“We feel very proud of this. This is a milestone for UP Mindanao,” UPMin Chancellor Gilda C. Rivero told media in a press conference.

She recounted how the project had been proposed almost two years ago. When the DOST approved a grant of P23 million for the UPMin Biotechnology Research Program and the establishment of the facility, UPMin was able to do more in-depth and advanced research work in biotechnology and has, at present, become a center of biotechnology in Mindanao. “We are now on our first year, and I think we’ve met [our] goals,” the chancellor reported.

The grant currently supports the research program on indigenous bio-resources in Mindanao, consisting of several component projects. The program is currently focused on the sago palm because of its abundance and high starch yield. Dr. Dulce M. Flores, leader of the “Extraction Studies, Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Sago Starch” project and program pioneer, aims to shorten the process and reduce the cost of producing “value-added” products such as industrial lactic acid, ethanol, and biodegradable plastics from starch.

“Sago is just the first, but other abundant indigenous resources like nipa, kaong, and some forest species ornamentals will be included in future programs,” Flores added.

The potential of sago is recognized by program sponsors DOST and the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD). PCASTRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora described sago to the press as a viable food source that can serve as an alternative to corn and other local crops.

DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro praised UPMin’s efforts in biotechnology and called it an example of how the academe can help lessen the dependence on non-renewable materials.

Alabastro added that, with the facility, UPMin now becomes part of the network of older UP campuses involved in biotechnology research: UP Diliman, UP Manila, UP Los Baños, and UP Visayas—all of which have their own institutes of biotechnology. UPLB is focused on agricultural biotechnology, UPM on medical applications of biotechnology, and UPV on marine biotechnology.

In extracting “value-added” products from sago, the UPMin biotechnology program has embarked on an inventory of sago palms growing in the forests of Mindanao and other places in the country; the study of its pests, natural friends, and microbial growth regulators; the micro-propagation of sago palms; the molecular varietal verification of sago species; and the study of starch-digesting organisms.

President Emerlinda R. Roman said that projects like these prove that UPMin can do more than offer degree programs to help the country. At a time when UPMin is still grappling with its identity as a constituent university, it has embarked on research works tailored to fit the needs of its clientele. The strengthening of its science and technology capabilities is also in line with its mandate to apply UP expertise to the concerns of Mindanao. According to Roman, studies on indigenous food and bio-resources found in Mindanao fall under Mindanao studies, a broad field UPMin can excel in.

Chancellor Rivero said that the biotechnology project has enhanced the collegiality of UPMin experts from various disciplines as they are working toward a common goal. “The students never had it so good… work[ing] in state-of-the-art laboratories,” Rivero added.

Leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Alabastro, Ebora, Roman, and UP Vice President for Academic Affairs Amelia P. Guevara. They were welcomed by UPMin officials, led by Chancellor Gilda C. Rivero, who thanked them profusely for helping the CU realize the biotechnology program. (With reporting by Yas D. Ocampo and Rene Estremera)

From the UP Newsletter

UP placed third in the over-all standings in the 71st Season of the UAAP after an impressive one-to-nil victory of the UP Fighting Maroon Booters over the FEU Tamaraws at the Erenchum Field of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Jose Andoni Santos of UP sealed the fate of the Tamaraws by scoring the deciding goal. The Maroon Booters bested the defending champions after beating them twice in a twice-to-beat series. Fighting Maroon John Edward Rances was later named as the season’s Most Valuable Player in Football.

In Men’s Volleyball, the Fighting Maroons settled for second place after the UST Growling Tigers won the best-of-three series at the Arena in San Juan City. The Maroons had earlier defeated the DLSU Green Archers, despite the Archers’ twice-to-beat advantage, placing the boys from Recto in the third spot. UP’s Gerald Magtoto was hailed as the Best Setter for this season.

Along with their colleagues in volleyball and football, the Fighting Maroon Fencers also took this season’s second place in the Women’s category, and third place in the Men’s category. The Maroon Sluggers placed second in baseball. The Fighting Maroons also grabbed third place in the Men’s category in Tennis. UP’s Robert Miguel France Nasis was named MVP for Track and Field in the Juniors Division.

