The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) had its Turnover Parade last April 27, 2019 – an event symbolizing the turnover of command over the Corps of Cadets, by the graduating first class cadet officers to the second class cadet officers. The turnover of the Corps Commander to the next, for bystanders perhaps, seemed like a mere physical interaction from both cadet officers. However to the Corps, it symbolizes more than just physical valor — it is the mental, emotional, and spiritual courage and will of the newly designated Corps Commander to take on the responsibilities of leading the Corps. The event started with the arrival of honors by the Honor Guard Company under the command of CMaj Jester Jay DV Buluran 2Cl to the Guest of Honor and Speaker, BGen Rolando R Rodil AFP, the Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command (AFPRESCOM). A video presentation highlighting the important events of the Corps Year 2018-2019 was shown to the GOHAS and other VIPs present in the event. For the cadets, the video presentation was a moment to reminisce and rejoice about the victories they had during the corps year, whether big or small. The Rayadillo unit also presented their silent drill demonstration, a combination of calculated drill movements and formation sequences. It was then followed by the last parade and review of the cadets of this corps year. Incorporated within the parade and review is the pinnacle of the event: the turnover of command, symbolized by the hand over of the Diliman Sword, a symbol of the leadership of the Corps, and the culmination of a month long process which aims to transfer leadership from one Corps Commander to another. It is an intensive process of deliberation of candidates by a panel selected from the outgoing first class men, the tactical group, and the department, all of whom ensure that the future of the Corps is passed on into good hands. CLtC Bing Bong S Salinas 1Cl, being the Corps Commander of the Corps Year 2018-2019, started by proclaiming, “Ako si Lakan Bing […]
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Tokens of appreciation were presented to the partner organizations and core volunteers of the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) during the Gawad NSRC held at the Maynilad Room, College of Engineering on May 20, 2019. Aside from celebrating service, the yearly recognition program is held to induce, among the volunteers, a sense of value and appreciation to further fuel them to remain true to their oath as reservists. Among the participants were members of UP Radio Circle who provides assistance to the NSTP Diliman Office in the conduct of Serbisyong Tatak UP sa DZUP; UP Lipunang Pangkasaysayan, UP Political Society, and UP Chemical Engineering Society, who implemented civic welfare and literacy projects under the Reservist Grant for Student Organizations; members of NSRC First Responders; and officers of College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP)-NSRC. NSRC Deputy Director Jonalou S. Labor also took the opportunity to present the nature of the NSRC Diliman as a School-Based Reserve Unit in order for new and existing reservists to fully understand its structure and mission. He also presented existing volunteer opportunities that reservists could take part of in the coming months. Performers from the College of Music, UP Dancesport Society, and Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-Gapi) also graced the event to deliver a special performance for the awardees. by Vianne Grace C. Delfinado
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, […]
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 […]
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
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
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
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 […]
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
Sikhay Lingkod: A Summit on Cultivating the Spirit of Volunteerism was held at the School of Economics Auditorium in the University of the Philippines Diliman on November 19, 2018. There were two sessions held: the AM session which began at 09:00 in the morning and ended at 12:00 noon, and the PM session which began at 02:00 in the afternoon and ended at 05:00 in the afternoon. Prof. Arlyn Macapinlac, Director of NSTP Diliman Office, through her welcome remarks explained the meaning of the word “sikhay” which is zeal. Mayroong pananabik,” she further said. “Kaya nung nakita ko ‘yung kanyang kahulugan, sabi ko, maganda ‘to.” There were six organizations from the civil society and a government agency, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), who attended the Summit as speakers. They talked about volunteerism and their advocacies for the underserved communities. They also presented a variety of civic engagement strategies that UP students may venture into. Mr. Kenneth C. Siruelo of PNVSCA began with a discussion focused on the substantial impact that volunteerism poses to the society and community. He also gave an introduction on the work of PNVSCA as an office under the National Economic and Development Authority and insights on the provision stipulated under the Volunteer Act of 2007. “When you’re one of these marginalized kids, you’d think na… ‘Nakalimutan na ‘kong mundo or probably nakalimutan na ‘kong gobyerno, nakalimutan na ‘kong lipunan, pero every time na may mga taong nagri-reach out sa’kin sa lugar ko, what do you think that will make them feel?” This is how Ms. Florence Paguagan explained the motivating force behind the founding of Rainbow Confetti, Inc., an organization that seeks to empower kids through giving them the opportunity to celebrate even the smallest milestones in life. Also present during the program were, Ms. Ruthie Maye Padilla, Project Officer, and Ms. Kimberly Anne Marcelo, Environmental Education Officer, of World Wide Fund for Nature or WWF who shared their organization’s main tenets: to conserve biodiversity and to reduce the human footprint. They requested the students to take part in WWF’s Ayoko ng Plastic […]