Alumni Milestones

Three graduates of the UP Manila College of Dentistry landed in the top 10 of the 2022 Dentist Licensure Examination held on Nov. 27-29 (written phase) and Dec. 3-10 (practical phase).

Janelle Kirsten Ong Go is the first placer with a rating of 83.64%.followed by Tristan Robby Layne Usita Legaspi in third place, and Chelsie Cabalce Horiondo in sixth. UP Manila has 14 newly licensed dentists after garnering a passing rate of 100%.

Congratulations, UPCD! Padayon, mga bagong dentista ng bayan! #DLE2022

Source: University of the Philippines Manila Facebook

Written by: FYPMaturan

The Master of Distance Education program (Thesis Track) of the UP Open University Faculty of Education has produced its first graduate in the person of Ms. Maria Freya Talisaysay-Carungcong.

Freya works as a speech and language pathologist and faculty member at the De La Salle Health Science Institute. She earned a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology from the University of the Philippines Manila.

Freya continued her studies at UPOU because she was interested in distance learning and how it could be applied to the courses she handles. With the knowledge and skills she gained from the MDE program, Freya was able to help her colleagues during the unanticipated shift in learning modality brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, she was able to use what she had learned in her clinical practice, where she provides teletherapy.

One of the difficulties she faced while working toward her degree was balancing her time and obligations between her studies, work, and family. Freya was able to maintain her emotional and mental health by practicing self-care and surrounding herself with a network of supportive people. She also struggled with time management while collecting, analyzing, and constructing her thesis. Her lack of knowledge regarding qualitative research has also been a challenge, but having Dr. Jean Saludadez as an adviser –for her master’s thesis has allowed her to gain more knowledge in this area.

Excited, ecstatic, and disbelief were the words to describe on how she felt the moment she learned that she was the first student to finish the program under the thesis track. After receiving an email requesting that she file the documents needed for graduation, she called her parents and husband and told them, “This is it!”

To MDE students who are working on their thesis, Freya’s advise is “Never give up!” She also shared what her thesis adviser would always say to her during their consultation sessions: “Enjoy the learning process. Appreciate the knowledge that is being discovered and the contributions that you are giving to upgrade education.” She added that “There were times that the work may be overwhelming, but looking back at how much knowledge I gained, especially with conducting research and the contributions it would provide in improving education, motivated me to move forward. Another advice is having a consistent support system. My friends and family would continue to cheer me on, take me away from work for a while just to have a quick break. They helped me regain my focus and inspired me to accomplish my thesis.”

When asked for a message and dedication, Freya shared:

“I would like to send all my love, my deepest gratitude and appreciation to everyone. Most of my cohort exited [with a GCDE degree] but prayed for me to accomplish MDE, we haven’t met in real life but I was able to build connections through their online updates and encouragement. To my professors, thank you for all the knowledge that you shared, through my online courses. I learned and experienced different distance teaching & learning strategies that I was able to apply in my personal practice. To my panel, thank you for being understanding and kind. It was an exceptional learning experience. Your constructive criticisms and suggestions were very helpful in improving my work. To my adviser, Dr. Jean Saludadez, I am truly grateful for your help and guidance. Thank you for your patience and knowledge. You took away my fears in conducting qualitative studies. I deeply appreciate your continuous encouragement especially during those times I feel exhausted and unmotivated. You made me a better researcher and educator. ♥️♥️♥️”

“I dedicate my accomplishments first and foremost to God for bestowing me with wisdom and resilience to accomplish all the requirements and overcome all the challenges. I would dedicate this to my family: Lauro Jr., Don July, Kuya Mark, Ate Apple, my parents Prosperidad and Oscar; and my colleagues and friends who were always there encouraging me, believing in me, and providing all the support I needed. I dedicate this to my adviser Dr. Jean, who patiently guided me and shared her knowledge for me to accomplish my thesis. And last but most importantly I dedicate this to my son, Lauro Joaquin T. Carungcong III. May this achievement inspire you to be a lifelong learner and to be passionate in the profession you will choose. My experience in MDE made me a better educator and clinician, who can impart knowledge, inspire and help others; and build meaningful connections online and in real life. Thank you UPOU for giving me this opportunity.”

The Faculty of Education proudly congratulates you on this achievement!

Source: https://fed.upou.edu.ph/mde-fed-alumna-talisaysay-carungcong-mde-programs-first-graduate-of-the-thesis-track

by Betheena Unite

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. has appointed lawyer Geneses Abot as new undersecretary of the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s (ARTA).

Abot assumed office on Wednesday, Jan. 18, after taking his oath of office before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

He will serve as head of the Office of the Deputy Director General for Legal (ODDGL) which handles the enforcement side of Republic Act No.11032 or the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018”.

His office deals with inspections, investigation, and the filing of cases against violators of the EODB law.

According to ARTA, Abot is experienced in the fields of compliance and risk management.

Prior to being appointed in ARTA, he previously worked with World Vision Philippines as Legal Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary and served at Community Economic Ventures as a Board of Trustee.

He also worked as a consultant at Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization.

He practiced litigation through private and law firm affiliations since 2012.

Abot obtained his BS Political Science degree at the University of the Philippines Manila and Bachelor of Laws degree at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) College of Law with Juris Doctor degree conferment.

