Among the historical milestones of UP Manila, two are being commemorated during the month of October. For 2019, the university marked the two occasions — the 40th year of the autonomy of the Health Sciences Center (HSC), UP Manila’s precursor, and the 37th year when the HSC was renamed UP Manila — on October 28-29, 2019.
In her message for the occasions, UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla described the milestones as complementary events that figure strongly in where and what UP Manila is today. She stated that those historical developments strengthened the fundamental role of the university; defined UP Manila’s organizational structure, governance and operations, academic programs and curriculum, and philosophy and mission; and encouraged greater harmony in interaction and leadership among the health colleges.
“While it is nice to reflect on the history of the university, we have to make sure that our history is preserved. And if we document it at the level of the college, we cannot easily be forgotten,” Chancellor Padilla stated during the awards ceremony on October 29. A highlight of the program was the conferment of the Gawad Chancellor Award to eight individual members and a student organization and the Service Award to 26 retirees and 88 loyal employees who had served the university from 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 or more years.
During his keynote speech, 2012 Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World awardee, 2010 The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Philippines awardee and Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Director Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvaña shared tips on communicating.
Chancellor Padilla urged the members to visit the exhibits installed at the lobbies of major campus buildings that showcase their history through artifacts and mentifacts. These exhibits became part of the Historical Walking Tour on October 28 with both activities done as part of the celebration.
The Chancellor mentioned developments in UPM’s efforts to reclaim its old buildings across Padre Faura Street. Original titles to some parcel of lands in that area have been secured.
Responding on behalf of the retirees, former UP Manila Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development and College of Arts and Sciences Professor Roland G. Simbulan shared historical bits and pieces in the past 38 years of his stay with the university.
“I have been a student, professor, scholar, researcher, administrator, and BOR member. Our generation which entered UP during the onset of the declaration of Martial Law dared to resist the Marcos dictatorship, braved arrest, torture, and detention. I was still a sophomore student when I was arrested, tortured, and detained without trial. Many of our batchmates were not so lucky. Many were abducted and became victims of what we call ‘salvaging’ then, now called extra-judicial killings. Sa gawaing akademiko sa UP, laging kasama ang usaping lipunan at ang aktibong pagkilos sa kabila ng mababangis na pag-atake laban sa mga guro, kawani, at edukasyon upang maging bahagi ng lunas sa mga problema ng bansa.”
Prof. Simbulan capped his message by committing himself to scholarly work and engaging with nongovernment organizations and civil society groups with greater vigor even into his retirement.
Other activities that marked the celebration were a mini concert (please see photos on page 4) that featured homegrown talents, dance retro fitness activity, and a photo exhibit on the theme of the celebration “Mahusay, Makabuluhan, Makakapwa.”
Anne Marie Alto | Published in UP Manila Healthscape September – October 2019
