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A Summit promoting volunteerism held at UP Diliman

In an effort to spark the spirit of volunteerism and service among the new generation of Iskolar ng Bayan, various grassroots initiatives aimed at addressing sectoral issues were presented during the“Sikhay Lingkod 2: A Summit on Volunteerism”. The summit, an annual event hosted by the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Diliman Office, through the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC), was held at the School of Economics Auditorium at the University of the Philippines Diliman last April 29, 2019. Dr. Jonalou S. Labor, NSRC Deputy Director, opened the event, urging the participants to be actively involved in any initiative as it is each UP student’s responsibility to contribute to the betterment of the Philippine society. He further extended his gratitude to all the guest speakers and partner organizations that made the event possible. Representatives from various government, non-government, and civic organizations delivered talks during the summit. Ms. Evica Vicas, Senior Volunteer Service Officer of Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) explained the nature of the government agency’s promotion and coordination among the volunteer programs in the Philippines. The agency advocates volunteerism across the nation that is dedicated, competent, and responsive to various service initiatives. PNVSCA creates partnerships with the academe, non-profit organizations, government and other service organization. Ms. Vicas encouraged the students to rise and heed the calls of volunteerism as it is each citizen’s role to be socially responsible. The Kythe Foundation is a non-profit organization aimed to provide psycho-social support to children with cancer and other chronic illness in hospitals. The volunteers of Kythe believe that the hospital is more than a place of healing, but it is also a space for fun, love, and learning. The Kythe Child Life Program’s goal is to alleviate anxiety of the patients and also provide their families with information on basic access to treatments and medicines. The volunteer program of Kythe enables individuals to personally interact with the patients through fun and learning activities through arts and crafts, bedside storytelling, and games. Donors may also be involved in different monetary assistance programs for the patients and survivors. In partnership with hospitals, […]

To the Rescue: Medical and Dental Mission

The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Corps of Sponsors (CoS) brought free medical, dental and other government services to some one hundred sixty (160) personnel and residents of the University and the nearby Barangays of Krus na Ligas, UP Campus, and San Vicente on 30 March 2019. “A big part of our duties as Sponsors is to serve the University community,” explains the organization’s head, Corps Sponsor Camille Ugarte. “This medical-dental mission is one way for us to fulfill it.” Dubbed “To the Rescue,” the day-long activity held at the UP Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST) complex gave beneficiaries medical and dental check-ups, medicines, tooth extraction, and consultations with social service agencies like the Social Security System, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth. The Commission on Elections also held a demo that allowed beneficiaries to try the new vote counting machines in preparation for the upcoming mid-term elections in May. The medical-dental mission is a civil military operation (CMO) of the CoS that is part of their fulfilment of their mandate as the socio-civic arm of UP ROTC. UP ROTC cadets, students taking military science, were also on hand to provide assistance to the beneficiaries. “This activity gives the cadets the opportunity to participate in CMO,” said Cadet Captain Jennie Ron Ablog, Corps CMO Officer of UP ROTC. “Serving the community is a huge part of their duties as nation-builders.” The day was capped with a program that recognized the services and support of volunteer doctors, dentists, students, government personnel and donors led by UPD NSTP Director, Prof. Arlyn Macapinlac and DMST Administrative Officer, Atty. John Barona. by Ara Allana D Tolosa, Corps Operations Sponsor  

