UPV Graduate School Student Council

𝗨𝗣𝗩 𝗠𝗠𝗣𝗠 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗜𝗩 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬

Second-year Master of Management in Public Management (MMPM) students of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) conducted “Community Health Empowerment: Advancing HIV Awareness, Prevention, and Community Action” at the Barangay Poblacion South Gymnasium on August 1, 2026, reaching 131 local residents.

Organized for their MGT 243 (Project Development and Management) course under Faculty-in-Charge Asst. Prof. Ma. Rhona P. Beriales and MMPM-2 Program Manager Dr. Serren Lor V. Gallinero, the initiative combined health education with free on-site medical services.

In partnership with the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP), Santhy Laurence Sapio delivered an HIV 101 lecture on transmission, prevention, and treatment, while Cirilo Rodolfo Lapascua IV facilitated an introduction to the transgender community focused on inclusion and healthcare access. Additionally, volunteers from West Visayas State University (WVSU) Green Legacy provided free, confidential HIV screening and counseling.

The activity was supported by municipal and barangay officials, led by Sangguniang Bayan Member Hon. Josephus Ambrosius Renatus T. Escanlar (representing Municipal Mayor Hon. Sofronio L. Fusin Jr.) and Punong Barangay Hon. Raffy R. Dela Cruz. Dela Cruz highlighted the critical need for the initiative, noting that Poblacion South has the highest number of recorded HIV cases in Oton.

Dr. Gallinero expressed hope that participants would return home as empowered advocates for health awareness, prevention, and compassion. The event concluded with a ceremonial Pledge of Commitment signing to sustain local health action.

UP RFID Application for First Semester/Trimester, AY 2026-2027 The UP RFID Application will be open from August 17 to September 18, 2026. You may apply through this link (https://bit.ly/UPRFID)

Pagbati, mga Iskolar ng Bayan!

ATTENTION ‼️

ATTENTION:
ALL GRADUATE STUDENTS in the following degree programs:

SEMESTRAL: DURP, MS Biology, MS Fisheries, MS PhF, MSOS, MSFS and PhD in Fisheries

Please be reminded that classes start today,
August 10, 2026 as per the AY 2026-2027 Academic Calendar
for Semestral Programs

Please regularly check our website to access
the Academic Calendar and for important announcements, schedules and updates.

UPV Graduate School Website: https://graduateschool.upv.edu.ph/

oSET and UPSCEE now Open for Second Semester/Trimester AY 2025–2026 until MAY 24, 2026 The Online Student Evaluation of Teachers (oSET) and the UP-Student Course Effectiveness Evaluation (UPSCEE) for Second Semester/Trimester, AY 2025–2026

𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘

As a major course output of PM 298 (Seminar in Public Management), the Master of Management in Public Management class organized a forum that explored a pressing question for public servants today: How do we remain authentic in a time shaped by digital visibility, political branding, and disinformation? Composed of students from various public sector institutions, the class engaged a broader audience in a meaningful dialogue.

Anchored on the theme “Modern Governance: Redefining Authenticity in Public Service,” the guest speakers Vice Governor Nathalie Ann Debuque and Board Member Jo Jan Paul Peñol, shared insights that resonated strongly with participants navigating similar institutional contexts.

Several key insights stood out from the discussion. BM JP Peñol highlighted governance challenges in today’s complex information environment, stressing the importance of fact-based leadership in addressing disinformation. He also pointed to the need for discernment in a space where visibility can easily be mistaken for credibility. This highlights the importance of accountability in how information is produced, shared, and interpreted online.

Vice Gov. Lee Ann Debuque emphasized that public service should be defined not by presentation or perception, but by work that is real, responsive, and felt by communities. Drawing from her experience, she explained how social media can support transparency and engagement, noting that her platform was created alongside her entry into public service.

This shows that an online presence, when guided by purpose, can serve as a meaningful tool for genuine transparency and public accountability.

Across both perspectives, a shared message emerged: authenticity in governance extends beyond visibility. At its core, it reflects the broader idea that public servants, even within imperfect digital environments, can still use these spaces in ways that support transparency and strengthen public trust.

The forum gave participants a chance to reflect on how theory connects with the realities of public service. It encouraged them to think about their role in shaping public understanding of governance, where perceptions are constantly formed and reshaped.

This initiative, organized in partnership with the Graduate School Student Council, reflects the UPV Graduate School’s goal of producing graduates who are globally competitive leaders capable of creating new knowledge and innovations for progressive change, and of utilizing emerging knowledge and technologies to address complex governance issues (i.e., sociocultural, economic, physical and environmental).

Padayon!

ATTENTION: Interested applicants to UPV Graduate Programs

Application for admission is still ongoing. Kindly access the online application at this link: https://forms.gle/DcQUqCMxSoCXts1k8

Please take note of the updated deadlines for filing applications for admission for AY 2026-2027 and final schedule of entrance exams, particularly for Master of Management, DURP and Master of Education.

For further inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

You are invited to attend the Public Management Forum: Governance, Growth, and Sustainability in Practice, organized by the second-year Master of Management (Public Management) students under PM 298: Seminar in Public Management.

Date: April 25, 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Platform: Zoom

This forum aims to gather students, educators, and aspiring public sector leaders to engage in a meaningful discourse on key issues in Philippine development governance. The discussion will focus on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the progress of the Philippine Development Plan, and current trends in economic growth.

Participants can expect insightful discussions, diverse perspectives, and a deeper appreciation of the role of governance in advancing sustainable development in practice.

Students and faculty members from public management and related disciplines are warmly encouraged to participate in this academic engagement.

To register, please scan the QR code provided.

We look forward to your participation in this important conversation shaping the nation’s future.

We are pleased to invite you to the Forum on Modern Governance: Redefining Authenticity in Public Service, organized by the Master of Management Major in Public Management students as part of their course PM 298: Seminar in Public Management at the University of the Philippines Visayas Graduate School.

Join us on April 25, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM via Zoom, and be part of meaningful discussions on governance, leadership, and public service in today’s evolving landscape, as we learn from and be inspired by our distinguished resource speakers, Hon. Nathalie Ann “Lee Ann” Debuque and Hon. Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol.

🎓 A Certificate of Participation will be given to attendees who attended at least 80% of the forum sessions and completed the post-forum
evaluation.

📌 To attend via Zoom, register through this link: https://forms.gle/TTbAShjV6QZV5Tzz9

See you!