The designated Internal Auditors at the Internal Audit Opening Meeting	Chancellor Murao delivers an inspirational message for the auditors

UP Mindanao units opened up their records for the ISO Internal Audit on August 28-30, 2024. The university personnel who trained as internal auditors assembled on August 28 for the Internal Audit Opening Meeting at Gaisano Room before deployment. According to the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Manual, "the organization shall conduct internal audits at planned intervals to provide information whether the system conforms and is effectively implemented and maintained."

Presenting the signed memorandum of understanding are (left-right) UP Mindanao's Department of Human Kinetics chairperson Asst. Prof. Jezreel Abarca, Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao, SO Pilipinas Program Director Kaye Chastine Samson, witnessed by SO Coach Ethel Tan and Special Olympics athlete Omar Tuazon.

The UP Mindanao administration entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Pilipinas Special Olympics Inc. (SO Pilipinas) for a proactive and constructive partnership for inclusive sports. 

UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao and SO Pilipinas Program Director Kaye Chastine Samson, representing National President Gillian Akiko Thomson-Guevara, signed on behalf of their respective organizations in a ceremony held at the Davao City-UP Sports Complex on August 28, 2024.

	Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao delivers her welcome message to the Kadayawan archery competition participants

Madayaw nga adlaw!

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the Kadayawan Archery Youth Tournament, which is spearheaded by the Davao Archery Club Inc., represented by its officials, in line with the celebration of the Kadayawan Festival.

The modern Kadayawan Festival evolved from the local thanksgiving feast practiced by the indigenous peoples living in the foothills of Mount Apo dedicated to Manama, the supreme deity of the Manobo, as thanks for their beautiful harvests. The name Kadayawan is taken from the Mandaya word "Madayaw," which means "good" and "beautiful."

Hence, it is an opportune time to be invited to an archery event during the time of Kadayawan.

Mr. Errol A. Merquita at the 2024 University Convocation

Back in 1996, I didn't know that UP had a campus in Davao. I wasn't aware of the UPCAT at the time. It was during my first year of college that I discovered UP in Bago Oshiro, just a few kilometers away from our house in Los Amigos. To transfer to UP, I needed a GWA of at least 2.0, but because it's UP, I set a higher standard for myself, aiming for 1.25—which I achieved. After passing a series of interviews, I found myself traveling on the 'hemorrhagic road' leading to UP.