 Today, we celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of U.P. Takloban as well as its elevation as an autonomous unit of the University of the Philippines system. Everyone, let us all welcome the U.P. Takloban alumni led by the pioneering batches of 1973 and 1974. From U.P. and go on to win. From U.P. and fight. They will send these if you will believe. Who's on to victory with all your might. The faculty, staff and students of the Division of Humanities. Hearts to West, we know you're the best. Who's come to win? We'll always stand by you. The faculty, staff and students of the Division of Social Sciences. On U.P. and go on to win. If you will believe. Who's on to victory with all your might. Staff and students of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Always with you. Administrative research and extension personnel of U.P. Takloban. Again, that was U.P. Anbalangaw. Da mong asalamat to our performers, composer, musician, Samlito Avueva, singers and dancers, Pierre Dan Ampo, Gabrielo Jose Asansa, Mark Joseph Dadooya, Joana Marie Ladesla, Melanie Ladica, Rosary Jasmine Padilla, Ivan Ray Pontoie, Danika Ibanez, Elizabeth Zamora, student trainees Irene Nicole Madera and Jamie Loris Saludares. And the founder, artistic director, choreographer and trainer, Professor Joycey Dorado Alegre. Welcome us to this afternoon's program is the Dean of the University of the Philippines, Takloban College. Dean Patricia Arinto. Bopayang Adlao hayong atanan. Ngan malipayon ng apagsa urog, Hanika 50, aniversario, Han Yuppi Takloban. Yuppi President, Angelo Jimenez, Papaldi Region, Karl Mark Ramota, Student Region, Sigbred Severino, Staff Region, Victoria Canape Beligal, Yuppi Executive Vice President, Jose Fernando Alcantara, Vice President for Planning and Finance, Irene Balmores, Vice President for Administration, Nestor Yunke, Vice President for Public Affairs, Jose Wendell Kapili, Vice President for Legal Affairs, Abraham Ray Acosta, Yuppi Dilimann Chancellor, Edgardo Carlo Vistan, Yuppi Losbanyos Chancellor, Jose Camacho Jr., Yuppi Visayas Chancellor, Clement Camposano, Yuppi Open University Chancellor, Melinda Bandelaria, Yuppi Bagyo Chancellor, Corazon Abansi, Yuppi Sibu Chancellor, Leo Malagar, former Yuppi Visayas Chancellor, Professor Ricardo Bobaran, the Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Student Affairs, the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Yuppi Visayas, Yuppi Losbanyos, and Yuppi Sibu, the deans of Yuppi Visayas, the Yuppi Open University, and Yuppi Sibu, the former deans of Yuppi Takloban College, Professor Emeritus Grace Javier Alfonso, Professor Emeritus Merlee Alunan, Professor Emeritus Josefino Chino Toledo, Professor Victorio N. Sugbu, the directors of various offices of the Yuppi system and Yuppi Visayas, and the Yuppi system legal councils who are present, the presidents of our sister state universities in eastern Visayas, members of the Sangguniang Panalawigan Handlate, members of the judiciary in Region 8, officials of the regional offices of the national government agencies, officials of the various departments of Leyte Province, officials of the Takloban City Government, Yuppi Takloban alumni led by the officers and members of the pioneering batches of 1973 and 1974, retired members of Yuppi Takloban's faculty and staff, Yuppi Takloban faculty, staff, and students, friends and allies of Yuppi Takloban. Mga kasangkayan, damong asalamat for being here today to join us in celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of Yuppi Takloban College as a regional unit of the University of the Philippines, our national university. On this happy occasion, we look back with gratitude to the hard work of all who have made possible our 50 fruitful years as an institution of higher learning with a mandate to build capacities and engage communities for the sustainable development of Eastern Visayas. We remember with deep appreciation our founding fathers and mothers. The provincial government of Leyte in the early 1970s, led by Governor Benjamin Cocoy-Romualdes, petitioned the Yuppi administration at the time for the establishment of a Yuppi unit in Takloban City to serve the people of Eastern Visayas. Yuppi President Salvador P. Lopez and the members of the Yuppi Board of Regents who approved the establishment of Yuppi Takloban in 1973 after three years of careful study of the proposal. Yuppi alumni in Eastern Visayas at the time who formally expressed their support for the proposal and the new Yuppi unit. The pioneer faculty and staff represented here today by Botany Professor, Professor Patresino de Los Reyes, the 141 pioneering students who enrolled in the college's first three programs. Some of them are here with us today, led by Mr. Joey Clarine of Batch 74, my husband, Mr. Ferdinand Garrido of Batch 73 and Judge Ateniones Bacali of Batch 78. We also remember with much appreciation and respect those who were part of Yuppi Takloban's faculty, staff and student body in the 1980s when the college was just a fledgely institution amidst political upheavals and other challenges both within the university and without. The college was only 13 years old in 1986 when it was placed under the then newly constituted Yuppi in the Visayas as part of the reorganization of Yuppi into a university system composed of four at the time constituent universities. Yuppi Takloban's officials, faculty and staff adapted to the change, rose up to the new challenges and met new expectations with grace from the mid-1980s through to the 1990s, the 2000s and the 2010s. At this point, I would like to especially thank our former deans of Yuppi Takloban who are here with us today. Dean Marietta Sumagaysay, who led the college from 2000 to 2006. Dean Verhildo Sabalo, who led the Yuppi Takloban