Young Roots
UP loves Pangasinan!
By Johanne R. Macob
I’LL forever be grateful to the University of the Philippines. This despite the recent controversy which put UP, particularly, my beloved Baguio campus in the limelight, but on a rather negative sense. All 27 students from the same college as I was, College of Arts and Communication, almost failed to graduate owing to administrative problems through no fault of theirs. Finally, they were allowed to graduate, and as they say, all’s well that ends well.
I’ll still forever be grateful to the University of the Philippines because unlike many, who, since young, have dreamt of entering the premier state university, I wasn’t really into it. I wasn’t really particular about schools and universities but, my sisters urged me to take the exam, and so I did. When I learned that I passed the entrance test, only then did I actually started reading and learning more on UP’s “honor and excellence.” But because of all the readings I did, I didn’t really have the confidence an average high school valedictorian would usually have when I entered the university. I felt so small and so…so. I wasn’t sure if I only got lucky when I passed the exam or that my high school grades had been enough. But eventually, all my hesitations and anxieties faded away, because the university never discriminates anyone.
I’ll be forever grateful to the University of the Philippines. While I was never proud of any of my academic achievements in high school, UP, with all its brilliant transmogrification and its no-nonsense ways of testing intelligence, tested my own limits and potential. I’ll be forever thankful to UP because it has validated my intelligence. After my graduation, I was able to tell myself finally, I have a well-working mind. My love for and pride of UP are two things that will stay with me forever.
So when I first heard the news that UP will aid my beloved Pangasinan in preserving and promoting our language and culture, I couldn’t help but get excited and even prouder. Two of my most-loved advocacies for the honor of Pangasinan! I have personally experienced how UP does its work, always anchored on “Honor and Excellence,” so it is a feat that Pangasinan was able to get the help of UP for this cultural advocacy. UP Baguio campus has helped in the promotion of the Cordilleran culture. It has the Cordillera Studies Center in the University and even has a subject on history of Cordilleran tribes. Students are encouraged to visit tribal communities and respect and equal opportunities to our Cordilleran brothers and sisters are imbibed in the students.
The memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on June 18 by UP President Alfredo Pascual and Vice President for Public Affairs Prospero De Vera III; Governor Amado Espino Jr. and Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. specifically was the preservation and promotion of Pangasinan language and culture. UP’s faculty members, research, extension and professional staff (REPS) will act as technical experts, consultants, project leaders and resource persons.
Meanwhile, the Pangasinan Studies Center will be established to feature research, studies and works produced by collaborations between UP and the province, and the historical and cultural mapping and inventory of the province will be pursued, and Agno River will be developed as a tourist attraction.
Undoubtedly, UP will help turn all those plans into reality with the equally determined Espino administration. To echo the Governor’s words, it was indeed “a dream come true.” Padayon, UP! Padayon, Pangasinan!
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