Photo shows GST guest speakers Prof. Moniq Muyargas (left) and Mr. Jap Ignacio (right) together with the event’s facilitator Dr. Joane V. Serrano (center).

Photo shows GST guest speakers Prof. Moniq Muyargas (left) and Mr. Jap Ignacio (right) together with the event’s facilitator Dr. Joane V. Serrano (center).

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) conducted the first Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) for 2021 on 30 June 2021 from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM via Zoom. The GST focused on respecting and recognizing the LGBTQI+ community and aimed to raise awareness and correct misconceptions on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). 

Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Director of the UPOU OGC, welcomed the participants through an opening message.  Prof. Moniq Muyargas, Director of the Gender and Development Program (GDP) of UP Visayas, and Mr. Jap Ignacio, part of the Secretariat of the Lagablab LGBT Network, were the guest speakers of the event which was held in celebration of this year’s Pride Month of June. The Pride Month 2021’s theme is “The Fight Continues.”

Prof. Muyargas discussed gender awareness and sensitivity, explained issues arising from the lack of knowledge and understanding on SOGIESC, highlighted the meaning and impact of gender-sensitive language, and tackled gender A.I.R. (affirmative, inclusive, and responsive) society.  She concluded her talk by reminding the attendees that all have SOGIESC and are entitled to have the basic human rights of compassion, justice, and love.

Mr. Ignacio, on the other hand, provided an update on the struggles and legal battle against discrimination, detailed the salient features of the SOGIE Equality Bill, and emphasized the need for the support on the bill.  He closed his discussion by encouraging everyone to continue the conversation, vote right, and be an ally, among others.

A total of 61 UPOU students, faculty, and staff attended the training.

Sustainable Development Goals

Written and Screen captures by Jaime Guimbao

Edited by Joane V. Serrano and Anna Cañas-Llamas

#UPOpenUniversity

The Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) faculty and staff presented their research at the 3rd World Immersive Learning Labs Symposium (WILLS) 2025 held at the Kyoto University of Foreign Studies (KUFS) from 13 to 15 April 2025 in Kyoto, Japan. This year’s conference was co-organized by the UPOU, The Future Hub’s of KUFS, and The Mixed, Augmented, and Virtual Realities (MAVR) Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Japan Association for Language Teaching.During session 3, short talks, of Day 2, eight (😎 FMDS research papers were presented.A quick tour of the Future Hub’s immersive learning lab was also conducted, led by Dr. Eric Hawkinson, organizer of the event, President and MAVR research coordinator. This laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge technology, providing a unique environment where students, educators, and researchers can experiment, innovate, and push the boundaries of traditional education. It includes the U Theatre that has been meticulously designed to facilitate these experiences. The open space layout allows for flexibility and adaptability, accommodating both individual exploration and group collaboration.Read more at fmds.upou.edu.ph/archives/news-and-events/8831/ ... See MoreSee Less
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