He also teaches at the College of Law of PUP and the University of Caloocan City.

Source: https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/18/palace-bares-appointment-of-new-arta-legal-office-head/

Written by Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc

Thirty-eight individuals and institutions received the University of the Philippines (UP) Gawad Oblation for their support of the University in the past six years.

UP President Danilo Concepcion and UP Vice President for Public Affairs Elena Pernia handed specially designed medals to the awardees or their representatives in a dinner ceremony at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Quezon City, on January 17, 2023.

According to the citations read by the master of ceremonies, UP Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Jose Wendell Capili, the awardees readily responded to the needs of the University, helping it to: expand services to internal and external publics, surmount and act on the pandemic and disasters; construct, upgrade, and preserve facilities; acquire equipment; manage utilities; and, support academic, artistic, and athletic excellence.

Batch One of the awardees consisted of: Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corp.; Juanerio Jesus Atencio of Januarius Holdings, Inc.; Lilia Ronquillo Bautista of Organo Philippines; Virgilio Bautista of the University of Baguio; Picasso Chen of the Kindness Hotel Chain of Taiwan; Francis Chua of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.; Napoleon Concepcion of UP Alumni Association-Davao; Polly Cortez of the Friends of the UP Foundation in America; Renan Dalisay of NoWhereToGoButUP Foundation, Inc.; Arthur Defensor of Iloilo Province; Sonia Delen of the Bank of America-Global Leasing; Agnes Devanadera of the Clark Development Corp.; and, Benjamin Diokno of the Department of Finance.

Batch Two consists of Ray Espinosa of Meralco; Ignacio Gimenez of Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc.; Vincent Henry Go of Top Breed; John Patrick Gregorio of the Philippine Olympic Committee; Michael Peiyung Hsu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office; Francis Laurel of YKK Philippines and Toyota Batangas City and Camarines Sur; Rod Libunao of Chevron Philippines; Benjamin Magalong of Baguio City; Ronald Mascariñas of Bounty Agro Ventures Inc.; Venus Navalta of IPG Media Brand; Manuel Pangilinan of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.; Robina Gokongwei Pe of Robinson’s Retail Holdings; and, Emeritus Professor Ernesto Pernia, former National Economic and Development Authority Secretary-General.

Batch Three consisted of: Jonvic Remulla of Cavite Province; Agaton Uvero of Grupo Uvero, Inc.; Orlando Vea of Maya Philippines; Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways; Timothy Eing Ming Wu of Shu-Te University-Kaohsiung and Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association; Susan Yap of Tarlac Province; Huawei Philippines; the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation Inc.; Palawan Express; Wilcon Builders; the Zuellig Family; and, the Zuellig Family Foundation.

“UP awards the Oblation Medal to those who passionately give to the University their talents and expertise, material support, financial resources, and their time, all of which are precious gifts selflessly given for the benefit of the UP community and the public,” Concepcion said in his welcome remarks.

“Our hands together enabled the University in recent years to deliver extraordinary public service in various ways. You have provided UP with the more than usual means and resources,” Pernia, UP vice president, added through her closing remarks.

The award is named after UP’s symbol, The Oblation, a sculptural rendition by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino of the second stanza of Jose Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios.” For UP, the Oblation is said to signify the offering of oneself in service. The Gawad Oblation medal was designed by Leo Abaya of the UP College of Fine Arts to articulate The Oblation’s symbolism.

The dinner ceremony featured musical numbers from strings musician Solaiman Jamisolamin and the UP Singing Ambassadors.

Source: https://up.edu.ph/up-honors-benefactors-with-gawad-oblation/

by Randolph B. Leongson

FORMER Meralco Bolts assistant coach Xavy Nunag has been tapped as the new UAAP basketball commissioner, filling the post left by newly appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Dickie Bachmann.

Nunag, a former player from University of the Philippines and head coach for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, will oversee the competitions starting in the UAAP Season 85 boys basketball tournament.

“It’s a blessing. It’s something that I’m not taking for granted. I played for UP from 1998 to 2002, coached in Ateneo during UAAP Seasons 72 and 73, and then nag-analyst pa ako and now commissioner. It’s such a blessing,” he said.

“Since I played and coached here in the UAAP, I just tried to give back and serve the league.”

Nunag, who also currently chairs a logistics company and is a vice-president of a resort, savours a full circle moment as he looks to sustain the league’s gains under Bachmann’s watch.

“What he brings to the table is his managerial skills crucial to his position,” said UAAP execitive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag. “In fact, he immediately buckled down to work and met key people several times in the short time given to him.”

Nunag, though, remains non-committal on whether he will take the commissioner’s job for the 3×3 basketball tournament as he opted to focus first on the ongoing high school tournament.

Source: https://www.spin.ph/basketball/uaap-juniors/xavy-nunag-named-to-replace-bachmann-as-uaap-commissioner

MANILA — A graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman emerged as the sole passer of the December 2022 Real Estate Consultant Licensure Examination, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said Tuesday.

Out of 17 examinees, Ma. Dani Vi Patal Edrad of UP Diliman was the only one who passed both the written and revalida exam.

The results were released in two working days after the last day of examination.

Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/17/23/up-diliman-grad-is-lone-passer-in-real-estate-consultant-board-exam