Visits

MOU with Mintal Comprehensive High School

Written by Rene Estremera. Posted in Visits

Seated (left-right): VCAA Annabelle Novero, Chancellor Lyre Murao, MCHS Principal Raul Cabilogan, MCHS Head Teacher Anabel Dulay

Standing: Asst. Prof. Dennis Sumaylo, SOM Dean Aurelia Gomez, Research Director May Anne Mata, Asst. Prof. Ma. Teresa Escano, Prof. Karen Cayamanda, Dean Cleto Nanola

Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao signed a Memorandum of Understanding with School Principal Raul Cabilogan of Mintal Comprehensive High School (MCHS)-Junior High School on August 22, 2023, for cooperation in Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) education. The MOU was sought by Principal Cabilogan in line with the MCHS's move for the DepEd's recognition of its STE program. The MOU will provide MCHS's students with opportunities for learning experiences in science and technology. The UPMin Executive Committee witnessed the signing ceremony and gave inputs for possible activities.

UP and UPMin hold consultations in the Bangsamoro

Written by Rene Estremera. Posted in Visits

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Two University of the Philippines teams were in Cotabato City on June 1, 2023, to consult the Bangsamoro agencies through the forum, “Reinforcing Engagement with Academe through Partnerships” (REAP).

The UP Mindanao team of Prof. Larry Digal sought the support of the BARMM agencies by presenting the outcomes of their project, “Extending the LIFE Model to new MILF communities in Maguindanao and Cotabato,” funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The LIFE model aims to improve the quality of life in target communities through training in farming and other livelihood activities. The project has sites in Brgy. Saniag, Ampatuan, Maguindanao; Brgy. Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat; and Brgy. Kadigasan, BARMM Special Geographic Area, Midsayap, Cotabato. The baseline results, highlights of project activities, and the results and accomplishments of the program were presented. An open forum followed to gather inputs for improvement.

The second UP team, led by UP Executive Vice President Jose Fernando Alcantara, inquired about new areas for UP's institutional involvement in the Bangsamoro region.

EVP Alcantara sought additional collaborations in preparation for the creation of a UP institute dedicated to the Bangsamoro region. Previously, UP and the BARMM’s Ministry of Basic, Technical, and Higher Education signed a memorandum of understanding which produced the Junior Scientist Program and Affirmative Actions in Education in the Bangsamoro region.

Representatives of BARMM agencies welcomed the inquiries and contributed suggestions for UP’s collaboration. Represented were the BARMM ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), Science and Technology (MOST), and Labor and Employment (MOLE). Officials from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, and the Policy Research and Legal Services were present. The CBCS and the Cotabato State University completed the BARMM representation.

VIPs at the 25th Commencement Exercises

Written by Rene Estremera. Posted in Visits

In UP Mindanao for the 25th Commencement Exercises on July 18, 2023, are (seated, left-right) Professor Emeritus Eufemio Rasco Jr., Regent Robert Lester Arenton, Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao, guest Speaker Mr. Ronald Daniel Mascariñas, and (standing) Prof. Larry Digal, EVP Jose Fernando Alcantara, VP Nestor Yunque, and Atty. Janis Louis Esparcia, Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s representative.

Professor Emeritus Eufemio “Dong” T. Rasco Jr. is UPMin’s first and, as yet, only professor emeritus. The title is conferred by the UP Board of Regents to retired faculty members in recognition of their exceptional achievements and service to the University. They are accorded certain privileges and may continue to serve as they wish. As such, his name remains on the faculty roster of UPMin’s Department of Biological Science and Environmental Studies. HR Chief Lynda Buenaobra accompanied Prof. Rasco to interactions with CSM OIC-Dean Junaldo Mantiquilla, OR-OIC Asst. Prof. Cyrose Silvosa, Librarian Briccio Merced, and CARIM officers Mitchiko Lopez and Michael Bonghanoy. Prof. Rasco was pleased to learn that UPMin continues to pursue the botanical garden project. He pledged to continue supplying seeds for research, landscaping, and the botanical garden, and seeds for rare palms for undergraduate theses. In addition, access to student theses and the “FLEx PHD” (Food is Life Exemplified - Planetary Health Diet) app were discussed. Prof. Rasco is looking forward to more active participation in UPMin activities.

Newly installed Alumni Regent Robert Lester F. Aranton enjoined the members of the Class of 2023 to protect and strive for the welfare of the University and to be loyal University alumni. Regent Aranton is from Davao City and is a former trustee of the UP Mindanao Foundation Inc. and a former secretary/director of the UP Alumni Association Davao Chapter. He is a former Director of the UPAA National Chapter and co-Chair of its Membership Development Committee. He is a current Board Member of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, representing the Investors/Private Sector.

