UP Diliman 107th Commencement Exercises: Paglayang Minamahal

The 29 summa cum laude graduates. (Photo from UPDIO)

The rains came the night before.

That morning the sunflowers along the University Avenue shone, and 4,612 graduates beamed with sunshine on their faces as they walked on soggy ground to their seats. The MassComm graduates unfurled yellow umbrellas, and the would-be lawyers put on their wide sombreros.

Chancellor Michael Tan started the ceremonies with UP reality checks.

Alexander Michael 'Miggy' Bautista,
BS Business Administration, cum laude!

He looked at Alexander Michael 'Miggy' Bautista on his wheelchair in front of the Virata School of Business Administration contingent, and he recalled promising to Miggy the installation of an elevator at Palma Hall. The funds came but there were structural and logistical problems on the shaft. Miggy transferred to Virata. There were no elevators there too but he managed to walk through, figuratively, his course with the help of his parents, schoolmates and even security guards.

People with Disabilities (PWDs_were clearly in Tan's mind; likewise the financially-handicapped UP students who finish their courses the LULI way: lulubog lilitaw. He cited a library science student who went through that hard way and was finally graduating at the age of 34.

He went on to say too that among the graduates are some who suffer from clinical depression, and there were those who did not make it. One particular case, who dreamed of getting back to UP, got killed by the police because he supposedly held up a taxi driver,

Of course, he reminded that the free-tuition policy for undergraduates began this school year 2017-2018. No fees of any kind were collected and that meant, he said, belt tightening.

His parting shot to the graduates: "Many of you have benefited as iskolar ng bayan in the full sense of the word, and you are still exempt from return service, which will require starting this schoolyear for all who benefit from the no tuition fee policy.

"But even if you are not required to render return service, I hope you will think of coming back, and giving back. Huwag munang mag-isip na maging balikbayan, Ang kailangan, pagbabalik bayan, at least stay and work and serve our country."

The university bestowed Sen. Loren Legarda, BA Broadcasting '81, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

Sen. Legarda receiving her honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

In her speech, she recalled the nerdy "student Loren", how she coped with the grind of UP life:  shuttling between classes around the oval via ikot jeepney, dealing with terror professors and the lines to get the best schedule and instructors during registration.

She acknowledged the 'resume peace negotiations' placards raised among the graduates, and said she's all for it.

She noted that there are things in UP that will never change ('hindi magbabago magpakailanman') like the graduation theme 'paglayang minamnahal: paglaya ng kaisipan, ang paglaya ng pamamahayag, ang paglaya mula sa kahirapan, sa kamangmangan, at sa kaapihan.'.

"UP would not be UP if we were to devote ourselves to anything less than service to the people in whatever form," she stressed. "UP would not be UP if it did not dare to lead, to be different, and to excel."

Yellow umbrellas for MassComm graduates.

She then called attention to the 'need to protect and to promote our environment', which pushed her to author and sponsor the passage of laws on solid waste management, clean air, clean water, renewable energy, climate change and people's survival.

The need to protect the weak, the dispossessed, and the marginalized people moved her to support significant legislation on women and children and senior citizens.

She tied these all up in her leading advocacy on culture and the arts.

"I have supported important initiatives," she said, "in the arts in their full range and variety, from our indigenous artisans to Philippine representation in the Venice Biennale."

Legarda is the co-author of the National Cultural Heritage Act, which mandates the National Commission on Culture and the Arts and the local government units to undertake the Philippine Registry of Cultural Properties.

She was forewarned of the lightning demonstration at the end of the ceremonies, which has become a commencement tradition.

She told the demonstrators, "I say welcome, and say your piece if you must ... UP will not be UP without you."

She urged them to look at 'higher forms of, and larger reasons for, protest and affirmation.'

"We need to act," she said, "in our respective spheres and communities, to protect the future. Samahan po sana ninyo ako sa adhikaing ito, at magkaisa tayo sa pagsasabuhay at pagtataguyod ng ating paglayang minamahal.'

China Marie Giuliani F. Gabriel, BA Broadcast Communication, was one of the 29 summa cum laude graduates. She was not the topnotcher, but she spoke on behalf of her fellow graduates.

China Gabriel delivering response on behalf of Class 2018.

She talked about freedom, and asked Class 2018: "... may dilag nga ba ang tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal? Tunay nga bang tayo'y malaya?"

"Insofar as our freedom is concerned," she said, with reference to the issue between China and our country, "we can be firm in our stance yet sensitive to the dynamics of global order. Whatever contention we might have can be worked out through diplomacy-hardcore, as it may need to be--but always keeping that delicate balance between an assertion and enjoyment of rights, and empathy based on a sense of global citizenship and common humanity."

