MOA Signing with BSH ‘68 Alumni
A follow-up meeting and holiday fellowship celebration between the UP College of Public Health (UP CPH) officials and members of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) was held on 20 December 2023 in Taguig City. In the meeting, the current CPH Officials were able to meet with the members of the BS Hygiene Class of 1968 and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA).
The gathering kicked off with lively introductions from both the CPH officials and the alumni. On the meeting agenda were updates on alumni matters, including discussions on the proposed alumni forum series featuring CPH alumni, and potential collaborations between the Alumni Association and the College of Public Health. Dr. Luceli Cuasay then surprised the party by announcing her sponsorship of an additional scholarship, complementing the existing scholarships offered by UPAAA. The occasion also witnessed the continuation of these scholarships through a Memorandum of Agreement signing.
UP CPH Dean and Centre Director Dr. Fernando B. Garcia, Jr., Former Dean and Centre Director, Dr. Vicente Y. Belizario; Assistant to the Dean for Planning and Development, Dr. TJ Robinson Moncatar; Associate Dean for Research, Dr. Sharon Yvette Angelina Villanueva; College Secretary, Dr. Evalyn Roxas; Student Relations Officer, Dr. Maria Margarita Lota; and Alumni Relations Officer, Prof. Rose Abigail Duarte met with Ms. Niña Lojo and Ms. Rosalita Tan of the UPAAA, and Mr. John Paul delos Trinos during the get-together. Mr. Adriel Andonaque provided support to the event as the AR technical assistant.
Moving forward, the UP College of Public Health hopes to involve its alumni in more meaningful endeavors and initiatives, fostering strong relations between the institution and its graduates.
Source: UP Manila College of Public Health Facebook
News & Announcements
UPAA-Davao organizes “Quiz UP” for UP Mindanao’s 29th Anniversary
The UPAA-Davao organizers with UPMin officials and participants in “Quiz UP,” an offering for UP Mindanao’s 29th anniversary held on February 29, 2024 in UP Mindanao’s Kalimudan Student Center.
See more photos on their Facebook page
Source: UP Alumni Association – Davao Facebook
UP alumni launches UPAA Western Australia
On November 11, 2023, we successfully launched UP Alumni Association – Western Australia with the aim of introducing the association to the broader community of UP alumni and Filipinos in WA. We presented our association’s objectives and proposed short-term and long-term activities. It was a memorable afternoon filled with good fun, reminiscing about our days in UP.
A total of 97 membership applications were received, coming from alumni of all UP campuses and graduates from Batch 1957 to 2018.
To those who missed the launch, we hope to see you on our next event. We can’t wait to share with you our plans for 2024.
Here are some photos from the launch.
Credits go to all members who shared their photos. Feel free to tag yourself and your friends.
Source: UP Alumni Association – Western Australia Facebook
UP Diliman Professors Share Scientists’ Procurement Struggles at Senate Hearing
By Harvey Sapigao
College of Science (CS) Dean Giovanni Tapang held up a little white device as he finished his presentation. “This is a ₱150,000 component,” he described. “Isa lang gumagawa nito sa buong mundo, pero ang hirap pilitin sila na magregister sa PhilGEPS,” he continued, referring to the requirement that foreign companies must first register to the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) before they can sell products to local scientists.
Marine Science Institute (MSI) Deputy Director Dr. Irene Rodriguez explained that the small device is a resin that filters metals in water. “May budget tayo,” she said, “pero ang problema ko ay ‘yung resin na ito.”
This and other bottlenecks brought about by the procurement law, or the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), slow down research and development in the country. UPD leaders were invited to the Senate hearing to discuss the proposed revision of the procurement law at the House of Representatives on February 21, 2024.
Aside from Dean Tapang and Dr. Rodriguez, among those present were CS Associate Dean Dr. Eizadora Yu, CS Associate Dean Dr. Deo Florence Onda, National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) Dean Dr. Kristoffer Berse, NCPAG Assistant Professor Herisadel Flores, and NCPAG Atty. Lawrence Villanueva.
The procurement law, enacted in 2003, is a set of rules and regulations for using government funds to acquire goods and services. Although meant to deter corruption and promote transparency, the law introduces numerous problems for researchers and scientists.
