Vol.4, No. 1
January to March 2015
PUP OU Celebrates Silver Anniversary
25 years ago, a dream became
a reality as the Pamantasang Bayan
was instituted to become the
Polytechnic
University
of
the
Philippines Open University System.
The dream was to bring
education to the masses. The reality is
that education is indeed now with the
masses.
In
celebration
of
this
momentous occasion, the leadership
of the PUP OU, through the Executive
Vice President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi,
and the Executive Director, Dr.
Carmencita L. Castolo with the help of
PUP President Dr. Emanuel De Guzman
addresing the congregation during the
Thanksgiving mass.
the course specialists and staff
organized and presented various
activities.
In late February,
Zumba
Dancing and the OUlympics was held
at the Freedom Plaza attended by
numerous
students
from
the
undergraduate programs.
A bowling tournament likewise
was played where all the participants
had a great time playing
A tertulia was conducted in
mid May which focused on work
attitudes, values, and ethics.
To Page 7
Open U Stages
OU Holds Forum on Open and Distance Learning
Variety Show
PUP Executive ViceThe PUP Open University
Silver Anniversary Highlight
by: Ruby Jaucian, ABBrC
System, in celebration of its silver
anniversary conducted a forum on
“Excellence of Open and Distance
Learning
Towards
Global
Competitiveness for 2015 ASEAN
Integration.”
Held on March 22, 2015 at the
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, the forum,
which was the highlight of a month
long anniversary celebration, was
attended by PUP OU graduate
students from the different branches.
After the opening prayer and
the rendition of our country’s national
anthem and the PUP hymn, the
opening remarks were delivered by
President,
Dr.
Manuel M. Muhi.
This was followed
by an inspirational
message from the
P.U.P.
President,
Dr. Emanuel C. De
Dr. Alex B. Brillantes
Guzman.
The
first
speaker
who
delivered the Keynote Address was
Commissioner Alex B. Brillantes. Jr.
Ph.D. from the Commission on Higher
Education, and also the Chairman of
the PUP Board of Regents, His keynote
speech focused on the state of the
Open and Distance Learning in the
To Page 6
by: Angeline RG Dabu, ABBrC
To cap the Silver Anniversary
celebrations of the PUP Open
University System, a variety show was
staged by the combined forces of
students from the Bachelor of Arts in
Broadcast Communication (ABBrC) and
Bachelor
of
Science
in
Entrepreneurship (BSEnt) on March
28, 2015 at the Bulwagang Balagtas.
With
the
theme
“90’s
Throwback,”
Open
University
students, specialists and guests
donned their 90’s apparel and took
part in the various performances and
games prepared by the ABBrC studentorganizers.
To Page 6
Open University Sphere
Page 2
OU Abu Dhabi MSCM Batch 2 Presents MPR
By: Arch. Jo-anne S. Quizan, UAP, LEED-GA, CPP-D
It was a pleasant Tuesday
morning when the second batch of
Master of Science in Construction
Management
(MSCM)
students
presented their Master Project Report
(MPR) at Vision Links Hotel in Abu
Dhabi on February 3, 2015.
A total of thirteen students
presented their MPRs with topics
ranging from career development,
educational advancement, technology
improvement and other work related
issues.
Each presenter was given an
average of 15 minutes to present his
research which was received well by
the four panelists.
The panelists included EVP Dr.
Manuel Muhi, VP Dr. Joseph Mercado,
Dean Guillermo Bernabe, and Dr. Vicky
Cruz. PUP President Dr. Emanuel de
Guzman was also present during the
MPR presentation and shared his
inspirational insight of the current
proceeding.
Professor Roque Senga, the
course facilitator of MSCM in the UAE
is also considered as the students’
mentor since the course started three
years ago.
He, together with Dr. Muhi
provided valuable guidance and
direction to the students’ selection of
topics and MPR composition.
All the presented MPRs will be
subject for finalization after which it
will be available for sharing to the
general PUP studentry. The next batch
of MPR presentation is tentatively
scheduled in the last quarter of 2015.
This will likewise be held in the UAE.
The PUP Open University in
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is
now on its third year conducting a
graduate course.
The second batch of MSCM
students in Abu Dhabi who presented
their MPR are the following:
Engr. Edwin Badiola, Engr.
Aristotle
Bautista,
Engr.
Julius
Canonizado, Engr. Rudy Dablio, Engr.
