The logo, overprinted on the watermark space to the right of President Manuel Acuña Roxas’ portrait,
symbolizes 100 years of “academic excellence, leadership and service to the nation.”

The purple and white 100-piso note is the most commonly used purchasing bill.

Its front features the bust of Roxas, the first president of the independent Republic of the Philippines in 1946. To the right is the flag of the Philippine Republic rising as the American flag is lowered symbolizing a new dawn.

The back of the note depicts the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas buildings.

This series of 100-piso banknotes is part of the first batch of banknotes printed in 2008 with the signatures of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr.

2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the University of the Philippines, by any measure one of the most influential institutions in the country.

The University of the Philippines was established in 1908 by the American colonial government to provide quality education to deserving students of all classes.

UP treasures its institutional autonomy and nurtures excellence in a climate of academic freedom.
Throughout its history, UP has played a leading role in the nation’s life.

Today, it is a university system of seven constituent universities with fourteen campuses strategically located across the country.

Alumni and Friends of the University of the Philippines may avail of this once-in-a-lifetime collector’s item by contacting the UP System Office of the Vice President for Administration through:

Dr. Arlene A. Samaniego,
UP Vice President for Administration
Tel. no. 925-0984
E-mail: ovpa@up.edu.ph

or:

Prof. Isagani Bagus,
Officer-in-Charge of the UP System Supply and Property Management Office
Tel. no. 926-4919
E-mail: isagani.bagus@up.edu.ph.

Ang bangkay na natagpuan sa Pangasinan na hinukay noong March 13 at sumailalim sa pagsusuri ng mga forensic doctors ng UP ay hindi kay Sherlyn Cadapan o Karen Empeño. 
 
Ang resultang ito ng pagsusuri ay ikinabuhay ng loob ng mga magulang ng 2 UP students.  Ayon sa preliminary report na ipinalabas ng Department of Pathology ng UP College of Medicine, ipinagpapatuloy nila ang pagsusuri subalit ang kagyat nilang findings ay hindi magkatugma ang dental features ng natagpuang bangkay at ng alinman kina Sherlyn at Karen.

“Nagkakaroon kami ng pag-asa na buhay pa ang aming mga anak.  Pero hindi namin makuhang magdiwang dahil alam naming ang bangkay ng babaeng natagpuan sa Pangasinan ay hinahanap ng isa pang ina,”  pahayag ni Gng. Erlinda Cadapan na ina ni Sherlyn.
 
Dumalo si Gng. Cadapan sa pagdinig ngayon ng Court of Appeals sa writ of amparo petition na inihain ng dalawang pamilya para kina Sherlyn at Karen. 
 
“Nananawagan kami sa ating mga kababayan na matulungan kaming makabalik nang buhay ang aming mga anak.  Panalangin din naming makonsensya ang gobyerno at ilitaw nila sina Sherlyn, Karen at iba pang dinukot nila sa politikal na kadahilanan.”
 
May 193 biktima ng sapilitang pagkawala simula nang manungkulan si Gng. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo batay sa tala ng grupong Karapatan.  __ sa kanila ay mga babae. Hindi pa sila nakikita hanggang sa kasalukuyan.   
 
Ikapitong pagdinig ng Court of Appeals ang naganap ngayong araw sa pinag-isang writ of amparo and habeas corpus petition.  Nakapagharap na ng mga saksi ang kampo ng mga biktima, kabilang na ang magkapatid na Manalo na nakatakas mula sa kamay ng mga militar.
 
Patuloy ang pagtanggi ng mga militar subalit naniniwala ang pamilyang Cadapan at Empeño na matibay ang mga ebidensyang iniharap nila sa korte.  “Inaasahan namin na ang mga ebidensya ay makakumbinsi sa mga hukom ng 11th Division upang  kagyat nitong bigyan ng proteksyon sina Sherlyn at Karen sa pamamagitan ng pagcompel sa militar na ilitaw sina Sherlyn at Karen.

Mula naman sa Zambales ay nagpaabot si Gng. Concepcion Empeño, ina ni Karen ng kanyang pahayag, “Nagpapasalamat kami dahil di sila Karen yung bangkay na natagpuan.  Talagang nasa custody ng mga military ang aming mga anak at nakikiusap kami na sana i-release na sila  upang matapos na rin ang aming pighati at magkaroon na kami ng katahimikan at makapamuhay nang normal.”
 
