Library Session on Use of ScienceDirect

UA&P students, faculty, and academic non-teaching staff are invited to the UA&P Library Awareness Program (LAP) session on October 30 (Thursday) from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Multimedia Hub, University Library.

The session, entitled "Expanding Research Access Through ScienceDirect: Exploring Perpetual E-Books and Open Access Resources," aims to help participants unlock the full potential of ScienceDirect’s perpetual e-book collections and open-access materials and gain practical tips on integrating, citing, and sharing open and perpetually available content. 

Register here: https://bit.ly/UAP-LAP.

Health Advisory on Influenza

As we navigate flu season, we want to encourage everyone to take extra care of your health and support one another in staying well. 

We would like to remind everyone about health tips and guidelines to follow in order to stay safe and healthy. We are also sharing information on what you can do in case you get sick and need medical attention:

Health & Safety Reminders

• Wash your hands often.
  Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching shared surfaces.

• Cover your mouth and nose.
  Use a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing — not your hands. Wearing a well-fitted mask in close or crowded areas helps reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  Keep a healthy distance when possible to reduce transmission.

• Stay home if you’re feeling unwell.
  If you experience fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, or other flu-like symptoms:

1. Inform your immediate supervisor right away.

2. File for sick leave via the HRIS so the process is officially documented. (Full-time employees may avail of 15 days of sick leave each year. They may also opt to use accumulated leaves and other paid leave credits)

3. Rest and recover fully before returning to work.
   During this time, full-time employees may also use HMO benefits to cover medical consultations, necessary lab tests, and other medical services. To get an Avega electronic referral (for a doctor’s consultation or test) and/or to get details on the Avega coverage, please click here.
   
   If hospitalization or outpatient care becomes necessary, PhilHealth benefits may help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Apart from the in-patient Philhealth benefits, members and their dependents may now avail of outpatient and diagnostic coverage for tests such as chest X-rays or blood work, which Philhealth covers under certain accredited facilities.

For employees without HMO coverage, PhilHealth covers hospital confinement for influenza and its complications (e.g., pneumonia, bronchitis, or other respiratory infections) under the case rate for Acute Upper Respiratory Infection or Pneumonia, with benefit amounts depending on the diagnosis and confinement level. Please make sure your PhilHealth records are updated and have your PhilHealth ID ready if you need to use your benefits.

• Get vaccinated.
  Receiving a flu shot (or other recommended vaccines) remains one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others. HRM will be announcing details of the 2025 Flu Vaccination Program for employees shortly.

• Consult doctors and get free medicines at the First-Aid Stations

If you’re on campus and feel sick, immediately consult the physicians and get needed medicines at the First-Aid Stations with the following clinic hours:

USC First Aid Station

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday)

PSB First Aid Station

6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Saturday)

Doctors’ Schedule (USC First Aid Station)

Female Doctor: Monday, Wednesday, Friday (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
Male Doctor: Tuesday, Thursday (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

Taking simple precautions keeps our school community healthy and strong. 

Talk on shaping public opinion with Catholic Voices founder Jack Valero

The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) will host a talk titled “Your Voice Matters: How Parents and Teachers Can Form Filipino Hearts & Public Opinion for Integrity and Consistent Christian Life in A Time of Corruption” on October 26 (Sunday) at the Li Seng Giap Auditorium, with a second session to follow at PAREF Southridge School in Muntinlupa City at 2:30 pm. The event will feature Mr. Jack Valero, founder of Catholic Voices, an international initiative that trains laypeople to engage in public discourse and media with clarity and charity.

The talk seeks to reflect on the Christian responsibility to participate meaningfully in shaping public opinion—rooted in truth, faith, and service to the common good.

The in-person sessions will be held at the following venues:

10:30 am at UA&P (Li Seng Giap Auditorium)
2:30 pm at PAREF Southridge School Auditorium

Admission is free, but limited slots are available. Interested participants are encouraged to register early at https://bit.ly/JackValero.

For those unable to attend in person, the event will also be live streamed via the Opus Dei Philippines Facebook page and official website:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/opusdeiphl/
Website: https://opusdei.org/en-ph/

Mr. Valero’s visit offers a timely opportunity for students, educators, and members of the wider community to explore how faith-informed perspectives can contribute to constructive dialogue in both digital and traditional media spaces.

Announcement from the CAS Operations Committee 

The College of Arts and Sciences Operations Committee is pleased to announce the appointments for Department Chairs and Program Directors for the First Semester, SY 2025-2026 (August to December 2025):

Departments

Arts
Ms. Andrea Carmeli O. Abulencia, Department Chair (DC)

Asia Pacific Studies
Dr. Philip Michael I. Paje, DC

English
Dr. Judy S. Tanael, DC

Filipino
Dr. Moreal N. Camba, DC

History
Dr. Mary Josefti C. Nito, DC

Literature
Mr. Robin Jason A. Sebolino, Officer-in-Charge (OIC)

Philosophy
Dr. Guillermo A. Dionisio, DC

Religion
Fr. Peter Edward M. Cabreros, DC

Programs

Humanities Program
Dr. Joachim Emilio B. Antonio, Program Director (PD)
Dr. Pia Patricia K. Garcia, Deputy PD

Junior College Program
Mrs. Elerosa B. Caparas, Incoming PD

We thank the outgoing Department Chairs Dr. Dean Edward A. Mejos (Philosophy) and Mrs. Meryl Kei C. Hernandez (Literature), and Mrs. Aurea F. Cruz, outgoing Junior College Program Director, for their dedicated service these past years.

We congratulate and welcome Dr. Guillermo R. Dionisio as the new DC for the Philosophy Department, Mr. Robin Jason A. Sebolino as the OIC for the Literature Department, and Mrs. Elerosa B. Caparas as the new Junior College PD. 

We encourage everyone to give their full support to all the appointees.

CRC to launch Forum on Local Governance, tackle Mandanas-Garcia ruling implementation

The Center for Research and Communication (CRC) is hosting the inaugural Forum on Local Governance and Development tomorrow, October 22, from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).

Bringing together around 200 participants from national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), the academe, civil society, and the private sector, the forum serves as a collaborative space for dialogue on the dynamic landscape of decentralization and local governance in the Philippines.

The central focus of this year’s forum is the continuing implementation of the landmark 2018 Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court ruling, which significantly increased the share of national tax revenues allocated to LGUs. Experts and practitioners will examine the policy’s impact on local development, especially in terms of how LGUs are adapting to their expanded mandates and resources.

Among the high-level attendees are senior government officials, including a Cabinet Secretary, several Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, and nine city and municipal mayors, who will contribute their insights and experiences to the discussion.

The event also marks the official launch of the Institute for Local Development, a new initiative of CRC. The institute aims to continue CRC’s tradition of evidence-based, action-oriented research and advocacy, with a specific focus on empowering local governments as drivers of inclusive and sustainable progress.

True to CRC’s mission of promoting the common good through research and dialogue, the Forum on Local Governance and Development is envisioned to be a regular platform for critical reflection, knowledge exchange, and the co-creation of solutions to the complex challenges faced by local communities across the country.