USPians light Christmas 2013 with courage and love

WE WILL RISE AGAIN, NO TO BLEAK CHRISTMAS

by

DR. BRYANT C. ACAR

Philippines in the last quarter of the year have experienced misfortunes, cataclysms, debacles and tragedies. When Janet Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel fund scam came to the scene, we question trust and confidence over our lawmakers and the government. When the earthquake grounded Bohol and Cebu, thousands of people were devastated. And recently, when the typhoon Yolanda crashed the Visayas region, thousands if not millions of people were displaced and became homeless. 

 

And so, how in the world, are we going to celebrate Christmas amidst all these miseries? The people are angry and hungry.

Some fanatics say that the world will end soon; others are spreading the word that God is punishing us for our fixation on the RH Bill, and our temerity to unwittingly encourage sins. Some false prophets predict that the flood of Noah’s time is coming again; that there shall be allegedly a repeat of Sodom and Gomorrah. But the spirit of the Filipinos will never yield to all these rumors of disasters and calamities. Whatever happens, we shall have our ‘’Christmas tree lighted, simbang gabi and noche buena’’, whether it is the best or the worst of times. To us Filipinos, Christmas is really in our hearts. It’s a message both timeless and universal — no matter what God you pray to, or if you pray to none at all.”

Today we are gathered once again to fulfill our tradition: the lighting of the USPF Christmas Tree. For more than 10 years as practice, our Christmas tree stood as a beacon of light and a promise during the holiday season.  During times of peace and prosperity, challenge and change, we have gathered around our Christmas tree to kick off the holiday season and give thanks for everything that makes this time of the year so magical. The tree is a symbol of hope and inspiration that amidst all trials and tribulations felt individually, by our nation or the whole world, the Christmas tree is a reminder that God is with us and lives amongst us. Omagio (2005) said Christmas means Christ is in the mass which simply means God is with us. This is a good way of saying that you should see God among others. What if God is one of us? Perhaps that will change our dealings with one another.  Countless of heroism were foretold emerging amidst the devastation of Yolanda. You see people everywhere doing their share to help and to send help to the victims. Both local and foreigners have joined hands to offer something. For those who have extended their help, you just made the lives of our brothers and sisters in the Visayas comfortable even for a day and you made them feel that they are not alone in this tragic battle. For those who still plan to help and give, God will bless you a thousand fold. Let this be our mantra, you want to treat people exactly the way you want to be treated.  For the USPF volunteers, for those teachers and students who spared a piece of what they have and walked out of their comfort zones and made humbling sacrifices for the spirit of giving, USPF is so proud of you!

We will always find a way amidst all sorrows, all pains and all poverty. The genuine Christians always have some hopes in their hearts, even in these trying times. We are a brave people, resilient, persevering, with very high levels of tolerance for pains and troubles.  We shall bury our dead, say a little prayer, mourn for our loss, and hope for better days to come. We shall celebrate Christmas anywhere and regardless of circumstances. Our minds are programmed to face disasters with both smiles and tears. We are stout-hearted men and women ready to face Christmas and New Year, come quake or high water. And this year, we give a special measure of gratitude for Sir Jun Jereza, our big man who will be remembered of his high spirit and happy disposition. (Thank you, Ma’am Odette and Sir Jun for the early Christmas gift).   In his life, he blessed us with tremendous grace and unbelievable courage.  And we are all privileged to live in an institution touched by his goodness.

It is my great pride and honor to welcome you in this Christmas lighting ceremony and sincerely I hope that this Christmas will bring you the message, that , in good times and bad times, Christmas will always be the season of hope. Surely we don’t need a lavish Christmas this year. Where all companies and schools renounced their Christmas parties to donate the intended budget for those who need it most, for sure a simple food on the table together with the bond of the family will give a whole new meaning of the merriest Christmas for all of us.

Lastly, don’t let this Christmas come to pass without letting the people you love know how much you care for them, or else the moment will simply pass you by.

SHED LIGHT, GIVE LIGHT, BE THE LIGHT TO SOMEONE THIS CHRISTMAS!

