You are invited to listen to the country’s top experts as they discuss the latest scientific findings on COVID-19 vaccines and possible physiological reactions among people with health concerns.
In the next University of the Philippines webinar, “May Mga Allergy Ako: COVID-19 Vaccine- SAFE BA?”, to be held on Friday, 26 February 2021, 12 noon, Dr. Marysia Stella T. Recto will talk about COVID-19 vaccines in relation to allergies and other reactions. Recto is the immediate past president of the Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (PSAAI), and Professor of Adult Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at the UP-Philippine General Hospital,
This webinar aims to explain possible but rare reactions to administered vaccine, and how health workers will manage any reaction, as well as provide answers to questions raised by participants. The experts will also expound on: who should not be given COVID-19 vaccines, patients who need further evaluation, and special groups who can receive the vaccine.
Dr. Rommel Lobo, President of PSAAI, and Dr. Elena E. Pernia, UP System VP for Public Affairs, will open the webinar with special messages. Dr. Charlotte Chiong, Dean of the UP College of Medicine, will also share her insights during the webinar.
Dr. Leilanie Apostol-Nicodemus, Professor at the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the UP-PGH, and Karen Davila, broadcast journalist of Headstart on ANC will serve as webinar reactors.
The Stop COVID Deaths webinar series is organized by UP in partnership with UP Manila National Institutes of Health-National Telehealth Center, and in cooperation with UP PGH.
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Molecular epidemiologist Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana was positive on the safety and benefit of the vaccines with emergency use authorizations (EUAs) in the Philippines’ fight against COVID-19, and on the manageability of COVID-19 cases in the country as the vaccines were being rolled out.
Speaking on February 23, 2021 as the resource person for the online forum, eKapihan, organized by the UP Alumni Association, Salvana warned, however, that the figures on both COVID-19 cases and those from clinical trials of the vaccines, on which he based his talk, were subject to change, as both were on-going events.
Vaccine effect
Salvana also said that based on clinical trials thus far, none of the vaccines available for emergency use can totally prevent viral transmission; but although they may not be able to “kill the lion”, they can “turn it into a kitten”, that is, prevent hospitalization from severe cases, thus easing the burden on the health care system, and prevent death.
Salvana compared Pfizer, Astra, and Sinovac, the three vaccines with EUAs in the country, and Moderna with each other. He noted that Sinovac, based on its Brazil “stress-test” on health workers, understandably lagged in terms of protecting recipients from developing symptoms; but it was still at par with Astra and Moderna in preventing by 100 percent deaths or cases that would necessitate hospitalization.
A screenshot of a slide from Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana’s presentation at the UPAA’s eKapihan on February 23, 2021. Screenshot by Jo. Lontoc, UPMPRO.
“What is urgently needed? The vaccines to prevent deaths and severe disease among the vulnerable is the most important right now, until we can get to the point when we can block transmission and get herd immunity,” Salvana said. He referred to the frontliners, the elderly, and the chronically ill as the vulnerable populations.
“The data for children are not given for now. That doesn’t mean it’s not going to work [on them], but there are still clinical trials ongoing that can better define how we can use these vaccines,” Salvana pointed out. “Do not give for now,” he said, referring to children.
Salvana stressed that vaccine development for COVID-19 started 17 years ago from the original SARS outbreak.
He added that 208 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been given, “and not a single person [had] been proven to have died from it.” But caution must be taken on pregnant, immunocompromised, those with severe allergies, and the “frail elderly”. They should consult their doctors first.
Pandemic manageability
Salvana expressed optimism regarding the pandemic outlook in the Philippines. “If we stick to minimum health standards, our cases number will actually remain manageable.”
A screenshot of a slide from Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana’s presentation at the UPAA’s eKapihan on February 23, 2021. Screenshot by Rad Agustin, UPMPRO.
To illustrate, he said there should have been a major surge at the end of January and the first couple of weeks of February following the last holidays, when a lot of people came out.
“Thankfully [the surge] didn’t happen which tells me people are starting to learn to live with the virus,” Salvana said. “All we really did see was a little bump up and it was outside Metro Manila.”
“Looking at what’s going on right now, the curve remains relatively flat, which makes me hopeful that we’re gonna be able to keep this trend until we get everyone vaccinated,” he concluded.
“The case fatality rate is better than worldwide—2 percent versus 3 percent. Our deaths are relatively low. We’re the 110th in the world in terms of deaths per million—109 per million compared to the US which has 15 times our death rate per million or 1,446 [per million], 1,294 [per million] in France,” Salvana said.
According to him, “The positivity rate [from tests] has been going down. It’s consistently about 5-6 percent.” Case management is also improving leading to higher survival rates, he said.
“Our number of cases is actually pretty good compared to other countries,” Salvana pointed out.
Because of these, he said the economy can remain open as the vaccines are being rolled out. If there are localized surges, he recommended proactive contact tracing and localized lockdowns.
A screenshot of a slide from Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana’s presentation at the UPAA’s eKapihan on February 23, 2021. Screenshot by Rad Agustin, UPMPRO.
State of variants
He also stressed the importance of genetic surveillance being conducted by the UP Philippine Genome Center to track any new variant, contain it immediately, and make sure they are not spreading further.
Talking about the variants, feared for increased transmissibility: “We’re not sure of sustained community transmission yet. It seems like we caught them early.
“If you look at Israel, they went from 40 percent UK variant to 80 percent UK variant in one month. Now we have about 2 percent of our samples that we are looking at is UK variant. That hasn’t changed much. So it means like we’re doing a good job of keeping the UK variant under control.”
He noted that Pfizer and Moderna still had “enough antibody diversity to overcome the sustained mutation.”
Even so, he added, “There is no evidence right now that these mutations in isolation in these viruses that we see in the Philippines are actually increasing their virulence or if there’s gonna be any effect on vaccines.”
In his synthesis, Salvana said: “Now, with the vaccines that we have and more in the pipeline, and a faster roll-out, maybe in a year, we will have a semblance of normalcy.”
