Text by Jaira Purificacion and Jennifer Manongdo
Photos by Sarah Hazel Moces Pulumbarit and Ehcel Hurna
“Long before it became a system of constituent universities across the country, UP’s roots were planted here in Manila, where the pursuit of knowledge was already inseparable from the mission of serving the Filipino people.”
With this reminder from University of the Philippines (UP) President Angelo Jimenez, UP Manila opened its 118th Foundation Celebration on June 16, 2026, highlighting its unique place in the University’s history and its continuing commitment to advancing the health and well-being of the Filipino people.
Anchored on the theme, “Alay ng UPM sa Kalusugan ng Bayan: Sa Dangal at Husay, Serbisyo ang Gabay,” the opening week featured a series of activities that celebrated UP Manila’s heritage, strengthened its commitment to health and public service, and reaffirmed its responsibility to the nation.
Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Dr. Johanna Patricia Cañal underscored the significance of the University’s anniversary, coinciding with the month of Philippine independence. “Napakaangkop na iisa ang buwan ng kapanganakan ng malayang Pilipinas at ang UP. Ang Hunyo nga naman ay buwan para sa bayan,” she said in her opening remarks.
Dr. Cañal also reminded members of the community that service remains at the heart of the University’s purpose, encouraging everyone to reflect daily on whom they serve and how they contribute to the nation.
The University also marked another milestone with the launch of the third edition of the UP Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Manual during the opening program, spearheaded by Dr. Carlos Primero Gundran, Director of the DRRM in Health Program. The updated manual serves as a strategic guide for enhancing preparedness, coordinating emergency response, and building a more resilient institution.
“Narinig po namin noong unang buwan pa lang [sa panunungkulan] kung paano nais ng ating mga kasamahan na magkaroon ng maayos na health service. Lalo lamang mamumunga ang ating gagawin, lalo lamang tayong makapagseserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan, kapag tayo mismo ay pinangalagaan natin ang isa’t isa,” UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee said.
Reflecting this commitment, Chancellor Tee shared developments regarding plans for a dedicated UP Health Service facility along Taft Avenue and highlighted the University’s efforts to respond to the needs of its constituents.
Building on the theme of service, President Jimenez reflected on UP Manila’s enduring role in fulfilling the University’s mandate to serve the nation. He emphasized that despite the changing times, the institution’s purpose has remained constant.
“UP Manila embodied the reason UP was created in the first place—to place knowledge, expertise, and innovation in the service of the Filipino people,” he remarked.
Board members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) have entered into discussions about reforms aimed at improving its services and operations. This was revealed by PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado in an interview on the sidelines of the kick-off program of the Foundation Celebration. Dr. Mercado said the discussions were prompted by a widow’s viral post on June 14, 2026, resulting in public outcry as it revealed gaps in the system that require review and improvement.
The viral Facebook post told the story of a patient who died of a brain hematoma because his family could not afford surgery, which costs P2 to P4 million. The widow wrote about her deep frustration upon learning that her husband is not eligible for PhilHealth benefits because he was in the hospital for less than 24 hours. The post received widespread attention from readers who empathized with her situation.
To prevent similar occurrences, he said PhilHealth staff assigned in hospitals will be reoriented, with processes clearly documented and strengthened. An escalation mechanism will also be established to ensure that concerns with unclear procedures can be elevated to the next-ranking officer for appropriate action.
In his 26-minute lecture as the keynote speech before health leaders and university officials at the Museum of a History of Ideas, Dr. Mercado presented the reforms implemented under the current administration that have significantly expanded PhilHealth coverage. He noted that recent initiatives effectively doubled coverage in several areas, while the turnaround time for reimbursement processes and benefit claims of hospitals was shortened. The PhilHealth chief also said they have developed a benefit roadmap for the next three years that will prioritize conditions associated with the highest out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures, with stroke identified as one of the key areas for expanded coverage.
Historian Dr. Celestina Boncan, a retired professor and currently a professorial lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences, then delivered a special lecture on the history of the University, drawing from archival materials, yearbooks, and personal accounts from pre-war UP students to reconstruct the institution’s formative years.
Boncan recounted how UP emerged in the district of Ermita and gradually expanded through the establishment of its pioneering colleges and academic programs. She also highlighted the vision behind the University’s founding and the inclusive principles that guided its creation.
History extended beyond the lectures with the opening of the exhibit “Mapping Excellence and Honor: UP’s First Campus,” a collaboration among the UP Manila Museum of a History of Ideas; the College of Arts and Sciences Manila Studies Program; the 2026 UP Manila Foundation Celebration Committee; the Campus Planning, Development, and Maintenance Office; and the UP Manila Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office.
Museum Director Dr. Honey Libertine Achanzar-Labor described the exhibition as an effort to deepen conversations about the University’s history through archival maps and historical materials. “Today, we enhance the collection with an exhibit of archival maps that present both temporal and spatial context of Manila as the site of the first campus of the University of the Philippines,” Dr. Achanzar-Labor noted.
The exhibit, curated by Dr. Achanzar-Labor and co-curated by Dr. Wensley Reyes, ran from June 16-19, 2026, at the Museum of a History of Ideas.
The 118th Foundation Celebration Committee Chair Dean Mac Ardy Gloria amplified that the celebration serves not only as a remembrance of the past but also as a reaffirmation of UP Manila’s responsibility to the nation.
“Ang ika-118 Foundation Celebration na ito ay hindi lamang paggunita sa kasaysayan kundi pagpapatibay ng ating pananagutan bilang institusyong may malasakit, integridad at paninindigan para sa bayan,” Dean Gloria emphasized.
On June 17, 2026, the College of Arts and Sciences Manila Studies Program conducted “The Foundations of a Filipino University: A Historical Walking Tour of UP Manila.” Participants visited key sites in the University’s early history, tracing the story of UP’s origins and its transformation through the decades.
The 2026 UP Manila Fun Run capped the opening week of the 118th Foundation Celebration on June 21, 2026, drawing more than 1,000 participants to the Quirino Grandstand and Roxas Boulevard. The event featured a strong turnout from students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, and pet owners, reflecting broad support for the University’s efforts to promote wellness and community engagement. Proceeds from the activity will help fund programs and activities for the 118th Foundation Celebration in October.
The University likewise acknowledged the valuable support of its partners—the City Government of Manila, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila, the National Parks Development Committee, and the Manila Sports Council—in making the 2026 UP Manila Fun Run possible.
More than a century since the University first emerged from the fields of Ermita, UP Manila continues to embody the ideals upon which it was founded—public service, academic excellence, honor, and integrity. As the birthplace of the national university and the country’s premier health sciences center, it remains steadfast in its mission to place knowledge and expertise in the service of the Filipino people.
READ MORE:
