About the UP Centennial Kick-Off

Here is an article from the multiply site of Jan Robert Go, UP Manila College of Arts and Science Student Council Chair, on the UP Centennial Kick-off.

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A HUGE MOTORCADE participated in by the different units of the University of the Philippines System from across the country will highlight the UP System Centennial Launching on January 8, 2008 that will kick off celebrations for the State University’s 100 years of existence.

The UP Alumni Association, the organization spearheading the kick-off activities, announced that the motorcade will start from the University of the Philippines campus in Padre Faura, Manila -- where the first UP campus was first established in 1908 – and will proceed to UP Diliman in Quezon City beginning at 12 noon.

UPAA President Ponciano E. Rivera Jr. said the Manila convoy will then be joined by other motorcades originating from UP Baguio, UP Pampanga and UP Los Baños and will converge with the UP Diliman contingent along Quezon Avenue at an appointed time. The grand motorcade is expected to enter the Diliman campus at about 4 pm, after which a series of grand launching ceremonies will unfold.

Lion dancers, ati-atihan performers and a host of UP dance groups will welcome the motorcade in front of the Oblation statue where a big crowd of alumni, students, faculty, staff, supporters and well-wishers are already gathered. Sky jumpers bearing the emblem of the various UP campuses will land in the open area near the College of Mass Communication.

Ten tambuli players will then blow their horns from atop the Administration building, amid the ceremonial firing of 100 rockets (“kwitis”) to announce the start of the program.

100 torches will be relayed around UP Diliman’s Academic Oval, with the first flame being lit by a 100-year old alumnus. The last flame will be lighted by UP President Emerlinda Roman, who will then proceed to light the UP Flame, as all the flaming 99 torches are extinguished. Simultaneous with the lighting of the cauldron, the “UP @ 100” lights display at the Quezon Hall go on and the grandly lit trees around the academic oval come to life, making the UP campus blaze with lights on its centennial.

One hundred rifle shots will be fired into the air by the UP Rifle Team, ushering in the announcement by President Roman that the UP Centennial Year is open.

A free concert featuring internationally acclaimed UP alumni, among them, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Ryan Cayabyab, the UP Symphonic Orchestra, Nanette Inventor, and UP Symphonic Band follows at the UP Amphitheater. The evening will be capped by a grand fireworks display.

All UP alumni and friends are invited to take part in this historic event. For inquiries, please call 9818500, local 2589 or 2590 or send a fax via 632-9282947.