A sequel webinar to National Service in the New Normal, Reimagining Community Engagement: A Webinar on NSTP Community Engagement Projects,was hosted by the NSTP Diliman Office last December 7, 2020 via Zoom and YouTube livestream. Featuring five resource speakers from public service and community development sectors, the free webinar aimed to provide participants with valuable training and insights essential for planning and implementing community engagement projects considering the restrictions posed by the pandemic. NSTP Diliman Director Dr. Jonalou Labor formally opened the event welcoming more than 1,000 NSTP implementers and students representing 180 higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country. Dr. Labor shared that UP Diliman, consistent with UP’s mandate to become a public service university, has provided knowledge products and instructional materials for NSTP Common Module and Component Courses Topics. He pointed out that these materials may be accessed through the NSTP Diliman YouTube Channel. He also encouraged the attendees to visit the NSTP Diliman website to access the Serbisyong Tatak UP radio episodes, also a source of reliable information on NSTP content. He reiterated that UP, as a national university, would continue to extend all the help that it could to NSTP implementing units around the country to provide the best NSTP program possible. After his opening remarks, Dr. Labor introduced Ms. Francelline Jimenez, a development worker and the Project Manager of Increasing the Resilience towards Natural Hazards (INCREASE) Project for CARE Philippines. In her talk about the Fundamentals of Remote and Blended Community Engagement, she defined remote and blended community engagement. She emphasized that with our current situation, using digital platforms in doing community engagement is inevitable and it is critical to know the purpose of our project and the context of the community we are engaging with in order to decide on the best type of platform to use. Mr. John Cedric Pineda, Program Manager for Community Engagement and Life Skills for Teach for the Philippines, the second speaker, discussed the Characteristics of Effective Remote and Blended Community Engagement. He enumerated three main factors that affect the success of remote and community engagement: accessibility, inclusivity, and relevance. At the end, he highlighted […]
Yearly Archives: 2020
The NSTP Diliman Office launched a series of Online Writeshops from July to September 2020 in order to equip its implementers for the transition to a remote mode of course delivery. The Office has been consistently conducting course improvement and redesigning activities for the past years through several trainings and writeshops, only this time, the writeshops participants – NSTP instructors and coordinators from different implementing units – had to migrate to and explore different means of remote and online collaboration platforms. The NSTP Online Writeshops aimed to finalize the OBEdized Common Module Topics Syllabi, to craft OBEdized Component Courses Syllabi, and to devise recalibrated versions of the OBEdized Common Module and Component Courses Syllabi for Remote Learning. The online writeshops were conducted through group-led regular online meeting sessions, by continuous meetings and presentation of outputs, and with real-time document collaborations through Google Workspace. Dr. Rosella Torrecampo, NSTP Diliman Office’s resource person and consultant for its curriculum development activities, guided the groups in their writing and revision process. The Phase 1 of the Online Writeshops which ran from July 27-August 24, 2020 was focused on the NSTP Common Module Topics. This module lays the foundation for NSTP Diliman courses as these are the set of topics discussed in all NSTP classes before students carry out community engagement projects in CWTS or LTS, or undergo military training in ROTC. In order to ensure that participants are on the same page when it comes to course redesigning, the Office organized an initial output Zoom presentation and consultation session with Dr. Torrecampo. This meeting held last August 6, 2020 served as an avenue for participants to learn how other groups were working on their course redesigning. Dr. Torrecampo also shared specific comments for each group presentation as well as general considerations for all groups as she opened the floor for consultation. Moreover, the resource person delivered a short lecture on the difference of Assessment and Evaluation as this was an apparent concern across the different groups. After three weeks of collaborative effort, all eight Common Module Topic Syllabi were presented and approved on August 24, 2020. The approval was done during the online writeshops’ plenary meeting […]
On October 15, 2020, the NSTP Diliman Office disseminated 11 free online NSTP instructional materials on common and component module topics for UP Diliman program implementers and the wider public. In partnership with TVUP, the television arm of the University, the project aims to strengthen NSTP remote learning course offerings, aid NSTP students and instructors during this semester’s remote learning mode, provide easily accessible NSTP materials for instructors and students, and provide additional knowledge products to the Tatak UP Diliman NSTP module. This set of instructional materials is based on a recalibrated outcomes-based education-framed NSTP 1 course. These knowledge products, characterized through a series of video-recorded discussions by content experts, are nods to NSTP Diliman common modules. The topics of the modules are a result of a series of writeshops