Ayon pa kay Gng. Empeño, “Nais namin ipaabot ang aming pasasalamaat sa mga kaanak, kaibigan at mga kababayan sa kanilang tulong pinansyal,moral at spiritwal sa laban na ito para sa aming mga anak at para sa mga kababayan nating biktima ng kawalang katarungan.” – Karapatan

In signing the bill into Republic Act No. 9500, President Arroyo recognizes the importance of instilling “new ways of thinking” on our students which they will use to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

“Strengthening the UP Charter now is timely not only because the University turns a hundred years old this year but also because new challenges in the 21st Century call for new ways of thinking and new approaches to modern situations,” Arroyo said in her speech at the UP College Cebu.

The UP Charter of 2008:

• declares UP as a national university and as such should perform its unique and distinctive leadership in higher education and learning in higher education and development;
• recognizes UP as a university system and thus acknowledges the role of the chancellors as administrative leaders, and of the university council as the highest policy governing body in each constituent university;
• exempts UP employees from the Salary Standardization Law;
• gives UP more flexibility in the development of its assets; and
• affirms the use of democratic access and governance.

“All of these are meant to provide institutional autonomy and by doing so, the UP Charter protects student’s democratic access, strengthens the University’s administration through the board of regents and upholds academic freedom,” Arroyo said.

Aside from these, the President said the new Charter provides “for the allocation of P500-million to the University of the Philippines to be released over five years.”

This extra funding, the President pointed out would augment the yearly budget allocated for UP to further develop studies in engineering, research and development.

Arroyo expressed confidence that with the new Charter, another UP’s 100 year tradition of “producing the best minds is ensured.”

“With UP as the National University, the primus inter pares among state universities in our country, the leader in academic standards, and the primary seat for advanced studies, research and advancement of intellectual thought, this law ensures the hundred-year tradition of producing the best minds,” the President said.

“With this law, may the minds produced by UP become modern-day exemplars of the famed Oblation, that enduring symbol of the University’s offering of itself to the Filipino people,” she added.

UP officials led by its president Emerlinda Roman and Commission on Higher Education chairman and Board of Regents chairman Romulo Neri were present at the signing ceremony.

Main sponsors, co-sponsors and supporters of the bill from both Houses of Congress led by Senators Francis Pangilinan, Edgardo Angara, Miguel Zubiri, and congressmen led by House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar, Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz and Rep. Jesus Remulla joined the President during the signing of the new UP charter. (OPS)

First, he will make a rare appearance at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, his alma mater. Second, he will be greeted by a protest action there.

Concerned UP faculty, students and staff will hold a picket at Quezon Hall from 8:00 to 9:30 am to protest the continued stay of Neri as chair of the UP Board of Regents (BOR), the university’s highest policy-making body.

The BOR is scheduled to meet at Quezon Hall at that time. As chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Neri concurrently chairs the UP BOR.

Concerned individuals and UP-based organizations are expected to press anew their demand for Neri’s resignation as CHED Chair, a call that was passed in a resolution of the University Councils of UP Diliman and Manila. They will also take issue on the Supreme Court’s 9-6 decision in favor of Neri’s invocation of “executive privilege,” arguing that it is a decision against truth and accountability.

Media coverage is requested.

For details, please contact Prof. Danilo A. Arao (UP Department of Journalism) at (0917) 833-ARAO.

UP Diliman community’s March 14 activities will kick off at 7:00 am with the launching of miniature hot air balloons calling for truth, justice and change at 7 am in the UP Sunken Garden in UP by AGHAM, an organization of scientists. At 12 noon, a program on the AS (Palma Hall) steps will be held by the mutisectoral groups in UP Diliman prior to departure for Liwasang Bonifacio.

The UP Diliman and UP Manila contingents will join forces in Liwasang Bonifacio where the program will include the performance of UP Diliman’s Kontra Gapi, the resident gamelan or music and dance ensemble.

Media coverage is requested for the above activities.

Agenda:
1. Rubilarians’ Centennial Presentation
2. Rubilarians’ Yearbook Section
3. Rubilarians’ Gift to U.P.
4. Nominations to UPAA Awards
5. Rubilarians’ Other Projects
6. Batch Profiles and Links
7. UPAA Membership Fee and other Fees
8. Schedule of Activities, Practice, etc
9. Campaign for More Rubies’ Participation
10. Committee Assignments

The University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) hosts a film festival titled “Director’s Cut: Mga Eksenang Dapat Mong Nakita Pero…” from March 5 to 7 at the Cine Adarna in UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Nine controversial films will be shown for three days. These are the uncut versions of Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (directed by Joel Lamangan), Laman (Maryo J. de los Reyes), Ang Lalake sa Parola (Jay Altarejos), Duda/Doubt (Cris Pablo), Rome and Juliet (Connie Macatuno), Twilight Dancers (Mel Chionglo), La Vida Rosa (Chito Roño), Tuhog (Jeffrey Jeturian) and Live Show (Jose Javier Reyes). De los Reyes, Pablo, Macatuno, Roño and Jeturian are graduates of UP CMC.

Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (March 5, 5 p.m.) is about a woman, traumatized as a child by the massacre of her family in the 1970s, who plans revenge on the responsible military officer. Laman (March 5, 7 p.m.), on the other hand, focuses on a young couple’s problems mainly caused by a rich businesswoman who lusts for the husband and a gigolo who seduces the wife. Ang Lalake sa Parola (March 5, 9 p.m.) tells the story of a lighthouse caretaker in a conservative rural community who falls in love with another man as the former’s girlfriend struggles to win him back.

Duda/Doubt (March 6, 5 p.m.) is a tale of infidelity and deception in a relationship between two men while Rome and Juliet (March 6, 7 p.m.) is a romantic journey of two women caught in a web of forbidden and unconventional love. Given an X rating by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), Twilight Dancers (March 6, 9 p.m.) is a social commentary packaged as a sexy movie about a macho dancer who is pressured to “dance” to the tune of the new global economy.

La Vida Rosa (March 7, 5 p.m.) is about a couple’s dangerous life as con artists becoming more complicated as one insists on retiring. Tuhog (March 7, 7 p.m.) is a disturbing yet entertaining movie within a movie where a mother and daughter are abused twice – first by a rapist who happens to be a family member and then by incompetent filmmakers. Considered “most controversial” in Philippine filmmaking history, Live Show (March 7, 9 p.m.) is a story of poor Filipinos forced to perform sexual acts in front of paying customers.

An open forum with the director and other guests follows every screening of the film.

The film festival is part of UP’s centennial celebration. Sponsorship packages are available for interested companies. For details, please contact Dr. Arminda V. Santiago or Prof. Ma. Rosel San Pascual at (632) 920-6864 or (632) 920-6867.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has no basis to continue in office.

On 13 July 2005, at the height of the Garci Scandal, the University Council (UC) of the University of the Philippines Diliman — called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign immediately. She did not resign.

The UC observed that all her acts are “a direct assault on nearly all the values we hold sacred in the academe.”

Since then, there has been an unprecedented number of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances — which includes two U.P. students, Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan.

Corruption in the highest places continues unabated and remains unaddressed. Institutions which were created by the Constitution or the law to safeguard accountability have either been ineffective or rendered ineffective.

Official government response to requests for information on matters of public concern has been to thwart the truth either by the invocation of Executive Privilege or by threats issued to the working media. The exercise of basic freedoms has been met with repressive measures such the Calibrated Pre-emptive Response (CPR) and Presidential Proclamation 1017. This criminal regime resorts to kidnapping and massive bribery to prevent the truth from coming out.

Despite GMA’s insistence that she does not tolerate corruption, she has been forced by public pressure to admit that she knew about the kickbacks long before the Senate investigations on the NBN-ZTE deal. As a result, she has entrapped herself in a web of lies.

When GMA is caught lying, she either stonewalls or orders an investigation which churns out prefabricated results. These actions are in stark contrast with two objectives which are cherished by the University — getting at the truth and forging a democratic society. Both of these are obviously anathema to GMA.

Public Office is a public trust. All public officials are accountable to the people at all times. This is one of the core principles enshrined in our Constitution. The President’s previous silence on the anomalous NBN-ZTE deal and her belated admission of prior knowledge violate this core principle. This is only the latest of her violations.

As an academic community we know that the truth cannot be found in Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In UP’s Centennial year, the faculty continues to uphold its tradition of being one with our people. We commit ourselves to the struggle to build a progressive society and a responsible and accountable government which subscribes to the principle that sovereignty resides in the people and all governmental authority emanates from them.

But first, GMA must go!

The statement was unanimously approved by the UP Diliman University Council. 27 February 2008

Last week, Malacañang did everything in its power to help both Neri and ex-NEDA consultant Engr. Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. to evade the Senate arrest warrants which were issued against them for having snubbed a scheduled Senate hearing on the tainted National Broadband Network – Zhong Xing Telecom Equipment (NBN-ZTE) deal. While Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo’s “good boy” Neri flaunted his success at “hiding out” until he secured a TRO from the Supreme Court, Lozada, though kidnapped and intimidated, chose to follow the dictates of his own conscience and come clean on the NBN-ZTE scandal.

