TheOBLATION The University of the Philippines Centennial Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 1 July 2007 The UP Centennial Company Choir sings UP Naming Mahal during the Centennial kick-off concert at UP Diliman. Centennial activities and projects off and running J une 18, 2007 marked the 99th founding anniversary of the University of the Philippines. President Emerlinda R. Roman kicked off the Centennial celebrations by delivering the Foundation Day lecture in UP Manila, the original site of the university, at the College of Medicine, one of UP’s first five units. President Roman’s lecture titled “PGH as the National University Hospital: Stepping into the Future” also celebrated the Centennial of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH)—being the 10th in the series of the PGH Centennial Orations—and the 40th anniversary of UP Manila (UPM) as the Health Sciences Center. Over at Diliman, celebrations began with “Isang Daan sa Isandaan,” a free concert held at the UP Theater at 7 p.m. Distinguished university alumni from the music industry such as Heber Bartolome and Ryan Cayabyab, as well as several of UP’s dance and chorale groups, performed in the colorful event. At UP Los Baños (UPLB), a motorcade led by officials after the flag-raising ceremony did the rounds of the Lower Campus starting from AG Samonte Hall and ending up at the Student Union Building. At Freedom Park, Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco released the UP Centennial Logo, which was lifted by balloons. The UP Centennial Commission plans to raise a total of P5 billion. A good portion of this amount is earmarked for professorial chairs, research and creative grants, research dissemination grants, and fellowships. President Roman is inviting alumni from all around the world to support the endeavor and has expressed her plans to reorganize the Friends of the UP Foundation to make the work of arranging meetings for overseas alumni Centennial activities, p. 3 UP delegation visits Michigan UP President Emerlinda R. Roman, College of Business Administration (CBA) Dean Erlinda Echanis, College of Engineering (CE) Dean Rowena Guevara, and CBA Marketing Prof. Victoria Jardiolin visited Michigan from May 13 to16, 2007 upon the invitation of UP Alumni Association in Michigan (UPAA-MI). The major objective of the visit was to inspire UP alumni in the USA to support UP’s faculty retention efforts by sponsoring UP delegation, p. 3 FUPFA reinvigorated in helping UP At the University of Michigan campus, L-R, Bong Jaramillo, Romy Aquino, Vicki Jardiolin, Ned Echanis, Ben Manzano, and Adeling Weller. O FUPFA TRUSTEES & OFFICERS AFTER MEETING L-R, seated, Francisco Juan, Julieta Zarate-Hudson, UP Pres. Emerlinda Roman, and Dr. Vicente Limcaoco; standing, Mae Echanis, Zenaida Cruz-Cervero, Crisostomo Garcia, Evelina Galang, Marietta Maligalig-Ison, Polly Santiago-Cortez, and Alma Onrubia n May 6, 2007, UP President Emerlinda R. Roman chaired a meeting in San Francisco, California of the Friends of UP Foundation in America (FUPFA). She called the meeting to review FUPFA’s role in supporting the University, especially in the light of the University’s Centennial celebrations. Attending the meeting were Francisco L. Juan, Vicente Limcaoco, Julieta Zarate Hudson, Marietta MaligaligIson, Crisostomo B. Garcia, Alma Hidalgo Onrubia, Polly Santiago-Cortez, Zenaida Cruz-Cervero, Mae Echanis, and Evelina Galang. The members of FUPFA called for the drafting of action proposals to refine the organization’s role in supporting the University. Its goal is to be a more visible and reliable channel for tax-deductible donations and a clearing house of donation information. On record, FUPFA grants have funded 28 professorial chairs for different colleges in UP. Nine post-graduate trainees received support for up to two years study in the US. Outstanding faculty members also received grants and awards from the organization. Smaller grants were given to divisions of the University. Another development was the appointment of new FUPFA officers and the resignation of Mr. Juan as Executive Director. Appointed that day were President Roman as Chairperson, SantiagoCortez as Vice Chair, ZarateHudson as Secretary, Galang as Chief Financial Officer, and Cervero and Echanis as Assistant Treasurers. Save the Carillon Project 4 President Roman‘s 2005-2006 trips jumpstart Centennial campaign 2 Hawaiian-themed reception at Jacksonville How to donate 2 4 2 | The University of the Philippines CENTENNIAL NEWSLETTER UP OBLA Hawaiian-themed reception, potluck at Jacksonv The Dinner at Joe and Corrie Tunac’s beautiful home. L-R, Prof. Vicki Jardiolin, Dean Ned Echanis, Bayani Domingo, President Roman, Corrie and Joe Tunac, incoming UPAA-MI President Helen Domingo, and outgoing UPAA-MI