UP Mass Communication professor Florie Mateo writes 30

This is an announcement from the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Communication Research and the College of Mass Communication of the University of the Philippines (UP CMC) are deeply saddened by the passing away of Professor Florinda de Fiesta-Mateo, PhD on Saturday, 18 April, after a lingering illness.

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

Professor Florinda de Fiesta-Mateo, or Ma’am Florie as she was endearingly called by students, was a beloved teacher who began a distinguished career in the UP Diliman, soon 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.

Mateo was an inspiring presence who made significant and invaluable contributions within and beyond the UP.

A cherished member of the College faculty, Mateo was an exceptional teacher handling undergraduate and graduate classes in communication and communication research. Students consistently rated her among the top 10 teachers in the College, enthusiastically describing her as “super nice professor and mentor” and a “great adviser not only to the students but also to the Communication Research Society.”

As a communication scholar, Mateo actively conducted various academic research studies which were presented and published in significant local and international conferences and journals. Most recently, her area of research was the fascinating evolving world of the culture industries.

A highly-admired administrator, she served several times as Chair of the Communication Research Department. Moreover, she 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, Professor Mateo served as Director of the Office for Institutional Linkages and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2005 to 2011.

Beyond UP, Mateo made her mark on communication education in the country as a member of Commission on Higher Education’s (CHEd) Technical Review Committee for Communication.

Tributes for Mateo have started pouring in. UP Director of Alumni Relations Dr Wendell Capili echoed the sentiments of many others when he said, Florie “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.”

Dr Dante Velasco, president of Creative Point and the CMC Foundation Inc., described Florie’s grace and intellect, noting that “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.

UP Film Institute professor Dr. Armi Santiago’s homage to “such a great lady, beautiful in heart, soul and looks” similarly resonated the feelings and beliefs of those whose lives have been touched by Florie Mateo.

Mate lies in state at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City until Tuesday evening, April 21. On Wednesday, April 22,  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 am. – Rappler.com