janmar2007 UPdate

No important institution is ever merely what the law makes it. It accumulates about itself traditions, conventions, ways of behavior which are not less formidable in their influence.”—Harold Laki.

The Diliman Commune. The most celebrated protest at UPD was staged in
February 1971, when activists comprising students, faculty and members of
the community barricaded the campus for several days to bring to the nation’s
attention the pressing issues of academic freedom, human rights and freedom
of speech and expression.

Like most venerable institutions, the University of the Philippines has its share of traditions that gives it its unique image and character. Some traditions, which are almost as old as the University itself, have prevailed to the present, like the UP spirit of activism and the colorful Christmas pageantry that is the Lantern Parade. Some rituals, such as the Cadena de Amor and the Hayride however, have fallen behind the times; yet they remain a source of fond and happy memories to many of the University’s alumni.

Aside from being known for providing students with one of the best if not the best education and training in the land, UP has been known for its long-standing tradition of activism.

The first stirrings of student protest happened after a Manila police captain and his men arrested Victoriano Yamzon during the celebration of University Day on December 15, 1917. Yamzon, who was a UP instructor and a member of the Committee on the University Day celebration, was thought to be a part of the unruly crowd at the parade.

The first student protest march happened on July 17, 1918. Led by Carlos P. Romulo and Jose Romero, the students objected to the unwarranted attack on UP President Ignacio Villamor made by Manuel Xeres Burgos in the editorial of the Manila Times.

From the University campus, the students marched to the Manila Times office near the Sta. Cruz Bridge.

Activism does not only confine itself to affairs of the University, but to national issues as well. On January 18, 1933, a demonstration took place protesting the passing of the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act, an act for Philippine Independence which, among its provisions, included the continuance of the US military and naval bases in the Philippines after independence.

When UP President Bienvenido M. Gonzalez resigned from his post on March 20, 1951, allegedly due to disagreements with Philippine President Elpidio Quirino, the students were most outspoken in their protest. Nine days after Gonzalez’ resignation, they marched from Diliman to Malacañang and petitioned an audience with Quirino. Although their request was granted, they however failed to make Quirino reconsider his decision to accept Gonzalez’s resignation.

Another show of student activism came when a “peaceful and spontaneous” strike was held on December 16 and 17, 1957 against the Board of Regent’s (BOR) failure to choose a permanent president for the University. Although the students did not have a permit for this demonstration, they were able to hold a motorcade around Quezon City and Manila. Upon passing Malacañang, the students shouted, “We want a president, we want a president!”

In recognition of the tradition of activism, on July 1, 1968, President Carlos P. Romulo declared 1968-1969 as “The Year of Enlightened Activism.”
According to the book The University of the Philippines, The First 75 Years:1908-1983, Romulo viewed enlightened activism as “nothing less than the freedom to decide on issues and evaluate decisions in terms of interests that did not necessarily subvert the general welfare, even when these decisions and evaluations negated tradition or introduced ideas radically new to the culture.”

At the end of July 1968, students held a march opposing the Second Philippine Civil Action Group bill.

By August 16, the Student Cultural Association of UP (SCAUP) and the Kabataang Makabayan (KM) joined a massive demonstration opposing the special relations between the Philippines and the United States. Some UP students who participated in the demonstration suffered bruises in what “might well be the first violent student demonstration in Manila.”

The most celebrated student protest was the Diliman Commune in February 1971. UP Diliman constituents held a barricade inside the campus for nine days, declaring a “Republic of Diliman,” to stress issues on human rights, academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression.

Twenty-five years later, on February 1, 1996, a commemorative marker was installed at the UP Gates along the University Avenue, about 20 meters from where the barricade was set. The marker’s unveiling was led by erstwhile student activist turned physics professor and then current UPD chancellor Dr. Roger Posadas.

The Cadena de Amor is a rite where senior coeds turn over to the juniors long garlands of the vine cadena de amor to symbolize the passing of responsibilities. Based on the Daisy Chain of Vassar College, the rite was initiated in 1934 by the Dean of Women, Ursula U. Clemente, upon the instruction of UP President Jorge Bocobo.

The festival was first held along Padre Faura, in Manila, where the Univesity was located. Seniors in white gowns left Isaac Peral Street in two lines, the first passing through Taft Avenue and the other Nebraska Street. Both lines converged at the University Quadrangle, passing Palma Hall and Rizal Hall, where the juniors, in pink gowns, joined them.