Andylou Dapin, Arch. Arnold Datu,
Engr. Rommel Estrella, Engr. Jae
Guinoo, Engr. Christopher Deo Ponce,
Arch. Jo-anne Quizan, Engr. James
Santos, Engr. Mark Josel Tamondong,
and Arch. Reynaldo Ventura.
PUP OU Abu Dhabi Second Batch. Seated L-R: Dr. Mercado, Engr. Tanasas, PUP Pres. Dr. de Guzman, Prof. Roque, Dr. Muhi.
Standing L-R: A. Dapin, A. Datu, M. Tamondong, R. Ventura, C. Ponse, J. Quizan, R. Dablio, Dr. Cruz, A. Bautista, R. Estrella, Dr.
Bernabe, J. Canonizado, J. Guinoo, E. Badiola, J. Santos.
Master of Science in Construction Management (MSCM). This program prepares students for the operational,
supervisory and managerial opportunities in the construction industry. Students will be exposed on the key elements of management,
methods, requirements, ethics, and legal aspects in construction and the developmental aspects of the design process. In addition,
learners will gain focused knowledge and specialized skills on the current industry trends, productivity tools, and techniques allowing
learners to apply what they have obtained from their courses to current situations of their working environment to continuously enhance
their overall competitiveness as professionals and entrepreneurs towards national productivity.
Open University Sphere
Page 3
First OU Overseas Batch Graduates
By: Arch. Jo-anne S. Quizan, UAP, LEED-GA, CPP-D
The PUP Open University
System held commencement exercises
for the first batch of overseas
students.
23 Master of Science in
Construction Management (MSCM)
students graduated on February 6,
2015 at Radisson Blu Hotel in Yas
Island Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Commencement speaker was
Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Grace
Relucio-Princeza who delighted the
graduates, guests and PUP officials
with her graduation message
Present during the ceremonies
were PUP officials who flew in from
Manila for the occasion. They were:
Dr. Vicky Cruz,
Dean Guillermo
Bernabe, Hon. Rene Tanasas, Dr.
Joseph Mercado, Hon. Teresita
Fortuna, EVP Dr. Manuel Muhi, Dr.
Carmencita Castolo, and PUP President
Emanuel de Guzman.
The students were all overseas
Filipino workers based in the UAE.
They were a mixture of architects,
civil, mechanical and electrical
engineers who envisioned earning a
masters degree without having to
leave their place of work due to
professional commitments.
It all started with a leadership
training organized by a group of
Filipino professionals which was held
every Saturday and attended by 14
students. The same students with a
few added enthusiasts continued on
and became the first batch of the PUP
OU MSCM students in 2011.
Under the leadership of Prof.
Roque Senga under the auspices of
PUP OU Director Dr. Carmencita
Castolo and PUP EVP Dr. Manuel Muhi,
the need for a graduate degree and
continuing professional development
was addressed accordingly. Not long
after its inception, the program has
now created certified OFW masters.
Prof. Senga knew of the need
to uplift the qualifications of Filipino
professionals to align themselves with
global excellence thus initiating the
creation of the MSCM program with
assistance from PUP OU.
MSCM Batch 1 consisted of 23
overseas Filipino professionals led by
Engr. Roy Alcoriza as the batch
president. Engr. Alcoriza in his
graduation speech expressed his
gratitude in behalf of his batch mates.
At the moment, PUP OU
MSCM Abu Dhabi has over 60 enrolled
students with the second batch now
preparing for their graduation by the
end of 2015.
The succeeding batches on the
other hand are currently enjoying the
learning experience through regular
classroom or on-line interactions.
First Batch. Members of the first ever batch of MSCM overseas graduates pose with their mentors after the Commencement ceremonies.
Together with the batch are (third row, left to right): Engr. Guillermo Bernabe, Engr. Vicky Cruz, Engr. Roque Senga, Dr. Carmencita
Castolo, Dr. Teresita Fortuna, Amb. Grace Relucio-Princeza, PUP President Dr. Emanuel de Guzman, Dr. Edna Lavadia, Engr. Rene
Tanasas, Dr. Manuel Muhi, and Dr. Joseph Mercado.
Open University Sphere
Page 4
PUP OU in Pictures
Zumba Dancing and OUlympics
Open University Parangal
Open University Sphere
Page 5
Thanksgiving Mass
Forum on Open and
Distance Learning
Silver Anniversary Bowling Tournament
Open University Sphere
OU Holds Forum
From Page 1
Philippines especially where we rate
among our
South East Asian
neighbors.
