The University of the Philippines started its celebration of UP’s 100th founding anniversary on the morning of June 18, 2008 with festive ceremonies at the UP Diliman campus.

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