The Cadena de Amor was usually held in mid-May. In the 1960s, the ritual had four phases: verdant leaves (processional), petals (acceptance by the juniors of the responsibilities), loops and links (passing of the cadena de amor by graduates to the new seniors) and vines (speeches by juniors and senior students and by the outgoing president of the UP Women’s Club). As part of the ceremony, participants recited the Cadena de Amor poem written by Trinidad T. Subido, sang the song Awit ni Maria Clara, and passed the cadena de amor garland while singing Auld Lang Syne.

Three muses were also chosen among the seniors, namely Filipinas, Alma Mater and Lakambini (until 1958, the title was Maria Clara). They were chosen on the basis of personality, leadership, intelligence and academic ratings, where their average should be at least 2.5.

The rise of student activism in the 1ate 1960s saw the end of the “festivals of girls and flowers.” Students started questioning university traditions and the evolution of this ceremony into a beauty contest. The last Cadena de Amor was held in 1968.

The UPD Hayride coincided with the University’s celebration of Loyalty-Arbor Day, although this tradition traces its roots to the UPD Arbor Day celebration of the early 1950s. According to the Philippine Collegian, the first documented Hayride was on September 21, 1962.

At the event, anyone may hitch a ride from open vehicles cushioned with hay. During the 1962 Hayride, buses were provided by the Student Union organization, the sponsor of the event, for those without vehicles.

Song sheets containing popular tunes of the time were given to all revelers to enjoin them to sing to their hearts content while going around the campus. Student organizations would compete by out-clapping, out-howling, and even out-talking one another.

This was the time when the usual somber evening on campus would turn into a night of revelry, where everyone donned the most casual of attires and were licensed to be in touch with their wild side.

A favorite Hayride activity was the torch marathon. Contestants would run around the campus carrying lighted torches and vie for the honor of lighting first the bonfire at the Union open court.

The death of Roland Perez during the celebration of Hayride in 1969 saw the end of this event.

It is said the UP Lantern Parade can be traced back to the tradition of Filipinos carrying lanterns of various shapes and sizes to light the way to the early morning mass or misa de gallo.

UPians celebrated this kind of lantern parade way back in 1922. By 1934, President Jorge C. Bocobo established the Lantern Parade to what it is now, so that “students can have a frolicsome activity before the year ends.” Since then, it has become a fitting way to end classes for the Christmas holidays.

In the University’s early years in Manila, the Lantern Parade would start from the University Quadrangle on Padre Faura St. and make its way to Taft Avenue, Isaac Peral and Florida Sts, culminating in the Parade Grandstand infront of the Engineering building where the Court of Appeals now stands.
When the campus transferred to Diliman in 1949, the Lantern Parade was held around the Academic Oval. The assembly point was where the UP Catholic Chapel now stands. In later years, the participants converged at the University Avenue, where the UP Gates stand.

At every Lantern Parade, a particular theme for the celebration is chosen. Participants would then vie for the titles of the “rowdiest group,” “most colorful costume,” and “most symbolic float,” among others. Certain units would monopolize certain prizes. The College of Engineering has been known for their floats, the College of Law, for being the rowdiest group, and the College of Nursing for their costumes. However, the College of Fine Arts would not only monopolize certain prizes, but would emerge as a Hall of Famer for all categories in later years.

The early Lantern Parade celebrations not only boasted of well-executed lanterns and floats but beautiful muses as well. The highlight of each year’s lantern parade was the proclamation of the Lantern Queen. Celebrities like Boots Anson-Roa and Queen of the Pacific and activist Nelia Sancho were once UP’s Lantern Queens.

There however, were times when UP had to forego the night of lanterns. The first time was in 1941, when UP had to close because of the Second World War. In 1946, the parade reopened.

The second time the Lantern Parade was disrupted was in 1957. This time, students staged their first general boycott due to the BOR’s indecision to select a permanent UP president. The Executive Committee was left with no other choice but to declare a Christmas recess on the eve of the parade.
The last Lantern Parade before martial law was in 1969, the last time the UP Student Council would sponsor the event. Students gave the parade an activist motif. Fittingly enough, Nelia Sancho was crowned Lantern Queen.

The Lantern Parade went on hiatus until 1977. Its comeback was made memorable with the participants carrying torches while parading around the academic oval.

Its revival in 1977 saw some changes in its format. Instead of the UP Student Council as sponsor, a committee appointed by the UP president was now assigned to manage the event. The selection of a Lantern Queen was also discontinued, as some sectors protested the “beauty contest” part of the event. The Parade however, was still capped with a fireworks display.

In spite of these changes, the Lantern Parade continues to be a much anticipated event.

UP Traditions