UP Cebu celebrates 3rd year of autonomy, prepares for CU status

BY MONNA SENARA

             University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu took on the challenge of becoming a constituent unit (CU) as it celebrated its 3^rd year of autonomy last September 23.

Dean Liza Corro with the awardees during the celebrations of UPC ‘s third year of  autonomy.  

Photo Credits to ADA Prof. Karl Roque, Jr.

“There’s a convergence of forces already. What is needed is just us. We need to be prepared emotionally, physically, and attitudinally,” said Atty. Liza Corro, dean of UP Cebu, as she addressed the crowd at the Oblation Square during the flag raising ceremony that kicked-off the day-long activities.

High school and college students, faculty, and staff, some of whom in their Filipiniana-inspired attires, attended the opening at 8 a.m.

“We have been challenged by system officials if we can get our CU status in 2 or 3 years time,” said Atty. Corro.

But there is much work to do to fulfill the requirements of a constituent unit.

“When we become a constituent unit we need three colleges. We have to elevate our different programs into departments because only through that we can also create colleges out of departments. Right now we only have computer science as our department,” said Corro.

She said that they are looking to develop three colleges and one school.

One college would be composed of the Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Department of Computer Science, and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

The Mass Communication and Fine Arts programs would be formed into another college. While the Social Sciences programs would become a third college.

Meanwhile, the Management Cluster would become a School of Management.

            With these changes, there is also a need to improve the facilities, according to Corro.

She said that building construction is already underway for UP Cebu Professional School’s four-storey E-library at the South Road Properties (SRP). According to Corro, the construction will start this month or next month, while the construction for the college library will start this year.

Also part of the plans is to have a permanent art gallery and an art exhibit area for the artworks of Fine Arts students. These will be located in the Cebu Cultural Center (CCC) as per the Memorandum of Agreement between UP Cebu and the provincial government. The college’s multi-purpose hall and some classrooms were demolished to give way to the construction of CCC.

“Now we have a letter already for the governor for them to in effect honor the condition on the terms under the memorandum of agreement. We are entitled to this,” said Corro.

She hopes that everyone will do their part and give their support.

“If there is so much opposition, how can we proceed with it?” She said, citing the opposition against the high school building construction.

“The funds are there. We have the capital outlay for the infrastructures. Everything is there. It’s all up to us to grab the opportunity.”

Dr. Lorna Almocera, associate dean for academic affairs, gave encouragement as UP Cebu works towards autonomy during her Closing Remarks in Halad Pasalamat 2013 held in the afternoon.

“Let’s believe in ourselves. Autonomy we can do it,” said Almocera.

Students also expressed their support and optimism for the developments in UP Cebu.

“I will give my support by studying hard. If we become a constituent unit, I think it will be a great benefit to us especially to future students,” said El Marie Albeos, a second year student from the Management Cluster.

“I hope UP Cebu would continue doing its greater purpose for the students and for the community. We have been autonomous for three years so I know we can improve even more,” said a Psychology freshman, Gladys Maro.

Research Presentations

             The anniversary celebration also featured the Research Presentations of three faculty members to a capacity crowd at Audiovisual Room 2.

Dr. Patricia Anne G. Nazareno of the Sciences Cluster discussed her study on the behavior of plants in the Inayawan landfill towards cadmium and chromium.

Dr. Mary Gretchen F. Chaves from the Business Management Cluster presented her research titled “Filipino Children’s Understanding of TV Advertising Message and TV Advertising Intent”.

Meanwhile, Social Sciences Cluster’s Prof. Phoebe Zoe Maria U. Sanchez presented her study on the history of Barangay Duljo-Fatima’s role on Cebu City’s horse rig system through a picture presentation accompanied by a folk song rendition by her husband and her brothers.

The presentors also engaged the audience with an open forum after each research study. The program lasted from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Halad Pasalamat

             The celebrations culminated with the Halad Pasalamat held at the CCC at 4:45 p.m. Faculty and staff who have rendered 25 years of service to the college, retirees, and special awardees were recognized in the annual awarding ceremony, graced by Atty. Ian Sapayan, president of UP Alumni Association Cebu Chapter Foundation, Inc.

Administation staff Mr. Jefre T. Arong, Fine Arts Professor Raymund L. Fernandez, Supply Officer Ms. Ma. Stineli B. Magdadaro, and incumbent Associate Dean for Administration Prof. J. Karl P. Roque, Jr. were awarded with medals and certificates in honor of their 25 years of service to the college.

As he accepted his award, Prof. Fernandez shared his life in UP Cebu as a student and then as a teacher, when he experienced many hardships with the Fine Arts program. He expressed his optimism for the future of UP Cebu.

“What keeps us together is that we know in our hearts and we know for sure that we are in a good place and that we are just scratching the surface of how big we would ever be in the future. I am proud to have been nurtured by you and I look forward to the next few years working with you,” said Prof. Fernandez.

Mimeographing officer Mr. Manuel Fernandez, College Driver Mr. Lolito Tindog, College Librarian Ms. Ofelia Delada, Gender and Development Officer Dr. Sofia Logarta, Guidance Service Specialist Ms. Portia Dacalos, and Mathematics Professor Carmelita Ladot, who all retired this year were also given medals and certificates.

In her message as an awardee, Dr. Logarta especially thanked those who worked hard for the autonomy of the college and recalled the many emotional challenges she faced during the almost forty years she spent with the college.

“There is no one or nothing I should not thank in UP Cebu. Even the ilang-ilang and acacia trees brought joy. All of you, everyone including the security guard were always part of Sofia,” said Dr. Logarta.

Special awards were given to guidance counselors Ms. Annabelle Maglasang and Ms. Annie Manzano for earning their respective degrees in Master of Education in Social Science and Master of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language.

Prof. Zenaida Ligan, dressed in brown terno, was awarded Best in Filipiniana.

The program was followed by a merienda cena, where faculty, staff, students, and guests fellowshipped to end the day-long anniversary celebration.

Other Activities

            Other activities during the day included a holy mass presided by Msgr. Agustin Ancajas held at the Administration Building after the flag ceremony.

This was followed by the Opening of Joya Awardees’ Art Exhibits at the Cebu Cultural Center (CCC) led by Fine Arts Professor Jose Villacin, Jr. at 9:30 a.m.

The exhibit featured the entries of last year’s 37th National Artist Jose Joya Awards, including grand prize winning painting “Fairytale” by Sebastian Penayes III, second placer Jesus Codeniera’s

mix media “Sympathy for the Callous”, and third placer Gian Angelo Arcaya’s “Intimacy.”

Films produced by UP Cebu students were then screened at CCC from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

The afternoon showcased a cultural presentation at CCC, which included folk dances by selected Physical Education 2 students, and performances from Management cluster and high school students, who were the champions of the Dance Fusion and Dance Sport competitions.

A fashion show by the Fine Arts Student Organization capped the program. The collection, which won fourth place during the Green Fashion Revolution held last August 3, were outfits made from recycled materials.

                UP Cebu was granted autonomy by the UP Board of Regents last September 24, 2010. Since then the college ceased to be under the supervision of UP Visayas in Iloilo and has been directly under the office of the president in Diliman.