UP SOLAIR Wraps Up IRHR 23
26 November 2025
by: Arman Mangilinan, REPS
Center for Industry Productivity and Competitiveness (CIPC), UP SOLAIR
The 23rd Certificate Course in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management
August 30 – November 22, 2025 | Via Zoom
The UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR), through the Center for Industry Productivity and Competitiveness (CIPC), successfully concluded the 23rd Certificate Course in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management (IRHR 23) on November 22, 2025. Under the direction of Dr. Virgel C. Binghay, the program brought together 55 participants from diverse industries and sectors across the country.
Over nearly three months, IRHR 23 delivered 20 lecture sessions anchored on dynamic, practice-oriented learning. Participants engaged with a robust line-up of HR and IR experts, including industry practitioners, labor and HR researchers, and UP SOLAIR faculty members. This multidisciplinary approach enriched discussions on strategic HRM, labor relations, organizational development, compensation systems, employee engagement, and emerging workplace issues.
The culminating day on November 22 highlighted the participants’ ability to integrate theory with practice. In the morning, the class was divided into 10 groups, each presenting its capstone projects tailored to the needs of their respective organization.
Each group received in-depth critique and mentoring from distinguished panelists, including previous resource speakers of the certificate course’s lectures, joining with Asst. Prof. Mary Leian M. Pasumbal, former Senior Research and Extension Specialist and now UP SOLAIR faculty member, and guest critic Dr. Oliver C. Requilman of De La Salle University Manila, a Certified Total Rewards Specialist (ASEAN Institute of Total Rewards, Singapore) and Certified Professional HR (CPHR). Their addition to the experts provided participants with invaluable feedback to strengthen their organizational recommendations.
In the afternoon, participants underwent a final learning assessment, followed by the awarding of certificates to the successful completers of IRHR 23. The closing program featured key messages from esteemed guests: UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II formally opened the ceremony, emphasizing SOLAIR’s continued commitment to developing forward-looking HR and IR professionals. Then, Ms. Dothy Grace Bungay, alumna of IRHR 18 (2022), HR OD and Employee Engagement Manager at ARC Refreshments Inc. (makers of RC Cola), and a graduating DipIR student, delivered an inspiring message on applying IRHR learnings in the workplace and continuing education in UP SOLAIR programs.
After the awarding of certificates to the successful participants, Ms. Judy Morpus, the high scorer of the post-test, shared her personal learning journey and expressed gratitude to the organizers, lecturers, and fellow learners.
Lastly, the ceremony concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Virgel C. Binghay, who congratulated the participants for their diligence and encouraged them to champion fair, strategic, and people-centered workplace practices. The event was also hosted by Arman Mangilinan, coordinator of IRHR 23.
IRHR 23 earned an impressive 4.72 average rating (on a 5-point scale) for overall course quality. Participants highlighted rich real-world examples and highly relevant IR topics, deepened understanding of HR and IR concepts, insightful sharing of organizational practices across industries, competent, humble, and engaging speakers and faculty, appreciation for the capstone presentations and expert critiques, timely, structured, and well-organized sessions, and high regard for Dr. Binghay’s structured and disciplined teaching approach, which helped maintain focus in an online setup.
Many described the program as “very informative,” “eye-opening,” and “valuable, especially for new HR practitioners,” with several expressing gratitude for the opportunity to expand their knowledge and apply learning directly to their roles.
The success of IRHR 23 reaffirms UP SOLAIR’s mission to cultivate competent, ethical, and future-ready HR and IR professionals. As workplace environments continue to evolve, programs like IRHR equip practitioners with the strategic insight and technical grounding necessary to navigate complex organizational challenges.
Congratulations to all graduates of IRHR 23!
UP SOLAIR and CIPC look forward to welcoming future cohorts committed to advancing responsible and transformative people management in the Filipino workplace.