However, since there was not enough vaccine from just one producer, he recommended the use of all scientifically proven vaccines as soon as possible to save lives.
Salvana is Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the UP Manila-National Institutes of Health and Adjunct Professor for Global Health of the University of Pittsburgh.
A screenshot of a slide from Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana’s presentation at the UPAA’s eKapihan on February 23, 2021. Screenshot by Rad Agustin, UPMPRO.
The deadline for the online submission of Form 2 is extended to 31 March 2021.
The UP Office of Admissions has initiated contact with high schools since 16 February 2021. Schools that have not received any notification or have changed their registered email address are advised to contact dataproc.oadms@up.edu.ph.
For inquiries, concerns and assistance, please proceed to our Online Helpdesk found in the UP Office of Admissions FB page (https://www.facebook.com/UPSystemOfficeOfAdmissions/). The Helpdesk is open from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
UP bags a Silver Anvil Award in the 56th Anvil Awards. Photo from the UP Padayon Public Service Office.
The University of the Philippines received a Silver Anvil in the 56th Anvil Awards of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) in recognition of two of the University’s public service programs.
The Silver Anvil represents high standards met by the UP programs in the category of “public relations programs carried out on a sustained basis” for urban or rural community development.
These were the Gawad Pangulo for Excellence in Public Service (GPEPS) and the Colleges and Universities Public Service Conference (CUPSCon), both conceptualized and implemented by the UP Padayon Public Service Office (PPSO) since 2015 with the support of the UP Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs (OVPPA).
According to PRSP, there were 534 entries of public relations programs and tools, of which only 138 won Silver and Gold Anvils. The entries were screened by 65 Public Relations and Communication professionals, with each qualifier judged by a five-person multi-sectoral jury.
There were 85 other programs that won Silver Anvils this year, but UP’s programs were the only awardees from an academic institution.
This year’s awards theme was “PR for Good” or “purpose-driven and impactful initiatives that promote corporate integrity and the social good during crises and across platforms,” said Maria Luisa Sebastian, the 56th Anvil Awards chair.
“We congratulate all the winners. They serve as role models in our industry,” PRSP President Norman Agatep added.
UP Vice President for Public Affairs Elena Pernia, UP Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Jose Wendell Capili, PPSO Director Jeanette Yasol-Naval, and PPSO senior project assistant Charles Jason Ramos received the award on behalf of UP at the Gabi ng Parangal, held on February 19, 2021 via livestream.
GPEPS recognizes the best and innovative public service programs across UP to inspire support and replication of their best practices. Nineteen programs have been given the award and prize money that may be used to expand the program or initiate a new one. The awardees were subsequently showcased in CUPSCon, giving them the opportunity to be adopted by other higher education institutions (HEIs).
CUPSCon is a biennial conference that promotes public service and engagement by HEIs. It draws an average 300 participants from HEIs and government, non-government, and civil society organizations. Close to 400 papers have been presented in the three conferences held thus far, on such themes as: HEIs engaging society with expertise, compassion and social responsibility in HEI public service and extension; and, academe-community partnership.
PPSO administers the two programs as part of UP’s mandate as a public service university, which is also committed to uphold “honor and excellence”.
According to PPSO Director Yasol-Naval, the office continues “to develop UP’s public service framework and system for designing, linking, and sustaining relevant, pragmatic, strategic, timely, and pioneering public service programs.”
“The office is committed in coordinating and mobilizing the resources of the University for the prompt and efficient response to the demands of public service,” she added.
Awardees of the Gawad Pangulo for Excellence in Public Service pose with UP officials, guests, and staff. Photo from the UP Padayon Public Service Office.
Participants of the Visayas leg of the first CUPSCon, held in UP Cebu, pose for a commemorative photo. Photo from the UP Padayon Public Service Office.
Participants of the 2nd Colleges and Universities Public Service Conference pose for a commemorative photo in UP Bonifacio Global City. Photo from the UP Padayon Public Service Office.
Participants of the 3rd Colleges and Universities Public Service Conference held in UP Visayas pose for a photo. Photo from the UP Padayon Public Service Office.
UP Vice President for Public Affairs Elena Pernia, UP Padayon Public Service Office Director Jeanette Yasol-Naval, UP Visayas Chancellor Ricardo Babaran, and UP Visayas Office of Continuing Education and Pahinungod Director Rhodella Ibabao pose with the keynote speaker of the 3rd Colleges and Universities Public Service Conference, former National Economic and Development Authority chief Ernesto Pernia. Photo from the UP Padayon Public Service Office.
The UP Padayon Public Service Office staff with Office Director Jeanette Yasol-Naval. Photo from the UP Padayon Public Service Office.
Academic freedom. The term has been tossed around so much in recent weeks, on social media, in the news, on the streets, but what is it really? And why are people so determined to defend it?
Screenshot of live Zoom event taken by Rad Agustin, UP MPRO.
The recent abrogation by the Department of National Defense (DND) of its 1989 Accord with the University thrust the subject of academic freedom into the larger public sphere. The subsequent red-tagging of UP alumni by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana later acknowledged as an “unpardonable gaffe” and which the AFP apologized for, only served to intensify public discussion.
To put things in perspective, UP organized Usapang KP (Kalayaan sa Pamantasan), an online discussion series that intends to dive into the nuances of academic freedom. Its first episode, “Mga Terror, Hindi Terrorista,” was streamed live on February 4 and focused on defining academic freedom and its significance to the life of a university.
The episode featured alumnae and revered professors emeriti, Dr. Solita Monsod (Economics) and Dr. Gisela Concepcion (Marine Science) as main speakers. Reactors were: fellow alumni Atty. Soledad Deriquito Mawis, Dean of the College of Law, Lyceum of the Philippines University; Dr. Giovanni Tapang, Dean of the College of Science, UP Diliman; and, Atty. Theodore Te of the Free Legal Assistance Group. It was moderated by Professor Emeritus Jose Dalisay Jr., and Malou Mangahas, Co-founder and Board Member, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
Top row: Atty. Soledad Deriquito Mawis (reactor), Dr. Giovanni Tapang (reactor), and Malou Mangahas (moderator). Middle row: Dr. Gisela Concepcion (speaker), Dr. Jose Dalisay Jr. (moderator), and Atty. Theodore Te (reactor). Bottom row: Dr. Solita Monsod (speaker). Screenshot of live Zoom event taken by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo, UP MPRO.
