The UP Psychology Society (UP PsychSoc) has long been a beacon of hope and support for children with special educational needs. Their project, InDAK, has become a flagship initiative, emphasizing the importance of accessible and relevant special education and mental health wellness services. With their partnership dating back to 2008, UP PsychSoc has been actively involved with Batino Elementary School, a center dedicated to children with special educational needs. This article delves into the motivations, challenges, and successes of the InDAK project, based on an interview with Joaquin Guevara, a dedicated member of UP PsychSoc. The Genesis of InDAK UP PsychSoc’s partnership with Batino Elementary School began in 2008, with a shared goal of advancing psychology through self-expression and vocation. Initially, the organization focused on sensory activities such as texture and scent-based sessions to assist students with visual impairments and learning disabilities. Over time, the objectives evolved to include supplementary activities that complement classroom learnings, helping children to socialize and energize themselves such as arts, puppeteering, painting, singing, and theater, alongside sports and dancing to hone fine motor skills and spatial awareness. Overcoming Challenges Transitioning to a predominantly face-to-face setup in the academic year 2023-2024 posed several challenges. The InDAK team dedicated the initial months to establishing logistical systems and partnership communications. With the groundwork laid by the previous year’s committee and the support from the UP NSTP-NSRC Office, the organization navigated budget constraints and logistical hurdles successfully. Despite scheduling conflicts due to academic calendar mismatches, transport strikes, and national holidays, the team focused on enhancing session quality through internal production works, increasing volunteer turnout, and setting engaging activities. Participation and Engagement The active participation of students and their families has been a cornerstone of InDAK’s success. Students eagerly engaged in activities, particularly those related to art and dancing. Guardians played a crucial role in behavioral management and interaction, working closely with volunteers to ensure children’s engagement. This collaboration fostered bonding between parents and children, enhancing the overall impact of the sessions. Practical and Recreational Activities In the current academic year, InDAK activities included beaded bracelet making and mural creation. […]
NSTP Articles
Bridging Gaps in Education The “Batang KNL” project was developed by UP Red Cross Youth in collaboration with the Krus Na Ligas (KNL) Association for Hope and Unity and Lakas ng Nagkakaisang Kababaihan sa Barangay UP Campus. Derick Cabotage, External Vice President of UP Red Cross Youth, shared that one day, a member who had been working with the KNL mothers’ association reached out asking if they would consider helping with their community learning hub. Despite the lack of formal training or qualifications to teach at the time, the team decided to visit the Learning Hub to see what they could do. They met Tita Wilma, Tita Maricris, Teacher Joshua, and some of the kids in the community and decided to move forward with the project. Following consultations with everyone in the organization, the initiative gained momentum, and their story with the Learning Hub began to unfold. This strategic partnership was crucial in identifying the needs of the community and ensuring that the project was tailored to address them effectively. A Community-Centric Approach At its core, “Batang KNL” aimed to support grade school children who needed extra lessons and who were eager to learn new skills outside their regular school curriculum. Recognizing the diverse educational needs of children in Krus Na Ligas, the project created a safe and nurturing environment at the Krus Na Ligas Community Learning Hub, where children could engage in various learning activities. Innovative Learning Strategies The project adopted a holistic approach to education, incorporating academic support with fun-filled activities. Volunteers from the UP Red Cross Youth, along with members of their partner organizations, dedicated their time and effort to offer a wide range of activities. These included: Challenges Encountered Throughout their 8 month-long journey, the learning hub faced numerous challenges. One of the most frequent issues was coordinating schedules and finding volunteer teachers each week. Sometimes, recruiting volunteers was easy but other times it was a struggle. The team often had to support each other and, although their work was incredibly fulfilling, it was also tiring at times. Due to difficulties in finding available members to […]