President Ben Manzano ‘Far Though We Wander’ Vicki Bello-Jardiolin O n May 10, New York City was the first stop of a five-city trip to the USA to touch base with and involve UP Alumni Associations in the USA in the UP and the UP Centennial celebration. The main objective of our visits with UPAAs in the USA was to appraise them of UP’s progress and its problems. President Roman’s message was “Yes, we’re still the best but for how long?” The young PhDs and masters degree holders in the faculty stay as long as they can for love of UP and country. But when they marry and have families, their UP salaries become woefully and anomalously inadequate. They have to look for “greener pastures” in private sector industries, other universities, or other countries, and what is a university without good faculty? New York was, in many ways, wonderful. Our friend Marites Bienvenida not only hosted us in her luxe flat in Manhattan but promised to donate two expensive violins which she bought at an auction to the UP College of Music. We were in New York to meet up with Adora Tidalgo, BSBA ’76, MBA ’78, and a College of Business Administration Distinguished Alumni Awardee. She has a flat in the same building as Marites so Dean Ned Echanis had plenty of time to persuade her—as she does all alumni whom she thinks will leave substantial assets—to include the College in her will. But that’s another story. Adora, whose entire family went to UP and who is a big executive at the Citibank NY headquarters, said “I want to help,” promising to make time to lecture at UPCBA in 2008 (among other “helpful” things, Adora?). UPAA-NJ invited us to a meeting at the Clarion Hotel in New Jersey. Benny San Pedro (ChE, ’64), who was also the affair’s witty Master of Ceremonies, made the long trip to fetch us and bring us back from Manhattan. Bede Torralba and Benny San Pedro of Tau Alpha Fraternity East Coast organized the very well attended event. Having been in UP when the Beta Eps and Tau Alphans were, putting it mildly, not getting along too well, I was slightly on edge about the mix of guests and had to reassure myself that they were no skinheaded neophytes but successful grown up men. I am glad to report that no hostilities erupted. Wow! These engineers are so good at fundraising. Dean Guevara, with the help of her block mate Rowena Velasquez (GE ’85), was able to sell 50 tickets for the College of Engineering’s fabulous 2007 raffle. Prizes included a Toyota Camry and three other cars. Dean Gev asked me to mention that the 2008 raffle would feature a BMW 320i and three more cars. The raffles are getting more exciting and the Engineering facilities more and more hightech. The Engineering alumni were charmed by their College’s first woman dean. They were gratified to hear from her of the College’s efforts to develop world-class faculty and students. But they were also shocked to learn that their College lost 18 faculty members in 2006. They pledged to support the College’s faculty retention efforts through a faculty grant. Also at the alumni meeting were UPCBA alumni Gary Camacho, Marie Resano Lopez, and Luz Javate, all BSBAA ’74. Rhoda Santos, BSBA ’61, and Nora Catiis also attended the party. While they were scared stiff of Dean Ned when she was still their accounting teacher, they now pledged their support to the College and promised to raise College faculty grant donations among the Business alumni in New York and New Jersey. Although UPCBA alumna Reda Lebite could not make it to her scheduled meeting with Dean Ned, she also promised a faculty grant for the College of Business Administration. On to Michigan. President Roman was waiting for us on Ben Manzano’s doorstep, looking as if she had not just traveled halfway around the world and visited with alumni in Canada. Bong Jaramillo from Engineering and now a top-level computer engineer at GM headquarters in Detroit met us at the airport and sweetly volunteered to be the “centennial driver” during our visit. Ben, president of the UP Alumni Association in Michigan (UPAAMI), hosted us for two nights in his big beautiful house. A very well-attended meeting and reception was held at the lovely home of Drs. Robert and Betty Go of Troy, Michigan. UPAA-MI and various alumni gave their pledges and contributions to the President. Down Memory Lane, they were happy to know that the Ikot jeeps are still very much around but are now supplemented by the Toki plying another route on the much expanded Diliman campus. They also asked about the UP Food Service and if it was still serving pineapple pie and rock-hard hamburgers. Strangely enough, these were edible when one was a student. We spent the night at the mansion-on-an-island home of Joe and Corrie Tunac. Over Corrie’s home-cooked breakfast, Joe, a UP Los Baños alum, explored the