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. […]
NSRC
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 […]
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
For the year 2018, the NSTP Diliman Office, through the Academic Program Improvement Grant, undertook a project that is entitled “Synchronizing NSTP and NSRC towards the mobilization of UPD SRC.” Said project aimed to develop a mechanism that will sustain the sense of volunteerism in every NSTP student even after they have finished the course. The Office acknowledges the diversity of extension services in the University which can be tapped for the mobilization of the reservists who, in turn, can be great resources in the implementation of the colleges’ extension programs. In line with this, among the objectives of the project are: 1) to enhance NSTP programs to strengthen the capacity of the colleges offering NSTP in maximizing the potential of the students in carrying out the programs spearheaded by the extension offices; and 2) to come up with a policy recommendation to establish a mechanism for the reservists to carry on with their commitment of service. To this end, various data gathering methods were employed to acquire relevant information for the crafting of the policy recommendation. Activities and programs of the extension offices were gathered and organized into a database to predetermine if there are any volunteer needs that the reservists may fill and to evaluate if the opportunities present can provide a fulfilling and enriching experience to the students. Thereafter, an interview was conducted among extension heads who are willing to forge partnership with NSTP Diliman Office in this project. On October 29, 2018, a simultaneous workshop of clustered NSTP college coordinators with extension heads and representatives was held to explore possible programs that may strengthen the partnership between the NSTP Office and extension offices and also to discuss the recommended provisions that will form part of the policy recommendation.This policy has been created to ensure that all potential volunteers will be treated in a fair and consistent way. It should also aid in understanding what support is available to them and what they can expect from their volunteering experience. Moreover, it will serve as a guide on how to properly integrate the volunteers into the organizational structure […]
Around 1,161 students of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) who completed the course requirements under the National Service Training Program (NSTP) for the second semester of A.Y. 2017-18 received their certificates of recognition: 1,110 CWTS and LTS graduates were inducted as new members of the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) of the Philippines while 51 ROTC graduates were inducted as Reservists under the Department of National Defense. Commencement ceremonies were held by different schools and colleges for the graduates of their NSTP classes. The program includes video presentations featuring community engagement by the NSTP classes. Partner organizations who were vital to the implementation of NSTP class projects were also recognized during the program. For example, one NSTP class from the College of Fine Arts produced a kids’ coloring book for the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) under DSWD. LTS classes from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy and College of Education partnered with San Vicente Elementary School for literacy projects. On May 17, 2018, the College of Engineering held its commencement ceremony for the 241 graduates of its NSTP program at the Industrial Engineering Auditorium. The program started at 9 am and ended at 12 noon. NSTP College Coordinator Raymond Freth Lagria gave the opening remarks while College of Engineering Dean Dr. Rizalinda De Leon attended the ceremony and gave an inspirational speech to the new NSTP graduates. NSTP Diliman Director Arlyn P. Macapinlac assisted in the awarding of certificates and delivered the closing remarks. Around 148 students participated in the College of Science’s NSTP graduation ceremony at the Institute of Biology Auditorium. Held from 1 pm to 4 pm, the ceremony was organized by NSTP College Coordinator Jordan Ferdin Halili. In his keynote speech, Professor Gani Tapang of Agham (Samahan ng Nagtataguyod ng Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Sambayanan) encouraged NSTP graduates to use science in serving the people. Last May 17, 2018, the College of Social Science and Philosophy (CSSP), with the help of NSTP College Coordinator Leander Marquez, conducted a graduation ceremony for its new NSTP graduates at the Palma Hall lobby. […]
On February 19, 2018, the NSTP Diliman Office launched the Gawad NSRC to express appreciation to the members of NSRC, who have been actively participating as volunteers to NSTP and NSRC activities and programs. Student organizations from the College of Mass Communication, Radio Circle and Broadcasters’ Guild, were also recognized during the event for being our partner organizations in our activities and programs such as the NSTP Radio Program at DZUP 1602 “Serbisyong Tatak UP”, Serbisyong Tatak UP para sa Marawi Initiatives and NSTP Graduations. The event was held at Seminar Room A, NEC Building from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. It served as a celebration for their valuable contribution to the success of NSTP Diliman’s activities and programs. by Vianne Grace C. Delfinado