>
UPOU faculty and staff members at the UPOU Audiovisual room during the launch of Karahayan- Nurturing a Culture of Wellness.
The UP Open University (UPOU), through its Wellness, Healthy Lifestyle, and Sports Committee (WHLSC), officially launched “Karahayan: Nurturing a Culture of Wellness” on 22 July 2026, at the UPOU Audio-Visual Room (AVR) in Los Baños, Laguna, and via Zoom. The landmark initiative signals the university’s commitment to becoming a “Healthy University,” recognizing that personal well-being is inseparable from academic excellence.
Chancellor Serrano shared her vision for Karahayan in her opening remarks.
In her keynote message, UPOU Chancellor Dr. Joane V. Serrano introduced the heart of the initiative, sharing her vision for Karahayan as a comprehensive culture of wellness for students, faculty, and staff. She explained that “karahayan,” a Bicol term for wellness, embodies a collective state of well-being and reflects a shared pursuit of health and holistic wellness. A feature video further unveiled the core identity of Karahayan, which is built upon four strategic pillars: Physical Wellness, Mental and Emotional Wellness, Social and Community Wellness, and Environmental Wellness.
Dr. Oruga explains how Pinggang OU works.
The program also marked the launch of two flagship Karahayan initiatives. The first, Pinggang OU, promotes healthy eating habits, nutritional awareness, and balanced meal choices. Dr. Myra Oruga, Professor at the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), discussed the principles of proper nutrition and how balanced eating contributes to overall physical wellness.
Chief Belegal shared how UPOU reduced food expenditures with sustainable and healthy food practices.
Maintenance Office introduced sustainable food practices being implemented at the University. She shared practical strategies adopted on campus that have not only encouraged healthier and more sustainable food consumption but have also contributed to reducing the University’s food expenditures. Asst. Prof. Edmerson Calungsod, FMDS faculty and one of the members of WHLSC, introduced STEP UP (UPOU Steps to Wellness Challenge). This program encourages the UPOU community to embrace active lifestyles through friendly competition, which will involve faculty and staff from all offices starting the 1st of August.
aProf. Calungsod explains the mechanics of STEP UP, a friendly competition among UPOU offices that promotes active lifestyle.
To encourage the involvement of each personnel in the wellness program, a short Collective Pledge digital interaction was held where participants submitted personal self-care goals to a live, shared wellness wall.
Dr. Emely Amoloza, Chair of the UPOU WHLSC, concluded the event by announcing the official rollout of Karahayan programs. She highlighted the University’s existing wellness initiatives and recognized the individuals and offices who were instrumental in advancing UPOU’s commitment to fostering a holistically healthier university.
In her closing message, Dr. Amoloza emphasized that the success of Karahayan depends on the collective support and participation of the entire UPOU community. Echoing Chancellor Serrano’s commitment to the initiative, she encouraged everyone to make wellness a shared value reflected in their daily lives.
To complement the launch of Karahayan, the WHLSC offered free medical consultations for UPOU faculty and staff, with Family Medicine Specialist Dr. Michelle Merca providing personalized health consultations.
The launch was made possible in collaboration with the Office of the Chancellor, Office of Public Affairs, Center of Open and Digital Teaching and Learning, and the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies. Ms. Anna Cañas-Llamas served as the program’s host.
The Karahayan initiative represents a continuous journey for the UPOU family, aiming to integrate well-being into the daily routines and workplaces of the entire community.
Written by Anna Cañas-Llamas | Edited by Emely M. Amoloza | Photos by Dianne Cosinas
