Masayang Matuto ng Wikang Filipino in Cambodia

Dec 23, 2015

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The Moving Up Day for the pilot edition of the Filipino language class for Filipino children at Sentro Rizal Phnom Penh (SRPP) was held last December 5, 2015 with Dr. Rosario Alonzo, Dean of the UP College of Education, as a special guest. This project, which was dubbed “Masayang Matuto ng Wikang Filipino” was launched last August 15 2015 with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Dr. Alonzo developed the 15-session module for this project, which was actively participated by more than 20 Filipino children living in Cambodia, with ages from 5 to 14. One participant was David Garcia who travelled over 100 kilometers to Phnom Penh from Svay Rieng province. The students enjoyed the sessions, which focused not only on the Filipino language but also on Filipino culture through a variety of stories and other fun activities. Among their meaningful experiences were getting to know local songs and savoring the taste of halo-halo, ginatan, turon, pansit and other local delicious food.

In his welcome remarks during the Moving Up Day, Philippine Ambassador Christopher Montero reminded the participants of the importance of preserving the use of Filipino, including regional and local Philippine languages. “The need to learn and speak Filipino is more felt for Filipino children abroad in order for them to better understand and appreciate their cultural heritage and identity.”

In her remarks as a guest speaker, Dean Alonzo asked the youngest participant Serif to read a line from the poem written by Dr. Jose Rizal, “Ang hindì marunong magmahal sa sariling wikà, masahol pa sa hayop at malansang isdâ.” After elucidating the meaning of this, she encouraged the use of the Filipino language and motivated the participants to touch the future by planting seeds of knowledge that would continually flourish.

The event included games such as Pinoy Henyo and Pera o Bayong and singing of local songs in the caroling segment of the program. The project was a success especially with the generous support of Liwayway Cambodia Food Manufacturing Corporation, a Filipino company and makers of Oishi/Rinbee snack food. Everyone is looking forward to the second module of this project.

UPCEd Holds Research and Development Agenda-Setting Workshop

Dec 18, 2015

Last December 1, the UP College of Education (UPCEd) held a research agenda workshop. The main objective of the workshop is for the UPCEd to forge a research agenda that will determine its research priorities and initiatives for 2016-2018. This initiative is driven by the challenges and educational changes the national education system is facing.

To inform the development of the UPCEd Research Agenda 2016-2018, current challenges and changes in education are culled from global, regional, and local educational policies. Examples of such policies include the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)’s policy framework for the internationalization of higher education and a credit transfer system to establish the comparability of Philippine higher education with the rest of the world. In the case of the national basic education system, the implementation of the K to 12 program brings about the institutionalization of Kindergarten, mother tongue-based multilingual education, and senior high school.

In addition, the workshop aims to revisit the previous research agenda of UPCED for 2012-2015, alongside with the research agenda of education institutions in the ASEAN region such as the National Institute of Education (NIE) of Singapore, the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI) of South Korea, the Hong Kong Institute of Education, and the Philippine Normal University (PNU). This is to assist UPCEd in gauging its research capacities with respect to its regional counterparts.

Prof. Sheryl Lyn Monterola facilitated the workshop. Members of the UPCEd faculty were asked to present their area’s research goals, research strands, and research priorities. The workshop concluded with a synthesis of all the outputs presented by the areas.

The UPCEd Research and Development Agenda-Setting Workshop

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Prof. Sheryl Lyn Monterola gives an overview of the workshop proper

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Dean Rosario Alonzo discusses the mission and vision of the College

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Prof. Eufracio Abaya poses a question to the faculty

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The UPCEd faculty listen to an area’s presentation

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Prof. Maria Mercedes Arzadon presents her area’s research priorities

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The UPCED faculty listen to the research priorities of the Health Education area

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Members of the UPCEd faculty pose for a photo

National Conference on Research on Teacher Education: A Success

Nov 14, 2015

The UP College of Education held the National Conference on Research in Teacher Education (NCRTE) 2015 at the Benitez Theatre, UP College of Education last October 22-24, 2015.

This year’s conference, with the theme “Internationalization of Teacher Education in the ASEAN 2015 Integration”, presented an excellent opportunity for teacher educators and practitioners to discuss evidence-based educational practices and issues. It served as a venue for the exchange of views and perspectives on how teacher education in the Philippines can position itself in the ASEAN integration.