possibility of working with UP faculty on clinical trials for his drug research and development work. This could offer very interesting opportunities for UP’s Science faculty members. Our thanks to Norma Bada who took us to lunch and shopping and to Romy Aquino, Adeling Weller, Paz Naylor, and Ninfa and Bob Springer for touring us around the beautiful Michigan University campus. Old buildings, new buildings, renovated ones—all privately funded, all designed to “speak” to each other architecturally. Dean Guevara was reunited with friend Allyn Ojada and other old friends in Ann Arbor when she was doing her PhD in University of Michigan. It was Dean Gev’s turn to walk down Memory Lane. Next stop, Jacksonville. After the UPAA Florida Chapter welcoming committee made sure I would be reunited with my lost luggage (Panic!!), Far though, p. 3 President Emerlinda Roman, UP College of Business Administration Dean Erlinda Echanis, UP College of Engineering Dean Rowena Guevara, and Prof. Victoria Jardiolin were very warmly received in Jacksonville by the UPAA Florida Chapter. The chapter was formally founded on September 26, 1981 at the Orange Park residence of Gus and Beth Sason after two years of persistent tracking of UP alumni from a list provided by the UP Office of Alumni Relations. Twenty-two people attended this meeting and are considered the founding members of UPAA Florida Chapter. According to Max Fabella, the first president of the Association, credit is due to the “core working group of members and committees who can easily be mobilized by the president in office. We have maintained our linkage with the UPAAA national organization and the UP Office of Alumni Relations in Diliman. Also we have established linkages with other chapters through our delegates to the reunions in Iselin, NJ in 1987; New York City in 1990; and Anaheim, CA in 1992. The chapter remains strong and viable thanks to the cooperation of the officers and members.” A hawaiian-themed reception was held at the Hampton Glen Clubhouse on May 16, 2007. A potluck party was also held on May 18 at the riverside residence of Dr. Mel and Renee Carbonell. Dr. Carbonell is the current president of the UPAA Florida Chapter. Reception held at Hampton Glen Clubhouse, May 16 of Dr. Mel and Renee Carbonell, May 18th. Seated, L-R Rowena Guevara, President Roman, Prof. Vicki Jardio Ceguerra, and Nellie Rocha. Standing, L-R, Noli Vianz Perez, Lally Ferro, Roman Paje, Tony Fajardo, Beth Sa President Dr. Mel Carbonell, Jun Yparraguirre, Renee Ron Rodriguez, Salome Paterson, and Max Fabella. UPM will have another installment of its Centennial Lecture Series, titled “Community Engagement he UP System of the UP.” In May, UPM will hold and Commitment to National and the seven another of its Centennial Lecture Aspiration.” In December, UP will constituent universities Series, titled “Leadership in Health.” have its Grand Centennial Lantern disclosed a list of The UP Centennial Concert Parade in Quezon City; UPMASA select activities for the will be on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of its golf tournament (on the 17th) and Centennial to guide June at the Cultural Center of the homecoming ball (on the 27th); and alumni who may want Philippines. There will also be the UP Baguio (UPB) its general alumni to visit. Grand Alumni Homecoming on homecoming and launching of In September this the 21st and the General Alumni history book (on the 3rd). year, UP Diliman (UPD) Homecoming of UPM Alumni Updates can be obtained will launch the Oval Association on the 8th. from UPD Chancellor Sergio S. Walk Project for the Centennial Faculty In July, UP Visayas (UPV) will Cao, email:
[email protected], Development Fund. On November 14, hold its Centennial celebrations titled mobile: +639189091360; at UPD will have a colloquium to launch “Lagaw-Lagaw”on the 24th, “KitaUPLB, from Dr. Mimi Ocampo, the PhD Incentive Grant Project; and Kita” on the 25th, “Kata-Kata”in email:
[email protected] on the 28th, UPD launches the Open the afternoon of the 25th, and /
[email protected], Grant Project. On December 3, there “Sadya-Sadya” on the 26th. The UP mobile: +639185366882; at UPM, will be a musical and dance concert Medical Alumni Society in America Dr. Ellewelyn Pasion, email: at the campus to open the Christmas (UPMASA) will also hold its general
[email protected]; at UP Open season. homecoming this month. In August University, Chancellor Gigi Javier In January 2008, a Centennial UPM will hold a cultural show on Alfonso, email:
[email protected]; Fellow and Dr. David Gross, Nobel the 29th and the UP Nursing Alumni at UP Mindanao, Allan Villanueva, Laureate on Physics, will deliver the Association will hold its international email:
[email protected] / first lectures of the Centennial Lecture reunion.
