Atty. Juan Lorenzo T. Tañada ‘92 was recently named Customs Deputy Commissioner for Internal Administration. Atty. Tañada will be responsible for the formulation of policies and the setting up of objectives relative to financial, administrative, personnel, planning and management improvement services of the BOC. Congratulations Brod! Read more...

Antonio O. Mabesa ‘54 and Conrado “Dondi” C. Ong III ‘88 scored wins at the 24th Aliw Awards 2011. Mabesa was named Best Stage Director (Non-Musical) for Fake of UP Playwrights Theater. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Theater. Ong was named Best Classical Performer (Male), an award he previously received in 2009. Congratulations Brods!

Carlos Juan Paolo “Chip” Vega ‘04 (B.S. Economics summa cum laude ‘07) was elected president of University of Hawaii’s East West Center Participants Association (EWCPA). Vega was installed as the newest President of the EWCPA during the induction ceremony last October 2011, attended by Mary Hammond, Dean of the Education Program, Charles Morisson, President of the East West Center, as well as the previous board members.

The EWCPA is an organization of over 400 active graduate students at the University of Hawaii representing more than 50 countries from all over the world. These students study and carry out research through various competitive scholarship grants administered by the East West Center among which include the Asian Development Bank-Government of Japan Scholarship, East West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship, Freeman Foundation Scholarship, US-South Pacific Scholarship and the Obuchi Student Scholarship.

Vega is the only Filipino member of the new board and one of the few Filipinos to have claimed the position in recent years. He is an ADB Degree Fellow, earning his MA in Economics and will be joining the Hawaii State Energy Office to participate in the work going into its various projects including the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. Congratulations Brod!

31 people in a car, an intense dunk-off, students holding on to a car for nearly 6 hours – the night could not have been more exciting as the Upsilon Sigma Phi celebrated its 93rd anniversary with Car Stuffing. Touch My Car, and Dakdakan.

The Upsilon closed off the AS Parking Lot as early as 6am to prepare for the evening festivities. The UP campus watched on with eager anticipation as tents, food stalls, and a truckload of lights and sounds were being set up right in front of Palma Hall. By lunchtime, students were flocking the parking lot for food and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of free ice cream from Selecta, adding some flavor to the events to come. The parking lot filled up later in the afternoon as the entire UP campus – students, faculty, campus staff, and passersby – came together to take a break from school and work to enjoy the evening.

Dakdakan – a dunk contest on an 8-foot rim - kicked off the nightlong celebration. 9 students from different colleges and organizations went neck-to-neck for the title of Master Pinakaswabe Dakdakan Champion. One by one, they were eliminated until only 2 remained. The final showdown was, indeed, one for the books. The competition was brought down to a faceoff between Wilfredo “Wilf” Martin and Ralph Nasara (UP 49ers).  The two exchanged an arsenal of electrifying and creative dunks. There was no clear winner, as even the judges could not settle the score. Each ensuing dunk only intensified an already intense crowd. The final decision was up to the audience – the contestant who drew a louder cheer from the crowd would claim the title. After a loud chant followed by an uncomfortable silence, Wilf Martin edged out Ralph Nasara and was crowned the Master Pinakaswabe Dakdakan Champion.

After a grueling Dakdakan showdown, the attention shifted to Car Stuffing as a brand new Mini Cooper and a brand new Mini Countryman made a dramatic entrance to the middle of the parking lot. Participating orgs were given time to inspect the cars and strategize their approach. As the signal sounded for the opening round, the Countryman was pushed to its limit as 9 organizations were each given 3 minutes to fill the car with people – UP ALCHEMES won out with a record-breaking 31. The Countryman proved formidable, as it was able to withstand the beating that ensued with only a few “bruises”. Only UP ALCHEMES (31), UP ICTUS (30), and UP 49ers (29) made it through to the final round. In the finals, the three organizations were met with a grey Mini Cooper S. The car took more than a beating as UP ICTUS stuffed the car with 23 people, beating UP ALCHEMES and UP 49ers who were both tied at 22. Surprisingly, though, the Cooper S went home without a single scratch.

