Foundation Month Opens with Call to Service, Celebration of UP Manila Heritage

October 13, 2026

Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by Sarah Hazel Moces S. Pulumbarit

UP Manila Chancellor Michael L. Tee (center) joins vice chancellors, deans, faculty members, and members of the UP Manila community during the opening of the 2026 Foundation Month celebration on Oct. 6, 2026, at the Sports Science and Wellness Center (SSWC), UP Manila.

The University of the Philippines Manila officially opened its Foundation Month on Oct. 6, 2026, celebrating its history, achievements, and the people whose work continues to shape the university’s role in health and public service.

The opening program marked the 44th UP Manila Day and the 47th anniversary of the university as the UP Health Sciences Center. The celebration carried the theme, “Alay ng UPM sa Kalusugan ng Bayan, sa Dangal at Husay, Serbisyo ang Gabay.”

Service at the Heart of UP Manila

Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Johanna Patricia A. Cañal highlighted UP Manila’s long history and its continuing commitment to service. Vice Chancellor Cañal emphasized that service has long been embedded in the work of the UP Manila community.

“Tayo sa UP Manila ay araw-araw, we have a service,” she said, underscoring the university’s close connection to the patients, students, and other people it serves. “The only way we can get better is to continue what we are doing and never forget kung ano nga ba yung heart nito.”

She challenged the community to remember why it conducts research and carries out its daily work, emphasizing that these efforts are ultimately for the Filipino people, patients, and students.

The message of service set the tone for the month-long celebration, which brings together activities highlighting UP Manila’s history, achievements, and continuing contributions to the country.

A Month of Activities

Foundation Celebration Committee Chair Dean Mac Ardy Gloria invited the UP Manila community to take part in the activities lined up throughout October.

For Dean Gloria, the celebration also provides an opportunity for the community to pause from its daily work and reflect on the people and purpose behind it.

He connected the celebration to UP Manila’s broader responsibility to the Filipino people, asking, “Para kanino ba ang dangal at husay, para kanino ba ang ating serbisyo?”

Dean Gloria said the Foundation Celebration is not only about remembering the university’s history but also about strengthening its responsibility to the public.

“Ang foundation celebration na ito po ay hindi lamang paggunita sa ating kasaysayan, kundi pagpapatibay ito ng ating pananagutan bilang institusyon may malasakit, integridad at paninindigan para sa sambayanan.”

The October program includes UP Manila-Linang, UPM-CHELA and organization activities for students, the Chancellor’s professorial chair lecture, an exhibit and lecture on the history of UP Manila and the Philippine General Hospital, and Community Health Fair.

The grand celebration on Oct. 21 will feature a wellness booth, an organization fair, Snack Express, UP Manila’s Got Talent, and Cultural Night. The month-long celebration will culminate in the Gawad Chancellor and Service Recognition Ceremony on Oct. 27.

The opening program also featured performances from members of the UP Manila community, including the MatingCAD dance troupe, National Teachers Training Center for the Health Professions, the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Physical Education.

As Foundation Month began, the celebration brought the UP Manila community together around the values of dignity, excellence, and service, reaffirming the university’s continuing commitment to the health and well-being of the Filipino people.