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Dr. Calingasan named new UPIS principal



The University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) officially welcomed Dr. Lorina Y. Calingasan as the school's new principal last September 5.

THE BIG FOUR. The new UPIS administration was announced last September 5 during the flag ceremony. From L to R: Prof. Czarina B. Agcaoili, Prof. Rachel B. Ramirez, Dr. Lorina Y. Calingasan, and Prof. Portia Y. Dimabuyu. Photo credit: UPIS Media Center

Dr. Calingasan also introduced the members of her administration team namely Prof. Rachel B. Ramirez as Assistant Principal for Academic Programs (APAP); Prof. Portia Y. Dimabuyu, Assistant Principal for Administration (APA); and Prof. Czarina B. Agcaoili, head of the Office of Research, Development, and Publication (ORDP).

Dr. Calingasan succeeds Dr. Ronaldo M. San Jose who was UPIS principal from June 2011 to August 2017. She was the sole nominee for the UPIS principalship this school year and is the first principal from the Social Sciences cluster in 11 years.

In a public forum at the UP College of Education (UP Educ) last August 4, she presented her plans to the UPIS students, faculty, and staff.

THE SEARCH BEGINS. Dr. Calingasan takes the floor as she presents her plans for UPIS to the school’s constituents. Photo credit: UPIS Media Center 

One of the main points of her agenda was the strengthening of the K-12 Curriculum. This included the monitoring and reviewing of its current implementation, particularly in Grades 11 and 12.

She also said that she aims to strengthen the school’s link with UP Educ and the National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (NISMED) by conducting more faculty exchange, research collaborations, and training program partnerships.

Furthermore, she will continue the school’s various student exchange programs and linkages with other institutions and companies, and in a way, respond to the demand for internationalization. She also plans to continue joint publications and research projects for basic education and laboratory schools, in order to facilitate the school’s research and extension program.

She also cited her plans on faculty development, intensifying staff development training and ensuring continuous support from parents and alumni through various activities.

PADAYON. A graduate of the University of the Philippines, Dr. Calingasan gives back to the very institution that nurtured her by teaching a new generation of Iskolars ng Bayan. Photo credit: UP College of Education

Dr. Calingasan has been a Social Studies teacher in UPIS for 20 years starting 1989, until she transferred as Assistant Professor to the College of Education in 2009. She graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences in UP Manila, took her Master’s Degree in Education, and got her Doctoral Degree in Curriculum Studies in 2016. She served as UP Educ’s coordinator in Student Teaching prior to her nomination as UPIS principal.

The public forum was hosted by Dr. Rosanelia Yangco, who is also chair of the nomination committee for the UPIS principalship. Other members of the committee include UPIS alumnus and UP Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs, Prof. Ranjit Rye, College of Human Kinetics Dean, Prof. Ronualdo Dizer, and Director of the UP Confucius Institute, Prof. Lourdes Nepomuceno. // by Trisa de Ocampo, Marianne Sasing

Opinion: Brave hearts, empty hands



Photo credit: Jem Torrecampo

Being a student doesn’t only mean studying and trying to keep your grades up, it also means looking for extra-curricular activities where you can socialize, engage in physical activity, or utilize your time for building a better self.

Some students look for the said activities in varsity teams. Although it is no joke to balance academics and training effectively, student-athletes take up the task with a fierce resolve. Becoming student-athletes requires a lot of effort: balancing academics and training effectively is a tough job to handle. To have the thought of competitions, deadlines, and the stress of time-management breathing down your neck isn’t a very easy thing to deal with after all. With all the challenges, they face, they need support, too, both morally and financially. Thus, the support of the school is very much welcome.

According to our Assistant Principal for Academic Programs, Prof. Zenaida Bojo, the UPIS varsity teams receive support in multiple ways: being provided faculty advisers, being excused when they have events or competitions, and receiving financial assistance. The school also provides certain facilities and equipment for the teams’ use.

Faculty advisers play an important role in supporting varsity teams. Prof. Bojo stated that faculty advisers coming from the Health and Physical Education department are the ones who monitor the students’ performance and keep them in check. They remind the athletes to be students first with the responsibility of passing requirements, catching up on tests, and studying for whatever they may have missed while outside the school. It is also their duty to remind the students about whatever requirements they need for upcoming competitions. They should be the ones to guide varsity players to excel both as students and athletes.

With the school allowing the students to be excused for their games that overlap with certain classes comes the perk of having the opportunity to retain their class standing. This is given that they inquire about and take their make-up tests and activities and excel in these.