Noong ika-4 ng Mayo 2024, ginanap ang ika-18 na Gandingan Awards sa Charles Fuller Baker Memorial Hall, UP Los Baños, Laguna. Sa nasabing pagtitipon, muling iginawad sa Serbisyong Tatak UP ang titulong “Most Development Oriented AM Program” para sa natatangi nitong kontribusyon sa lipunan. Noong nakaraang taon, nakamit ng Serbisyong Tatak UP ang naturang parangal dahil sa episode na pinamagatang “Kagawasan at Kalinaw: Plight of the Lumad” na angkop sa temang “Kabuhayan, Buhay ng Bayan”. Samantala ngayong taon, nagwagi ang entry na “Framework sa Pakikipagtulungan sa mga Komunidad: Oh My Gulay sa CHK NSTP-CWTS Ecogarden”, dahil tinatanghal nito ang mga pagsisikap ng mga mag-aaral mula sa CHK NSTP-CWTS na magkaroon ng isang matatag na eco garden sa kampus na suhay sa temang “Agrikultura: Mga Kwento ng Hamon at Pag-asa” na naglalayong magbigay ng pagpupugay sa agrikultural na sektor sa bansa. Kabilang din sa nominado para sa kategoryang “Most Development – Oriented Youth Program” ang STUP episode na pinamagatang, “Gurong Pahinungod” at ang “Kahampatan: Intervention Ethical Framework in Working with Communities” para naman sa kategoryang “Most Development – Oriented Educational Program”. Nagpapasalamat ang tanggapan ng NSTP Diliman sa Gandingan Awards sa patuloy nitong pagkilala sa programa at sa DZUP na siyang pangunahing katuwang ng tanggapan sa pagtataguyod ng programa. Higit sa lahat, nagpapasalamat din ang tanggapan sa mga nagbahagi ng kanilang kaalaman sa bawat diskusyon, mga naging tagapag-padaloy ng usapan, at mga naging tagapagtangkilik para sa kanilang walang sawang pakikinig sa programa. Ang pagpaparangal ng Gandingan Awards sa mga tampok na episodes ng Serbisyong Tatak UP ay nagsisilbing hamon at inspirasyon sa amin upang patuloy na magbigay ng tapat at masikhay na paglilingkod sa bayan! #TatakUPDNSTP #SerbisyongTatakUP #NSTP By: Marielle M. Lagulay and Latrell M. Felix
The Sanay Agap Iglap, coordinated by various offices including the NSTP Diliman Office, National Service Reserve Corps UPD, UP Resilience Institute, UP Diliman Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, UP Diliman Public Safety and Security Office, and Barangay U.P. Campus- Quezon City, is a 3-day training program designed to enhance community readiness and resilience in the face of disasters. The training, aimed at a cohort of 30-40 participants comprising NSRC reservists, NSTP students, UP Diliman staff, and members of the UP Campus community, incorporates simulation exercises, fieldwork, community engagement, interviews, and structured learning activities. During the Day 1 of Sanay Agap Iglap’s pilot implementation, Dr. Glecy Atienza led participants through physical activities to cultivate an alert mindset, followed by presentations from Ramon Caballero and Jose Abraham Ongkiko of UPRI, focusing on map reading and hazard awareness respectively. Jerzyne Anne Corpuz, also from UPRI, then provided guidance on conducting ocular inspections in participants’ communities. There were a total of 45 participants and 20 volunteers on the first day. Day 2 featured a range of experiences, including a tango rescue exercise led by Dr. Albert Dimarucut, role plays, and discussions on disaster preparedness facilitated by Dr. Glecy Atienza, and basic first-aid training covering burns, fractures, unconsciousness, and managing panicking individuals, led by Dr. Alfred Tengonciang. There were a total of 28 participants and 23 volunteers on the second day. On Day 3, participants engaged in a simultaneous drill at Daan Tubo and Village C of Barangay UP Campus, Quezon City, followed by a comprehensive assessment of the drill proceedings. There were a total of 25 participants and 13 volunteers on the third day. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Sanay Agap Iglap! Exciting updates coming your way soon. By: Ameda M. Tomie
On February 12, 2024, the NSTP Council convened for its inaugural meeting of the year. The session commenced with a comprehensive review of the NSTP Report for the academic year 2022-2023, providing a valuable reflection on past initiatives and accomplishments. Delving into the present academic year, the Council meticulously evaluated the delivery of the Tatak UP D Common Module during the first semester. The meeting continued with focused discussions addressing specific concerns related to both NSTP and the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC). In addition to these, the Council also dedicated time to elaborate on guidelines for the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) 2 Delivery. This encompassed detailed considerations for the field activities and community engagements of the students, underlining the importance of ensuring an ethical and enriching experience for all participants. Lastly, the Council deliberated on forthcoming projects slated for execution within the current year, emphasizing a commitment to impactful community engagement and service. By: Marielle M. Lagulay
The NSTP Diliman Office facilitated the face-to-face Patnubay NSTP Orientation for new NSTP Coordinators, Instructors, and Support Staff at the IE Board room, IEM Building on July 10, 2023 from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Orientations for new and current NSTP personnel are conducted yearly to ensure that the NSTP is properly implemented in UP Diliman. The Patnubay Orientation session was attended by two (2) new NSTP coordinators, nine (9) instructors, and two (2) support staff. The attendees were given the 2nd edition of the NSTP Operations Manual, the 20 years of NSTP-related documents, and an NSTP Personnel Checklist and Starter Pack document that can serve as their guide from their planning to the implementation phase. NSTP Diliman Director Dennis Quilala facilitated the orientation and discussed the implementation of NSTP in UP Diliman. He also discussed the “NSTP Implementation Overview”, the “service learning framework”, and the Tatak UPD NSTP Common Module. Senior Project Assistant for Training & Education, Ms. Regina Valerio, explained the NSTP rules about student appeals and gave sample scenarios and solutions. An audio-visual presentation about the NSTP community projects from the 19 implementing units was played then followed by a testimonial interview video from Asst. Prof. Karl Hapal, former NSTP Coordinator of the College of Social Welfare and Community Development, and Asst. Prof. Josefina Santos, NSTP instructor from the College of Mass Communication and former Deputy Director for NSRC. The testimonial video shares the former personnel’s experiences in conducting NSTP in their colleges, their collaboration with community partners, and the advice they would give to new NSTP personnel. Asst. Prof. Olivia Sicam gave a presentation about how NSTP is being implemented in the College of Architecture (CoA). Asst. Prof. Sicam introduced their organizational structure and their duties and responsibilities. She then presented CoA’s partner organization and their CWTS 2 class projects. The orientation was followed by the NSTP Support Staff Meeting where the NSTP Diliman Admin team and the NSTP support staff from different units discussed their duties and responsibilities and administrative concerns. By: Ma. Regina Valerio
The Start ‘Em Young: Gender Sensitivity and NSTP Orientation for UP Diliman Freshies marks the beginning of a more fulfilling learning experience for the future nation-builders. The Start ‘Em Young Orientation was conducted on March 13, 20, and 27, 2023, with five (5) cycles of face-to-face sessions at the UP School of Economics Auditorium, and an online sessions on April 28 and May 29, 2023. The back-to-back orientation is in collaboration with the UP Diliman Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, UP Diliman Gender Office, UP Diliman Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment, and the NSTP Diliman Office. At the face-to-face orientation, the freshies were serenaded by the heartwarming performances of the UP ROTC band. NSTP Diliman Director Dennis Quilala and Deputy Director Likha Minimo welcomed the freshies to UP Diliman and explained how NSTP is being implemented in the university. They also discussed with the freshies the university policies on NSTP. Remarkable people come with remarkable speeches, and the orientation would not be complete without wise words from the NSTP coordinators and instructors. The presenters shared their experiences in teaching NSTP in UP Diliman and the behind-the-scenes stories in implementing NSTP community projects. UPD students also shared their learnings and experiences while taking their NSTP classes. According to Ms. Audrey Rose Crisostomo, BS Computer Engineering student, ROTC is more than what meets the eye. To her, it is more on an organizational level that honed her capabilities in leading and organizing. Just how she experienced doing organizational donation drives through the ROTC program. Furthermore, Mr. Jaygil Blanco, Bachelor of Secondary Education (Major in Math) student, explains how his ROTC experience became his foundation for thinking ROTC is not about instilling but enhancing discipline within. Another testimony from Mx. Alexis Sparks, BSEd Mathematics Education student, stated that LTS helped them in their endeavor to know the current state of the educational system in the Philippines as they used to teach children in Makati, and that gave them an idea of how to deal with students as a future educator. Their experiences gave the freshies an idea of what NSTP really […]
During the 17th Gandingan Awards of the UP Community Broadcasters’ Society on May 13, 2023, at the Dioscoro L. Umali Hall, UP Los Baños, Laguna, DZUP brought home the Most Development-Oriented AM Station award through Serbisyong Tatak UP (STUP). Among the nominees for the general award were DZRH, DZBB Super Balita sa Umaga, DZBB Super Balita sa Tanghali, BSU-on-the-Air, and Cebsi INC Radio. Gandingan Awards 2023 Gandingan Awards is the only student-led recognition program that highlights the value of development communication and the contributions of both national and local or community-based media organizations in changing the lives of Filipinos. After years of holding the ceremony online, Gandingan Awards 2023 returned to the D.L. Umali Hall with the theme “Kabuhayan, buhay ng bayan.” STUP Gandingan Entry: STUP submitted one entry titled “Kagawasan at Kalinaw: Plight of the Lumad,” hosted by Klasmeyts Gian Carlo Librojo and Carl Anthony Dave Sayat. The guest speaker, Asst. Prof. Jose Monfred Sy, the NSTP Coordinator of UP Diliman College of Arts and Letters, discussed land grabbing matters affecting the day-to-day lives of lumads. According to Asst. Prof. Sy, lumad ancestral lands were being stolen by big corporations. In these affected provinces, farming and trading are their main sources of income, and ownership of their lands is extremely significant for them to make a living. Listen to the full episode here. Serbisyong Tatak UP sa DZUP 1602 is a radio program aired over DZUP 1602 AM station on the first and third Monday of every month from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. STUP discusses the National Training Service Program of UP Diliman and various timely and relevant stories and information aligned with the NSTP Common Module Topics. STUP is produced by the NSTP Diliman Office in collaboration with DZUP 1602. By Anthony Bagano Jr.
