On 6-7 September 2025, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), through the UP Ventures for International and Transformative Academia (UP VINTA), launched the Daluyong initiative in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Daluyong is a program created to advance the goals of UP VINTA, which are centered on reaching overseas Filipino workers and providing them with accessible opportunities for continuing education, professional development, and skills enhancement. As an initiative under UP VINTA, Daluyong serves as a platform to foster greater awareness of the educational opportunities offered by UPOU by promoting familiarity with its academic programs, learning management systems, and open and distance e-learning practices.
Asst. Prof. Raz de la Torre and Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez, together with Ms. Zenaida Ramos of OWWA Kaohsiung, Mr. Francis Albert Eugenio of MECO Kaohsiung, and the on-site Filipino participants in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, took part in the Intentional Vlogging Training Program.
On 6 September 2025, Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez, as the Assistant to the Chancellor for UP VINTA and a faculty member of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies, and Asst. Prof. Raz de la Torre, a faculty member of the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies engaged in an information session through a Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO) Kaohsiung Livestream event. They discussed key topics relevant to the Overseas Filipino community, including The Importance of Lifelong Learning among Overseas Filipinos, Educational Opportunities at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) through UP VINTA, and What to Expect in Open and Distance e-Learning. The session emphasized how flexible and accessible education is designed to provide Filipinos abroad with opportunities to advance their careers and broaden their knowledge, so that they may have safer and more stable work opportunities, whether they decide to continue working abroad or return to the country. Following this, on 7 September 2025, UP VINTA, in collaboration with the Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, hosted a workshop on Intentional Vlogging. Asst. Prof. Raz de la Torre, as a distinguished film director, producer, and writer, served as the resource speaker. He shared his expertise with participants face-to-face and online, guiding them on how to create meaningful and engaging digital content that effectively conveys both personal experiences and professional narratives. The workshop was designed to equip overseas Filipinos with practical skills in digital storytelling, content creation, and online communication, empowering them to harness digital platforms for personal growth, professional development, and community engagement, while also familiarizing them with the ASCEND platform.
Asst. Prof. Raz de la Torre engaged the on-site participants of the Intentional Vlogging Training Program in an insightful session on Strategic Storytelling, Branding, and Ethics in the Digital Age.
Participants expressed enthusiasm for the sessions, actively participating, sharing their insights, and expressing their curiosities regarding the topic, as well as the lifelong learning opportunities available through UPOU. This highlights the relevance of UP VINTA and commitment in fulfilling its mandate of making quality education accessible to Filipinos, both within and outside the country. The goals of UP VINTA is set to be further amplified with the official launch scheduled in October 2025.
Written by Kimberly Robles ♦ Edited by Lorena Jean Saludadez
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