Friends and family are keeping wake for former U.P. College of Mass Communication Dean Ellen Paglinauan at the Loyola Commonwealth. Her ashes will be brought to Bicol after Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, where she will be laid to rest.

       The U.P. College of Mass Communication will offer a mass  today, Jan. 15, 3 pm at the Loyola Commonwealth Mercy B Room 2nd floor.

       Dean Ellen was a well-known faculty of the U.P. Film Institute, film critic, and member of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Urian) (Film Critics Academy of the Philippines). During her term as dean, she established the U.P. Film Institute from the U.P. Film Department thru a rigorous and aggressive faculty recruitment process and a progressive curriculum review. As dean, she also finalized the construction plans of the U.P. Media Center and supervised the laying of the foundation and main structure. She also spearheaded the institution of the graduate program, M.A. Media Studies. She led the faculty convention that articulated and finalized the “vision-mission-goals” of the College. Known to be both a “strict” and kind administrator, Dean Ellen took pains in explaining the bases of promotions and made sure the process proceeded from the premise that all U.P. employees were underpaid by U.N. standards for decent wages, and needed immediate relief. Dean Ellen’s liberal outlook also provided vistas for the exhibition of more independent films at the U.P. Film Center.

       After her retirement in U.P., Dean Ellen taught “Media, Government, and Society” at the UST Law Graduate School.

       Dean Ellen leaves a legacy of honest and hard work in the public service, critical thinking in the academe, a genuine concern for the plight of her countrymen, long-lasting friendships and an unbroken commitment to mentoring and practice.