from 2006 to 2009 and again in 2016 to 2019. Dean Margarita de la Cruz, who led the college from 2009 to 2012 and Dean Anita Kulal, who led the college from 2012 to 2016. We also thank the former deans of Yuppi Takloban who could not join us today for one reason or another. Dean Benhamin Katane, who served for a decade from 1975 to 1986. Dean Albino Lumen, who was the dean from 1986 to 1988. Dean Antonio Abilar, who served from 1988 to 1991. Dean Zosimo Lee, who was the dean from 1991 to 1994. And Dean Viola Shozon, who served from 1994 to 2000. We salute all of them for their courage and their attitude, their leadership, the programs they started which are the predecessors of today's programs and new initiatives. I would also like to thank, in a special way, our colleagues from Yuppi Visayas who worked with us and supported us these past 37 years as one of the five constituent colleges of Yuppi V. and represented here today by two chancellors, the incumbent chancellor, Chancellor Clement Camposano, former chancellor, Professor Rick Babaran, three vice chancellors, vice chancellor for administration, John Lawrence Bellanio, vice chancellor for research and extension, Harold Monteclaro, vice chancellor for planning and development, Rodelia Ibabao, the College of Arts and Sciences Dean, Dr. Alice Perer, the College of Management Dean, Christopher Honorario, and the Office of Initiatives for Culture and the Arts Director and university artist, Martin Henodepa who was also vice chancellor for planning. As many of you know, no, if not everyone, we are celebrating today not only our establishment as a college 50 years ago, but also our elevation as an autonomous unit directly under the Office of the Yuppi President. Autonomy is a way for Yuppi Takloban to more fully situate itself in the political, economic, and social realities of the eastern Visayas region and respond to the imperative for growth by, among others, expanding its courses and programs to promote access and equity and by pursuing more strategic research and public service programs in areas critical to the development of the region. Autonomy for Yuppi Takloban is a necessary condition for the college as well as for Yuppi as a whole to fulfill its mandate as the national university. It is fitting that we are toasting this singular moment in our history as an institution here in front of the old later provincial capital where the idea for a Yuppi unit in eastern Visayas was conceived and where the marker of our inauguration on July 2, 1973 is engraved behind this stage. That we are here today is not a historical accident or just a fortuitous event. It is not mere happenstance or coincidence but rather grace and the logical outcome of the college's collective efforts to fulfill its mission. More importantly, we pledge and a promise to continue serving our people with honor and excellence to push Yuppi Takloban to greater heights and to do Yuppi our region and the country proud. To the faculty, staff and students of Yuppi Takloban today, thank you very much and padayon. To our friends and allies, thank you and may you never tire of walking with and working with us for the good of all of our people. Damonga salamat. Thank you, Dean Arinto. At this point, let us listen to felicitations from the president of Anmangato Minonong, the organization of Yuppi Takloban's pioneering batches at 1974, Mr. Jose Clarín. My fellow alumni, Yuppi alumni, the honored guest from the Yuppi system, our local government Yuppi sales, ladies and gentlemen, good evening. First of all, I would like to congratulate my alma mater, Yuppi Takloban, as an autonomous unit of the Yuppi system just last month, April 23, 2023. It is a recognition of Yuppi Takloban's outstanding accomplishments for the last 50 years of its existence. Congratulations also to Dean Pat Arinto and the previous deans for your able leadership of Yuppi Takloban. Five decades ago, we, the pioneers of Yuppi Takloban, were young, energetic, idealistic high school graduates, the cream of the crop of high school graduates who merged at Yuppi Takloban with the hope of getting the best education we can have. We were not disappointed. Yuppi Takloban gave us the best mentors of region 8. We had professor Alvino Lomin, hototot on mathematics, Dr. Rosa Estartuna, hotot on humanities, Dr. Desi Solidad, hotot on sociology and psychology, Dr. Corazon Mahi on English, Professor Domingo Matteo on political science, Professor Cisario Torres on political science, Dean Binhamin Katani on economics and Professor Patrosinio de los Reyes on biological science. Cheese here. These were the Yuppi mentors who prepared us to be better, to a better future. The pioneers in literary years became lawyers, doctors, successful businessmen and women. Some became officials in government and private institutions. Some became professors in the Yuppi system. Some became local government officials. We, the pioneers succeeded in our respective field of expertise as all of these were attributed to the best education of Yuppita Kloban. It is worthy to mention the grant and aid program provided by Yuppita Kloban to the poorest of the four of Yuppi students. We, the students became professionals and live successful lives because of this program. It made a difference to us, the Yuppi students. The indelible mark of Yuppita Kloban is prominent in every institution in region 8. Indeed, Yuppita Kloban is an indispensable academic institution in region 8. It is a repository of knowledge for college students in this part of the region. Yuppita Kloban is a training ground for future leaders of region 8. I am proud to say that once the regional head of Bagibic Fund region 8 and my wife, Eveline was once the regional head of the PMS, the Presidential Muddits and Staff. It is because we are the pioneers of Yuppita Kloban and alumni of Yuppita Kloban. Mabuhay an Yuppita Kloban, Mabuhay an mga tobinonong. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Clarine. And now to the Philippines president, Ang Helo Jimenez. Dagan silamat. I will adopt the acknowledgement of our BIP's friends, students, faculty, guests, local government officials, brothers and sisters, SUC in the Easter Visayas. It was quite a long, distinguished list but I don't want to take up much of your time. I know that you will be excited for the next part of the program so I will just adopt it but mga upay nga kulok haiyo nga tanan. A pleasant afternoon it's still afternoon to all of you. From the entire UP system community our warmest congratulations to the faculty, students, staff, officials, alumni and community partners and friends of UP College Takloban. We are here today to celebrate two very important happy, festive, memorable locations, historic occasion. The first is the 50th anniversary of the UP College Takloban. A century of molding minds that mold the nation. And second if not equally more important and substantial milestone the elevation of UP College Takloban as UP's newest constituent unit following that watershed decision of the Board of Readings. Just a few days ago UP Takloban, congratulations. It was not that easy to win you this autonomy and I hope that you will treasure it and fight for it so that the idea that push it forward can be well vindicated in your mission. There are people here today members of the Board who saw how we fought for that particular autonomy and our strong guest interrogators were also our strongest supporters. There was no objection and that I think is good omen for our youngest autonomous member of the UP system community. Congratulations Dean Pat Arinto. The dynamo behind that movement and of course all of you here the UP Takloban College community Perhaps it is just fitting that for this celebratory mood we will have the UP Symphony Orchestra perform here tonight headed by Maestro Chino Toledo They will give us today the magic of their music and I will tell you ladies and gentlemen the UP Symphony Orchestra is simply the best symphony orchestra in the country today and that we bring them to you here in Takloban and Eastern Visayas. I remember the images emerging back in 2013 every time I think about Takloban I remember images of devastation wrought by super typhoon Yolanda on your city and on your campus and that of the School of Health Sciences in Palo Leite The photos include toppled trees torn roofs walls collapsed signs and fences and rising above the wreckage strong and resilient in the face of one of the most powerful tropical cyclones that ever hit the world was the Oblation I remember that photo of UP Takloban's Oblation because it made me recall a similar image this time of the UP Oblation in Manila campus at the height of World War II standing defiantly amidst the charred bullet-ridden rubble and pump-out buildings of one of the most devastated city on that last great war those particular images of the Oblation are doubly weighted with symbolism they represent UP's determination and wavering vision and courageous commitment to serving our people to matter the circumstances rising from setbacks and challenges and moving forward stronger than ever the same can be said of UP Takloban as a whole it began as a proposal by the provincial government of Leite to the Board of Regents to establish a branch of the University of the Philippines in this city the Board of Regents approved that on May 23, 1973 and we saw the first batch just passed by just a few minutes ago the UP College Takloban as it was known then was to provide quality education in the eastern Visayas region and turn out graduates who would be productive and responsible members of the community to undertake and promote scientific research to help address problems at regional development and to offer technical assistance to govern business and the public towards the further improvement of the quality of life in the region and of the nation as well specifically UP Takloban was envisioned to provide professional leadership in the region produce humanist and development oriented professionals act as a catalyst of change contribute to the overall national efforts to remedy the imbalance in the distribution of wealth and resources and enhance individual and group participation in an overall national effort for progress and development over the past 50 years we have grown in strength breath and reach regarding your academic programs enrollment and faculty and staff profile to recall from its 141 students enrolled in three degree programs back in 1973-74 UP Takloban has now over 1500 students and we want it to increase some more in its nine undergraduate programs and two graduate programs in academic year 2022-2023 and that includes 48 student organizations as well in 1983 when the UP president in Gado Anggarag integrated and reorganized UP Luilo UP Cebu College UP Takloban College and the College of Fisheries into the UP in the Visayas the UP Takloban College had 63 full time faculty members and 94 non teaching staff now UP Takloban College has 80 full time faculty members and more are coming including one professor emeritus aside from the four academic division it has now the divisions of humanities management natural sciences and mathematics and social sciences the UP Takloban College is also home to three research and public service offices the latest summer heriting center the regional environment information systems and the office of continuing education and pahinongan your research and innovation initiatives have wide ranging impacts on biodiversity and environmental protection cultural heritage preservation and socioeconomic