What does a batch who graduated beneath the showers of yellow confetti call itself? Rebel Yellow, of course! After months of painstaking preparations, they trooped to UPSE last September 2, 2011 to give thanks and celebrate life after twenty five years.
Many of them came back for the first time after graduation, so there was a lot of nostalgia as they saw familiar faces and memorable places. The UPSE hallways were lined with photos harking back to their younger years. Many faculty members were on hand to welcome them back, not with lectures and exams but with jovial camaraderie. The UPSE staff, from library to maintenance, was also there, ready to help them relive their student days.
The auditorium was set not as a lecture hall but as a banquet hall with yellow trimming, 80s music and good food.
Batch Homecoming Organizer Rachel Kapunan Abis was everywhere, making sure that everything was ready. Rachel and her batchmates were in rebel yellow attire, as were many attendees.
Emcees Rico Santos and Tess San Miguel Alcantara gave a hearty welcome to everyone who came to celebrate. They mentioned specially the professors on hand: Dean Arsi Balisacan, Dean Noel de Dios, Dean Raul Fabella, Profs. Ruping Alonzo, Dante Canlas, Rolly Danao, Docoy Capuno, Oggie Arcenas, Florian Alburo and Manny Esguerra. Rico even remembered the grades he got from them!
Dean Arsi welcomed everyone back to UPSE, citing more than enough reasons why alumni should come back (click on Welcome Remarks for full text). Rachel then expounded on why they chose Rebel Yellow, saying that they really were not rebels but that theirs was a time of revolution of ideas. And that they came to give back to UPSE.
UPSEAA President Ernie Albano gave a State of UPSEAA address, citing the many accomplishments of our alumni association which has benefited both the School and the alumni.
UPSEAA then gave Recognition to two high profile economists who have given our School much honor this year: National Scientist Prof. Raul V. Fabella and University of Chicago Alumni Awardee for Public Service Prof. Mahar Mangahas. The latter was not available but Prof. Raul, in rebel yellow shirt, was actively seen enjoying the night, joining many alumni in pleasant conversation.
The highlight of the night was the Batch Gift: P5M seed money for an Endowment Fund. The specific donors did not want to be identified, but rumor has it that five generous individuals contributed a million each with the assurance of anonymity. The batch still has a large fund for other UPSE/UPSEAA projects, to which the majority of batch members contributed in small and large amounts. Rachel said that some more pledges will be coming in the next few months, as the seed money has to grow. Very noble, indeed! UPSE and UPSEAA thank all of you.
After this bountiful contribution, Batch 81 dancers added to the excitement by discoing to J. Lo’s ‘On the Floor”. The ladies looked like they were in their 20s as they did frenzied steps reminiscent of their disco dancing years.
The UPSE professors and UPSEAA Board of Trustees tried their hands at singing, videoke style. Despite the obvious “memory gap”, they did it with gusto, so the crowd cheered them on. Same was true with alumni from the 70s who just had to sing Pipit, the song which won for ECOSOC the UP Choral award way back then. They (we) almost didn’t remember the words, but the effort was well-appreciated.
Elections Committee Vice-Chair Oggie Arcenas announced the new set of UPSEAA Board of Directors which resulted from a canvass of the ballots cast by the attendees. The fifteen newly-elected members of the 2011-2012 Board are: Ernie Albano, Dida Cosio-Salita, Maret Folloso-Bautista, Monette Formoso-Balatbat, Jimmy Gimenez, Teresa Jayme-Ho, Rachel Kapunan-Abis, Sherry Palencia-Verzola, Leah Panganiban-Castro, Tony Pio de Roda, Popo Suanes, Vicqui Torres-del Rosario, Ronee Villanueva-Juanengo, Vickee Viterbo-Quimbo, Pakito Yeneza. Congratulations! Much work ahead, people!
When the turnover ceremonies came, Batch 1986 heaved a big sigh of relief as they passed the torch to Batch 1987 representatives Iggy Sison and Bobby Edebanlar. The two guys gamely said, “We accept! See you next year!”
Before trooping out of the auditorium, we all sang UP Naming Mahal.
See you in 2012!
Sherry Palencia-Verzola