that standardized the learning objectives and topics of UP Diliman NSTP content. The NSTP modules were approved by the NSTP Diliman Council through the guidance of Dr. Rosella Torrecampo, the Writeshops Resource Person. In September, TVUP, headed by Professor Emeritus Grace J. Alfonso, started the recording sessions with our pool of speakers from various colleges and departments of the University. “These materials would greatly help the community of NSTP implementers in teaching their students,” said Director Jonalou S. Labor, PhD. He added that the Office pushed through with these content in order to provide support both for teachers and students not only in UP Diliman but to other higher education institutions in the country. Here are the materials: Tatak UPD NSTP Orientation – Asst. Prof. Arlyn P. Macapinlac NSTP Tatak UPD Orientation covers topics on the role of UP as a public service university, the rationale and Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of NSTP, the Tatak UPD NSTP Framework, and the reservist program. Understanding the Self and Others – Ms. Athena Charanne R. Presto Understanding the Self and Others discusses different perspectives on the concept of self and relates these to one’s role and responsibilities in society. The module also prompts students to explore possible community engagement involvement. Human Dignity and Human Rights – Ms. Marielle Antoinette H. Zosa Human […]
The NSTP Diliman Office held its first virtual graduation last August 15, 2020 for students who completed their NSTP courses this Academic Year 2019-2020. This also served as an induction program for the graduates of Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy Training Service (LTS) components to the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC). As reservists, the graduates may now be tapped by the state to perform duties related to literacy and civic welfare initiatives, especially during times of disaster. The commencement theme “Maglingkod, Magmalasakit, Manindigan” calls for reservists to help the underserved communities and care for the marginalized sectors, values that are formed in their NSTP classes. This also serves as a reminder to all students that as “Iskolar ng Bayan”, they have a sense of duty to stand against injustices and relentlessly serve the people. Vice Chancellor Ma. Theresa T. Payongayong, PhD gave her opening remarks to formally welcome the program’s participants. An inspirational message for the graduates was delivered by the guest speaker Mr. Joshua G. Danac, Convenor of the Scientists Unite Against COVID-19, an alliance of scientists, organizations and other Filipinos that echoes calls to expand testing efforts at the regional and local levels, and build the country’s COVID-19 testing capacity. Mr. Danac is a science research specialist at the UP National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and also a member of the UP COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team. In his message, he urged the students that no matter how young they think they are, there is always something that they can contribute to the community . “Sa ganitong panahon pinaka-tumitindi ang diwa at katuwiran ng NSTP. Ang panawagan nito sa ating mga Iskolar ng Bayan, ang ating service – ang ating paglilingkod. Ito ang krisis na humahamon sa bawat isa sa atin. Now, more than ever, we need to step up and serve the people,” he emphasized. The program also featured the NSTP students’ community engagement projects, fundraising activities, and awareness campaigns along with their partner communities and organizations. NSTP classes’ partner communities include Sitio San Roque Community, Bahay Aruga, He Cares Mission, Open School of […]
Over two hundred NSTP implementers from different higher education institutions (HEIs) around the Philippines attended the NSTP Diliman hosted National Service in the New Normal: A Webinar on NSTP Remote Learning and Teaching last August 28, 2020 via Zoom and YouTube livestream. An activity spearheaded by the NSTP Diliman Office, the free webinar aimed to provide training for implementers in light of the transition to a remote mode of learning and course delivery for NSTP. NSTP Diliman Director Dr. Jonalou Labor warmly welcomed the webinar participants and also gave an overview about NSTP Diliman’s undertakings in terms of remote learning. Dr. Labor shared how the collaborative effort of NSTP Diliman implementers enabled the unit to address some of the most common changes and challenges posed by the pandemic in terms of course delivery. As a national university, UP Diliman is very much willing to offer the help it could provide to the larger community of NSTP implementers through the products of its course redesigning initiatives and projects. After the opening remarks, Dr. Labor introduced Dr. Ria Mae Borromeo, a professor teaching Computer Science and Information Systems Courses and the incumbent Director of the Information and Communication Technology Development Office (ICTDO) of the UP Open University. Dr. Borromeo highlighted in her talk titled NSTP Remote Learning and Teaching the importance of the preparation stage as the major component of remote teaching. She then discussed main considerations in choosing content, delivery mode, technologies, learning resources, assessment, and learning activities for a remote mode of course delivery. Lastly, she shared and explained the course design of NSTP Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) 1 and 2 of UP Open University to the webinar attendees. Possible volunteer opportunities for CWTS 2 in UP Open University are clustered into different community service tracks which range from literacy to sports and fitness, health and wellness, environment welfare, livelihood, music and visual arts, and relief operations, among others. Ana Maria Raymundo, a development sector professional and Public Administration graduate student at New York University, the second speaker, discussed Community Engagement through Remote Initiatives. She enumerated four main points in her talk: set the parameters, choose […]
