Beloved. That is how to best describe Prof. Ruben Figueroa Balane of the UP College of Law (CL) who passed away on Oct. 11. He was 80. In preparing this piece and scouring through posts online, this writer saw how well respected and how well loved Balane was by his colleagues and former students. Not only was he loved by UP but even by other academic institutions, among them the Ateneo Law School (AL) and the University of Santo Tomas. There was a…

July 1st this year marked two important milestones for the UP School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS): the celebration of its 60th anniversary and the swearing in of its 10th dean. The event was streamed live from the school’s official Facebook, YouTube and Twitch channels. Productive pandemic. At 1 p.m., hosts SLIS professors Paul Jason Perez and Elijah Dar Juan began with the pre-show “Balik-Tanaw,” which recapped SLIS’ various initiatives and achievements in the year leading up to the anniversary, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early Monday morning, we lined up for a swab test at the Molave dormitory in the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines, less than two kilometers from my home. I decided to take a stroll there, eager to stretch my legs after five days in isolation. The contact tracer had arranged for the appointment flawlessly, and we were done in no time; I didn’t have to open a book to kill time. We signed up, we blew our nose,…

In celebration of the Master of Arts in Theatre Arts’ (MATA) 40th year, the UP Diliman (UPD) Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts (DSCTA) holds four virtual round-table discussions every Saturday of May at 3 p.m. “ArTisTalk 2021” brings together theatre educators, performance artist-scholars and MATA graduate students. Among invited theatre artists are Ana Valdes-Lim (alumna, The Julliard School’s Theatre Division), Anna Stojanovíc (alumna, Academy of Arts in Belgrade’s Acting Department), Missy Maramara (alumna, University of Arkansas in Fayetteville), Barbie Tan-Tiongco (alumna, Yale University School of Drama), Raven Ong (alumnus,…

20 April 2021 Dear UP Diliman Students: In the last few weeks, we have listened to appeals made in various media platforms for an easing of your academic workload this semester. We are aware of the impact of the pandemic’s alarming surge this year, as well as your hardships while pursuing a UP education remotely instead of in a physical campus. All of these may have contributed to the calls to cancel classes and relax school requirements. Because of concern over the domino effect of another class suspension on an already tight school year, the University recommended to keep the original academic…

(MAR. 31)—“It is not right to judge women based on their looks, just because they wear make-up or dress in a certain manner, it doesn’t mean they are not capable. Don’t put women in boxes, we come in various shapes and form. It is our choice how we make ourselves relevant, and how we want to contribute to society. Women, if they are interested enough can achieve anything,” remarked Prof. Imee Su-Martinez, PhD of the Institute of Chemistry (IC). She is this week’s UP…

(MAR. 16)—The UP College of Law (CL) has a new dean with the appointment of Prof. Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II, LL.B., LL.M., on Feb. 26. The 16th CL dean, Vistan’s appointment was approved by the Board of Regents at its 1358th meeting and he serves until Feb. 25, 2024. Vistan in his Vision and Plans Paper said the immediate challenge “is to be able to ride the momentum built by the significant strides the Law Complex community has made in curriculum development, subject matter delivery, as well as stakeholder welfare, while…

(DEC. 9)—Gwendolyn R. Tecson, Professor Emeritus of the UP School of Economics (SE) passed away on Dec. 6. She was 74 years old. A lifelong academic, she joined SE as instructor in 1971 and served the School in various administrative capacities, including director for public affairs, chair of the undergraduate committee, and later department chair. She retired as full professor in 2011 and was subsequently appointed as professor emeritus. Her students remember Tecson for her lucid teaching and her empathy for students, though these never diluted her insistence on excellence and academic integrity. Tecson…

The UP Asian and the Japan Foundation Manila are now accepting submissions for the “3rd Nationwide Japanese Studies  Research Competition.” Graduate students—MA and PhD—may submit any Japan-related research papers (except topics on natural sciences, medical sciences, and engineering); undergraduate students may enter essays with the topic, “Japan and Diversity in the Time of COVID.” Winners will get an iPad (2020 edition). APPLICATION PERIOD The deadline for submission is extended until 30 January 2021, 5 pm. Competition winners will get a free iPad (2020 edition). ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES Currently enrolled in a BA/BS, or an MA/MS/PhD…

(JUL.14)—Eight faculty members are now at the helm of the executive offices under the Office of the Chancellor. Ma. Theresa T. Payongayong, PhD, is Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Adeline A. Pacia for Administration; Gonzalo A. Campoamor II, PhD for Research and Development; Louise Jashil R. Sonido for Student Affairs; Aleli B. Bawagan, PhD for Community Affairs and Raquel B. Florendo, PhD for Planning and Development. Meanwhile, Prof. Maria Vanessa Lusung-Oyzon, PhD and Prof. Sir Anril P. Tiatco, PhD are University Registrar and Diliman Information Office Director, respectively. Academic Affairs.  Payongayong’s appointment…