The UA&P School of Politics and Governance (SPG) is pleased to announce that admissions for the academic year 2026-2027 for its new program, Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance and Leadership, are now open.

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance and Leadership Program at UA&P aims to form leaders whose ethics surpass competence, experience, character, and patriotism; leaders who will shape institutions and policies for long-term reform.

SPG seeks young Filipinos who are determined to take on this challenge to lead and become trailblazers grounded in ethical governance and committed to building a better society.

Visit uap.asia/admissions for the admissions process.

To help you plan ahead, please see the schedules for the remaining days of December:

December 17–23, 2025

• • Work operations will shift online, and the campus will be closed
  • Masses and confessions continue at the Sancta Maria Stella Orientis Oratory until December 24

December 24, 2025

• • Christmas Eve Mass at 9:00 pm at the Sancta Maria Stella Orientis Oratory

December 24, 2025 – January 4, 2026

• • Christmas break
  • Closure of the campus and the Sancta Maria Stella Orientis Oratory

January 5, 2026

• • Resumption of onsite operations including Chaplaincy services at the Sancta Maria Stella Orientis Oratory

Enjoy the holiday break and have a meaningful Christmas with your family!

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered at the Sancta Maria Stella Orientis Oratory on February 21, 2026 (Saturday), at 10:00 am.

The Confirmation Rites at UA&P are open to all baptized Catholic students, alumni, and employees of the University, as well as their immediate family members who are at least 15 years old and have received the needed doctrinal preparation.

The complete list of requirements and application form may be viewed here: https://bit.ly/uap-confirmation2026

The deadline for submission of requirements is February 2, 2026 (Monday).

For inquiries, please email [email protected].

Dr. Nick Alviar, Dean of the UA&P School of Politics and Governance (SPG), joined local government officials, representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), led by Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and other good governance advocates for the 2025 Galing Pook Awards held at the Malacañang Palace on December 3, 2025.

The awarding ceremony recognized the Ten Outstanding Barangay Initiatives for the year. The awardees are chosen from a national search of local governance programs, evaluated through a rigorous multilevel screening process based on positive results and impact, promotion of people’s participation and empowerment, innovation and adaptation, resilience, sustainability, and the efficiency of program service delivery and transferability.

In his speech, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the critical role of barangays, the frontline government units directly in touch with the people.

Galing Pook, of which Dr. Alviar is a member, is the leading resource institution that recognizes, capacitates, and promotes innovation, sustainability, citizen empowerment, and excellence in local governance.

(From left) UA&P SPG Dean Dr. Nick Alviar; Maria Fe Villamejor-Mendoza, former Dean of the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance; Lilian de Leon, DILG Assistant Secretary for International Relations; DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla; Galing Pook Chairman Mel Sarmiento; and Elisea Gozun, former Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Galing Pook Awardees (left) with (center) DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and Galing Pook Chairman Mel Sarmiento.