UP Cebu unveils historical marker

CEBU, Philippines – The UP Cebu College is the oldest regional unit of the University of the Philippines System with the "most colorful and exciting history."

Yesterday, the UPCC unveiled its historical marker showing its administration building's significant place in history.

Dr. Madrileña de la Cerna of the Social Sciences Division, in her brief talk, said that UP Cebu history begun in 1916, eight years after the founding of the UP Manila when some people in the Visayas realized the need for establishing a branch of UP in the south.

De la Cerna, Dr. Ambeth Ocampo, chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Atty. Winsor Calamba, associate dean of UP Cebu Colege, did the unveiling of the historical marker.

Ocampo said that he is happy that he was among those who unveiled the historical marker.

"The most important part is not only that we transferred the ownership of the marker to UP Cebu but we also gave the responsibility of its care. Markers are put in to remind us of the history of the place but more importantly it supposed to remind us of its place now in Philippine history and because of that we must care for it and make sure that it will survive for the next 100 years," Ocampo said.

After the unveiling, there was a signing of the certificate of transfer of the historical marker between the UP Cebu and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Calamba said the UP Cebu has gone this far and with its newly approved autonomous status, there is nothing that will prevent it from going further in terms of academic and administrative improvements.

The marker was made of cast brass that carries the seal of the republic, making it officially part of the Philippine history.

Ocampo said that even if the history is very long, the marker will set a particular place or event to state what the history was. (FREEMAN)