The conference had for its keynote speaker Dr. Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela, the Deputy Director for Programs of the SEAMEO Secretariat in Bangkok, Thailand. She highlighted that it is essential for teacher education institutions to take an active role in transforming teaching and learning in the 21^st century. To address this, it is crucial to create a national roadmap towards ASEAN 2015 for teacher quality assurance, qualifications framework, and credit transfer. The plenary speakers included Dr. Allan De Guzman, Dean of the College of Education of the University of Sto. Tomas; Dr. Jaime Caro, UP Assistant Vice President for Development; and UP College of Education professors Dr. Eufracio Abaya and Dr. Virgilio Manzano.

The success of the event was evident in the participation of 236 academicians, educationists, teacher educators, teacher-practitioners, school administrators, and policymakers from different parts of the country.

Blessing of the EDUC Faculty Lounge

Nov 8, 2015

The faculty and staff of the UP College of Education witnessed the blessing of the new site of the Faculty Lounge at Room 110 of the College of Education last October 5, 2015. Reverend Father Cris Pine, OFM, and Father Robert Reyes, from Our Lady of the Angels Seminary, blessed the lounge, the attendees, and their intentions. It was highlighted during the event that aside from praying for the elimination of harmful energies and expressions such as evil spirits, jealousy, or discord, intentions should also focus on the nurturing of relationships among people who interact with each other in this work place. Good luck coins and candies were spread in the lounge and a luncheon fellowship capped the event.

NUS, UP conduct Leadership Development Program for Phl Universities

Oct 23, 2015

THE PEACE ROCK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Oct 23, 2015

A Partnership Between the UP College of Education and the UP Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Association

Work started at the northeast corner of the UP College of Education in May 2015 that very few may have noticed. Fewer still may know of the vertical rock column that was raised there some 16 years ago in the aftermath of a gruesome murder.

On February 19, 1999, Nino Calinao, a senior UP Journalism student was shot and killed after being mistaken for a member of a rival fraternity. It was an atrocity further aggravated by the victim’s circumstances — a son of a jeepney driver who was the brightest hope of his family to ease out of poverty. It was also the latest tragedy in many decades of fraternity-related violence within the UP campus, and unfortunately it would also not be the last. In that moment at least, the appalled UP community found itself gathered in a common ground as the resurgence of campus violence was denounced collectively.

The UP Alpha Phi Omega found parallels that ran close to home. They too lost one of their own, 5th year UP College of Engineering student Rolando T. Abad, in a similarly senseless act on August 30, 1977. This fueled their drive to put up a symbol that will remind one and all of the need to end the cycle of violence.

They found a kindred spirit in then UP College of Education dean Dr. Leticia Ho, who supported their idea to raise the Peace Rock at the northeast corner of the Benitez Hall, to kick-off a campaign calling out the culture of violence corrupting the fraternity system.

In the years that followed, the reason for the Peace Rock’s placement has all but been forgotten. While the resident members of UP APO have been conducting periodic cleanups of the area, lack of practical use for passersby has left the Peace Rock and what it advocates largely ignored.

On April 20, 2015, current UP College of Education dean Dr. Rosario Alonzo endorsed the proposal to improve the Peace Rock. Eight benches were added, strategically designed and placed so that respect for personal space is enhanced. Facing inward, the center of each bench can also serve as a table for laptops or lunch boxes. Paved walkways provide easy access to and from the college’s laboratory school, the UPIS, as well. A drinking fountain, too, offers relief for the parched UP scholar.

The iconography of the dove as a messenger of love, peace, and hope is universal. On top of the Peace Rock is a rendition with an olive branch, created by sculptor Ral Arrogante. The artwork has been ingeniously put together from copper discards and has no welded parts, a trademark of the artist.

The oblique placement of the Peace Rock in a bed of river stones points to the role of peace in the university — not as an end in itself, as might be interpreted had it been in the center, but as a means for the various disciplines, represented by flow-shaped stones, to flourish.

The hope is that the Peace Rock will serve as a constant reminder for campus organizations of their responsibility, to their members as well as the academic community, to always strive to support an atmosphere conducive to learning, research, and innovation.