Of the three, financial support is usually the most pressing issue that comes to mind when we talk about the school’s support for our Junior Maroons. This kind of support usually comes from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) funds collected during enrollment which is distributed to the various varsity teams in the form of the team’s allowance, athlete’s stipend, and coach’s honorarium/pay, among others.

As much as these things support the students, there is still much to be desired concerning the support the school gives to help the students grow with their career as athletes if they so choose to devote themselves to the sport as well as their academics.

Most of the support aforementioned comes around only during the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season because apparently, that is the only financial support the school can afford to give. Some of the equipment is provided by the school but most of the gear used by the students is acquired by them. They use their own savings to buy their own equipment and it’s usually a team effort to keep the facilities in shape and in order.

Sponsors also give their support to the students. The connections of the students or the coaches lead them to these sponsorships that provide the team with additional equipment and uniforms. This helps the teams’ morale and aids them to perform better mentally and physically. Sadly, the sponsorships that teams get are only as good as the connections they have. There are also organizations such as Nowhere to go but UP created by the university to support the varsity teams through finding them sponsors. They also mention UPIS teams but, unfortunately, this is the only support they get from these organizations.

Exposure is a crucial aspect of an athlete’s career. How much one is seen competing and how one performs can help boost the career of an athlete big time. Exposure is usually raised with thru joining competitions like the UAAP, Milo Little Olympics, division meets, etc. The less the students enter competitions, the less they’ll be seen by potential teams and coaches. Exposure also helps the varsity teams financially if the students can perform exceptionally well in these competitions. If their performance leaves little to be desired, potential sponsors may approach the team rather than the students approaching sponsors for their support to play. The student’s performance coincides with the support they are given as well, and as of now, some of the students feel as if they aren’t given much support or any at all.

A possible solution to this would be to look for an adviser that could devote their full attention to keeping all of the varsity teams in check, somewhat of a ‘sports coordinator’ that will also help the teams find support especially in the financial aspect. Somebody that the student athletes could always refer to if they need help in academics or in matters regarding the teams. Somebody that would help and guide these varsity teams and players who are constantly fighting for our school’s pride. Another possible solution is for the school to pay more attention to the “athletic side” of the school. If the school will give a little more attention to the varsity teams, each of them might get sponsors that will financially support the teams.

All in all, the school’s support ties in with how much the students perform, how much they give themselves to the sport and to the school. To train hard and to be able to balance things well is what makes a student-athlete great. Devotion to the game and the drive to win, not just playing to be a part of the UAAP or a competition. This kind of attitude is already evident in the students, even more so with the athletes now. They’re doing the best they can to perform, to win, to balance requirements and the heat of training, as they are representing UPIS.

They’re just hoping that the school can soon do the same. //by Rad Pascual

Digital Display, sinimulan ng gamitin sa UPIS

Ang Digital Display ay ikinabit sa Ramp area at ginagamit
para sa mga anunsiyo at balitang pampaaralan.
Unang ginamit ang 50-inch Digital Display sa pagbubukas ng Ikalawang Semestre sa UPIS 7-12.

Ayon kay Bb. Ross Kline Empleo, Information Officer ng UPIS, imunungkahi ang proyektong ito ng kumpanyang Digiplay Boracay sa pangunguna ng Chief Operating Officer na si G. Tos Vea, isang UPIS alumnus. Binanggit din niya na makakatulong ito na maiparating ng mas mabilis ang mga anunsiyo at balita ng paaralan.

Animnapung porsyento (60%) ng mga ipinapakita sa Digital Display ay mga anunsiyo, balita at iba pang impormasyon mula sa paaralan. Samantala, ang apatnapung porsyento (40%) naman ay mga TV commercial na dumaan at inaprubahan ng ORDP at APAP.

Ilan sa mga paaralang may parehong sistema ay Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, at De La Salle University. / nina Quiela Salazar at Nicole Rabang

“No ID, No Entry” policy, strictly enforced

Due to recent reports of students losing their belongings, UPIS started implementing the No ID, No Entry policy last November 18.

A section of the UPIS student handbook states that the ID is part of the uniform and should be displayed at all times. It must be officially countersigned by the Librarian. The security guard at the gate is given the authority to refuse entry of students not wearing an ID.

This policy is being implemented to make sure that only UPIS students are able to enter the school’s premises.

