UP Student Catholic Action

History

UPSCA can be traced as far back as 1939 when Fr. James McCarthy, a Colombian priest, organized a Student Catholic Action (SCA) in UP as an offshoot from the Scholastic Philosophy Club (SPC) said to have been formed at 1936. SPC was an organization of Catholic UP students who held discussions on theological themes such as Catholic Philosophy and the works of St. Thomas Aquinas.

In 1941-45, UPSCA, like all university organizations, hushed as World War II took over the entire country. But in 1946, UPSCA was the first SCA chapter to reorganize. It was at this time that Fr. John Patrick Delaney stroked the fire that burned in UPSCA. Then, in 1950, the UP flagship was moved from Padre Faura, Manila to Diliman, Quezon City. In the new Campus UPSCA spearheaded the construction of the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice.

As its history manifests, UPSCA was formed by the people who cared about something a lot bigger than themselves—other people. As they struggled to bring about change in the country, campus and in the hearts of students and others in the UP community, they carved a niche for a different way of living one’s life in and out of UP.

UPSCA’s history is a constant reminder of the task that lies ahead: today’s response to the present call of the times.

About UPSCA

The UP Student Catholic Action (UPSCA) is a non-stock and non-profit student organization duly recognized by the University of the Philippines Diliman. As a religious organization, it provides individuals a formation rooted on the Catholic faith. It seeks to develop socially aware members who will become agents of social change. UPSCA aims to nurture a sense of family among members, encourage academic excellence, and direct collective energies towards active involvement in community and society.

Vision

We, the UPSCAns, commit ourselves to the vision of forming a truly Filipino Christian community founded on TRUTH, where men come to know and express reality through an exchange of ideas and continuous exposure to the conditions that surround them, FREEDOM, where men are presented with all alternatives and given the right to choose their course of action, JUSTICE, where men's dignity is upheld, LOVE, where men reach out for each other in the service of God and their fellowmen.

Mission

UPSCA is an organization which provides individuals a formation rooted on Catholic faith. It seeks to develop socially aware members who will become agents of social change. It aims to nurture a sense of family among members, encourage academic excellence, and direct collective energies towards active involvement in community and society.

Officers

President: Cheska Magcaleng

Executive Secretary: Mary Julienne Joy Bongcac

Executive Treasurer: Maria Golda Diaz

Formation Director for Members: Jhoncarlos Sioson

Formation Director for Applicants: Maria Pamela Punzalan

Members

See the picture below:

To follow...

Activities

To fulfill its mission, UPSCA’s activities are centered on forming individuals into responsive Christians by reaching out to others through community service.

Individual Formation

a. Cell

The formation process starts in the cells, groups of 5-8 UPSCAns who meet twice a week. Communication is fostered through group discussions so that individuals can freely talk about different topics and process the activities that they do. The cell serves as the venue for self-discovery thereby realizing one’s relation to God and society.

b. Training

A series of trainings offered throughout the year, aim to develop and enhance the skills, knowledge and attitudes of the members through:

· Trainings on Group Facilitating/Leadership · Trainings on Popular Education (e.g. theater, module-making) · Seminars on Child Psychology

c. Retreats and Masses

UPSCA’s belief revolves around man’s relationship with God. Spiritual growth requires engaging in religious activities actively. We believe that the Eucharist is the center of our lives. Masses (Thursday and first Friday masses) have traditionally been sponsored by UPSCA. Annual retreats are organized to renew the members’ and applicants’ commitment in his service to God.

d. Barriowork (Immersion)

Discovery of one’s self in relation to the society would be incomplete without the members’ exposure to the different realities of life. Participants undergo a 10-day immersion and a subsequent Basic Orientation Seminar. In so doing, they become aware of the aggravating conditions of the underprivileged. Participants live with their foster families in the following areas: Banahaw, Calawis, Montalban and Zambales. They are able to realize the response called for by their faith and appreciate our work of service for social justice.

e. Insti-Visits

From time to time, UPSCAns visit different institutions (red-light districts, orphanages, homes for the aged, prisons) to further expose themselves to the conditions that confront people belonging to the different walks of life.

Community Service

a. Service programs

UPSCA holds weekly catechism and tutorial classes in destitute areas in Payatas and Kaingin, Quezon City. Part of this program, educational trips are also organized for the children.

b. Social Services

Each year, UPSCA extends its social services to the areas where the immersion program took place. Examples of which are the Medical Missions in Calawis and Zambales which were organized by barriowork participants and the training sessions which are being planned to further improve the livelihood programs in Montalban.

c. Disaster Response

In times of calamities/disasters afflicting our nation, UPSCA readily responds to the immediate needs of the victims. Last year, UPSCA initiated the “Sagip Kapwa”, a relief drive for the flood victims of the incessant monsoon rains during the first week of August. Also during the La Niña crisis, UPSCA initiated the University-wide “Save Mindanao Campaign” which convened several organizations in the Campus in the mission to help our brothers and sisters in Mindanao.

d. Issue Advocacy and Mobilization

UPSCA feels the need to respond to the call of the times. As such, members participate in mass movements on national and university concerns like the Anti-VFA Rally and the Anti-Chacha Rally of August 20. UPSCA recently initiated the "Peace Walk" to condemn the campus violence and the senseless deaths of students in the university.

Research, Documentation and Information Dissemination

a. Social Investigations

UPSCAns do a systematic recording and analyze data from our respective Barriowork areas. The information gathered are utilized for Social Service projects and future references.

b. The UPSCASites

The “UPSCASites” is UPSCA’s official home in the virtual world. It contains an online directory of UPSCA alumni and members alike and a chat room. “CyBanaag” the online version of UPSCA’s newsletter is also available there. http://iloveupsca.wix.com/iloveupsca

c. Banaag

“Banaag” is UPSCA’s official monthly publication. It contains the latest news around UPSCA and the campus and features the members’ literary works.

d. Papuri souvenir Program

Papuri souvenir Program contains UPSCA’s year-end activities and accomplishments given during the PAPURI production

Announcements

Temporary website: http://iloveupsca.wix.com/iloveupsca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upsca.diliman

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/115984207474463048902/posts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/upscadiliman

Tumblr: http://upscadiliman.tumblr.com/

Wordpress: http://upscadiliman.wordpress.com/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/upscadiliman