Dr. Brillantes insisted on
bringing back the competitive nature
of the Filipino student in order to get
back the edge that we once had in
terms of securing jobs globally, as we
are being left behind in terms of
educational attainment by ASEAN
member countries.
The second speaker was Dr.
Kalmorat Intaratat. She is Associate
Professor
in
the
School
of
Communication Arts of the Sukhothai
Thammathirat Open University (STOU)
in Thailand.
Dr. Intarat spoke on the
OU Variety Show
From Page 1
The theme was inspired by the
1990’s era which was also the decade
when the PUP Open University System
was formally established.
Opening
the
three-hour
variety show was a song and dance
medley by Spice Girls Revival, a group
whose members were 3rd and 4th
year Broadcast Comm students.
This was immediately followed
by a 10-minute flash mob-like dance
routine led by some ninety students
from 1st year Entrepreneurship
students
which
propelled
the
audience—students, specialists and
OU officials alike—to dance to the 90’s
hit songs “Macarena,” “Mambo No. 5,”
and “Always.”
Completing the variety show
ensemble were performances by OU
Alumni and lead singer of the singing
group IAXE Jek Manuel who sang the
group’s hit song “Ako’y Sayo, Ika’y
Sakin”; an Apo Hiking Society song
medley by 3rd year ABBrC students; a
song and dance performance by the
Page 6
accomplishments of STOU through the
years and distance learning strategies.
She stated that for the ASEAN to
prosper, mutual understanding is a
must. The students threw questions at
Dr. Intaratat after her presentation
which she happily answered.
The next speaker was Atty. Lily
Freida M. Milla, CESO IV, Director III,
International Affairs Staff of the
Commission on Higher Education.
Atty Milla spoke on Open and
Distance Learning in the ASEAN
Economic Community 2015. She
explained that distance learning will be
in demand globally for the years to
come and as a country we cannot to
be left behind.
She also quoted Apple’s late
founder Steve Jobs on being
innovative. She mentioned that those
who have guts to pursue their dreams
are the ones who get to run the world.
Final speaker was Roger
Bartholomew from InterEd and
Southville.
He explained the styles of the
United States of America in Open
Distance Learning (ODL) and how ODL
has been placed officially at par with
traditional learning. He also noted that
ODL is in need of development both in
terms of deliverable content and
systems.
With the presentation and the
motivation from the guest speakers,
the students were given insights on
how important Open and Distance
Learning is globally and how it can
change the way we look at education
for the years to come. It was truly an
event to remember.
ABBrC Gwapings; and exhilarating, Buenaventura, Pavin Orpiana, Ronald
rousing song performances from RC Magdaong, LJ Canlas, Nasser Adam,
Divas and EM Champions who sang Marvin Agulan, and Jac Enopia.
Videos created by ABBrC
90’s OPM hits like “I Can” from the
movie Do-Re-Mi and “On the Wings of students were also presented at the
said variety show. Among these were a
Love” by Regine Velasquez.
ABBrC students also staged short PUPOU infomercial by 3rd year
an impromptu mini-stage play which student Alvin Dale Divina and an
spoofed the popular 90’s animation institutional video entitled “Salamat
Princess Sarah. Capping the show was OU” which included interviews with
a serenade by Prof. Jay Dumlao and Sir Open University ABBrC and Master in
Ronrico Herbolario who sang the 90’s Communications (MC) alumni Ms.
hit song by Parokya ni Edgar “Harana.” Rowena Nina Taduran of TV5 and
Students also took part in the Wanted sa Radyo, Mr. Jun Lingcoran of
game “4 Pics-One Name.” Winners DZMM, Mr. Alvin Santiago of DWDD
received prizes from the show sponsor and Mr. Audrey Gorriceta of PTV4.
Frabelle Foods.
The
said
variety show was
produced
and
directed
by
students from the
ABBrC
Students
Society led by its
officers
Ruby
Jaucian, Angeline
Dabu, Ryan Calasin,
Ericka
Calasicas,
Mark
ABBrC students having fun while dancing to the rhythm.
Open University Sphere
Page 7
National Press Club Seminar. Master
in Communication (MC) students of
the PUP Open University pose with
their Certificates of Participation after
attending a seminar entitled “Media
Practices, Challenges, and Protocols.”
Held at the Bulwagang Plaridel of the
National Press Club Building, the
seminar was conducted on February
21, 2015. Mr. Benny Antiporda,
President of the Confederation for
ASEAN Journalists and Mr. Joey
Egco, president of the National Press
Club acted as resource speakers for
the seminar. In photo, together with
the participants are Dr. Anna Ruby G.