During the first semester, the Fighting Maroons were batting for third place in the over-all standings in the UAAP after its hard-earned championship win in Women’s Judo, where Ada Theres Estanislao was named as the Most Valuable Player; second place in Women’s Basketball; third place in Men’s Swimming; second place in Women’s Swimming, with Luica Gaudes Dacanay named Most Valuable Player; third places for Men’s and Women’s Table Tennis. UP also successfully defended its championship title at the Cheerdance Competition.

The over-all standing of a university in the UAAP is determined by adding all the points earned by its participating teams. The teams are scored based on how they placed in their respective events. According to the system adopted by the UAAP, 15 points goes to the champion, 12 points goes to the first runner-up, and 10 points to the second runner-up. Points ranging from eight to one are also given to winners of the fourth place to the eighth place in events that have more than three places for finishers. This season, the University of Santo Tomas headed the pack with 333 points; followed by De La Salle University with 241 points. UP came in third with 235 points.

The UAAP events include basketball, chess, beach volleyball, judo, taekwondo, table tennis, and cheerdance during the first semester; and baseball, football, softball, tennis, track and tield, volleyball, badminton, and fencing during the second semester. UP participated in all events.

This season’s host, the University of the Philippines, had hoped to bag the championship as an athletic tribute to the centennial celebrations of the country’s premier university. UP was Overall Champion in the UAAP in the 40th and 41st Seasons (1977-1978 and 1978-1979), in the 43rd Season (1980-1981), the 45th Season (1982-1983) sharing the title with the University of Santo Tomas, and in the 60th Season (1997-1998).

The Closing Ceremonies were held at the UP Bahay ng Alumni on March 12, 2009 where the season’s winners were handed their awards. Aside from the recognition of the team and individual winners and the MVPs, UP’s Javier Luis Gomez of the Men’s Track and Field Division was recognized in the Academic Achievement Awards for athlete scholars. The ceremony also marked the end of the 71st Season with UP Diliman Chancellor Sergio Cao turning over the hosting duties of the UAAP games for the 72nd Season to Far Eastern University President Anton Montinola. (With reports from the UP Diliman Information Office)

From the UP Newsletter

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap challenged the UP Los Baños (UPLB) community to support government efforts in boosting food production at the opening ceremonies of the UPLB Centennial celebration held on March 2 at the Seniors’ Social Garden.

Yap, the program’s guest speaker, said that the country has to produce twice the food that it is producing now in order to feed the entire population by 2015. He challenged UPLB constituents to be truly “iskolar para sa bayan” and help in food production. He regretted the fact that the Philippines still imports staples from neighboring countries.

“UPLB must be more militant and more aggressive in its research on agriculture and agricultural technology in its next 100 years,” he added. Yap, however, recognized the research contributions of the University as substantial contributions, pointing out alternative technologies made by UPLB in the fields of agriculture, forestry, agro-industry, veterinary medicine, and biotechnology. For farmers, UPLB has a storehouse of knowledge and skills that can increase crop yield and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in favor of organic fertilizers. It has also created crop and horticultural varieties that are more resistant to pests and inclement environmental conditions.

But these have to be disseminated and applied more widely. Yap thus stressed the importance of training and extension work. During an earlier program, Dr. Domingo Angeles, College of Agriculture (CA) dean, said that the technologies and the plant varieties generated by the College will be “reinvested” in the farmers by way of technology transfer.

With an assurance that the constituent university will work toward these goals, Yap committed himself to lobbying for the allocation of more funds to UPLB. He then reported that the Gloria Arroyo administration has increased the budget for agriculture by 67 percent—the highest increase in history, Yap said. For his part, Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco vowed continued support of agriculture by the University.

President Emerlinda Roman praised UPLB for its tradition of excellence and service to the country and stressed its role in rural development and expertise in emerging fields like biotechnology, microbiology, and alternative fuels. She then urged the University to build character among students and nurture in them a sense of country and service.

The ceremonies formally opened the AgriFair and Exhibits and the Flower and Garden Show where CA units, government and R&D institutions, and private groups displayed new technologies and products. A rodeo also took place later in the week.

Before the opening ceremonies, an early morning program was held at the Foundation Site Marker at the CA. Chancellor Velasco and Dean Angeles urged the UPLB community to look back at history and find inspiration to do better in its tasks ahead. UPLB started as the College of Agriculture, which was one of the first UP units to be established when it was created by the Board of Regents on March 6, 1909.