She dwelt on fake news, martial law and historical revisionism.

"In this age of alternative facts and fake news, we can all agree that media plays a huge role in either advancing or combating revisionism," she asserted.

"I look at media as a means to promote positive values, to deepen our appreciation for our own Philippine culture, and most of all, to both mirror and defend truth," she added.

She recalled her mind-opening experiences in history classes and lessons learned on the streets.

Shifting the sablay to the other shoulder: a graduate at last!

"The truth is," she stressed, "we are not free from the horrors of our past. We contest the validity of our memories up to this day, and we find the same terrible chapters of our history repeating itself, with evil manifesting in a different form. For a freedom-loving people, we have allowed too many tyrants to rule our nation. Kung noon pa man hanggang ngayon sinisiil ang ating karapatan, ano nga ba ang kalayaan?"

She acknowledged that "the greatest gift that [UP] has given us is perspectives on using lenses of history, social justice, and our respective disciplines to look at national issues and to address them head-on."

"The call of the times is for us to become truth-seekers," she asserted, "but I challenge each of us to go the extra mile by becoming a guardian of hope and memory."

This was her call to Class 2018: "Magpakatatag at magpakagiting tayo para sa ikauunlad ni Inang Bayan. Let our enthusiasm to learn transform into enthusiasm to serve and to remember; together, let us create new memories for our liberated Pilipinas, stand for truth, and actualize our loving vision for the Filipino society."

More are graduating summa cum laude in UP Diliman

Thirty six (36) of 4,610 students graduated summa cum laude (with highest honors) from the schools and colleges of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) Diliman campus during the 106th General Commencement Exercises on 25th June 2017.

This is the highest number of topnotchers since the university was founded in 1908. To earn the summa distinction, a student must earn a weighted average grade (WAG) between 1.0 and 1.20. 

In his opening remarks, UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan recalled his year's in the university when there one or two or none at all who graduated with this highest honors, although there were those who earned the distinction of magna cum laude or cum laude.

Alumni wonder how easy it seems now to graduate summa. Could it be that there are no more 'terror' professors who can kill aspirations to get grades better than 1.5 in one's subjects? The most plausible is that the wealth of information available to students is within reach of the fingers from the world wide web unlike before when they had to dig into books in the library. Information technology has boosted chances to get to the top of one's classes.

Getting a 1.0 in a subject then was a great struggle. Thus, one gets awed by students who graduate with a weighted grade average (WAG) of just a bit close to that magic number like Williard Joshua D. Jose and Rangel DG. Daroya, who both graduated with Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering (BS ECE) degree from the College of Engineering: WAGs of 1.058 and 1.074, respectively.

Arman Ali Ghodsinia, who delivered the valedictory address, graduated BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BS MBB) from the College of Science, earned a WAG of 1.173.

The 36 top honors came from 10 degree-granting units of the university’s four clusters: science and technology (S&T), social sciences and law (SS&L), management and economics (M&E), and arts and letters (A&L).

The S&T cluster topped the number of summas with 17 (COE: 9, CS: 6, SS: 2). 

• Following the cited topnotchers Jose and Daroya were these seven others from the College of Engineering (COE): John Ian V. Baytamo (WAG 1.115, BS Mechanical Engineering), Jeynald Jeyromme L. Endaya (1.133, BS Computer Science/CS), Johntee T. Tantuco (1.152, BS Industrial Engineering/IE), Quirby Angelo S. Alberto (1.154, BS IE), Marco Angelo DP. Samonte, 1.166 (BS ECE), Clare Feliz S. Tan (1.166, BS CS), and Ian Christian B. Fernandez (1.177, BS Computer Engineering).

Eight of the nine summas from Engineering with Chancellor Tan and UP Pres. Concepcion.

• Aside from Ghodsinia, there were five others from College of Science (CS): Philip Christopher S. Cruz (1.163, BS Physics), Christian Cariño (1.169, BS Chemistry/Chem), Kristine Larissa B. Yu (1.169, BS Chem), Jan Patrick C. Tan (1.174, BS MBB), and Ryan Timothy D. Yu (1.179, BS MBB). 

The six summas from CS. Arman Ali Ghodsinia (4th from right) 
delivered the valedictory addreess.

• The two from the School of Statistics (SS): Paollo Deo R. Reyes (1.102, BS Statistics/Stat,) and Teod Carlo C. Cabili (1.196, BS Stat), 

The two summas from SS with university officials.

