Galleries

Sunlight, bright and warm shines upon the campus grounds, just as bright as the many decorations that sway with the early morning breeze. All across the university are brilliant swatches of colour, hung up in preparation for the 101st Loyalty Day of UPLB. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, more and more students flooded the streets. Young and old stood side by side, so vastly different, and yet more similar than you’d think.

On this morning I was in one corner of Freedom Park with the other DevCom students preparing for the parade.

Afterwards, once the brightly coloured floats had each been presented, it was time for my group mates and I to talk the alumnis.

Lolo Artemio is part of batch’74, starting in UPLB in the year 1968.

In all his years of being in the university, he’s grateful that it taught him many different things. Not only in the academic sense, but also life in general. He reminded us to stand up for our beliefs, whatever they may be, and assert ourselves. As students our stance matters, and when we are called to action, we must not hesitate to heed it.

He recalls his time in the university fondly, but he cannot ignore the dark shadow Marcos’s Martial Law cast upon it. As he tells us stories from that time, he mentions the friends he’s lost with glistening eyes, and asks us that we must not let ourselves stand idly by in such times.

On the 10th of October, alumni of UPCA/UPLB gathered to celebrate 101st Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming.

Rose Salazar, an alumna of UPLB, was from the class of 1980 and a graduate of BS Agriculture. She shared to me the key lessons that she learned from the university during her college years.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13AOy_vhGFYOct7PRLWLgc2nZTX7x3ntq/view (image link)

She gave me three words that she have always kept in mind.

Honor. The prestigious university has given her honor and in return, she gave back honor to the university. “Ipagmalaki na tayo ay Iskolar ng Bayan.”, she proudly said.

Excellence. In everything that we do, we must do it to the best of our ability. Students, no matter how smart they are, must strive hard to develop their intelligence. “Kailangan gawin mo yung pinakabest na kaya mong gawin.”, she claimed.

Service. We must not make use of the knowledge, blessings and everything that the university gifted us for our own benefit only. As Iskolars ng Bayan, we were given the duty to use the abilities that were honed in the university to help the marginalized sectors to progress and improve their way of living. We received much, we will give much. “Kung ano yung nakuha natin, gamitin natin para makapaglingkod.”, she emphasized.

She reiterated what her mother told her, to love and to serve.

by Marian Ilinon (UV-2L), Louisse Parado (UV-2L), Shann Pasion (UV-2L), Mark Topinio (UV-2L)

On every 10th of October, the University of the Philippines, Los Banos celebrates the Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming. However, only a few people recognize its importance and glorious history. So, how and why exactly is UPLB celebrating it?

The UP College of Agriculture (UPCA) did not hesitate to lend their service and fight in ‘one of the world’s most historic clashes’ when the USA called for ‘additional military manpower’. However, the UPCA volunteers were not able to fight due to an agreement that ended WWI. But their courage was never forgotten as the UPLB annually celebrates Loyalty day to commemorate our glorious past and to recollect the essence of the spirit of volunteerism.

Today, the UPLB community is celebrating its 101st Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming through colorful and unique presentations and activities such as the Loyalty Day Parade. The event will not be completed without our ‘kababayan’ and our alumni.

As part of our activity, we have interviewed some of the alumni on their tips and experiences in studying at UPLB.

Ms. Dorothy Salvedia (BS Food Technology, 2001)

As a former student of UPLB, she describes how the university helped her in managing her career as a professional. According to her, the activities performed were engaging and hands-on, specifically in their laboratory exercises. She added that studying GE courses has increased her knowledge outside her field of expertise.

She is now taking her graduate school in UPLB and she reminds us that our lives do not revolve around our academic pursuits. We should always remember to spend time with our families and friends, as well as in doing other activities. Also, to share that UPLB will always be our home as much as it is to her.

Mr. Artemio Salazar (Batch 1974, BS Agricultural Chemistry)

Living amidst the devastating effect brought upon by Martial Law, Mr. Salazar had instilled to us that we should always focus on the things that we can do for our society and how are we going to make an impact using only what we have. For he believes that “kung saan tinawag doon tumugon,” honoring our battlecry, “Serve the People”.

