THE UST Philets and Artlets Alumni Association, an alumni group of the country’s oldest liberal arts college, will reunite generations of graduates through a gala night to celebrate the Faculty of Arts and Letters’ (AB) 60th anniversary and honor its rich history and “digitally-driven” future.
Carrying the theme “From Pen to Pixels: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future,” the event will highlight the faculty’s embrace of digital innovations while commemorating the artistic heritage and academic traditions that have shaped it and its predecessor, the now-defunct Faculty of Philosophy and Letters.
The grand alumni homecoming will take place on March 1, 5:30 p.m., at the Manila Hotel.
UST Philets and Artlets Alumni Association president Prof. Henry Tenedero said a special production would be staged to symbolize the transition across generations of Philets and Artlets with the help of notable graduates from each distinct era spanning from the late 1950s to the present.
“‘From Pens to Pixels’ will be symbolized through a thematic progression of songs and dances honoring AB’s rich history while looking forward to embracing modernity and innovation in the digital age,” Tenedero told The Flame.
The gala program will be hosted by several veteran news anchors, namely Ali Sotto, a Communication Arts alumna, Arnold Clavio and Sandra Aguinaldo, both Journalism graduates.
Aguinaldo served as editor-in-chief of The Flame, the official student publication of the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters, in 1993.
UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P, Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P., Artlets Dean Prof. Melanie Turingan, Assistant Dean Asst. Prof. John Manuel Kliatchko, faculty secretary Asst. Prof. Louie Benedict Ignacio, AB department chairs, faculty members and Artlets Student Council (ABSC) representatives will also present their respective speeches.
Among other guest speakers is 91-year-old Pacita Syquia Almario, one of the oldest Philets alumna in attendance. She has remained actively involved in the alumni group and consistently attends association meetings, according to Tenedero.
Journalist and author Jullie Yap-Daza, a Journalism alumna from batch 1965, will deliver a special address at the event. Comedian and Communication Arts alumnus Herman “Isko” Salvador, also known as Brod Pete, is slated to deliver an opening spiel and a playful rendition of hit ballad “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”
“So [the performance’s] impression would be ‘seriously funny.’ It’s not a stiff program but it’s more of rekindling times. So these are things that we want to be proud of and to allow everyone to not just look at the past, but honor the past as we embrace the challenges of a digital-world future,” Tenedero said.
Anticipated performances will be fronted by actress Isay Alvarez, musicians Bimbo Cerudo and Lou Bonnevie, TV host Jojo Alejar and former senator Joey Lina, all Philets and Artlets graduates. OPM band The Rainmakers, whose origin traces back to its quintet roots at UST High School in 1968, will also take center stage.
Aside from the three-hour program, other significant alumni-initiated activities will mark the faculty’s 60th anniversary, including a photo exhibit memorabilia showcase, a mural painting by Artlets artists the Blanco brothers and an ABSC concert scheduled for Feb. 28 at the UST Grandstand.
The faculty kicked off the celebration of its 60th anniversary last Feb. 3 with a mass and a parade titled, “AB Wonderland: Parade of Brilliant Hues.” F
How to be part of this celbration