The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) lost a part of its heart on 15 January 2019 when Prof. Liza Cuevas Carascal breathed her last. She was 63 but her accomplishments and the lives she touched far exceeded the years she spent on Earth.
She was one of the pioneers of UPOU. When UPOU was established in 1995, she served as the first University Registrar and established the admissions, registrations, records, graduation, exams and assignment, and electronic data processing sections. She also institutionalized the policies and procedures of the UPOU Office of the University Registrar. In 2000, she was called back to UPLB, her mother unit, to serve as Principal of the UP Rural High School but she remained with UPOU as Program Chair for the Diploma in Mathematics Program from 2000 to 2002, and the “manager” of the UPOU Chorale.
In 1998, the UPOU Foundation, Inc. was established to support UPOU and its initiatives. She was an incorporator and founding member, and served as Executive Director from 2002 to 2015, then as Treasurer. Prof. Carascal spearheaded the affiliation of UPOUFI as a merchant of a local bank to allow credit card payments for activities and events organized by the UPOUFI.
Throughout UPOU’s conduct and coordination of national and international conferences, she was one of the key persons who helped raise funds. She always made sure that UPOU’s conferences project a ‘professional’ and ‘polished’ image, and ensured that UPOUFI’s funds are well managed for the university’s benefit. Prof. Carascal’s service to the university helped create a culture of nurturing and excellence, guiding UPOU in what it does even to this day.
At the necrological service hosted by UPOU on 21 January 2019 in Bacoor, Cavite, all four Chancellors of UPOU delivered tribute messages for her. Each one shared how deep “Dear Liza” has made an impact in their lives. Truly, she may have been gone but in the hearts of UPOU faculty and staff, her memories will remain forever. (ACLlamas)
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