Representing the College of Home Economics in the badminton event, the team of Mr. Adrian Basilio, Asst. Prof. Antonio Palomeno Jr., and Mr. Lito Bengco proudly secured 1st Runner-Up honors.

Meanwhile, the CHE Basketball Team clinched 3rd Place in Bracket B, showcasing teamwork and determination. The roster included administrative staff: Paul de Gracia, Reggie Escanilla, Gale Gayanes, Carlos Oracion Jr., Jomari Sabalas, Mark Barbado, Christian Magaway, Bernard Brosas, Jaypee Balderas, Marte Novales, and Jerald Arcenal, as well as custodial workers and guard Raymond Manlungat, Jetro Bañares, and Dennis Garcia. They were also joined by Maui Dayao from the Chemical Engineering Department and Quezara Orio from the OVCCA, highlighting the collaborative spirit across UP units.

The CHE community looks forward to more events like PASiklaban, continuing to support and celebrate sports initiatives that foster camaraderie, wellness, and unity across the university.

Photos from: UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development

Photos from: Paul de Gracia

The College of Home Economics (CHE) proudly demonstrated its athletic and competitive spirit in the Diliman Games 2026, joining a wide array of sports and e-sports events. Students from different programs—BS HRIM, BS HE, BS CN, BS FT, BS FLCD, BSID, and BS CT—came together as one community, proving that unity across disciplines can lead to remarkable achievements.

In Basketball, the men’s team fought hard and finished as 1^st runner-up, while the women’s team emerged as champions, earning not only the title but also individual honors such as Mythical 5 selections and a Finals MVP award. Volleyball was another highlight, with the men’s team securing a 1^st runner-up finish and the women’s team advancing to the semifinals. The futsal mixed team also impressed with a strong 2nd-place finish.

Traditional games brought further glory to CHE. The mixed Tug-of-War team captured silver, Patintero players also earned silver, and the Agawang Panyo team proudly claimed gold. Other events, such as Badminton, Relay, Chess, and Game of the Generals, saw spirited participation, with CHE securing a silver medal in GOTG.

The college also embraced the growing field of e-sports, fielding teams in Valorant, Mobile Legends, and Call of Duty Mobile. While these teams did not reach the podium, their participation reflected the diverse talents and interests of CHE students.

Through victories, runner-up finishes, and enthusiastic participation, CHE’s presence in the Diliman Games underscored the strength of collaboration across programs. United in one, the students of the College of Home Economics celebrated not only their athletic achievements but also the camaraderie and school pride that define their community.

(Photos: from students/members of teams)

Women’s Volleyball Team

Women’s Basketball Team

Men’s Basketball Team

Men’s Volleyball Team

Popularly known as “Food Trip,” FN 1 is the only GE course offered by the DFSN. It integrates nutrition and food science to develop food literacy, critical thinking, and social responsibility among students from diverse academic disciplines. The course explores food systems, nutrition, food safety, food processing, food labeling, and functional foods, demonstrating how scientific knowledge can inform everyday decisions about food, health, and well-being.

A distinguishing feature of FN 1 is its emphasis on experiential learning. Students engage in food environment surveys, dietary and nutritional assessments, laboratory activities, and reflective exercises that connect scientific concepts to their lived experiences. Through these activities, they gain a deeper understanding of the factors shaping food choices and develop practical skills for healthier and more responsible consumption. By encouraging students to critically evaluate information and recognize their role in addressing food and nutrition challenges, the course extends learning beyond the classroom.

As a GE course, FN 1 exemplifies UP’s commitment to holistic and socially responsive education. By equipping students with lifelong food and nutrition literacy, it empowers them to become informed consumers, critical thinkers, and active contributors to healthier communities.

Prepared by: Asst. Prof. Maria Carmela C. Taob

Kaya Pa Ba? Home Economics for Households Under Pressure
May 25, 2026, 9:00am-12nn via Zoom Webinar

The College of Home Economics, through the Office of Community and Extension Services (OCES), invites the public to the free webinar “Kaya Pa Ba? Home Economics for Households Under Pressure” on May 25, 2026, via Zoom Webinar.

Held as part of the CHE Research, Publication, and Extension Celebration (RPEC) 2026, the webinar will feature practical and timely discussions on smart budgeting, family well-being, food preservation, and energy-saving home strategies amid rising costs, inflation, and fuel and energy challenges.