The night ended with Touch My Car. This ultimate test of patience and perseverance began at 5:45pm as 9 students held on to a Mini Cooper S, not letting go lest they be eliminated. Contestants were bothered by a series of challenges such as squatting, lifting chairs, drinking lots of water, and the like. One by one, they left, exhausted and distressed. And by 11:32pm, only one man, Ho Yong Park (UP CURSOR) was holding on. Exhausted but fulfilled, he claimed his prize. What followed after, though, was completely unexpected. In a unique act of sportsmanship, Park shared his prize with the other 2 who stood by until the closing minutes. He embodied the spirit of the Upsilon Month: sharing and celebrating with others in UP – even those beyond your circle.

Car Stuffing, Touch my Car, and Dakdakan are part of the month long celebration of Upsilon Month. They are 30 year old traditions which are celebrated annually every November and December.

The Upsilon Month 2011 is Co-Presented by Mini Philippines, Selecta, and Master and brought to you by Banapple, Boulevard Diner, Karimadon, DZUP 1602, 9 Waves Resort, and Moonleaf. We would also like to thank our following org partners: UP ICTUS, UP ACES, UP GPS, UP 49ers, UP CURSOR, UP KEM, UP Music Circle, and IE Club.

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name, would smell as sweet.

Quezon City – Ladies first! The Upsilon Sigma Phi kicks off its 93rd anniversary by paying tribute to the women of the University of the Philippines through its annual Day of Roses. The event was an extravagant showering of appreciation and gratitude to the women of the University as “brods” of the Upsilon Sigma Phi distributed over 3,000 roses accompanied by an ensemble of modern and classic love songs. 

Clad completely in black, Upsilonians went from room to room throughout the different colleges and different buildings in UP while handing out the fraternity’s official flower – a long stemmed, pink rose – to each and every woman in UP.

Women in student tambayans and classrooms were crooned by small choirs with guitar accompaniment in traditional Filipino ‘Harana’ style and were given roses tagged with an endearing message of gratitude and empowerment.

Female faculty members and administrators were also visited, serenaded, and given bouquets by the Upsilonians, who conveyed their appreciation to the administration for its unwavering support and service to the University and the Nation.

The Day of Roses is an annual tradition celebrated during the first Friday of the 2nd semester in UP Diliman and the first Monday of the 2nd semester in UP Manila.

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Isang mapagpala’t mapagpalayang araw sa inyong lahat!

About a year ago, I accepted my nomination to the UP Presidency in my desire to lead in the remaking of UP not only as a great Philippine university, but as a great Asian and global institution as well.

I said then that “many of us remember UP as a great university, the best in the country, and a respected center of learning in Asia. Over the years, however, comparative surveys of world universities have jolted us into realizing that UP’s preeminent position as an institution of higher learning has faded”.

When I assumed office seven months ago, I declared that UP’s path can be nothing else than the path, not only to the greatness of its past, but beyond it. This University must seize the leadership in the making of a globally competitive Philippines. But even more urgently, it should be focused on addressing those problems of the country that for decades have resisted solution.

Today, I join all of you as we collectively embark on a journey towards making the University of the Philippines a Great University in the 21st century. I do not profess to make UP great overnight, but I shall mark the path and launch UP towards greatness during my term.

It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce that Ricardo “Dick” Zamora ‘49 joined our Creator at 12:55 p.m. today, September 10, 2011. Farewell brod! Your music, those songs within our hearts live on, your legacy will be forever as the sun!

Dick Zamora’s name, to many Philippine music connoisseurs, is largely and especially associated with, among others, “Aloyan,” – whose melody he conscientiously composed when he was barely in his 20s. This particular piece marked his discovery if not entry into music’s mystifying world where he remains a living icon for over half a century now. For all his low-key personality, Dick has assiduously added to the Philippine musical bank through his numerous and dazzling contributions towards the true appreciation of this art form, classical or Philippine. Playing at first the piano like a virtuoso, he went on to write and arrange loads of novel compositions, cavalcades, and other musical scores. He took time when possible to share his knowledge and skills as a professorial lecturer with college and university students. More so, he was able to teach to and reach out with the masses through the medium of broadcast and television, having been a show director. Not be missed out were his additional efforts at spreading zarzuela appreciation as well as his musical endeavours for the GSP (Girl Scouts of the Philippines).

This is a brief account about the life of this humble but ardent music lover. Presently almost an octogenarian, Dick can look back, with honest glow and pride, at his countless accomplishments in the boundless realm of music, Philippine and others.

Sean Vincent L. Aquilino ’09 was named one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) for 2011 at awarding ceremonies in Malacañang Palace last August 4, 2011.