Mr. Gaddy Ferrer (Batch 1964, BS Agricultural Economics)

Studying in UPLB had helped him learned how to interact with other people, especially in making friends. For him, surviving in UPLB will not be possible without our Lord. So, he told us that we must not forget and embrace our Lord.

Nothing but smiles as students, teachers, staff, alumni, and guests gathered to celebrate the 101st Loyalty Day! Of course, our group, DC Explorers, didn’t missed this opportunity to witness another year of the celebration of Loyalty Day. Moreover, we also utilizes this event as an avenue to get to know some alumni from different batches as well as listen not only to their learning from the university, but also their most memorable experiences.

Here’s our first vlog featuring them:

Indeed, UPLB is more than just an institution – it is a home. More than the academic learning we obtain from it, it also teaches us the likewise important lessons in life as an individual.

The birth of DEVCOM Explorers. 10/12/19

Just that, UPLB’s 101st Loyalty Day became the birth of DEVCOM Explorers. Eunice Algar, Raizza Acuzar, Mark Mercene, Julius Villarey, and yours truly, Lemuel San Gabriel, all shiftees to BS Development Communication decided to make a occasionally vlog to explore Devcom and also the activities inside and outside the college.

And now, we present to you our first vlog entry which talks about how is it to be an alumni of UPLB and why is it important to celebrate Loyalty Day in the university.

Check this out!

Truly it is inspiring to get that #SABLAY and revisit the college life as these alumni shared their stories and tips to our ka-Explorers!

#ExploreLoyaltyDay #LoyaltyDayExplored

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zAUUK9cGQpgJI0uTeLbpIwEEHLsdia_j/view?usp=sharing

Here is Mr. John Paul G. Caunan, a BS Agriculture major in Animal Science specialized in Dairy Production graduate of Class 2009. He currently have a job at New Zealand as a Dairy Farm Manager. We came from the same hometown so I was able to relate on some things that he shared with me.

As a former student here in UPLB, he told me the lessons and some tips that he learned while studying. This is what he said:

“You will be challenged in all aspects of life when you’re in UPLB, make yourself prepared all the time. Study hard, keep yourself healthy, save money and have faith. UPLB will open a lot of opportunities for you to explore life. Don’t be afraid, open yourself up. You will experience downfalls. Learn how to get up and fix stuff. Surround yourself with set of good people or at least someone you can laugh and cry with. UPLB (and the experiences) is too vast for you to live alone. Being an Iskolar NG at PARA sa Bayan entitles you to a big responsibility. Always bear in mind that you’re one amongst the country’s cream of the crop. Staying in UPLB taught me how to be responsible on every single thing I do. And lastly, be humble .”

At that moment that he told me his experience in UPLB, I know that his success today was really honed by the mentality given by the University. We cannot deny that most graduates from UPLB may go from far places, but they still possesses the skills and key lessons that they learned. They will always be grateful that UPLB have helped them to be who they are today; achieving success, with honor and excellence.

Nestled under the legendary Mt. Makiling. Surrounded by the tranquility of its evergreen forests and basking in the splendor that is nature itself, the University of the Philippines Los Baños continuously mold champions of honor and excellence in the fields of Art and Sciences.

It cannot be denied that when we think of UPLB, the first thing that pops into mind is agriculture. For many years, the university have stood as a fortress and a nursing ground for the country’s leading and competent agriculturists. Agriculturists who work to empower and ingrain in the minds of Filipinos the importance of our roots in the pursuit of progress given that the Philippines is predominantly an agricultural country.

A daring man from our simple hometown in South Cotabato dismissed the idea of distance and decided to thread on the UP path in 1989. The eldest son of a public school teacher and a forester who is also a graduate of UPLB. He took up Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majoring Animal Science and specializing in Cattle Production. After graduating in 1994, he worked as an Area Coordinator of Monterey Food Corporation and manages contract growing farms for swine and cattle on areas like Batangas, Cavite and Silay city, Negros Occidental. And living his lessons from the University on environmental awareness, he worked as a government employee in the local government unit of Koronadal City under the City Environment and Natural Resources Office and ultimately finding himself as a program coordinator under the Provincial Environment and Management Office of the Provincial Capitol of South Cotabato. A man of perseverance and strength, allow me to introduce Mr. LEO H. ATANGAN, my father.

