Following the successful run of its 2021-2022 and 2024-2025 cycles, the General Education Center (GEC) Diliman launched the third cycle of LINANGAN: The General Education (GE) Faculty Development Extension Program 2026–2027 through its introductory webinar, “Bakit Hindi Dapat ‘GE Lang’?: Ang Kuwenta at Kuwento ng General Education sa Nagbabagong Panahon,” on 7 September 2026 via Zoom and YouTube livestream.
Held as part of GEC’s 10th anniversary celebration, the webinar brought together more than 1,300 participants on Zoom and more than 100 viewers on YouTube to discuss the continuing relevance of GE courses in developing students’ knowledge, character, life skills, and sense of nationhood.
To formally open the program, UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II delivered his opening remarks, congratulating the GEC for its 10th year anniversary and underscoring the continuing importance of GE courses in shaping students beyond the classrooms.
“Mula noon hanggang ngayon, at malinaw na hanggang sa hinahanarap natin, patuloy ang kahalagahan ng GE courses upang makapagbigay pa tayo ng espasyo upang kilalanin ng mga iskolar ng bayan ang kanilang sarili, ang kanilang kapwa, at ang kanilang bansa.”
He emphasized the importance of the continuation of LINANGAN in providing an avenue for faculty members from various UP Constituent Universities (CUs) and from state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and higher education institutions (HEIs) to exchange practices and perspectives on the delivery of GE courses. Chancellor Vistan further noted how initiatives such as LINANGAN reflect the University’s responsive and proactive approach to the changing needs of education and the emerging challenges arising from current sociopolitical issues in the country.
The first lecture featured Prof. Jovy Peregrino, PhD of the Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature, College of Arts and Letters, who discussed the broader role of GE courses in cultivating life skills and shaping well-rounded Filipino citizens. Prof. Peregrino shared approaches that GE faculty can use to reaffirm the significance and depth of their courses while challenging the perception of students that GE subjects are merely “GE lang” or “minor courses” that they need to comply with. He emphasized the need to make GE education meaningful beyond grades and academic requirements by grounding it in students’ ‘danas’, or their lived experiences.
“Ang pagtuturo ng GE ay isang pag-uusap tungkol sa tao. Gamit ang iba’t-ibang disiplina, hindi dapat mawala sa usapang edukasyon ang para sa tao. Hindi para sa robot, hindi para sa laboratory, hindi para sa ibang bansa o ibang tao. Para sa tao. Para sa Pilipino.”
After Prof. Peregrino, Prof. Portia Padilla, PhD from the Reading/Literacy Area, UP College of Education led the second talk, which focused on understanding and responding to the evolving profile of today’s students. Prof. Padilla shared practices for designing and delivering courses that address the diverse needs and experiences of students. She also highlighted the role of GE classrooms as spaces where students can explore and affirm their identities, cultures, and sense of belonging amid an increasingly digital society.
“Kasi, kahit na, sabi nga quote-unquote ‘meron sa pangkalahatan ay eto ang kanilang mga katangian’, huwag natin kakalimutan na hindi lang sila bahagi ng henerasyon [dahil] bawat isa sa kanila ay natatanging tao. At dahil usapin ito ng GE, hindi natin pwedeng makalimutan na usapin ito ng tao, ng natatanging tao, at natatanging pagkatao ng bawat isa sa mga estudyante sa ating silid-aralan.”
After the conclusion of the two talks was an open forum where attendees were given an opportunity to ask questions and share their insights. Moderated by GEC Director Charles Erize Ladia, salient points raised during the open forum included questions concerning the development of assessment and evaluation methods beyond traditional approaches, as well as the applicability of these practices to courses outside the Social Sciences, including Mathematics.
The launch of the third LINANGAN cycle reinforces the GEC’s continuing commitment to fostering dialogue and professional development among GE faculty across higher education institutions. Through these conversations, the program seeks to explore how GE courses remain relevant and responsive to the changing needs of students, the University, and Philippine society.
The next session for this cycle of LINANGAN will be held on 28 September 2026 (Monday). Interested participants may register for this upcoming session through this link. Meanwhile, individuals may rewatch the recorded livestream of previous LINANGAN sessions via GEC’s YouTube channel.
