The Public Herald
The official student publication of UP College of Public Health.
Dean Belizario says to expect ‘big changes’ as UP Manila shifts to remote learning for A.Y. 2020-2021
by: Rae Pedrosa & Bea Anlacan
June 29, 2020
It is decided: students will not be returning for face-to-face classes for the next semester.
As the country tries to adjust to the “new normal”, the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) has decided on a remote learning strategy for the First Semester of Academic Year 2020-2021.
Officially announced through the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) Memorandum No. 2020-68, the decision comes after months of the country battling the COVID-19 pandemic through community quarantines and strict rules against mass gatherings.
Under the new remote learning strategy, all courses to be offered by the University will be delivered remotely, either through asynchronous or synchronous modes of learning, unless granted an exemption by the chancellor. Asynchronous learning refers to the “non-real time communication between professors and students”, while synchronous modes of learning refer to “real time online classes or webinars”.
Supporting this remote learning strategy, the University announced that it will consider having fundraising initiatives in order to provide computers, laptops, and internet packages for both students and faculty members. The University will also retain its institutional subscription to Zoom—an online video conference platform—alongside additional subscriptions to various online database collections. Meanwhile, students without internet connectivity will be sent course materials, either in printed form or in USB flash drives.
Beyond the cancellation of face to face classes, the University has also proposed a shortened first semester, which will begin on September 10, 2020 and will last for only 14 weeks, if approved by the UP Board of Regents.
On the other hand, Dean Vicente Belizario Jr. of the UP College of Public Health (UP CPH) revealed the plans of the college for the upcoming academic year, where students, faculty, and staff are to expect a “big” change in terms of the modes of teaching for this semester.
“Pinag-uusapan na po ngayon ang new normal sa CPH. Itutuloy po natin ang ating academic research at public health program at public service programs. Iniisip po natin na ang COVID-19 ay nandiyan lang, na papunta na po [tayo] sa new normal.” stressed Dean Belizario in his message during the first UP CPH online flag ceremony held last June 22, centered around the theme.
“Sa darating na academic year, First Semester [of A.Y.] 2020-2021, expect po na maraming pagbabago sa larangan ng pagtuturo dito sa College of Public Health, both in undergraduate and graduate levels.” he added.
Belizario also stated that the curricular revisions of the college are still in the process, where they will now consider the implementation of the new normal in the said revision.
“Mapapaigting pa natin ang ating curricular revisions sa lahat ng graduate programs sa College of Public Health, sa lalong madaling panahon.” the dean assured.
#FlashbackFriday: CPH's winning lantern calls for environmental justice, protection of IPs
by: Rae Pedrosa
January 31, 2020
Naibalik sa Lara!
Loud cheers enveloped the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) grounds on December 13, 2019 as the College of Public Health's (CPH) Lantern was declared the winner of this year's UP Manila Lantern Parade.
Emerging as the best amongst the numerous lanterns presented by the colleges and institutions of UP Manila, CPH's lantern was inspired by the theme "Liwanag ng Pasko, Langgad kay Kalikasan". The lantern features a woman with opposing features. Such halves were meant to depict and mirror the current conditions of the environment and its adverse effects to the public, while also stressing the role of indigenous peoples (IPs) in environmental conservation.
Mildred, as the lantern was named, called on the public to conserve the environment, promote environmental justice, and recognize the role of IPs in the fight to protect the environment. In line with this, the lantern also served as a warning to be more aware of the repercussions of industrialization on environmental health.
"Ever since we started brainstorming for this year's lantern, we wanted the central theme to revolve around the crucial role of IPs in the preservation of the environment and the major issues faced by Aetas at the moment, where in present time, that issue is land grabbing by capitalist companies," Daphne Di Valdestamon, the head of the Lantern Making Committee, explained how the lantern's concept came to be. After various revisions, the creatives committee was able to come up with a human being, where half of its body is healthy and the other mechanized due to the destruction brought upon by industrialization.
"Environmental health is also public health," Valdestamon emphasized.
Shouting chants such as "Lupang ninuno! Depensahan, depensahan! Ipaglaban!" and "Sagipin, Sagipin, Sagipin ang Kalikasan!", CPH students called on the public "to work hand in hand in defending the IPs and to never leave the grassroots of the society in attaining progress".
Mikaela San Ramon, a student from CPH Batch 2022, urged the UP Manila community to fight for human rights and stand against environmental destruction. "Sama-sama nating iwasan ang malawakang pagkasira ng kalikasan, ipaglaban ang karapatang pantao at pangkalusugan, at mas palawigin ang sangkatauhan."
Other than Best Lantern, the students of CPH also bagged multiple awards such as Best Facade (1st Runner Up), Best Christmas Tree (2nd Runner Up) and the gold for the first ever Christmas Choir Competition (PHAC Choir).
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CPH GA 2019: BSPH battles it out with Filipino mythology-themed performances
by: Rae Pedrosa
August 31, 2019
Cheers and screams enveloped the whole College of Public Health (CPH) Auditorium as Batch 2022 grabbed the overall championship for this year's CPH General Assembly (GA) held last Thursday, August 29, 2019.