Among the problems is that products become exorbitantly priced which hinders research progress. Dean Berse said that when a product cannot be locally produced, foreign-sourced products can be bought through local suppliers. But this method increases and even doubles the products’ prices. “In the event that no local suppliers are interested,” he added, “this will result in the loss of access to the target equipment.”
When researchers fail to procure the necessary equipment, they cannot meet project objectives and need to realign budgets. This will “ultimately delay the dissemination of knowledge and information and in providing solutions to our country’s pressing problems,” Dean Berse said.
Moreover, the procurement law impacts the retention of local scientists. “Once frustrated, they leave [the country] for greener pastures,” Dean Tapang said.
The amended procurement law aims to solve these problems. The revised law, for example, would allow for direct sales and direct acquisition of products in certain circumstances, bypassing the slow bidding process. Under the new law, the sole supplier of resin needed for Dr. Rodriguez’s research would not need to undergo bidding.
UPD professors fully support the amendments to the procurement law. They also proposed further improvements and recommendations, such as on how to counteract “abnormally low bids” or bids that offer equipment and services at suspiciously low prices.
One of the authors of the revised law, Senator Sonny Angara, stated that the law is already in its finalization stage and is expected to be finalized in the next two weeks.
For interview requests and other media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
UPV alumni donate steel shelves to the University Library
M.N. Taganap
Mr. and Mrs. Zyrel and Jhoanna Rojo, in collaboration with other generous co-donors, made a significant contribution to the University of the Philippines Visayas University Library by donating steel shelves worth Php 204,750.00.
The UPV University Library, through Ms. Analiza Galang-Linaugo, UPV University Librarian, received the seven steel shelves from various donors: 1.) Mr. Ramon O. Vista Jr. in memoriam Ramon A. Vista Sr.; 2.) Bertiz & De Asis families, UPHSI Class of 1987 & UPCN Class of 1994; 3.) Ms. Evelyn Patiño & family from Roxas City; 4.) Sis Helen Chiongson-Flowers & the UP SILAB Sisterhood; 5.) Mr. Noel Pablo Gallego, UPHSI Class of 1974 & UP SILAK Class of 1975-B; 6.) Ms. Cosette Vargas-Canilao; and 7.) Mr. and Mrs. Jhoanna and Zyrel Rojo and family, with the Rojo couple facilitating the purchase and delivery of the steel shelves.
As the University Library will transition to the new library building, the high-quality steel shelves will be very helpful in organizing the library collections. Its design will contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the library. These will provide a conducive environment for students, faculty members, and other clients who utilize the facility for academic and research purposes.
Linaugo, the library staff, and several students expressed their gratitude to the donors through a short “thank you” video. It is a significant milestone for the University Library as it will improve its services and support the University’s goal of achieving world-class competitiveness.
The Rojo couple, regular donors of the University Library, are both Library and Information Science graduates of UP. Mr. Zyrel was an alumnus of the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo (UPHSI) Class of 1987. They have been donating books to the University Library since 2018. Linaugo’s resourcefulness made the steel shelves initiative possible. Linaugo approached them and they did not hesitate to extend help.
Source: https://www.upv.edu.ph/index.php/news/upv-alumni-donate-steel-shelves-to-the-university-library
UP Baguio alumna presents her Balik Scientist Program report
See more photos on UP Baguio Facebook
Dr. Ailyn F. Fadriquela, an alumna of the University of the Philippines Baguio Biology Department, presented her Balik Scientist Program report entitled “My (Scientific) Way Back Home Setting a Niche of Biomedical Research in the North” at the UPB Chancellor’s Boardroom, February 29, 9:00 AM – 12:00 NN.
The Balik Scientist Program is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The goal of the program is to encourage Filipino scientists, technologists and experts “to return to the country and share their expertise in order to promote scientific, agro-industrial and economic development, including the development of human capital in science, technology and innovation.”