[email protected]; at UPB, Dr. Series. The 12 Centennial Fellows will UP Los Baños (UPLB) will Maria Nela Florendo, email: deliver lectures spread out over 12 hold its 90th Loyalty Day in October
[email protected], and months. UPD will host a reception featuring a Centennial barn dance Prof. Victoria Costina, email: for donors on a date to be announced. and rodeo, an agro-industrial
[email protected]; and at UPV, Amy February in UP Manila (UPM) will see trade fair and coop products fair Daquilanea-Tanoy, email: upvalumnia a lecture titled “Historical Milestones (starting on the 12th). In November,
[email protected]. T See you at the CUs! T President Roman’s 2005 and 2006 US trips jumpstart Centennial Fund Campaign presented a check for $5,000 for faculty scholarship. The UP Nursing Alumni Association gave a check for $2,000; while the Vet Med alumni pledged $4,000. Alma Onrubia pledged $30,000 for a professorial chair. In San Francisco, Julie Hudson, Araceli Carbonell, Manuel and Cherry Utleg, Jess and Alexis Zulueta, Raffi and Diosy Rey, Rene and Letty Figueroa, Nestor and Ceny Duldulao, Victor and Libertad Salting, Romi and Beng Beza, and Hugo and Delia Zarate pledged $3,000 each. Isagani Sarmiento pledged $5,000. The Berkeley chapter had put up $35,000 at the end of the evening. The chapter had since committed to another chair and raised $23,000 more for this chair. Cesar Torres, Maria Harper, and Fil Obmerga also gave cash donations. At a dinner with San Francisco alumni, Ted Aquino presented a check for $2,000 for the Infirmary project. Afterwards, Luchie Galang pledged $15,000 for a faculty grant in the College of Engineering. President Roman calculated a net of $184,200 from this US trip. As a result of the visit, Felix Padlan later added $2,000 for the Infirmary project. As of January 23, 2006 his contribution to UP had reached $8,000. Dr. Mario and Mrs. Perla Andres of UPAA Toronto gave a check for CDN$25,000 for scholarships. Dr. Bayani and Mrs. Ursula Manalo of UPAA District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virgina came to UP to see what was done to their chapter’s $7,000 donation for the Infirmary. Dr. Patricio Reyes agreed to fund a faculty grant for the College of Home Economics. Maricris Bitong, a young alumna, contributed 10 checks worth $200 each for a faculty grant at the College of Business Administration. In July 2006, President Roman flew to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, to New York, New Jersey, and Chicago. She attended the annual homecoming of the UP Medical Society in America, a gathering of UPAA New York and New Jersey, a meeting of the Friends of UP Foundation, a summer picnic of UPAA Greater Chicago, and induction of officers of UPAA Northern California’s Berkeley chapter. UPAA New York pledged to set up a scholarship for students in the amount of $10,000. The New Jersey chapter pledged a faculty grant as well as funds for other development projects. Roman gathered more than $250,000 in pledges from alumni associations and the UPAAA. Individual alumni and families such as Rafael Chan, Patricio Reyes, Necita Roa, Dr. and Mrs. Cesar Gonzalez, Johnny and Grace Fong, Jose Aliling, Josefina Wee Sit, and the Caringal family also gladly pledged their support. o raise awareness of the UP Centennial and to gather funds for the development of UP, President Emerlinda R. Roman visited alumni associations across the United States in 2005 and 2006. Her travel to the US in 2005 was short, consisting of visits in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where she attended the UP Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) Convention. In San Diego, Joo Wee Sit presented her a check for $6,000 for a student research endowment fund; Olive Rocha and her group, the UPAA Greater Chicago, a $10,000 check for the UP Infirmary. Chairing a pledging session, Menchee Fulgado netted pledges amounting to $15,000, which Fel Tabangay promised to close at $20,000. Romy Mosqueda pledged to fund a professorial chair at $30,000. Within two days, Roman got $66,000 in checks and pledges. Tabangay and Dr. Juanita Nacu organized the convention. In LA, Emmanuel S.D. Lopez formalized his commitment to support a faculty grant in Space Science and Technology. Amante Pimentel, outgoing president of UPAA Greater Los Angeles, and Dors Maligalig, incoming, ATION ville, Florida Volume 1 Number 1 JULY 2007 |3 UP Dean Guevara meets Engineering and other graduates in California The next day, Chato Calderon went from San Francisco to fetch Dean Guevara to attend another alumni gathering at the Hyatt in Burlingame. At this party were Joe Alban, Cesar Cruz, Josie Cruz, Maria Fe Albano, Manuel Gaspay, Faith Cabanicia, Susan PoRufino, Gerardo Angeles, Leo Olmos, Jason Remigio, Ato Ramos, Cyrus Fagar, Gil Ongchangco, Gabby Moraleda, Gus Dimaano, Manny Reburiano, Araceli Carbonell, Louis Alarcon, Benny Garcia, and Rod Laguisma. At all those meetings, Dean Guevara gave a Powerpoint presentation on the UPCE’s plans, visions, and problems, and how the alumni might lend their support. Far though , from p. 2 College of Engineering (UPCE) Dean Rowena Guevara was invited to a gathering at Casa Robles in Fremont on May 25, 2007 to meet UP Engineering alumni and their spouses. Mayor Joey Esteves of Milpitas and Vice Mayor Jim Navarro of Union City gave Dean Guevara the key to their cities. At the party was a big crowd composed of Benjamin Ayala, Ayala Minia, Gary Olympia, Rene Bello, Maxima Olympia, Mario Castillo, Mario Tano, Lito Utleg, Cherry Utleg, Carlos Rabuy, Aurora Rabuy, Chato Calderon, Benny Garcia, Mario de Leon, Joe Aliling, and Butch San Mateo. 