Department of Behavioral Sciences, CAS-UPManila

28/01/2026

In a research by Asst. Prof. Piamonte, it was found that smoking intensity is related with age of smoking initiation among Filipino daily smokers even after controlling for other variables. Specifically, the study provides evidence that higher smoking intensity may be linked to early smoking initiation.

RESEARCH | Understanding the relationship between age at smoking initiation and later smoking intensity is crucial for assessing future health consequences of smoking early and informing strategies to prevent and reduce to***co use. This study found that the average age at which daily smoking commenced was 20.93 (SD=6.35) years, while the average number of manufactured ci******es consumed per day was 9.50 (SD=7.26). Each additional year of age at which smoking was initiated was associated with a 1.55% decrease in smoking intensity in the adjusted model.

Author: Samuel Brando H. Piamonte (Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila)

Published in To***co Prevention and Cessation

Read more: https://ovpaa.up.edu.ph/research/those-who-start-smoking-at-a-younger-age-are-likely-to-become-more-frequent-and-heavier-smokers-later-in-life/

Photo by Rahu from Pexels

28/01/2026

Check this out!

The memorandum outlines the conversion and the reclassification of Guidance Counselors and Coordinators positions. Proposed qualifications and standards for School Counselor Associates include minimum of 18 units in Behavioral Science courses that shall include 200 hours of supervised practicum or internship on guidance counselling, preferably in schools or communities.

15/01/2026

We are offering the following graduate courses this semester! Please message us for more details.

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Design by: Holaxia Alvarez

14/01/2026

We have the following GEs and electives open for enrollment.

GE: Psych 10, Archaeo 2, SAS 1
Elective: Psych 101, Socio 160, Anthro 198

05/01/2026

Are you looking for an elective or GEs for the incoming semester? Try Anthro 198, Archaeo 2, or Psych 10!

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Design by: Holaxia Alvarez

17/12/2025

Congratulations, ma'am Diane! We wish you success in this new role. 🎉

16/12/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Dindo P. Café and the project team on the approval of their research under the Emerging Interdisciplinary Research Program, titled “Humanistic Intensive Intervention Model for Children in Conflict with the Law.”

Your dedication helps build more humane, restorative, and inclusive justice system for children.

16/12/2025

🎉 The Department of Behavioral Sciences congratulates the following faculty members:

Dr. Leonardo Estacio
SAGAD Award for Professor 12

Dr. Calvin de los Reyes
Approval of Permanent Appointment

Dr. Dindo Café
Prof. Archie Lawrence Geneta
Dr. Gaea Marelle Miranda
2025-2027 One UP Professorial Chair and Faculty Grant Awards

Images by: Holaxia Alvarez

16/12/2025

Part 3/3

💚 BEHliktanaw 2025 💚

An afternoon of stories, laughter, and coming home. We are deeply grateful to our alumni, students, speakers, and partners who made BEHliktanaw: DBS Alumni Get-Together, a meaningful celebration of our shared roots and continuing journeys.

We also proudly mark this gathering as the official launch of the UP Behavioral Sciences Alumni Association — a new chapter of connection, collaboration, and collective care for our community.

The Department expresses gratitude to the following:
UP Behavioral Science Society
RAD Rides Rent-A-Car
Rachelle Ann Dupaya
ALLDESIGN Furniture
IMAGE Photo Booth
Bianca Pauline Tapalla
Rowell Gasaclang
Mikaella Andrea Dumagoso

Photos courtesy of: Brandon Deichmann

16/12/2025

Part 2/3

💚 BEHliktanaw 2025 💚

An afternoon of stories, laughter, and coming home. We are deeply grateful to our alumni, students, speakers, and partners who made BEHliktanaw: DBS Alumni Get-Together, a meaningful celebration of our shared roots and continuing journeys.

We also proudly mark this gathering as the official launch of the UP Behavioral Sciences Alumni Association — a new chapter of connection, collaboration, and collective care for our community.

The Department expresses gratitude to the following:
UP Behavioral Science Society
RAD Rides Rent-A-Car
Rachelle Ann Dupaya
ALLDESIGN Furniture
IMAGE Photo Booth
Bianca Pauline Tapalla
Rowell Gasaclang
Mikaella Andrea Dumagoso

Photos courtesy of: Brandon Deichmann

16/12/2025

Part 1/3

💚 BEHliktanaw 2025 💚

An afternoon of stories, laughter, and coming home. We are deeply grateful to our alumni, students, speakers, and partners who made BEHliktanaw: DBS Alumni Get-Together, a meaningful celebration of our shared roots and continuing journeys.

We also proudly mark this gathering as the official launch of the UP Behavioral Sciences Alumni Association — a new chapter of connection, collaboration, and collective care for our community.

The Department expresses gratitude to the following:
UP Behavioral Science Society
RAD Rides Rent-A-Car
Rachelle Ann Dupaya
ALLDESIGN Furniture
IMAGE Photo Booth
Bianca Pauline Tapalla
Rowell Gasaclang
Mikaella Andrea Dumagoso

28/11/2025

You are all invited to attend this event on December 1 - World AIDS Day.

"Influence of HIV Stigma on HIV Talk and Testing Behavior in Philippine Key Populations"

Hosted by the Graduate Program in Health Policy Studies (Health Social Science) together with the Office of the Gender Program of the College of Arts and Sciences

📅 December 1, 2025 (Monday)
🕒 5:30 PM
📍 Via Zoom

To register: https://forms.gle/7jaXB1kKxJEtiLQ26

Invitation to an Online Seminar:

"Influence of HIV Stigma on HIV Talk and Testing Behavior in Philippine Key Populations"
Hosted by the Graduate Program in Health Policy Studies (Health Social Science),
together with the Office of the Gender Program of the College of Arts and Sciences

📅 December 1, 2025 (Monday)
🕒 5:30 PM
📍 Via Zoom

To register: https://forms.gle/7jaXB1kKxJEtiLQ26
Zoom details will be sent on the day of the online session.

In observance of World AIDS Day on December 1, the Graduate Program in Health Policy Studies (Health Social Science), together with the Office of the Gender Program of the College of Arts and Sciences, will be organizing a webinar titled, “Influence of HIV Stigma on HIV Talk and Testing Behavior in Philippine Key Populations.”

We are inviting Gideon Livingstone P. Bendicion, lead author and graduate of King’s College London, to present the study, "The Management of Social Standing: Characterizing the Influence of HIV Stigma on HIV Talk and Testing Behavior in Philippine Key Populations Using a Grounded Theory Approach." Access the article here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00221465251388639

We also invited representatives from the Academe (Luis Emmanuel Abesamis), Community-Based Organization (Santha Nacua Leornas Galay), and the Department of Health (Jayne Eunice Yang) to serve as reactors.

This online forum will highlight, through grounded theory principles, an analysis of in-depth interviews exploring the experiences of select Philippine key populations—groups with a high HIV burden—and their families.