My father is a very busy man. I grew up watching him leave the house early and wait for him as he arrives home late. It is understandable given that the nature of his work is set in the field. However, no matter how busy his work gets, he never failed in sharing and giving his time for us, his children. Even during the times when mother had to work far away in the Visayas to help sustain and support our family.

He emphasized during the interview that it was his exposure as a dorm representative and his upbringing in the University that taught him and constantly reminded him of the valuable little things in life, and one of that is to value time. Both your time and the time of the people around you. He added that academics isn’t the only thing you will learn. He said that the University taught him something else more than knowledge and that is to stand-up and fight for what you deem is right. That’s why he encouraged me to explore the wonders of LB as it calls out to you in the outside and whispers closely to the heart. UP is not just a school but a home.

It molds individuals to become responsible professionals in their respective fields enhancing a SERVICE-ORIENTED OUTLOOK, STRONG WILL and STRAIGHT FORWARDNESS in doing things with utmost RESPECT. -Leo H. Atangan-

He greatly takes pride in being a UP student and that is another thing that he will never forget. The University builds and boosts students morale as they finish one difficult task after another. It instilled in them the will to never give up. That any UP graduate in whatever the circumstances or no matter how difficult the challenge may be, an ISKO will never back down. Even after being proud of becoming a UP student, my father would always remind himself the need for respect and understanding. The world does not only revolve around UP rather YOU revolve the world.

Lastly, he left a challenge for today’s generation of Isko and Iska. Words to ponder. Words to reflect.

We have withstood the test of time
The bells of the future glows true and chime
As echoes of the past cries loud and clear
Respect, Patience, Discipline, can you hear?

The windows of progress beckons “Go!”
A challenge for today, the hope of tomorrow
With a crown of snow comes wisdom so true
But the heart of the youth completes the crew.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JgErbekS8qY10cQW0lRsXW1VUg3mc44Z/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/14wEsFjVxvz812cBi8PkIoPOUiyfOlQx8

Last 10th of October we walked around the event’s place, where we saw different people from different offices, colleges, places, and alumni that went back home to celebrate their anniversary. As we passed by the Milka Krem, the popular dairy store in the university, a group of women in red were there, seating together and reminiscing the memories that they had during their stay in the university. 

She is Anna Maria Velous a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Horticulture graduate from the class of 1979. She now works in the Philippine Nuclear Institute as a Science Research Specialist in Diliman, Quezon City.

Here are the key lessons that UP have taught her; is how to get along with people and on how to survive in life. In UP, you will be on your own as she said “kung ano ang gagawin mo to the best of your ability and sa buhay it prepares you after school. Mag aral whatever na mangyari na sa buhay mo you have to stand on your own and do what you have to do.”

The challenge that UP has brought her, as she describe “Ang UP ang training nila ay itatapon ka sa ocean and bahala kang mabuhay sa sarili mo, and how to survive. Survival of the fittest.. ang UP kasi ay matira matibay, so sa life mo mai-aapply.” She was able to overcome the challenge that UP has given her, aside from the fact that you need to study hard for you to graduate, the main point is your future depends on you and not on others, whatever you like it or not. You must stand on your own. You don’t have anyone to depend on always. 

It developed her character more, helped her how to deal with different kinds of people because UP has different walks of life, some people belong in the marginalized poor, those who belong in the middle class and upper class. There are studious, you must know how to get along with them. She said “ang training ng UP is different from other university, na sa (ibang) university they’ll spoon-feed you pero sa UP kung gusto mong mag graduate mag-aral ka mabuti, kung ayaw mong grumaduate edi bahala ka.”

As you work on to thrive on the challenge that you face the mind tends to be critical to solve the problem and how you handle things. It helps you to be more independent. To sum up, here are the things that I have learned from Ms. Velous, you must be critical in every choice that you will make, be strong enough to stand up and face the challenges that life may bring, be resilient and be industrious to achieve your goals in life.