6. The potluck was held at the house R, Dean Erlinda Echanis, Dean olin, Menchee Fulgado, Emmelina zon, Paul Acedera, Gus Sason, Ernie ason, Lita Yparraguirre, UPAA-Florida e Carbonell, Adolfo and Gloria Acorda, Top: Dean Guevara with Benjamin Ayala, Minia Ayala, Gary Olympia, Rene Bello, Maxima Olympia, Bae Buenviaje, Joel Babanto, Thelma Batilo, Dolly Senga, Rudy Follosco, Mario Castillo, Mar Tano, Lito Utleg, Cherry Utleg, Carlos Rabuy, Aurora Rabuy, Jim Navarro, Chato Calderon, Ruben Garcia, Mario de Leon, Joe Aliling, Butch San Mateo, Jose Esteves Inset: Ma. Fe Albano, Josie Cruz, Dean Guevara, Manny Gaspay, Susan Po-Rufino, Louis Alarcon, Faith Cabanicia, Cesar Cruz, Joe Alban we went off to an incredible Chinese buffet which included Alaskan King Crabs’ legs. That night, we wore florals to a Hawaiian-themed meeting where we met most of the members of UPAAJacksonville, Florida. Not so easy to discuss faculty retention issues while festooned with leis but Dean Gev did and Dean Ned presented the UP Diliman Faculty Development Fund and the “Oval Walk” Fundraising Project. The association also treated us to a visit to EPCOT where Dean Gev had an especially good time trying out the high-tech attractions. Gus and Beth Sason, and Lally Ferro, who have probably done EPCOT many times before, were our enthusiastic guides. Of Gus Sason, Dean Gev says, “A world-class engineer who spent his professional life on pre-stressed steel. Even the monorail in Disneyworld used products from his company, and his name is appended to a method for standard test of strength. Gus will be next year’s first Centennial Distinguished Alumni Lecturer of the College.” Our thanks to Dr. Mel Carbonell and his gracious wife Renee for hosting us and for the potluck party in their posh riverside home. Bulalo and pancit canton and lumpiang shanghai in Jacksonville? Yes! Liza Julao brought bags loaded with gifts for everybody. Christmas in May? Yes! Louie Tupas met us at the airport in DC and with his wife Jerme also hosted the UPAA Alumni Association District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (UPAA-DCMDVA) gettogether and meeting in their spacious art-filled home at a fashionable suburban enclave in Virginia. Annie Cayaban-Wilderman from Engineering (IE) took care of our accommodations and getting around Washington, welcoming us with a champagne brunch and bringing us to hear Mass at the spectacularly beautiful Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Thanks to Matet Nartatez, my dear friend who did the monuments tour with us. The dinner tendered by Dr. Magdaleno Albarracin, Vice Chairman of the UP Centennial Commission, the humongous juicy steaks and huge cheesecakes, and most especially the seven faculty grants pledged by the generous UPAA-DCMDVA made a fitting climax to our DC trip. After long hours at airports catching and getting off planes, San Francisco was almost like coming home. Mae Echanis and her place on a hill where you can watch “the morning fog fill the air” have hosted UP alumni through the years, and Mae has perfected the art. Friends of UP Foundation in America (FUPFA) (and Mae’s fellow) officers Polly Cortez and Gigi Cervero were there to welcome us, as well as update the President on developments at FUPFA. Cora Ponce and Marz de Peralta, as always, were around to make visiting alumni’s stays in their city comfortable and busy with bargain shopping at Marshalls, Target, etc. Cora Ponce and Maricris Bitong readily subscribed to the Oval Walk Project, even saying years later it would be fun to walk around the Oval and look for their names and their friends’, too. On July 15, the Philippine Daily Inquirer featured Francis Chua, former president of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and donor to the UP College of Engineering, who is in stock brokerage, real estate, and semi-conductors, among others. He said he owes his business success to studying in UP “where he had to go through what he described as its ‘nightmare enrollment system’ and professors who made your life miserable but gave good training. … If you survive UP, you will survive the world.” Meeting the UP alumni in the USA, I discovered that they are not just surviving the world. “Far though we wander…” the UP spirit and the alumni are alive and doing just great. UP President tours Canada, gathers pledges Francis Paolo M. Quina UP President Emerlinda Roman recently visited UP alumni and the Filipino community in Canada as part of her continued effort to raise funds for the University of the Philippines. Coming from San Francisco where she attended a meeting with the other Trustees of the Friends of U.P. Foundation in America (FUPFA), President Roman arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 7, where she was hosted by Ms. Felipa Garcia. During her two-day stay, President Roman met with the officers of the UP Alumni Association in British Columbia, led by UPAA-BC President Luz Billon. The meeting proved fruitful as UPAA-BC vowed to