So what is academic freedom?
While the 1987 Philippine Constitution states in Article XIV, Section 5 (2) that “Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning”, it does not define academic freedom.
The reason for this lack of definition can be found in the deliberations of the 1986 Constitutional Commission on September 9. Commissioner Adolf Azcuna said, “Since academic freedom is a dynamic concept and we want to expand the frontiers of freedom, especially in education, therefore, we will leave it to the courts to develop further the parameters of academic freedom. We just say that it shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning.”
US Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter’s concurring opinion in Sweezy v. New Hampshire (1957), widely acknowledged as having captured the essence of academic freedom, has found its way into Philippine jurisprudence. Monsod, Mawis, and Te cited Frankfurter’s opinion that academic freedom consists of the “four essential freedoms” of a university “to determine for itself on academic grounds who may teach, what may be taught, how it shall be taught, and who may be admitted to study.”
Dr. Gisela Concepcion says a form of freedom of expression for scientists is the publication of their research, where they subject themselves to the scrutiny of their peers. Screenshot of live Zoom event taken by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo, UP MPRO.
For Concepcion, it is the freedom “to pursue knowledge without boundaries in an unencumbered and enabling environment.” Faculty members, she said, have earned the right to mentor and teach through years of study, research, and training that allowed them to gain expertise.
Academic freedom, she added, exists in an academic framework, a highly complex system that contains not only the functions of universities and their players, but also the factors that affect the successful execution of these functions toward the overarching goal of serving the nation and humanity. Concepcion said academic freedom is ensured by external support, including support from the government, which provides the encouraging atmosphere for teaching, learning, inquiry, and discussion to thrive and flourish.
Dr. Solita Monsod clarifies that neither academic freedom nor tenure protects incompetent teachers from losing their jobs. It does not protect faculty members “from colleague or student challenges to or disagreement with their education philosophies and practices” and it does not shield them “from sanctions for professional misconduct.” Screenshot of live Zoom event taken by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo, UP MPRO.
Monsod, quoting UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, focused on academic freedom in UP, said that it is the “freedom to challenge orthodoxies and established ways of thinking and acting without fear of repression or punitive action. This freedom is essential for the life of the mind and for UP’s dual role as (a) knowledge producer and (b) social critic.”
However, she emphasized that academic freedom is not “unlimited”. Among others, it does not mean “a faculty member can harass, threaten, intimidate, ridicule, or impose his or her views on students.” It also “does not protect faculty members from non-university penalties if they break the law.”
Why is it important?
It is critical to a university’s role in clarifying and seeking truth, Tapang explained. Academic freedom allows an environment that is “most conducive to speculation, experimentation, and creation. . . . If we are unable to speak our mind with intellectual honesty, what else would the university be for us?” Borrowing Albert Einstein’s words, he added that “any restriction on academic freedom [hampers] the dissemination of knowledge among people and thereby impedes rational judgment and action.”
Dr. Giovanni Tapang agrees with Albert Einstein’s opinion that while everyone is involved in defending constitutional rights, intellectuals are “in a special position” since they have a “strong influence on the formation of public opinion.” Screenshot of live Zoom event taken by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo, UP MPRO.
Monsod made reference to Britannica on the justification for academic freedom. That it “lies not in the comfort or convenience of teachers and students but in the benefits to society; i.e., the long-term interests of a society are best served when the educational process leads to the advancement of knowledge, and knowledge is best advanced when inquiry is free from restraints by the state, by the church or other institutions, or by special-interest groups.”
Atty. Theodore Te explains that academic freedom, as guaranteed by the 1987 Philippine Constitution in all institutions of higher learning, “is understood to cover everyone within that institution.” Screenshot of live Zoom event taken by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo, UP MPRO.
Academic freedom is essential to any institution of higher learning because it is an “assertion of control over what we want to read, say, think, and how and who we want to think with, discuss with, express ourselves with,” Te stated.
Mawis concurred that academic freedom meant respect for universities to determine their academic governance, and emphasized that it was “consistent with law and jurisprudence.” She also cited Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe’s concurring opinion in Pimentel v. Medialdea, G.R. No. 230642 (2019), “Academic freedom is anchored on the recognition that academic institutions perform a social function, and its business is conducted for the common good; that is, it is a necessary tool for critical inquiry of truth and its free exposition. Thus, the guarantee of academic freedom is complementary to the freedom of expression and the freedom of the mind.”
Specific to UP, Concepcion, Mawis, and Te made reference to Republic Act No. 9500 or the UP Charter of 2008, where Section 5 states, “The national university has the right and responsibility to exercise academic freedom.” They emphasized “responsibility” as a clear mandate for UP to exercise its right to academic freedom.
“Teachers should be given a wide latitude to express their beliefs without fear of retribution. . . . Left, right, left of center, right of center, center. . . UP was the channel for free exchange of ideas and the confluence of disagreements, thoughts, and principles made me who I am today. . . . UP allowed me to decide on my own,” says Atty. Soledad Deriquito Mawis. Screenshot of live Zoom event taken by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo, UP MPRO.
How do we protect and defend academic freedom?
“Stop taking it for granted,” Monsod said, adding that academic freedom “does not stand alone in support of the higher education system.” She cited Cary Nelson’s No University is an Island: Saving Academic Freedom, which states that academic freedom, shared governance, and tenure are the three legs in the footstool that supports higher education.
Monsod also proposed that professors emeriti lead in the establishment of a “Philippine Association of University Professors or Philippine Association of University Teachers” because unity in their ranks will create a formidable organization in guarding against threats to academic freedom, among other issues.
