UP Iloilo alumni Homecoming vibrant amid gloomy weather

By: GC Castro

THIS year’s homecoming saw hundreds of alumni returning home to their beloved University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) despite the rain and drizzle throughout the 3-day celebration.

The campus was adorned with UP colors for the homecoming celebrated from August 23-25, 2019.

The first day was met with anticipation as iAmUPHi’s Trade Fair and Food Fest returns to the UPV grounds with new and returning sellers. UPV Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) brought in the Tax and Legal Clinic held at the new Little Theater which made way for talks on corporate issues, investment scams, cyber crime, and tax amnesty.

UP alumni from the Securities and Exchange Commission, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and Bureau of Internal Revenue served as the resource persons.

In the afternoon, UP Validus Amicitia returned with their VAyk Fest. This is an event to foster healthy lifestyle and love for biking. In the evening, the day was capped with the 1st Jazz Festival organized by the Iloilo City Government in cooperation with UPAA Iloilo Chapter (UPAAIC), where more than a hundred jazz enthusiasts enjoyed the music of both local and national jazz artists.

The second day saw the most fun with so many activities lined up. The biggest and longest running homecoming sport event, UP Silak and UP Silab’s Run UP! 9, started the day early at SM City Iloilo. Back in campus, the homecoming mass was held at the new Little Theater. This was sponsored by UP Scintilla Juris Fraternity and UP Stella Juris Sorority.

It was followed by the UP Validus Amicitia’s VArrio Fiesta Alumni Brunch at the Graduate and Continuing Education Building (GCEB). There, alumni enjoyed Filipino delicacies and flowing coffee.

The annual elections for the UPAA-IC Board of Directors were held at the PA Rooms. The new set of elected officers will then be part of the BOD for the following year and will serve for 3 years.

The 2nd day of the Trade Fair and Food Festival also continued at the UPV Grounds and GCEB which went side by side a Job Fair with a number of companies exhibiting job opportunities.

The High School Batch ’81 had a bigger event this year. Aside from their long-running Dugo Kay Isko blood drive, they have added Bakuna Para Kay Isko. These events were held at the 2nd Floor of the New High School Building and are for the benefit of UPV constituents.

The academic groups’ day continued this year with the Goldies Day 2 celebration at the UPV Auditorium where a huge number of high school alumni batches gathered for the day-long activities.

The School of Technology (SOTECH) continued their SOTECH Socials Fellowship Lunch and Bingo at the Alumni Terrace were a good number of alumni and faculty gathered and enjoyed the lunch fellowship and a session of bingo games.

The College of Management (CM) also received their alumni for the CM Alumni Gathering at the 2nd Floor of the new CM Building.

Alumni from various batches got to get together for a time of reminiscing and fun. UP SIlak and UP Silab is also going strong with their Golden Lunch event for retired faculty and staff held at the Lozano Hall of the newly restored UPV Main Building. The Main Building served as the Iloilo City Hall before it was donated to the University in 1947.

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The third day was for the highlight of the homecoming celebrations. UPAAIC organized the UP Alumni & Faculty Homecoming Dinner and Awards Night held at Diversion 21 Hotel.

Alumni batches celebrating their jubilee years were recognized and honored during the program. A total of eight awards was given this year where they, or their representatives, received Oblation Trophies and UP medals.

For the UPV Outstanding Jubilarians, the awardees were Mr. Artemio P. Pama, Jr. in the field of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship; Dr. Renato G. Josef in the field of Health and Medical Professions; Dr. Mervyn J. Misaon in the field of Education; and, Prof. Alfredo B. Diaz in the field of Arts and Letters. A Distinguished Service Award was given to Ms. Salvacion Z. Peres for her exceptional contribution to governance and the University.

Three awards were also given posthumously to former governors Simplicio Griño of Iloilo and Jovito Plameras, Jr. and Enrique Zaldivar of Antique. Their respective family representatives received the awards. After the program, alumni jubilarians spent the rest of the evening with fellowship and music.

The annual homecoming is organized by the UPV OAR in collaboration with the different alumni associations, organizations, university colleges and offices. (UPV Office of Alumni Relations)