set up a scholarship grant for UP students belonging to the university’s Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program’s (STFAP) Bracket E. The President’s stay in Vancouver was capped by a tour of downtown with Vancouver residents Evelyn and Henry Mayuga, and a dinner hosted by the UPAA-BC at the Holiday Inn, where 48 alumni attended. The following day saw President Roman in Victoria, also in British Columbia. She was accompanied by Ben and Lilia Pires—Victoria residents who had also attended the Vancouver dinner. In Victoria, President Roman was hosted in the residence of UPLB alumnus Celso Mendoza. A dinner in honor of President Roman was held that same evening by the Filipino community of Victoria at the Bayanihan Community Centre. The UP alumni there presented a short skit detailing the UP experience, particularly its students’ activism. A print of a Greater Victoria scene by alumnus Ed Araquel was presented to President Roman as a gift. During the dinner, President Roman also met with Prof. Andrew Harding of the University of Victoria (UV) to discuss the possibilities of academic cooperation between the UP and UV. The next day, President Roman flew off to Toronto where she stayed with Geny and Ester Toribio. In a dinner the following evening, President Roman met with the officers of the UPAA in Toronto at the residence of Noel Cruz, UPAA Toronto President. The officers pledged to upgrade a professorial chair they had set up in 2006, from the current P 600,000.00 to P 1 Million. The next morning, President Roman was the guest of honor in a “Kapihan” organized by the UPAA Toronto. The event, held in a hotel in Markham, Ontario, drew in over 130 guests. The president spoke briefly about the upcoming UP centennial and the projects and activities lined up in the celebration. The president’s visit to Canada ended on a personal note with a get-together of UPLB alumni in the Toribio residence. After Canada, President Roman flew back to the United States and visited with alumni associations in Michigan, Florida and Washington D.C, as well as in Hong Kong. From left: Vicki BelloJardiolin, Marie Resano-Lopez, Gary Camacho, Luz Javate, Erlinda Echanis, and Rhoda Santos Centennial activities, from p. 1 organizations a lot easier. There is also a move to have UP accredited with the Give2Asia network of the Asia Foundation to facilitate donors from the US and Canada. The UP Centennial Commission hopes to generate a total of P700 million in alumni donations. The Centennial celebrations will carry the theme “UP: Excellence, UP delegation, from p. 1 Leadership, and Service in the Next 100 Years.” The theme represents the University’s goal toward developing a wider expanse of research in different branches of knowledge. UP hopes to further strengthen its programs especially in Science and Technology and to generate feasible strategies which will aid the nation’s economic growth. It’s all systems go! from UM, as well as other UP alumni such as Senator Edgardo Angara, Magdaleno Albarracin, and Enrique Virata. President Roman took the opportunity to invite Coleman to the UP Centennial celebrations. 3. Corrie and Dr. J.B. Tunac hosted President Roman, Dean Echanis, and Prof. Jardiolin at his island retreat-residence in Oxford, MI. Joining them for dinner were Mr. and Mrs. Bayani Domingo, Liberty Jaramillo, and Benedicto Manzano, all UP alumni. Dr. Tunac presented the drug discoveries of his firm FERMECAL, Inc. and upcoming major pharmaceutical developments in the market. 4. The UP Medical Alumni Society in America hosted a dinnerfundraising at the home of President Enrique M. Ostrea Jr., MD. UPMASA presented President Roman with a donation of $2,000. Dr. Ostrea promised a professorial chair from his alumni organization. He also indicated to President Roman that his family would endow a professorial chair for UP. Top: Pres. Roman with UPAA Toronto President Noel Cruz. Bottom: President Roman with UP alumni and friends at the Bayanihan Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. professorial chairs. According to UPAA-MI President Benedicto Manzano, both UPAA-MI and UPMASA (UP Medical Alumni Society in America) will each donate a professorial chair. President Roman also invited the alumni to attend the UP Centennial celebration in 2008. Highlights of the Michigan visit were: 1. The main reception at the home of Drs. Robert and Betty Go in Troy, Michigan, where a check of $2,000 from the UPAA-MI was turned over to President Roman. UPAA-MI also promised to raise funds for a professorial chair to be delivered at the end of 2007. Art and Norma Bada, Ben Manzano, Drs. Robert and Betty Go all made pledges to donate funds to the University. 