This was followed by eight from the SS&L cluster, all coming from the College of Social Science and Philosophy (CSSP).

• Patricia S. Sy (1.089, Bachelor of Arts/BA in Sociology), Victor Carlo G. Irene (1.101, BA Philosophy), Stephanie Ann B. Lopez, (1.102, BA Psychology/Psych), Angelica Cielo B. Gozar (1.157, BA Psych), Arla Mae Nicole T. Salcedo (1.159, BA Psych). Krizzia Elyse B. Mañago (1.163, BA Linguistics), Corinna Victoria C. Martinez (1.177, BS Psych), and Marly Vea Clarisse L. Elli (1.182, BA Lingguistics).

It was almost all-women summas except for one from CSSP.

There were six from the M&E cluster (VSB: 4, AIT: 1, SE: 1):

• The four from the Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business (VSB):  John Alexander O. Soriano (1.131, BS Business Administration and Accountancy/BAA), Christine Darla A. Bautista (1.171, BS Business Administration/BA), Marco G. Del Valle (1.173, BS BA) and Erica Camille U. Lau (1.193, BS BAA). 

The four summas from VSB with university officials.

• From the Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT): Jennifer B. Rucio (1.173, BS Tourism). She is the first summa graduate of the institute.

Ms Rucio (inset, photo from UPD Information Office).

• From the School of Economics (SE): Angelo Rafael E. Arcilla (1.183, BS Business Economics) 

The sole summa from SE with university officials.

The A&L cluster had five (CAL: 3, CHK: 1, CFA: 1).

• The four from the College of Arts and Letters (CAL):  Martin Anthony M. Salud (1.104, BA European Languages), Jose Monfred C. Sy (1.166, BA Comparative Literature), and Mary Anne Balane (1.183, BA English Studies).

Sulud (top left), Sy (bottom left) and Balane. [The men's photos from UPD Information Office.]

• From the College of Human Kinetics/CHK):  Katherine Adrielle R. Bersola (1.180, Bachelor of Sports Science). She is the first summa in the history of the college.

The first summa from CHK with university officials.

• From the College of Fine Arts (CFA): Kamille Anne U. Areopagita (1.197, Bachelor of Fine Arts [Visual Communication]).

The sole summa from the College of Fine Arts with university officials.

In addition to the cited 36 summas, 337 received the Latin distinction of magna cum laude while 1,016 graduated with the honor of cum laude.

In our own recollection, it used to be that the magna cum laude graduates, like the few summas, were honored on stage during the general commencement exercises. 

With the growing number of summas, there may come a time when their acclamation will be confined in the recognition rites of schools and colleges.

I attended a graduation event in the New Hampshire in the US five years ago, and I noted the big number of summa graduates. They were not called on stage; it sufficed that their names in the program were followed by that Latin phrase of distinction. 

Note: Unless credited to the UP Diliman Information Office, all the photos are from the author.

UP summa sets "Pagmamalasakit" as mantra for UP Diliman Class 2017

Summa cum laude graduate Arman Ali Ghodsinia delivering the message of UP Diliman Class 2017.

"Pagmamalasakit" was what Arman Ali Ghodsinia, the 'first Maranao to graduate summa cum laude from (the University of the Philippines),' asked his fellow Iskolars ng Bayan to give to the Filipino people when they step out of the academe into the city and the world. 

"Tayo'y mga kabataan na nagmamalasakit para sa bayan. Tayo’y mga kabataan na nagmamalasakit para sa mga kapwa natin – lalo na ang mga kapwa natin na nalugmok sa kahirapan o naiipit sa matinding kaguluhan.

"Dahil sa pagmamalasakit para sa kapwa at bayan, tayo’y mga kabataan na nagsisikap hindi lamang para sa pansariling interes kundi para sa interes ng nakakarami."

Ghodsinia, who earned a weighted grade average of 1.173 for his Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology, represented the 4,610 members of UP Diliman Class 2017 in speaking before their families and the university community during the 106th Pangkalahatang Pagtatapos at the Diliman campus on 25th July 2017. 

Ghodsinia received his medal with his parents,

He said he was also speaking as 'an advocate of peace and unity.' He traced his maternal roots to Marawi, a hometown he described as 'belong(ing) to one of the top 5 poorest provinces in the country' where 'access to quality education and healthcare is still low.'

As he spoke Marawi has been under siege for more than a month with the military in offensive drive against the terrorist group led by the Maute brothers. 

