But for the All-UP Academic Employees Union, UP�s Centennial cab also be celebrated through an alternative theme: Radikal na Sentenaryo.

Security preparations

Prior to the January 8 kick-off party, there has been a memo issued to all deans and unit heads to enjoin themselves in the celebration of the university�s centennial.

To take care of the campus security is the UP Diliman Police (UPDP), with the help of the Special Services Brigade (SSB) and the Supervisory Team of Private Security, both under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs.

Prior to the actual event were meetings and consultations among these groups to prepare for their respective assignments.

The SSB even decided to employ 28 guards on extra duty besides the 18 on regular duty, said Sgt. Narciso T. Domino, SSB Team Leader. The SSB guards secured the areas covered by the affair�from the University Avenue to the Academic Oval and Quezon Hall.

The UPDP, on the other hand, is assigned to attend to traffic supervision and control, as well as to ensure the orderly flow of vehicles in the alternate routes since the Oval was closed, said Maj. Bernie Baltazar, UPDP OIC.

They also deployed personnel in intersections and parking areas to look after the �bukas-kotse� and �basag-salamin� gangs in campus.

The celebration was generally peaceful, both units claimed. Only an incidence of loss of some personal belongings in the amphitheater was reported to the UPDP, which were apparently impossible to recover.

The SSB said they were able to tame down activist-visitors through a �verbal agreement,� arguing that the event is nothing but a celebration of the centennial.

Chancellor Sergio Cao, thru a �text [message]� to Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Dr. Grace Gregorio, reportedly extended his greetings to the security units for �a job well-done.�

In UP Los Ba�os

The University of the Philippines Los Ba�os (UPLB) is one with the whole UP community�s centennial celebration. As one of the constituent universities, UPLB�s celebration exhibits the three pillars of the UP Centennial Theme � �excellence, service and leadership for the next 100 years.�

But the Los Ba�os campus wants to give a unique blast to welcome the 100 years of the state university. So, they established their own theme but not separate from that of the whole UP community � UPLB�s �Distinctive Excellence.�

Dr. Emmanuel Abraham, Assistant to the Chancellor and Director of the Office of Alumni Relations, enunciated that UPLB highlights leadership, excellence and service in support to UP Centennial�s Theme. Having said that UPLB does not only settle for excellence, but strives for its distinctive excellence, Dr. Abraham uttered the definition of the Univeristy of the Philippines Los Ba�os� Distinctive Excellence.

He said, �As one of the constituent units, we tried to give our own flavor also in the celebration. Distinctive excellence is what we do best in a niche that sets us apart from others. It is the collective expression of a culture of instruction, research and community service grounded on the principles of science and social responsibility. It is the standard of greatness that we established in the academic and research world that others look upon for guidance and inspiration.�

Dr. Abraham boasts of their theme as being very specific on their heritage where they look at the past linked up to what they can contribute in the future. He speaks of leaving a legacy priding their foundation on science and social responsibility.

The Los Ba�os campus has been able to express their excellence in the areas of agriculture, biotechnology and environment. These fields are distinct to them. Also, they try to highlight the culture and the arts especially of the Southern Tagalog Region.

Preparations for the Kick-off

In less than a month�s preparation, UPLB was able to mobilize 1,000 contingents during the Centennial Kick-off at UP Diliman in January 8. UPLB found the participation of their students, faculty and alumni the most important factor in the kick-off.

Dr. Abraham referred to their efforts for the kick-off as �a labor of love�. Within a short notice, the campus according to Dr. Abraham was not able to gather funds from sponsorships and donations.

Dr. Abraham shares, �Ang basic na naging input ng administration dun was to provide the transportation, partly. Because some others were college-based, mga sasakyan ng kolehiyo.� When asked, he did not relay how much the administration gave the campus for its transportation needs.

He narrated that the students were very excited about participating in the kick-off at the flagship campus. Organizers were surprised that the numbers of the contingents going to Diliman doubled the morning of the event. They were expecting a number of 400 but they left with a group of 800. This group left Los Ba�os in rented jeepneys and buses and college-based vehicles. Some 200 went directly to UP Diliman to support the event.

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