UPLB at its 98th Loyalty Day

Every time I am at the University of the Philippines-Los Banos campus, I am reminded by true-blue alumni of their alma mater’s being the country’s leading public tertiary educational institution for agricultural, forest, and natural resources management.

Planted on 4,665 hectares in the campus located 64 kilometers southeast of Manila are edifices for the use of the current 13,710 students enrolled in 100 degree programs in various disciplines (now including arts and sciences, development communication and engineering) through its nine colleges and two schools. UPLB was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding. In 2012-2013, the Commission on Higher Education accredited nine academic units of the institution as Centers of Excellence and two as Centers of Development, giving UPLB the largest number of Centers of Excellence in research and academic units combined among all universities in the country.

UPLB alumni have been recognized in a wide range of fields. They include 13 scientists awarded the title National Scientist of the Philippines, members of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, the joint winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize), Palanca Award winners, as well as political and business leaders.

Last week, on Oct. 9-10, to be exact, UPLB observed its 98th Loyalty Day, a first grand alumni reunion, and an awarding ceremony. Various programs enlivened the huge tree-shaded, grass-carpeted, rolling ground campus with all sorts of activities, from forums to a flower and garden show, to a mini fair, fun and sports, a dog show, a sumptuous luncheon at alumnus Mannie and Daisy Barradas AirStrip in Tanauan, Batangas, a barn dance and parade.

Highlights were greetings from UP President Fred Pascual, UPLB Chancellor Fernando Sanchez Jr., UPAA president and Regent Mon Maronilla, UPLBAA president Leo Ballesfin, and LB Mayor Caesar Perez.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri (BS Agribusiness Management, 1990) was given the 2016 UPLB presidential award. Also awarded were Col. Andrew Nocon (Class ’66) who chaired the successful 98th Loyalty Day celebration with co-chair Sue Liza Saguguit, Office of alumni relations), Dr. Asuncion Karganilla-Raymundo and Vic Valdepenas. Many more alumni were recognized for their distinguished service to the university.

A good thing to be said of Andrew Nocon (who once served as mayor of Los Banos) was his, and his over-all steering committee’s untiring efforts to plan programs and solicit donations, to make the celebration a roaring success.

President Fred Pascual’s challenge was loud and clear: “. . . (With this) reunion we reinvigorate our commitment to the task of shaping minds that shape the nation.”

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Some of us may have experienced awful moments when somebody asked how much older we are than our husbands, or if we’ve had a face or nose lift, or if it’s true what people are talking about – that only after eight years of marriage did we finally have a child via in vitro fertilization.

Those are extreme cases of indiscreet meddling but they do happen, causing extreme embarrassment, if not the loss of friends. Indeed, such unsettling questions should never be asked – if people practice delicadeza, or, put another way, think twice before opening their mouths.

A helpful little book lists questions we should not ask or practice in our everyday life. Joy Lumawig-Buensalido, a well-liked public relations practitioner, has published Pinoy Manners, A Modern Guide to Delicadeza for All Generations.

With her book, Joy hopes to “revive our sense of delicadeza, which I loosely translate as a ‘sensitivity’ to – or sense of respect for – others’ feelings.” Her rules, writes Joy, are “not absolute,” but are “ just one woman’s set of opinions … that simply aims to enhance readers’ personal, social, and professional interactions with others.”

One must avoid crossing the line, Joy says. It’s ok to borrow a cup of sugar from a neighbor, but ask her if you could borrow her driver on his day off.

Oh no, don’t borrow a friend’s partner. “Unless your friend is absolutely fine with ‘sharing’ her partner in more ways than one, do not poach on her – and anyone else’s – husband to be your good old reliable Mr. Fix-It.”

Some don’ts: No to asking someone for his/her company’s list of clients. Nor for the recipe of a cookie someone is selling.

No to asking: Is it true you’ve ended your marriage? Why did you separate? Is there a third party, do you know who it is? Why are you still single? Why don’t you have a baby yet? You’re real nosey with such questions.

Don’t ask if one’s jewelry is genuine or fake. Or how much a dress costs.

Don’t invite your ex and present beau or hubby to a party or reunion. The setting can be embarrassing.

Joy list things to say and do: Thank you, please, may I? Show respect for older people. Avoid being rude or unkind, whether you are the customer/aggrieved party or the one being complained to.

Always remember that nobody’s perfect, writes Joy. “Learn to forgive others – and yourself – for shortcomings, lapses, bloopers and other faux pas. Just let go if it means being kinder and more compassionate. That’s delicadeza!”

For copies of Joy’s book, inquire from Buensalido Public Relations Agency, tel. no. 8174471; 8923520.

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Celebrated pianist Abelardo Galang II will perform works of Frederic Chopin and Franz Lizst in a concert titled “A Night of Passion” on Oct. 22 at the BDO Corporate Center, South Tower, Makati Ave. His performance is sponsored by BDO Unibank Inc. and the Manila Concert Orchestra. The event is MMCO’s 15th crystal anniversary thanksgiving concert, and with Soroptimist International of Makati, is held for the benefit of the street children of Payatas.

Galang obtained two master’s degrees in music (piano solo performance and chamber music) from Musashino Academia Musicae, Tokyo, Japan (1996) and the Hochschule fuer Musik “Hanns Eisler” Berlin, Germany (2000) where he trained with the German pedagogue, Klaus Bäßler, a former jury and chairman of the Robert Schumann International Piano Competition. He was also a recipient of the Alfonso T. Yuchengco Foundation scholarship. He obtained his doctorate degree in music with honors from the Technische Universität Berlin, Germany (2010).

Galang performs regularly in solo recitals, chamber concerts and as lead pianist in Europe and Asia.

He has been teaching at the Berlin Piano School since 2010 and is currently the director of music performance and chair of the piano department of the Philippine Women’s University. He is also a senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines College of Music.

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