University of the Philippines Tacloban

07/09/2026

HIGHLIGHTS | UP Tacloban Holds Chancellorship Turnover Ceremony

The formal turnover of the Chancellorship of the University of the Philippines Tacloban was held immediately after the flag ceremony today, September 2026, at the Library Hall.

Outgoing Chancellor Professor Patricia B. Arinto handed over to the newly appointed Chancellor Professor John Paul T. Yusiong the UP Tacloban dry seal, symbol of the authority of the Chancellorship of the UP System’s ninth constituent university.

In her message just before the ceremonial turnover, Chancellor Arinto said that leading the university is like a marathon relay with different runners assigned to different legs or segments. Each leg of the marathon has its own unique challenges, she said, and the value or worth of the runner’s efforts will not necessarily be immediately apparent. Nonetheless, each runner, with the support of their teammates and community, must receive the baton from the previous runner and, grasping it firmly, run their part of the race at maximum speed or with proper pacing to maintain team momentum, and at the end of the leg, make the handover to the next runner without dropping the baton and without breaking a stride.

Chancellor Yusiong, in his acceptance message, underscored the importance of collegial leadership as UP Tacloban continues its journey of institution-building under a new administration. “No Chancellor can build a university alone. The university is built by a community—by our faculty, administrative staff, and REPS [research, extension, and professional staff], students, alumni, partners, and the communities we serve. Each of us has a place in this village, and each of us has a responsibility,” he said.

He added that his role as Chancellor is not to have all the answers but to help create the conditions where the University’s collective wisdom, talent, experience, and commitment can move UP Tacloban forward—as a university that is academically excellent, responsive to the region, open to innovation, caring for its people, and firmly committed to the public mission of the University of the Philippines.

Dr. Yusiong, the first full-term Chancellor of UP Tacloban, was appointed during the 1411th meeting of the UP Board of Regents on 26 August 2026. He will lead the University for three years.

01/09/2026

UPCAT Reminder | Submission of Grades

UPCAT 2027 applicants who took the exam are reminded to submit certified true copies of their Grades 8–11 records to the UP Office of Admissions, in addition to completing Forms 1 and 2B online.

Submissions may be made personally, through a representative or school official, or via express courier. The dropbox is open 24/7 until the extended deadline on 07 September 2026.

Reminder: Submission of Grades

UPCAT 2027 applicants who took the exam must submit the certified true copies of Grades 8, 9, 10, and 11 grades to the UP Office of Admissions, aside from submitting their Forms 1 and 2B online.

The dropbox is open 24/7 for submission. Documents may be submitted personally, via a representative, or a school official in person or through any express courier on or before the extended deadline on 07 September 2026.

31/08/2026

This National Heroes Day, we honor the heroes who fought for our freedom and the countless Filipinos who stood for our nation.

The fight for a better Philippines continues. We must stand against corruption and injustice, speak truth to power, and hold those entrusted with public service accountable.

May we honor our heroes not only by remembering their sacrifices, but by continuing their fight for truth, justice, and a better Philippines.

The Philippines, with its rich historical and cultural heritage, has commemorated National Heroes Day for nearly a century. While we honor prominent Filipinos who helped shape the nation, we also remember the countless patriots whose names are unknown but whose sacrifices advanced the cause of nationhood and freedom from foreign powers.

Heroes do not emerge only in times of war or crisis. The pursuit of peace founded on justice and inclusive development calls on every generation to rise above individual circumstances and serve the common good. As long as the spirit of bayanihan and patriotism lives in Filipinos, new generations of heroes will continue to answer the call of their times.

This National Heroes Day, the University of the Philippines invites everyone to reflect on the lives and examples of Filipinos who, from diverse backgrounds, carry forward the meaning and legacy of heroism and inspire us to build a better future together.

27/08/2026

UP Tacloban to offer Eastern Visayas’s first Master of Science in Computer Science program

The Department of Computer Science and Mathematics of UP Tacloban will offer the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program beginning the second semester of AY 2026-2027.

The program is designed to equip professionals and aspiring computing specialists with advanced knowledge and skills in emerging fields, including Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Bioinformatics, Cybersecurity, e-Government, and Smart Technologies.

The institution of the MS Computer Science program was approved at the 1411th Board of Regents' meeting on 26 August 2026.

26/08/2026

JP Yusiong is UP Tacloban’s first full-term Chancellor

Professor John Paul T. Yusiong has been appointed as the first full-term Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Tacloban by the UP Board of Regents (BOR). The BOR decision was made at their 1411th Meeting on 26 August 2026. Professor Yusiong will serve a three-year term. The appointment marks a historic milestone for UP Tacloban as it enters a new chapter as the newest constituent university (CU) of the UP System.

Professor Yusiong is a Professor of Computer Science in the College of Science and is recognized for his contributions to teaching, research, and academic leadership. He was appointed Acting Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Quality Assurance Officer of UP Tacloban upon the unit's elevation to CU status on 27 May 2026. Previously, he was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 5 April 2025 to 26 May 2026, and he was Chairperson of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012 and again from 5 April 2022 to 4 April 2025.

As UP Tacloban’s first full-term Chancellor, Professor Yusiong is expected to provide steady and visionary leadership during a transformative period in the University’s history, advancing its commitment to honor and excellence through its academic program offerings, research and creative work, public service, and meaningful engagement with communities in Eastern Visayas and beyond.

25/08/2026

WATCH | Here are the guidelines for Mga Tanaga ng Hagkis at Hiraya, a Tanaga writing competition organized by the UP Tacloban Sentro ng Wikang Pilipino and the School of Humanities in celebration of Buwan ng Wika.

