his paper is a self-reflection on the state of openness of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU). An exploratory and descriptive study, it aims not only to define the elements of openness of UPOU, but also to unravel the causes and solutions to the issues and concerns that limit its options to becoming a truly open university. It is based on four parameters of openness, which are widely universal in the literature, e.g., open admissions, open curricula, distance education at scale, and the co-creation, sharing and use of open educational resources (OER). It draws from the perception survey among peers, which the author conducted in UPOU in July and August 2012. It also relies on relevant secondary materials on the subject.
What if you could revisit and download the questions you took during the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test)? I received information that this will soon be a possibility. It’s not yet official though.
For some people, including yours truly, this is the same set of questions that made and unmade dreams. Not all UPCAT takers make it. Only a small fraction pass the test.
Some of the passers see it as a blessing. Some see it as fuel, firing their desire to keep working harder. Some see it as an entitlement — instant membership to an elite group.
Whatever its worth, the UPCAT is the entryway to the University of the Philippines, a scholastic community with a unique and celebrated tradition spanning more than a century. But take heed — none of its legacy would have been possible if not for the hard work of Filipino taxpayers.
The UP Administration will provide more details about their new plans for the UPCAT during the last few days of July. By that time, UP President Alfredo Pascual would be back after an official trip to the United States of America.
Expect a press conference.
Expect also that UP officials will face a lot of questions, some of them more difficult to answer than those found in the UPCAT. Purple Haze
While UP President Pascual was away, the university was shrouded in a veil of mystery involving an unreported hazing incident.
For more than a week, the newscast State of the Nation with Jessica Soho assigned me to work on a lead about a student of UP Diliman who almost died after sustaining serious injuries from initiation rites.
Details were elusive, but one thing we knew was that the victim was a minor. In deference to our sources, we could not reveal the name of the victim, the fraternity involved, and even the hospital where he was confined for a week to recover from near-fatal injuries. We needed to get direct confirmation from the parties involved, but no one would talk.
For a while, it began to look like an urban legend.
There were reports that the hazing incident in UP Diliman happened before Guillo Cesar Servando, a freshman student of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, died from injuries sustained in fraternity hazing rites. Affidavits from witnesses tagged members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity as those behind the incident.
A family member of the UP Diliman student told one of our sources that the untimely demise of Servando could have been avoided if news about this earlier hazing incident found its way into mainstream media.
But why did it remain unreported?
For one, it was difficult to do the story because there was no official police report. It is supposed to be the protocol for hospitals to report any suspicious injuries or casualties to government authorities, but the Quezon City Police Department received nothing.
The family of the victim did not want to talk too. They wanted privacy; they may also have been afraid.
One of my sources asked me: was there a cover-up?
On July 4, 2014, we finally received confirmation that the hazing incident was not the product of our imagination. The family had decided to cooperate with the authorities.
UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan released an official statement confirming the involvement of Upsilon Sigma Phi – the same fraternity that counts President Ferdinand Marcos and Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. among its members.
“The family of the victim has authorized me to divulge the name of the fraternity and to say they will be taking formal legal action next week. They reiterate a request for privacy.”
- UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan
In my news report, Popoy de Vera, a top-ranking UP official, made assurances that an investigation would take place. He acknowledged that UP President Pascual is a member the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity, but De Vera said this will not affect the outcome of the case.
The next day, the University Student Council enforced preventive suspension on three of their members who also happened to be Upsilonians. In an interview, USC Chair Arjay Mercado explained that this move was not meant as a penalty, but only a means to ensure the impartiality of their institution. If the family decides not to push through with their legal action, the USC can file a criminal case as a representative of the students.
Despite three days of follow-up reports, the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity did not release any statement. To this day, they have remained silent.
On July 8, 2014, UP President Alfredo Pascual broke his own silence with an online statement:
“Incidents of violence, done even for the noblest of reasons, have no place in UP. I hope this will be the last time that we shall hear of acts of violence that endanger the lives of our students and produce a climate of fear among the members of the university community and their families.”