Songwriting with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab @ USPF

The Songwriting with the Maestro Nationwide Tour will be held on December 17, 2013 (Tuesday) from 8:00 am- 12:00 nn at the Theater for the Performing Arts, University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), Lahug campus, Cebu City. 

The workshop is brought to Cebu by the Philpop Musicfest Foundation. Registration for this half-day event is FREE. 

For seat reservations and more information:

•  speak with Kathleen/Matet at  telefax (032) 414.7773, 

•  text information  NAME, ORGANIZATION/SCHOOL, CONTACT INFORMATION to  mobile 0906.313.7375 / 0905.228.4209, 

•  tweet registration at @USPF_OAR, 

•  register by clicking JOIN at one of the following Facebook links:

 USPF Office of Alumni Relations event

University of Southern Philippines Foundation page

USPF's #AgakBisaya

USPF Panthers Volleybelles gather for 1st Grand Reunion

The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) alumni Panthers volleyball varsity players gathered for the first time today, October 19, 2013 at the Eladio Villa Gymnasium for a grand reunion. 

More than thirty (30) alumni Panthers Volleybelles from varied generations are joined by coaches Mr. Jordan Paca and Mr. Cecil Jotojot in a celebration of friendship. 

The Panthers Volleybelles once again set foot on their home court playing their most loved sport. The reunion is organized by the active USPian alumna Marissa Lagancia. 

USPF-OAR launches ARTS advocacy series

ARTS logo is designed by USPian alumnus
Mr. Gino Maderazo, RN, MAN.

Alumni Relations Transform Society, popularly nicknamed ARTS, is an advocacy series officially launched on the 11^th of October 2013 at the Moot Court of USPF Lahug campus.

ARTS is a project under OAR’s Relations & Alumni Interest for Sustainable Engagement (RAISE) Program.  This exciting project is created to stir participation from the University’s pre-alumni, teacher-alumni, and parent-alumni. It also calls home the graduate alumni and promotes the University.

The 1^st ARTS advocacy is a lecture series under the theme “The Art in Smart”.  The ARTS speakers include USPian alumni and administrators Dr. Bryant C. Acar, Dr. Alvin E. Zamora, Ms. Kathleen B. Solon-Villaneza, and Mr. Jonash O. Durano. ARTS features four (4) very timely topics including event organizing, program hosting, presentation, and documentation.

Dr. Acar delivers his lecture on
event organizing.

The first speaker Dr. Bryant C. Acar, USPF Assistant to the President on Curriculum, lectured on “The Art & Science in Event Organizing”. He motivated the audience through participation and authentic examples of the challenges in event organizing. Furthermore, Dr. Acar encouraged interest in demystifying the varied concepts on what an event is, its different types, and the step-by-step coordination why and how it is created.  

Dr. Zamora talks about the
art of emceeing.

The second speaker Dr. Alvin E. Zamora, USPF Director for Instructional Media Center, discussed the “The Art & Essence of Program Hosting”.  He stirred the audience with the art of emceeing in an interactive lecture-discussion. Dr. Zamora further made the audience experience how it is like to emcee.

The third speaker Ms. Kathleen B. Solon-Villaneza, USPF Director for Office of Alumni Relations, talked about “The Art & Awe in PREZIntation”. She briefly introduced the importance of upgrading presentation tools in the classroom and in professional events from the usual Power Point to Prezi. Additionally, Ms. Solon-Villaneza emphasized the benefits of Prezi with its online back up system, friendly PDF and desktop downloadable copies, and easy sharing and online link of prezified presentation to blog.

Mr. Durano speaks of the art of documenting
using the new trends in technology.

The fourth speaker Mr. Jonash O. Durano, USPF Psychometrician & Placement Officer, conveyed the “Art & Sense in Tekky Docs”.  He brought in the significance of going Gmail, and having a Google Drive for documenting research materials, questionnaires, and simple surveys.  Further, Mr. Durano invited the audience to have a Dropbox for massive and accessible mobile-computer storage system, and ignite interest in showing the amazing capabilities of Jump Desktop and Google Mouse Mischief.

