UP, colleagues, students mourn CommRes professor’s passing

The University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication is mourning the passing of Communication Research Prof. Florinda Mateo last weekend at age 53.

Mateo, called Ma'am Florie by students, died after a lingering illness and would have turned 54 on November 18, the UP-CMC said in a statement.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Ricardo Mateo Jr., and daughters Felicia Margarita and Alyssa.

Her remains lie in state at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City until evening of Tuesday, April 21.

On Wednesday morning, her colleagues at the Communication Research Department will hold necrological services for her at the UP Chapel (Parish of the Holy Sacrifice) from 8 to 11 a.m.

The CMC described Prof. Mateo as "a beloved teacher" who began a distinguished career in UP Diliman, after graduating Bachelor of Arts in Communication, major in Communication Research (cum laude) in 1982.

"Throughout her almost 30 years of service at UP, she lived true to the University’s values of honor and excellence," the CMC said.

It added that she was "an inspiring presence who made significant and invaluable contributions within and beyond the University of the Philippines."

Prof. Mateo handled undergraduate and graduate classes in communication and communication research, and was rated by students as among the top 10 teachers in the College.

The students described her as a “super nice prof and mentor” and a “great adviser not only to the students but also to the Communication Research Society.”

Scholar, administrator

As a communication scholar, Dr. Mateo conducted academic research studies published in significant local and international conferences and journals, the CMC said.

"Most recently, her area of research was the fascinating evolving world of the culture industries," it said.

As an administrator, she served several times as Chair of the Communication Research Department, and was an "active and dependable chair of instruction, research, and extension committees of the Department and the College, thereby leaving a significant impact on the undergraduate and graduate curricular programs of the College."

At the UP System, she served as Director of the Office for Institutional Linkages and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2005 to 2011.

She was also a member of the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHEd) Technical Review Committee for Communication.

Tributes

"[She] mentored many students, sat in many university, college, and department committees. But most importantly, she was truly a dear friend and always, a very kind person," UP Director of Alumni Relations Dr. Wendell Capili said.

"Her ready smile, the knowing glint in her eyes, and her readiness to help us steer clear of complex thinking processes (will certainly be missed)," said Creative Point and the CMC Foundation president Dr. Dante Velasco.

"Such a great lady, beautiful in heart, soul and looks," said UP Film Institute professor Dr. Armi Santiago. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News