2. President Roman and Dean Guevara visited the University of Michigan (UM) and met with UM President Sue Coleman. Dean Guevara did her Ph.D. at the UM. UM and UP have a long history together. Murray Bartlett, the first UP president, was The Oblation T he Oblation: The University of the Philippines Centennial Newsletter is an update for University alumni about University events and projects running up to the UP Centennial in June 2008. In its first issue, UP reaches out to its graduates and friends for whom the UP is an indelible chapter of their lives and because of which, have continuously supported the University’s projects and objectives as the premier and national university. How to bridge distances and participate in this momentous juncture in the University’s and the country’s history? The Oblation features the many who have already done so and is also a means to thank them and invite them to come visit and be part once more of the UP community. The quarterly newsletter is accessible online at www.up.edu.ph. Editor in Chief Prof. Victoria Bello-Jardiolin | Editorial Consultant Prof. Isabelita O. Reyes, PhD | Managing Editor Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc | Copy Editor Marby Villaceran | Writer Francis Quina | Layout Artist Alicor Panao Oval’ and ‘Save the Centennial Commission formed, ‘Diliman projects launched Carillon’ officers elected and named T O n 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 Proclamation No. 913 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. After the second proclamation, UP President Emerlinda R. Roman named the members of the Commission. 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 Roman, Abraham Sarmiento, Nelia Gonzalez, Gari Tiongco, and Edmundo Varona. Roman, who has a PhD in Business Administration, is President of UP; Sarmiento, a former Justice of the Supreme Court; Gonzalez, an agribusiness expert; Tiongco, president of the UP Alumni Association (UPAA); and Varona, business executive and former Meralco board member. From government, members are Secretary Romulo Neri of the National Economic and Development Authority and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 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” Sen. Edgardo J. Angara 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. UPAA-DCMDVA meets UP officials UPAA-DCMDVA day with the UP officials on May 19, 2007, hosted by Drs. Louie and Jermelina Tupas, Vienna, Virginia. In the photo are Dr. Albarracin (far left) and UPAA-DCMDVA Pres. Jun Quion (beside Dean Guevara).The other participants include L-R, seated, Matet Nartatez, Vicki Jardiolin beside Vicky Guerero, Dean Echanis, President Roman, Dean Guevara, Annie Wildermann, Litz Sangalang, Mrs. Bustos, Jerme Tupas, Rochelle Collantes, and Candy Asesor; standing, Art Pangilinan (beside Dr. Albarracin), Josephine Pangilinan, Lisa Manaloto, Liza Virata-Theimer, Portia Pesigan, Fe Blanche, Catalino Blanche, Manny Lantin, Ed Quisumbing, Louie Tupas, Edi Sian, Mario Sanidad, Mynthia Cabrera, Bong David, Yolanda Palis, Tina Palanca, Teresita Olympia, Sigrid Zialcita, Ferdie Vinuya, Meggie Pleyto, Ched Bautista, Nathalie Pasatiempo, Nannete Quion, and Miriam Reidmiller. (Picture by Toto Asesor) By Louie Tupas O n May 19, 2007, Dr. Emerlinda Roman, president of the University of the Philippines System, along with UP Centennial Commission Vice Chair Dr. Magdaleno Albarracin Jr., UP College of Engineering Dean Dr. Rowena Guevara, UP College of Business Administration Dean Dr. Erlinda Echanis, and UP Professor of Marketing Dr. Victoria Jardiolin, met with UP alumni from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. The get-together was held at the home of Louie and Jerme Tupas in Vienna, Virginia, and was attended by over 50 alumni and guests Your alma mater needs your help Time to give back The UP is seeking to establish at least 100 professorial chairs and faculty grants to help keep its highly qualified faculty members. Currently, the University is finding it difficult to attract and retain faculty members with the starting monthly salary pegged at P15,000 for Instructor 1 and the highest salary at P30,000 for Professor 12. The College of Business Administration lost six faculty members in 2006, and the College of Engineering 18 PhDs. A professorial chair is awarded to faculty members for outstanding work in the fields of teaching and research, and creative endeavors. A faculty grant is given as an incentive to faculty members who wish to pursue research work and creative work. Both recognize outstanding work and add the name of the chair to the professorial rank, e.g., Carlos P. Romulo Professor of International Relations. Recipients receive financial remuneration. Any person, group, or institution may set up either a professorial chair or faculty grant. The donations for both the chair and the grant will be held in perpetuity in an endowment fund, with only the income from the interest used to support the purpose of the donation. For a professorial chair, an endowment fund of $30,000, or about P1.4 million, is needed. For a faculty grant, the endowment fund needed is at least $15,000 or P700,000. How to donate Prospective donors may contact any University official—the President, the chancellors, vice presidents, deans, department chairs, and faculty members. A memorandum of agreement (MOA) or deed of donation will be prepared with the donor/s and the University as the contracting parties. The donor/s shall name the chair or grant, the campus, college, course, or field the chair and/ or grant will be awarded to, and which institution shall manage the fund. When the MOA or deed of donation has been signed, the University President will endorse the establishment of the professorial chair or faculty grant to the Board of Regents. The recipient of the chair or grant shall then be determined by the campus and college, following Universityset criteria. Donors have the option of donating directly to the University or through the UP Foundation, Inc. (http: //upfoundation.org). United States residents who wish to make their donations taxdeductible have the option of giving their donations through 501C-3 accredited alumni chapters or through the Friends of UP Foundation in America (FUPFA) (email: upfoundation
