Empowering UP Diliman Employees Through Effective Facilitation: Highlights from the 2025 FST Program

Article by: Rovalie P. Tamayao

Photos by: Medrick D. Amis & Jon Beaver A. Lagura

To strengthen their skills in facilitating learning and development activities, 34 employees from various University of the Philippines Diliman offices participated in the Facilitation Skills Training (FST) held on April 22, 2025, at the 5/F Mini Hall, UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations. The event was organized by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration (OVCA) through the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO).

The training aimed to equip participants with essential competencies, including:

• Analyzing information to offer accurate and unbiased insights

• Tailoring approaches based on audience needs and understanding

• Solving problems with proactive techniques and innovative solutions

• Enhancing service through creative, effective methods

• Making sound, well-structured decisions

HRDO Deputy Director Kristian July R. Yap, in his welcome remarks, emphasized that FST is a supplementary training for LINANG: Mga Serye ng Pagsasanay para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Paglilingkod sa Pamantasan at Bayan, designed to empower graduates to lead training, workshops, and capacity-building sessions.

Asst. Prof. Marielle Justine C. Sumilong kicked off the session with a lively discussion on how facilitation differs from teaching—highlighting that facilitators guide participants to discover their own solutions. She mentioned that facilitation is a good marriage of art and science as the techniques used in facilitation are research-based but it also invites the facilitator to be creative. She also shared different techniques on how to enhance credibility and prepare for facilitation.

In the afternoon, participants explored ways to engage diverse learners, use verbal and non-verbal cues, and manage group challenges. The day concluded with a collaborative group activity, where teams presented their outputs and received valuable feedback from Asst. Prof. Sumilong and Mr. Rogelio T. Estrada, Officer-in-Charge of HRDO’s Training Section.

Mr. Estrada closed the program on behalf of HRDO Director Arthur A. Gonzales III, congratulating participants and encouraging them to apply their new skills not just in training, but also in their daily work.

The FST reflects UP Diliman’s ongoing commitment to nurturing a culture of continuous learning and professional growth—empowering employees to be effective communicators, facilitators, and changemakers within the University and beyond.