Ray Martin A. Manuel, UP Diliman Information Office correspondent
Justin Francis Leon V. Nicolas, PhD formally took his oath of office as the 14th dean of the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) in an affirmation rite at the CSWCD Bulwagang Tandang Sora. The ceremony was part of the CSWCD College Week celebration, themed SIBOL: Pagpapayabong ng Nasimulan at ng Bagong Pag-Asa.
Nicolas said his affirmation coincides with his vision for the college—defined by the pillars of sibol, sikhay, sulong, and sigla. According to him, these values represent a shared direction and institutional commitment rather than mere slogans.
He explained that sibol pertains to strengthening safe and inclusive spaces.
“It means grounding our curriculum in Philippine realities and indigenous knowledge systems. It means embedding care—psychosocial support, wellness systems, mentoring structures—into the very fabric of our institution,” Nicolas said.
Nicolas pledged to consolidate data systems, governance reforms, alumni engagement, and research collaborations “so that our growth is principled and sustainable.”
He highlighted the synergy of scholarship and service through sikhay.
“Sikhay—rigorous, disciplined, collective effort calls us to strengthen interdisciplinary research across social work, community development, women and development studies, and social development. It calls us to build theory from practice,” Nicolas said.
He plans to expand participatory and arts-based research; institutionalize interdepartmental research clusters; convene conferences where the faculty and students share findings, struggles, and insights; and open new academic pathways, including a PhD in social work and a Diploma in Social Service.
For Nicolas, sulong is “advancement oriented toward justice and sustainability.”
“We envision a Creative Futures Hub—where innovation meets advocacy, where leadership training intersects with artistic practice and social imagination. We will strengthen community hubs for learning and action recognizing extension as co-equal with teaching and research,” Nicolas said.
In addition, he said the college under his watch will embed ecological responsibility into governance, infrastructure, and curriculum for CSWCD’s central concerns include climate justice, gender equity, social solidarity economy, and collective healing.
Meanwhile, Nicolas described sigla as “the energy of participation; the joy of collective work.”
He addressed the need to revitalize faculty and staff wellness while supporting student leadership.
Nicolas said his administration will remain steadfast in its vision and will be guided by the college’s threefold pillars: community care, radical love, and creativity.
Present at the Nicolas’ affirmation ceremony were his family, college and university officials that included UPD Chancellor Carlo L. Vistan II, CSWCD constituents, former deans, partners, alumni, and the members of the Professional Regulation Commission, the Professional Regulatory Board of Social Work, the UP Social Action and Research for Development Foundation, Inc., and Ka Pando Hicap of PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas.
The event also honored the college’s 13th dean, Lenore P. dela Cruz, with the hanging of her portrait in the Hall of Deans at the CSWCD Lobby.
The ceremony last Feb. 20 concluded with members of the College Executive Board, the CSWCD Student Council, the UP Junior Social Work Association of the Philippines, and the Community Development Circle taking their oath of commitment.—With reports from Maritess Raposas and Ana Teresa L. Prondosa, CSWCD