Finally, Wore my Sablay for the Diploma in Land Use Planning at UP Open University

In the early part of 2017, I applied both for the EnP Board Exam  at the PRC and for admission at the University of the Philippines Open University for the 21-unit Graduate Diploma in Land Use Planning. 

My intention to enroll in the DLUP course is to prepare myself should I fail the EnP Board. RA 10537 clearly provides that by the following year which is 2018, only those with appropriate degree in planning will be allowed to take the exam.

By June 13, 2017, I got the result that I passed the EnP Board Exam. After a few days, I was also informed that my application at UPOU was approved.

By August 2017, I decided to enroll in the DLUP as I think I would be more confident of my EnP license if I have an academic degree to back it up.

The first semester was really a grueling struggle for me. I was really feeling anxious and unsure of myself. For one thing, it has been seventeen years ago that I have been away from a university. I was filled with self-doubt over the thought that I may no longer possess the skill and the drive in studying. And, this is UP. 

The lessons are delivered to us via “myportal.upou” Modules and learnings materials are given by our professors based on their time frames. Class discussions are done on a forum. Assignments and quizzes have to be submitted on time or else,  points will be deducted.

I would claim that constant motivation, persistence and discipline helped me survive this mode of learning. It was all self-learning as there are no professors who explains and no classmates whom you can freely discuss lessons with any time of the day.

The last semester was intended for Urban Planning Workshop. Our class was fielded in the Municipality of Pasacao, Camarines Sur, the summer capital of the province. For two scheduled activities in March and April, our team which was composed of six students was able to facilitate and prepare the Sustainable Urban Development Plan of Pasacao. The MPDC of the town who was our classmate and the mayor were very supportive of us. These were the only instances where our class had the chance to meet face-to-face. While doing our class project, we have grown closer as if we have been together for the last couple of years. We have also grown closer to our professor, Ma’am Carmi Liwag from UP Diliman (SURP) who filled us with loads of inputs being a professional planner herself for several decades.

On October 12, 2019, I finally wore the sablay, got my diploma and was pleasantly surprised to receive a special citation for exemplary academic achievement.