The webinar is free and open to the public. Interested participants may register through the official registration link posted on the CHE website and social media pages.

Among the top performers is Calix Ho, a BS Home Economics student, who captured the Men’s Epee Individual Gold Medal and was named Rookie of the Year, marking an impressive debut season.

Also delivering a gold medal performance is Marina Carbonell, a BS Home Economics student, who secured the Women’s Foil Individual Gold Medal.

Meanwhile, Mariel Flores, a BS Family Life and Child Development student, earned the Women’s Foil Individual Silver Medal, showcasing determination and competitive excellence.

Beyond individual accolades, the UP Fencing Team achieved notable success in the team categories. The Women’s Foil Team clinched the Gold Medal, while the Men’s Epee Team secured the Silver Medal.

In the overall standings, the Women’s Fencing Team finished as First Runner-Up, and the Men’s Fencing Team placed Second Runner-Up, underscoring the team’s strong performance throughout the tournament.

These accomplishments highlight the dedication, discipline, and excellence of UP student-athletes, bringing pride and honor to the College of Home Economics and the University. The CHE community celebrates their success and commends them for exemplifying the true spirit of the UP Fighting Maroons.

The event brought together administrators, faculty, staff, and students in celebration of CHE’s continued commitment to strengthening its academic infrastructure and providing future-ready learning environments.

The program opened with remarks from Shirley V. Guevarra, who is set to conclude her term as Dean in the coming days. The groundbreaking ceremony served as her final official engagement as Dean—an enduring testament to her leadership and dedication to advancing CHE’s facilities, academic excellence, and student experience.

The ceremony was graced by Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II, whose presence underscored the University’s strong support for the College’s growth and development initiatives.

Messages of support were delivered by key University officials and former CHE leaders, including Asst. Prof. AVP Ian Fontanilla (on behalf of PAJ), AVP Mylene Cayetano of Planning and Development, Former Vice Chancellor Florendo, and Former Dean Mayo.

The ceremonial groundbreaking was led by Chancellor Vistan, Dean Guevarra, Dr. Loverio (Chair, Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management), Asst. Prof. Caragay (Chair, Clothing, Textiles and Interior Design), VP Ian Fontanilla, VP Mylene Cayetano, Architect Manalo of the Office of the Campus Architect, Former VC Florendo, and Former Dean Mayo.

Once completed, the new facility will serve as a dynamic learning hub for HRIM and Interior Design students. It will feature modern laboratories and studio spaces designed to support experiential learning, strengthen industry alignment, and enhance research capabilities.

With this development, CHE not only begins the construction of a new building but also reinforces its vision of shaping innovative, industry-ready graduates and advancing the future of home economics education.

The document was signed by Dean  Shirley V. Guevarra, PFT, PhD., signifying the College’s continued commitment to upgrading its facilities and enhancing the learning and working environment for the CHE community.

The signing was witnessed by CHE personnel, including Architect Jett Renzo Ogana of the Building Maintenance Section, Ma. Cristina Broncano, Personnel Services Section Head, and Marie Noelle Lumbre, Administrative Assistant from the Dean’s Office.

The renovation of Alonso Hall forms part of CHE’s broader initiative to modernize its facilities in support of academic excellence, functionality, and student-centered spaces. Once completed, the upgraded building is expected to better serve the evolving needs of students, faculty, and staff.

This development reflects CHE’s ongoing efforts to invest in future-ready infrastructure, reinforcing its commitment to providing quality education and a conducive learning environment.

The College of Home Economics (CHE) took part in the UP Diliman Lantern Parade on December 17, 2025, presenting a lantern design that reflected the College’s enduring commitment to family, resilience, accountability, and collective action. Headed by the Department of Family Life and Child Development (DFLCD), CHE’s Lantern Parade entry for the year carried the theme “Kaisang Tahanan, Kaisa ng Bayan.”

At the center of the lantern design was the tahanan, a powerful symbol of the Filipino family and community. The house represented home as a place of rest, care, and unity—reminding viewers that even amid challenges, there is a space where people can gather strength, find peace, and move forward together. Surrounding the home were towering waves, symbolizing the many trials faced by Filipino families, including social unrest, calamities, and systemic challenges. Despite these forces, the house remained standing, underscoring resilience rooted in unity.