Strong Mind, Strong Body: An ACLE on Self-defense for Women

The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) Corps of Sponsors (CoS) conducted a self-defense workshop last 21 March 2019 at the Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST) Complex in participation of the semestral half-day university-wide event organized by the Education and Research Committee of the University Student Council. “Taluktok” was the theme of this semester’s Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE) event which was designed as an avenue for learning beyond the curriculum. These alternative classes – where students of the university are given the opportunity to attend any of the talks, symposia, film screenings, and workshops of various topics – were spearheaded by different university- and college-based student organizations. The UPD Corps of Sponsors – an organization of well-trained female students which functions as the socio-civic arm of UPD Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) – saw the need to conduct a workshop which aims to train women to defend themselves against violence. Thus, “Strong Mind, Strong Body,” an ACLE on self-defense for women became one of its projects for this semester. The workshop was twofold. First, there was a discussion on women empowerment and gender-based violence by Mrs. Salvacion Baaco-Pascual, the Emergency Crisis Councilor of the UPD Gender Office. She discussed the current state of violence against women in the country and then she emphasized the importance for women to break out of the victim mentality. After the lecture, the self-defense demonstration and hands-on activity were facilitated by Mr. Alex Tamayo, Master Fatima Afable, and Coach Ken Eleazar. Mr. Tamayo is the instructor of arnis training for UPD ROTC cadet officers and Sponsors, and he is also skilled in other forms of martial arts such as aikido. Master Afable is the head coach of UP Sangkil Karasak, a club devoted to the practice of lightning scientific style of arnis and she is also a certified instructor in taekwondo. Coach Eleazar is also a coach of UP Sangkil Karasak. Deemed equally as important as the practical aspect, situational awareness and mental conditioning were imparted first to the participants of the ACLE to supplement Mrs. Pascual’s lecture on breaking out of victim mentality. The attendees […]

NSTP Common Module and Component Mapping Workshop Part 2 Completed

The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Diliman held the NSTP Program Mapping the Common Module and Component Mapping Part 2 last March 25, 2019 at the National Engineering Center, UP Diliman. Aimed to create the Component Map for NSTP Common Module (CM), National Service Reserve Corp (NSRC), Citizen Armed Force (CAF), and NSTP Components: Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), Literacy Training Service (LTS), and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), NSTP Diliman Office with Coordinators and Instructors underwent a whole-day workshop under the facilitation of Prof. Rosella M. Torrecampo, Director of the Office for the Advancement of Teaching, and Dr. Julienne Thesa Baldo-Cubelo, Department Chair of Communications Research of College of Mass Communication. Two workshops were done in the morning and the afternoon 1) to review the current status of NSTP CM, NSRC, CAF, and Components: CWTS, LTS, ROTC in relation to the crafted NSTP Program Map, particularly vis-a-vis the Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) and 2) to formulate Component Learning Outcomes (CLOs) distinct to each unit/component and aligned to the PLOs. NSTP Coordinators and Instructors representing UP Diliman colleges were clustered to brainstorm each of the units/components CLOs: Common Module NSRC CWTS LTS ROTC CAF A plenary session in the afternoon was dedicated for the presentation of each group’s discussion results led by Dr. Baldo-Cubelo. Comments and recommendations were welcomed and noted. While the congregation is able to forward suggestions for CLOs, the overall output of this second workshop on Common Module and Component Mapping is yet to be reviewed and checked by Prof. Torrecampo. This activity is still part of the Program Mapping efforts of NSTP Diliman Office and the undertaking to OBEdize the NSTP Common Module. The Office is set to start OBEdizing the CM Syllabus in May under the Academic Program Improvement (API) Fund. by Klaribelle Anne B. Languayan

#RAATinTo: UP Diliman ROTC Declared Champion in RAATI 2019

The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) bested twelve other colleges and universities in Metro Manila that offer Army ROTC, in a competition held from February to March of this year and organized by the National Capital Region Regional Community Defense Group (NCRRCDG), Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM), Philippine Army.   “RAATInTo!” was the battle cry of the cadets – students enrolled in ROTC – taken from UP’s own #AtinTo and the title of the competition RAATI (Regional Annual Administrative and Tactical Inspection). For several years that the RAATI was conducted, UPD ROTC always held the top position. However, in the last four years, the championship trophy was held by other schools. The weeks of rigorous training of the cadets with their cadet officers have assured the university its victory. “Each and every cadet and cadet officer put their minds on what they need to perform. We are among a few schools that prepared late for this competition,” said Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Bing Bong Salinas, Corps Commander of UPD ROTC referring to the opening of classes in UP only in August, two months later than most other schools that start training in June. “Our success can also be attributed to the support of our Corps of Sponsors who cheered us on every training day, our parents who let us stay late and spend weekends training, and the university through the Department of Military Science and Tactics.” Aside from the top spot, the UPD ROTC also received several awards. Among which are Best in OPORD Writing, Best in Methods of Instruction, Best in First Aid, and Best in IED Identification. OPORD writing is a skill taught to cadet officers to allow them to write a comprehensive yet clear and concise operation orders. Methods of instruction tests the teaching capability of cadet officers as they transfer knowledge and skills to their cadets. First aid competition tests the unit’s capability to respond to any given incident. IED or improvised explosive device identification tests the ability of cadets to show common IEDs used by terrorist and lawless groups. “UP ROTC is […]

