From July 18 to July 30, 2025, the University of the Philippines Diliman National Service Training Program (NSTP) Office welcomed students and faculty from Lehigh University for a two-week fieldwork collaboration in Manila. This partnership brought together innovative minds to tackle pressing issues in the Philippines—from plastic waste and metal recycling to sustainable packaging and public health. This year, four ventures participated in the fieldwork, guided by three Lehigh faculty members: Vice Provost Khanjan Mehta, Asst. Prof. Thomas E. Gartner III and Prof. Sean Vassilaros. Together with UP Diliman students, NSRC Reservists, and NSTP staff, these projects explored real-world solutions for environmental sustainability and community well-being. PlasTech Ventures (From sachets to solutions: Turning trash into treasures) The Philippines consumes over 2 million tons of single-use plastics annually—most of which ends up polluting the environment. PlasTech Ventures is reimagining sachet waste as a valuable resource. This year’s team conducted a case study at the Baseco Material Recovery Facility (MRF), which collects and processes sachets for upcycling into usable products. They also explored innovative ideas such as turning sachets into 3D printing filament, collaborating with local researchers, and even developing community-based board games to encourage sachet collection. “MRF workers expressed their advocacy to help the environment and community through their work; however, despite the tedious nature of their job, they do not receive fair wages. This work is valuable, and it deserves recognition.” -Mars Maglangit, Senior Research Associate for Research and Development AgriWrap (Converting food waste into biodegradable packaging products) In Manila’s vibrant street food scene, single-use plastics dominate. AgriWrap seeks to change this by transforming agricultural waste into biodegradable packaging. This year’s fieldwork involved surveying street vendors on packaging use and cost, visiting bioplastic manufacturers like Oikos, and studying how greener alternatives can be made accessible to small businesses. “The visit to Oikos was inspiring. Seeing women-led leadership and their passion for sustainability was empowering. It reminded me that protecting our planet requires both innovation and heart.” -Raine Nakpil, UPD NSRC Reservist MetalMatter (Transforming the metal recycling landscape) MetalMatter is tackling the environmental and economic challenges of metal waste, with a […]
Yearly Archives: 2025
UP Diliman through the NSTP-NSRC Office proudly participated in the Tokushima Online Exchange Program 2024–2025, a regional initiative by the Tokushima Prefectural Government in Japan that promotes SDG 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production, focusing on ethical food consumption and youth-led consumer behavior. This year, our NSRC Reservists explored ethical consumption through the lens of local food heritage. Their handbook, “From Root to Table: Embracing Philippine Food Heritage for Ethical Consumption,” advocates for the use of native and endemic plants in Filipino cuisine—highlighting sustainability, ecological significance, and cultural preservation. Guided by Dr. Benito Pacheco, Prof. Emeritus Lourdes J. Cruz, Ms. Judith Camille Rosette, Asst. Prof. Olivia Alma Sicam, and Dr. Nappy Navarra, the student representatives and NSTP graduates—Mark Aspiras, Adrienne Riel C. Cruz, Jester Vince P. De Torres, Danella Benice V. Vasquez, and Joseph F. Zabala—actively contributed to this international dialogue, culminating in their participation at the Tokushima International Consumer’s Forum held on June 6, 2025 where Mark Aspiras and Dr. Navarra represented UP Diliman in Japan, exchanging insights with fellow participants from across Asia. This program builds on the successful 2022–2023 collaboration, where UP produced “Sustainable Consumption 101: Your Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Living.” With NSTP Diliman leading the initiative, this engagement continues to empower students to be advocates of sustainable lifestyles and ethical consumption. You can view the team’s full handbook here.
Ang NSTP Diliman Office, kasama ang DZUP 1602 ay inihandog ang Serbisyong Tatak UP (STUP), programang pang-radyo na pinarangalan sa Gandingan Awards at nakahanay sa NSTP UPD Common Module. Ang programa ay idinisenyo upang itaas ang kamalayan ng publiko hinggil sa mahahalagang isyung panlipunan at malawakan ding ginagamit bilang mga kagamitang pangkurikulum sa mga klase ng NSTP, na sumusuporta sa mga talakayan sa loob ng silid-aralan, kritikal na pakikilahok sa mga usaping panlipunan, at paghubog ng pananagutang sibiko ng mga mag-aaral. Kuha mula sa 19th UP ComBroadSoc Gandingan Awards Noong ika-26 ng Abril 2025, ginanap sa D.L. Umali Hall, UP Los Baños, Laguna ang ika-19 na Gandingan Awards ng UP ComBroadSoc na may temang “Tagahabi ng Kasaysayan para sa Bayan.” Ang serbisyong Tatak UP (STUP) ay pinarangalan ng “Most Development-Oriented AM Program”. Itinatampok ang episode: Human Rights Defender’s Bill, tumatalakay sa panukalang batas na naglalayong bigyang proteksyon ang mga indibidwal na nagsusulong ng progresibong lipunan. Binahagi rin dito ang mga impormasyong magagamit kontra sa diskriminasyon, partikular sa mga bata at kababaihan. Kuha mula sa 19th UP ComBroadSoc Gandingan Awards Kinilala rin ang Lagom ng Paghilom: Narratives of Women Victim – Survivors of Tokhang bilang “Most Development-Oriented Women’s Program”. Isinasaad ang mga kwentong pang-aabuso na dinanas ng mga babae na parte ng laylayan ng lipunan mula sa makapangyarihan o awtoridad. Layunin ng episode ng gisingin ang kamalayan ng madla ukol sa baluktot na sistema, at hinihimok din nito ang pagsusulong ng mas matitibay na batas laban sa anumang uri ng karahasan at diskriminasyon. Ang tanggapan ng UP NSTP Diliman ay nagpapasalamat sa katuwang na radio station, ang DZUP 1602, at sa Gandingan Awards para sa pagkilala ng aming programa. Muli, pagbati sa lahat ng aming kasama sa tagumpay na ito at nawa’y patuloy kaming makapaghatid ng dekalidad at makabuluhang impormasyon sa aming mga tagapakinig! #TatakUPDNSTP#STUP #NSTP #DZUP1602 #KasaliKa#19thComBroadSoc#GandinganAwards2025 By: Dale Louis F. Cortez, Senior Project Assistant for Partnership at UP NSTP Diliman