Chancellor Lyre Murao receives the Blaan representatives, and Prof. Quintero's book

The Blaan representatives receive their ceremonial copies

Prof. Quintero shares highlights form the books

The Blaans and the UPMin faculty

The creative writing atudents

Prof. Quintero signs students' copies

Blaan indigenous peoples' representatives received 100 copies of two new books on the indigenous peoples' literature from Associate Professor Genevieve Jorolan-Quintero (Department of Humanities) in the book launch held at the UP Mindanao University Library on December 5, 2023.  

Kag. Manuel Gullava, the Indigenous Peoples' Mandated Representative of Brgy. Pag-asa, Mlang, North Cotabato, welcomed the donation as a timely gift for the barangay fiesta to be celebrated the following day.

The books are "Saftuk, Lingen, Katbut (Riddles, Songs, Stories) of the Blaan of Brgy. Pag-asa, Mlang, North Cotabato," and "When Gods Cry," short stories adapted from indigenous peoples' oral literary tradition, both by Prof. Jorolan-Quintero. The book publications were sponsored by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts.  

Writer and College of Humanities & Social Sciences Dean Jhoanna Lynn Cruz, Humanities department chairperson Asst. Prof. Dennis John Sumaylo,  fictionist Assoc. Prof. John Bengan, and University Librarian Briccio Merced Jr. gave personal messages at the ceremony.

Prof. Jorolan-Quintero shared highlights of her experiences in the years researching and writing the books. Creative writing and other students and faculty representatives from the academic departments attended the event.  

UP Mindanao was an awardee at the Department of Health's "Harmonized Health Awards 2023, A Festival of Excellence in Healthcare," held on November 22, 2023, in Davao City.

UPMin was recognized in the Partner in Health category for its "Outstanding contribution as an active partner in epidemiology and surveillance in helping to achieve the goals and targets of the Department of Health."

Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao and UP Mindanao Disease Watch & Analytics (DiWA) representative Mr. Zython Paul Lachica received the award on behalf of UPMin.

Through this award, the DOH recognized UPMin's contribution to their partnership during and after the COVID-19 pandemic period.

UPMin, through the Philippine Genome Center (PGC)-Mindanao, trained Davao and Mindanao medical personnel in SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics for use in COVID-19 testing.

UPMin, also through PGC-Mindanao, helped in the development of COVID-19 testing laboratories in Tagum, Davao de Oro, Davao City, and PNP-XI.

PGC-Mindanao also did genomic surveillance for Region XI and other parts of Mindanao. This served to monitor emerging strains of COVID-19 for the DOH.

Also, the Applied Mathematics teams produced pandemic projections and policy recommendations for the Davao Region as part of the UP Pandemic Response Team.

UPMin's links with the DOH-XI continue to the present through Disease Watch & Analytics, which has developed the DiWA web-based disease surveillance software for the use of the DOH-XI.

UPMin's health-related projects and the PGC-Mindanao, likewise, continue their linkage with DOH through the City Health and City Veterinarian's offices.

These health-related projects address the Sustainable Development Goals #3 Good Health & Well-Being, and #11 Sustainable Cities & Communities.

(Photo courtesy of Mr. Lachica)

#UPMin

South Cotabato's 7th Provincial Health Summit banner	Dr. Alah Baby Vigno, South Cotabato Prov. Health Officer, & Prof. Mata

The Province of South Cotabato awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for Academe to UP Mindanao at their 7th Provincial Health Summit on November 24, 2023, on the theme, "Universal Health Care: Advancing Innovation Towards Healthier South Cotabato."

The Integrated Provincial Health Office of South Cotabato issued the recommendation in recognition of UPMin's support through the COVID-19 data analytics provided during the pandemic through the Disease Watch & Analytics (DiWA) center. In addition, for the UPMin Office of Research's publication support for the province's Universal Health Care Manual.

UPMin's Office of Research director and DiWA program leader, Prof. May Anne E. Mata, received the award on behalf of UP Mindanao. 

The Provincial Government of South Cotabato also issued certificates of appreciation to local government officials, medical centers, NGO partners, and other government agencies involved in provincial public health.    

These efforts address the Sustainable Development Goals #3 Good Health & Well-Being, and #11 Sustainable Cities & Communities in Mindanao.

#UPMin 

The presenters and organizers in the "Kahimunan: Mindanao Research Colloquium 2023"

The Department of Human Kinetics delivered the "Kahimunan: Mindanao Research Colloquium 2023" with the theme "Mindanao Sports Development" in UP Mindanao, Mintal, Davao City from November 17 to 18, 2023. Researchers gathered to present their studies related to sports development, sports performance, sports psychology, wellness and recreation, and gender equality/indigenous games.

Presenters and attendees had a fruitful discussion with respect to the methods and results of the studies.

The Department of Human Kinetics hopes that the colloquium will open up more opportunities and ideas to the participants that will help strengthen the Mindanao Sports Development Program.

Below are the studies that were presented:

"Women and Indigenous Games: Who Say Women Can't Play?" By: Prof. Genevieve Jorolan-Quintero, PhD

"Today's Challenge: The Opportunity for Enhancing Sports Activities' Resurgence and Tenacity" By Prof. Stephen A. Fadare, EdD

"The Preparatory Scheme in Sports for University Athletes" By Prof. Hendely A. Adlawan, PhD

"Perspectives of Student-Athletes on the Suspension of Sporting Events in the Pandemic Era" By Elvin Parreño, MAEd

"Psychosocial Attributes of Elite Sports Coaches" By Dr. Jonathan V. Mancao, EdD

"Factors Influencing Participation and Commitment to Youth Community Music Ensembles" By Ann K. Maniego, MMEd

"Cognizance in Sports: Blossoming Through Diverse Eras" By Prof. Hendely A. Adlawan, PhD

"How are We doing in terms of promoting physical activity among our young people? Reflecting on the Results from the Philippines 2022 Physical Activity Report Card for Children and Adolescents" By: Prof. Jonathan Y. Cagas, PhD

"Movement Behind Bars: Recreational Games for Healthy Lifestyles" By Prof. Stephen A. Fadare, EdD

"Examining the Relationship between Exercise Self-Efficacy and Physical Fitness in Community-Dwelling Older Adults" By Kenny T. Bentain, PTRP & Prof. Jonathan Y. Cagas, PhD

"Historical Analysis of Competitive Ballroom Dancing in Davao City" By: Prof. Annaliza R. Castro, EdD

"Why do people do Yoga? Examining motives across different types of yoga participants" By Prof. Jonathan Y. Cagas, PhD, Stuart J.H. Biddle, & Ineke Vergeer

The Book of Abstracts is available for download here: bit.ly/kahimunan-abstracts-2023