- UP President Alfredo Pascual
I don’t know how it feels like to belong in a fraternity. I’m not in a position to criticize or judge organizations with Greek letter names.
I can speak for myself though. When I was an undergraduate student of BA Broadcast Communication, my fratman professor invited me for dinner. It was a subtle recruitment pitch.
I seriously considered joining a fraternity. The mere invitation somehow made me feel important. Ultimately, I declined the dinner invitation.
Later, I learned that one of my blockmates had joined another fraternity. After his hazing, his legs were so violet it would have made Barney insecure.
Hazing would have happened to me too if I joined. Who are we kidding here? Some may scorn me for being afraid of pain, but I couldn’t understand why I would have to let strangers harm me. For what?
If I had to endure all that pain to protect my son perhaps, I would do it willingly. But as it is, pain is the premium membership fee I would have had to pay to join an exclusive club.
No.
The problem with UP is that its prestigious fraternities, sororities, and organizations could start a trend by completely removing hazing out of the equation — but it’s not happening yet.
I’m hoping it does, sooner than later. Change can only come from within.
Bracket A
Because of the hazing story, I recently spent quite of a bit of time at Quezon Hall and Vinzons Hall — two buildings on opposite ends of the UP Academic Oval. One is for the administration, the other for the student organizations.
When I was a student I never ventured in these parts, nor did I participate actively in school issues.
I did attend a rally once, but it was my first and last.
In 2003, my freshman year, our sociology professor encouraged me to participate in a student protest in front of the Senate. It was against another budget cut for UP. I believed in the cause so I marched with them. One of the street leaders then was Atom Araullo.
It didn’t end well. The police dispersed us quite violently.
Back in 2003, my tuition was 300 pesos per unit. That’s about 6,000 pesos every semester, more or less. Still, the activists demanded more state subsidy and support for students.
Fast forward to 2014. The tuition is now 1,000 or 1,500 pesos per unit. Every semester, this amounts to at least 20,000 pesos or higher. If some students would stage a similar protest rally today and the administration gave them our old 2003 rate, I bet some of the new students will feel they scored a major victory.
But it’s not enough. I would always hear my activist friends say this: “Education is a right, not a privilege.”
I just discovered that the STFAP (Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program) has been retired. In its place is the new STS or Socialized Tuition System.
This new program aims to improve scholarship applications using digital technology. Before the start of a semester, every student must now fill out two online forms (instead of 14 printed documents during STFAP). The system assesses the answers and assigns the student to an income bracket, depending on his or her financial status.
Bracket E is the lowest category. Students who end up here will not pay any tuition. They will also get a monthly stipend.
Bracket A is for students with above average family income. They will get no tuition discount.
There are varying degrees of tuition discount in the middle brackets. If you don’t answer the online forms, you are automatically put in a bracket, which is likely Bracket A.
A student can appeal the assigned bracket. But in social media, many UP students expressed frustration about their bracket results. On June 30, 2014, #Bracket A Ka Na trended globally on Twitter.
On the surface, the hashtag may just be a collection of jokes and sarcastic quips. But it was the pulse of many UP students. Most believe the slightest hint of comfort was enough reason to get them into Bracket A.
UP is the premier state university. It is reasonable to expect greater subsidy from the government. Yet, some students feel Bracket A is the norm and Bracket E is the exception. It should be the other way around.
The problem with UP is that it is seemingly making use of its competitiveness in order to exceed the tuition of other private universities.
Calendar Shift
Things have changed in UP since I was a freshman there in 2003. The Beach House has closed its doors.
The academic calendar has changed:
1st Semester: from June-October to August-December
2nd Semester: from November-April to January-May
Summer classes: from May-June to June-July
Some things have yet to change though: the culture of hazing and greater state subsidy are just one of many pressure points in the university.
There may be problems in UP, but I believe we shall not run out of reasons to be proud of the university. There will always be students and graduates who are committed to serving the people.