Mr. Ronald Mascariñas, the commencement guest speaker, is an awardee of the UP Gawad Oblation for “extraordinary service with or in the name of the university,” which was conferred in January 2023. Mr. Mascariñas earned his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB) and his master’s degree in Management from the Asian Institute of Management. He is the President and General Manager of Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc., owners of the Uling Roasters and Chooks-To-Go take-out chicken brands. In this capacity, during the pandemic, Mr. Mascariñas effected the provision of food to frontliners and students stranded in dormitories on various UP campuses, including UPMin students in the EBL dorm, during the lockdown period. Mr. Mascariñas is also a sports enthusiast and supporter of the UP varsity. He helped create the memorable gathering of UP constituents in the Davao Region when the UP Fighting Maroons, carrying the Uling Roasters brand, competed and won the championship in the 2017 Araw ng Dabaw Commercial Basketball Tournament. He was the UPLB Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumnus for Entrepreneurship and UP Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumnus for Entrepreneurship and Employment Creation in 2019.

UP Executive Vice President Jose Fernando T. Alcantara led the members of the Class of 2023 through the pledge to be worthy of the honor, standard, and proficiency of the University through the Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Unbersidad. “At mamamalaging nasa panig ng batas, kalayaan, at katarungan alang-alang lahat sa paglilingkod sa bayan at sangkatauhan,” he read. EVP Alcantara was with a UPMin team in Cotabato City on June 1, 2023, where he held a consultation with the Bangsamoro agencies for UP’s possible areas of additional collaboration. EVP Alcantara is an expert in business management and operations with 32 years of experience as a chief executive and part of senior management of companies in the shipping and ship-building industries, insurance and finance, mining and energy, and diversified food. (www.up.edu.ph)

Vice President for Administration Nestor G. Yunque served in this capacity from 2017 to July 2023. The Office of the Vice President for Administration is directly responsible for the UP System’s Office of Administrative Personnel Services, the Physical Plant Office, the Security Division, the Property Division, the Cash Division, the Internal Audit Division, and the Accounting Division. VP Yunque also previously served as UP Visayas Vice Chancellor for Administration. He is a faculty member of the UP Visayas College of Arts and Sciences – Division of Biological Sciences.

Atty. Janis Louis Esparcia represented Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte. She is a UPMin BA Social Science alumna and current Acting Assistant City Administrator.

Testimonial for Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon

Written by Rene Estremera. Posted in Visits

Sen. Biazon et al in 1996

The UP Mindanao community issues this testimony in honor of former Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon on his passing on June 12. 2023. Senator Biazon is a "Prime Mover," one among those behind the creation of UP Mindanao.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture in 1994, Senator Rodolfo Biazon was a co-author of Senate Bill No. 2051, seeking the establishment of the University of the Philippines in Mindanao. His co-authors were senators Orly Mercado, Edgardo Angara, Leticia Shahani, Alberto Romulo, Joey Lina Jr., and Santanina Razul. Senate Bill 2051 was later consolidated with the House Bill to become Republic Act 7889.

In appreciation, UP Mindanao constituents invited former Senator Rodolfo Biazon to the 1st Anniversary of UP Mindanao in 1996. In the photo above, Senator Biazon is seated on the right. Beside him is Chancellor Rogelio V. Cuyno and the late former Congressman and House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. Congressman Nograles was the author of House Bill 30358, the House version of the bill for the creation of UP Mindanao.

Source: "The UP Mindanao Story," unpublished manuscript by Agnes. S. Togon.

UPMin Pahinungod in Basilan

Written by Rene Estremera. Posted in Visits

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University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) teams were in Basilan on May 1-5, 2023, to orient and prepare Grade 11 students for the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) to be held nationwide on June 3-4, 2023. This followed the UP Office of Admissions’s decision to open UPCAT Test Centers in these underserved regions as requested by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Mindanao, the UP’s volunteer service unit in UPMin. The UPMin Pahinungod’s Affirmative Action Program (AAP) team gave UPCAT Orientations and Simulations to students from different schools who converged in Lamitan National High School (NHS), Maluso NHS, and Basilan NHS.

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The Lamitan City BARMM Ministry of Basic Higher & Technical Education’s (MBHTE) Division Superintendent, Dr. Myra Makabung, Administrative Officer Mr. Efren Lindio, and their team coordinated the UPMin team’s visits in the province, which is composed of one Department of Education and two MBHTE divisions. Basilan MBHTE Schools Superintendent Dr. Tim Undain-Sanchez and counterpart Isabela City DepEd Superintendent Dr. Julieto Fernandez also welcomed the UPMin team’s visit. UPMin School of Management’s Assistant Professor Rodgessa Lopez, Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Mindanao Director Michael Gatela, and Associate Marie Lyn Cayunda constituted the Basilan team.

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