BILLBOARD

Human rights, autonomy, top talks among 15 SUCs

BAGUIO CITY -- The Commission on Human Rights has linked up with 15 state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the Cordillera for information campaign on human rights  and Cordillera autonomy.

The CHR earlier conducted forum on  April among 1,979 students, teachers, non -teaching staff of the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology –Bangued and Lagangilang campuses; Benguet State University Main and its campuses in Buguias  and Bokod; Apayao State College- Luna Campus and  Conner Campus;  Kalinga-Apayao State College- Main Campus and Dagupan Campus; Ifugao State University   Main and its  campuses in Tinoc, Lagawe and Potia, and Mountain Province State Polytechnic College- Main Campus in Bontoc and  Tadian campus.

The project aimed to enhance knowledge and understanding of students, faculty and non-teaching staff on human rights and to pave the way for the establishment of a center for human rights education in SUCs.

In its desire to help prepare the Cordillera for regional autonomy, CHR-Cordillera headed by lawyer Harold D. Kub-aron included in its human rights education function   information, education and communication  campaign on third quest for Cordillera autonomy.

The common comments of participants was need for replication of  human rights education and IEC on Cordillera autonomy most specially at barangays so community  people would be  informed.

2015 outstanding students of Cordillera recognized

BAGUIO CITY-- Five Outstanding Students of Cordillera Administrative Region (OSCAR) 2015 were feted in an awarding ceremony at Baguio Country Club here last week.

This year’s OSCAR awardees are: Jenry I. Layagan, Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the  Mountain  Province State Polytechnic College(MPSPC); Candace Dawn P. Fernandez, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Kama-i Sulikam C. Okubo, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy,  both from University of Baguio(UB); Apolinario  A. Bagano Jr., Bachelor of Science in Development Communication of Benguet State
University(BSU) and Jules Verne M. Villanueva, Doctor of Medicine from Saint Louis University(SLU).

They will represent the region in the annual national search for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP).

The five were selected from 15 finalists that included Maria KorinaAdajar and Arianne Stephanie Calera from SLU, Keren Joy Compelio and Rhe Ann Ngayaan from BSU,  Majesty Guingayan and Noemi Uddi-e from Ifugao State University, Bernadeth Guiterrez from UB, Fernalyn Santos from Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology, Jinky Valdez from Kalinga-Apayao State College and Charlie David Taynan from MPSPC.

“We do not need to compete to be outstanding but instead share purpose of excellence, leadership and social responsibility for God, for the country and the people”.

This was the response of this batch which adapted  the  name  “Aluwagi,” an Itneg term for “Bayanihan.”

The OSCAR search is the regional level of the annual national TOSP award, which aims to give due recognition to students who can be held as role models for others students who can exemplify academic excellence, exemplary leadership, good moral values and determination to serve God and country.

As final activity prior to the selection and awarding, the OSCAR student nominees had values formation program at  Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology in  Langangilag, Abra May 8 to 12.

This five-day activity aimed to develop their good moral values through spiritual formation, community workshops, and outreach programs.

The formation of good moral values is a  criteria in determining the final outstanding students of the Cordilleras. Other criteria are leadership, social responsibility, and academic/ professional excellence. The criteria are based on the TOSP’s vision of celebrating, affirming, and inspiring youth participation in nation-building.

The TOSP search was established by Jose Concepcion Jr., in 1961 with national hero Dr. Jose Rizal as his inspiration. 

Through the Commission on Higher Education and other partners and sponsors, it became an annual event. -- JullieneFortunato

Search on for national outstanding volunteers

BAGUIO CITY -- The Philippine National Volunteer Services Coordinating Agency is looking for dedicated Filipino individuals and organizations who rendered selfless and life-saving acts through volunteerism sot hey could be properly cited.

The 2015 Search for Outstanding Volunteers aims to highlight exemplary performance and dedication to service of Filipino volunteers in helping people and communities and recognize the role of volunteerism in development and nation-building.

The search is open to individuals and organizations currently providing volunteer assistance in the Philippines: individuals of Filipino citizenship; Filipino or local chapters of foreign/international non-profit organizations; and 

Filipino or local chapters of foreign/international corporate organizations.

The search has  two  categories - the National Outstanding Volunteer award which is conferred to an individual or organization for outstanding volunteer service that has made a significant contribution to uplifting the lives of people and communities served, and the Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award  which is conferred to an individual or organization for consistent and outstanding volunteer service and whose achievement is regarded as an inspiration and 

role model in the field of volunteerism.

The 2015 SOV is anchored on the theme, “Volunteering to help eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.”

The SOV is conducted by the PNVSCA and the National Volunteer Month Steering Committee in cooperation with regional search committee chaired by National Economic and Development Authority.  

Deadline of submission to the RSC is June 30, 2015.

For further details, log on to www.pnvsca.gov.ph. -- Maria Aprila Cruz

UP-Aurora still without Oblation statue

BALER, Aurora  – The University of the Philippines (UP) in this capital town still lacks the iconic Oblation, the state university’s symbol, six years since it opened.

Visitors to the UP School of Health and Sciences (UPSHS) in Barangay Reserva expressed dismay to find no statue to welcome them.

Julia Elisa Puertollano, former director of the UP Baler campus, said visitors seemed to feel incomplete without the Oblation.

The original Oblation is a masterpiece of National Artist Guillermo Tolentino and was commissioned in 1935 by Rafael Palma, the university’s first Filipino president.

It stands in front of Quezon Hall, welcoming students and visitors to the UP Diliman campus in Quezon City.

Here, no such icon welcomes students and visitors.

“The Oblation is very important. It’s UP’s symbol. Without it, the university seemed not to exist,” she said.

The UPSHS was put up in 2008 at P154 million, financed jointly by the Department of Health and the provincial government.

It offers medical courses to address the lack of health professionals in the rural areas.

Puertollano said the Oblation is included under the Phase 2 of the construction at P25 million. She said this phase suffered numerous failed biddings because the contractors find the amount alloted for the project too small. -- Manny Galvez