Learning That Lives On: UP Diliman Honors L&D Champions and Looks Ahead to 2026

The University of the Philippines Diliman, through the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO), marked the culmination of its 2025 learning and development initiatives with the 2025 Learning and Development Recognition Day and 2026 University-Wide Marketing Campaign, held online on 12 January 2026 via Zoom and streamed live on the HRDO Facebook page. The event brought together employees, resource speakers, learning service providers, and partner offices in a shared celebration of learning, collaboration, and public service.

Designed as both a recognition activity and a forward-looking engagement, the program honored the individuals and units whose commitment and participation helped shape a year of meaningful learning experiences across the university. More than a year-ender, the gathering reaffirmed UP Diliman’s belief that learning is not an end in itself, but a continuous process that strengthens institutional performance and public accountability.

The program opened with messages from university leadership, setting the tone for reflection and appreciation. Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II underscored the importance of learning and development in building a responsive, competent, and service-oriented workforce, emphasizing that the university’s people remain its greatest asset. This was followed by an audio-visual presentation featuring highlights from the 2025 L&D programs, capturing the breadth of HRDO’s initiatives and the collective effort behind their successful implementation.

A key moment of the event was the recognition of outstanding participants, resource speakers, and partner offices whose active engagement and collaboration contributed significantly to the success of HRDO’s learning programs. Their recognition reflected the university’s commitment to valuing merit, dedication, and shared responsibility—principles central to the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM).

Participant and learning service provider testimonials further illustrated how learning initiatives made a difference on the ground. Employees shared how programs such as LINANG, STEP UP on Records Management, STEP UP on Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, and OPEN UP influenced their work habits, professional values, and sense of responsibility as public servants. Stories of immediate application—from improved records handling and safer work practices to increased flexibility in learning—highlighted how accessible and relevant training can translate into meaningful workplace improvements. Several participants echoed a common sentiment: while training programs may be free, their impact depends on the willingness of employees to show up, engage, and apply what they have learned.

The program’s central message was delivered by Dr. Tiffany Adelaine G. Tan, Assistant Vice President for Administration, in her talk titled “Shared Responsibility for Learning: Employees in Action and Leaders in Support.” Dr. Tan emphasized that while training opportunities are made accessible to employees, their true value lies in how learning is translated into action. She highlighted the shared roles of employees and leaders in sustaining learning outcomes, stressing that public investments in training must lead to tangible improvements in performance, efficiency, and service delivery. Learning, she noted, should not stop with attendance, but must be applied, shared, and embedded into everyday work practices.

An interactive exchange with participants allowed for deeper reflection on how learning can be sustained beyond the training room. Questions on encouraging genuine participation, measuring performance improvements, and securing leadership support were met with insights emphasizing purpose, leadership buy-in, and the importance of cultivating a learning culture within units. The discussion reinforced the idea that learning thrives when employees are supported by leaders who trust, delegate, and create spaces for growth and experimentation.

Looking ahead, the program also served as a platform to introduce HRDO’s learning and development directions for 2026. Through an audio-visual presentation and a call to action from HRDO Director Dr. Arthur A. Gonzales III, participants were invited to continue their learning journeys with renewed intention—focusing on well-being, engagement, and the practical application of skills and knowledge. The program concluded with closing remarks from Vice Chancellor for Administration Adeline A. Pacia, who reiterated the university’s commitment to fostering a culture where learning is purposeful, shared, and anchored in the values of Honor, Excellence, and Service.

As UP Diliman moves forward, the 2025 Learning and Development Recognition Day stands as a reminder that learning is a collective endeavor—one that requires commitment from both employees and leaders. By celebrating achievements and setting clear expectations for action, the university continues to strengthen its learning culture and affirm its role as a public institution dedicated to meaningful impact and service to the nation.