I’ve always wondered how the new UPIS campus looks now since its transfer from Katipunan Avenue to the main university campus. I would always look at UP Town Center wistfully whenever I passed by, having experienced so many happy moments on that exact spot where my high school once stood. I finally had the chance to see it up close and personal last Saturday, June 26, 2021, when I joined my batchmates for a video and photo shoot of the school grounds.

What started as a request for photo submissions from the Batch ‘97 Homecoming Committee became an open invitation for anyone with a camera and a free day to come on a photowalk of the old school grounds and the new campus. Nine alumni answered the call. 

Accompanied by Ling Buhay, née Junia, and her husband, Dix, I was welcomed at the new UPIS grounds by Karie Pagarigan and AJ Cruz. Next to arrive were Alexander Josef (Frances Josef’s cousin), Ghen Tampoc with wife, Ana Valencia, Michelle Deloria, Millie Fudolig, and Daisy Santos. Badji Mortiz completed the lineup of photographers for the day. Each one was given ALAB UPIS ‘97 face masks and Joy in a Bottle inhalers and oils as gifts, courtesy of the Homecoming Committee. After greetings and catching up, we got ready for our mission for the day. 

Everyone switched to work mode, taking photos and videos of the school grounds, hallways, Lorna, and more, while reminiscing and laughing about the memories in every nook and cranny they passed. The highlight of the day, though, were the “treasures” Daisy and Michelle brought along with them. They’d managed to keep memorabilia such as school fair tickets, graduation invites, library cards, and Aninag copies in pristine condition! Talk about taking a trip down memory lane, with props.