A live stream of the event can be accessed here: https://fb.watch/qvJyEomwyk/?mibextid=JRoKGi
UP Alumni Association of Wisconsin (UPAAW) President meets with UP President Jimenez to discuss student assistance programs
LOOK: UP Alumni Association of Wisconsin (UPAAW) President Lyn Hamilton and UP President Angelo Jimenez (PAJ) discussed student scholarships and other student assistance programs in a brief meeting on February 22. With them were Alumni Regent and UPAA President Robert Aranton, and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Student Affairs) and Office of Student Development and Services Director Shari Niña Oliquino.
Hamilton presented UPAAW’s golden anniversary project, “50@50 Iskolar ng Bayan Fund,” which aims to raise funds for 50 undergraduate students at $760 per student per year. She also asked about other ways UPAAW can give back—either as a chapter or a part of the greater UPAA network. To which PAJ replied that while tuition is free in UP, there are around a thousand students who need living allowance assistance and many others who need learning assistance.
AVP Oliquino said that UPAAW could also consider adopting the Alumni Mentoring Program which was launched last year with the UPAA of San Francisco Inc., while Regent Aranton suggested further talks between alumni groups and the UP System administration to align alumni projects and programs with the needs identified by the University.
Text by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo, UP MPRO
Photos by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO
Source: University of the Philippines Facebook
UP OAR holds the first Balik-Tanaw sa UP Diliman
A trip down memory lane…
On February 24, 2024, the University of the Philippines Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) successfully conducted the first Balik-Tanaw sa UP Diliman– a free walking tour within the campus grounds.
Mostly attended by UP alumni and armed with their newly purchased 1908 caps, the eager participants leisurely walked around the academic oval. Guided by Wander Manila’s Benjamin Canapi, who is also an alumnus of UP Diliman, the group learned facts about the artworks, buildings, and green spaces.
He shared anecdotes of sites and tales of events that took place within UPD such as historic AS or Palma Hall. He also pointed out new buildings and more recent additions to the grounds: the new University Health Service with its expanded facilities, the multi-level Shopping Center, which is now called UP DiliMall, and the on-going construction of FC (Faculty Commons).
The younger members of the party were surprised to know that there used to be a golf course within the campus. The supposed sinking of Sunken Garden or that Fernando Poe, Sr. was the model for the Oblation: both myths were busted during the tour.
The event became an avenue for the participants to reminisce about their good old days. They also met new and old friends. Tour guide, Mr. Benjamin Canapi himself, along with his 1995 batchmates at the College of Mass Communications, Ms. Jaymie Divinagracia and Ms. Aby Yap were thrilled to meet Prof. Elena L. Samonte-Hinckley, who was the University Registrar when they were students. Now a retired professor from the Department of Psychology, she was the oldest participant in the walk. Her student number starting with ‘68.
As the group rested on the steps of Quezon Hall, Canapi reminded everyone of the historic Diliman Commune. People discussed the significance of the university and the impact of its students and graduates to Philippine society.
“Does anyone want to sing UP Naming Mahal?,” Canapi asked.
“Sure!” the crowd responded.
“Memorize niyo?”
The group laughed and comforted themselves with many photos to commemorate the nostalgic event.
Aside from creating opportunities for alumni to revisit their alma mater and to immerse themselves once again in the UP community, OAR endeavors alumni to reconnect with the University and to actively participate in UP events and projects.
The Balik-Tanaw sa UP Diliman was free, but if you are interested in supporting future OAR projects, we still welcome any amount of donations or you may still purchase some of our merchandise through online registration: bit.ly/Balik-TanawSaUPDiliman. All proceeds will be used to fund various OAR outreach programs.
#connectingUPalumni
UPMASA and UPM-Ugnayan ng Pahinungod collaborative Medical, Dental, and Surgical Mission
LOOK: The 2024 Tarlac Joint Medical, Dental, and Surgical Mission, a collaborative project of University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society in America (UPMASA) and UPM-Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Manila was successfully held from January 28 to February 1, 2024.
See more photos: University of the Philippines Manila Facebook
UP CAMP thanks alumni and friends for donating to the College
UP CAMP would like to thank our alumni and friends from the United States for donating books, toys, orthoses and therapy materials to the College. Your donations will help the OT, PT and SP Departments, and the Clinic for Therapy Services with the training of our students, and provision of services to our patients.
Maraming salamat po!
Source: UP College of Allied Medical Professions Facebook