"Today," he said, "marks another day of hardship and chaos faced by our Filipino brothers and sisters in Mindanao. ... we witness an ongoing crisis back home. Filipinos, both Muslims and Christians are forced to flee from their homes. Our Muslim brothers and sisters fast not in their homes but in evacuation centers [Note: It was the last day of the Ramadan]. This crisis is just another addition to the long historical narrative of injustice and inequity faced by many minority groups in Mindanao."

He presented himself as 'proof that members of minorities like us Maranaos can also do well; excel and contribute effectively to societal growth if given the same opportunities and rights. I am speaking to you as proof that anyone, regardless of religion, socioeconomic status, or ethnic ties, can excel if equal opportunities are available to all."

The six summa cum laude graduates from the UPD College of Science
 with Chancellor Michael Tan and UP President Danilo Concepcion. 

"Kahit tayo ay magkaka-iba, tayo ay magkaka-pareho pa rin."  He flashed back to molecular biology to describe the microcosm of our society: 

"I know that everyone is made of up the same building blocks of DNA – adenosine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. Underneath all the external differences, we are all made the same molecules that aggregated to form a human body.

"If we want to build an inclusive society, we should first have a strong national identity wherein no one is left behind. And we need to start early. As much as subjects like science, math, and the languages are important, then so are subjects that build on greater social cohesion among Filipinos of different ethnic groups, regions and religions."

Christmas in UP Diliman 2015

Pag-iilaw based on design concept of artist Toym Imao.

The University of the Philippines Diliman campus closed 2015 with Christmas festivities that played on the motif of light and embodied in the theme "Dingas: Adhikaing Diliman, Adhikaing Bayan [Sparks: Diliman and Country Aspirations]'.

'Ang "dingas" bilang simbolikong kahulugan ng Kapaskuhan,' Chancellor Michael Tan said, 'ay napakagandang pagsasalarawan sa UP. Bilang lunsaran ng mga radikal na kaisipan, kamulatan sa mga usaping pambayan at mga pagkilos, ang pamana ng UP ay mistulang maliit na ningas ng apoy na unti-unting lumalagablab. Pinag-aalab nito ang damdaming makabayan at pagmamahal sa bayan ng ating mga mag-aaral, guro at kawani.'  [The spark as symbol of the meaning of Christmas is a beautiful description of UP. As platform for launching radical ideas, consciousness of national issues and actions, the heritage of UP seems to be a small spark that slowly spreads out to fire the patriotism and love of country among our students, faculty and personnel.]

The festival mood was turned on by Aninag [Reflection] 2015 on 27 November: a procession around the campus led by university students carrying intricate Pampanga lanterns mounted on bamboo poles, which was capped by Pag-iilaw, the lighting of the campus, the Oblation and plaza through the latest installation art of sculptor Toym Imao. One hundred seven (107) lighted balloons, representing UP's 107th anniversary, were also released to symbolize the new hope of the nation, 

College of Social Work and Community Development.

The Aninag was inspired by the Lubenas, a Kapampangan tradition of evening processions to the church during the nine days of the “simbang gabi” leading to up to Christmas Eve. In Diliman, it stopped at six stations where a light show, puppel show and choral singing of Christmas songs were staged, and culminated at the Oblation plaza where universty officials turned on the lights for the Pag-iilaw. 

With multi-color lighting and three flame components, Imao refashioned the Oblation to symbolize a sulo [torch], the three towers in the Quezon Hall as lighthouses, the lights in the Oblation Plaza as sails and the trees around Quezon Hall, adorned with red lights for the season, as fire trees. According to the Imao, these metaphors are for the University’s roles as a spark for new ideas, a guide to action and the beacon for public service.

"The Pag-iilaw," explained Chancellor Michael Tan, "played on the theme of dingas, a spark that catches on and spreads, lumalagablab,"  

Other festivities followed:

The Carillon Plaza became the concert arena for the Krizzmazz Jazz of the UP Jazz Band on 10 December for all jazz enthusiasts and music lovers.  The bells also opened, closed the concert with UP Naming Mahal and rendered Christmas songs for some time in the early evening,

College of Arts and Letters

The UP Filipiniana Folk Dance Gorup, including some 50 alumni, in celebration of its 80th anniversary staged Tanglaw 2015: Isang Pamaskong Konsyerto [Beacon 2015: A Christmas Concert] on 11 December,  The dance concert comprised two parts: folk dances from all over the archipelago, and modern dances choreographed to local love and Chrismas songs.

The climax, of course, of Christmas in UP Diliman, was Parada ng mga Parol [Lantern Parade] 2015 of 14 December evening.  This is the lastes continuation of a university tradition that started almost a hundred years ago (1922), albeit interrupted by the Second World War and the hiatus due to martial law in 1970-1976, or cancelled due to 'security threats' in 2006.  

