The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) kicked off the 2019 National Intellectual Property Rights month in UP Diliman with “FUn IP : Families United in IP”.

515 participants, IPOPHL employees and their families flocked in UP for a whole day of festivities under the banner of “FUn IP”.

“I initiated FUn IP as an off-shoot of the Young IP Advocates (YIPA), because respect and appreciation can’t take root in the home with just the children. This must be supported by the whole family, and I’m inspired & spirited to see this fulfilled today,” said IPOPHL Director General Josephine R. Santiago, during the opening ceremony.

IPOPHL’s FUn IP kick-off activity saw special participation from four stars of UAAP Season 81’s comeback kings, the UP Fighting Maroons.

“We’re supportive of the office’s anti-piracy drive. Every act of piracy ruins jobs and the livelihood of people who work hard to make something original,” affirmed UP Fighting Maroon center Will Gozum.

‘Buy original copies (of movies) and don’t support illegal streaming,” Newly-recruited Maroon CJ Catapusan said.

Fellow ballers James Spencer and David Murrell joined in the fun.

The day’s activities were in the spirit of creativity, competition, and camaraderie: a Fun Run started the day’s events, followed by a Zumba dance workout. Palarong Pinoy and a photo and art workshop were simultaneously conducted followed by exhibition games and basketball games where IP stakeholders,academe partners, and IPOPHL employees in the afternoon.

The kick-off event also served as the culminating activity for National Women’s Month.

This is the first of many exciting IP-centered events IPOPHL will be holding this April as National Intellectual Property Rights Month, by virtue of Proclamation S. 190-2017. The 2019 theme is “IP in Education and Sports”

The National IPR Month’s activities will culminate on April 26, with the IP Convergence Forum – a high-level,multi-stakeholder conference – will be held with industry, academe, and government partners.