Students were given a one-week grace period from November 11 to 13 to enable them to secure lost ID cards. / by Raine Abaya

Mga CCTV, gumagana na

Labindalawang CCTV cameras ang kasalukuyang nakakabit sa UPIS 7-10 Building at nagsimula nang gumana noong Hulyo 9, 2014.
Photo Credit: Jenn Elona

Ayon kay G. Aldous Cañeta, Administrative at Supply officer ng UPIS, ipinakabit ang mga CCTV para sa seguridad ng mga estudyante particular na sa 3rd at 4th floor. Sa ngayon, mayroong tig-dalawang unit ng CCTV sa 1st at 2nd floor at tig-apat naman sa 3rd at 4th floor. Ang lahat ng footages na nakakalap ay makikita sa Administrave Office.

Nagkakahalaga ang proyektong ito ng Php142,892 kasama na ang mga bullet cameras, DVR, AVR, at LCD ng bawat device na pinondohan ng UP Trust Fund.

Ang Faire Technologies Inc. ang kinuhang supplier ng UPIS para sa mga CCTV. / nina Jenn Elona at Don Oriel

UCS, bagong janitorial agency ng UPIS

Papalitan ng Ultimate Care Services (UCS) ang Carebest sa pangangasiwa ng custodial affiliations sa UPIS ngayong taon.

Ayon sa isinagawang bidding ngayong taon, ang UCS ay mapupunta sa South Sector ng Unibersidad, kung saan kabilang ang UPIS, samantalang ang Philbest Manpower Agency naman sa North Sector. Tulad ng mga naunang custodial agencies, may isang taong kontrata sa nasabing paaralan ang UCS.

Isa si Kuya Arvy sa mga bagong custodial workers mula sa UCS.
“Syempre may natirang custodians mula sa dating agency. Meron kasing 60/40 policy. Kaya anim na custodian ang mananatili at apat naman ang bago. May karanasan na kasi ang matitirang anim at subok na ang kanilang mga kakayahan sa iba’t-ibang trabaho. Tinitignan din namin yung performance nila,” pahayag ni Mrs. Hermie Malonzo, ang Administrative Officer na namamahala sa mga custodial workers at security guards ng paaralan.

“Number one rule namin sa kanila ay honesty. Ayaw kasi naming mangyari uli yung mga insidente na nangyari noon,” dagdag pa ni Malonzo.

Nagsimula ang Ultimate Care at ang mga custodial workers nito noong Lunes, ika-7 ng Hulyo 2014. / nina Rielle Ruiz at Jediael Neri

Bagong administrasyon, ipinakilala

Muling nagbukas ang klase sa UPIS sa pamumuno ng bagong administrasyon noong Hunyo 2, 2014.

Pangalawang termino na ni Dr. Ronaldo San Jose bilang prinsipal samantalang sina Prof. Melanie Donkor ang Asst. Principal for Administration at Prof. Zenaida Bojo ang Asst. Principal for Academic Programs. Kabilang din sa bagong pamunuan si Prof. Anthony Ocampo na itinalaga bilang pinuno ng ORDP.

“Masayang malungkot,” ito ang pahayag ni Dr. San Jose nang tanungin ukol sa muling pamumuno sa paaralan. “Malungkot dahil hindi man lang ako nakapagbakasyon ngunit masaya pa rin ako.”

Ayon naman kay Prof. Bojo, “Sa totoo lang, hindi ako ready sa pagtanggap ng posisyon.” Idinagdag pa niya na nang siya'y itinalaga bilang katuwang ng prinsipal, isinaisip niya na lang na, “Mabuting magpakabayani para sa ikabubuti ng marami.”

Kasabay ng pagkakaroon ng bagong administrasyon ay ang pagkakaroon din ng mga bagong proyekto at program gayondin din ngmalalaking pagdiriwang tulad ng selebrasyon ng sentenyal ng UP High School sa 2016. / ni Anna Punzalan

Literary: Ang Misteryo ng Admin Office

Papasok na dapat ako ng Admin Office para bumili ng bluebook pero bago pa man ako makadaan sa pintuan, hinarangan na ako ng isang janitor.  Bawal raw pumasok ang mga estudyante doon. Tinanong ko kung bakit pero tinanggihan akong bigyan ng sagot.

Iniisip ko kung paano ako makakapag-quiz sa Bio ngayong wala akong susulatan. Nagtitinda sila ng bluebook pero bawal pumasok. Nagtaka ako kung anong mayroon doon. Bakit bawal ang estudyante sa parteng iyon ng paaralan.

Kumalat ang mga bulung-bulungan. “Halimaw! Halimaw,” tinatago raw nila sa paaralan. Sabi naman ng iba, sa office raw ay may mga alipin at mga droga. Kuwento pa ng ilan, doon daw naninirahan ang totoong Lorna.