I feel it’s really none of my business to write about UP. I lost touch with the university after I graduated in 2007.
But the problem with UP is that I left a part of me there. I cannot stop caring.
Eduardo Manalo executive minister of Iglesia Ni Cristo
Dong Abay Former Yano band member, musician
Nilo Alcala composer, arranger, vocalist
broadcast journalist (ABSCBN), philanthropist, Rikki Mathay Senate Spokesperson, "Magna Cum Laude"
Fernando Amorsolo visual artist and National Artist
Architect, Urban Planner Bonifacio Global Cristina A Ang City development control manager Hero Angeles actor, host, film director, artist
Angel Aquino film and television actress
Atom Araullo TV news broadcaster, TV host
Kim Atienza broadcaster, TV host, weatherman (ABS-CBN)
broadcast journalist, radio commentator, anchor, Julius Babao host (ABS-CBN)
singer, actor, host and model, landscape Christian Bautista architecture graduate
Ramon Bautista TV personality, internet celebrity, radio dj
broadcast journalist and TV personality, Cum Christine Bersola-Babao laude
mixed media artist, founding member of the Santiago Bose Baguio Arts Guild
Lino Brocka film director and National Artist
Zean Cabangis painter
visual artist and National Artist; founding member Benedicto Cabrera ("Bencab") of the Baguio Arts Guild conductor, composer, arranger, pianist, resident Ryan Cayabyab judge ofPhilippine Idol
Gilbert Luis Centina III poet and member of the Augustinian Order
Cristeta Comerford first female White House executive chef
Renato Constantino historian and social critic
Wency Cornejo singer/songwriter, TV host
Prudenciana Cruz director of the National Library of the Philippines
Luchi Cruz-Valdez broadcast journalist (TV5)
Former Sugarfree (Filipino band) front man, Ebe Dancel musician
Kara David journalist, Cum laude
professor, sociologist, columnist, former TV public Randy David affairs show host
Karen Davila broadcast journalist, anchor and, host (ABS-CBN)
composer, librettist, musical scorer and musical Vincent de Jesus director Martin del Rosario actor and model
life coach, American-trained psychologist, psychiatrist, Europe-trained psychotherapist, Pinoy Randy Dellosa Big Brother/Pinoy Dream Academy/Kapamilya Deal or No Deal resident psychiatrist
Nick Deocampo film director
TJ Dimacali Science fiction author and science journalist
Pepe Diokno director, producer and screen writer [1]
Eugene Domingo TV, indie film, movie actress/comedienne
Eraserheads members Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Marcus Adoro and Buddy Zabala
Gretchen Espina Pinoy Idol Season 1 winner
Gretchen Fullido model and anchor
Pia Guanio TV host and actress
theater director, vocal teacher and choirmaster, Terence Guillermo singer
Agot Isidro singer, TV host and actress Kamikazee members Jay Contreras, Jomal Linao, Led Tuyay, Jayson Astete, and Allan Burdeos
Joel Lamangan TV and film director
Cholo Laurel film director
Maricel Laxa TV actress and host
Cheche Lazaro broadcast journalist
Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2007; BA Broadcast Anna Theresa Licaros Communication,summa cum laude; lawyer
Levi Lusterio Web Designer/Developer
Ivan Mayrina Newscaster and Reporter (GMA-7)
Mark Meily film and TV director
Maningning Miclat visual artist and poet
Chito Miranda lead vocalist of Parokya ni Edgar [2]
TV host, newspaper columnist, Professor of Solita Monsod Economics, former Economic Planning secretary; BS Economics, cum laude Jose "Pitoy" Moreno fashion designer and "Asia's fashion czar"
Angelo Muyot news journalist, anchor and host (TV5)
Sitti Navarro bossa nova artist, TV host
Lloyd Navera documentary producer and voice talent (GMA)
Grace Nono musician
Oscar Oida Reporter (GMA-7)
Ces Oreña-Drilon broadcast journalist and anchor (ABS-CBN)
TV and film actress, AB Philosophy minor in Paula Peralejo Tourism, magna cum laude
Maki Pulido broadcast journalist and host (GMA-7)
Radioactive Sago Project members Rastem Eugenio, Francis De Veyra, EJ Delgado, Arwin Nava, Jay Gapasin, Goo Simpliciano and Pards Tupas
former child actor, member of the 80's TV show Eh Ryan "Atong" Redillas Kasi Bata! current professor in UP Manila, graduate of Art Studies in UP Diliman, cum laude
Frances Rivera U.S.-based Emmy award-winning TV journalist Eddie Romero film director and National Artist
Ninotchka Rosca novelist