Student leaders participate in the Google Mouse Mischief.

The successful 1^st ARTS advocacy series half-day co-curricular event is participated by selected collegian student leaders.

This November 2013, the 2^nd ARTS advocacy series strengthens the love for arts with the theme “USPian Alumni in Performing Arts: Music & Dance.”  It is a lecture-workshop series focused on music and dance.

IMC work assistant Wendel assists the participants
registration.

USPF-OAR believes that USPian artists, scholars, and arts & culture enthusiasts have an undeniably strong influence in transforming the society. When USPians gather to share their passion for beauty, life, and truth, they will magnify inspiration, intensify understanding, and catapult positive effect on a person’s world, a family’s culture, and a society’s psyche. 

USPian alumnus wins 1st place in the 7th Hunio

USPian alumnus MR. NIÑO JAMES BAÑARES, composer of “Sto. Niño Gasa Alang Kanamo” won the 1^st place in the 7^th HUNIÑO SONGWRITING COMPETITION along with lyricist Virgilio Amistad and interpreter Dan Valentin Escasinas III.  

The 7th Huniño competition was held on August 27, 2013 at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Pilgrim Center.

Bañares joined and won in the previous HUNIÑO SONGWRITING competitions: 3^rd place in the 2nd Huniño , 2^nd place in the 4th Huniño, and 3^rd place in the 5^th Huniño. 

Bañares is currently a part time faculty member of the University’s  College of Arts & Sciences Music Department--- his home department--- assisting in curriculum updates and creating co-curricular activities for the Bachelor of Arts in Music program.   He is the trusted Cebu liaison of one of the most respected pillars of the Philippine music industry, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.  The AKAPELA Open Semi-Final Round organized by Maestro Cayabyab is scheduled on October 16, 2013 at the Moot Court, USPF Lahug campus. 

Posted via Blogaway

Posted via Blogaway

USPF is an international school

The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) is an international school!

 As of August 2013, there are thirteen (13) identified foreign nationals officially enrolled at the University with a population of ninety-seven (97). These foreign nationals are Papua New Guinean, Sudanese, Eritrean, Canadian, Kenyan, Somalian, Indonesian, Yemeni, Ethiopian, Zambian, Norwegian, Iranian, and American. They are popularly pursuing programs on Commerce, Pharmacy, Engineering, Social Work, and Political Science, Accountancy, and Information Technology.

With a richly diverse intercultural campus, the University caters to the needs of its students: 1) created the International Students Organization in 2009; 2) formally opened the International Students’ Lounge at the 4^th Floor of the Don Agustin Jereza Building; and this year, 3) formally opened the New USPF Dormitory to accommodate the increasing number of USPian international students.

The University seriously works with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on the mandate of Internationalization.

OAR continues Alumni Tracer Study

Are you an alumnus/alumna of one of these programs: ABPolSci, BSComSci, BSPharma, 

ABEnglish, BSCommerce, Masters/Doctorate? Good news! 

USPF Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) opens more alumni tracer groups! Be counted in the USPian alumni tracer 2013 on 3 Easy Steps:        

        1. click the link for your respective school/college

        2. add yourself as member of the page

        3. provide information on the alumni tracer.

Hurry and invite your classmates to join!

POLITICAL SCIENCE 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/uspianPOLSCIalumnitracer/

COMPUTER SCIENCE & INFO TECH

https://www.facebook.com/groups/uspianCCSalumnitracer/

PHARMACY
https://www.facebook.com/groups/uspianPHARMAalumnitracer/

AB ENGLISH
https://www.facebook.com/groups/uspianABEnglishalumnitracer/

BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT
https://www.facebook.com/groups/uspianSBMalumnitracer/

GRADUATE SCHOOL
https://www.facebook.com/groups/uspianGSalumnitracer/

For more information about the USPian Alumni Tracer Study, phone OAR Dir. Kathleen B. Solon-Villaneza at (032) 414.8773 loc 104 or send an email to alumnirelations@uspf.edu.ph.