Tapang, meanwhile, echoed Einstein’s words on constitutional rights: “The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it.” He also said that “[there are] prevalent tools like Facebook. We have to speak online and on social media. Show that we are taking a stand.”
“UP has given us the tools, skills, attitude, disposition, critical thinking. Now we are called upon to apply these,” Te said.
Mawis added, “Be aware of what is happening. Know the facts. Analyze. Make a stand. Love the truth. We honor excellence by living the truth. We honor integrity. We honor the truth. We were wired that way, therefore we should act that way.”
“What is the proportion of [UP’s] contributions versus speculations [against it]? We need to communicate effectively the good that the University has done, even just in this time of pandemic,” Concepcion emphasized the positive outcomes of academic freedom.
Dalisay capped it off with “The best way to defend academic freedom is to use it. Express yourself. Wherever you are, the university is in you. You do not have to be in UP to exercise the spirit of academic freedom.”
Director Ana Tan of the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship, representing Dean Luis Dumlao of the Ateneo de Manila University John Gokongwei School of Management and Chair of the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA) Chair, reads Dumlao’s statement of support for Dr. Marie Lisa Dacanay, ISEA president and a UP alumna who was red-tagged by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Dacanay was the first Asian to be awarded Social Innovation Thought Leader by the World Economic Forum and Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship in 2019. Screenshot of live Zoom event taken by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo, UP MPRO.
The University of the Philippines would like to invite you to join the fight for Academic Freedom in the Sciences and Evidence-Based Scholarship for Nation-Building!
Featuring UP alumni from all sectors and spheres of society with voices from other universities to reflect on academic freedom as an integral element for an environment that nurtures excellence, innovation, and altruism.
Register now to be a part of this Freedom Project, the USAPANG KP (Kalayaan sa Pamantasan) Webinar Series at: https://tinyurl.com/UsapangKP
Webinar #5 USAPANG KP “Mga Siyentipiko at Pantas: HANEP!” March 4, 2021 (Thursday) 1-3pm
Moderator:
Malou Mangahas
Co-Founder and Board Member, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
Co-Convenor, Right to Know, Right Now Coalition
Co-Moderator:
Dr. Fidel Nemenzo
Chancellor, UP Diliman
Panelists:
Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay
Director, UP Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (UP NOAH)
Executive Director, UP Resilience Institute
Dr. Laura T. David
Director, Marine Science Institute
UP Diliman
Dr. Lisa Grace S. Bersales
UP System Vice President for Finance
First National Statistician in the Philippines
Reactors:
Dr. Emmanuel C. Lallana
Chief Executive, Ideacorp
Ramon J. Santiago
Deputy Executive Director, Program Management Office for the Earthquake Resiliency of Greater Metro Manila Area, Office of the President
Goran Tomacruz
Team Leader, Alamat UP
Electro-chemical Engineering (LEE)
This portal serves as a compilation of verified information and resource materials on UP’s actions during this public health situation. Please bookmark and refresh this page to get the latest updates on UP’s response to COVID-19. Share this site and help us prevent the spread of misinformation.
After eleven months of fighting a global pandemic, our health frontliners are suffering from stress, fatigue and burnout from working long hours under extraordinarily challenging conditions.
Filipino health workers in other parts of the world have been hailed for their heroism and perseverance where others have given up. Both within and outside of the country, frontline Filipino health workers have suffered severe illness and death. And yet, compensation packages for health workers have remained the same.
The 43rd installment of the University of the Philippines’ webinar series, “Stop COVID Deaths”, is a special edition that aims to answer the question of “Dagdag Stress sa COVID-19: May Dagdag Suweldo ba ang Frontliners?”
The webinar will focus on how to solve the urgent and critical need to maintain the health of Filipino health workers; and to compensate them well for their selfless and courageous service in the face of a shortage of health human resources and the embarrassingly and relatively low wages given to frontline workers in the Philippines, when compared to neighboring countries in the ASEAN and the rest of the world. It will be held on Friday, March 5, 2021, at 12nn.
Resource speakers during the webinar will talk about compensation packages for health care workers, not just for the pandemic but for current and future needs to achieve universal health coverage. Dr. Ernesto Pernia, UP Professor Emeritus and former Secretary, National Economic and Development Authority, will serve as the main presenter. The reactors will be: Dr. Carlo Panelo, Professor at the UP College of Medicine Department of Clinical Epidemiology; Dr. Carlos Naval, a private practitioner at the Galileo SurgiCenter; and, Dr. Rafael Marfori, Assistant Program Leader of the Philippine Primary Care Studies.
Opening remarks will be delivered by UP Vice President for Finance Dr. Lisa Bersales, while UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Carmencita Padilla will give the closing remarks.
The “Stop COVID Deaths” webinar series is organized by UP in partnership with UP Manila NIH National Telehealth Center and in cooperation with UP Philippine General Hospital.
The UP Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UP IESM) is celebrating its 18th anniversary this March with a month-long webinar series on different issues and aspects of environmental science and meteorology in the Philippines.
The first webinar that kicked off the series, focusing on the “Holistic Lens of Environmental Science and Meteorology in the Philippine Context”, was held on 01 March. It featured as speakers: Dr. Lemnuel Aragones, Director of UP IESM; Dr. Bernard Alan Racoma; and, Dr. Cherry L. Ringor, UP IESM Deputy Director for Academic Affairs,. The live stream may be viewed on the UP IESM Facebook page.
The second webinar in the series, scheduled on 08 March 2021 at 1:00 p.m., will take on the “Advances and Challenges in Philippine Meteorology”. It will feature as speakers: Dr. Esperanza Cayanan, UP IESM Deputy Administrator for Research and Development; Dr. Gerry Bagtasa; and, Dr. Olivia Cabrera. You may register for the Zoom event at https://tinyurl.com/kxcxsjdh.