From landing the last place during the 2018 CPH GA, Batch 2022 bagged the Best Performance Award, Best Banner Award, and was named the Most Creative batch, leading them to the overall trophy for this annual event.
Inspired by the mythical story of the sea goddess Aman Sinaya, the batch named themselves “Daluyong”, which translates to “great wave”. The batch performed original songs and a short drama, calling on everyone to protect the Filipino people and our seas.
Meanwhile, the cheers of Kaupayan - Batch 2020 were hailed as the Best College and Batch Cheers for this year's competition. The cheers will be used in the university-wide Lantern Parade in December. Centering their performance on the goddess Dalikamata, Batch 2020 landed second place in the contest.
Sinagtala - Batch 2021 came in third and was named the Merriest Batch along with Batch 2020, with the performance centered on the goddess Tala.
Participating for the first time in the annual college-wide event, the PHreshies of 2023, named as Manukasey, landed in fourth place, showcasing the prowess of Princess Urduja as their inspiration for their performance.
The CPH GA is an annual event organized by the CPH Student Council and is held every beginning of the academic year. This year, the gathering gives promotion to the Filipino culture and its importance to Public Health, anchored on the theme "Anitong PHilipino: Kasaysayan sa Puso."
Raphael Santiago, CPH Student Council President, highlighted the significance of the event in the midst of the controversial Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum No. 20, which removes Filipino as a required subject in college.
The performances were adjudicated by Mr. Harvey Domingo PTRP, Mr. Nover Edward Duarte, RMT, Ms. Isabel Teresa Salido, and Ms. Globe Rose Ecleo.
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CPH Welcomes BSPH 2023 with Avengers-Themed Orientation
by: Bea Anlacan & Enj Leysa
August 4, 2019
Last August 1, 2019, the College of Public Health (CPH) welcomed the 85 students of BS Public Health Batch 2023 with the annual ‘Freshmen Orientation’ (FO). With an Avengers-based theme, 3rd Year Batch Representative, Pocholo Ilao, opened the program that was conceptualized and prepared by his Batch, 2021. The Freshmen were also given the opportunity to listen to speeches from CPH alumni. Featured were talks by Trisha Salcedo and Joseph Rem Dela Cruz on “Pursuing Public Health” and “Road to Medicine”, respectively. Current 2nd Year Batch Representatives Hanah De Perio and Franz Candido also introduced the freshmen to the basics of the new BS Public Health curriculum.
Beyond talks, college-wide organizations-- ALAB, Sibol, Alpha, Hydro, HySoc, PHAC, PHeraldm and STAPH-- also set up booths for an ‘Amazing Race’ event. These games aimed to build friendships and camaraderie among the new students. Booths also featured University of the Philippines (UP) and CPH themed merchandise. Afterwards, both college and university-wide organizations were given the chance to promote themselves and inform the audience of their events lined up for Academic Year 2019-2020. The event concluded with CPH Student Council Chairperson Raphael Santiago giving the closing remarks.
UP Manila Batch 2023 will officially be welcomed to the University at the ‘Freshmen Welcome Assembly’ at UP Diliman on August 5, 2019.
Padayon, Batch 2019!
by: Tricia Pineda
June 23, 2019
Last June 21, the graduating class of 2019 proudly took the stage as they finally transferred their Sablays from right to left during the College of Public Health Recognition Rites. The GT Toyota Auditorium in UP Diliman was filled with faculty, staff, parents, guests, and students from both the undergraduate and graduate batches who received their well-deserved merits personally handed by Chancellor Carmencita Padilla, Dean Romeo Quizon, and College Secretary, Dr. Vivien Fadrilan-Camacho.
The undergraduate class was comprised of 86 students, including 2 Magna Cum Laude and 25 Cum Laude finishes. The batch valedictorian, Amielle Urgel, graced the stage as she delivered her message in front of her batchmates, former professors, and guests.
“Just avoid comparing yourself to others and focus on what you're doing. Doing so will make it easier for you to be happy for others and to be happy for whatever you've achieved.” said Urgel, when asked about the main message of her speech.
Outgoing CPH Student Council Chairperson, Diana Caga, was awarded the Leadership Award after a year of dedicated and earnest service to the college for spearheading various projects such as the Health Education and Promotion Project (HEPP) in support of the war of worms in IP children in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
“I’m truly honoured and humbled to receive the Leadership Award. This is for the Lord, my loved ones, and the Filipino people. In all that I do, may I give justice to them and may I serve them.” said Caga.
73 graduate students from the masteral programs of Hospital Administration (MHA), Occupational Health (MOH), Public Health (MPH), Science in Epidemiology (MS Epi), and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) were also recognized. along with select students who accumulated the highest GWAs in their respective programs. Included in this batch was the Department of Medical Microbiology’s Assistant Professor, Dr. Evalyn Roxas, who garnered the highest GWA as she finished with a Masters in Public Health (MPH).
With fists raised high, the graduating students, led by the Public Health Artists’ Circle (PHAC), proudly sang to UP Naming Mahal and the CPH Hymn to conclude this year’s Recognition Rites. After years of embodying Honor and Excellence, the college humbly bids Padayon to these students.
The UPM Commencement Exercises will be held on June 26, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
Congratulations, Batch 2019! Serve the people!
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