Recently, the Philippines has made its presence felt in the global sports scene because of the achievements of athletes such as Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, Efren “Bata” Reyes, as well as Everest climbers Leo Oracion, Erwin Emata, Romy Garduce, Janet Belarmino, Karina Dayondon, and Noelle Wenceslao. This seems to imply that all is well in the arena of sports in the country.

If UP’s culture of excellence is to apply to sports, shouldn’t sports get the same support that other fields get? Two or three classes everyday, stacks of readings, trips to the library, morning and afternoon swimming practice, group meetings, occasional visits to the varsity office, and workouts. And then there’s eating, doing homework, and sleeping, plus the occasional show watched on TV or night out with friends.

The University of the Philippines started its celebration of UP’s 100th founding anniversary on the morning of June 18, 2008 with festive ceremonies at the UP Diliman campus.

Officials, information officers, as well as representatives from student councils and workers’ unions from all UP campuses and units in Luzon gathered at the National College of Public Administration (NCPAG) Assembly Hall in Diliman on June 4 to attend the first leg of the UP Charter Information Dissemination Workshop.