UP Los Ba帽os celebrated the 100th anniversary of the day 193 students and 27 faculty members comprising the majority of the UP College of Agriculture enlisted with the Philippine National Guard to help the Allies fight World War I. The campus has named the day its Loyalty Day, celebrated since 1921.
It has become a most anticipated event for UPLB administration, faculty, staff, and students when they can reconnect with the alumni and reunite in the spirit of voluntarism and public service. This year, the Loyalty Day theme was “100 years of Uplifting Peoples’ Lives and Beyond”.
From October 8 to 12, 聽the UPLB community and the alumni joined each other in holding a flower and garden show at the Seniors Social Garden, a prelude celebration in Tanauan City, a fun run at the Grandstand, and a trade fair at the Alumni Plaza; and on the centennial day, October 10, in marching for the Loyalty Day parade around campus, and gathering once again for luncheon, raffle of prizes, and a cultural night inside Baker Hall.
Seventy-five trophies were handed out in Baker Memorial Hall on October 9 during the UPLB Alumni Association (UPLBAA) Awards to distinguished alumni and alumni families; and medallions were awarded to members of Classes ’58 and ’68, the diamond and golden jubilarians聽 for the centennial Loyalty Day. Those from classes ending in 8 and 3 are the jubilarians this year.
The awardees were led by former UP President Emil Javier, who received the UPLBAA Presidential Award. The Outstanding Golden Jubilarians were Cleofas Cervancia, Javier Mateo, Thelma Romero-Paris, Aphiphan Pookpakdi, Nazario Racoma, and Reynaldo Villareal. The families recognized were the Aguiero, Arca-Alejar, Fandialan, Faustino, Mendoza, and Payawal families.
“I’m sure I speak for all the awardees tonight that there is a common thread in our careers and life stories: excellence, integrity, and service. I would emphasize service, in keeping with the centenary of Loyalty Day,” Javier said in response. “Among the graduates of UP Los Ba帽os, the spirit of voluntarism is strong,” he stressed.
The UPLB grand alumni homecoming and awards were capped with a barn dance, also in Baker Hall.
A highlight of the Loyalty Day centennial is the Art in Biodiversity exhibit in the Sining Makiling Gallery at DL Umali Hall, which will run until December 19, 2018, featuring 100 outstanding works of painting, sculpture, and mixed media by 100 artists.
At the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the stage play 鈥淟oyalty Day鈥�–about five student council members preparing for the 100th Loyalty Day celebration–written by UP Artist Layeta Bucoy and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio, ran from October 9 to 12. It was a collaborative production of the Upsilon Sigma Phi, COMA 200a class, and the Department of Social Sciences of CAS.聽(Jo. Lontoc, UP MPRO)
