Text by Charmaine Lingdas
Photos by Sarah Hazel Moces Pulumbarit

The University of the Philippines Manila opened its 2025 Foundation Celebration month with the reintroduction of the newly renamed Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE), a milestone event underscoring the university’s continuing commitment to advancing research, innovation, and public service as the nation’s Health Sciences Center. The event was held on October 6, 2025, during the flagraising ceremony at the UP Manila Theater, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).   

Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Dr. Leslie Michelle Dalmacio formally presented the OVCRE. “Today, we mark its expansion with the formal integration of extension services alongside research, recognizing the vital role that both play in fulfilling the University’s mission,” Dalmacio said.

 She noted that over the years, UP Manila, in close collaboration with its colleges, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), has reached out to communities through training programs, continuing education, partnerships with government agencies, and other extension initiatives.

 “These endeavors have ensured that the fruits of research are not confined within UP Manila but are shared with our stakeholders, partners, and the broader Filipino society. They embody our responsibility to bring knowledge to life and make it work for the public good,” she added.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Michael Tee emphasized the importance of the Foundation theme in uniting the community toward shared goals in health, environment, and public service. “Noong nakaraang buwan, talaga pong nakisama ang Office of the Chancellor sa galaw ng ating pamantasan, kasama ang ating mga kabataan at estudyante. Subalit asahan ninyo rin na hindi lamang sa ingay o pagsigaw sa kalye makikita ang aming opisina. Kami ay magiging inyong kakampi sa pagsulong ng mga reporma—upang makarating ito sa dapat makarinig at makakilos kung paano dapat tumulong. Sa bagay na iyan, ginagawa na ito ng ating mga kasamahan—ang mga research na nagiging basehan ng mga polisiya. Umaasa rin ako sa inyong galing sa pagtuturo sa ating mga kabataang estudyante upang sa kanilang paglaki ay maging matapat silang lingkod-bayan,” he said.

 He also announced several key initiatives, including the allocation of ₱500 million for laboratory modernization, faculty development and the implementation of the One Faculty, One Laptop program, which equips faculty members with the necessary tools to enhance teaching and research. “We have awarded around 222 MacBooks, and around the same number of Windows laptops, so that each one of our faculty members now has the proper equipment to serve our students better,” he shared.

Further, he revealed plans to strengthen the university’s IT infrastructure with congressional support for a “future-ready” UP Manila and reaffirmed efforts to align faculty and staff benefits with the Magna Carta for Health Workers. “I thank Dr. Legaspi for having an open mind—to look at how we can make sure that every member of the community will be treated as a health worker.”

CAS Dean Ma. Teresa De Guzman emphasized that despite ongoing challenges, UP Manila remains committed to serving the people through knowledge, innovation, and compassion. “Patuloy tayong magiging huwaran ng isang UP Manila na may husay, malasakit, at tunay na pakikipag-ugnay sa komunidad,” Dean De Guzman said during the program,” she said. 

She also announced the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) between UP and partner institutions, reaffirming the University’s commitment to recognizing, preserving, and integrating indigenous knowledge into research, education, and community engagement. 

Dean De Guzman emphasized that despite ongoing challenges, UP Manila remains committed to serving the people through knowledge, innovation, and compassion. “Patuloy tayong magiging huwaran ng isang UP Manila na may husay, malasakit, at tunay na pakikipag-ugnay sa komunidad,” she said. 

She also announced the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) between UP and partner institutions, reaffirming the University’s commitment to recognizing, preserving, and integrating indigenous knowledge into research, education, and community engagement. 

The ceremony also featured the unveiling of the OVCRE marker, led by Chancellor Tee, Vice Chancellor Dalmacio, and other university officials.

In closing, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Johanna Patricia Adevoso-Cañal encouraged everyone to take part in the upcoming activities for the Foundation Month.

The event is part of the 43rd UP Manila Day and the 46th Anniversary of the Health Sciences Center Autonomy. This year’s celebration carries the theme “Pagdiriwang ng Kalusugan, Kalikasan, Kaugalian: Sama-samang Pagsibol sa UP Manila.”#

#FP1 #FP6 #Environmentthatnurturesourmindandbody

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