[email protected]). coming from as far away as Baltimore, Maryland and Richmond, Virginia. The occasion included talks by all the UP guests and culminated with a symbolic donation of $30,000 for two Centennial Faculty Grants. It was formally turned over to the UP Foundation by UPAA-DCMDVA President Dr. Jun Quion in July 2007. It was a most memorable gathering of UP alumni from the region and wo projects dedicated to the UP’s Centennial have been launched. Both are fund-raising activities aimed at saving two elements of UP heritage: the excellent faculty, which is endangered by low salaries, and the symbolic Carillon at UP Diliman, where the bells have deteriorated with age. Both projects will improve the campus landscape. Diliman Oval Project To support the UP Diliman Faculty Development Fund, the existing inner sidewalk along the Academic Oval will be developed into The Walk. Donors’ names and possibly those of their UP alumni family members and friends will be inscribed in special commemorative tiles surrounding UP Diliman’s favorite walkway. The oval will be rehabilitated using modular blocks, each measuring 1.45 by 0.60 meters. Each block will carry interlocking pavers at the center, flanked on both sides with prefabricated concrete sand finish, on which a leaf pattern and name/s of the donor/s are carved. The leaf pattern symbolizes the alumni’s return to UP Diliman and the flowing interlocking pavers, the alumni’s collective support, loyalty, and love for their alma mater. The income from the Faculty Development Fund will be utilized for professorial chairs and faculty grants. A donation of P20,000 to the UP Diliman Faculty Development Fund can accommodate a maximum of four names. Donations have poured in since the project was launched last year. For inquiries and reservation forms, interested parties may call Erlinda S. Echanis, UP College of Business Administration, a chance to reminisce about UP and renew commitments to support the University during its Centennial celebration and beyond. UPAA-DCMDVA has 9297991 or email erlind
[email protected]. Those living in the US may get in touch with the Friends of UP Foundation in America, care of Mae Echanis, at 4155860939 or
[email protected]. More information is also available at www.upd.edu.ph. Save the Carillon The University of the Philippines Alumni Association has renewed its commitment to restore the 140-foot Carillon tower at UP Diliman. The restoration involves replacement of 36 of the 46 bells with new ones from Holland and the development of a plaza surrounding the tower. The second goal is to institutionalize the Carillon’s operation and maintenance. This includes maintaning scholarships to ensure the availability of a steady pool of well-trained carillonneurs. There have been previous attempts to restore the Carillon, but funds always came up short. The project was re-launched in June 2005 and hopes to raise P20 million, the cost estimate for the project. According to the project website, UPAA had raised P4,074,050 as of February 22, 2007. It plans to have the project completed by the UP’s Centennial. Names of donors would be engraved on brass plates, which, together with bricks, stones and tiles, would line up the ground of the plaza. Donations can be made online, through the UP Foundation, by wire transfer, or in check or cash. For more details on donations, entitlements, history of the Carillon, blueprints, photographs, and others, interested parties may visit www.upcarillon.org. pledged an additional seven Centennial Faculty Grants over the next year and a half to fulfill its goal of providing one grant for each constituent campus. Alumni get together in New Jersey Ciriaco, Albert Aberin, Vic Zabat, Pete Ybasco, Doris & Adrien Manahan, Nelson & Anna Villacorta, Benito San Pedro, Bede & Malou Torralba, Rowena Velasquez, Etao & Luz Salcedo, Renan & Naty Pineda, Wilford Lim, Thomas & Paula Choa, Jojo & Victoria Basilio, Rey & Fenette Morales, Jun & Tessa Mendoza, Bob Caes, Jojo & Gg Basilio, Fred & Carmen Gozum, Sonny & Rhoda Santos, Jolly Vir Benitez, Philip & Edith Sun and Jun Ballesteros. UPCBA Alumni Gary Camacho, Marie Resano Lopez, and Luz Javate, all BSBAA ‘74 and Rhoda Santos, BSBA ’61 and Nora Catiis also attended the party and pledged their support to Dean Ned Echanis for College faculty grants. U At the alumni get-together in New Jersey, members of Tau Alpha East with Dean Guevara, Jojo Basilio, Bede Torralba, Rey Morales, Jolly Benitez, and Benny San Pedro. P College of Engineering (UPCE) Dean Rowena Guevara, UP College of Business Administration (UPCBA) Dean Erlinda Echanis, and UPCBA Marketing Prof. Victoria Jardiolin were guests at a meeting of UP alumni in New York and New Jersey area on May 11, 2007. Held at the Clarion Hotel in New Jersey, the affair brought together members of UPKEM Global, Tau Alpha Fraternity, Beta Epsilon Fraternity, and UPAA-NJ/NY. Attending the meeting that night were Engineering alumni and their spouses: Manny