Serbisyong Tatak UP bags award at Gandingan 2019

Serbisyong Tatak UP (STUP), a program produced by the NSTP Diliman Office in partnership with DZUP 1602 and UP Radio Circle, which aims to create a model for a live interactive educational program simultaneous with classroom learning, was recognized as “Most Development-Oriented Radio Public Service Program” at Gandingan 2019: The 13th UPLB Isko’t Iskas Multi-Media Awards. The said program was held last March 16, 2019 at DL Umali Hall, University of the Philippines – Los Baños. Gawad Gandingan (Gandingan Awards) is an annual event that aims to encourage the production and airing of development-oriented radio, television, and online programs for the benefit of every Filipino. Organized by the UP Community Broadcasters’ Society, a student organization based at the UP College of Development Communication, the event recognizes radio and TV programs that promote genuine development, as opposed to initiatives arising from a dole out mentality. Gandingan Awards started accepting entries last October 10, 2018, and extended the deadline of submissions until November 16, 2018. The theme for the submissions was “kalayaan” or freedom. Serbisyong Tatak UP, as coordinated by DZUP, the official radio station of the University of the Philippines, submitted two entries [Heart at Play Foundation and Philippine Society and Culture] for a General Award category for radio. Through DZUP, the NSTP Diliman Office was informed that STUP was chosen as one of the finalists for the category, “Most Development-Oriented AM Radio Program.” Proud and full of optimism, STUP’s executive producer, Prof. Arlyn Macapinlac, and NSTP co-producer, Ms. Erika Navarro, together with NSTP Deputy Director, Dr. Jonalou Labor, travelled to UP Los Baños to represent the STUP team in the awarding ceremony. Prof. Mark Lester Chico, founding adviser and Director of Gandingan, explained Gandingan Awards’ theme “Midya at Bayan: Malaya. Mulat. Matapang.” Freedom, according to Chico, as it takes on many forms, is not only essential to daily living but also key to progressing society’s development and best interests. With this, Chico emphasized the importance of being “malaya, mulat at matapang.” Media and society must continue to protect the country’s freedom by being critical of society’s conditions, and by bravely […]

NSTP Diliman Office hosts first blood donation drive for UP Community

The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Diliman Office, in coordination with Philippine Red Cross -Quezon City Chapter (PRC-QC) and UP Red Cross Youth (UP RCY), organized “Dugo Mula sa Puso: A Blood Donation Drive” last February 27 to 28, 2019. The blood drive ran from 9 am to 6 pm at the Wellness Center, 3F Palma Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City. As part of NSTP Diliman Office’s initiative to promote volunteerism in the University, the activity provided a platform for NSTP students to volunteer through blood donation. Under the theme “Para Kanino/Saan Tumitibok ang Puso Mo?” (For Whom/What Does Your Heart Beat?) the NSTP Diliman Office and UP RCY conducted an online campaign to inform the UP community about the importance of donating blood to save lives. Guidelines for prospective blood donors was also released online. As proof that volunteerism flows in the veins of the UP Diliman students, the blood drive produced forty-nine (49) successful donors on its first day and forty (40) successful donors on its second day. The blood bags from the eighty-nine (89) successful donors were collected and stored by PRC-QC. Ninety percent of the total blood bags was stored for PRC-QC while the remaining bags went to Dugong Bayani Blood Network (4), a network of voluntary blood donors handled by UP RCY that caters to persons in need of blood. The NSTP Diliman Office extends its appreciation to everyone who participated and supported “Dugo Mula sa Puso: A Blood Donation Drive.” The active participation of the Office’s partner organizations, namely PRC-QC and UP RCY, deserves acknowledgment. With this, the NSTP Diliman Office hopes to see you in its next blood donation drive! by Erika Joy M. Navarro

