Handog: UPIS Commemorative Marker Inaugurated
written by Huggy Cortes
with Dianne Dela Cruz-Tagle
photos and videos by Alex Josef Photography and Catilo Photography
September 24, 2022 marked the unveiling of ALAB UPIS’ Handog UPIS Commemorative Marker at the Acacia Courtyard of the U.P. Town Center (UPTC). The event signaled the commencement of the celebration for UPIS Batch 1997’s Silver Jubilee.
Amidst the heavy downpour, the event was a joyous occasion for the UPIS community headed by Prof. Anthony Joseph C. Ocampo, UPIS Principal, Prof. Diana C. Caluag, Assistant Principal for Academic Programs, and Prof. Margaret D. Atela, UPIS Assistant Principal for Administration. They expressed their joy and support at the event.
Watch excerpts of the inauguration here
“Masaya. Nakaka-miss kayo at ‘yung puno,” remarked Prof. Ocampo, referring to the acacia tree where the nearby sculptural bench is placed.
UPIS Batch ‘97 with Prof. Ocampo at the kickoff for Handog on March 19, 2022
Prof. Atela added, “Nakakatuwa naman na kahit UPTC ‘to, meron na tayong marker (na) dito sa UPIS. Kapag may dadaan na alumni, I’m sure hindi nya i-mi miss ang chance na magpa picture.”
UPIS Batch ‘97 with Ma’am Lani Zamora,
former UPIS Library staff
Present at the event were the alumni donors from UP High ’64, UP High ’66, UP High ‘67, UP Prep ’72, UPIS ‘90, UPIS ’92, UPIS ’93, UPIS ‘96, UPIS ’99 and UPIS ‘97 headed by its Chairperson Leoghenes “Ghen” Tampoc. In his opening remarks, Ghen said that while every UPIS student gains a part of the school within themselves, it is but fitting to install a symbol of UPIS on its original grounds.
UP Prep '72 Golden Jubilarians
UP High '66 alumni
UPIS '96, '97 and '99 alumni
UP High '67, UPIS '97 and '93 alumni
ALAB UPIS Chairperson, Ghen Tampoc
UPIS '93, '97 and '90 alumni
Ana Leonor Cruz-Reyes, Head of the Legacy Project Committee, remarked that the initial plan was just a simple marker under the lone acacia tree, which serves as the only remnant of the former UPIS grounds. But after much deliberation, it became a public art installation: A sculptural piece in the form of a bench designed by Batch ‘97’s Arch. Lianne Mirano-Romero.
A-L Cruz-Reyes, Legacy Project Committee Head
Handog design and construction team:
Arch. Marlon Meneses, Arch. Lianne Mirano Romero (UPIS ‘97) and Arch. Dylan Melgazo
According to A-L, the bench shall be a reminder of treasured memories shared during our time in UPIS. “Gugunitain natin ang mga ugnayan at kaganapan noong mga araw natin sa UPIS, ang naging tambayan ng mga magkakabarkada kung saan minsang nagsalu-salo, nagkuwentuhan at nagtawanan,” she shared.
In his remarks Prof. Ocampo, who is also a UPIS alumnus from Batch ‘85 said that with only the acacia tree remaining from the old UPIS grounds, it has long been an aspiration of many to put up a memorial to honor UPIS. He expressed his gratitude to the UPIS ’97 for fulfilling this dream and hopes that the marker will remain at the U.P. Town Center forever.
Prof. Anthony Joseph C. Ocampo, UPIS Principal and Batch ‘85 alumnus
Ms. Patricia Lloren, Marketing Manager of the U.P. Town Center said that shared connections build meaningful connections and the pandemic did not stop UPIS and U.P. Town Center to create one. She stated that the memories created in the old UPIS grounds will remain in the hearts and minds of the alumni and the UPTC towners. According to her, the U.P. Town Center is ready to support and looks forward to more collaborations such as this.
Patricia Lloren, U.P. Town Center Marketing Manager
with UPIS ‘97 Lianne Mirano Romero and Malaya Santos
UP High ‘66’s Ms. Belinda Medina-Gutierrez said that their batch considered the Handog UPIS Commemorative Marker as a worthy cause and agreed that a marker should be placed to indicate that the now thriving shopping center was once the UPIS or UP High grounds. She congratulated Batch ’97 for this worthy project.
Belinda Medina-Guttierez, UP High ‘66
Dr. Guillermo Manalo of UP Prep ’72 thanked Batch ’97 for providing the opportunity to give back to their beloved alma mater. He shared some of his memories in UP Preparatory School and said that events like these bring back so many memories. As products of UPIS, his entire family is grateful to the institution.
Dr. Guillermo Manalo, UP Prep ‘72
Ruth Manalo (UP High ‘71) and Dr. Guillermo Manalo
“It brought back memories. Yung pagmamahal natin sa ating alma mater, nakakaiyak rin. Yung natutulog na damdamin natin, nagising siya uli. Magandang paalala rin, so thank you very much,” Dr. Manalo said.
Unveiling of Handog by Dr. Guillermo Manalo (UP Prep ‘72, Golden Jubilarian), Ghen Tampoc (ALAB UPIS Chairperson),
Prof. Anthony Joseph Ocampo (UPIS Principal) and Patricia Lloren (U.P. Town Center Marketing Manager)
Mr. Sam Paler of UP High ‘64 also lauded UPIS ‘97 and his batchmates.
“(The event) is well-organized… (Giving back) is something we’ve been thinking about. Most of the donations came from our US-based classmates,” stated Mr. Paler.
Sam Paler (UP High ‘64) and Nena Paler with Omar Romero (UPIS ‘93) and Lianne Romero (UPIS ‘97)
During the event, the official music video of Noel Cabangon’s “Swela Niyaring Bayan,” written by batch ‘97’s Aaron Romero, was also launched. The song, like Handog, evoked many memories that took place at the former UPIS grounds on Katipunan Avenue.
Watch the official music video here
The event was hosted by UPIS ’97’s Krupskaya Añonuevo.
Kita-kits sa ilalim ng puno ng acacia!
About ALAB UPIS:
A project of UP Integrated School Batch ‘97, ALAB UPIS is raising funds to help underserved UPIS scholars, give back to faculty and staff, and host the school’s 2022 homecoming. Shop UP and UPIS inspired merch or donate here. Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram and tag #ALABUPIS!