QUEZON CITY, Philippines—The University of the Philippines (UP) System marked its 118th Foundation Day on June 18 with “Alab ng Puso,” a system-wide Public Service Day event that connected all nine constituent universities through a simultaneous live broadcast aired on UP radio and television stations and streamed online.
The Alab ng Puso: UP Public Service Day was held in conjunction with the university’s 118th Foundation Day, bringing together faculty, staff, and student volunteers to spotlight the depth and spread of public service initiatives across the UP System’s constituent universities. This event, as part of the Buwan ng Unibersidad themed “Tumutugon. Naglilingkod. Para sa Bayan.” (Respons. Servs. For the Nation.), showcased how the university fulfills its mandate as a national public service university.
Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, program host and Assistant Vice President for Public Service Mark Lester del Mundo Chico stated, “Ito po ang mga kuwento ng malasakit, mga kuwento ng pagsisilbi sa bayan—nag-aalab mula sa ating mga puso—alay sa bayan: serbisyo publiko (These are our stories of compassion, our stories of serving the people—burning passionately from our hearts—offered to the nation: public service.).”
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In his opening message, UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez reminded the UP community that public service “is not separate from our teaching, research, innovation, and creative work” but “the reason these endeavors matter.” Jimenez reminded the community of their collective goal, stating, “Let us continue to build a UP that responds to the needs of the nation, serves with compassion and integrity, and creates lasting change in the lives of our people.”
- UP Los Baños conducted the “Serbisyong Pampubliko: Gáling UPLB, Gâling UPLB” forum and an exhibit showcasing its research and extension work. Additional activities included the “Tech-A-Teka: Pista sa Komunidad” fair, a Tree Planting and Nurturing Program, and a Nutrition and Wellness Clinic, among others.
- UP Visayas presented a special report on the “Paghanduraw: Tracing Back the Impact of UPV Public Service in Iloilo” exhibit and underscored the impact of UPV Ugnayan ng Pahinungód/Oblation Corps’ Affirmative Action Program, Tulay Tungo sa Pangarap in Alimodian, and Aabutin ang Pangarap Caravan in Passi City.
- UP Cebu spearheaded “SUMADA: Ang Pagpangalagad sa UP Cebu,” highlighting various community-oriented efforts in education, health, and livelihood. This initiative also addressed the city’s waste management challenges through a dedicated campaign and workshop focused on minimizing single-use plastics.
- In a special coverage, the Ugnayan ng Pahinungód System narrated the deployment of 26 new Gurong Pahinungód volunteers, reinforcing the university's commitment to bringing education to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
- UP Tacloban reported its hosting of the National Youth Literary Festival, an event that drew around 400 to 500 attendees from across the country to promote literary arts among younger generations.
- UP Manila discussed Ugnayan ng Pahinungód Manila’s Summer Immersion Service Program and the Emergency Room Volunteers Program, in which volunteers are deployed to the Philippine General Hospital to assist in critical care, among other services.
- UP Mindanao introduced its "Amuma" framework for the care of the self, community, and planet. Activities include psychological first aid training, a dance workshop for university constituents, and a community relief pantry for the earthquake-stricken residents in General Santos City and Sarangani Province.
- UP Baguio presented its retrospective photo exhibit highlighting public service projects, such as the EduKaravan and pandemic-era community support efforts, that the campus has undertaken over the years.
- During another special segment, the Padayon UP Public Service Office (Padayon UP) detailed its ongoing initiatives, including a donation drive for those affected by the Mindanao earthquake and a community pantry for transport workers.
- UP Diliman featured its Pride Month celebration. Centered on the theme, “Makibaha-gay, Makipamu-hey!", these activities included creating a community mural and providing HIV counseling and screening services.
- UP Open University showcased its free gender-sensitivity training microcredential and a new continuing education program on Japanese Language Teaching.
Dr. Faith Varona, director of Padayon UP, emphasized the significance of the Public Service Monitoring and Reporting (PSMR) system. As an integrated platform in its pilot stage, the PSMR system enables constituent universities to systematically document, track, and report their various public service initiatives.
“Napakahalaga po nito para malaman natin [kung] saan na tayo nandoon at [kung] saan pa tayo dapat magpunta at mag-deliver ng public service (This is very important so we can know where we currently serve and where else we still need to go to deliver public service),” Varona noted.
Dr. Ervina Espina, director of the UP System Ugnayan ng Pahinungód, also emphasized the importance of volunteerism and public service, connecting these efforts to the University’s core values of honor, excellence, and service.
She remarked, “Ito yung way natin na maiparamdam sa komunidad, sa sambayanang Pilipino na nandito tayo at handang i-offer ang ating self, ang ating mga buhay para sa pagsisilbi sa sambayanan o sa mga komunidad na nangangailangan ng ating tulong (This is our way of letting the community, the Filipino nation, feel that we are here and ready to offer ourselves, our lives, in service to the nation or to the communities that need our help).”
In her closing message, Vice President for Public Affairs Atty. Marian Coquia-Regidor expressed her gratitude to the organizers and emphasized that the university’s founding anniversary celebration must always focus on “honor, excellence, and service in action.” She noted that through the Alab ng Puso celebration, the institution reaffirms its identity as the “University of the People.”
As each campus correspondent signed off from their live report, they closed with the same rallying phrase: “Nag-aalab ang puso para sa sambayanang Pilipino (The heart burns for the Filipino nation).” This unifying refrain, echoing throughout the broadcast from UP Baguio to Mindanao, captured the same spirit that animated the day’s programming and the enduring commitment to serve the people.
The Alab ng Puso: UP Public Service Day 2026 event was broadcast live across several platforms, including the Padayon UP Public Service Office, Radyo DZLB Ang Tinig ng Kaunlaran, TVUP, DZUP 1602 kHz, DYUP 102.7 FM, and DYUP Sugbo, marking the first time that UP’s broadcast platforms came together to simulcast a single program.
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Cover design: Gerardo Laydia, Jr.