led by its founder and artistic director Prof. Pedro Abraham, Jr.; Antonio Maigue on the flute, and Jasper Domingo and Paul Carlo Concepcion on the piano.
Behind the scene was a hardworking group headed by 60th anniversary event chair Atty. Noriz de los Reyes-Castillo and UPCC alumni association president Atty. Dot Balasbas-Gancayco; art director Jojo Isorena, and multitudes of dedicated alumni and current UPCC members: batch representatives and event committees.
The concert, directed by UPCC alumnus Rico Mortel, featured songs from the 1960s to the present, beginning with a rousing opening production number (“Hibang sa Awit/Salamat, Salamat Musika”) with all decades represented, and multi-awarded alumna Nanette Inventor doing a solo in the medley of songs written by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and Gary Granada, and arranged by Nhick Pacis. What followed were songs done in the UPCC’s pioneering choral style, the now popular signature “choreocapella” that effortlessly combines excellent singing with delightful choreography for a total favorite audio and visual treat that has enthralled audiences both here and abroad.
Again in UPCC tradition, “tutti” (Italian for “all”) songs ended the concert with robust renditions of more than 200 voices raised in song: “Sama-sama Tayo’y Makapaniig,” a new composition of Prof. Sabas-Aracama in collaboration with her daughter, UPCC’s Tiara; The Beatles’ “In My Life” in poignant remembrance of alumni who have passed away, the majestic “Alleluia” by Randall Thompson and “The Majesty and Glory of His Name” by Tom Fettke, and the patriotic classic “Sa Mahal Kong Bayan” by National Artist for Music Lucio D. San Pedro, with each of the three alumni conductors taking turns for each song.
It was also the world premiere of the UPCC anthem, “Aming Korus, Aming Buhay,” composed, arranged and orchestrated by Dr. Navarro, with lyrics by alumnus Justice Magdangal de Leon. And finally, the singing of our university hymn “UP Naming Mahal.”
(Photo from the FB post of Noel Cabangon.)UP NAMING MAHAL. In a fitting finale of an epic moment, UPCC performers and outgoing UP President Atty. Danilo Concepcion onstage, and the UP community in the audience raise their arms reaffirming their dedication to our university and to the honor and excellence for which it stands in Nicanor Abelardo’s timeless university hymn “UP Naming Mahal.” “Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan!” (Photo by Jaypee Maristaza)
It raised goosebumps seeing some 2,000 people in the audience and more than 200 UPCC members and alumni on stage, raising their voices with much fervor and pride. In the hall were the distinguished members of the UP community. And when the hymn ended and you saw the sea of arms up in the air at those precise moments, the feeling was indescribable.
Diversity at its best, each one unique, yet singing together, many voices each contributing to the sound of a people committed to service and excellence, to the values that UP has ingrained in us.
As my fellow UPCC performers and I faced the audience, and sang together, the hall magnificently reverberated with many voices, singing as one, one hymn. It was such a proud moment. Mabuhay!
Six of UPLB’s newest doctors of veterinary medicine were among the top ten passers of the March 2023 Veterinarian Licensure Examination (VLE).
Maria Adrianna Isabella Gray Clavarall took the first spot with a rating of 83.58%; Nikki Flores Pasion landed on the second spot with 82.60%; Novehm Allen Gerona Pagal placed third with 82.10%; Brigitte Cuarteros Calimag placed fifth spot with 81.68%; Gabrielle Ann Lansang Cruz placed ninth with 80.88%; and Olive Marie Polido Gonzales secured the tenth spot with 80.84% rating.
Overall, UPLB had a passing rate of 86.21%. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) also announced that 220 out of 681 takers successfully passed the VLE.
The examination took place in NCR, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Rosales, and Tuguegarao. (Kyle Ramiel Dalangin, with information from www.prc.gov.ph)
Professor Sacramento is an assistant professor at the College of Social Sciences, University of the Philippines Cebu. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Public Policy at the School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, where he received the prestigious CMU Presidential Scholarship. His research focus is on grassroots and people-centered concerns in Philippine local politics, community governance and development, community advocacy, organizing and mobilization, and participatory public policy analysis.
The UPV community and the Division of Humanities wish to congratulate our UPV filmmakers who have been selected to this year’s Cinema Rehiyon hosted by the Montañosa Film Festival. UP Professor and UP Artist Kevin Pison Piamonte’s “Solo”, UP Professor Jonathan Jurilla’s “Ang Babayi sa Suba” and current CMS student Leonard Ian Billones’ “Itom nga Bugas Kanaryo nga Ugat” have been selected as part of the Best of the Regions (Visayas) section.
