BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE DEPARTMENT

The year 1920 formally marked the creation of the Department of Physical Education in the University of the Philippines that required students to undergo physical training one hour a week during their four years of residence in the university unless otherwise exempted for valid reasons by proper authorities.

During the 2nd semester 1923-24, Physical Education courses were made a requirement at the College of Agriculture. Two (2) upper class students took charge of the PE courses for the initial year and it was only in 1927 that there was an appointment of a regular PE Instructor. Since then several have succeeded to the position.

It was also in 1927 that BAKER HALL was constructed and became the permanent site for the Department. Prior to this the “gym” was just a bungalow house and the open spaces in the campus served as the athletic grounds. Baker Hall had withstood the World War II and little repair was done even after the war.

It was in 1955 that a core staff was organized in the Department composed of a 5-man staff: 3 instructors, 1 assistant/pianist and 1 clerk.

Construction of additional facilities were undertaken during the incumbency of the following Department Chairs:
Prof. Agustin C. Cailao (1961 - 65) – Swimming Pool
Prof. Gregorio S. Gascon (1965 – 1970) – Tennis Court
Prof. Alberto A. Santillana (1978 – 85, 1989 – 92) - Weights Room, Pelota Court, Outside Basketball Courts
Prof. Virgilio M. Umali (1986 –89; 1992 – 95) – Archery Range
Prof. Veneranda L. Genio (1995 – 99) – Repainting & renovation of Stage and toilet facilities

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Since its conception,the Department has been offering only PE courses to students as a requirement of one's degree. When it became a part of CAS, DHK hoped to have greater opportunities for professional development as an academic unit. With the approval in Sept. 25, 1997 by the Board of Regents, the Diploma course in Physical Education was first offered in the 1st semester AY 1998-1999. Primarily, the aim of the program is to meet the demands of the national program on sports development and in response to the challenge of addressing the inadequacy in the relevant academic training of PE teachers within the Southern Tagalog Region. Initial enrollees to this program from 7 in the 1st semester 98-99 to 47 in the second semester 98-99 as a result of the UPLB-BPESS (Bureau of PE and School Sports, DECS) Scholarship Program. But with the scrapping of the scholarship beginning the SY 2000 - 01, there was a prominent decrease in the enrollment in the DPE program.

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

The Department was formerly under the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs where the Chair was under the direct supervision of the Director for Instruction. It was in December 20,1996 that the Board of Regents approved the transfer of the Department of Physical Education to the College of Arts and Sciences. It was then renamed “Department of Human Kinetics” and became a degree-granting unit.

The Department is headed by the Chair who is under the direct supervision of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

FACILITIES

The Swimming pool was built in 1960. In 1961, swimming became a compulsory PE course in the University.

Over the years, athletic grounds and sports facilities/equipment were constructed, improved, upgraded and maintained even if funds can hardly meet the expanding needs of the department. Several renovations are needed and many have not been done due to budget constraints. In fact, the construction of a new/modern gym/field house itself has been left hanging since it started its construction in May 1998 for Phase 1 - funded by UPLB Foundation at the amount of P 10 M, Phase 2 – started Aug. ’99 until Nov. ’99, funded by UPLB Administration at the amount of almost P 6 M).

Audio-visual room was constructed in November 1999 and overhead projector purchased.

With the increase in demand for sports facilities and sports program within the university and the region, UPLB facilities have always been eyed as venue for several sporting events and conferences/seminars.