The third webinar in the series will discuss “Cutting-Edge Land-Water Science Technology”. The speakers will be Dr. Mayzonee Ligaray, Dr. Tolentino Moya, and Dr. Gay Jane Perez, UP IESM Deputy Director for Research and Development. The webinar will be held on 15 March 2021 at 1:00 p.m. The registration link is https://tinyurl.com/by5ch7k3.
The fourth and final installment in the UP IESM’s anniversary webinar series will take on “Biodiversity and Deterioration of Natural Resources”, with Dr. Rene Rollon, Dr. Mylene Cayetano, and Dr. Alexander Young as speakers. It will be held on 22 March 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Register for this webinar at https://tinyurl.com/5azkp2yr.
The live stream of all the webinars in the UP IESM’s 18th anniversary webinar series can be viewed at the UP IESM’s Facebook page.
The UP IESM is an academic unit of the UP Diliman College of Science. Merging the Environmental Science Program (ESP) and the Department of Meteorology and Oceanography (DMO), the UP IESM serves as a Center of Excellence in the environmental and atmospheric sciences in Asia Pacific. The Institute investigates natural phenomena contributing to many major decisions toward sustainable development in the country and the region. It has been designated as the Center of Excellence for Environmental Science by the Commission on Higher Education. The UP IESM is also the Regional Training Center for the World Meteorological Organization Region V.
With people’s lives, communications and business and personal transactions moving increasingly online, cybersecurity has become a necessity, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns keeping most people indoors and dependent on the Internet and technology.
The University of the Philippines, through the UP Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders (UP-CIFAL), the UP College of Law and the UP Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga, has partnered with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) under the Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), to offer a Professional Course on Digital Governance and Cybersecurity. The virtual launch of the new professional course will be held on Tuesday, 9 March 2021, at 9:30 a.m.
The Professional Course on Digital Governance and Cybersecurity was created through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between UP and the CICC on 13 October 2020. Under the MOA, the three UP institutions and the CICC collaborated on creating a professional course to strengthen the capacity of key leaders and personnel of the CICC.
The course offers a universal framework to address the emerging concerns of 21st century governance and cybersecurity, which are manifested at global, national and local levels. The course aims to provide learners with: an appreciation and understanding of modern information and system technology; the complex domains of cybersecurity; and, the methods and approaches of various sectors, namely, government, private sector, and civil society in addressing cyber risks and challenges. It is designed to equip learners with knowledge and skills to tackle the challenges of cybercrime, which is imperative to guarantee and protect the rule of law, the right of the individual, sectors, and states, and to promote justice and robust institutions anchored on responsible freedom and sustainability.
The Professional Course on Digital Governance and Cybersecurity will be initially offered to select government officials, and cascaded later on to other agencies, including local government units. It will be delivered through modules, and under each module are topics on various themes and issues, with: Module 1 focusing on “Philippine Governance in the Cyber Age”; Module 2, on “Digitization, Digitalization, and Digital Transformation: Whole Ecosystem Approach”; Module 3, on “Key Issues in Cybersecurity: The Philippine Context”; Module 4, on “Cybersecurity as Transnational Concern”; Module 5, on “Promoting the Rule of Law, Justice and Strong Institutions”; and, Module 6, on “Case Analysis and Solution-Seeking Measures or Policies”.
In this pandemic, stakeholders who have direct contact with students should be aware of the importance of mental health (MH) and the nurturing role of teachers in remote learning contexts, especially within the University of the Philippines (UP).
Mental health advocates play critical roles in responding to the MH concerns and coping needs of UP students. To help create a network of MH advocates for a healthy and nurturing UP, the UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Office of Student Financial Assistance (OVPAA-OSFA) is presenting Sandigan, Sandalan: Training and Advocacy programs for Mental Health.
One of the components of the Sandigan, Sandalan Project is the Training on Mental Health Promotion in the Teaching-Learning Environment for College Mental Health focal persons. College Mental Health Focal Persons are UP faculty members and Student Affairs staff who can advocate for MH care in classes and other teaching-learning contexts. The online training provides practical resources on MH promotion and forums where focal persons can interact with peers and invited experts. The training program will cover (1) Essentials of Mental Health, (2) Creating Supportive Teaching-Learning Environments, and (3) Action points to Address Psychosocial Concerns of UP students.
The training team is led by Maria Angela Mabale, RN (College of Nursing, UP Manila) and Airon Andrew Bonifacio, RND (College of Home Economics, UP Diliman). The program resource persons include Rowalt Alibudbud, MD (College of Liberal Arts, De La Salle University); Victoria Patricia De La Llana, MD (College of Medicine, UP Manila); Raymond John Naguit, MD (Youth for Mental Health Coalition); Eleanor Caballo, RGC (College of Arts and Science, UP Manila); and Blesile Mantaring, MD (Office of Student Affairs, UP Manila).
The Training Program on Mental Health Promotion in the Teaching-Learning Environment will begin on 8 March 2021 to accommodate the first batch of College Mental Health focal persons. Subsequent runs will be organized by the OVPAA-OSFA in the 2nd semester AY 2020-2021 to cover all constituent universities of UP and help build the College Mental focal persons’ capacity to advocate mental health care in the University.
Over the past week, there has been an increase in the numbers of people testing positive for COVID-19. On March 9, the country’s COVID-19 case count breached the 600,000 mark, with Octa Research fellow Dr. Guido David saying that COVID-19 cases in virus epicenter Metro Manila are climbing faster than expected and reports from hospitals showing an increase in admissions.
What do these increases in case numbers mean and why are they happening now? And with these increases happening while vaccination programs are being rolled out in hospitals and health workers getting their shots, are frontliners safer now that there is a vaccine? How is the vaccination program doing in the face of the case number increases?
The 44th installment of the University of the Philippines’ (UP) “Stop COVID Deaths” webinar series is a National Virtual Town Hall Meeting for Hospitals. The webinar, titled “IS THERE A SURGE? May COVID-19 Vaccine Na, May Maiiba Ba?”, will take a closer look at the increasing number of cases and how hospitals are coping. It will be held on Friday, March 12, 2021, at 12 noon.
