Theme: Blueprints

Even the grandest ideals are empty without concrete plans. Blueprints are goals laid down; they give clarity to the vision and form to the vagueness. They give exact measures to dimensions, yet are open to change as specific details are rolled out. In TEDxUPLB, we will bring together ideas that inspired Blueprints in different areas of life. As we all listen to how plans and drafts were made and are constantly changed, our hope is to encourage the community to find where their own dreams can become realities.

CCDL Auditorium, UP Open University
Los Baños, Laguna
Los Baños, Laguna, 4030
Philippines

Eljay Deldoc

Writer

Eljay Castro Deldoc is a writer, translator, actor, director, and educator. He earned his degree in Communication Arts from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He has been a fellow of the Cordillera Creative Writing Workshop, the 14th Iyas National Writers Workshop, and the 15th Ricky Lee Scriptwriting Workshop. His most notable original plays are "Ang Goldfish ni Prof. Dimaandal", "Si Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala", "Lukot-Lukot, Bilog-Bilog", and the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award-winning "Pilipinas Kong Mahal With All the Overcoat". Eljay is a member of the Writers Bloc and The Quiapo Collective. He is also the artistic director of Tabsing Kolektib, a Manila- and UPLB-based theater company.

Ivan Bilugan

Visual Designer

Ivan Bilugan is a designer and colorizer from the Filipinas Heritage Library. He is also the artist behind Philippine History in Color, a digital archive of historical photographs of the Philippines in full color. He started Philippine History in Color to promote Filipino values and lessons from history. Through colorization, he is able to re-introduce these values and lessons to the new generation. Aside from this advocacy, his colorized historical photographs are crafted to make his audience rediscover and relive the Philippine history in a more vibrant, colorful perspective.

Jae Rodriguez

Teacher

Jae Rodriguez is assistant professor, teaching human genetics and evolution at the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Genetics. Working on a forensic genetics topic for his master’s thesis, he formulated a system for DNA testing of sexual assault cases in the Philippines. He has presented his results to various conferences overseas, namely in Thailand, Singapore, Australia, South Korea, and Croatia. Jae Rodriguez is assistant professor, teaching human genetics and evolution at the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Genetics. Working on a forensic genetics topic for his master’s thesis, he formulated a system for DNA testing of sexual assault cases in the Philippines.

Jiggy Manicad

Journalist

Rodrigo “Jiggy” Manicad is a award-winning journalist, host, anchor, and author. He is currently a host and anchor for programs in GMA News and Public Affairs including “24 Oras Weekend”, “Reporter’s Notebook”, and “Quick Response Team”. He has covered various national and global stories. Most of it revolve on crime, politics, investigations, science, and medical stories. He authored “On the Edge: On Assignment with Jiggy Manicad”, a compilation of his news reports. In his book, he features stories of few of the most controversial events happening both in the country and in the world.

Marlon Nombrado

Teacher + Media Literacy Advocate

Marlon Nombrado is a teacher of media literacy. While teaching full-time, he co-runs with his friends a non-profit organization called Out of The Box Media Literacy Initiative. He is taking up his MA in Communication at the University of the Philippines Diliman where he also finished his bachelor's degree in Journalism in 2014. He believes in the power of problem-posing transformative education and alternative media production as means to enable Filipinos to participate in a stronger democracy.

Richard Heydarian

Political Analysts

Richard Javad Heydarian is an academic, columnist and author, having taught political science at Ateneo De Manila University and De La Salle University, Philippines. Currently a resident political analyst at GMA Network and a columnist for Manila Bulletin, he is a regular contributor to Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in Washington D.C., and is the author of, among others, “Asia’s New Battlefield: US, China & the Struggle for Western Pacific” & “Rise of Duterte: A Populist Revolt Against Élite Democracy” (Palgrave Macmillan, London). He has written for/or interviewed by the world’s leading news outlets, including Aljazeera English, BBC, Bloomberg, and The New York Times, among other leading publications. He was awarded the 2016 Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for his contributions to social sciences.

Rogel Sese

Astrophysicist/Space Scientist

Dr. Rogel Mari Sese is an astrophysicist, space educator and policy space expert. He earned his degree in Applied Physics at the University of the Philippines Los Baños and doctorate in Astrophysics at University of Tsukuba in Japan. He was awarded as one of the Emerging Space Leaders in 2012 by the International Astronautical Federation and recognized as one of the Top Asian Scientists 100 for 2018 by Asian Scientists Magazine. He is the leading advocate for the creation of the Philippine Space Agency and Policy. He believes in using space technology for agriculture, environment, communication and defense applications that would benefit the country. He promotes public awareness on the importance of space in our everyday lives and how it can help improving the quality of life for the everyday Filipino."

Wilhelmina Garcia

Interior Designer

Idr. Wilhelmina “Willie” S. Garcia is a graduate of Interior Design at St. Scholastica’s College, Manila. She is a licensed interior designer and a member of PIID (Philippine Institute of Interior Design) since 2006. She attended social entrepreneurship at Youth Encounter Sustainability (YES) held in Armenia, Colombia. In 2007, she won the grand prize in interior design category “The Environment Shapes You” by Metrobank Arts and Design Excellence (MADE). She is an advocate of the environment and continues to create art pieces as her means to lessen wastes in different communities. Her beautiful furniture pieces and accessories have been exhibit in different events in the Philippines and even abroad – Paris and Belgium.