Lucio San Pedro musician, professor of music and National Artist
Giselle Sanchez TV Personality, Magna Cum Laude
Pura Santillan-Castrence writer, essayist and diplomat
Bernadette Sembrano broadcast journalist, anchor and host (ABS-CBN)
Professor of Literature and Social Sciences, poet, Jose Maria Sison founder of theCommunist Party of the Philippines
Jessica Soho broadcast journalist and host (GMA-7)
Auraeus Solito film director
Miss Universe 2011 3rd Runner-Up; BS Shamcey Supsup Architecture, magna cum laude
multi-awarded rural broadcaster, radio anchor Louie Tabing (DZMM)
Jal Taguibao Former Sugarfree (Filipino band) bassist, musician, University of the Philippines Diliman professor
Kidlat Tahimik (formerly Eric de Guia) film director
broadcast journalist, anchor and host (GMA-7), Mel Tiangco GMA Kapuso Foundation chair
Amelyn Veloso Newscaster and TV host (Solar News)
Jessica Zafra writer, columnist (Philippine Star)
composer and resident arranger of the Philippine Arnold Zamora Madrigal Singers
Business, economics and finance[edit]
Name Importance
Dante Canlas National Economic and Development Authority director-general (2001–2002)
Felipe L. Chairman and CEO of GMA Network, Inc. Gozon
Rowena V. Commissioner, Commission on Audit Guanzon
Felipe Medalla National Economic and Development Authority director-general (1998–2001) economist, professor, TV anchor, and National Economic and Development Solita Monsod Authority director-general (1986–1989)
Loida Nicolas- Chairman and CEO of TLC Beatrice International Holdings, Inc. Lewis
Ma. Gracia Chairperson, Commission on Audit Pulido-Tan
Senator and National Economic and Development Authority director-general Ralph Recto (2008–2009)
economist, professor and National Economic and Development Authority director- Gerardo Sicat general (1973–1981)
Owner - Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc., Senator, Senate president (2006–2008) Manuel Villar and Speaker of the House of Representatives (1998–2000)
Prime Minister of the Philippines (1981–1986) and National Economic and Cesar Virata Development Authoritydirector-general (1981–1986)
Engineering, sciences, medicine and the allied medical professions[edit]
Name Importance
Biologist, Entomologist, and Geneticist whose extensive work on Philippine Adelina Barrion Spiders led her to be dubbed "Asia's Spider Woman"
Paulo Campos physician dubbed as Father of Nuclear Medicine in the Philippines, National Name Importance
Scientist
Griselda Justiniana Geologist, "First Filipina Geologist" Garcia-Bausa
Edwin Copeland founder and first dean, U.P. Agricultural College (now U.P. Los Baños)
cardiologist, co-founder of the Philippine Heart Association, "Father of virgin Conrado Dayrit coconut oil"
pediatrician, first woman admitted to Harvard Medical School, National Fe del Mundo Scientist, founder of the 1st pediatric hospital in the Philippines
Juan Flavier medical doctor, former Secretary of Health and Philippine senator
Mikaela Fudolig former child prodigy, current U.P. professor
former Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary and now head of Delfin Ganapin, Jr. the UNDP Small Grants Program-Environment in New York
civil engineer, Dean of the UP College of Engineering, former Minister of Alfredo Juinio Public Works and Highways and Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration
Roman Kintanar meteorologist
Alejandro Melchor civil engineer, mathematician, and former Secretary of National Defense Name Importance
Baldomero Olivera 2007 Harvard Foundation Scientist of the Year, biochemist
geologist, professor, consultant on volcanology, geology, seismology and Raymundo disaster preparedness, former director of PHIVOLCS, recipient of Unit Award Punongbayan for Excellence of Service
Jose R. Velasco agricultural physiologist and chemist, National Scientist
Alfredo Mahar geologist, professor, Executive Director of Project Noah [3][4] Lagmay
Food Science professor, University Scientist, recipient of 2013 TOYM and Alonzo Gabriel Outstanding Young Scientist (NAST) awards
Politics, law and governance[edit]
Delia Albert - Secretary of Foreign Affairs (2003–2004)
Erlinda Fadera-Basilio - Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. Undersecretary for Policy - Department of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to China.
