UPOU Celebrates Family Day 2022

The UP Open University (UPOU) Family Day was held in the afternoon of 23 February 2022 as part of the university’s 27th anniversary celebration. The event, conducted online via Zoom, was attended by UPOU officials, faculty and staff.  The Family Day is a venue for UPOU faculty and  staff to bond together and be recognized for their years of service and contributions to the university. 

The program was hosted by Mr. Rodolfo Pullian and Ms. Filipina Bautista-Pullian. 

The program started with a moment of silence to remember Dr. Felix Librero, former Chancellor of UP Open University (UPOU) and Ms. Jennifer de Passion-Guevarra, University Extension Associate, who passed away in 2021.

UPOU Chancellor Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, in her opening remarks, expressed her gratitude to the people who are behind the success of the anniversary program, “to the anniversary committee, REPS, admin, lecturers, affiliate, students and to all who are part of UPOU, we will not celebrate 27 years without the contribution of each one.”

The highlight of the Family Day is the awarding of Service Awards for UPOU employees for their years of service to the university and the recognition of outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the university. Service Awards of UP Open University (UPOU) were given starting 2000 during its 5th year anniversary. These are given to the employees of UPOU who served for 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years and 25 years. Each awardee receives a plaque of recognition and some cash. All plaques given are specially designed by former UPOU Chancellor, Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso. 

List of 2022 Service Awardees: 

5 years 

• Ms. Sheila Marie Bustos, Budget Office (OC)
• Ms. Carmela Raiz, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (OVCFA)
• Asst. Prof. Mari Anjeli Crisanto, Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS)  

10 years

• Dr. Consuelo Habito, Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) 
• Ms. Rhodora Pamulaklakin, Office of the University (OUR) 
• Asst. Prof. Roel Cantada, Faculty of Education (FEd)  
• Mr. Jino Pulmano, ICT Development Office (ICTDO) 
• Mr. Joseph Daniel Platon, ICT Development Office (ICTDO) 
• Ms. Rubielita Parcon,  Faculty of Education (FEd)  
• Ms. Jennifer Belen-Bunao, University Library (OVCAA)

15 years

• Mr. Raymond Lapis, Accounting Office (OVCFA)
• Dr. Ricardo Bagarinao, Dean, Faculty of Education (FEd)   

20 years

• Ms. Jennifer Pareja, Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS)  
• Mr. Jimmy Fermin, Office of the Chancellor 
• Dr. Primo Garcia, Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) 
• Ms. Margaret Suarez, Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS)  

25 years

• Ms. Alvie Simonette Alip, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA)
• Ms. Luisa Gelisan, Director, Multimedia Center (MC)
• Ms. Carlota Yoingco, Office of Student Affairs (OSA) 
• Ms. Elvira Lalap, Office of Student Affairs (OSA) 
• Ms. Marie Estorel, University Library (OVCAA)
• Ms. Rhonna Marie Verena, Faculty of Education (FEd)  
• Mr. Victorio Maligalig, Office of the University (OUR) 
• Ms. Victoria Belegal, Office of the University (OUR) and UP Staff Regent   

Recognitions  were also given to employees of UPOU who retired from March 2021 until February 2022. The retirees were Mr. Isagani S. Nuñez from the Office of the Chancellor, who served for 26 years and Dr. Melinda F. Lumanta, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA) who served UP for 47 years.

An intermission number followed with the UPOU Ukelele Girls performing to the song “One Day” by Matisyahu. 

The last part of the program was the announcement of  the recipients of the 2022 UPOU Gawad Chancellor Awards. The award is given to the outstanding  administrative staff members, REPS and faculty of UPOU. Mr. Michael Lagaya, UPOU Chief AO of Human Resource Development Office, shared the criteria for judging each category and presented the award on behalf of the Gawad Chancellor Committee. 

The awardees are as follows:

• Outstanding Administrative Staff (1st level category) – Ms. Maria Amabelle Banasihan, Multimedia Center (MC) 
• Outstanding Administrative Staff (2nd level category) – Ms. Amalia Perez, Budget Office 
• Outstanding REPS – Ms. Margaret Suarez,  Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) 
• Outstanding Faculty – Dr. Jean Saludadez, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (OVCFA)  

 After a brief photo opportunity of the awardees and all the staff members of UPOU, Dr. Jean Saludadez, UPOU Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration and Chair of the 27th UPOU Anniversary Committee, concluded the program, and  thanked everyone for a successful event.

Written by Phoebe Apostol

Edited by Joane V. Serrano and Anna Cañas-Llamas

Graphics by Lovelyn Petrasanta

Photos Courtesy of UPOU Multimedia Center