(NOV. 27)—Books published in 2016 by Prof. Jose Wendell P. Capili, PhD of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and Prof. Nick Deocampo of the College of Mass Communication (CMC), won in two categories of the 36th National Book Awards (NBA). The award is given yearly by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and Manila Critics Circle (MCC) to the best books written, designed and published in the country. According to NBDB, the winners, except for Publisher of the Year, will receive a cash prize of P15,000. Capili’s book “Migrations and…

(NOV. 23) Graduates from the UP College of Engineering Institute of Civil Engineering snagged two of the top spots (including first place) and bested five other schools to become the top performing institution in the November 2017 Civil Engineering Licensure Examinations. With a rate of 97.41 percent, 113 out of the 116 examinees from UPD passed the rigorous exams held from Nov. 11–12 nationwide. They are among the 6,075…

(NOV. 21)-The UP Diliman (UPD) Office of the Chancellor announces the 2017 year-end program with the theme “UP Diliman: Paaralan, Palaruan.” This year’s theme is inspired by “Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play Element in Culture,” a book written in 1938 by Dutch historian and philosopher Johan Huizinga, who used the term “homo ludens” to describe the nature of man and society to create “play” which in turn forms their culture. Play is for recreation, something which gives pleasure but its objective is not a joke. Plays have rules…

(Nov. 20)–The Confucius Institute (CI) at the University of the Philippines Diliman will offer the Mandarin Language Course at the Bureau of Immigration (BI). According to BI commissioner Jaime H. Morente, the move is designed to train its frontline officers “to enhance their communication skills with respect to conducting arrival and departure formalities to Chinese passengers. This would further…

(NOV. 16)—Eight ceramic artists who are celebrities and icons of the ceramic art world graced the formal opening of “Paglulual: International Ceramic Art Project 2017” (Paglulual) on Nov. 7 at the UP College of Fine Arts (CFA). Organized by the UP CFA Ceramics Studio, Paglulual is a project led by Prof. Ma. Rita Badilla-Gudiño. Now on its third year, it aims to “initiate a cultural exchange between nations and further develop this art within the country.” The event featured workshops, seminars, lectures, kiln buildings, demonstrations and exhibitions ended on Nov. 13.

(NOV. 10)—The College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) has a new dean in the person of Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio. The 13th dean, Claudio was appointed by the UP Board of Regents on Sept. 7 at its 1330th meeting and will serve until Sept. 6, 2020.  She succeeded Dr. Jocelyn T. Caragay. A professor at CSWCD’s Department of Women and Development Studies, Claudio was Director of the University Center for Women’s Studies from Jun. 1, 2011 to May 31, 2014. She co-founded Likhaan Women’s Center Inc.,…

The Philippines seems to have discovered a powerful disaster response weapon.  Whenever there are strong rains, all you need is to suspend classes and the weather improves dramatically. We have no choice but to l comply with the Quezon City directive to suspend classes today.  The suspension is only for classes.  Offices will remain open.

It is with deep sadness that we are informing everyone the passing of a well-loved faculty of the UP School of Economics, Prof. Ruperto “Ruping” P. Alonzo, who died yesterday, 7 November 2017. read more…  

(NOV. 7) The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) was the top performing school at the October 2017 Board Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (BLECPA) with all its 69 examinees (68 first timers and one repeater) passing the Board. The only top performing school with a perfect passing rate, UPD was followed by the De La Salle University–Manila (92.66%), University of Santo Tomas (UST, 91.99%) and Ateneo…

(NOV. 6)— Dr. La Verne C. Dela Peña is the UP College of Music’s (CMu) new dean. The UP Board of Regents approved his appointment at its 1331st meeting effective Oct.18.  The 14th CMu dean will serve until Oct. 17, 2020. An associate professor, Dela Peña teaches courses in music of Asia and Oceania, 20th century western art music and ethnomusicology. His areas of research center on the discursive elements of music in sung narratives, repartee and ritual of the Kankana-ey of Benguet, Iraya Mangyan of Mindoro Island, Tagalog of Sariaya, Quezon and…