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Rooted in service: How an IP returns to learning so he can return to serve

2026-02-19T14:14:13+08:00

Perfecto Ray D. Bayo, Jr., and the Indigenous Peoples Housing Project at the Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain Community. For Perfecto Ray D. Bayo, Jr., education was not simply about earning a degree. It was about transforming his circumstances and using that transformation to uplift others. A proud member of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) of Bukidnon, Ray grew up aware of the barriers faced by marginalized communities. Before completing his UP education, he experienced firsthand the consequences of limited opportunity and social exclusion. “As a member of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) and other marginalized communities, I have experienced firsthand the [...]

Rooted in service: How an IP returns to learning so he can return to serve2026-02-19T14:14:13+08:00

Alumni Orientation Held for New UPOU Graduates

2026-01-06T17:01:40+08:00

As part of the activities of the 29th Commencement Exercises of the UP Open University (UPOU), the Office of Public Affairs led an alumni orientation for the UPOU Class of 2025 on 5 December 2025.  Catering to graduates from each of UPOU Faculties of Study, the orientation aimed to strengthen alumni engagement by introducing available alumni organizations, encouraging participation in programs, and fostering lasting connections with the institution and fellow alumni.  (Clockwise from top left): Ms. Patricia Balon, UPAA Secretariat; Mr. Jonathan Bernabe, UPOUAAI Treasurer; Ms. Hyacinth Celzo, UPOUAAI Member of the Board; and Ms. Anna Cañas-Llamas from [...]

Alumni Orientation Held for New UPOU Graduates2026-01-06T17:01:40+08:00

Jakarta-Based UPOU Student Shares Experience with Open and Distance e-Learning in the UPOU Hybrid Learning Caravan in Jakarta, Indonesia

2025-12-04T16:22:38+08:00

A UPOU learner based in Indonesia shared his experience with Open and Distance e-Learning during the UP VINTA Hybrid Learning Caravan in Jakarta, which gathered 86 Overseas Filipinos onsite and online. Mr. Jhobal Sebarrotin, who previously completed UPOU’s Professional Teaching Certification (PTC) program, shared about how ODeL enabled him to qualify for and successfully pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). He is now pursuing the Doctor in Sustainability (DSus) program, which he describes as deeply relevant and transformative for his academic progression and professional growth. He emphasized that UPOU’s programs have helped not only in enhancing his knowledge, but [...]

Jakarta-Based UPOU Student Shares Experience with Open and Distance e-Learning in the UPOU Hybrid Learning Caravan in Jakarta, Indonesia2025-12-04T16:22:38+08:00

Tripartite Partnership for Persons Deprived of Liberty

2025-08-06T07:34:44+08:00

From left, Ms. Maria Recelyn Marasigan, UPOU Asst. Prof Remsce Pasahol, UPAA President and Alumni Regent Mr. Robert Lester Aranton, Director General, Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., AFP (Ret) CESE, UPOU Chancellor Joane Serrano, BGen.Atty. Melencio Faustino The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), and University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement for a tripartite partnership on education access and workforce development. The signing was held on 1 August 2025 at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, Diliman, Quezon City. Representing the BuCor, Director General, Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang [...]

Tripartite Partnership for Persons Deprived of Liberty2025-08-06T07:34:44+08:00

UPAA Visits UPOU for Partnership Opportunities

2025-03-27T13:11:13+08:00

The UP Open University (UPOU) Chancellor, Dr. Joane V. Serrano, received UP Alumni Association (UPAA) representatives in a meeting to discuss potential partnership opportunities. UPAA Third Vice President, Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., UPAA Executive Director Maria Recelyn Marasigan, and UPAA Board Member Maria Ana T. Quimbo shared UPAA’s interest in offering UPOU Microcredentials to UP alumni everywhere in the hopes of helping upskill and reskill them. With Chancellor Serrano is Ms. Anna Cañas-Llamas, Assistant to the Director of the UPOU Office of Public Affairs.  The meeting, held on 21 March 2025 at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, [...]

UPAA Visits UPOU for Partnership Opportunities2025-03-27T13:11:13+08:00

UPOU Alumni Brings Loyalty and Passion Across Borders

2024-10-04T16:33:34+08:00

Mike Clester Perez, a Product Quality Engineer based in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, is an alumnus of the Diploma in Research and Development Management (DRDM) and Master of Research and Development Management (MRDM). He got his Master’s degree in 2023 as a lone and pioneer graduate of MRDM and was awarded Dean’s Lister.  Born and raised in San Pablo City, Laguna, Mike dreamed of being a UP student. It took him 10 years to finally pursue his dream. In 2019, he took the first step in achieving his goal by applying to the DRDM program at the University of [...]

UPOU Alumni Brings Loyalty and Passion Across Borders2024-10-04T16:33:34+08:00

DISCIPLINE: The Game-Changer and Key to Success of an Overseas Student based in Japan

2024-08-09T11:03:56+08:00

Justin Kyle Marasigan completed his Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS) program and graduated as Magna Cum Laude. Residing in Japan, he found that studying at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) was the only viable path to achieving his academic goals. His experience at UPOU has contributed significantly to his career as a game designer in Japan. His experience at UPOU has contributed significantly to his career path in Japan. He gained creative skills such as photography, photo editing, and video editing that have helped him grow as a professional. He also developed self-discipline and [...]

DISCIPLINE: The Game-Changer and Key to Success of an Overseas Student based in Japan2024-08-09T11:03:56+08:00

UPOU-FMDS Alumna Receives Best Poster Award at 26th IUFRO World Congress

2024-07-15T13:44:47+08:00

Ms. Jilian Princess P. Bathan, FMDS alumna, presents their paper titled, “Advocating Forestry as a Topic in the High School Curriculum.” The University of the Philippines Open University’s (UPOU) Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) congratulates Ms. Jilian Princess P. Bathan, an alumna of the Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management (MENRM) program, for successfully presenting the research paper titled, “Advocating Forestry as a Topic in the High School Curriculum.” It was awarded as one of the Best Posters at the 26th International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) World Congress with the theme “Forests and Society Towards 2050” [...]

UPOU-FMDS Alumna Receives Best Poster Award at 26th IUFRO World Congress2024-07-15T13:44:47+08:00

A Lifelong Learner Finding Success in Fatherhood, Work, and Academics

2024-07-05T17:26:44+08:00

Thomas Edison Dela Cruz found the perfect balance in being a father, a professional, and a student with the help of his wife. To top this all off, he graduated with flying colors with the Graduate Diploma in Research and Development Management (DRDM) degree at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU). Despite already having his PhD, his desire to gain more knowledge and learn something more encouraged him to take another degree and enroll in UPOU. It was during the pandemic that he enrolled in DRDM. This circumstance forced him to bring both his work and studies [...]

A Lifelong Learner Finding Success in Fatherhood, Work, and Academics2024-07-05T17:26:44+08:00

Obtaining Excellence in the Quest to Find Oneself

2024-05-31T11:54:31+08:00

Finding oneself can be a long process, but excelling in the process gives a different kind of fulfillment. For Krizia Anne Estrella, it took an exploration of different courses from several  University of the Philippines (UP) campuses until she found the right one at the UP Open University (UPOU). When she took the Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS) at UPOU, Krizia realized that Arts is much closer to her heart, given her background in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This became more evident when she graduated with flying colors and attained her Summa cum laude award. [...]

Obtaining Excellence in the Quest to Find Oneself2024-05-31T11:54:31+08:00
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