Cinema Rehiyon, a non-competition film festival and the flagship project of NCCA’s National Committee on Cinema which showcases short feature and full-length films from the Philippine regions, will be holding its 15th edition this March 25 to April 1, 2023. Cinema Rehiyon will be hosted this time by Baguio City and in partnership with the Montañosa Film Festival, the regional film festival of the Cordillera Administrative Region which is held in Baguio City annually.
This year’s festival theme, “Divergence + Convergence” aims to use cinema as a window for enriching social change in communities by including films that bravely explore themes and subjects relevant to our societies today.
Padayon, our UPV filmmakers and artists! UPV is proud of you!
Former DILG USec. and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya (Photo courtesy of Malaya’s Facebook page)
Former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya was appointed on Wednesday, March 8, as the new Assistant Director General of the National Security Council (NSC).
NSC Adviser Eduardo Año welcomed Malaya’s appointment.
“I worked closely with him in the DILG for five years,” Año said.
“His 25-year experience in the public service as well as his proven dedication and commitment to the national interest will serve this agency and the country well,” he added.
Prior to his appointment, Malaya was a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance where he taught courses in public accountability, ethics in the public service, metropolitan and regional governance, and public policy.
Malaya was also the Executive Director of the Local Development Institute, a think tank and training institute promoting excellence in local governments.
He served in nine government offices in his 25 years in the public service, including in the Supreme Court, Senate, House of Representatives, and in the Pasay City Government. -ag
Since the U.P. Sigma Delta Phi Sorority (SDP) turned 50 years old in 1983, and every five years hence, the Mariang Maya Award has been its means to celebrate and honor outstanding members in various fields of endeavor.
In its illustrious roster of past awardees are foremost female modernist painter Anita Magsaysay-Ho, broadcaster and economist Solita Monsod, former Senator Eva Estrada Kalaw, culinary icon Nora Daza, beauty queen-women’s rights activist Nelia Sancho, to name just a few.
For the 90th anniversary of the sorority’s formal recognition by the state university in 1933, and the 9th Mariang Maya Awards, eight outstanding achievers for 2023 received their statuettes during the gala night at Bahay Alumni in UP Diliman on February 25, apropos to the People Power 37th anniversary. Their citation in their field of endeavor reads:
Marlene Catalina Paje-Rodriguez ‘66 – PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
“For being one among the rare breed of women Regional Directors at the National Economic Development Agency (NEDA) spending a successful decade in Bicol and six years in Central Visayas, likewise involving herself in poverty alleviation and community service.”
“For creating some of the most memorable images in contemporary times including a portrait of Ninoy Aquino for a 1983 magazine cover story about his untimely death, painstakingly rendered in pen & ink dots signifying with powerful imagery every Filipino’s struggle for freedom; mastheads and numerous Page Ones of trailblazing newspapers that sought to defend press freedom and resist tyranny.”
Virginia Honrado-Benavidez ‘68 – DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
“A stalwart career diplomat who gained people’s trust and friendship wherever posted – Brunei Darussalam, New Zealand, some Pacific island states – including overseas Filipinos, especially the women, whom she pledged to serve.”
Maria Lourdes Santos ‘72 – FOOD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
“A pioneering product innovator who has done research and development for major food companies across Southeast Asia, producing commercial-grade food and beverage items that have garnered international recognition.”
Linda Luz Bacungan-Guerrero ‘73 – SOCIAL RESEARCH
“For having proven herself as a highly respected social scientist, a recognized leader in the field of highly credible social surveys and opinion polls for public interest.”
Annie Gerona Dee ‘73 – BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
“A woman trailblazer in the world of mining that is traditionally led by men – a forerunner of today’s version of Women in STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – with her responsible mining advocacy while paying back nature’s gifts by directing the planting of thousands of native trees.”
Maria Elizabeth Santiago-Sichon ‘76 – HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
“Made her mark in the fields of human resources development and organizational psychology, coaching and training people to move up the corporate ladder and creating opportunities for more Filipino executives in global corporations, her insights mostly chronicled in her book, The Art of Human Resources.”
Frances Rivera ‘89 – BROADCAST COMMUNICATIONS
“A two-time Emmy Award winner for news anchoring (in the United States), who also produced news segments and, as moderator of various forums and discussions that shed light on the Asian-American experience, brought a better understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives to a wide audience.”
