UC Lab School Student Wins Rotary Spelling Bee

C-H-A-M-E-L-E-O-N was the winning word for eight year-old Ian Jericho Lamis of the University of the Cordilleras Laboratory Elementary School, in a spelling contest sponsored by the Rotary Club of Downtown Session on July 28.

Ian, as he is called in class, bested 30 other contestants from both public and private elementary schools in the city. He was awarded a trophy and a P1,500.00 cash prize.

He was coached by his teachers, Marlon Leocadio and Mrs. Natividad Seribo.

The spelling contest was held at the Department of Education Division Office in Baguio City, and hosted by the Rotary Club in celebration of the national Literacy Month last July.

Clean air, environment forum slated at UC this August

BAGUIO CITY (July 30, 2007)--In order to step up information sharing and education about the present state of our environment, the University of the Cordilleras (UC) shall be hosting a three-part media capacity building lecture series this August.

The lecture forum series is being undertaken by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Energy and Clean Air Project (ECAP) project area office under former La Trinidad Mayor Edna Tabanda.

Tabanda said the program recognizes media’s mandate and important role in the implementation of the Energy and Clean Air Project, and the need to provide appropriate programs for them to enhance existing skills and provide additional knowledge.

Lectures are scheduled on August 10, 17 and 31 at the Executive Training Center, UC main building along Governor Pack Road from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Among the invited resource persons for the first day program are Tabanda, UC President Jaime Buzar, City Councilor and chair of the local government unit’s committee on environment Atty. Erdolfo Balajadia, the Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR, and Marissa M. Cabato, USAID-ECAP-PAO assistant coordinator.

The following week, scheduled activities focus on clean air and include a presentation of first day activities, a situationer on global warning by the Ecademe, and a presentation of national and local initiatives by various government and non-government offices and organizations.

On the final week, a synthesis of the 2^nd day’s activities shall be presented, followed by a briefing on the salient provisions of the EPIRA law, energy situations in the Cordillera region, discussions on renewable energy as an option in the Cordillera region, open forum, micro-workshops, and proposal preparation.

The ECAP is aimed at strengthening sector governance through institutional capacity building; improvement of policy framework through reforms and implementation; and increasing public understanding and support through outreach programs and communications.

Its Project Area Offices are located at the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City for Luzon; Ateneo de Davao University for Mindanao; University of San Carlos in Cebu for the Visayas; and the Ateneo De Manila University in Quezon City for Metro Manila.—adam borja

UC marks 20th Cordillera Anniversary

BAGUIO CITY (July 27, 2007)--The University of the Cordilleras (UC) this week marked the 20^th observance of the establishment of the Cordillera Administrative Region with various campus activities underlying the theme “Claiming the Best for the Cordilleras.”

Spearheaded by the Student Affairs Office under Director Cecilio D. Gallardo in cooperation with various student organizations, the observance took off with tribal rituals, music and dances, exhibits and a mini trade fair at the UC covered court last July 26, 2007.

True to form, UC cultural dancers performed an ethnic solidarity dance in full ethnic costume after an uggayam (prayer) delivered by a native student performer. The opening activities were attended by members of the administrative and academic councils of the school and the student population.

Students were then treated to the sights and sounds of the Cordillera region through photo exhibits and video presentations amid the sounds of gangsas and solibaos. Even foreign students were awed by the showcase of Cordillera culture, music, and products on display.

Other events coinciding with the observance are a live mannequin show, concerts and performances, and a student forum with established resource persons about the Cordillera culture and way of life.

Gallardo said the event, which the University launches annually, is aimed at deepening student appreciation and pride of the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines’ highland region.

The Cordillera Administrative Region was established in 1997 by Pres. Corazon Aquino to pave the way for the establishment of a Cordillera Autonomous Region in response to public clamor at that time. However, the conversion of the region into an autonomous unit was twice rejected by the region in two separate plebiscites held for that purpose.

University to strengthen expanded college program

BAGUIO CITY (July 27, 2007)--The University of the Cordilleras (UC) this week vowed to intensify its recruitment of potential students availing of the employment-for-grades program called the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).

UC President Dr. Jaime M. Buzar said the implementation of ETEEAP is a social responsibility of the University to empower undergraduate yet qualified professionals to acquire academic credentials and diplomas without neglecting their present employment.

He said the program provides an opportunity to undergraduate professionals to complete their college education by converting their experience in their areas of expertise into academic units, thus allowing them greater chances of career advancement and promotion.

ETEEAP is an educational assessment scheme which recognizes knowledge, skills, and prior learning obtained by individuals from non-formal and informal experiences and converts the same into academic units. An individual may be granted a diploma after passing competency-based evaluations and comprehensive assessment systems using written tests, interviews, skills demonstration, and other creative assessment methodologies.

UC Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Cleofas Basaen, explained that aside from accrediting and assessing prior non-formal or informal learning, the program also aims to provide flexible entry and exchange between non-formal education and formal systems of higher learning.

She said the program is open to candidates who are at least 22 years old at the time of application, at least a High School graduate, of good moral character, employed for at least five years in the field or industry related to the course being applied for, and is willing to show evidence of capability and thorough knowledge in his or her chosen field.

The University of the Cordilleras started implementing its ETEEAP program in 2003, graduating self-employed professionals and practitioners in the fields of media, business, police, and government service.