Texts by: Ehcel S. Hurna

Screenshot taken during the SBP 2024 Orientation for enlisted UP Manila freshmen via Zoom. 

The University of the Philippines (UP) Manila’s Learning Resource Center (LRC), in cooperation with the Freshie Initiative and the Office of the University Registrar recently conducted an orientation for its annual Summer Bridging Program (SBP), aimed at incoming freshmen. Held on June 6, 2024, via Zoom, the orientation introduced students to a program designed to bridge the gap between their high school exit skills and the expected university-level competencies.

The SBP, which will be held from June 5, 2024, to July 3, 2024, aims to provide students with activities that could enrich their capabilities in Math, Science, and English. In particular, the program aims to build academic confidence among participating freshmen students before the start of the school year. 

Aside from the SBP, the UP Manila LRC also offers other programs and services for students in all year levels. These include tutorial services, upskilling workshops, free Japanese language lessons, free simulation exams, and “Kapihan sa UP Manila,” which provides free learning spaces for students.

“Magkakaroon kayo ng insight at experience kung paano yung level ng pagtuturo sa UP Manila with this online experience sa Summer Bridge Program. Aside from that, you would be familiarizing yourselves with the learning management system na ginagamit sa UP Manila,” LRC Director Miguel Antonio P. Catalig explained during the orientation activity.

Vice Chancellor (VC) for Academic Affairs Bernadette Heizel D. Manapat-Reyes urged the freshmen to take into consideration the path of being a Pahinungod volunteer.

“Allow me to challenge you into imagining what your life as a iskolar ng bayan would be through the lens of this program. So will you take this SBP as your venue for academic success alone or will it open for you a pathway to service as a student assistant or becoming a peer tutor or as a Pahinungod volunteer,” VC Reyes dared.

“In maybe a year, when you start volunteering for this learning resource center we will be taking advantage of the smart classroom so that everyone can enjoy a new learning process where hybrid learning is enhanced while at the same time ensuring that the learning objectives are achieved. Asahan niyo na kapag naging estudyante na kayo ng UP Manila, marami pang ibang resources na maari niyong magamit upang kayo’y matuto, and be able to serve the people with honor and excellence,” UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee added in his message.

According to the LRC’s report for SBP 2022, 60% of the 422 participants progressed in the English subject, 82% in Science, while Math marked the subject that had the greatest improvement at 82%. The overall improvement of participants was a soaring 75%. Reports for the SBP 2023 are yet to be finalized. #