The birthing of TCU-Publishing House amidst COVID-19 pandemic

by Glenn Ford B. Tolentino

Learning and resiliency provide many examples of this recent situation of the COVID-19 global pandemic, which is happening across the globe. In the Philippines, one of the affected sectors is the education sector, the private schools, and state universities, and colleges in Metro Manila. Even neighboring provinces stumbled and faced multi-fold challenges.

In these difficult times, the designed course curriculum and pedagogical method of instruction and research, as well as publication, are at stake. In response to COVID-19, different academic institutions will host a series of webinars or online lectures to adopt the blended or hybrid learning experience.

“We learned a lot through the webinar room; via Google classroom, Zoom, Canvas, etc., or whatever Learning Management System (LMS) is. — But, though, the library and publishing houses and presses will take the lead of knowledge-based and wisdom from various authors and scholars to the beneficiaries of the education sector.”

With the timely intervention, amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic to close the gap between the TCU learners and teachers, readers and authors, school administrators and its stakeholders, — The forefront and academic trailblazers Dr. Juan C. Birion (University President) together with Ms. Leonila B. Panga (University Registrar), with the support of Mr. Francis C. Barrameda (Deputy Admin for Education) and the TCU Officials — who re-evaluated and re-engineered the framework of the university and its priorities to sustain the essential needs of the stakeholders in response to a new normal life in the society for the continuity of higher education.

A number of innovative key offices were installed and re-established, one of which is the birth of the TCU-University Press and Publication Office (UPPO), which aims to serve TCU scholars and the people of Taguig City immensely in both digital and traditional modes of publication. We needed an endowment, just like other university presses, but we're keeping our fingers crossed that we'll be able to meet the challenges.

In the midst of global economic turmoil and a public health crisis, the TCU community received unwavering support from the Mayor's Office, As a priority of his term in the education sector, Hon. Lino S. Cayetano's core agenda is Inclusive Quality Education. And we are grateful for his outstanding leadership and genuine public service.

TCU-UPPO's commitment to the humanities has, at least in the recent global situation of this pandemic, been a matter of debate. Soon its great reputation will be in the sciences, engineering and technology, business and education, criminology, and public administration.

We can now secure the university's priorities such as publishing monograph researches, modules, workbooks, textbooks, and reviewers', to cater to the essential needs of the people of Taguig City.

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