Chancellor Velasco congratulated the CA for maintaining the standards of excellence and its relevance to society. He expressed optimism that the College will keep up the good work despite increasingly higher expectations and challenges that lie ahead. The chancellor encouraged everyone to continue living the dreams and aspirations of UPLB’s forefathers for the development of agriculture in the country.

Remembering the circumstances of the College’s founding, Velasco pointed to the ideal location of the campus, whose proximity to Mt. Makiling and Laguna Lake and the good climate made it the choice campus for agriculture and forestry. The other sites considered were Majayjay in the same province and La Granja on Negros island.

UPLB was the first unit of the University declared to be autonomous when UP was re-organized as a system in 1972. At present, UPLB has nine colleges and two schools: College of Agriculture, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Developmental Communication, College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology, College of Economics and Management, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, College of Human Ecology, College of Public Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, School of Environmental Science and Management, and the Graduate School.

From the UP Newsletter

The various sectors of the UP community were fetched from different points at the Academic Oval by the Quezon City Hall and the Armed Forces of the Philippines marching bands, while the crowd was welcomed at UP’s Quezon Hall with music from the UP Symphonic Band. A flag-raising ceremony was led by College of Music Dean Ramon Acoymo, the UP Cherubims and Seraphims, and the UP Staff Chorale.

The highlight of the program was a speech by President Emerlinda Roman, which was interrupted by an SMS message announcing the approval by the Department of Budget and Management of the Centennial Bonus for UP personnel. President Roman said that while the University may face many problems, there are still a lot of things to celebrate, such as the public’s pride in, respect for, and trust in UP; the goodwill of almost everyone in the country; and UP’s rich resource of talented personnel who are committed to the ideals of excellence, leadership, and service.

The speech was followed by the launching of the UP Centennial Commemorative Stamps, with Luis Carlos, Assistant Postmaster General of the Philippine Postal Corp., and the UP System Executive Staff unfurling from the Quezon Hall bridge four large tarpaulins printed with the stamp designs. The stamps, which will be accepted around the world, are available in four designs executed by College of Fine Arts’s Alfred Capiral. The designs feature the UP seal, UP Centennial logo, Carillon, and Oblation.

The new officers of the UP Diliman Student Council (SC) took their oath in front of the UP community, with UP Diliman Chancellor Sergio S. Cao administering the oath.

The program at Quezon Hall ended with the release of 100 maroon and green balloons accompanied by fireworks and the community singing Happy Birthday.

The SC then led a march toward Vinzons Hall, where its project for the P50-million renovation of the 50-year-old building was launched with performances from various student groups and UP School of Economics alumna and contemporary bossa nova artist Sitti. Guests of honor were Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vinzons’ daughter Carolina Vinzons-Gaite, and a representative of Senator Francis Pangilinan. The office of Pangilinan is donating a substantial amount to the project.

Programs were also held in the UP constituent universities to celebrate the UP Centennial.

(For photos of the ceremony, as well as the concert go to the official UP Centennial website)

From the UP Newsletter website

It was a star-studded extravaganza and a day of recognition for UP alumni who held a grand general homecoming at the Araneta Coliseum on June 21, 2008.

President Emerlinda R. Roman welcomed the alumni and lauded them for their untiring commitment to the University, especially in the celebration of its centennial.

Updating the alumni about the new UP Charter, Roman assured them of UP’s continued role as the National University. She stressed the alumni’s contribution in helping the University accomplish this role, which includes raising funds. Roman briefed the crowd on the many gatherings being held among alumni all over the world and her visits with alumni chapters in the country and in the United States. These visits have yielded huge donations and contributions to the University’s Centennial Fund Drive. “UP would not be what it is without you,” Roman said.

The Centennial Fund Drive is a project of the University and the UP Centennial Commission aimed at raising P5 billion for faculty development, maintenance and improvement of facilities, scholarship programs, and athletic training.

Directed by stage and screen icon Prof. Behn H. Cervantes of the Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts, the homecoming was nothing short of spectacular. Former senator and broadcaster Orly Mercado and columnist Prof. Solita Collas Monsod were the program’s emcees.

Beyond the festivities, UP’s tradition of excellence, service, and leadership rang clear with the recognition of around 56 individual and family awards for outstanding alumni contributions to the Alma Mater and to the nation in various fields.

