Last June 21, each soul who braved the University of the Philippines Centennial celebration did not expect to be around for the next hundred years. For this reason, the huge Araneta Coliseum was filled to the rafters. The majority felt young among wheel-chair bound and cane-propped alumni. A 101-year-old alumna looked incredibly young and energetic as did grey-haired graduates in their nineties.
Dr. Lydia R. Arcellana, Office of Alumni Relations director, made a roll call of alumni; UPAA president-regent Gari M. Tiongco gave the welcome remarks. Earlier, Agnes Essem B. Perez, Committee on Jubilarians chairman, presented the various jubilarians whose enthusiasm was highly palpable, their lusty cheering coming from all sides. Indeed, the immense crowd throbbed with excitement.
The coral jubilarians wore red; the golden jubilarians, gold; the diamond jubilarians, headed by indefatigable president Maria Araceli “Nellie” M. Reyes, were in beautiful ternos created by Asia’s Fashion Czar Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, himself a UP Fine Arts graduate.
UPAA board directors Atty. Ramon M. Maronilla and Dr. Sylvia. H. Guerrero gave special recognition to UP’s three or four-generation families. Among the representatives of such families were Dr. Serafin Quiazon, former National Library director and chairman of the National Historical Commission, and Cesar Virata, former Finance Minister and nephew of former UP President Enrique Virata.
Distinguished UP alumni present were former President FVR, Sen. Edgardo Angara, Jovito Salonga, Dr. Augusto Camara among others. Many of my own colleagues came: Atty. Rizalina Bonifacio Vera, widow of Judge Vera; Ambassador Nena Manalo, Atty. Teresita Cruz Sison, Nick Lizaso, Virgie Moreno, Glady’s Tiongco, Winnie Monsod. Atty. Josie T. Lichauco must have been present, too.
Past UP presidents, most of them illustrious, were cited: Sen. Ed Angara, Bienvenido Gonzalez, Carlos P. Romulo, S.P. Lopez, Vicente Sinco, Jose Abueva, Vidal Tan, Onofre Corpuz, Emilio Javier, Francisco Nemenzo, and scores more.
The raffle was postponed and reset to Dec. 16 at the Manila Hotel.
The UP Symphonic Band stood out, so did the moving tableau made up of Eva Gonzalez, Socorro Almendras Gillera and Josie Caluya Fonacier as the Women of Malolos, Dr. Amado Castro as Mabini and Dr. Aproniano Tangco as Bonifacio. Eva and Amado recited Romulo’s “I Am a Filipino.”
I could not stay to listen to UP’s Most Distinguished Alumnus Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno and his quotable quote “In critical issues, the UP alumnus has no right to be wrong.” The judiciary is not my field of discipline but the highly respected columnist Conrado de Quiros admires Puno immensely.
The brief yet meaningful speech of Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman, the first UP woman president, still rings in my ears.
Dr. Roman proclaimed the UP is now the country’s national university, President Arroyo having signed into law Republic Act 9500 last April 29. The new UP Charter leading to the Republic Act was initiated by past UP presidents, Sen. Angara, Jose Abueva, Emil Q. Javier and Francisco Nemenzo.
The UP is the country’s national university because 1) the educational institution and its branches cover the widest geographic territory in the Philippines; 2) it offers the most number of academic disciplines; 3) it is national in nature and scope, and is democratic in its access and governance, and 4) it has and will always work for the national interest.
UP from this day forward…
Monnar D. Baldemor’s painting exhibit “Independent Evolution” will be on view until June 30 at the Ortigas Center.
“Postura”, an exhibit of paintings by Romulo Galicano and ternos by Patis Tesoro will be on display at the Met Museum until Aug. 30. Prudential Guarantee and Assurance Inc. will cover any physical loss or damage to this exhibit and to any other cultural event in celebration of the 85th birth year of its founding chairman Robert Coyiuto.