The UPOU Ugnayan ng Pahinungód recently concluded its 2025 Online Bridge Program, a massive open online course (MOOC) designed to help senior high school students—particularly those from underserved areas—overcome learning gaps and prepare for college entrance exams such as the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT). Running from January to March, the program offered free online courses in English, Math, and Physics, reaching over 2,000 students across Region X. With the help of 73 volunteer course coordinators (CCs) and 54 dedicated teacher focal persons, students engaged in weekly synchronous classes, self-paced modules, and interactive online learning. Despite the [...]

As part of the University’s efforts to democratize access to UP education, the Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UPOU successfully conducted the UPCAT 2026 Online Orientation last 26 March 2025 via Zoom Video Conferencing Platform. This initiative aimed to provide essential information about the University of the Philippines, as well as its constituent units and the UP College Admission Test. Around 150 Grade 11 students from Northern Mindanao attended the orientation.  The program, hosted by Ms. Naomi Jean Unlayao and Ms. Jezreel Anne Cometa, commenced with welcoming remarks from the newly appointed UPOU Chancellor, Prof. Joane V. Serrano. PhD. In her address, [...]

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) has appointed Mr. Larry Natividad Cruz as the new Director of Ugnayan ng Pahinungód, effective 01 March 2025. With background in management, development studies, distance education, and community engagement, Mr. Cruz aims to lead the university’s Ugnayan ng Pahinungod toward greater outreach and impact, in collaboration with all concerned offices and stakeholders. Mr. Cruz is a Research, Extension and Professional Staff (REPS), Program Development Associate (PDA), and Senior Lecturer at UPOU’s Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS). He previously served as the President of the All UP Academic Employees Union-Open University (AUPAEU-OU) [...]

The Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UPOU thanks previous Director Dr. Queenie-Roxas Ridulme for her dedication and passion to serve the underserved and marginalized communities in the Philippines from 2021 to 2025. Her legacy is forever remembered in the programs and activities she led and launched that will continuously impact the lives of hundreds and thousands of Filipinos.  Through her fervent leadership, she has spearheaded the development, launching, and implementations of new programs. The Protecting Animal Welfare (PAW) project that aims to manage campus animals taking shelter in the premises of the university. The Kalinga at Yakap (KaYa) app which is a mental [...]

The Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UPOU joined theTri-Conference 2025 and the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the University of the Philippines Open University with the theme, "Constancy, Change and Co-existence", on 24-28 February 2025.  During the Day 1 of the week-long celebration, Pahinungód UPOU, along with the UPOU officials, faculty, staff and partners, participated in the Opening of the ASEAN Community Gallery and Fair at the UPOU CCDL Auditorium. In the afternoon, the Pahinungód UPOU Director Queenie Roxas-Ridulme and staff also took part in the tree planting ceremony for the Native Arboretum and Restoration Project held at the UPOU-EDC BINHI Arboretum. This [...]

The Ugnayan ng Pahinungód University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) celebrated the 31st Founding Anniversary of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungód through a webinar entitled SRTS Episode 5: Heart of Volunteerism last 21 February 2025 via Zoom. The Heart of Volunteerism webinar was the fifth episode of the Stress Reduction Technique Series (SRTS). SRTS is a continuing series of video demonstrations to relieve stress through various simple, fun, and artistic activities and provide relevant opportunities for social connection, friendship, and support among interested participants. It is one of the activities of the Kalinga at Yakap (KaYa) App, a web and [...]

In preparation for the August 2024 Civil Service Examination, the Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UPOU and All UP Workers Union-UPOU Chapter collaborated once again to provide free review sessions among UPOU employees and their immediate family members. There were a total of five sessions conducted which were held every Monday of July 2024, from 1 PM to 5 PM, at the UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. These sessions include pre- and post-assessment, as well as discussions focused on verbal and analytical ability, numerical ability and general information. During the first session on 1 July, Dr. Queenie R. Ridulme, Director of Ugnayan [...]

The Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UPOU held online and in-person meetings with Rural Health Units (RHUs) in Laguna to introduce and promote its newest course entitled, "Online Mother’s Class on Newborn and Infant Care." In collaboration with the Office of Gender Concerns UPOU, the course aims to equip pregnant, first-time, and postpartum mothers with essential knowledge and skills in caring for their newborns and infants. Led by Dr. Queenie Ridulme, Director of Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UPOU, together with the Pahinungod staff, a total of 19 RHUs were presented with the course details. Assistant Professor Rita Ramos and Assistant Professor Regine Bagalanon, [...]

The Ugnayan ng Pahinungod conducted the UPCAT simulation sessions for aspiring Iskolar ng Bayan from Region X last August 5-8, 2024 as part of the University’s commitment to democratizing access to UP education. The initiative aims to familiarize UPCAT takers with exam procedures, guidelines, and protocols, orient them on exam materials, and provide a mock examination experience. Day 1 was conducted at Cagayan de Oro City National High School, while Day 2 took place at Bukidnon National High School in Malaybalay City. The final two days of the simulation took place on 7 August at Iligan City National High School [...]

On 05 April 2024, the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod UPOU, in collaboration with the Campus Development and Maintenance Office (CDMO), launched the Protecting Animal Welfare (PAW) Project. The initiative was conducted at the UPOU CCDL and was attended by staff representing various university units and offices. The event kicked off with an informative session led by Ms. Carla Alyssa Cabrera, the project's current focal person, providing attendees with a thorough understanding of the P.A.W. Project's objectives and operational mechanisms. Ms. Chiara Karenina Manuel, co-founder of CATS of UPLB, also shared insights into effective community animal management practices, drawing from her organization's experiences [...]