development not just within the region of eastern Visayas but across the nation as well these initiatives have earned UP Takloban College recognition not just in the country but internationally as well and continue to draw more partnerships and collaborations from international organizations and higher education institutions and your public service programs have been invaluable resources and support for professional development for teachers capacity development and technical support for disaster risk assessment and community planning for LGUs and communities for mental health and psychosocial services for members of your own college community and the general public and this have been particularly critical during the height of the pandemic and for artistic and cultural development you have consistently nurtured UP's principles of honor excellence and compassionate service in eastern Visayas this region continues to push towards growth and development despite its many challenges including poverty widespread poverty in the region less than optimal use of its rich resources and biodiversity and its vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change I believe that your elevation to a UP autonomous unit will grant you greater capacity and flexibility in responding to the unique development developmental and educational needs of eastern Visayas and in the end contribute to the region's sustainable development even more I also believe that UP the global college's elevation to an autonomous unit and in due time a constituent university under the UP system is well in keeping with our vision at the forefront of transformative scientific cultural and artistic pedagogy research and public service in the global and especially in our local and regional communities we in UP must think globally but must necessarily act locally we rightfully aspire to be an international university that asks the consequential the big questions of our time and we must do so by working locally and striving to address the serious issues confronting our communities our regions our country and the world we must move towards the 21st century education by building bridges towards digital technology and I'm hopeful that UP the global college's 8 point action plan as elucidated by Dean Arinto to the border regions embraces this move by UP to the fullest we have high expectations for your unit finally we must think globally and act locally by ensuring that our campuses are spaces that nurture and showcase the unique history traditions, cultures and artistic expressions of the communities and region we represent UP the global college has taken a huge firm step in the direction of this vision that leads to you the full support of our administration in all your endeavors no exceptions for the next 6 years or at least for as long as I'm present and I join you and the rest of the community in looking forward to your colleges next 50 years with anticipation hope commitment facing the changes and the complexity of life in the 21st century and ready to say as oblation did in the late 2013 right here in the global challenge accepted ladies and gentlemen congratulations UP the global and many people will well remember this simple ceremony in the years to come and I hope that in a struggle to become a full constituent university you can include in your efforts and in your prayers the aspirations of the people in your region and may your artist speak the idiom of their age and lend poetry to their dreams I am asked to introduce to you a very special person I told you the dynamo your college I felt morally obliged to fight for you including with our regions here because of the powerful powering presence of this personage I have known her a long time ago I met her in the club in 1987 when we were both student leaders so I will introduce her to you if you don't mind me but by recalling just a few shared words of poetry come my friends please not too late to seek and your world push off and sitting well in order smite the sounding furrows for my purpose holds to sail behind the sunsets and the bats of all the western stars until I die it may be that the gods will wash us down it may be that we shall touch the happy aisles and see the great Achilles how we knew and though much is taken much abides and though we are not now the strength which in the old days move earth and heaven that which we are we are one equal temper of heroic hearts made weak by time and fate that's strong in will to strive to seek to find and not to yield Dean Patricia Arinto thank you President Jimenez at this point will take her oath as Dean of the University of the Philippines Tacloban College you have, please repeat after me I, Patricia Brasil Arinto being appointed to the position of having been appointed to the position of Dean do hereby solemnly swear that I will well and faithfully discharge that I will well and faithfully discharge to the best of my ability the duties of my present position and of all others I may hereafter hold under the Republic of the Philippines that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Philippines that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same that I will obey the loss that I will obey the loss legal orders and decrees legal orders and decrees promulgated by the newly constituted authorities of the Republic of the Philippines promulgated by the newly constituted authorities of the Republic of the Philippines and I will pose this obligation upon myself and I will pose this obligation upon myself and I will pose this obligation upon myself voluntarily without mental reservation without mental reservation or purpose of evasion or purpose of evasion so help me God so help me God may we now request everyone to stand for the singing of UP Naming Mahal