The Office of Student Affairs held the first-ever remote Orientation in the face of the new normal. Amidst the challenges brought by the pandemic, UPV still holds true to its virtue that “nobody should be left behind.” Despite the growing pains, this activity was conducted to ensure that the newest members of the UPV family, along with their parents, are given the necessary information about the university.

The UPLB Gender Center (UPLB-GC) invited women leaders who have made notable contributions to the country’s COVID-19 response in the third episode of its Facebook talk show ‘Gend-ER Live: Women Leaders in the Midst of Crisis’ on Aug. 27.

One of the guests was Hon. Leni Robredo, Vice President of the Philippines.

She talked about her office’s relief efforts for healthcare workers through the provision of shuttle and dormitory services and personal protective equipment (PPEs).

Several UP alumni, including Julliano Fernando ‘Jules’ Guiang, a National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) alumnus and graduate student, were similarly struck by the inequities highlighted by the pandemic. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Guiang, who is also a journalist, had launched The Hatch Hub, a co-working space on Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City with his friends. At first, they envisioned it to be an affordable establishment where students and professionals could study, meet, work, and hold events.

The site “provides the Filipino and Cebuano translations and definitions of the featured terms, their part of speech, as well as usage in a sentence to further demonstrate their meaning.” It is accessible on any internet-connected device.

As of press time, “Isang Gabay sa mga Salitang Kaugnay ng COVID-19” has a list of at least 115 words and phrases, including scientific and medical terms, commonly used in reference to the disease. It also has “new vocabulary that pertains to changes in business, education, and new way of life.”

Hannah Marie R. Aranas, a faculty member of the University of San Carlos Department of Languages and Literature, worked on the Cebuano translation of the COVID-19 terms for Google’s e-resource.

A donation drive for the benefit of Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City was recently launched by Cheer UP Pinoy (CUP), a nationwide service event of the student organization UP Academic League of Chemical Engineering Students (UP ALCHEMES).

“CUP-it Bisig 2020” (CUP-it Bisig), launched on Aug. 12, aims to help Brgy. Addition Hills residents who were gravely affected by the fire incident in the barangay and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Faculty members of the UPLB Department of Social Sciences (DSS) gave their take on the COVID-19 pandemic using the lenses of their respective disciplines at the inaugural edition of USAP PH webinar series on Aug 20.

USAP PH, which was livestreamed on Zoom and Facebook, is DSS’ public online discussion about the pressing issues in the country.

The COVID-19 pandemic, according to psychology instructor Jholyan Francis Fornillos, is not only an epidemiological crisis, but also a psychological crisis.