UP Diliman (UPD) held a two-session orientation program for its newest batch of Iskolar ng Bayan at the UP Theater, introducing them to the various offices of the University and the services they provide.

The UP Theater was packed to the rafters as over 3,000 freshmen attended the 2023 UPD Freshie Orientation Program (FOP 2023) on Sept. 8, consisting of two four-hour sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. To accommodate those who could not attend, the afternoon session was also streamed via Zoom.  

Both programs began with a short performance by the UP Repertory Company, followed by a short welcome by UPD Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II.

The offices of the University were introduced by audiovisual presentations, describing their services. Then, the head/representative of each unit went onstage to further elaborate on their functions and answer questions from the audience.

First to be introduced were the relevant offices under the UPD Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Former officer-in-charge-vice chancellor for academic affairs Percival F. Almoro led University Registrar Rowena Quinto-Bailon, Jacob Obinguar (head of the Office of the University Registrar Academic Information System Section), Elvira Lapuz (university librarian), Carlene Perpetua C. Pilar-Arceo, PhD (director of the Office of International Linkages), and Arlyn Macapinlac (director of the Office of Field Activities) in outlining the various academic services available for students.

This was followed by a special number by the UP Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (morning session) led by its founder Pedro “Edru” Abraham who made a rare appearance and the UP Tugtugan Musika Asyatika (afternoon session).

The second set of offices introduced were the offices that provide financial support to students: the Office of Scholarships and Grants (OSG) and the Office of Student Housing (OSH) under the UPD Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA). On hand to discuss more about the offices’ services were OSG Officer-in-Charge Teresita Villamor-Barrameda, PhD and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and concurrent OSH Director Jerwin F. Agpaoa, respectively.

The number that followed was filled by the UP Dancesport Society (morning session) and UP Filipiniana Dance Group (afternoon session).

The next segment was composed of the offices involved in campus safety and security: UPD Transportation Management Office under Director Aileen Mappala, UPD Police under Officer-in-Charge Wilfredo Desierto, the UPD Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment with representative Prescilla D. Tulipat, and the UPD Office of Student Ethics under Chair Rosalio Aragon Jr.

The next performances were filled by two choirs, the UP Engineering Choir (morning session) and the UP Singing Ambassadors (afternoon session).

The next segment featured offices involved in student welfare and wellness: UPD Psychosocial Services under Director Divine Love Salvador, UPD Office of Counseling and Guidance under Director Jaclyn Marie Cauyan, and the UPD Ugnayan ng Pahinungod with Junior Project Assistant Gia Evangelista.

Capping off both sessions was the performance of the UP Streetdance Club.

The FOP 2023 is just one of many activities the OVCSA has prepared as part of the Freshie Month that will extend up to October. Next up is the Great Freshie Tour scheduled on Sept. 13 and 14 followed by the University Welcome Assembly 2023 on Sept. 18.