It was also inspired by the folk custom of carrying lanterns of various shapes and sizes to light the way to the church for the nine-day early morning misas de aguinaldo or the midnight misa de gallo of Chrismas eve during the Spanish period.

The Lantern Parade has evolved with the times reflecting the changing social and political landscape of the University and the country. Modern technology like computers and robotics has also influenced the creation of lanterns and floats. The parade has also shown the diverse faces of university such as the LGBT sector (UP Babaylan) and the Muslim community,

This year, several academic units highlighted their foundation anniversaries with colorful lanterns: College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (float/lantern depicted a 'solar system' of thoughts), College of Dentistry (used a fully-dressed female figure ala Oblation with the iconic sablay), School of Urban and Regional Planning (had Oblation with symbolic urban structural icons), and the Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business (float/lantern a towering 100th birthday cake).

Institute of Islamic Studies.

UP Mindanao had a delegation in southern Philippines costume; their float/lantern was a typical Muslim house; likewise, the participants from the Institute of Islamic Studies, Other academic units had the vinta and sari-manok as motif. The College of Architecture had a massive Muslim Mindanao house from which a giant sari-manok emerged when it split into three.  The College of Arts and Letters used the Manobo story as float theme: man and woman confronting an eagle.

University and national issues were subjects of the protest floats/lanterns of SAMASA (the student political party), College of Mass Communications and the All UP Workers Alliance.

SAMASA: Never Again! Never Forget!

SAMASA had a 'military tank' painted with the slogans protesting 'the resurgence of fascism' and enjoining spectators  to 'Never Again! Never Forget!' martial law and the Marcos dictatorship. This is the same tank sans the slogans and the mounted lights that Toym Imao and his friends use in the reenactment of Second World War scenes during Independence Day or Bataan Day celebtations.

The College of Mass Communications had a giant microphone decorated with CDs and live-streaming TV sets vis-a-vis their protest theme of 'Stop Killing Journalists!'.

The All UP Workers Alliance came with banners, streamers and a float/lantern to voice out their concerns about university policies affecting them.

The most awaited part of the parade featured the depiction by the College of Fine Arts students of classic Filipino films:  

• float/lanterns for Dalagang Bukid (vintage 1919), Dyesebel (the original had Edna Luna as the mermaid), Pedro Penduko, Juan Tamad Goes to Congress (directed by and starring National Artist Manuel Conde), Facifica Falayfay (a Dolphy movie), Asiong Salonga (Joseph Estrada in the starring role), Ang Panday (Fernando Poe as Flavio), Burlesk Queen (Vilma Santos as the dancer), Ganito Kami Noon (National Artist Eddie Romero film) and Maynila Sa Kuko ng Liwanag (National Artist Lino Brocka film); the last one was intriguing - a massive box painted black being pulled with large ropes; and

Juan Tamad Goes to Congress

• costumed participants for Genghis Khan (National Artist Manuel Conde film), Sister Stella L (Mike de Leon, director; Vilma Santos, title role), and Bagets (UP alumnus Mario de los Reyes, director).

Sister Stella L served as a vehicle for protest: re-enactmenf of violence during labor union strikes, and some participants carried protest slogans like 'Stop Lumad Killings!'.

Asiong Salonga

Fine Arts, already a Hall-of-Famer was not in the competition for the best lantern (won by the College of Engineering). The different classes competed among themselves. Ang Panday was declared best; Juan Tamad and Asiong Salonga were the runners-up.

Ang Panday

To us the winner was 'Juan Tamad Goes to Congress'. The congressman was depicted as a pig wearing the Juan Tamad mask: an allusion to pork barrel and the workstyle of our lawmakers.

Maligayang Pasko 2015!!

Love, Labor, and the Loss / May 2015 in the Philippines

Note: This photo-essay appeared in a slightly different version in the 08-14 May 2015 issue of the FilAm Star, 'the newspaper for Filipinos in mainstream America' published in San Francisco,CA. This author/blogger is the Manila-based Special Photo/News Correspondent of the weekly paper.

“It’s May, it’s May, the merry month of May!” –  Queen Guinevere in Camelot, the musical

May Day, first day of the merry month this year was Friday and it being Labor Day, an official holiday, there was a long weekend for a great escape to the fresher and cooler air of the countryside. We were on the road early in the morning, northbound traffic on the expressways was heavy from the metropolis all the way to Zambales, and service stations along the way were all crowded with people also going on vacation.

