The University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, the Health Sciences Center of the country, held its turnover ceremony for the Chancellorship of Dr. Michael L. Tee in the afternoon of November 7, 2023 at the UP College of Nursing Auditorium in Ermita, Manila.
The event featured the turning over of the University’s symbols of authority, the Mace, Bell and Gavel, from the 9th Chancellor, Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla, to the 10th Chancellor, Dr. Tee, and the oath-taking of UP Manila’s Vice Chancellors, Assistants to the Vice Chancellors, Directors, and Heads of Units who will serve under the leadership of Dr. Tee.
Dr. Padilla’s valedictory address highlighted her administration’s accomplishments and summed up the lessons learned during the past nine years. Dr. Tee, for his part, outlined his administration’s vision and goals in his acceptance speech.
UP President Angelo A. Jimenez delivered an inspiring message during the event. He also led the oath-taking of the new officials.
Dr. Padilla thanked the UP Manila community: for their dedication to teaching, research and extension work; for responding to the challenges during the pandemic; and for accelerating change and fostering innovation during her term as Chancellor. She cited the University’s most notable achievements, including: the establishment of the Quality Assurance Office and the Healthy University Office; improvement and expansion of health services and wellness programs, such as the Enhanced Hospitalization Program (eHOPE) and the psychosocial or mental health program; improving support mechanisms for students and faculty/researchers; implementing the digital transformation project, telemedicine and remote learning and teaching; promoting faculty and curriculum development, international linkages, and multisectoral collaborations in multidisciplinary environments; building new or improved infrastructures and acquiring state-of-the-art facilities and equipment; excelling in community engagements and services; and providing technical assistance to state universities and colleges (SUCs) and partner institutions. others.
“As I pass the torch to the succeeding Chancellor, I want to emphasize the importance of viewing institution building as a continuum. We laid the foundation, building on the achievement of the past, ensuring that UP Manila remain a dynamic and ever relevant institution, and marked by a steadfast dedication to addressing the evolving health needs of the Filipino people. This responsibility transcends any single chancellorship. I trust that my successor will carry this legacy forward with the same resolute commitment to UP’s mission of service to the Filipino people,” Padilla said.
Chancellor Tee said UP Manila will continue to serve to improve the lives of people, to link with and grow together with partner universities, and to deliver healthcare to millions of Filipinos annually, as well as to respond to the needs of the University’s constituents. He said the School of Health Sciences in Palo, Leyte; Baler, Aurora; Koronadal, South Cotabato; Tarlac City; and the University’s volunteers and health professionals in the communities will continue to serve as ambassadors from and for the underserved. He also pledged to promote academic freedom as this is anchored on present realities and is integral to UP.
Dr. Tee said that human capital is the most valuable asset of UP and his administration envisions a nurturing campus. They will pursue a housing facility with quality amenities for employees, promote health and wellness, and enhance academe-industry partnerships, among the many other initiatives of the “accessible leadership” of his administration.
“Bukas po ang aming opisina, papakinggan po namin ang inyong mga nais iparating. Aaksyonan po namin ang inyong mga hinaing, ang inyong mga nais iparating, at kung anuman ang inyong mga ambisyon na kaakibat ang unibersidad sa susunod pang panahon. Together, let us realize the University’s potential. I’m privileged to be working with you,” Tee said in his acceptance speech.
President Jimenez congratulated Dr. Tee, expressing his confidence that the university was “in good hands.” He also thanked National Scientist Padilla for her three terms of leadership as UPM Chancellor, commending her for “serv[ing] with dedication despite the unprecedented historic challenges” of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The members of UP Manila Chancellor’s Management Team (CMT) and new officials are: Dr. Heizel Manapat-Reyes, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dr. Johanna Patricia A. Cañal, Vice Chancellor for Administration; Dr. Jose V. Tecson, III, Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development; Dr. Leslie Michelle M. Dalmacio, Vice Chancellor for Research; Prof. Honey Libertine Achanzar-Labor, Special Assistant to the Chancellor on UP Manila Museum; Assoc. Prof. Gina S. Salazar, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dr. Hilton Y. Lam, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance; and Dr. Tammy L. dela Rosa, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development.
The Directors and Heads of Central Administration Offices are: Dr. Cesar A. Perez, Jr., Director of the Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office; Atty. James Dennis C. Gumpal, Chief of the Legal Office; Dr. Coralie Therese D. Dimacali, Director of the Quality Assurance Office; Dr. Leilani Apostol-Nicodemus, Director of the Center for Gender and Women Studies; Dr. Anthony Geronimo H. Cordero, Director of the Community Health and Development Program; Dr. Vanessa-Maria Torres-Ticzon, Coordinator of the Creche Learning Center; Dr. Iris Thiele Isip-Tan, Director of the Interactive Learning Center; Asst. Prof. Migel Antonio P. Catalig, Director of the Learning Resource Center; Dr. Carl Abelardo T. Antonio, Director of the National Graduate Office for the Health Sciences; Prof. Josephine D. Agapito, Director of the National Service Training Program; Dr. Valerie P. Tiempo-Guinto, Director of the Office of Alumni Relations, and Coordinator of the Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment; Dr. Lenora C. Fernandez, Coordinator of the Office of Extension and Continuing Education; Dr. Vivien Fe Fadrilan-Camacho, Director of the Office of International Linkages; Asst. Prof. Odessa N. Joson, Director of the Office of Student Affairs; Asst. Prof. Jean Flor C. Casauay, University Registrar; Prof. Carolina S. Pulumbarit, Director of the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino; Ms. Maria Nimfa V. Castro, University Librarian; Dr. Paul Michael R. Hernandez, Director of the Healthy University Office; Dr. Michael Antonio F. Mendoza, Director of the Human Resource and Development Office; Mr. Marbert John C. Marasigan, Director of the Information Management Services; Dr. Eric S. Talens, Director of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod; Dr. Edward H.M. Wang, Director of the Office of Research Integrity; Dr. Emerito Jose A. Faraon, Head of the Research Grants Administration Office; Dr. Ricardo M. Manalastas, Director of the Research Management and Translation Office; and Prof. Lourdes Marie S. Tejero, Director of the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office.
Officials of the UP System and UP Manila, family members of UP Manila’s new officials, and UP Manila faculty, students, administrative staff, and alumni attended the ceremony.
