On September 5, 2005, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 913 which provided for the creation of the Presidential Commission for the UP Centennial. On August 15, 2006, Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 537 directing the UP President to name the members of the Commission, which will be called the UP Centennial Commission.

The Commission is responsible for formulating and implementing a plan of activities for the Centennial, but its major task is to raise funds. It also promotes the celebration in the Philippines and abroad. The UP President, who is a member of the Commission will be assisted by the Vice Presidents in overseeing preparations within the UP System. The Chancellors of the constituent universities shall head the Centennial celebrations in their respective campuses.

After the second proclamation, UP President Emerlinda R. Roman named the members of the Commission and several meetings have been held and officers were elected and appointed.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, former UP President, is the Chairman. Dr. Magdaleno B. Albarracin, former Dean of the College of Business Administration and top business executive, is Vice Chairman. Prof. Benjamin C. Sandoval, professor of Business Administration is Executive Director. Dr. Elena Pernia, Dean of the College of Mass Communication, is Spokesperson.

The members of the Commission include UP Regents Abraham Sarmiento, Nelia Gonzalez, Gari Tiongco, and Edmundo Varona. Sarmiento was a former Justice of the Supreme Court; Gonzalez is an agriculture expert; Tiongco is president of the UP Alumni Association (UPAA); and Barona is a business executive and former Meralco board member. UP President Roman, who has a PhD in Business Administration, is a member of the Commission.

From government, members are Secretary Romulo Neri of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla. Members from the private sector are Dr. Gregorio Alvior, president of the Philippine General Hospital Foundation; Robina Gokongwei-Pe, businesswoman; Atty. Gizela Gonzalez, lawyer and writer; Atty. Eduardo Hernandez, former UPAA president; Menardo Jimenez, business executive; Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, internationally recognized fashion designer; and Dr. Angelita Reyes, a dermatology specialist.

Members who are alumni representatives from abroad are Theodore BM Aquino, top civil engineer, and Dr. Diosdado Banatao, a ‘technopreneur’ at Silicon Valley, both from California; Dr, Carmencita C. Quesada-Fulgado, a civic worker from New York; Dr. Bienvenido Jongco, surgeon, from New Jersey; and Dr. Roberto Mariano, economist, from Singapore.

(From The Oblation, Vol. 1, No. 1, July 2007)