Photo from the official Facebook page of DZUP.

Light emanating from the home symbolized hope, serving as a reminder that even in the strongest storms, there is a source of strength to return to. The inclusion of higantes in the design represented the aspirations and resilience of the community, conveying the idea that people are ultimately greater than the problems they face. Words inscribed on the waves and the higantes expressed the CHE community’s shared commitments toward accountability, justice, and collective responsibility.

The lantern design was inspired by the concept of “Abe-abe” or “Kaisa,” emphasizing faith in one another, the strengthening of collective voices, and the pursuit of inclusivity within communities. Unity, as reflected in the design, was not portrayed as a passive sentiment but as an active practice—demonstrated through shared action, care, and perseverance.

Beyond its symbolism, the CHE Lantern Parade entry was the result of strong community collaboration. DFLCD served as the lead department, with contributions from students, faculty, staff, and partner units across CHE. The collective participation in the design, construction, and parade itself reflected the very values of unity and shared purpose that the lantern sought to communicate.

Led by DFLCD, the CHE lantern was recognized for its compelling visual narrative and strong symbolism, earning 5th place in the UP Diliman Lantern Parade 2025. The recognition affirmed the collaborative efforts of the CHE community in translating its values into a meaningful cultural expression.

Through its 2025 Lantern Parade entry, CHE presented more than a festive display—it offered a visual story of the Filipino family as a foundation of strength, hope, and collective resilience.

Kaisang tahanan, kaisa ng bayan.

With the theme centered on Creative Work alongside Research, QUACHELLA 2025 provided a platform for CHE faculty members to collectively examine how creative outputs and research endeavors can be meaningfully integrated into instruction, aligned with program learning outcomes (PLOs), and situated within the College’s quality assurance framework.

Revisiting Creative Work as Academic Practice

Organized by the Department of Clothing, Textiles and Interior Design (CTID), the three-day conference brought together faculty members from across CHE for a series of keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and collaborative activities. The opening program featured welcome remarks by Dean Shirley V. Guevarra, followed by a keynote presentation on Creative Work as an Academic Endeavor in the University delivered by Dr. Michael L. Tan, former Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

A panel discussion on Creative Work in the University further enriched the conversation, with insights from Dean Toym Imao, Director Monica Santos, and Dr. Alyssa Alampay, moderated by Dr. Excelsa Tongson. The session highlighted diverse perspectives on how creative work is conceptualized, recognized, and evaluated within the academic landscape.

From Dialogue to Practice: Workshops and Faculty Outputs

A central component of QUACHELLA 2025 was its workshop series, designed to translate reflection into practice. Workshop I, facilitated by Dr. Lizamarie Olegario, focused on defining and contextualizing creative work within CHE’s various subdisciplines. Faculty participants collaboratively articulated how creative outputs contribute to teaching and scholarship, culminating in group presentations and peer feedback.

The conference also placed strong emphasis on quality assurance and outcomes-based education. A keynote on Quality Assurance by Dr. Aura Matias set the stage for Workshop II, led by Dr. Joanne Bantang, which examined how research and creative work can be embedded in course assessments and mapped to program learning outcomes. These sessions enabled faculty members to reflect on alignment between instructional strategies, outputs, and institutional goals.

Strengthening Faculty Community

Beyond its academic objectives, QUACHELLA 2025 also reinforced collegiality and collaboration within CHE. Informal exchanges during meals and the Fellowship Dinner and QUACHELLA Music Festival fostered a sense of community, recognizing that academic work is sustained not only through rigor, but also through shared experience and mutual support.

Institutional Significance

QUACHELLA 2025 stands as a significant milestone in CHE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen faculty development and ensure the relevance and quality of its academic programs. The discussions and outputs generated during the conference continue to inform conversations on curriculum development, creative scholarship, and quality assurance within the College.

The successful implementation of the conference was made possible through the collective efforts of the CTID faculty and staff, led by Asst. Prof. Kristyn Caragay, CTID Department Chair, together with the organizing committees responsible for program development, administration, and operations.

As CHE moves forward, QUACHELLA 2025 remains a valuable reference point for how the College engages with evolving academic practices while staying grounded in its disciplinary foundations.