Leandro Alejandro - student council leader, activist
Edgardo J. Angara - Senator, Senate president (1993–1995), and University of the Philippines president (1981–1987)
Juan Edgardo Angara - House of Representatives member Bellaflor Angara-Castillo - Governor of Aurora, House of Representatives member (1995– 2004), and Majority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives (2000–2001)
Benigno Aquino, Jr. - Senator (1967–1972), columnist, and martyr
Glenn C. Aquino - Lawyer
Joker Arroyo - Senator and House of Representatives member (1992–2001)
Ma. Alicia Austria-Martinez - Supreme Court associate justice (2002–2009)
Lauro Baja - Ambassador to the United Nations (2003–2007)
Robert Barbers - Senator (1998–2004)
Herbert Bautista - Mayor of Quezon City, movie and TV actor
Antonio Carpio - Supreme Court associate justice
Alan Peter Cayetano - Senator and House of Representatives member (1998–2007)
Pia Cayetano - Senator
Rene Cayetano - Senator (1998–2003)
Edgardo Chatto - Governor of Bohol, House of Representatives member (2001–2010) and, lawyer
Minita Chico-Nazario - Supreme Court associate justice (2004–2009)
Nikki Coseteng - Senator (1992–2001) and House of Representatives member (1987–1992)
Simeon Datumanong - House of Representatives member and Cabinet secretary
Hilario Davide, Jr. - Supreme Court chief justice (1998–2005)
Teresita de Castro - Supreme Court associate justice
Arthur Defensor, Sr. - Governor of Iloilo and House of Representatives member (2001–2010) Michael Defensor - Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (2004–2006), House of Representatives member (1995–2001), and Presidential Chief of Staff (2006–2007)
Miriam Defensor Santiago - Senator
Franklin Drilon - Senator
Emilio Ramon Ejercito - actor, Mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna (2001–2010), and Governor of Laguna
Juan Ponce Enrile - Senator and Senate president
Francis Escudero - Senator and House of Representatives member (1998–2007)
Marcelo Fernan - Supreme Court chief justice (1988–1991), Philippine senator (1995–1999) and Senate president(1998–1999)
Arnulfo Fuentebella - House of Representatives member and Speaker of the House of Representatives (2000–2001)
Cancio Garcia - Supreme Court associate justice (2004–2007)
Gwendolyn Garcia - Governor of Cebu
Pablo John Garcia - House of Representatives member
Richard Gordon - Senator (2004–2010), Secretary of Tourism (2001–2004), Founding Chair of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and Mayor of Olongapo City (1980–1986)
Carolina Griño-Aquino - Supreme Court associate justice (1988–1993)
Roseller Guiao - Vice Governor of Pampanga and head coach of the Red Bull Barako team in the PBA
Magtanggol Gunigundo - House of Representatives member
Constantino Jaraula - House of Representatives member (1998–2007)
Francis Jardeleza - Solicitor General
Edcel C. Lagman - House of Representatives member Salvador H. Laurel - Vice President of the Philippines (1986–1992)
Katrina Legarda - lawyer
Loren Legarda - Senator and broadcast journalist
Marvic Leonen - Supreme Court associate justice
Cardozo M. Luna - Philippine Ambassador to Netherlands (2009–2010) and AFP Vice Chief of Staff
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo - President of the Philippines (2001–2010) and House of Representatives member
Catalino Macaraig, Jr. - Executive Secretary (1987–1990)
Imee Marcos - Governor of Ilocos Norte and House of Representatives member (1984–1986; 1998–2007)
Liza Maza - House of Representatives member (2001–2010)
Nur Misuari - former leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