Kaya isang gabi’y pumasok ako nang walang nakakaalam. Bawat yapak ay dahan-dahan. Tingin dito, lingon doon… Isa-isa kong binuksan ang mga pintuang gumagawa ng maingay na tunog sa nakakabinging katahimikan. Wala, walang kababalaghan sa aking mga dinaanan… liban sa isa. Isang kuwartong nakasara. Naglakad ako palapit roon at dahan-dahan kong inabot ang aking kamay sa doorknob. Nasa akin na ang pagkakataong malaman kung ano ang nasa loob nang bigla ng may sumigaw ng “HOY, BA’T KA NANDITO?!”. Dali-dali akong tumakbo palayo at hindi kailanman lumingon. Napakabilis ng tibok ng aking puso pero mas matulin pa ang takbo ng humahabol sa akin. Pero nauna ako at nakatakas. Ligtas ako ngayon.

Sa susunod na flag ceremony, binanggit ng isang guro ang tungkol sa isang taong pumasok sa Admin Office isang gabi. “Wag niyo na ulit susubuking pumasok doon,” ang eksaktong mga sinabi niya. May nagtanong, “Sir, bakit ng aba bawal ang estudyante doon?” Walang binigay na sagot ang guro kaya mas naging determinado akong makapasok at malaman kung ano ang tinatago nila doon. May tinatago ba ang office sa amin? Naubos na ang brain cells ko kakaisip.

Nagpagabi ako muli sa eskwelahan at sinubukang tiyempuhan ang pag-alis ng mga janitor na nagbabantay. Pumasok ako at tulad ng huling beses na ako’y pumasok, normal pa rin ang kapaligiran. Nakita ko ang nakasaradong pintuan at natukso ako muling pasukin iyon.

Palapit ako ng palapit at bumilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Inisip ko kung totoo kayang may halimaw doon o kaya mga nakatagong bangkay ng mga tao. Hinanda ko na ang aking sarili sa aking matutuklasan nang muli kong hinawakan ang doorknob. “Posible kayang ‘di ako makalabas ng school ng buhay?” Tanong ko sa aking sarili. Sa pagkakataong ito, sinugurado ko nang walang makakakita sa akin.

Nagpunas ng pawis, nagsuot ng gloves at inabot muli ang doorknob. Unti-unti itong inikot at binuksan ang pintuan. Madilim… Pumasok ako nang walang nakikita, hindi ko mahanap ang light switch. Binuksan ko ang flashlight ko at nakita ko ang isang table!! Naka-imprenta sa isang gintong plaka ang pangalan ni Maam Ruph. Mayroong note sa mesa niya… Laking gulat ko nang makita ang mga salita:


“Huwag papasukin ang mga estudyante sa Admin Office, madumi ang sapatos nila.” 

/ ni Jordan Grefal at Bertram Matabang

UPIS holds 3-day mentoring workshop

A 3-day training seminar on mentoring for UPIS faculty members which aims to enhance and improve the teaching skills, strategies, working relationship and professionalism of the teachers was held last July 15-17 at the 7-10 Library.

This mentoring program is part of faculty development. It was initiated by the past administration under Dr. Aurora Zuniga.

The 3-day training was handled by retired UPIS faculty members and professors from the College of Education who are also affiliated with the Marie Eugenie Institute that sponsors mentoring programs.
Aside from affirming the UPIS mentoring advocacy, it also helped the teachers work better and cooperate with each other.

The seminar included lectures and demonstrations. There were also activities that aimed to help solve common problems in class and in the workplace. These are especially beneficial to the new teachers and helpful in re-affirming and reminding the more senior faculty members.

A similar training was held for the administration staff on July 20 and 22. / by Yaoi Gabriel, Micah Macasieb, Donna Roces, and Psalma Nadera

K-2 launches new programs

The Waste Management Program and the Disciplinary Program proposed by the K-2 faculty members are now being implemented at the K-2 building.

The Waste Management Program’s goal is to help the environment by reducing trash. As part of the program, the faculty members decided to set certain bins for each kind of trash for easy assortment. This includes cans for white and colored paper, carton, plastic, and food waste.

Another purpose of the said program is to help and appreciate the custodians. The biodegradable wastes would be sold to trash collectors and the money accumulated will be given to the school workers.

On the other hand, the Disciplinary Program aims to teach students proper conduct, even at their very young age. The K-2 teachers want to show that UPIS students are not only smart but also disciplined and responsible.

For example, footstep marks painted on the floor guide students to keep right, and posters on the walls remind students to behave properly.