Speaking for the awardees, 2008 Most Distinguished Alumnus Chief Justice Reynato Puno, BSJ’62; LLB ’62, said that although the awardees may have received other awards, the awards given by UP mean so much more, coming from the Alma Mater and on the occasion of its centennial.

Puno also said, “I view our awards, not as personal achievements but the recognition of the UP soul and spirit in our beings. These awards are the manifestation of the spirit of the Oblation in our work.” Puno added that graduates of UP genuinely persevere in serving the nation, and that even had the alumni not received public acclaim, they “would have persevered in their work with the same passion and precision.”

Puno was recognized for his elegant and well-written decisions that greatly enriched Philippine jurisprudence, and for being the “leading constitutionalist of the Court,” a “true jurist” who wages lonely battles against conventional wisdom with his stirring dissents and insightful opinion.

In his closing remarks, Regent Ponciano H. Rivera thanked UP alumnus Jorge Araneta for letting the UPAA use the Araneta Coliseum gratis. He said that the alumni homecoming was not only “an opportunity to renew old ties,” it was also a chance for everyone to reflect on “who we were” and “what we have become.”

Special recognition
In celebration of UP’s centennial, this year’s UPAA awards had more than the usual categories.

Lifetime achievement awardees include Dr. Belinda A. Aquino, Dr. Natividad Crame-Rogers, and Justice Leonor Ines-Luciano. Dr. Aquino is a professor of Philippine studies at the University of Hawaii. She was vice president for public affairs of UP from 1989-1996, and was a faculty member at the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG). She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English degree from UP. Dr. Crame-Rogers, who graduated from UP in 1949 with a degree in Philosophy, was lauded for her accomplishments in theater and contribution to Philippine art. She pioneered undergraduate specialization in drama and speech, theater, and the performing arts; and played lead roles. Justice Luciano was recognized for her service in the judiciary, in the legislature as a sectoral representative for women, and in civic work. She obtained her Bachelor of Law from UP in 1941.

Other awardees honored for their achievements and work in their respective fields were Jessica Soho for communication and information; Dr. Amefil M. Agbayani, Felicisima M. de los Angeles-Bautista, Dr. Cayetano C. Pomares, and Dr. Teresita V. Ramos for academic leadership; Ms. Florencia G. Casanova Dorotan, Dr. Lily Cenizal-Fojas, and Dr. Jose Antonio U. Socrates, Jr. for community empowerment/service; Engr. Jose Martin O. Aliling for responsible corporate governance; Prof. Ruperta R. Asuncion, Ms. Edita M. Carolino-Garcia, Ms. Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi, and Dr. Edsel H. Moscoso for culture and arts; Orlando B. Vea for entrepreneurship/employment generation; Dr. Perry S. Ong and Atty. Antonio A. Oposa for environmental conservation and sustainable development; Amb. Rosario Gonzalez-Manalo for gender equality/women empowerment; Atty. Loida M. Nicolas-Lewis for global entrepreneurship; Dr. Benjamin D. Adapon, Dr. Manuel M. Dayrit, and Dr. Bernadette J. Madrid for health; Dr. Teofilo T. Bangayan, Deanna Lorenzana-Gregorio, and Juan Y. Solomon for poverty alleviation; Amb. Lilia R. Bautista, Dr. Carolina Garcia-Hernandez, and Amb. Rora H. Navarro-Tolentino for public service and good governance; Dr. Priscilla Chinte-Sanchez, Dr. Francisco C. Dimayuga, Dr. Hernani G. Golez, and Dr. Gisela Padilla-Concepcion for science and technology; and Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, Justice Magdangal M. de Leon, and the late Justice Romeo A. Brawner for championing justice/judiciary.

The UPAA Presidential Awardee for Public Service in the international category was US Senator Judith Paulette Gutherz, while the UPAA International Alumni Achievers were Dr. Jorge G. Camara, Jose Dudley D. Diaz, and Luzviminda N. Sapin-Micabalo. The Presidential Awardees for service to the UPAA were Amb. Edgardo B. Espiritu, Danilo A. Gozo, and Regent Nelia Teodoro-Gonzalez.

Another award given was the UPAA Family Recognition for their outstanding work and support to the university. Those who received this were the Bañez-Perez, Consunji, David-Peczon, Flor, Gancayco, Kintanar, Lapus-Gozon, Lopez-Castillo, Lorenzana, Niguidula, Quiason, Tria, Valdez, and Virata families.