Conchita Morales - Ombudsman and Supreme Court associate justice (2002–2011)
Oscar Orbos - lawyer, Executive Secretary (1990–1991), Governor of Pangasinan (1995– 1998), and TV host
Rey Pagtakhan - Canadian cabinet minister and Canadian Parliament member (1988–2004)
Francis Pangilinan - Senator
Jose P. Perez - Supreme Court associate justice
Aquilino Pimentel III - Senator
Reynato Puno - Supreme Court chief justice (2006–2010)
Romero Quimbo - House of Representatives member
Leonardo Quisumbing - Supreme Court associate justice (1998–2009) Gilbert Remulla - House of Representatives member (2001–2007) and broadcast journalist
Juanito Victor Remulla - Governor of Cavite
Jesse Robredo - Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (2010–2012) and Mayor of Naga City (2001–2010)
Rufus Rodriguez - House of Representatives member and lawyer
Flerida Ruth Romero - Supreme Court associate justice (1991–1999)
Gerardo Roxas - Senator (1963–1972)
Rafael Salas - first head of the United Nations Population Fund
Antonio M. Santos - Director of the National Library of the Philippines and lawyer
Abraham Sarmiento - Supreme Court associate justice (1987–1991)
Abraham Sarmiento, Jr. - martial law activist, editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian
Ma. Lourdes Sereno - Supreme Court chief justice
Jose Maria Sison - Communist Party of the Philippines founder
Victor Sumulong - House of Representatives member (1998–2007)
Mamintal Tamano - Senator (1969–1972; 1987–1992)
Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. - Secretary of National Defense (2007–2009) and House of Representatives member (1998–2007)
Ruben D. Torres - Secretary of Labor and Employment (1990–1992) and Executive Secretary (1995–1998)
Antonio Trillanes IV - Senator and Oakwood mutiny and Manila Peninsula mutiny leader
Niel Tupas, Jr. - House of Representatives member
Niel Tupas, Sr. - Governor of Iloilo (2001–2010) and House of Representatives member (1978–1984; 1987–1998) Presbitero Velasco, Jr. - Supreme Court associate justice
Luis Villafuerte - House of Representatives member
Manuel Villar - Senator, Senate president (2006–2008), and Speaker of the House of Representatives (1998–2000)
Liwayway Vinzons-Chato - House of Representatives member (2007–2010)
Perfecto Yasay - Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission (1995–2000)
Consuelo Ynares-Santiago - Supreme Court associate justice (1999–2009)
Haydee Yorac - Chairwoman of the Commission on Elections (1989–1991) and the Presidential Commission on Good Government (2001–2005) Social sciences[edit]
Name Importance
Encarnacion first woman historian in the Philippines, National Scientist Alzona
Lia Andrea Binibining Pilipinas–Miss Universe 2006 Aquino Ramos
life coach, American-trained psychologist, psychiatrist, Europe-trained Randy Dellosa psychotherapist, Pinoy Big Brother/Pinoy Dream Academy/Kapamilya Deal or No Deal resident psychiatrist
Virgilio Enriquez Father of Filipino Psychology, founder of 'Sikolohiyang Pilipino'
Gregorio F. Zaide historian
Sports[edit] Eric Altamirano - basketball coach, former member of the UP Fighting Maroons basketball team
Jun Bernardino - former member of the U.P. Fighting Maroons basketball team, and commissioner of the NCAA andPBA
Marvin Cruz - former UP Fighting Maroons basketball player, player of the Burger King Whoppers in the PBA
Ryan Gregorio - former UP Fighting Maroons basketball player, current head coach of the Meralco Bolts basketball team in the PBA