The main presentation will be given by Dr. Gerardo “Gap” Legaspi, Director of the UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). Reactors include Dr. Vincent Balanag, Executive Director of the Philippine Lung Center; Dr. Fritz Famaran, Chief of Hospital of the Jose Rodriguez Hospital; and Dr. Nina Berba, infectious disease specialist from the UP College of Medicine and PGH. Opening remarks will be delivered by Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, UP System Executive Vice President and Special Adviser of the National Task Force on COVID-19, while the closing remarks will be given by Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla, Chancellor of UP Manila.
This March, the University Library Diliman’s Information Services and Instruction Section is conducting the second “Discovering Connections, Connecting Discoveries” webinar series, featuring new online resources available for the constituents of the University of the Philippines (UP) System.
The previous webinars, which were held last February, were aimed at UP faculty and staff. This time, the new series of webinars, which will be held via Zoom teleconferencing from March 18 to 26, 2021, is aimed at UP students.
The schedule of the new webinars, with their respective registration links, is as follows:
Webinars marked as **popular** are the sessions that received the most positive feedback among UP students. Students are highly encouraged to attend all the webinars to gain more knowledge about the resources on remote learning available to them, but if they are only able to attend a few, then the webinars marked **popular** are to be given priority. The webinars also tackle some frequently asked questions such as inquiries about remote access, reference and citation, and how to use EBSCO and ScienceDirect databases.
Dr. Enrique Tayag of the Department of Health (DOH) is the featured resource person in the University of the Philippines (UP) webinar on the vaccine roll-out, “COVID-19 Vaccines: Naiinip Ka Na Ba?”, to be livestreamed on March 19, 2021 at 12 nn.
With UP professor and DOH Technical Advisory Group member, Dr. Anna Ong Lim, and Dr. Gloria Baltazar, Director of the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center as reactors, Tayag, a government epidemiologist who is currently Director of the DOH Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service, will discuss what the public can reasonably expect from the government’s vaccination roll-out program.
Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, UP Executive Vice President and National Task Force on COVID-19 Special Adviser, and UP College of Medicine Dean Dr. Charlotte Chiong will also deliver experts’ remarks.
The webinar aims to answer questions such as: How many Filipinos can be expected to be vaccinated this year? What is the projected time of vaccination for health workers and seniors? When will the general public start receiving vaccines? When will vaccines become commercially available? What are the roles of the local government unit and the private sector? What countries into vaccine production seem to be willing to collaborate with the Philippines to provide more supply at the earliest possible time?
The webinar is the 45th in the series of weekly webinars titled “Stop COVID Deaths”, produced by UP in partnership with UP Manila National Institutes of Health-National Telehealth Center and in cooperation with UP Philippine General Hospital.
The UPOU community deeply mourns the loss of its former Chancellor, Dr. Felix Librero. Dr. Librero died Tuesday, 16 March 2021. He served as Chancellor of UPOU from 2001 to 2007. Watch the tribute video for Dr. Librero on the UPOU Facebook page.
“At some point in one’s life, death is the only thing that must happen.”
This was how Professor Emeritus Felix Librero concluded one of his musings on the subject of death in his blog, Connecting, back in February 2017. While his was a matter-of-fact declaration of a universal truth, its simplicity and directness did not take away from the complexity of human emotion that resulted from the news of his passing on March 16.
Sadness, shock, disbelief, regret. These were only some of the reactions people expressed when they learned that he was gone. He succumbed to liver cirrhosis at the age of 77.
The wealth of wisdom and knowledge he chose to share with the world through his publications and lectures, his mentorship and guidance, had a deep and lasting effect on his students and colleagues in the University. This is evident in the many recollections and stories about him that have been shared in social media groups. That he was well loved in the academe, that he was much appreciated by people who have had the privilege of interacting with him, is certain. The UP community, especially those in UP Los Baños (UPLB) and UP Open University (UPOU), is feeling this great loss.
“Sir Lex,” as he was known to most in UP, was born on May 30, 1943. He grew up in Itbayat, Batanes, where he said he “had to work the dirt almost 24/7 to eke out a living”. He left for Basco in 1959 to study in Batanes National Science High School. In 1963, he entered the UP College of Agriculture in Los Baños, Laguna, which was not yet UPLB, the constituent university then.
After graduating in 1968 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, major in Agricultural Communications, he began his University career. He rose through the ranks, from being DZLB station supervisor, to becoming an instructor, and eventually a full professor. It was also in UPLB where he earned his Master of Science in Development Communication degree in 1974. He received his Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Systems Technology degree in 1981 from Indiana University, USA.
One of Professor Emeritus Felix Librero’s last projects in UPOU was the web series he conceptualized himself, FICS Chat with Sir Lex. It is a community service initiative of the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) that aims to equip learners with knowledge and harness their skills in writing theses and dissertations. The first episode, “General Practices in Thesis Writing” was streamed on 04 September 2020. Screenshot taken by Arlyn VCD Palisoc Romualdo, UP MPRO.
He occupied administrative positions as well. In UPLB, he served as the chairperson of the Department of Development Communication and was later its director when it became an Institute. He was also appointed Associate Dean of the UPLB College of Agriculture. In UPOU, he was Dean of the School for Distance Education, later on becoming Vice Chancellor for Research and Development, and eventually serving two consecutive terms as Chancellor.
In 2008, UP’s centennial year, he was selected to be part of the University’s highest governing body, the Board of Regents, as faculty regent. “I was assured that there would be only one Centennial Faculty Regent within 100 years,” he said. He turned 65 that same year and while that was the compulsory age of retirement, his valuable expertise was still needed by UP. His appointment as Professor 12 was extended for five more years, in accordance with the rules of the Civil Service Commission.
“I shall be (what I call) absolutely retired,” he said, looking toward his 70th birthday in 2013. “Absolutely retired”, but with plans on how to spend his days as retiree: to continue doing research, writing, editing, teaching, giving lectures, and perhaps taking a brief break “before moving on again”.
