Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas

Photos by Joseph A. Bautista, Erlyn May Pareja

The University of the Philippines Manila welcomed a new batch of first-year students on August 19, 2024, with a warm ceremony that underscored the institution’s commitment to cultivating and caring for future leaders in the health sciences.

For the first time, the event was held within the UP Manila campus, marking a departure from the usual practice of conducting the ceremony in UP Diliman. This shift set a unique tone for the students’ academic journey.

“Dahil ang UP Manila ay walang iisang espasyo sa ating campus para pagkasyahin ang nasa isang libong freshie, karaniwan na ang pagbiyahe patungo sa UP Diliman. Pero hindi ba nakakadismaya kung ang unang araw ng unang semestre sa buhay ng isang UP Manila freshie na tulad ninyo ay magaganap sa labas ng UP Manila? Paano nga kaya gaganapin ang pagsalubong sa freshies ng UP Manila sa loob mismo ng campus? Isang tanong na nangangailangan ng malikhaing solusyon, kaya tayo narito—nasa magkakaibang lokasyon. Sabi nga, ‘hashtag accelerating progress together’—nasa magkakaibang lokasyon pero nasa iisang campus ng UP Manila,” said Assistant Professor Odessa N. Joson, Director of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA).

“You Are Now Beginning To Live Your Dreams”

UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Michael L. Tee addressed the 1,150 incoming students, highlighting the unique opportunities and challenges they would face. “You are now beginning to live your dreams as Iskolar ng Bayan,” Dr. Tee said, emphasizing the honor and responsibility that comes with being part of UP Manila. He urged the students to embrace the rigorous academic environment, noting that the campus, though smaller than others, offers unparalleled opportunities for learning and growth, particularly through rotations at the Philippine General Hospital and partnerships with various institutions.

“Your time here will be filled with rigorous study, discovery, and growth, all of which will shape you into the professionals and citizens our nation needs,” Dr. Tee stated, while reassuring students of the support system available to them, including faculty advisers and the OSA, and encouraged them to explore their passions by joining accredited organizations.

“It’s About The Journey”

Dr. Raquel B. Del Rosario-Fortun, Chair of the Department of Pathology at the College of Medicine, delivered a special message filled with personal anecdotes and advice. Reflecting on her journey, she shared the challenges she faced as a student and the unpredictable path that led her to forensic pathology. “It’s never about the destination; it’s about the journey and what you learn along the way,” reminding them to stay open to where their academic and professional paths may lead.

Dr. Fortun also humorously recounted her experiences and the serendipitous moments that shaped her career. “At some point, I was thinking, ‘Why not try something different?’ but destiny had other plans,” she said, encouraging students to be adaptable and to make the most of the opportunities that come their way. “Tayo ay mga iskolar ng bayan, wala nang katapusan kabayaran ang utang na inyong edukasyon ay galing sa taumbayan.”

In concluding the ceremony, Asst. Professor Joson reiterated the university’s dedication to supporting the students throughout their academic journey. “Mahal naming freshies, pagbati sa inyong pagtuloy sa ating unibersidad. Sinasalubong namin kayo sa inyong unang araw sa ating campus. Magkakaiba man ang ating lokasyon, binibigkis tayo ng nagkakaisang hangarin tungo sa husay, dangal, at pagiging lingkod sa ating komunidad. Na may mag-aral kayong mabuti, magsuri, magplano, kumilos, padayon! Hinahamon kayo ng ating panahon na bumuo ng mga pangahas na katanungan, sa lahat ng ito maaasahan ninyong susuhayan namin ang inyong paghahanap sa malikhaing solusyon.” #