Winners in each category will receive a ₱500 cash prize to be awarded during the Pagbigkas at Pagtanghal event on 28 August 2026 (Friday) at the Leyte Samar Heritage Center.

The activity aims to promote and enrich literary writing in Filipino and regional languages, while providing a platform for participants to showcase their creativity and appreciation of the richness of local languages.

25/08/2026

LOOK | In celebration of Buwan ng Wika, the UP Tacloban Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, in partnership with the School of Humanities, invites WIKA 1 students to submit entries for “Mga Tanaga ng Hagkis at Hiraya,” a contest on writing tanaga, a pre-colonial poetic form composed of four lines of seven syllables each and with the same end rhyme.

The deadline for the submission of entries, which may be in Tagalog, Waray, or Cebuano, is 26 August 2026.

An Open Category is also available for UP Tacloban faculty members and non-teaching staff.

Participants are invited to join the spoken presentation to be held on 28 August 2026, 5:00 PM at the Leyte Samar Heritage Center.

20/08/2026

UP-Bangsa caravan held at UP Tacloban

Sixty UP Tacloban faculty members, students, and research, extension, professional, and administrative staff attended the UP-Bangsa Development Initiative (UP-BDI) Caravan held at the Leyte-Samar Heritage Center on 19 August 2026.

UP-BDI Coordinator Asst. Prof. Maynard U. Usares of UP Mindanao presented an overview of the initiative, a flagship program of the University of the Philippines established under Administrative Order No. PAJ 23-74 and hosted by UP Mindanao. UP-BDI works closely with local government units, ministries, and communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Sulu Archipelago to foster sustainable peace and inclusive development through research, extension, and institutional partnerships. It is spearheaded by a Technical Working Group (TWG), which coordinates and strengthens collaboration between the UP System and BARMM to ensure inclusive, responsive, and sustained partnerships. As part of this effort, the TWG conducts UP-BDI caravans in constituent universities of the UP System to introduce the initiative, showcase its ongoing engagements, and identify opportunities to align and expand existing university projects in support of BARMM's development priorities.

Acting Chancellor Dr. Patricia B. Arinto of UP Tacloban welcomed the TWG members and caravan attendees. Engr. Leo Neil T. Viado discussed the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAi) project collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR-BARMM), and TWG member Mr. Martin Hilario I. Mapolon presented the Telemedicine Project in Tawi-Tawi. TWG member Architect Minerva C. Rosel discussed the thematic areas of collaboration under the initiative, and project assistant Mr. John Carlo S. Evardo presented the protocols for engagement in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Hon. Gracita R. Jacinto-Ali, Mindanao State University Regent and UP-BDI TWG member, gave the closing message.

20/08/2026

The deadline for the submission of Forms 1 and 2B, Form 2A, and hard copies of Grades 8–11 has been extended to 07 September 2026.

UPCAT 2027 applicants who took the exam must complete and submit their forms through the online portal: https://upcat2027online.up.edu.ph/

Failure to submit Form 2B and the required hard copies of grades may result in your application not being processed. Do not withdraw your application due to incorrect information; seek assistance through the helpdesk: https://bit.ly/upcat2027onlinehelpdesk

Grade 12 school officials must also update school information and confirm Grade 12 students through the Form 2A portal by the same deadline.

UPCAT 2027 Extended deadline for Forms 1 and 2B, Form 2A, and Hard copy of Grades Submission

UPCAT 2027 applicants who took the exam must update, fill out and submit their Forms 1 and 2B through the online portal. Certified true copies of Grades 8, 9, 10, and 11 must also be submitted to the UP Office of Admissions, located at UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Deadline is extended until 07 September 2026.

Access the applicant's online portal at https://upcat2027online.up.edu.ph/

Failure to submit your online Form 2B and the required hard copy of your grades may result in your application not being processed.

Please be reminded to NOT withdraw your application if you have incorrect information in the online application.

Grade 12 school officials must also use the Form 2A online portal to update their school information and signatories, and confirm their Grade 12 students until the same extended deadline.

Further email notification regarding the extension may be sent next week.

For concerns, contact the helpdesk at https://bit.ly/upcat2027onlinehelpdesk for assistance.

15/08/2026

UPCAT 2027 applicants who took the exam must update and fill out their Forms 1 and 2B online as soon as possible. Your name will only appear in your Grade 12 school’s Form 2A online portal after you click “Save Form 1.”

Submission of Forms 1 and 2B must be done on or before 24 August 2026.

Access the applicant's portal at https://upcat2027online.up.edu.ph/

Certified true copies of Grades 8, 9, 10, and 11 grades must also be submitted to the UP Office of Admissions on or before 24 August 2026.

Failure to submit your online Form 2B and the required hard copy of your grades may result in your application not being processed.

Grade 12 school officials must also use the Form 2A online portal to update their school information and signatories, and confirm their Grade 12 students during the same period.

For concerns, contact the helpdesk at https://bit.ly/upcat2027onlinehelpdesk for assistance.

UPCAT 2027 applicants who took the exam must update and fill out their Forms 1 and 2B online as soon as possible. Your name will only appear in your Grade 12 school’s Form 2A online portal after you click “Save Form 1.” Submission of Forms 1 and 2B must be done on or before 24 August 2026.

Access the applicant's portal at https://upcat2027online.up.edu.ph/

Certified true copies of Grades 8, 9, 10, and 11 grades must also be submitted to the UP Office of Admissions on or before 24 August 2026.

Failure to submit your online Form 2B and the required hard copy of your grades may result in your application not being processed.

Grade 12 school officials must also use the Form 2A online portal to update their school information and signatories, and confirm their Grade 12 students during the same period.

For concerns, contact the helpdesk at https://bit.ly/upcat2027onlinehelpdesk for assistance.