The first quarter of 2025 has been a meaningful and eventful time for UP Cwm Zena’na, as the organization marked its 45th anniversary and continued its advocacy of empowering women, especially in the geosciences. Here's a look back at what took place from January to March:
January
● Cwm Zena’na celebrates its Anniversary Month with the theme: “PLEAIDES: WEAVING THE SISTERHOOD ACROSS THE STARS”
The rich, deep blue of sapphire draws our gaze toward the vast night sky—a canvas where the stars blaze like ever-lasting threads of stories and legacies, shared across cultures. — UP Cwm Zena'na on their 45th Anniversary Announcement.
❖ Anniversary Dinner
Centuries ago, an open cluster of stars was labeled as Messier 45, securing its place within the astronomical wonders of the universe Today, the star cluster—the Pleiades—symbolizes an unwavering and timeless bond, eternally woven across the stars.
On January 19, 2025, the applicants, resident members, and proud alumni came together to commemorate UP Cwm Zena'na's 45th Anniversary at Tuscany Events Venue, Quezon City. More than just a celebration, it inspired renewed passion and commitment in looking ahead with a shared vision—uplifting, empowering, and leaving a lasting mark for generations to come.
❖ Merchandise Launch
The 45th Anniversary is further commemorated with stickers, shirts, and tote bags memorably designed according to the theme!
❖ Exhibit
The figure in the exhibit is inspired by the goddess of moon, Selene, highlighting the cosmic theme of the anniversary. It is then complimented by a glimmering wall of memories displayed through photographs of different batches. The exhibit is assembled and displayed at Tuscany Events Venue and, consequently, NIGS Lobby.
❖ 45th Anniversary Achievements Brochure
UPCZ continues its commitment to excellence with the achievements it has amassed over the past year. Feel free to peruse the soft copy version of the brochure distributed in the anniversary dinner!
February
● International Day of Women and Girls in Science
In February 11, 2025, UP Cwm Zena'na participates in the global recognition of the role of women and girls in advancing scientific pursuits and making positive impacts in society. We aim for the upliftment of the status and rights of female geologists—scientists—from all corners of the world.
March
This month, we focused on celebrating the accomplishments of women, highlighting the challenges they face, and advocating for gender equality as part of the annual observance of International Women’s History Month. To mark this year's celebration, the organization organized five (5) activities throughout the month to honor women globally and promote awareness.
● Gift-Giving Initiative
Our first initiative on the 8th of March is to give heartfelt gifts to our fellow women as a small token of appreciation, as well as help them with their hygienic needs. This year, flowers, stickers, as well as flyers for the yoga class and cwm talks were distributed to females within the College of Science Complex. In addition to the flowers, hygienic products were also stocked in the first floor comfort rooms of National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) for accessibility and convenience.
● Dr. Rosana Balangue-Tarriela Research Travel Grant Launching
The 𝗗𝗿. 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲-𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 was officially launched on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, at the 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗦 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺, marking a significant milestone in supporting aspiring female geologists. This program seeks to provide an avenue for female graduate students to attend prestigious international conferences and research events. Through this initiative, we hope to foster academic excellence, encourage leadership, and support the next generation of women in geosciences.
● Yoga Workshop
The second of the Women’s Month Initiatives is a yoga session. The workshop, titled “YoGals: Find Your Flow, Embrace Your Strength" was conducted on Women's Day March 21, 2025, in the NIGS Multi-Purpose Room, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Led by an experienced yoga instructor, it helps participants reconnect with their inner strength while fostering a supportive community. The class aims to blend movement, mindfulness, and strength-building exercises to encourage balance, resilience, and self-care.
● Online Cwm Talk 1
On March 22, the path of geosciences has welcomed the participants of Cwm Talk 1 titled "𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿: 𝗠𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀". As part of the Women's Month celebration, UP Cwm Zena'na spotlighted the career paths within the geosciences, empowering future scientists and explorers. The participants gained valuable insights into the opportunities the geosciences have to offer and its diversity from three respected women in their respective geoscience careers.
● Face-to-Face Cwm Talk 2
Lastly, the event titled "Her Story: The Power and Legacy of Women Across Time and Modernity" was held on March 28, 2025, at the NIGS Multi-Purpose Room. Distinguished speakers from the UST Department of History, Faculty of Arts and Letters, and the UP Diliman College of Social Work and Community Development shared their insights on the historical journey of women and the advancements in gender equality today, while also discussing the ongoing challenges women face across various fields. The discourse concluded with an engaging open forum, allowing participants to further explore and reflect on these important topics.