By聽Anna Regidor, images by Leonardo A. Reyes
(JUN. 18)鈥擳he 7:15 a.m. call time and the early morning sun did not deter an estimated 1,000 faculty, staff, upd varsity teams and students who came to Quezon Hall and walked, cheered and grooved to celebrate UP鈥檚 106th Foundation Day.
The festivities began with a warm-up activity led by the UP Varsity Pep Squad (UP Pep), who energized the crowd at Quezon Hall with their cheers. After a few minutes a parade comprising members of the UPD academic community began moving counter clockwise from the Oblation Plaza around the academic oval.
Returning to the oval, the parade was followed by a special flag-raising ceremony conducted by the UP Rayadillo.
The UP ROTC Symphonic Band under the baton of Prof. Rodney D.S. Ambat accompanied the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and UP Naming Mahal.
Following the special flag raising rites was a short program entitled 鈥淪ayaw-Galaw UP.鈥 The UP Pep led the crowd鈥攊ncluding the college deans and directors present鈥攊nto singing and cheering.
The next performance was from Dulaang UP (DUP) whose members staged 鈥淩itwal ng Pag-aalay,鈥 an adaptation of a scene from their highly successful musical 聽
It was followed by a thrilling number by the UP Singing Ambassadors, who sang and danced to 鈥淎y, Ay Pag-ibig!鈥 and a medley of 鈥淜ay Ganda ng Ating Musika,鈥 鈥淪alamat Musika,鈥 and 鈥淚sang Mundo, Isang Awit,鈥 much to the delight of the crowd.
Another concert is scheduled for Friday, June 20, 5 p.m. 鈥淎lay Sayaw鈥 is a free dance concert to be held at the Oblation Plaza, featuring performances by leading dance groups, namely: the UP Dance Company, UP Filipiniana Dance Group, UP Pep and the UP StreetDance Club.
The groups will perform their award-winning dances as a symbolic offering for this year鈥檚 foundation day. The program will also feature a special performance by DUP.
For his part, UPD Chancellor Michael L. Tan said the theme and spirit of this year鈥檚 foundation day is one of boldly innovating while respecting the traditions 聽and goals of the university.
鈥淒ito sa Diliman ang lahat ay young at heart. Malinaw pa ang isip, klaro ang pananaw. Itutuloy natin ang isang daan at anim na taon ng mga tradisyon, pero handa rin tayong baguhin ang kailangang baguhin. Mag-salamin at mag-hearing aid kung kinakailangan,鈥 he explained.
According to the , the University of the Philippines was founded on June 18, 1908 through Act No. 1870 of the Philippine Assembly, authorizing the Governor General to establish the University of the Philippines in the 鈥渃ity of Manila, or at any point he may deem most convenient.鈥 It was to give 鈥渁dvanced instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences and arts, and to give professional and technical training鈥 to every qualified student regardless of 鈥渁ge, sex, nationality, religious belief and political affiliation.鈥
UP first began at Calle Isaac Peral (now United Nations Avenue) and Padre Faura in downtown Manila in 1909 with the School of Fine Arts; the College of Liberal Arts; the College of Medicine; the College of Veterinary Medicine; the College of Engineering; the College of Law; and the College of Agriculture in Los Ba帽os, Laguna. Its first president was an American named Murray Bartlett.
UPD was established as a constituent university at its 976th meeting on April 23, 1985.
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