The LINANG 1.0: UPSA Training Run opened Oct. 6 with 42 employees from various University of the Philippines System offices gathering at the UP Institute for Small-Scale Industries for three days of intensive learning, reflection, and skills-building.
Conducted by the UP Office of the Vice President for Administration and the UP System Human Resource Development Office, the program forms part of the university’s learning and development initiatives for administrative staff and supports UP’s flagship efforts on quality management. The training consists of three modules: Relationship Operations and Sensitivity Enhancement Seminar; Work Attitude and Value Enhancement Seminar; and Completed Staff Work as an Effective Decision-Making and Management Tool.
In his welcome message, UP VPA Augustus Resurreccion reminded participants of the significance of their roles as public servants. “We open LINANG today at a time when our idea of public service is being tested,” he said, citing recent reports on corruption in government projects. He emphasized that the university’s core principles — honor and excellence in the service of the nation — “should guide every decision, every action, every signature.”
UP President Angelo Jimenez, in a video message, highlighted the spirit behind the word “linang,” describing it as a process of growth, sharpening and continuous learning. “Layunin ng LINANG ang magbigay ng gabay at pagkakataon upang lalo tayong maglingkod sa bayan.” (LINANG’s goal is to provide guidelines and opportunities so we can better serve the nation.)
Day 1: “Relasyon at Operasyon” – ROSES
The first module, “Relasyon at Operasyon,” introduced participants to ROSES, a series of dynamic sessions designed to strengthen interpersonal communication, develop emotional intelligence, and enhance sensitivity in workplace relationships. According to the program briefer, ROSES guides participants in mastering essential skills for robust organizational relationships and in applying advanced strategies in communication, conflict resolution, and cultural awareness.
Through a combination of lectures, case studies, videos, group activities, and self-reflection journals, participants explored a wide range of topics, including relationship operations and emotional intelligence; effective communication and active listening; building customer trust; and leadership for relationship enhancement. The discussions also covered self-awareness, transactional analysis and the use of “strokes” (positive, negative, conditional and unconditional) as a strategy for managing interpersonal exchanges.
UP Los Baños Assistant Professor Jholyan Francis Fornillos and UP Office of Student Development Services Director Tristan Nathaniel Ramos served as ROSES trainers, with AVPA (Human Resource Development) and UPS HRDO Director Richard S. Javier as main mentor.
Day 2: “Asal sa Paggawa” – WAVES
Held Oct. 9 at UP ISSI, the second module centered on “Asal sa Paggawa,” or WAVES, which positions work values as essential foundations for organizational excellence. WAVES is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of UP’s vision, mission, and values and to reaffirm the significance of their roles in an institution committed to nation-building.
The module traced how individual and shared values, perceptions, and attitudes shape workplace behavior and organizational culture. Topics ranged from the employee life cycle to values-driven leadership, the components of attitude, and the distinctions between motivation and inspiration. Participants also examined the practical application of UP’s core values — honor, excellence and service — and discussed how these translate into specific, observable behaviors that foster teamwork and effective engagement with colleagues and stakeholders.
AVPA (Organizational Development and Operations) Tiffany Adelaine Tan served as main mentor, joined by resource speakers, Margaret Maaño of the UP-Philippine General Hospital and Joel Sagadal of UP Mindanao. Through group discussions and self-reflection journals, participants explored how to align personal goals with the mission of the university and identified strategies to sustain values-centered initiatives in their units.
To enhance the lessons from the lectures, LINANG participants engage in lively group discussions, activities, and presentations.
Photos by Abraham Arboleda, UPS-MCO.
WAVES trainers, Joel Sagadal, UP Mindanao land management officer [above], and Dr. Margaret Maaño [below], a pediatrician at the UP-Philippine General Hospital, deliver lectures during Work Attitude and Value Enhancement Seminar, including deep dives into UP's mission and organizational values and how to align these with one's personal mission and values. Photo by Abraham Arboleda, UPS-MCO.
Day 3: “Kalidad ng Trabaho” – Completed Staff Work
The final session held Oct. 13 introduced participants to Completed Staff Work, considered the most technical module in the series. CSW addresses the need for timely, comprehensive, and well-researched decisions in public institutions, particularly as stakeholders increasingly demand efficient and data-driven public service.
According to the program briefer, CSW involves thoroughly studying problems or issues and presenting well-supported recommendations so that decision-makers may simply approve or disapprove the proposed action. When practiced effectively, CSW enhances organizational productivity, strengthens supervisor-staff relationships, and improves overall decision-making.
Participants studied the context and rationale of CSW, its definition and brief history, its tenets and benefits, and its core components — from identifying and analyzing problems to crafting recommendations and designing communication and monitoring plans. The module also highlighted real-world applications of CSW in various UP offices.
The session was facilitated by Pepito Dizon, university extension specialist at the UP National Engineering Center, with resource speakers, Assistant Professor Leo Manuel Estaña, UP Mindanao vice chancellor for administration, and Karen Gladdy Pervera of the Office of the President.
Tackling the most technical of the three LINANG training modules — which focused on the management process of Completed Staff Work and its applications — are CWS Trainers Karen Gladdy Pervera [above/left] of the UP Office of the President, and Professor Leo Manuel Estaña [below/right], UP Mindanao vice chancellor for administration. Photo by Abraham Arboleda, UPS-MCO.
Culmination
The three-day training concluded with a small graduation ceremony, where participants celebrated their newly acquired knowledge and strengthened sense of camaraderie. Many expressed appreciation for the LINANG team and the UPS HRDO and OVPA officials and staff for their effective handling of the seminar.
In her closing remarks, Tan encouraged participants to bring the lessons of LINANG back to their workplaces. “It only takes one person — one person, so that we can move forward,” she said. “If all of us were doing what we’re supposed to do, eventually, more people will do so as well. We can have a movement to be honorable, a movement to be excellent. I hope all of us will choose to do what’s right — for our country.”
With the first of five planned LINANG training seminars now completed, OVPA and UPS HRDO will conduct four or five more sessions next year as part of the ongoing initiative to cultivate dynamic relationships, promote appropriate workplace behavior, and strengthen a values-driven culture across the UP System.
