Double the Success: A Father-Son Journey in Pursuing Higher Learning Together

Ronald Hilaria and his son Ron David Hilaria share their positive experiences with the University of the Philippines Open University’s (UPOU) Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL) program. 

Ronald, the head of his company’s human resources department, enrolled in UPOU’s Graduate Certificate in Distance Education program to better understand e-learning and implement it in his company’s corporate university. The knowledge he gained from the program helped him spearhead the establishment of an e-learning portal, which proved to be very useful during the pandemic. Ronald’s UPOU education also helped him advance his career and create opportunities for him and his son to bond over school requirements. 

On the other hand, his son, Ron David Hilaria, was a student at UP Diliman who struggled to fit into the culture of a traditional university and found UPOU’s ODeL program to match his learning style better. He appreciated the flexibility of being able to control his schedule and do advanced study or fast-track the completion of his requirements. In 2019, Ron David enrolled in the Associate in Arts program at UPOU. He also appreciated that his father could better relate to him regarding school requirements. They could talk about their modules, the discussion forums they attended, and all the other things they were going through in their respective studies. His UPOU experience was an eye-opener for him and he was glad that he studied at UPOU for the past two years. Ron would continue with his distance education by taking up BAMS next.

Both father and son highly recommend UPOU’s ODeL program to people who are working and still want to pursue higher or advanced learning, as well as those who want to try something different from traditional university education.

UP Open University utilizes ODeL as its mode of teaching and learning, and its mission is to provide access to quality higher education to Filipinos everywhere. UPOU is open to students who are not able to join traditional and physical clases, since all teaching and learning is done online.

Written by Pinky Halos ♦ Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas

Sustainable Development Goals

#UPOpenUniversity

The IFSS 2025 formally concluded with a meaningful closing ceremony.UPOU Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, DProfSt, Chair of the IFSS 2025 Program Committee, delivered a synthesis of the forum, emphasizing the values aligned with the discussion areas of the IFSS2025. She ended with a call to continually act together for justice, for regeneration, for a future where everyone has just not food, but dignity, health, and the opportunity thrive.An exchange of institutional gifts was held among the representatives from UPOU, DOST, TUPV, STI West Negros University, and Negros Power.Certificates of participation were awarded to all participants of IFSS 2025.The Best Paper Award was conferred by Dr. Gerome Salas, member of the IFSS 2025 Paper Committee to the following winners:- Arwen Jover, Joval Martinez, Aran Jay Nonato, Raezel Harvey Pitong, and Angel Hope Robles with their paper entitled “Functional Characterization of Potassium Solubilization Potential of Hot Spring-Derived Thermophilic Bacteria for Sustainable Agricultural Biofertilizer Development." (Best Paper Award)- Thushari Senavirathna and Brian Dunsford with their paper entitled "Bamboo Pots (Bambusa vulgaris) as a Circular and Regenerative Alternative in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Nurseries." (2nd Best Paper Award)- Gregorio Crisostomo, Crizel Ann Biton, Henmark De la Cruz, Ma. Korina Claudia Hinayan, Ronald Ray Labayen, Charisse Pesquera, Jayboy Santillan, and Joel Manuel Villaluz with their paper entitled "Multi-Crop Powder Processing Machine for Enhancing the Value of Root Crops in Negros." (3rd Best Paper Award)The Best Poster Award was presented by Dr. Gerald Salas, Member of the IFSS 2025 Awards Committee, to Gregorio Crisostomo with his paper entitled “Development of a Portable Solar-Powered Mechanized Silk Reeling Device for Sustainable Silk Production of Rural Negros Island Farmers."The Best Sustainable Showcase Award of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fair was presented by Engr. Glady T. Reyes, Co-Chair of the IFSS 2025 SDG Fair Committee, to Subay Marketing.Engr. Allan Francis Dara-ug, Provincial Director of the DOST Negros Island Region, delivered his closing remarks with a hope that the seeds planted in IFSS 2025 continue to grow, flourish and bear fruit for generations to come.#IFSS2025 #Sustainability ... See MoreSee Less
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