The UP Diliman community celebrated the Investiture of Atty. Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II as the 12th UPD Chancellor at the University Theater last October 27, 2023. The ceremony with the theme “Paglinang sa Mapagmalasakit na Paglilingkod” gathered academic and non-teaching staff as Chancellor Vistan laid out a three-part vision for the University under his term: “(1) mainstreaming of a culture of honor and excellence, (2) pursuing sustainable development more aggressively, and (3) developing the campus as a cultural haven.”
To materialize this vision, some of the priorities outlined by the Chancellor include supporting faculty and staff through proper infrastructure and equipment, efficient work systems and programs, nurturing working conditions, and capacity-building programs responsive to the needs of the institution.
Chancellor Vistan also acknowledged the need to streamline and reform the systems and processes according to quality assurance standards. In line with this, the Office of Field Activities (OFA) Diliman participated in the Administrative Staff Program towards Institutional Resiliency or ASPIRE led by the UP Quality Assurance Office, where Directors and Vice-Chancellors were capacitated in strategic planning and management systems through the development of unit-focused balanced scorecards.
Apart from this, Chancellor Vistan underscored the importance of improving university systems and processes to enhance the experiences and outcomes for UPD’s stakeholders. True to his words, the Chancellor heeded the call for assistance of OFA Diliman with the large volume of AFA-related agreements processed by the office. Chancellor Vistan issued Administrative Order ECLV-23-068 on the legal review of agreements related to Academic Field Activities (AFAs) appointing a team of reviewing lawyers led by Atty. Paolo Tamase to assist, together with the Diliman Legal Office, in the legal review of AFA agreements for internships, practicum, on-the-job training, and other community learning activities.
As part of the program, the Chancellor inaugurated the appointed Vice-Chancellors namely the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Maria Vanessa Lusung-Oyzon, PhD; Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Adeline A. Pacia; Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development, Carl Michael F. Odulio, PhD; Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs, Jerwin F. Agpaoa; Vice-Chancellor for Community Affairs, Roehl L. Jamon, and Vice-Chancellor for Planning and Development, Raquel B. Florendo, PhD.
Following this, the Vice-Chancellors led the oath-taking of their respective directors with Vice-Chancellor Lusung-Oyzon joined by Prof. Carlene Perpetua Pilar-Arceo (Office of International Linkages Diliman Director), Ms. Elvira Lapuz (University Librarian), Prof. Miguel Francisco Remolona (Interactive Learning Center Diliman Director), Assoc. Prof. Anna Sibayan-Sarmiento (General Education Center Diliman Director), Asst. Prof. Arlyn P. Macapinlac, (Office of Field Activities Diliman Director), Asst. Prof. Dennis Quilala (NSTP Diliman Director), and Assoc. Prof. Rowena Q. Bailon (University Registrar). The Director of the Office for the Advancement of Teaching Diliman, Assoc. Prof. Ivy D. Suan was unable to join the Investiture due to another official engagement.
In between the ceremony were cultural performances by the UP Filipiniana Dance Group, which performed Tayaw and Baliwes, Keisha Paolo and Poppert Bernadas with their rendition of After Image’s Pagtawid and The Dawn’s Harapin ang Liwanag, accompanied by the Jenny and Jeff Band, and the UP Symphony Orchestra with musical director Josefino “Chino” Toledo who rendered their version of Mindanao Sketches, an orchestral piece by National Artist for Music Antonino R. Buenaventura. All the performances were reflective of Chancellor Vistan’s vision of making the UP Diliman campus a melting pot for culture and the arts.
In the next three years, OFA Diliman commits to working hand in hand with the administration to achieve its vision of sustaining and enhancing the national university, while also looking forward to the institutional support as guaranteed by the strategic direction of the university.
OFA Diliman Team attending the 12th UPD Chancellor Investiture (L-R of 1st Photo: Senior Project Assistant for Project Management Dorothy Forneloza, Senior Research Associate Pia Castillo, Administrative Assistant James Bañadera, Senior Project Assistant for Teaching and Education Carlos Gacutan, and Director Arlyn P. Macapinlac)