Yeng Guiao - current head coach of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters team in the PBA, Pampanga vice governor
Jireh Ibañes - former UP Fighting Maroons, player of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA
Joe Lipa - former UP Fighting Maroons basketball team player and commissioner of the UAAP, former UP Fighting Maroons basketball team coach, commissioner of the NCAA
Ronnie Magsanoc - former UP Fighting Maroons basketball player, current assistant coach of the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants team in the PBA
Paolo Mendoza - former UP Fighting Maroons basketball player, current player of the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the PBA
Benjie Paras - TV actor, comedian and host, former member of the U.P. Fighting Maroons basketball team and the PBA
Bo Perasol - former UP Fighting Maroons basketball player, former head coach of the Air21 Express basketball team, current assistant coach of the Coca-Cola Tigers in the PBA
Bruce Quebral - former UP Fighting Maroons basketball player, Pinoy Big Brother Season Two housemate, TV actor
Notable University and College Student Council leaders[edit] UP Diliman[edit]
Lean Alejandro -USC Chairperson Atom Araullo -USC Councilor, ABS CBN Reporter
Jejomar Binay -USC Councilor
Alan Peter Cayetano -USC Councilor
Randy David -USC Vice Chairperson
Michael Defensor -USC Vice Chairperson
Miriam Defensor Santiago -USC Vice Chairperson, Philippine Collegian Editor-in Chief
Franklin Drilon -USC Councilor
Marcelo Fernan -USC Chairperson
Richard Gordon -USC Councilor
Eric de Guia (a.k.a. Kidlat Tahimik ) -Student Union Chairperson
Raymond Palatino -USC Chairperson, National Union of Students of the Philippines National President, Former Representative of Kabataan Partylist in the Congress
Francis Pangilinan -USC Chairperson
Alfredo Pascual -USC Councilor
Leonardo Quisumbing -USC Chairperson
Rafael Salas - USC Chairperson
Wenceslao Vinzons -USC Chairperson
Shahana E. Abdulwahid- USC Chairperson
Rommel Romato- USC Chairperson
Sitti Meryam Agatha Reyes - USC Councilor
Notable past and present faculty[edit] Vicente Abad Santos - former Supreme Court justice
Nicanor Abelardo - renowned Filipino musician, composer of "U.P. Naming Mahal" ("U.P. Beloved"), the University of the Philippines Hymn
José Abueva - former University of the Philippines president
Napoleon Abueva - sculptor and National Artist
Virgilio S. Almario - National Artist, former director of the U.P. Institute of Creative Writing, and current UP College of Arts and Letters dean
Walden Bello - sociologist
Henry Otley Beyer - co-founder, UP Department of Anthropology
Emilia Boncodin - former Budget and Management secretary, Hyatt 10 member
Clarita Carlos - political analyst, president of Center for Asia Pacific Studies, Inc., pioneer of political psychology in the country
Ryan Cayabyab - musician, artistic director of the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts
Irene Cortes - lawyer and former Supreme Court of the Philippines justice
Adrian Cristobal - writer, columnist
Isagani R. Cruz - literary critic and playwright
Randy David - professor of sociology, newspaper columnist, former TV public affairs host
Malou de Guzman - film and TV actress, senior lecturer at the UP Film Institute
Raul de Guzman - Dean NCPAG, Chancellor UPLB
Juan R. Francisco - indologist and professor
N. V. M. Gonzalez - fictionist and National Artist
Margarita Holmes - renowned psychologist and sex expert, TV personality Jun Lana - playwright, screenwriter and director
Cheche Lazaro - broadcast journalist, founding president of Probe Productions, Inc.