From the UP Newsletter

In UP Manila, a new Oblation statue was unveiled at the main gateway after a concelebrated mass at the PGH chapel. The CU also had a soft launch of a coffee-table book on its heritage, culture, and history and the launch of the Comprehensive Community Health Program’s book Reflections and Relevance. A model of the soon-to-rise UP Manila Museum and Archives was also unveiled.

The new UP Manila Oblation was an “interactive work by (UP Open University Chancellor Grace) Javier Alfonso with National Artist Guillermo Tolentino’s UP Oblation.” It stands on a pedestal with designs of flowing fabric interspersed with leaves and the symbols of the colleges. The fabric symbolizes scholarship, while the leaves symbolize nature. Trees were planted around the new Oblation Plaza in front of Rizal Hall, Padre Faura.

UP Los Baños marked the UP Foundation Day with tree planting, an unveiling ceremony of the markers of 12 heritage trees, a convocation program, and a welcome parade and concert for the UP Centennial freshmen.

Horticultural tree species were planted at 6:30 a.m. along Kanluran and Silangan roads. The 12 trees were the first to be identified under a project which highlights the campus as a living museum of heritage trees. To help identify the heritage trees, Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco created an ad hoc Committee on Heritage Trees in 2006.

Around 1,900 “centennial” freshmen were welcomed in an early breakfast and convocation in the morning and a concert at Baker Hall in the evening.

The UP Visayas will have a weeklong celebration of the Centennial in July. On July 22, there will be a motorcade, photo exhibits, a food sale during the day, and a fireworks display and “Spirit of ‘67 Concert” in the evening. July 23 will see traditional Filipino games and a nostalgia theater featuring a montage of excerpts from the past plays played by alumni. July 24 will feature “Pasundayag,” a stage presentation by the UPV faculty, REPS, and staff. On July 25, the activities lined up are a centennial tree planting ceremony, a parade, a lunch, live band concert, an “Oblation” body paint contest, the launch of the “Save the Old High School Building Project,” and the fashion show titled “Hinugyaw.”

The UPV Alumni and Faculty Centennial (1908-2008) Homecoming will be held at the Iloilo Grand Hotel on July 26.

In UP Baguio, a special flag raising program was held at the Oblation Plaza, followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Oblation Walkway. The community also celebrated the Centennial Day with a tree planting on campus.

(For photos of the CUs’ Centennial day activities go to the official UP Centennial website)

From the UP Newsletter website

Click here to watch the UP Centennial television advertisements being aired on Philippine television.

The quarterly newsletter is accessible online at http://centennial.up.edu.ph.

Editor in Chief – Prof. Vicki Bello-Jardiolin
Managing Editor – Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc
Copy Editor – Marby Villaceran
Writer – Francis Paolo M. Quina
Layout Artist – Alicor Panao
Editor Consultant– Prof. Isabelita O. Reyes, PhD

We also print here the lyrics by Romeo Candazo of the song “Salamat sa Iyo, UP” which was set to music by his high school classmate Ryan Cayabyab. It was first sung at the UP High School Commencement in 2003. At the “Isang Daan Sa Isang Daan” concert, which kicked off the Centennial celebrations in UP Diliman, it was sung by the UP Concert Chorus. It was again sung at President Roman’s reception for alumni members of Congress, where the guests gave it a standing ovation.

Salamat sa Iyo, UP

Sa ‘yo, UP, maraming salamat
Ikaw na aking tahanan
Mula sa aking pagkamulat
Hanggang sa aking huling hininga
Sa ‘yo, UP, maraming salamat
Ang iyong mga aral ang aking gabay
Baon ko ito sa paglalakbay
Hanggang mapanaw ang buhay

Kami’y lumaki sa iyong pag-iingat
Natutong mag-aral, natutong magsaya
Dulot mo ay init tuwing kami ay nagiginaw
Sa lahat ng panahon bigay mo’y pag-asa

Sa ‘yo, UP, maraming salamat
Ang iyong mga aral ang aking gabay
Baon ko ito sa paglalakbay
Hanggang mapanaw ang buhay
Salamat UP

Originally published in The Oblation Issue Vol. 1 No. 2