Keeping the UP spirit alive

UP High School in Cebu has had the mission of transforming education by being the democratized access for the marginalized to the university. Through these years, the UP High alumni  association has been a great help.

Last  last Sunday, June 10, UPHS alumni together with Batch ‘84 had a fun run for scholarships. This was most meaningful for the month of Jose Rizal’s birthday. He had faith in a good education as a means to bring about social change. Aside from being a serious student, Rizal also set up a school for youths. Since he was critical of some methods of teaching in his time, he exposed the students to an exciting experiential approach which was actually education for life.

Basic education in public high schools is free and payments in the undergrad tertiary level of UP are socialized. But parents and others involved with schooling know very well the many expenses involved. Books need to be purchased or rented. School supplies, materials for projects, notebooks, art materials, and computer-related materials need to be bought. Fees for computer use are also needed. Nutritious food for active, growing adolescents is costly!  Grants-in-aid are, therefore, a very significant contribution to the achievement of our educational goals.

Quite a while back, Gigi Seno and John Bugarin sent dollars precisely for this. Arleen Menchavez, still of Batch ’76, gave assistance to three students through high school. One of them, Jahazel Dejito, graduated salutatorian.

Just this summer, Batch ’92, to celebrate their 20th year after graduation, offered grants to ten first-year or seventh-grade students. I was naturally very happy for the batch; they are quite talented and enthusiastic.

Marcy Borromeo of Class 1991 and other members of Class 1991 founded the Cristopher T. Arco Memorial Scholarship. Class 1985 has three scholars who are now in the third year.  Class 2001 also has three scholars starting this school year.

Many forms of assistance contribute to keep the UP standards high and enrich the learning process.

Several batches donated computers. Recently Batch 1997 provided a printer. Batch ’83 provided an Elmo opaque projector which allows  teachers to project on a screen printed materials from the pages of a book or other print materials for easy viewing for an entire class.

Batch 1987 provided an LCD projector. This became useful not only for the faculty but also for the students trained to prepare and present oral reports this way.

Chemistry classes have been assisted with a scientific weighing scale provided by Batch ‘89.

All sorts of enrichments have been provided by UPHS alumni.  Ditsi Carolino provided copies of her award-winning video, “Minsan Lang Sila Bata” and her other works. Barbara Fortunato gave a CD of American and British poetry, and John Alvarado  provided a cabinet for learning materials. Carl Bugarin donated mathematics books.

Eileen Mangubat, Mark Mariñas, Hilario Davide III, Teresa Macatangay, Carlo Fortuna, and Pablo John Garcia have graced our Recognition Day and inspired  honor students with their experiences and thoughts; passing on the values of academic excellence, service, and leadership.

Renan Dalisay negotiated with Sen. Francis Pangilinan to provide us with a covered court. Pablo John Garcia provided a speech laboratory. Several times he sponsored events providing UPHS students free entry in them. Their batch sponsored a theatre arts workshop for UP HS. Viking Logarta exposed music students to classical guitarists from abroad and the Philippines and gave them opportunities to attend their concerts.

Several times when our students qualified to compete in contests out of Cebu, alumni (Aristotle Batuhan, Joji Alonso, and Eileen Mangubat) provided assistance which made their participation possible. Many others remain ready to  be of assistance to UPHS.

We were very glad that throughout the fun run – before, during, and after  – the more recent UPHS graduates were there to help and associate with different batches. This was one way of showing how grateful they were for the alumni support.  This also  provides continuity and sustains the UP Spirit.