UP alumnus, 100, lights Centennial Cauldron
As the University of the
This was how its oldest known alumnus described his alma mater yesterday, as he carried the first of a hundred torches that will eventually light the “perpetual flame” on the Centennial Cauldron that signaled the start of the leading
Fernando Javier, who turned 100 years old last Dec. 22, recalled how UP
“UP is now much better than before,” said an apparently excited Javier, who now lives in
“Now it is big and has several buildings and better settings. Now it has many students and more professors,” he said.
According to Javier, UP only had around 500 students then, compared to the estimated 25,000 students now enrolled in the university.
Yesterday afternoon, Javier could not contain his delight over the festive atmosphere during the centennial celebration’s kick-off ceremonies, with loud music playing and with the cheerful crowd of past and present UP students.
He was even more proud to be one of the highlights of the festivity.
The torch relay ended with the lighting of the Centennial Cauldron, designed by Joel Ajero, a 1969 Chemical Engineering graduate, which features three pillars representing the three core values of the University, and seven flowers that stand for the seven constituent universities in the UP system: UP Manila, UP Diliman, UP Los Baños, UP Baguio, UP Pampanga, UP Visayas, and UP Mindanao.
UP was born on
The transfer of the main campus to UP Diliman in
Meanwhile, the UP Oblation, the university’s symbol, was transferred from the
UP President Dr. Emerlinda Roman asserted that to this day, UP remains “a national resource” and an “institution that has credibility.”
“The University has been through different stages. (It has been through) two world wars, a dictatorship, and two EDSA revolutions. (And up to now) UP is still one of the respected institutions in the country,” Roman stressed.
“The university has done much to deserve its current position. We’ve accomplished pretty much,” she added.
Yesterday’s festivities started at
It was followed by a program at the Padre Faura campus, then by a motorcade at 12 noon going to UP’s flagship campus in Diliman.
At the Diliman campus, activities included the torch relay, ringing of the Carillon Bells, 100 gun salute and 10 volley shots from the cannon by Roman to signal the official opening of the UP Centennial Year.
Sky divers carrying banners of the seven constituent universities descended in the open area fronting Plaridel Hall of the
An open air free concert was also held at the amphitheater, featuring UP alumnus Ryan Cayabyab, along with performing groups like the UP Madrigal Singers, the UP Concert Chorus, the UP Symphonic Orchestra, the UP Symphonic Band, the UP Jazz Orchestra, and the UP Pep Squad.
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