The Ugnayan ng Pahinungód University of the Philippines System in partnership with the National Training Service Program (NSTP) Diliman Office organized LAWIG – A Public Forum on Service-Learning, held on April 18, 2023, 2 PM – 4PM, at the UP National Engineering Center Audio Visual Room. The public forum featured resource speakers from the Service-Learning and Leadership Office (SLLO) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Faculty and students from various colleges, units, and offices of the UP System participated in the forum. The forum aims is to provide an opportunity for the University of the Philippines System academic community to engage with scholars from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and to foster discourse on service learning, particularly in a university setting. Dr. Grace Ngai, Head of SLLO, provided an overview of the service-learning programs and initiatives available at PolyU, through her presentation entitled, “Nurturing Socially Responsible Graduates through a University-Wide Service Learning Requirement.” She discussed how service-learning at PolyU is integrated into a variety of disciplines, from social sciences to engineering. In addition, their university involves partnerships with community organizations, NGOs, and government agencies. Through service-learning, their students engage in activities such as community service projects, research, and advocacy that address pressing social and environmental issues in Hong Kong and beyond. Dr. Stephen Chan, Founding Head and Consultant of SLLO, also shared his experience on how they explored the different facets of service-learning at PolyU, as well as the impact on both students and the wider community. He also discussed some of the challenges and opportunities of implementing service-learning in a tertiary education institution and how PolyU continues to innovate and expand its service-learning offerings. Moreover, the forum served as a follow-up activity on using service-learning as a framework for NSTP. Last year, the NSTP Diliman Office initiated a discussion on service-learning through “Lawig: A Roundtable Discussion,” an online meeting among the UP Diliman NSTP Coordinators with Dr. Danielle Ochoa of College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, UP Diliman. Service-learning in NSTP implementation will be an important way for students to connect with the community and make a […]
Amid the national exigencies plaguing the country — from disaster risk management issues, peace talk qualms, to environmental woes — the National Service Training Program (NSTP) – UP Diliman Office found a way to address these concerns by responding with an educational webinar series. From September to October 2022, the “BAYANIHAN: Common Module Webinar Series,” a three-part webinar series by the NSTP Diliman Office, featured reputable figures, and also highlighted women in STEM, in the discussion regarding national security issues, disaster risk reduction, and environmental protection in the Philippines. “Katatagan” “Katatagan: National Security,” marked the first leg of the webinar series. The webinar gave an overview of the country’s current security environment, from the national (e.g., West Philippine sea issue) to the global scale (e.g., Ukraine-Russia crisis). Prof. Robert Joseph P. Medillo, Associate Professor II and Acting Chief of Academic Affairs Division of the National Defense College of the Philippines, oriented the webinar attendees with the basics of national security and the pressing issues that the country is facing. In discussing a part of his talk regarding the country’s territorial claims and maritime domain issues, Medillo exclaimed: “The Philippines must ensure good order within its sea boundaries and develop appropriate maritime domain awareness and response force capability.” Meanwhile, Col. Ronald Jess Alcudia, Executive Officer of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retirees Affairs, J9 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), focused on discussing the internal security situation in the Philippines. To supplement the presented ideas, Assistant Professor Dennis F. Quilala, the Director of the NSTP Diliman Office, tied the conception of the office’s learning materials with the concern regarding national security. His talk, entitled, “NSTP, Human Security, and National Security,” tackled the development of the NSTP Diliman Common Module, in consideration of various security agendas and issues. “Kahandaan” Just weeks before a 6.4 magnitude earthquake rocked the Philippines in late October, “Kahandaan: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management” sequelled the BAYANIHAN webinar series. Last October 10, an all-women panel spearheaded the discussion regarding volcanic and seismic hazards, disaster risk management, and the empowerment of […]