During his Senate testimony, Lozada repeatedly aired his respect for Neri but he also candidly and very honestly gave out damning details on how Neri purportedly conducted his work at NEDA. Most interesting of all was Neri’s explicit directive to avoid implicating the “First Gentleman” (and therefore Malacañang) in the scandal and his instruction to Lozada, not simply to work within the law, but to “moderate the greed” of Abalos and the First Gentleman. Lozada will find out soon enough, what kind of a person Neri is when the latter saves his own skin and leaves him hanging alone. One will recall the convenient excuse called “Executive Privilege” which Neri ceaselessly invoked the last time he appeared in the Senate in order to avoid having to lie about details of Malacañang’s involvement in the NBN deal.

Neri may perhaps be seen as a striking example of a cowardly bureaucrat who cannot stand up for the truth when faced with the “dark side of the state,” but, in truth, he has become much more than that. He has also become both a functionary and a beneficiary of a hopelessly corrupt system. That he went to such great lengths to evade the truth in order to protect his patrons implicates him directly in the latter’s crimes. Due to Lozada’s testimony, the word “Commission” in “Commission on Higher Education” now takes on a more insidious meaning.
Neri has lost whatever trace of credibility he may have previously had as a career official. We recall that in keeping with Malacañang’s skewed notion of “grassroots consultation,” he convened the Education Summit which excluded the participation of representative organizations of teachers and students and instead saw them violently dispersed by the police from the premises of the Summit.

Neri not only lacks the minimum formal requirement for his current position as Chairman of the CHEd (not being a PhD holder), he is now also deficient in the most important qualification. He has lost all moral high ground required of a person entrusted with reviving the country’s decaying higher education system.

Furthermore, as UP faculty, we cannot accept that Neri, as head of CHEd, continues to chair the UP Board of Regents, the highest policy making body of the University of the Philippines.
We therefore demand Romulo Neri’s immediate resignation as Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd)!

When I was 15, my father applied as a manager for a telephone company, but was turned down. Papa said the younger and a UP alumni was favored upon by the interviewer. During the interview, the initial question went like this: Mr. Acain, areyo u a UP graduate? My father proudly said “No, but I can bank on my experience for me to handle the demands of the job.” But sadly the man was not impressed by his years of experience on working in a softdrink company.

Out of frustration he probably swore to his self that at least one of us should become a UP graduate. I never dreamt of going to UP. Although it was known to be the”home of the brilliant minds”, I was never attracted to the idea of being a iskolar ng bayan. At that time my perception of the school was different.

I was a Catholic school girl and wanted to go to a college that offers a “balance curriculum”. Something that most of us are accustomed to. A school where most of our classmates would go to. A school of my choice.

But my dad was determined to break into my ideal and make UP my dream school. Still in my junior year, He make it a point to at least talk on why a high school graduate should choose going to UP other than the private schools we know. He bought a number of IQ books for me to work on (but I only answered a few). It was typical of him to casually mention good public figures, their works and then associate them as a UP alumni. This part of course, he might be doing unconsciously.

But the “strategy” worked and had reached my subconscious to give it a try. My dad created a scenario that there’s no other school I should get into except for one.

When the UPCAT applications were out, we had a fight. In the application you are required to choose two campuses. I listed Diliman and the Manila campuses. The reason was that I wanted to study a bit farther from home. Not because I hated to be near home, but I thought it was a cooler idea to be studying away from your comfort zone. And my closest friends chose to be there. Spells FUN then.

My dad asked me to change my school location of preference. Manila (based on his experience) would just give me a hard time. He added that it would be easier if I choose the Cebu campus since it’s nearer in case they want to make a visit.

I never listened to him and we didn’t talk after until the day of the submission of application. I think I was the last one from my class who submitted. Out of guilt and worry that my father might be right I changed the school campus the last minute.

During college days, especially my first two years of stay, I was having a rough time adjusting to the concept of me taking the course that I never planned. I felt that I could have gotten into a better course. Oftentimes, I feel frustrated and wanted to give up. Those are those times that I had to work my ass out just to pass a subject.

Proud to say I made it through college, although not with flying colors, but I had no failing grade during my entire stay. Staying in that school after all was worth of my dad’s effort. I learned a lot not only in terms of education but life in general. The freedom that the school imbibes is very admirable. It is something that other school lacks. The school changed my perception about things and had made a great influence on my choices in life.

And yes, I haven’t mentioned that Ateneo de Manila (on which i applied for scholarship but it’s a different story) was my dream school for long years, but that changed when I got my UP diploma.