Three months before marking his seventh decade, the University conferred upon him the rank and title of Professor Emeritus, effective upon his retirement. And he made good on his retirement plans. Among his other activities, he continued to teach in UPOU as professorial lecturer, was chief editor of the International Journal of Open and Distance e-Learning, and until last year, he was still giving lectures on “topics and issues many undergraduate and graduate students are interested in, such as writing theses, development communication, media research, and the like”. This included the web series he conceptualized himself that premiered on 04 September 2020, FICS Chat with Sir Lex.
He is survived by his sister Juanita, wife Jeanette, son Al, daughter-in-law Vanessa, and grandson Aiden. His first wife and Al’s mother, Araceli, passed away in 2003.
Read Al’s 75th birthday tribute to his father here.
Some resources from Professor Emeritus Felix Librero may be read or viewed in UPOU Networks.
Before the descent at 6:30AM on March 23. Photo courtesy of Mr. Joselito Dela Cruz Membrot of DSSV Pressure Drop, shared on the UPMSI Facebook page.
Dr. Deo Florence L. Onda, a microbial oceanographer who is Associate Professor and Deputy Director for Research of the Marine Science Institute (MSI) in the University of the Philippines Diliman, makes history as the first and only Filipino and one of the first two human beings to make the first manned descent into Emden Deep, the third deepest point on Earth.
The Emden Deep is located in the Philippine trench and is approximately 34,100 feet or 10,400 meters. On March 23, the explorers made touchdown at 10,045 meters deep. Watch the historic moment here.
According to a press release by the UPMSI, Dr. Onda was invited by the private organization Caladan Oceanic to join the Emden Deep Expedition, to be held from March 22 to 28, 2021. The expedition is being carried out on board the DSSV Pressure Drop, described as the only marine vessel in the world designed to endure such missions and to carry humans to the deepest parts of the world’s oceans.
Dr. Onda joins an American undersea explorer, Victor Vescovo, who according to the UP MSI, is “the current record holder of the deepest manned descent in the Marianas Trench in 2019” and is the “main sponsor of Caladan Oceanic, which . . . has been setting records for deepest manned descents in the world’s deepest trenches, with the most recent one in the Marianas in 2019”.
Dr. Onda and his companions started the voyage from the port of Guam to the Philippine Trench. This activity has been fully coordinated with the Philippine Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and is considered a non-Marine Scientific Research (MSR) activity.
According to the UPMSI press release: “Part of the goal is to wave the Philippine Flag in the Emden Deep during its record-setting voyage, highlighting that it is an integral part of our nation’s heritage. Dr. Onda, as the sole Filipino researcher representing the country, will also be given a unique opportunity to be exposed to state-of-the-art vessels capable of deep-sea activities, which can enrich our experiences and knowledge as the Philippines builds its own National Academic Research Fleet (NARFleet), an ongoing national project funded by the Philippine Government. This endeavor can spark interest and passion for many other young Filipinos who would want to make a career in the sciences and bring more attention to the protection, preservation, and conservation of the Philippine marine environment.”
Dr. Onda and Mr. Vescovo are joined by a capable crew and expedition team that includes several Filipino members.
Dr. Deo Florence Onda and Mr. Victor Vescovo of the Caladan Oceanic are set to make the first dive in history to the 3rd deepest spot on earth (Emden Deep in the Philippine Trench). Photo from the UPMSI’s Facebook page.
Dr. Deo Florence Onda, UP microbial oceanographer, and Mr. Victor Vescovo, American undersea explorer, check in from the bottom of Emden Deep during their historic first crewed descent into the third deepest point on Earth. Watch the video on Dr. Onda’s Facebook page.
Dr. Onda is connected with the UPMSI’s Microbial Oceanography Laboratory, and is known for his research on host-symbiont interactions, microbial biogeography, diversity, dynamics and trophic interactions, and consequences of changing conditions. He has participated in a number of scientific expeditions, such as the Joint Ocean Ice Studies and Beaufort Gyre Exploration Project. He received multiple grants from different institutions and programmes for his research, along with internships and further trainings abroad.
For more information, please send inquiries to ddr@msi.upd.edu.ph/ (632) 922-3962, (632) 981-8500 local 2902, or email Mr. Rob McCallum (rob@eyos-expeditions.com), the expedition leader of the Caladan Expedition.
Follow updates on this historic exploration through the following websites and social media links, using the hashtag #IntoTheEmdenDeep:
The mayors of the two largest cities in the Philippines will discuss the COVID-19 vaccine deployment plans of their cities, in the latest edition of the University of the Philippines’ “Stop COVID Deaths” webinar series, to be livestreamed on March 26, 2021 at 12 nn.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso will answer the webinar title question: “Is My LGU Prepared for COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out? Part 1”. Their responses will follow the talk of Dr. Mahar Lagmay, the executive director of the UP Resilience Institute, on “the importance of digital data systems to move faster than the virus”.
For opening remarks, Myrna Cabotaje, Health Undersecretary and Special Adviser to the National Task Force on COVID-19, will discuss the current national preparedness for the vaccine deployment. Anthony Faraon, Zuellig Family Foundation Deputy Executive Director for Local Health Systems, will be a reactor. Experts’ remarks and synthesis will be provided by UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla and a public health expert and webinar facilitator, Susan Pineda Mercado.
The webinar is the 46th in the series of weekly webinars, “Stop COVID Deaths”, produced by UP in partnership with the UP Manila National Institutes of Health-National Telehealth Center and in cooperation with the UP Philippine General Hospital.
According to the organizers, many sectors need to coordinate in a whole-of-society approach to the vaccination roll-out involving millions of Filipinos and to keep wastage at a minimum. At the local government unit (LGU)level, this requires micro-planning, coordination for logistics, cold chain management, use of information technology, training of vaccinators, and leadership, they point out.
The talks of the two LGU leaders and experts can provide a benchmark of preparedness to the rest of the LGUs of the country, they added.
