(MAY 8)—Asst. Prof. Francis Carlos B. Diaz was formally introduced and affirmed as the eight dean of the UP College of Human Kinetics (CHK) by Chancellor Michael L. Tan on May 6 at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni.
At the affirmation rites, Diaz underscored his plans to further strengthen and advance UP’s varsity sports program. He cited the overwhelming support the UP Men’s Basketball Team received from the alumni during the UAAP Season 81.
“Napakamabuluhan po nito. Dahil po sa varsity natin, noong nakalipas na nakaraang taon, noong naglalaro ang ating koponang basketbol, nakita natin kung gaano kalaki ang nabibigay na role ng isang varsity team para ang lahat ng alumni ng UP ay lumabas sa kanilang mga tahanan, pumila sa initan sa gym para lang makabili ng isang upperbox ticket sa isang basketball game,” Diaz said.
In terms of academics, he said “Ang CHK ay sadyang umuusbong at namamayagpag. Natandaan ko noong nakaraang taon, sinabi ni Dean Ronnie Dizer during the graduation sa University Amphitheater, very proud siyang pinapakilala ang aming kauna-unahang summa cum laude graduate and that is Kathy Bersola who is now pursuing her medical degree at the UP PGH. Malugod ko pong ipinagmamalaki sa inyong lahat na ang CHK ay mayroon na pong ikalawang ga-graduate na summa cum laude, si Lea San Juan. At kung papalarin at talagang magsisikap, mayroon pang dalawang estudyante na sumusubok maka-graduate ng summa cum laude ngayong second semester.”
Diaz also made a special mention of Ernie Gawilan, a Filipino paralympic swimmer who won three gold medals and two silvers at the 2018 Asian Para Games.
“He was born with a lot of abnormalities in his physical body but just the same and just to prove how athletes can be persevering and can overcome their adversities in life, Ernie Gawilan won three gold medals and two silver medals in the last Asian Para Games in Indonesia. Sa isang pagkakataon, kausap at kakuwentuhan ko si Vice Chancellor Vangie Amor when she visited the office and sinabi niya, at sinabi rin ni Chancellor kanina, na mahirap ang trabaho ng isang dekano. Ngunit, kapag naalala ko si Ernie Gawilan na aming para-athlete, e nai-embed sa aking isipan na wala akong karapatang umangal kung hindi gawin lamang ang lahat ng aking makakaya upang ang lahat ng proyekto ng UP at mga mission at vision ng Kolehiyo ay aming maisakatuparan, and that I’m promising you tonight that I will do that till the last drop of my blood and tears,” Diaz said.
He will serve as dean until Feb. 3, 2022.
Diaz earned his MS in Physical Education (PE) in 1997 and a bachelor’s degree in PE in 1989 at UPD. He joined the CHK faculty in 1991 and became the UP Varsity Softball Team’s (UPVST) head coach in 2003.
He served as CHK Varsity Sports Office program director from 2000-2004 and program chairman for PE in 2012.
Diaz was UAAP Season 78 tournament manager when UP was host in 2015.
For his 23 years as UPVST coach, Diaz received the Distinguished Service Award in May 2016 at the UP Varsity Recognition Night (SY 2015-2016).
He also shares his expertise in sports pedagogy, health and wellness through paper presentation locally and internationally.
Some of his papers were: “Anthropometric Profile of the University of the Philippines Table Tennis Athletes: Basis in Designing Comprehensive Intervention Program” (with Assoc. Prof. Oscar Yoshihiro Santelices as co-author) held in Duseldorf, Germany from May 27-28, 2017; “Anthropometric Profile & Performance of Elite Women Softball Players” and “Pre-Competition Hydration Status, Diet & Beverage Intake of Collegiate Softball Players” (with Marla Mallari-Cuerdo as co-author) at the Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand from Jun. 14-16, 2017; and “Relationship Between Perceived Coaching Behavior and Intrinsic Motivation in Filipino College Athletes” (with Jonathan Cagas, Pio Niño Opinaldo and Bea Morales as co-authors) at the 2016 International Conference on Sport Pedagogy, Health and Wellness) held at UPD on Nov. 20, 2016.
The new dean also introduced the CHK executive committee: Asst. Prof. Norberto Madrigal (CHK associate dean), Asst. Prof. Rachelle U. Peneyra (College Secretary), Asst. Prof. Maria Eloisa Ulanday (Department of Physical Education Chair), Asst. Prof. Maria Frances Mallari (Department of Sports Science Chair), Prof. Maria Luisa Guinto-Adviento, PhD (CHK Research Director), Zyra Ruth Brebante (Student Relations Officer), Prof. Gilda L. Uy (Graduate Studies Program Director) and Assoc. Prof. Oscar Yoshihiro Santelices (Varsity Sports Director).
Meanwhile, former CHK dean Prof. Ronualdo U. Dizer expressed his gratitude to the college, the UP System and UPD administration, students, faculty, staff, peers and donors for supporting him during his 2-year term.
Diaz was introduced by lawyer Jose “Noni” Hernandez, his college friend and former teammate at the UP Varsity Baseball Team, while Ian Lawrence N. Logan, CHK’s NSTP college coordinator, emceed the affirmation rites. Intermission number was provided by the UP Filipiniana Dance Group.
The program was followed by the 17th UP Varsity Commencement and Recognition Day.—Haidee C. Pineda, images by Jefferson Villacruz