In Metro Manila, the militant labor and activist sectors were marching under the scorching sun toward Liwasang Bonifacio, the plaza by the Pasig named after the proletarian hero.  Similar events in Baguio, Bicol and Davao were reported in the social media. They called for the enactment of a national minimum wage of Php16,000, and raised other issues such as the plight of OFWs like Mary Jane Veloso and US-Philippines relations like Oplan Bayanihan, among others. May Day ended with the burning of the effigy of President Benigno Aquino III on Mendiola.

Nuestra Señora de La Paz y Buen Viaje on board a banca for her 

fluvial procession in La Paz, San Narciso, Zambales on the first 

Saturday of May. 

May Day happened to be the eve of the moveable feast, the first Saturday of the month, of the patroness of our coastal barangay in San Narciso, Zambales, the Nuestra Senora de La Paz y Buen Viaje, who we reverentially call Apo La Paz. The barangay is named in her honor – La Paz.

The barangay takes the religious aspect of the feast day seriously. An early morning holy mass is traditionally held along the shore before the Apo La Paz image is mounted on a boat for her fluvial procession on the West Philippine Sea.  We were on board the boat that carried her. The boat is big and fitted to reach Scarbarough Shoal. A procession around the barangay was held in the early evening. Between these two religious activities, the fishing folks engaged in sea games: swimming and boat races, while their homes were open for feasts galore. In the old days, visitors came for the servings of dried fish called dalangdang, almost a rarity on the fiesta table these days.

May is fiesta time for supplications and thanksgiving in many parts of the country as well. The famous ones are in the tourism map: Pahiyas in Lukban, Quezon and Kalabaw Festival in Pullilan, Bulacan, which fall on the same date, 15 May, the feast of San Isidro Labrador, which is followed two days later by the three-day pintakasi in Obando for their three patron saints: Santa Clara, San  Pascual Baylon and the Virgin of Salambao.

In Lukban, the houses are adorned with the harvests of the owner, fruits and vegetables, or products of their labor such as bags or hats from pandan leaves or anahaw, together with colorful rice kippings that look like leaves or petals. In Pullilan, the carabaos are stars of the day when they are made to kneel in front of the church during the procession. In Obando, people dance before San Pascual Baylon (17 May), patron for child bearing, Santa Clara (18 May), patroness of conceiving mothers, and the Virgin of Salambao (19 May), patroness of fishermen and farmers.

The calendars of villages, towns and cities in the country will certainly have the traditional Flores de Mayo and the Santacruzan celebrations. While the Flores remains very religious in character as involves floral offerings in church altars, the Santacruzan, to the dismay of church authorities, has been converted into other spectacle events.

UP Diliman Parada ng Parangal led by Chancellor Michael L. Tan 

looked like a Santracruzan with decorated arches.

The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) drew inspiration from the Santacruzan to open the Linggo ng Parangal on 04 May, when it held the Parada ng Parangal to celebrate “the triumphs and accomplishments of its constituents.”

UPD adapted the form, hence, like the Santacruzan, the parade featured sagalas, women in evening gowns, and escorts walking around the academic oval beneath hand-carried bamboo arches adorned with flowers. The pairs represented the 26 degree-granting units of the university.  

To lend a festive air to the parade, there were marching bands and the Higantes from Angono. The musical nuances of a Philippine fiesta were provided by a rondalla and dance performances inspired by the karakol, the traditional devotional dancing procession.

The Linggo ng Parangal is the university’s week-long celebration of the excellence, accomplishments and dedicated service of its faculty, researchers, students, administrative staff and community.

On 06 May, the university held the Parangal sa Mga Mag-aaral to honor students who have earned a general weighted average of not lower than 1.45 for the last two semesters (the University Scholars), students who have distinguished themselves in various fields, and graduates who have made the top 10 and those who passed in various licensure examinations.

Some of the sagalas, escorts and participants in the UPD Parada ng Parangal.
Top left to bottom right: College of Engineering, School of Urban & Regional
Planning, College of Arts & Letters, College of Home Economics, School of
Library & Information Studies, Institute of Islamic Studies, and College of
Human Kinetics.

The University conferred appreciation and recognition of the dedicated service of employees who retired in 2014, and those who have been in active service for 40 years. A Parangal sa mga Retirado at Gawad Paglilingkod was held for this purpose on 07 May.

The Gawad Tsanselor held on 08 May was the highlight of the week. This highest recognition bestowed by the University for excellent and outstanding accomplishments in 2014 was given to 13 individuals: three professors, four researchers, one researcher in Filipino, four students and an administrative staff. This year, a community within the UPD campus also received the award.