Aquilino was recognized for his exceptional performance in both academics and student leadership. He served as Chairperson of the College of Science Student Council for AY2010-2011 and received his B.S. Biology degree cum laude with the Best Undergraduate Thesis this year.

Earlier in the year, Aquilino was also awarded the Gawad Chanselor para sa Natatanging Mag-aaral for 2011, and the UP Diliman BPI-DOST Science Award. Aquilino is currently a first year student at the UP College of Medicine.

Since 1961, the TOSP program has recognized outstanding youth of the nation for academic excellence, exemplary leadership, community involvement and good moral values. The last Upsilonian to be recognized by TOSP was incumbent Illustrious Fellow Benjo A. Delarmente, M.D. in 2008. Congratulations brod!

Award-winning independent filmmaker Michael Francis E. Sandejas ‘91 was selected as one of the nine Asia 21 Philippines Fellows for 2011, representing Culture and the Arts. He was among those chosen by the Asia Society, a New York-based institution that promotes international understanding between leaders of Asia and the United States, to be part of this year’s batch of young Filipino leaders who will represent our country at the upcoming Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit in New Delhi, India.

This year, over 100 nominations were received and nine accomplished leaders were selected. The main criterion is leadership experience, impact of leadership and track record in public service.

Sandejas’ works include Dinig Sana Kita (Best Film Deaf Category at the 2009 Brussels International Independent Film Festival), Tulad ng Dati (Best Film at Cinemalaya 2006) and Wat Floor Ma’am for which he received several awards both local and foreign. He teaches Advanced Digital Filmmaking at De La Salle University-College of St. Benilde and Audiovisual Production at St. Scholastica’s College, Manila.

Upsilonians who were previously selected as Asia 21 Philippines Fellows include former Cavite Representative Gilbert Cesar C. Remulla ‘89 (Government) in 2006 and travel blogger and heritage advocate Ivan Anthony S. Henares ‘98 (Culture and the Arts) in 2008. Congratulations brod!

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For for his role in Dagim, Martin M. del Rosario ‘11 was named New Movie Actor of the Year at the 27th PMPC Star Awards for Movies. He previously won Breakthrough Performance by an Actor for the same role at the 8th Golden Screen Awards presented by the Entertainment Press Society. Del Rosario currently plays Norberto “Berto” Matias in the ABS-CBN drama series Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin. Congratulations brod!

Congratulations to Claudio B. Altura ‘54 for winning the 2011 Subic-Boracay Race and the 2011 Boracay Cup! Considered to be the premier long distance sailing event in the Philippine, the fleet of 17 local and international yachts sailed off the sailing mecca of Subic Bay last February 18.

The 200 mile course presented various navigational challenges for the sailors. Beginning with the Mindoro Coastline and it’s 2500 meter mountain range creating inconsistent wind patterns and through the Verde Island passage infamous for it’s varying tidal patterns. The finish line was set at world famous Boracay Beach where the racing continued as the 2011 Boracay Cup began on February 22nd.

Finishing in 36 Hours, 49 minutes, 42 seconds, “Vivaldi”, Altura’s J-35 Racer finished first in the IRC Cruiser/Racer Class division. To top it off Altura also won the 2011 Boracay Cup, winning 4 out of 5 inter-island races to complete the route.

Race News and Results via asianyachting.com

U.P. Vice President for Legal Affairs Danilo L. Concepcion ‘89 was elected today by the Board of Regents as the 14th Dean of the U.P. College of Law.

Professor Concepcion received his B.S. Agricultural Engineering degree summa cum laude at the De la Salle - Araneta University in 1979 and later topped the board exam. While studying engineering, he was elected member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa as representative of the youth sector where he served from 1978 to 1984.

In 1983, he completed his law degree in U.P. graduating cum laude and was a topnotcher in the bar examinations that same year. In U.P. Law, he was a consistent dean’s lister and Lord Chancellor of the Order of the Purple Feather, the honor society of U.P. Law students.

He went to London as a Chevening scholar and received his Master of Laws degree from the Queen Mary College of the University of London in 1986.

In 1996, he was appointed Associate Commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Chief of Staff of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel. From 2000 to 2002, he served as University President of the De la Salle - Araneta University. He returned to U.P. in 2002 to become Associate Dean of the UP College of Law, Head of the UP Law Center and Director of the Institute of Judicial Administration until May of 2006.

Congratulations brod!

Photo courtesy of UP System Information Office.