Social Studies Area’s Seminar Updates Teachers on K to 12

Jun 10, 2015

The Social Studies Area of the College of Education held a whole-day seminar, Social Studies Education and the K to 12 Curriculum: Trends and Challenges last April 18, 2015 at the Benitez Theater. Around 117 participants from an estimated 30 schools in the NCR and nearby areas joined the seminar. Participants came from tertiary institutions like the Department of Education, University of the Philippines, University of Sto. Tomas, Philippine Normal University, Adamson University, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Bulacan State University, Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila, and many more. Secondary education participants came from both public and private schools. The seminar aimed to share best practices and developments in the field. Dr. Serena I. Diokno, chair of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, was the keynote speaker of the conference.

Dr. Serena Dikono delivers her keynote speech

Parallel presentations shared the latest developments in the field

Participants engage in an interesting discussion

Participants listen to Dr. Diokno’s speech

Prof. Calingasan handles a session

Seminar organizers and participants pose for a picture

College of Education teams up with DepEd for K to 12 Mass Training for Grade 10 Teachers

Jun 10, 2015

The College of Education recently concluded the K to 12 Mass Training of Grade 10 Teachers of NCR. The mass training which catered to teachers of different learning areas was organized in coordination with the UP College of Education and the Department of Education. The training for Math and Filipino was held on May 5 to 10 and involved 129 and 181 participants respectively. The training for Grade 10 teachers of Araling Panlipunan, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, Science, and English was held the week after, May 11 to 16 with 157, 99, 136, and 144 participants respectively. The training is an annual commitment of the College to collaborate with the Department of Education in preparing teachers for the K to 12 program. Training facilitators come from both both College of Education and the Department of Education.

Successful Curriculum Studies Symposium on 21st Century Skills Fills NISMED Auditorium

May 26, 2015

More than 550 participants from around 100 institutions filled the UP NISMED auditorium on May 9, 2015 to attend the symposium, “Curriculum Studies and 21st Century Skills” organized by the UP College of Education Curriculum Studies Area in cooperation with the UP Curricularists Society (UPCS). The symposium attracted participants from as far as Isabela (Isabela State University) and Zamboanga (Ateneo De Zamboanga). The majority of the participants came from Bulacan State University, Philippine Normal University, Adamson University, Southville International School and Colleges, and New Era University.

According to UPCS President, Ronnel Almazan, the symposium which is the second that the Society had helped organize, aims to “provide a platform for Curriculum Studies undergraduate and graduate students to present relevant researches with respect to how 21st Century Skills impact the curriculum.” The symposium featured plenary speakers who discussed 21st century skills in relation to different topics. Mr. Ho Sun Yee of Decision Processes International discussed Strategic Thinking and 21st Century Skills; Fr. Onofre G. Inocencio, Jr. of Don Bosco explained the TVET Curriculum and 21st Century Skills; Dr. Romylyn A. Metila of the UP College of Education presented on Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education and 21st Century Skills, and Dr. Ferdinand B. Pitagan discussed Media Information Literacy and 21st Century Skills. Various paper presentations from students of Curriculum Education courses were also featured in the symposium.

UPCS was organized on 16 December 2013, with the following officers: Ronnel R Almazan, Rocelia Bayan, Pia Andres-Khan, Emie Ang, Charisse Malolot, Ferdinand Martin, Tina Manipis, and MG Liquido. The Society aims to “be a promoter of research, a venue for academic exchange, and an avenue for undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, and stakeholders in education and training to continue contributing to the growth and development of the discipline.” Another Curriculum Studies symposium is scheduled for the second semester of AY 2015-2016

Dr. Pitagan with UPCS President Ronnel Almazan and Dr. Amy Fajardo

Fr. Innocencio with Ronnel ALmazan And Dr. Amy Fajardo

Dr. Rom Metila with UPCS President Ronnel Almazan and Dr. Amy Fajardo

Symposium participants fill NISMED auditorium

Symposium organizers and some participants

Participants from different institutions are recognized

Mr Ho Sun Yee explains strategic thinking and 21st century skills

Happier HAPI Days in 2015

May 25, 2015

Health Education classes once again treated the College of Education to an informative and service-full celebration of Health Advocacy, Promotion, and Instruction (HAPI) Days last May 5-8, 2015. This year’s HAPI days featured several activities such as the free health and dental check-up for students and staff. The advocacy component of the activities this year focused on oral health and mercury poisoning, breast self-examination, and depression. Various lectures on the said topics were held at the MITC and Benitez Training Center, with some resource speakers from UP Manila. Students and staff of the College were also treated to healthy sandwiches and the popular taho throughout the week-long celebration. HAPI Days activities are organized annually by Health Education classes under the supervision of Prof. Francis Grace Duka-Pante.