Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann

(left-right) PSC Mindanao Coordinator Noli Ayo, PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, UPMin Chancellor Lyre Murao, PSC chief of staff Nino Urquiaga

seated clockwise from top left: Asst. Prof. Abarca, Inst. Camia, Coach Ayo, Chairman Bachmann, Chancellor Murao, Chief Urquiaga, Asst. Prof. Protacio

Chairperson Abarca, Vice-Chancellor Estana, Chairman Bachmann, Chancellor Murao, Coach Ayo, Instructor Camia, Director Protacio

The UP Mindanao administration welcomed Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard E. Bachmann at the UP Mindanao-Davao City Sports Complex on January 20, 2024. 

They discussed the proposed Isports Scholar Program for UP Mindanao students and the goal of the PSC to expand its reach to the BARMM, the Caraga region, and the Indigenous People's communities through various programs.

The PSC Chairman also pledged support for House Bill 6143, “The Mindanao Sports Development Training and Research Institute,” and the creation of the UP Mindanao College of Sports and Human Movement Sciences.

The PSC Chairman was accompanied by Coach Noli Ayo, PSC Coordinator for Mindanao, and the Chairmain's Chief of Staff Niño Deo R. Urquiaga, and was received by UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao, Vice Chancellor for Administration Asst. Prof. Leo Estaña, Department of Human Kinetics Chairperson Asst. Prof. Jezreel M. Abarca, Varsity Coordinator Ms. Cherry Ann C. Camia, Extension Director Asst. Prof. Erwin E. Protacio, and Ar. Modesto Tolentino.

The collaboration between UPMin and the PSC addresses the Sustainable Development Goal #3 on Good Health and Wellbeing, and SDG #4 on Quality Education.  

Chancellor Murao receives the Certificate of Recognition witnessed by former Pahinungod volunteers

UPMin deployed UP Gurong Pahinungod volunteer teachers during the school's founding years

Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao (fifth from left) receives a Certificate of Recognition issued by the Kidawa National High School administration on the occasion of the school's anniversary.

UPMin had deployed UP Gurong Pahinungod volunteer teachers to Bgy. Kidawa, Laak, Davao de Oro Province, during the school's founding years, a fond memory for former UP President and Ugnayan ng Pahinungod founder Emil Q. Javier.

UPMin Land Reservation Officer and former Gurong Pahinungod volunteer Joel Sagadal (sixth from left) received the certificate on UPMin's behalf after serving as Keynote Speaker in the Kidawa school's anniversary ceremony.

Former Pahinungod volunteers (left-right) Marie Lyn Cayunda, Lynda Buenaobra, Dannah Alcomendras, Michael Gatela, and Michelle Panis witnessed the certificate's transmittal.

The certificate was signed by Asst. Principal Annalin Bangonan, herself a former Gurong Pahinungod volunteer who stayed on and settled in the area.

Dean Jhoanna Cruz and Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao

AL Navarro NHS Principal Randy Alonzo and Coordinator Raph Pehid

Chancellor Murao, Vice Chancellor Estana, Dean Cruz, Director Protacio, Chair Abarca, Principal Alonzo, Coordinator Pehid at the Stadium Office

Director Protacio, Coordinator Pehid, Vice Chancellor Estana, Chancellor Murao, Principal Alonzo, Dean Cruz, and Chair Abarca at the Football Field

Officials of UP Mindanao and the Alejandra L. Navarro National High School (AL Navarro NHS) signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the Implementation of the Sports Track Program in AL Navarro NHS. UPMin Chancellor Prof. Lyre Anni Murao, Vice Chancellor for Administration Asst. Prof. Leo Estaña, AL Navarro School Principal Mr. Randy B. Alonzo, and AL Navarro Adopt-a-School Moderator Mr. Raph B. Pehid signed the MOA at the DC-UP Sports Complex Football Stadium on January 5, 2024. College of Humanities & Social Sciences Dean Prof. Jhoanna B. Cruz, Office of Extension and Community Service Director Asst. Prof. Erwin E. Protacio, and Department of Human Kinetics Chairperson Asst. Prof. Jezreel M. Abarca served as witnesses to the agreement. The MOA with AL Navarro is envisioned to contribute to the Mindanao Sports Development Program by training sports specialists from high school to college and subsequent career opportunities, through the Davao City-UP Sports Complex housed in the UPMin campus. This is UPMin's second Sports Track MOA, following one between UP Mindanao and Calinan National High School signed on October 20, 2023,

UPMin athletes emerged champions and won medals in the 2023 Philippine National Games held on December 17-22, 2023, in Pasig City.

Champions and gold medalists were:    

Kristine Madeline S. Ibag (2-Associate in Arts in Sports Studies), for the Archery Under-21 Compound Category and Olympic Round, respectively.

Jersey Enaj Vye Gonzales (2-Associate in Arts in Sports Studies), for the Archery Team Event, Barebow Category, 50-m Distance.

Kaye Louren Famulagan (3-Bachelor of Sports Science), for the Arnis Padded Stick (Bantamweight) Category 

The silver medalist was Andrea A. Paciencia (3-Bachelor of Sports Science) for the Arnis Live Stick (Featherweight) Category.

The Department of Human Kinetics, home of the athletes, offers the following degree programs: Associate in Arts in Sports Studies, Bachelor of Sports Science, Diploma in Exercise and Sports Science, and Master of Science in Human Movement Science.  

The UP Mindanao campus houses the Davao City-UP Sports Complex, a fast-growing center for regional and national sports meets. .