On March 16, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan arrived on Philippines shores. This year, the world commemorates the 500th anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the world and the role that the Philippines played in this historic event.
In solidarity with the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines and the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman’s Arts and Culture Month celebrations on the same theme, the UP Symphony Orchestra presents “Across the Big Ocean: A Quincentennial Celebration of March Sixteen Fifteen Hundred Twenty-One”. Through music, the official orchestra of the University will trace Magellan’s journey around the world and give their audience the opportunity to lose themselves in another era.
Adding to the excitement of the performance are UPSO’s featured guest artists, including renowned performer soprano, Bianca Lopez-Aguila, UP College of Music pianist, Prof. Pia Diño Balasico, and comedian-musician tenor, Itchie Boy Montilla.
This is the fourth installment of the orchestra’s ongoing online blended concerts series, which began last October. Their virtual hour-long performances include a mix of archived videos from past performances, and new, remotely recorded works. The series will include two more performances scheduled for release in late May and late July.
“Across the Big Ocean” will be streamed on the orchestra’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. The premiere is set for Friday March 26, 7pm, and will be available for viewing until March 31st.
Be part of this once-in-500-years celebration! See you there!
Screenshots from the livestream of the UPLB’s 112th foundation anniversary convocation. Watch the replay on the UPLB Facebook page.
UP Los Baños celebrated its 112th founding anniversary on March 6, 2021 with the theme of “future-proofing” itself.
According to UPLB Chancellor Jose Camacho Jr. in his opening remarks for the foundation day convocation at Baker Hall, the theme “reflects the various activities and initiatives which we have undertaken in this time of pandemic as well as the natural calamities that have beset the country the past year: our anti-COVID-19 measures, disaster relief operations, remote learning initiatives, the webinars that helped capacitate our personnel and students, and government and institutional partnerships.”
UPLB Chancellor Jose Camacho delivers his opening remarks. Screenshot from the livestream of the UPLB’s 112th foundation anniversary convocation. Watch the replay on the UPLB Facebook page.
Pointing out how UPLB “rose to the occasion” and coped with changes that would “ripple throughout society” beyond the pandemic, he said, “I know that UPLB—with compassionate hearts and determined spirits—can prepare for [future] challenges and then surpass them once they arrive.”
In his message to the UPLB constituents during the convocation, UP President Danilo Concepcion reiterated his vision of a “UP for the future”, which is a future-proof UP. He described a university which is able to keep up with changes brought about by modern technology, global trends, climate change, and crises such as global pandemics.
“We will never sacrifice the quality of UP education. . . . We will never compromise the quality of our graduates,” Concepcion emphasized.
UP President Danilo Concepcion reiterates is vision of “a UP for the future”. Screenshot from the livestream of the UPLB’s 112th foundation anniversary convocation. Watch the replay on the UPLB Facebook page.
He enumerated what UP had done in the past year which gave a glimpse of UP as “future-proof”. These included employing modes of teaching-learning, research, and public service appropriate for a time of pandemic.
Foremost among UP’s distinct public service activities during the year was leading the fight against COVID-19, specifically by the doctors, health workers, and health researchers in the UP Philippine General Hospital and the UP National Institutes of Health, which share expertise with the UP Philippine Genome Center.
“Our faculty, administrative personnel, officials, and even our students and alumni are working together in applying creative and appropriate solutions that can be part of what we shall call as ‘better new normal’,” Concepcion added, in Filipino.
He commended such initiatives in UPLB, including the opening of its laboratories for pandemic viral testing.
Honorary degree for EQJ
In the afternoon, also at Baker Hall, the University conferred upon National Scientist and UPLB alumnus Emil Javier an honorary Doctor of Laws for, in summary, “his invaluable and lifelong service and commitment to improve the livelihood of Filipino farmers and fishers”.
National Scientist and former UP President Emil Q. Javier accepting his honorary degree. Watch the replay of the conferment ceremony on the UPLB Facebook page.
Javier is known as an institution builder, credited for his essential roles in the establishment of the UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding, the UPLB National Institute for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, the UPLB Farming Systems and Soil Resources Institute, the UPLB National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory, the UP Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, the UP Learning Resource Centers, the UP Manila National Institutes of Health, the UP Open University, and UP Mindanao.
He was: the chancellor of UPLB from 1979 to 1985; chair of the National Science Development Board, revamped as National Science and Technology Authority to become the precursor of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), from 1981 to 1986; UP President from 1993 to 1999; and, the president of the National Academy of Science and Technology from 2005 to 2012. He was conferred the Order of National Scientist in 2019.
Javier’s scientific profile by DOST highlights his contributions in tropical agricultural research and crop production, which “find applications in agronomy, plant breeding, seed production and management of tropical grasses and legumes, and in the utilization and grazing management of native Imperata grassland”.
Series of foundation day events
The UPLB 112th founding anniversary was also marked by recognition of the Japanese government’s support to UPLB since the 1980s. A new Nihon torii and Nihon Koen marker were inaugurated in the presence of Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko, who was also the guest speaker during the convocation.
Special guest, Amb. Koshikawa Kazuhiko, addresses the UPLB community. Screenshot from the livestream of the UPLB’s 112th foundation anniversary convocation. Watch the replay on the UPLB Facebook page.
The newly recognized outstanding UPLB personnel pose with their trophies. Special guest, Amb. Koshikawa Kazuhiko, addresses the UPLB community. Screenshot from the livestream of the UPLB’s 112th foundation anniversary convocation. Watch the replay on the UPLB Facebook page.
An awarding of outstanding UPLB personnel followed the presentation of a token of appreciation to the ambassador.
Earlier, at the SEARCA building, the Jose Sotero Laurel III Professorial Chair in Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship was launched. UPLB alumnus and UP Regent Francis Laurel had sponsored the chair to recognize professors who make significant contributions to the development of agribusiness management and entrepreneurship.
On the same day, one-stop-shop products of UPLB were also launched; and an online founding anniversary exhibit went live at https://exhibit.uplb.edu.ph/