The Natatanging Guro awardees were: Dr. Rizalinda L. de Leon and Dr. Henry N. Adorna, both from the College of Engineering, and Dr. Jose Ernie C. Lope from the Institute of Mathematics. The Natatanging REPS (Research and Extension Professional Staff) recipients were: Frederick C. Delfin (Natural Sciences Research Institute), Miguel Paolo P. Reyes (Third World Studies Center) and Sharon Maria S. Esposo-Betan (College of Engineering Library). This was a posthumous award to Dr. Amelia E. Punzalan (National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development).

The UP Filipiniana dance numbers were inspired by 

the karakol, traditional devotional dancing procession.

The Natatanging Mag-aaral awardees were:  Jhesset Thrina O. Enano (College of Mass Communication), Raphael Aaron A. Letaba (C.E.A. Virata School of Business), John Paul M. Sawali (College of Engineering) and Tiffany Grace C. Uy (College of Science).

Dr. Apolonio B. Chua was Natatanging Mananaliksik sa Filipino while Pablo C. Navarro was Natatanging Kawani. Both are from the College of Arts and Letters. Hardin ng Dona Aurora was chosen as Natatanging Pook.

The Gawad Tsanselor trophy is a sculpture of the Oblation as a work in progress. The inspiration for the trophy is Michaelangelo’s “Slaves” sculpture. It symbolizes the “continuing pursuit of excellence and continuing service to the University and the nation. It also means that a recipient’s bond with the University is never ending.”

Alas, there was no trophy or championship belt for the “continuing pursuit of excellence” on the boxing ring for Manny Pacquiao, dubbed the ‘Pambansang Kamao,’ after he was outpunched by Floyd Mayweather during the ‘fight of the century’ ('dud of the century' to the disappointed) in Las Vagas on Sunday, 03 May, Manila time.  Many Filipinos still find it hard to accept the judges’ unanimous decision and that terrible loss to Pinoy pride. 

APO closes 2014 with its Great Oblation Run at UP Diliman

Note: FilAm Star, the weekly 'newspaper for Filipinos in mainstream America' featured one picture I took during the subject Oblation Run in the front page of the 19-25 December edition, which also carries my photo-essay on the Lantern Parade at UP Diliman, The online pdf copy can be downloaded from http://www.filamstar.net/images/stories/pdf/301.pdf.

Picture cured for 'general patronage'

The Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity (APO) held their traditional Great Oblation Run at the Palma Hall of the University of the Philippines Diliman campus on 12 December 2014. This is the 37th year when members of the fraternity run naked as a symbolic protest action to issues presently confronting the nation. APO calls this Run their Ritual Dance of the Brave.

In a public statement, APO called for "accountability and sustained action on the part of those in power to respect the rule of law."

It called attention to the "latest addition to the still-existing pork barrel system" particularly the "insertion of various lump allocations in the 2015 budget." In this regard, it said, government leaders should "comply with the Constitution, respect rather than challenge its authority on this matter, and strike down such policies that will violate our country's dignity."

 

Original picture.

APO also urged government "to address the culture of impunity" in the country today, citing several manifestations like the case of the slain transgender Jennifer Laude involving an American service man, the squalor of evacuation camps in Zamboanga City, the plight of Yolanda victims who have yet to achieve normalcy in their lives, the millions of farmers who are still denied right to own lands they till, struggles of workers for better wages, the lives of more than 300 political prisoners, and the lack of progress in the Maguindanao Massacre trials.

In hoping for a better future, APO called Filipinos to work together towards restoration of the rule of law, to take action towards the legislation of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill, and the Genuine Freedom of Information Bill. 

Lantern Parade: a living tradition of the University of the Philippines

Note: This photo-essay is the filam special feature of the 19-25 December 2014 edition of FilAm Star, the weekly 'newspaper for Filipinos in mainstream America' published in San Francisco, CA. There are more pictures in the paper, the pdf copy of which is available online at http://www.filamstar.net/images/stories/pdf/301.pdf

This "Kalesa" was judged the best of the 12 lantern floats
from the College  of  Fine Arts.

The 15th of December was the last day of final examinations week, hence, the last day of classes of the first semester in the new academic year of the national university that started in August.  This coincided with the day of the traditional annual Lantern Parade around the Diliman campus. To avoid disturbance to those taking the final hurdles in the afternoon, the university authorities had the festive parade start at six o’clock, two hours later than was customary.

The Lantern Parade sort of kicked in the synchronized Christmas holidays and semester break that will make up a month-long vacation for the UP academic community, the students and faculty.