USPF recollects 1st honoris causa conferee Pres. Sergio Osmeña

University of Southern Philippines Foundation skims the pages of her colorful history to the year 1952 when she introduced the first Doctor of Laws honoris causa conferee PRESIDENT SERGIO OSMEÑA, SR., the Grand Old Man of Cebu and fourth president of the Republic of the Philippines. 

Almost a decade after, USPF confers General Douglas MacArthur with Doctor of Laws honoris causa in 1961 and the University of the East President Francisco Dalupan with Doctor of Pedagogy honoris causa in 1962.

President Sergio Osmeña receives hood in his conferment ceremonies for Doctor of Laws honoris causa held on the occasion of the Silver Jubileeof the University in August 1952.

USPF Doctor of Laws honoris causa conferee Pres. Sergio Osmeña, Sr. (2nd from left) poses for posterity with good wife Doña Esperanza Limjap-Osmeña, USPF founder Don Agustin M. Jereza, 
and Sergio Osmeña, Jr.




******************************************************
*photos in this article are taken from page 13 of the Golden Book '77 published by the USPAA Board of Directors with Editorial Board members Arturo Filoteo, Charito Abad, and Pedro Ybañez.

**OAR thanks Dr. Alvin E. Zamora, Director of IMC, and Miss Imelda P. Muga, Secretary to the University President for the assistance

***For more information on President Sergio Osmeña, OAR recommends you the following sites:

Republic of the Philippines Presidential Museum & Library http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/commonwealth/sergio-osmena/

NNDB tracking the entire world http://www.nndb.com/people/148/000098851/

Global Britannica http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/434010/Sergio-Osmena

on Philippine President http://www.angelfire.com/on/philpres/osmena.html

Dr. Alburo discourses "USP In A Knowledge Industry"

USPian alumnus Dr. Alburo
(AB Class of '66) graces the
Don Agustin M. Jereza
Memorial Lecture as
 keynote speaker.

USP In A Knowledge Industry
2013 Don Agustin Jereza Memorial Lecture

 Dr. Florian A. Alburo

I do not intend to recount Don Agustin Jereza’s life, his journey in founding USP from a small college to what it is today. This had been adequately and eloquently given in past memorial lectures besides my being unable to match the adequacy with whichtheytracked our founder’s life. I may be able to give some snippets of Don Agustin Jereza from a vantage point of personal experiences but they simply give added color not re-shape what the others have delivered.

I will take a different tack. I will develop a framework with which to look at what Don Agustin Jereza founded and situate him in that framework. I propose to do the following. First, I will argue that the formative years in a person’s life are not only essential, not only critical, but a necessary though not sufficient condition for what he or she eventually becomes. Here the important component is what I would call the learning environment. Here I ask the question – what was USP like in a person’s formative years? I will have to ask your indulgence as I deviate into personal musings if only to support my argument. This won’t be a long digression so please bear with me and don’t open your cell phones to check on messages.

 

I will then go into the meat of my lecture and hypothesize that USP as founded by  Don  Agustn  Jereza  belongs  to  what  is  now  commonly  known  as  the knowledge industry. This industry is quite unique among all goods and services industries and I will briefly explain why this is so. The more important argument I propose to make is that there are a number of factors that define the quality of knowledge products. For each of those, and for sure they are not exhaustive, I will cast along what Don Agustin Jereza made of them – and I  invoke my personal experiences.

In the third part I will admit that my arguments rely mostly in the past, my past – and those of fellow alums. I can not speak for the present or the future. I leave the present to those who are here, are actually studying here, imbibing USP’s life and being involved in it. Today’s environment characterized by technology can be harnessed in the sense of either easing the constraints imposed on how past knowledge products were fashioned or avoiding its deadweights in the future. To put my message in perspective I will bring you from USP to UP (without the S) – to my class and how we maximize technology-use and minimize its negative effects.

Finally, I will close by suggesting that in today’s expanding knowledge industry USP’s niche remains as close to what its founder had envisioned it to be and keep the strengths it has accumulated.