Serbisyong Tatak UP (STUP) sa DZUP 1602, a radio program produced by the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Diliman Office, in partnership with DZUP 1602, UP ROTC and UP Corps of Sponsors, bagged the “Most Development-Oriented Radio Public Service Program” award for two consecutive years in the Gandingan 2020: The 14th UPLB Isko’t Iska’s Multi-Media Awards. STUP is an interactive radio program that supplements NSTP classroom learning. In the first semester broadcasts, the program features interviews of experts on the NSTP Common Module topics. In the second semester, when most NSTP classes are doing their community engagement, the STUP episodes center on the discussion of volunteer opportunities and programs for NSTP students and reservists. During this period, the STUP Team invites volunteer organizations and groups that may help inspire the students to do volunteer work. The invited guests discuss the objectives, advocacies and activities of the group they represent, share some inspiring volunteer experiences, and present volunteer opportunities that the NSTP students and reservists may be interested in. The Gawad Gandingan, an annual event organized by the UP Community Broadcasters’ Society, recognizes development-oriented radio and TV programs in the Philippines. With the theme “Midya: Kakampi ng Bayan sa Laban para sa Katarungan”, this year’s Gawad Gandingan aims to honor the role of media in the relentless fight towards justice in the country. STUP, with the help of its DZUP co-producer Mr. Gian Carlo Librojo, submitted two entries (Open School of Music and Human Dignity and Human Rights). In the July 29, 2019 STUP episode, Prof. Maria Sherla Najera of the UP College of Music talked about how the “Open School of Music” provides free music lessons to the underserved communities around UP Diliman. Meanwhile, in the September 23, 2019 episode, Atty. Ray Paolo Santiago of the Ateneo Human Rights Center discussed “Human Dignity and Human Rights” as part of the NSTP Common Module. Both the entries became finalists in the category. DZUP informed the NSTP Diliman Office that STUP won the “Most Development-Oriented Radio Public Service Program” category for the second consecutive year. The category recognizes programs that put importance […]
Asst. Prof. Giovanni Francis Legaspi from the Asian Institute of Tourism decisively takes the wheel of the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) as it navigates through the complex challenges posed by a global health crisis that disrupts all spheres of human lives. Asst. Prof. Legaspi takes over the position from Assoc. Prof. Jonalou Labor of the UP College of Mass Communication. Labor is now the OIC Director of the NSTP Diliman Office. Let us know more about the organization’s new Deputy Director as he seeks for creative strategies in carrying out the organization’s mandate in a virtual setting and strengthening the skills of the stakeholders through digital channels. NSRC’s mandate of strengthening the spirit of volunteerism and civic virtue among UP students urged Asst. Prof. Legaspi to accept the position as the new Deputy Director for NSRC, which, according to him, is a privilege. The NSRC, despite being in its infancy in terms of operationalization in the University, is seen by Asst. Prof. Legaspi or Sir Vanni, as a means to strengthen youth volunteerism. The organization shall also play a vital role in establishing a strong sense of civic engagement among students through recognizing that the UP values of ‘honor and excellence’ should manifest beyond academics. He also carries with him the desire to reinforce the identity of the ‘Iskolar ng Bayan’ as someone who possesses a commitment to social causes that promote equality and inclusivity through public and volunteer service as embedded in the UP charter of 2008. As he serves under the NSTP Office, Sir Vanni brings with him various learnings he has imbibed from years of experience in the industry of tourism and industrial relations. The Deputy Director shared that having worked with international airlines for more than 15 years emphasized the importance of service excellence being a top priority at all times. Travelling and meeting people broadened his understanding of genuine service through various interactions that increased his sense of commitment to delivering service above and beyond expectations. Such mentality serves as a strong foundation for Asst. Prof. Legaspi to lead the NSRC and continue its […]
