(DEC. 1)— The University of the Philippines (UP) launched its own internet television network called TVUP on Nov. 24 at the Executive House.

The online broadcast network owned and operated by UP aims to provide professionally-produced and curated content for educational purposes. It also aims to showcase high-quality programs on scientific breakthroughs, Philippine culture and society, national issues and concerns, and other special topics.

Ten programs lined up for TVUP’s debut are: “Financial Sense,” a financial literacy program; “Kalusugan ay Karapatan,” which tackles health and wellness topics in medicine and nutrition; “Science Innovators,” featuring scientists and their scientific innovations; “Philippine Art and Culture,” addressing art as expression of a people’s culture; “Documentaries: The Story of the Filipino,” a collection of documentaries directed by UP Film Institute documentary students and filmmakers; “The Platform,” a venue for a public discourse on national issues and concerns; “Batas at Bayan,” exploring Philippine law through different fictional stories; “Kasaysayan at Kapangyarihan,” demystifying Philippine History; ”Musikahan,” featuring UP trained acts such as the UP Madrigal Singers, UP Singing Ambassadors and the UP Concert Chorus, and “Maikling Pelikula,” which showcase outstanding and award-winning short films by UP.

In addition, TVUP was organized “as an open education resource (OER) digital repository easily accessed by Filipinos here and abroad.”

According to Dr. Grace J. Alfonso, former UP Open University chancellor, College of Mass Communication (CMC) professor emeritus and TVUP’s executive director/station manager/head of programming, the creation of TVUP is anchored on UP’s unique and distinctive leadership role as the national university.

“It is very important that the University participate in creating a culture of continuing learning and teaching for the general public and producing supplementary materials for sharing with our SUCs and private higher education institutions and other training institutions and, of course, the general public,” she said.

To fulfill this objective, Alfonso said there is “a strong need to maximize new media, ICT and institute the use of TV webcast by establishing TVUP as it claims the public space to inspire in its viewers innovation, creativity, critical thinking and understanding and respecting diversity of cultures. To implement and concretize this vision, the management team was created.”

The members of the management team are: Alfonso, Prof. Elena E. Pernia, head of promotion and merchandising and CMC dean; Prof. Lourdes M. Portus, head of research; Prof. Arminda V. Santiago, head of production; Prof. Melissa A. Dela Merced, head of traffic/online archivist/digital administrator; Prof. Joselito G. Florendo, head of finance; UP president-elect Prof. Danilo L. Concepcion, legal counsel; and UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, head of sales and marketing.

In his message, UP President Pascual said “The launch of TVUP is something that allows our university to fulfill the three functions: of teaching, research and public service in a potentially revolutionary ways.”

Among those present during the launch were CMC faculty members, Chancellors Melinda dP. Bandalaria (UP Open University), Michael L. Tan (UP Diliman), Fernando C. Sanchez (UP Los Baños), Carmencita D. Padilla (UP Manila), Raymundo D. Rovillos (UP Baguio), Rommel A. Espinoza (UP Visayas), Sylvia B. Concepcion (UP Mindanao) and Liza D. Corro (UP Cebu), members of the media and other UP officials.

TVUP programs may be accessed through visiting www.tvup.ph. For more information, users may email TVUP at television@up.edu.ph or call (632) 426-0545. TVUP’s office is located at ICTO (NCC) Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. —Haidee C. Pineda with reports from TVUP team, images by Kevin Brandon E. Saure