aproct07 UPdate

A flash of light. The panicked rustle of fabric and leather against the carpeted floor. Then all of a sudden the boom boom boom of beating resonated throughout the jam-packed University Theater last June 18 as the University of the Philippines (UP) gave the public a small taste of the revelry that is to come when it celebrates its centennial next year.

Entitled “Isang Daan sa Isandaan,” (One Road to 100), the event that launched UP’s pre-centennial celebrations (a bash this big requires at least six months of advance partying) started off with an endearing rendition of the Philippine National Anthem by little Lance Reblando of the UP Integrated School, with images from the university’s illustrious history flashing on the screen from behind.

The audio-visual presentation “UP: 1908–2008” showcased highlights from the university’s rich history, from its early years in Manila to its current location in Diliman. Through two world wars and a dictatorship that carried less love for the defiant students, the university survived to become the country’s premiere educational institution.

Among the many comic acts that night, one of the most crowd-pleasing was “Dayalogo” penned by Chris Martinez. Deftly performed by thespian Harlene Bautista and comedienne extraordinaire Candy Pangilinan (“Maniwala po kayo sa hindi, galing po ako sa UP”), the two alumni recounted their days as Theatre Arts students in the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), talking about everything from terror teachers (“Who do you think you are, God’s gift to Philippine Theater?!?!?!”) to student numbers (“Kalimutan mo na ang lahat pati pangalan ng nanay mo, ‘wag lang ang student number mo”).

Next came dance numbers from Prof. Matthew Santamaría and the UP Dance Company. In their fan-and-feather ensembles, they showcased the richness of Philippine dance, moving in a rhythm that rivaled even the most limber of tap dancers. These were followed by Ervin Lumauag’s vibrant rendition of an old, familiar tune: “Ako ay Pilipino” by Felipe de Leon.

Angelic voices then wafted through the air as the UP Cherubim and Seraphim took to the stage. Singing Ryan Cayabyab’s “Musika,” the kids did their group’s name justice. And really, their mellow angelic voices were doing a fine job, but when the UP Concert Chorus and the UP Vocal Ensemble joined in, choral nirvana happened.

The audience barely had time to catch their breath when hollering followed. Doña Buding (or Prof. Jovy Peregrino of the CAL as he is known to some), in a lime green tube top gown and tiara, entered the stage screaming for her nephew to be admitted to UP. After a short monologue involving tuition fee increases and repeating high school five times, the Doña lip-synced into “Mayaman Ako,” a satirical piece on life in the upper class.

It wasn’t so much the Doña’s antics or the cartwheeling maids in drag that strikes you, but how relevant this decade-old song remains. Lyrics like “Nowadays nothing talks but your money” and “Lahat ng kilos, de-numero…matapilok lang, front-page na ako” seems familiar in this era of celebrity heiresses and marital scandals.

Things took a more somber note when the UP Vocal Ensemble performed Gary Granada’s “Bahay” and Heber Bartolome performed “Paaralan,” where Bartolome recounted his days as a student when he would perform at the Butterfly Clubhouse at the UP golf course (now a gasoline station in Philcoa) and spend the hefty sum of nine centavos for a taxi ride.

Despite the apparent fun sophistication of the production numbers, the theme did not remove from the independent spirit of the university, as was apparent in the UP Staff Chorale’s boisterous rendition of the late Yoyoy Villame’s classic, “Magellan.” After singing the original song, they presented a re-lyricized version, with the text hitting at the country’s current economic situation. The students enjoyed seeing their professors (who comprised part of the choral group) outside of the classroom and singing on stage.

The curtains rose and whoops exploded from the audience for the night’s piece de resistance as one of the UP College of Music’s most illustrious alumni, Ryan Cayabyab, appeared on stage, exuding the same enigmatic brilliance that helped earn him the monicker Mr. C. Accompanied by the UP Vocal Ensemble and the UP Concert Chorus, he performed “Salamat sa Iyo UP,” an ode to UP that he co-wrote during his days as a high school student in the university.

Organized by the UP Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA), the concert was, among other things, meant to showcase the huge amount of talent in the university, but inadvertently showcased its characteristic social consciousness as well.

According to Prof. Rubén D.F. Deféo, director of the OICA, the show is just the first of many appetizers, the main course being served in 2008, when the university celebrates its 100th year.

An air of pride and excitement then filled the air as current president Emerlinda R. Román highlighted UP’s plans for its centennial year. Fundraising is one of the major thrusts, with each constituent university organizing its own projects to help improve facilities and faculty development.

One project that elicited cheers from the audience was the planned sale of collectible P100 bills with the UP seal printed over the watermark. A series of lectures (called the Centennial Lecture Series) is also in the pipeline, with experts in various fields both in and out of the university imparting their knowledge and wisdom for the students to learn from. Among the lecturers are Sheila Coronel of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Washington Sycip and 2007 recipient of the Harvard Foundation Scientist of the Year Award Baldomero Olivera.

For any institution, the 100th year of existence is always something to celebrate. And if “Isang Daan sa Isandaan” is any indication, good times are about to come to UP.