In an effort to “bring the community together” this pandemic, the UP Manila Central Administration (CAD) held its first online teambuilding program through varied activities on July 22-23, 28 and 30, 2021.With the theme “UP: Rising to the Challenge” the activities aimed to strengthen the intra- and interrelationship of the CAD offices/units and UP Manila’s distant units, the School of Health Sciences, during the pandemic. All three SHS campuses – Palo, Leyte; Baler, Aurora; Koronadal, South Cotabato, and joined the activities. A fourth SHS campus will open in Tarlac to admit midwifery students in September.

During the “Kamustahan” that opened the program, Chancellor Carmencita Padilla not only updated the community on the status of the different programs and projects but also shared insights on how to make the hybrid working environment more productive and meaningful.

This was followed by two webinars to help constituents cope with the challenges of the pandemic. Dr. Johann Kim T. Mañez, the First International Fellow, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, talked about Lifestyle Medicine on the 23rd while Dr. Rowena R. Antemano, a Postdoctoral Fellow Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines-Diliman, spoke on “Moringa Para sa Corona” on the 28th. 

To cap the activities, Prof. Buenalyn Teresita M. Ramos-Mortel, professor of public health administration at the UP Manila College of Public Health, talked about the impact of communication challenges in the hybrid workplace. The trivia quiz on UP Manila and the CAD offices and other games participated by the staff added fun and enhanced the goodwill and camaraderie among the members.

A committee headed by Human Resource and Development Office Director Richard S. Javier, organized the teambuilding program.

January Kanindot

Featured in the UP Manila Healthscape (Special COVID-19 Issue No. 30, August 2021)