Forensic anthropologist Jerome Bermejo Bailen passed away on Nov. 8. Described as one of the few UP Diliman (UPD) “unforgettable professors,” Bailen specialized in forensics and would often be invited to investigate high-profile cases. Bailen. Image from Joyce Bailen’s Facebook page One of them was a look into the double murder of former senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. and Rolando Galman on Aug. 21, 1983. In August 2004, Bailen was part of the UP Independent Forensic Group (UP IFG) along with medico-legal practitioner Erwin P. Erfe, and forensic consultants Benito E. Molino and Anastacio N. Rosete Jr., that Chief Public Attorney Persida V. Rueda-Acosta, DSD, asked to make a thorough review of the forensic evidence in the double murder case. According to a 2005 Supreme Court ruling, the report essentially concludes that “it was not possible, based on the forensic study of the evidence in the double murder case, that C1C Rogelio Moreno fired at Senator Aquino as they descended the service stairway from the aircraft. They posit that Senator Aquino was shot while he was walking on the airport tarmac toward the waiting Aviation Security Command van which was supposed to transport him from the airport to Fort Bonifacio.” They published their findings in the 2009 book Death on the Tarmac: Forensic Analysis of the Assassination of Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. One of Bailen’s last public engagements was a 2020 Manila Bulletin opinion piece delving into the then burgeoning COVID-19 pandemic, where he called for a “decisive and holistic approach” to public health policy. “No amount of social distancing, face masks can prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Locking down communities and states cannot guarantee the stoppage of its transmission. Shutting down a state to prevent the transmission casts a heavy burden on human beings, the economy, and governance.., Leaders should provide everyone the chance to work, to love, and to find meaning and purpose. To let them live the way they want so long as they do not impinge upon the fundamental rights of other people. And, since government is created for the individual; it must help put the happiness of the individual at the center of everything,” he said. A wake was conducted on Nov. 9 at the United Methodist Church at Torres Bugallon St., Lingayen, Pangasinan while a special service was held on Nov. 11, 3 p.m. at the UP Church of the Risen Lord presided over by Chaplain United Church of Christ in the Philippines Rev. Callum Tabada. Upon the announcement of his death, messages of condolence poured in, including one from Erfe: “Everything I am now in forensics, I owe to UP anthropology professor Jerome Bailen. I met him before I became his PhD student…

Helen Estacio Lopez, PhD, esteemed professor of English and comparative literature at the UP Diliman (UPD) Department of English and Comparative Literature (DECL) of the College of Arts and Letters, passed away on Nov. 13. Lopez. Image from the DECL Facebook page Lopez taught generations of UP students, authored books and articles, including At the Helm of UP Presidential Accents, on the presidents of UP, and The Humanities Social Technology for Power and Freedom, and was a sought-after editor of manuscripts, textbooks, theses, and dissertations. She was also the former secretary of the University and of the UP Board of Regents (1996-1999). Lopez earned her PhD (Philippine studies) in 1983, MA (English language and literature) in 1973, and BA (English) in 1966 from UP. She began serving the University as professor in June 1973. According to the DECL Facebook page, her wake starts today, Nov. 15 at Room 201 St. Peter Chapels in Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City. The DECL in their Facebook page, posted that the wake for Lopez will be at Room 201 of St. Peter Chapels in Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City. The Department will hold a memorial service on Nov. 17 at 3 p.m. “For those attending the on-site service, please bring proof of COVID-19 vaccination. A recording of the memorial service will be uploaded to the DECL Facebook page,” the DECL stated. Farewell, Ma’am Helen!

The DOST-UP Sustaining Collaboration in an Advanced Learning Environment (UPSCALE) Innovation Hub was recognized as one of the AsiaStar 10×10 awardees at the 13th Apsara Conference on Nov. 10. AsiaStar 10×10 trophy. Photo from UPSCALE The Alibaba Cloud-organized Apsara Conference, which began in 2009, witnesses the development of digital intelligence and technological innovation. UPSCALE was one of the awardees under the Launchpads category. The category represents educational institutions and incubators that provide safe environments to nurture the next great startups and give new entrepreneurs the chance to hone their ideas and business acumen before they step out on their own. Sison (center) with Jayn Sy (left) of Partnership Development and Strategic Alliance Lead, and Meggy Caparas (right) of Enterprise Lead. Photo by Jefferson Villacruz, UPDIO Luis G. Sison, PhD, UPSCALE project leader and director of the UP Technology Transfer and Business Development Office, received the award at the conference. “We are very grateful to be recognized and feel incredible to have our work acknowledged by Alibaba Cloud,” Sison said. He added that his team, together with the UPSCALE partners, is eager to achieve greater heights in innovations in and for the Philippines. (From left) Caparas; Sy; Melanie M. Moraga-Leaño, director of the UPD Institute for Small Scale Industries; UPD Chancellor Fidel R. Nemenzo; Sison; Magdaleno Vasquez Jr., PhD, director of the UPD Technology Transfer and Business Development Office; and Gonzalo A. Campoamor II, PhD, UPD vice chancellor for research and development. Photo by Jefferson Villacruz, UPDIO The UP Diliman-based UPSCALE runs programs for pre-revenue startups, market-driven industry collaborations, and product developments. It is a non-profit organization, with some of its programs co-run with the support of partners that include Accenture, USAID, and Deloitte. AsiaStar 10×10 is a recognition given by Alibaba Cloud to 100 companies, communities, and projects in 10 categories across Southeast Asia. For each category, 10 awardees are chosen. Entries to AsiaStar 10×10 were assessed based on support rendered, operational outcomes, social impact, and value-add. The awardees were selected from the list of final nominees curated by representatives of Alibaba Cloud, government agencies, investors, industry experts, and media outlets. The awarding body considered a variety of factors, including revenue, funding, impact, uniqueness, and potential. According to alibabacloud.com, “Alibaba Cloud is a global leader in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, providing services to thousands of enterprises, developers, and government organizations in more than 200 countries and regions” and “provides reliable and secure cloud computing and data processing capabilities as part of its online solutions.”—With a report from UPSCALE