The UPIS K-2 faculty will be watching and guiding the students and they will be hoping these programs will not only apply in school, but also in every aspect of life. / by Melanie Bravo and Knika Cornejo

UPIS Canteen, under new management

Noong Martes, ika-18 ng Hunyo, pormal nang nagbukas ang Chinitos – bagong concessionaire ng UPIS canteen. Mula sa mga pinagpilian, ito ang napagpasyahang kunin ng pamunuan ng UPIS na mag-manage ng canteen sa taong ito.

Ang ilan sa mga dahilan ng pagkakapili sa kanila ay magandang rating mula sa UP Business Concessionaire Administration (UP BCA), ang pagigigng accessible nito dahil sila ang concessionaire sa Math Building at ang pagpasa sa mga kraytiryang itinakda ng paaralan.
New school year, new canteen staff. (c) Lance Reblando

Sinabi rin ni Dr. Ronaldo San Jose, prinsipal ng UPIS, na noong bakasyon pa sila humihingi ng request mula sa UP BCA upang mapalitan na ang dating namamahala. Ito ay dahil sa hindi magandang rating sa survey noong nakalipas na dalawang taon.

Ilan sa mga komentong nabanggit ng mga respondents sa isinagawang survey ng Canteen Committee ay ang hindi maayos na sanitasyon, walang sapat na pagpipilian ng pagkain, at over-priced na bibilhin.

Ang Chinitos din ang isa sa mga magsisilbing concessionaire sa bagong gusali ng UPIS 7-10. / nina Donna Roces at Psalma Nadera

Commuters' Pass rule implemented

In an effort to increase the school's security measures, the UPIS Administration issued the Commuters' Pass last June 11.

Only students with the commuters' pass will be allowed to leave school premises without fetchers after classes. The school will also strictly monitor the students who are fetched by school services since they have no permission to leave the school by themselves.

UPIS Principal Dr. Ronaldo San Jose then stated that there is still no definite date of the pass' implementation but it should be effective as soon as possible.

The constant change of school security guards contributes to the reasons why the school needs a Commuters' Pass. Since the guards are not permanent employees, they do not know which of the students regularly commutes to and from school.

Dr. San Jose also said that there are no other alternatives for the Commuter's Pass and that this is the best possible solution to better the school's security. / by Bea Cao, Alissa Villareal, Joshua Paulino

Pagpapatayo sa bagong UPIS 7-10 building, matatapos na

Sa darating na pasukan, inaasahan na ang paglipat ng UPIS 7-10 sa bago nitong gusali na matatagpuan sa dating lugar ng Narra Residence Hall sa loob ng UP campus.

Ngayong Marso matatapos ang pagpipintura sa bawat kuwarto at paglalagay ng ilang mga kagamitan dito. Dagdag ni Prop. Roselle J. Velasquez, Katuwang na Prinsipal Pang-akademiko, nagbigay ng kasiguraduhan ang Makati Development Corporation (MDC) na sa susunod na pasukan ay maari nang magamit ang bagong building.

Ayon kay Prop. Nancy T. Flor, Katuwang na Prinsipal Pang-administrasyon, ang bagong gusali ng UPIS 7-10 ay mahahati sa tatlong bahagi – ang academic (4-storey), administrative (2-storey), at PA building (1 storey).

Ang 4-storey na academic building ay kakikitaan ng apat (4) na kuwarto para sa departamento ng Agham – naririto ang mga laboratoryo at lecture rooms. Maglalaan din ng mga bagong kuwarto para sa Speech, Art, at Computer Science na kakikitaanang iba’t ibang mga kagamitan na kinakailangan sa bawat asignaturang nabanggit.

Noon pang 2010 sinimulan ang pagbuo sa bagong gusali ng 7-10 at pagsasaayos sa gusali ng UPIS 3-6. ● Reagene Fernando, Shari Oliquino

Violation slips handed out

Last September 26, teachers and staff have started giving out pink slips to students who commit minor offenses such as wearing incomplete uniform, sporting improper haircut, coming in late for class, displaying unbecoming behavior, cutting class, and littering among others.

"It's for the more effective monitoring of the minor violations," says Prof. Roselle Velasquez, Assistant Principal for Academic Programs, on the function of the said pink slips.

Whenever a student commits a minor offense, he/she is asked to sign two pink slips promising to avoid committing further acts of misdemeanor.

One of those should be kept by the student as proof that they were given a pink slip and should be presented to his/her parent. While, the other pink slip is submitted by the teacher or staff who noted the offense to the adviser of the student for recording and monitoring.

Sanctions for the offenses are carried out as described in the UPIS School Rules and Regulations. ● by Ada Bayobay
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