Everyone looks forward to February in UP Diliman (UPD), not only because it’s National Arts Month but also Diliman Month, a time when the campus comes alive with various events and activities that cater to all artistic tastes and inclinations.
Stage plays, concerts, lectures, workshops, exhibits, film screenings, trivia contests, art competitions, open tambayans, beauty pageants, food bazaars, job fairs, education fairs are only some of the activities people can look forward to. These activities are in line with other celebrations such as Physics Week, International Week, Art Studies Week, Fine Arts Week, College of Science Week, and one of the most anticipated events in UPD every February—the UP Fair.
The month-long celebration, dubbed “Paglinang ng Tradisyon Tungo sa Kahusayan,” opened on February 1 with an exhibit at the Quezon Hall Lobby commemorating UP President Emerlinda R. Roman’s term as UPD Chancellor from 1999-2005. “Democratic Governance: UP Diliman during the Chancellorship of Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman” showcased photos that captured the highlights of her leadership.
One such highlight was the visit of His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in 2003, when the Board of Regents conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Law, honoris causa. Another highlight was the proclamation as National Artists, also in 2003, of College of Arts and Letters Dean Virgilio S. Almario, UP alumnus and film director Eddie Romero, and former College of Fine Arts Dean Jose T. Joya (posthumous). Other photos showed graduation speakers, campus connectivity, longer library hours, new buildings, new technologies, sports achievements, improved facilities, and the Gawad Chanselor.
Incidentally, the Gawad Chanselor, which started during President Roman’s first term as Chancellor, is the most important event in the Linggo ng Parangal, which is, in turn, one of the focal points of Diliman month as it celebrates academic excellence and outstanding performance. This year, slight changes were introduced in the categories of the Gawad Chanselor, which was held on February 24.
According to UPD Chancellor Sergio S. Cao, awards for the faculty were trimmed down to one category, the Natatanging Guro Award, which was conferred upon six faculty members. “Previously, we had Pinakamahusay na Guro (one each for Instructors, Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, and Professors). Other awards included Pinakamahusay na Guro sa Gawaing Ekstensyon, Pinakamahusay na Alagad ng Sining, and Pinakamahusay na Mananaliksik,” Chancellor Cao explained.
He also said that there will be an added bonus, “this time to be awarded to the academic departments where our Gawad awardees come from…[because these awardees] prove that [their departments] allow an environment conducive to teaching, creativity, research, and extension work.”
Apart from the Gawad Chanselor, other events in the Linggo ng Parangal include the Palaro sa Kalye, Parangal sa Mag-aaral, and Parangal sa mga Retirado at Gawad Paglilingkod.
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