The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Diliman Office and the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) organized Sikhay Lingkod 3: A Volunteerism Convention, on November 18, 2019 in two venues, namely, the School of Economics and the School of Statistics Auditoriums at the University of the Philippines Diliman. This activity was in partnership with DZUP 1602 and UP Corps of Sponsors. NSTP Diliman Director Prof. Arlyn P. Macapinlac and NSRC Deputy Director Dr. Jonalou S. Labor simultaneously opened the event. Director Macapinlac discussed the meaning of sikhay and its deeper connection to volunteerism. She stressed that NSTP Diliman’s efforts in cultivating the spirit of volunteerism is in keeping with its mandate as provided by Rule II Sec.3-a of the NSTP IRR (2009) and EO Number PAEP 16-02 and with the mandate of the University as a public service university. Dr. Labor, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of service in being an iskolar ng bayan. Both welcomed the attendees with great hope that the event will ignite their passion to zealously involve themselves in volunteerism and public service activities. Sikhay Lingkod 3: A Volunteerism Convention showcased various service-oriented organizations to help reintroduce the students to volunteerism as well as to a variety of advocacies where they can offer their services. The event aims to promote the culture of volunteerism in the University and to instill the importance of volunteerism in the students. Professor Francisco Rosario Jr. of the Department of Linguistics of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy provided the volunteerism framework both for the morning and afternoon sessions. He tackled the fundamental principles and importance of volunteerism. Being a former CSSP OSLO-Pahinungod coordinator, Prof. Rosario also mentioned volunteer opportunities that the University can offer to its constituents through the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod. During the morning session, Ms. Beverly Gofredo from Save our School (SOS) Network discussed the issue of Lumad displacement in Mindanao. She enjoined the students to offer their services by volunteering as teachers for the displaced and discriminated Lumad students. Aside from this, she also urged the audience to help fight for the rights of the […]
The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Diliman Office, in cooperation with the UP Department of Military Science and Tactics (UP DMST), UP Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (UP ROTC), UP Taal Response Task Force, UP Padayon Public Service Office, and DZUP 1602, organized Serbisyong Tatak UP para sa Taal (STUP para sa Taal), a donation drive for the victims of the eruption of Taal Volcano on January 16 to February 7, 2020. One with the collective effort of the University to help Taal victims, NSTP Diliman’s STUP para sa Taal mobilized UP Diliman students, staff, and other interested individuals to donate essential donations for the victims that were forced out of their homes and moved to evacuation areas. The initiative, through various public notices and calls for donations, received dozens of boxes of valuable items ready for distribution. Bottled water, canned goods, hygiene products and toiletries, clothes, and educational materials like books, were donated by the community of UP students and staff. STUP para sa Taal also received bountiful donations from the students of The Seed Montessori School of Quezon City through the help of their coordinator Teacher Adora C. Robin. NSTP Diliman Director Prof. Arlyn P. Macapinlac and NSRC Deputy Director Dr. Jonalou S. Labor went to the school to personally receive the donations and thank the school for their generosity. The team continued to receive donations until February 7, 2020. Members of the UP Vanguard delivered the donations to Sta. Teresita, Batangas. Aside from helping the victims of the eruption, a part of the book donations were given to the Save Our Schools (SOS) Network for the benefit of the Lumad children staying in the University. Taal Volcano’s abnormal activities lasted for a month until the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) lowered it’s alert level warning to 2 due to a consistent decrease in its activities, allowing the evacuated families to go back to their homes. by Arron Paul M. Lambon
There are many different ways to save a life. There are small ways, like sending someone a song, or maybe through prayer, or even a meme. Everyone, in their own small way is capable of saving a life. But at the end of the day, we have to realize that there’s a need for us to actually know how, and have the skills to literally save someone’s life. This is how I found myself at the National Engineering Center (NCE) on a Saturday morning at 8 AM. NSTP’s National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) Training for First Responders was a three day program, consisting of various lectures and demonstrations on first aid. Despite my first aid background from being a member of the UP Red Cross Youth, I found there was still so much I needed to learn and develop as a first aider. The first day consisted of basic knowledge on first aid: the first half being lectures, and the second being learning bandaging skills. Led by Dr. Rodrigo Angelo Ong, Commander of the Medical Special Support Squadron, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA), the lectures consisted of basic first aid knowledge: duties and responsibilities of first aiders, basic injury and bleeding management, with simulation activities and easy quizzes along the way. It was an intensive few hours of lectures in the morning, followed by a series of bandaging techniques for different types of injuries. I’ll be perfectly honest, waking up to be in UP at 8AM wasn’t the most ideal, especially since these days were rest days, but all the sessions proved that they were worth getting out of bed for. The second day, in particular, was my favorite. The first half of the training was emergency rescue and transfer. Our instructor was Mr. Ceejay Custodio, a trained first responder. He taught us basic need-to-knows for first aiders. Along with Mr. Irvin Calapre, Mr. Rhonie Ola and Mr. TJ Laurente, who are all members of the PCGA, they taught us how to do a full body inspection and take helmets off motorcycle patients with possible spinal injuries. The proper use […]