“No one deserves this honor. Subalit sa harap ninyong lahat, sa ngalan ng tradisyon ng aking pamilya at ng Kolehiyo, tinatanggap ko po ito. I accept knowing that the work will not be tiring or difficult but passionate and joyous. I am certain of this because CSWCD has always and will always serve the people.”
With these words, Dr. Sylvia Estrada Claudio affirmed her post as 12th dean of the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) before UP Diliman (UPD) Chancellor Michael L. Tan on Feb. 21 at the CSWCD grounds.
Claudio, a professor at the Department of Women and Development Studies (DWDS), was appointed dean by the UP Board of Regents on Sept. 7, 2017 at its 1330th meeting and will serve until Sept. 6, 2020. She succeeded Dr. Jocelyn T. Caragay.
Claudio finished BS Psychology, cum laude, from UPD in 1977. She has a Doctor of Medicine degree from UP Manila (1981) and a PhD in Psychology from UPD (1996). She was a research fellow at the Institute of Developmental Research Amsterdam at the University of Amsterdam in 1991.
Advocacies. “Nang siya ay nasa high school, pinatawag siya sa Office of the Principal, hindi dahil siya ay nagbulakbol kundi dahil siya ay isang totoong aktibista na ni-recruit ni Judy Taguiwalo (then a martial law activist) sa murang edad. Alam ko ito dahil ang principal noon ay ang nanay ko,” former CSWCD Dr. Rosalinda P. Ofreneo shared in introducing Claudio.
Claudio is co-founder and currently Chair of the Board of Directors of Likhaan Women’s Center Inc. (Likhaan), a non-governmental organization providing health education and training, community organizing and reproductive health services to urban poor women. She was the director of the UP Center for Women’s Studies (now UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies [UP CWGS]) from 2011 to 2014.
She is a member of the Philippine Psychological Association’s LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Special Interest Group, Council of Asian Association of Women’s Studies and National Executive Committee of Akbayan (a citizen’s party list aiming to institute greater participation in public decision-making), and lifetime member of the Pambansang Samahan ng Sikolohiyang Pilipino (National Association of Philippine Psychology).
For the past 30 years, she has been giving free counseling services to women and survivors of violence in the LGBT community.
Fulfilling work. In his speech, Tan acknowledged the difficult task of deanship but “the work is fulfilling.” He looks forward to the continuous partnership with CSWCD. “I always knew that I come to the College kung kinakailangan.”
“We have been working with them for new programs to build on what has been accomplished in the past – feeding program with the UP System for the student’s physical nourishment and more psycho-social support for our students, faculty and staff for their emotional resilience,” he added.
College Executive Board. Claudio also presented her Executive Board, comprising Prof. Mary Lou L. Alcid as College Secretary, Assoc. Prof. Ma. Linnea V. Tanchuling (Chairperson of the Department of Community Development), Assoc. Prof. Yolanda G. Ealdama (Chair, Department of Social Work), Assoc. Prof. Teresita V. Barrameda (Chair, DWDS), Prof. Ma. Theresa V. Tungpalan (Director, Doctor in Social Development Program), Asst. Prof. John Erwin S. Bañez (Director, Research and Extension for Development Office), Soledad J. Fonseca (Head Librarian), Mary Jane R. Demegillo (Administrative Officer 5), Valerraine R. Lopez (Representative of the Research, Extension and Professional Staff [REPS]) and Alfonso R. Mendoza III (Chairperson of the CSWCD Student Council).
Witnessing the affirmation rites were Claudio’s husband Rafael, sons Basilio and Redentor, sister Cynthia Estrada and niece Dianne. Her eldest son, Lisandro, could not attend due to work.
Also present were UP President Danilo L. Concepcion and wife lawyer Ma. Gabriela R. Concepcion, Office of Admissions Director Dr. Aurora Odette C. Mendoza, UP Diliman Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Dr. Nestor T. Castro, former Regent Nelia T. Gonzalez, former CSWCD deans Caragay, Ofreneo, Dr. Amaryllis T. Torres and Dr. Sylvia H. Guerrero and UPD deans and directors. Staff of Likhaan and UP CWGS were also present.
The UP Staff Chorale Society and music icon Noel Cabangon rendered songs with messages on love, journey, justice and commitment. Home-grown talents Valeraine R. Lopez and Edgie Francis B. Uyanguren sang “Wagas na Paglilingkod,” CSWCD 50th founding anniversary theme song. Dr. Nathalie Lourdes A. Verceles, DWDS professor, served as master of ceremonies.