Gapasin, Chair of the MC program
and Dr. Angelina C. Borican, Course
Specialist.
OU Holds Anniversary Bowling Tournament
A bowling tournament to
celebrate the Silver Anniversary of the
PUP Open University was held on
February 28, 2015 at the Q-Plaza
Bowling Lanes.
A total of seven teams from
the different programs and years
joined the Anniversary bowl fest.
Joining the tournament were:
Team First Year, Team Pasaway Third
Year, Team JTC, Team Second Year,
Team MPC, Team Entrep 3-2 and Team
OU.
Emerging as champion was
Team Team Second Year who
managed to edge out all the others
with consistent high scoring.
First runner up honors went to
Team Entrep 3-2, who rolled the 2nd
highest team score.
Second runner up was Master
of Comm. Students, Team MPC.
Individual awards for Highest
Pinning and Lowest Pinning for Male
and Female Bowlers were likewise
given.
Congratulations winners!
OU Variety Show
From Page 1
OU Anniversary Bowling Tournament Champions. Team Second Year emerged
as winners of the Annual Bowlfest. With the winners are OU Exec. Director Dr.
Carmencita L. Castolo (2nd from left) and former OU Executive Director Engr.
Leodegario SM Bautista (3rd from right).
The Forum on Open and
Distance Education with the theme
“Excellence of Open and Distance
Learning
Towards
Global
Competitiveness for 2015 ASEAN
Integration” was held at the AFP
Theater.
The final day of festivities saw
the celebration of a Thanksgiving
mass. This was followed by a program
honoring all the different personalities
who have made the PUP OU the
success it now is.
The final activity was a variety
show which showcased the talents of
the OU students.
Open University Sphere
Page 8
First Quarter Tertulia Held
The tertulia offering for the
first quarter of the year was held
recently at the Bulwagang Bonifacio.
The tertulia, with the title
WAVE—short for Work Attitude,
Values, and Ethics was attended by
employees and course specialists of
PUP.
Mr. John Albert G. Austria,
Head ot the Human Resources Division
of the Manila Doctors Hospital was the
guest speaker. Mr. Austria is an
alumnus of the OU having finished his
undergraduate studies here.
A tertulia is a gathering of
people where various topics of
common interest are discussed.
Mr. Austria, in his talk, focused
on several key points which were
necessary to achieve the objective of
the tertulia.
The first key point was to
identify the personal needs and values
of the staff in an organization.
Once this was done, he
explained the responsibilities of
management and employees in
managing
the
employment
relationship.
Lastly, he demonstrated key
tools and concepts which were
necessary for success as a staff
member, officer, or anyone in the
work force.
OU Variety Show
From Page 1
WAVE. Mr. John Austria expounds on a point during his lecture at the Bulwagang
Bonifacio about work attitudes, values, and ethics.
PEN
Vol. 4, No. 1
4th Year Entrep
Students Hold
Seminar
Graduating
Bachelor
of
Science in Entrepreneurship (BSEnt)
Students organized and presented a
seminar entitled “Ladder 2 Success:
Winning Stories of Entrepreneurs.”
The seminar was held on
March 7, 2015 at the Claro M. Recto
Hall in the Main Campus.
The main objective of the
seminar was to motivate the audience,
most
specifically
the
BS
Entrepreneurship students to reach
their goals leading to a successful
entrepreneurial life.
Guest speaker was Mr. Lauro
“Mang Larry” Convencido. Mr.
Convencido is the owner of the well
known Mang Larry’s Isaw located
inside the University of the Philippines
Diliman campus. This is a popular
street food stall where the product is
both delicious and has quality.
Mang Larry elaborated on his
entrepreneurial journey having started
out as an employee in a private
company to a successful business
owner.
Mang Larry also discussed how
he overcame the various obstacles he
encountered in his business venture.
He went on to answer the
various questions the participants
asked him after his talk.
As a parting note, he said that
in order to achieve one’s goals,
nothing can replace the old fashioned
sipag at tiaga.
NIVERSITY
The official newsletter of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Open University
EDITORIAL BOARD
Dr. Manuel M. Muhi
Editorial Consultant
Dr. Caroline T. Sumande
Managing Editor
Dr. Carmencita L. Castolo
Editorial Adviser
Jerome P. Dumlao
Editor-in-Chief
Ronrico L. Herbolario
Editorial Staff
January to March 2015