UPAA unveils restored UP Carillon

Manila, Philippines - The University of the Philippines (UP) Alumni Association officially turned over the UP Carillon to the University of the Philippines at the UP Carillon Plaza, UP Diliman campus, Quezon City. The event also marked the successful restoration of the national landmark, which took nine years and three UPAA administrations to complete.

“UP is honored and blessed to have this unique cultural and historical treasure that UPAA has guaranteed for future generations of UP students to enjoy,” said UP president Alfredo Pascual.

“The UPAA is grateful to all the UP alumni and supporters around the world because without their generous contributions and support, we would not have been able to accomplish this seemingly extraordinary feat,” said UPAA president Gladys Tiongco.

The UP Carillon is a musical instrument composed of 46 bronze bells housed in a 130-foot tower. It holds the distinction of being the first campanile or bell tower of its kind ever built in Southeast Asia. It is also the only carillon in the country that is played using a clavier (a wooden keyboard). 

It was inaugurated in 1952, more than 10 years after it was first conceived by National Artist for Architecture Juan Felipe de Jesus Nakpil, UP Music conservatory director Ramon Tapales, and UP President Bienvenido Gonzales. The tower was designed by Nakpil.

The carillon serenaded generations of UP students, workers, and residents with its signature chimes daily, even playing classics like Magtanim Ay Di Biro (Planting Rice), popular songs from the Beatles, and the famous labor anthem L’Internationale during the Diliman Commune in 1971. But in 1988, the carillon became mute after surrendering to time and wear; the bronze bells had become out of tune and the wood had crumbled after hours of play.

The “Save the Carillion Project” was launched in 2005 after UP Theater and Carillon administrator Dr. Josefina Agravante proposed the restoration of the carillon to the UPAA in time for the UP Centennial. Jaime S. De Los Santos, then the UPAA president, readily accepted it as the flagship project of the UPAA.  The project was later passed on to the next UPAA board led by Gari M. Tiongco and Ponciano E. Rivera, Jr.

The UPAA launched extensive fund-raising campaigns, including a concert featuring the world-renowned and multi-awarded UP Madrigal Singers, to raise P30 million for the restoration and tuning of the instrument, replacement of various parts such as the clavier and the bells, and the landscaping and renovation of the tower and its surrounding area.

Today, the UP Carillion has 36 new bells purchased from the Royal Bell Foundry Petit & Fritsen B.V. Holland (c. 1660) and a new oak keyboard designed for heavy duty performances. The bells are also connected to a master clock, a synthesizer, and a computer, so they can be played without human accompaniment.

The area around the tower was redesigned to become a flat amphitheater and is now called The Carillon Plaza, where cultural activities such as concerts, plays, and art exhibits can be held.