Salvador P. Lopez - writer, journalist, diplomat, former University of the Philippines president
Alexander Magno - political scientist, TV host, newspaper columnist
Rogemar Mamon - mathematician, quant, British and Canadian academic
Paz Márquez-Benítez - fictionist
Roger Lee Mendoza - economist and professor
Solita Monsod - professor of economics, former Economic Planning secretary, newspaper columnist, broadcast journalist
Ambeth R. Ocampo - historian, writer, Chairman National Historical Institute, TOYM History, decorated by Spain and France
Cristina Padolina - professor of chemistry, current President of Centro Escolar University
Raymundo Punongbayan - geologist, former Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) director
Henry J. Ramos - first Filipino plasma physicist, inventor
Maria Ressa - current ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs head
Nicanor Reyes, Sr. - economist, one of the founders of Far Eastern University
Temario Rivera - political scientist
Carlos P. Romulo - Pulitzer Prize winner, president of the United Nations General Assembly 1949-1950, former chairman of the United Nations Security Council and University of the Philippines president
Caesar Saloma - applied physicist, Dean of College of Science, recipient of 2004 International Commission for Optics-Galileo Award, 2008 ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award E. San Juan, Jr. - poet and cultural critic
Bienvenido Santos - poet and fictionist
Rogelio R. Sikat - writer
Cesar Virata - former Philippines prime minister and Finance secretary, former dean and professor at the UP College of Business Administration
Haydee Yorac - professor of law, former Philippine Commission of Elections and chairperson of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) commissioner
The Metrobank Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT)[edit]
U.P. continues to dominate Metrobank Foundation's Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) with over a score of winners, including: Milagros D. Ibe (1987), Priscelina Patajo-Legasto (1998) and Caesar Saloma (2007).
Faculty members who are writers[edit]
Gémino Abad
Reuel Aguila
Alwyn Aguirre
Virgilio Almario
Mila Aguilar
Merlie Alunan
Mykel Andrada
Carlos Ojeda Aureus
Romulo Baquiran, Jr.
Joi Barrios
José Wendell Capili Lourdes Castrillo Brillantes
Conchitina Cruz
Rosario Cruz-Lucero
Jun Cruz Reyes
Jose Dalisay, Jr.
Leoncio Deriada
U Eliserio
Eugene Evasco
Celeste Flores-Coscolluela
Emil Flores
Edel Garcellano
Felino Garcia
J. Neil Garcia
Teresita Gimenez-Maceda
Luis Katigbak
Thelma Kintanar
Angelo Lacuesta
Domingo Landicho
Edna May Landicho
Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio
Marra Pl. Lanot Bienvenido Lumbera
Francis Macansantos
Paolo Manalo
Sylvia Mendez-Ventura
Timothy Montes
Vim Nadera
Jimmuel Naval
Ambeth R. Ocampo
Charlson Ong
Elmer Ordoñez
Carla Pacis
Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo
Priscelina Patajo-Legasto
Carlos Piocos
Nonilon Queano
Isabelita Reyes
Luna Sicat-Cleto
Victor Sugbo
Priscilla Supnet-Macansantos
Ligaya Tiamson-Rubin
Nicanor Tiongson Roland Tolentino
Ricardo de Ungria
Rosario Torres-Yu
Rene Villanueva
National Artists[edit]
Of the 66 National Artists of the Philippines thus far honored, majority are U.P. alumni, inclusive of three former students but did not earn their degree at the University. The honored league of National Artists from U.P. are:
Architecture
Juan Nakpil
Ildefonso Santos
Dance
Francisca Reyes-Aquino
Film
Eddie Romero
Literature
José García Villa
Carlos P. Romulo
Virgilio S. Almario Edith Tiempo
Amado V. Hernandez
N.V.M. Gonzalez
F. Sionil José
Bienvenido Lumbera
Music