The mid-afternoon was rainy but as soon as the rains stopped and the skies cleared, the festive participants, many of them costumed, from the different academic units, offices and organizations started assembling at the University Avenue with their colorful lanterns and floats.  The usual crowd of spectators also began spilling into their favorite viewing sites like the steps of Melchor and Palma Halls or behind the barricade fronting the reviewing deck of Quezon Hall.

This lantern float of the Institute of Islamic Studies was deemed
the best in the competition: a house of clear plastic bottles with
Muslim Southern Philippines decorative motifs.

This year’s December theme is “Pasundayag Diliman: Pag-uugat at Pagyayabong.”  The term “pasundayag” is a Cebuano word which means “celebration”.   The month started with the Pagiilaw sa Pasko at the Oblation Plaza on December 1 when the lights of the white lanterns of the University Avenue and the Plaza were turned on.  On December 13, Karolfest 2014, an inter-college choral competition for students and faculty/staff, was held at the UP Theatre. 

The Paligsahan ng Mga Parol, the popular Lantern Parade, of course, was the climax of the Pasundayag.

When it started in 1922, the Lantern Parade reflected the folk tradition of carrying lanterns to light the way to the dawn masses during the Spanish times.  Thence, it has evolved into an annual event shaped by the changing social and political climate in the university and the nation.  The use of modern technologies has likewise greatly altered the creation of lanterns and floats as well as the manner of visually presenting the themes or messages of the participating groups. 

Fine Arts lantern floats (clocwise from top left): Pandango sa Ilaw; Sitsiritsit Alibangbang;
Leron Leron Sinta; and Pen Pen De Sarapen.

The parade may be a collective expression for peace, harmony and understanding in the spirit of Christmas; definitely, it is a multi-sectoral celebration regardless of religion, political ideology and sexual orientation.  For many advocacy groups, it has become another platform for voicing protests against or concerns on issues affecting the university and the nation.

Thus, seeing Christians, Muslims, people of other faith, political groups like Kabataang Makabayan, labor unions like the Philippine Airlines Employees Association, UP Babaylan transgenders  from the LGBT sector, etcetera, did not pull surprises anymore in this year’s Lantern Parade.

Fine Arts lantern floats(clocwise from top left): Ang Pipit; Sarung Banggi; O Ilaw ;
and Bayan Ko.

The lanterns were up for competition, and the most creative made out of recycled materials were judged on originality, imagination and appropriateness to the parade theme.  Four prizes were at stake: the first prize worth Php25,000; the second at Php20,000 and the third at Php15,000.

The lantern floats of the participating units depicted their unique interpretation of the Pasundayag theme. The College of Arts and Letters highlighted palo-sebo, the Center of Women’s Studies palayok breaking, both for children at play during fiestas.  The lantern float of the Institute of Islamic Studies was deemed the best -- a house made of clear recyclable plastic water bottles with decorative motifs from southern Muslim Philippines.  The College of Engineering had a technology-driven lantern float depicting renewable energy; the sunflower bud bloomed fully to rotate as solar panels. This garnered the second best prize.

Fine Arts lantern floats: Tinikling (top) and
Tong Tong Pakitong-kitong (bottom).

For many years now, the College of Fine Arts has become Hall of Famers with their creative lanterns. They are exempted from competition; hence, their thematic lantern groupings now serve as the exciting finale of the grand parade. 

For this year, their twelve lanterns were interpretations of Filipino folksongs and kundimans like “O Ilaw”, “Pandanggo sa Ilaw”, “Tinikling”, “Leron, Leron, Sinta”, “Sitsiritsit, Alinbangbang”, “Ang Pipit”, “Kalesa” and “Sarung Banggi”, nationalistic anthems like “Bayan Ko” and “Alerta Katipunan”, and children chants like “Pen Pen De Sarapen”, “Tong Tong Pakitong-kitong”. The “Kalesa” was judged the best among them, and was awarded a special cash prize of Php25,000.

After all the prizes including those for the Karolfest (choral competition among musical groups in the campus) had been announced and awarded to the winners, the medley of “Pasko Na Naman” has been sang by the winning choirs, and the parting message from UP President Alfredo Pascual has been heard, the fireworks display from the Beta Epsilon Fraternity lit up the UP Diliman skies with loud cheers from the celebrators.

Fine Arts interpretation of Alerta Katipunan using puppet lanterns.

The fun did not actually end after the last burst of the colorful fireworks. Many trooped to the Sunken Garden for partying at the Maskipaps 2014.

‘Twas the eve of a long vacation for the UP community.

Maligayang Pasko, everyone!