Silliman U girds up for Int’l Tipon 2013

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – Silliman University in this city is gearing up to host the international Tipon Silliman 2013 celebration from August 21 to 25, just in time for the school’s 112th Founder’s Day celebration immediately after these dates.

Regular activities for the Founders’ Day celebration will be from August 26 to 29.

This will be the first time that Tipon Silliman will not only be held outside of America but right at home on the SU campus in this city, according to Betsy Merto-Engle, co-chair of the event, during a press conference.

Engle said around 200 alumni from the United States and Canada, specifically from the SU Alumni Council of North America (SUACONA), are expected to come to Dumaguete on these dates after having registered for the Tipon 2013. Local alumni are expected to take part also in the international gathering.

The numbers could still rise as other alumni may just be flying in on their own and not availing of the different tour packages offered them, Engle said.

The SUACONA is the umbrella organization of the chapters representing the alumni and friends of SU residing in the USA and Canada.

Aside from SUACONA, there are 54 recognized SU alumni chapters in the Philippines and 34 other chapters overseas, such as in Australia, Europe, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

University and Tipon 2013 officials told The Freeman that everything is now in place for the twin activities this month, together with security preparations with the Philippine National Police and the city government.

On accommodations, they said the city has enough hotels to address this as well as the home-stay program being promoted by the university. (FREEMAN)