NSTP Diliman Resumes Program Mapping Initiative

Taking off from last year’s Program Mapping series, the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Diliman with NSTP Coordinators and Instructors held its first Program Mapping Workshop for the year last February 11, 2019 at the National Engineering Center, UP Diliman. The two group outputs from the last workshop on November 19, 2018 were combined into one NSTP Program Map by NSTP Diliman. This was presented to the assembly at the beginning of the activity by NSTP Director Arlyn P. Macapinlac. With the purpose to review and refine the NSTP Program Map, Prof. Macapinlac led the commencement of the activity. This was followed by the group workshop aimed to polish the program map. During the beginning of the workshop, it was determined that it would be easier to accomplish this goal if done by the whole congregation. The participants then proceeded to break out from their groups to listen to just one facilitator. With the facilitation of Prof. Julienne Baldo-Cubelo, the NSTP Program Map was reviewed item by item, taking note of the words and concepts encapsulated in each row and column. Participation from the audience was lively. Prof. Rosella M. Torrecampo, Director of the Office for the Advancement of Teaching, was also invited to impart her expertise on the OBEdization of the NSTP Program Map. Suggestions and corrections were raised by Prof. Torrecampo on the spot. At the end of the day, the NSTP Program Map was crafted and finished. NSTP Diliman will now be able to continue mapping the NSTP Common Module and NSTP Components: Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), Literacy Training Service (LTS), and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). These efforts are part of curriculum development of the National Service Training Program in UP Diliman. Coming up next is the NSTP Component Mapping Workshop in March. by Klaribelle Anne B. Languayan

NSTP Diliman Office conducts donation drive for Dumagat community in Rizal and Quezon

The National Service Training Program Diliman Office (NSTP Diliman Office) partnered with Kabataan Para sa Tribung Pilipino (KATRIBU) in their annual outreach-immersion called “Paskuhan sa Tribu.” Simply called “Paskuhan,” the activity aims to provide free medical services for the benefit of indigenous peoples (IPs) who lack access to healthcare while expressing solidarity with these communities who have been facing human rights violations and issues related to development aggression. ON ADDRESSING THE HEALTH CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY For 2018, Paskuhan specifically wanted to address a measles outbreak in a Dumagat community situated in Tanay, Rizal and Gen. Nacar, Quezon. As of July 2018, a total of seventy (70) cases of measles have been recorded. Children below ten (10) years old were especially vulnerable to measles and its complications. Eighteen (18) of the cases resulted to deaths among infants and children. With this, Sitio Nayon, Barangay Sta. Ines in Tanay Rizal, the most accessible convening area for the Dumagats from other barangays, served as venue for the Paskuhan. From December 18 to 20, volunteers from KATRIBU and other partner organizations, along with volunteer doctors, nurses and barangay health workers conducted the outreach-immersion. The medical mission itself was conducted on December 19 to 20. A total of three hundred twenty-four (324) patients were catered to during the medical mission. One (1) infant was immediately brought to Cabading District Hospital to treat the health complications brought about by measles. To address the vulnerability of infants and children to measles, supplements were given to children to increase their immunity to the disease.  Seventeen (17) children were also given deworming medicine. Other health concerns by members of the community were also addressed during the medical check-ups. Medicines and supplements (with prescriptions) were given away in a make-shift pharmacy. A documentation and discussion on the health situation of the community, and an orientation on basic health was also conducted to complement the two-day medical mission. Seeing the Dumagat’s living situation and hearing their narratives, the volunteer health workers inferred that some of the possible causes for the outbreak may include the following: Lack of access to health […]

NSTP Diliman conducts second leg of Program Mapping Workshop

To harmonize and integrate the outputs of the Program Mapping Workshop last October 19, 2018, the second leg of Program Mapping Workshop facilitated by Prof. Rosella Torrecampo was held at the School of Economics Alumni Association Room, School of Economics, UP Diliman on 19 November 2018. NSTP Director Arlyn Macapinlac reminded the participants on the necessity to bring in National Security Concerns in the NSTP Program Map. The attendees were distributed into two groups to unite related concepts from the previous outputs and to provide more context on National Security Concerns. Outputs were checked by Prof. Torrecampo and Director Macapinlac towards the end of the whole-day workshop. Overlapping items were noted and differing viewpoints were shared to the assembly. Collected outputs will be subjected for further review and integration by NSTP Diliman Staff and will be checked by Prof. Torrecampo for finalization. by Klaribelle Anne B. Languayan