UP prof Dr. De Fiesta-Mateo dies

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Communication Research and the College of Mass Communication of the University of the Philippines are in mourning on the passing of professor Florinda de Fiesta-Mateo, Ph.D., on April 18 after an illness.

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

De Fiesta-Mateo, or Ma’am Florie to her students, began her teaching career at UP Diliman after graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, major in Communication Research, degree in 1982. She served UP for almost 30 years.

She taught undergraduate and graduate classes in communication and communication research. Students described her as a “super-nice prof and mentor” and a “great adviser not only to the students but to the Communication Research Society.”

She made significant contributions beyond UP. As a communication scholar, De Fiesta-Mateo undertook academic studies that were presented and published in significant conferences and journals in the Philippines and abroad.

In the UP System, De Fiesta-Mateo served as director of the Office for Institutional Linkages and assistant vice president for academic affairs from 2005 to 2011.

Her remains will lie at Loyola Memorial Chapels, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City until Tuesday evening. On April 22, her body will be brought to the UP Chapel (Parish of the Holy Sacrifice) for a necrological service from 8 to 11 a.m.