#updiliman

Old school selfie

Visiting my old college building in the 1950 UP Main Library / Bienvenido Gonzalez Hall by Manileño National Artist architect Juan Felipe Nakpil (1899-1986), with UP Seal by Boholano National Artist sculptor Napoleón Isabelo “Billy” Veloso Abueva (1930-2018) at the University of the Philippines Dilimán campus in Quezón City.

When I was a student, the 3rd floor of the Gonzalez Hall served as the home of the UP College of Fine Arts (CFA) until the CFA was moved to its current location at the Dr. Murray Bartlett Hall. The UP Main Library was named after the 2-term UP president Bienvenido María Sioco González (1893-1953), while the current UP CFA building is named after the 1st UP president Dr. Murray Simpson Bartlett (1871-1949).

The UP Seal at the entrance of the Gonzalez Hall may have been created by National Artist Abueva, when he served as the Dean of the UP CFA from 1978 to 1989.

Artist and Architect’s Biographies:

Arch. Juan Felipe Nakpil (1899-1986) was the son, of the musician and composer, Julio Garcia Nakpil 1867-1960) and Gregoria Álvarez de Jesús (1875-1943); who were known for their efforts during the Philippine Revolution (1896-1898). He initially took up engineering at the University of the Philippines, then he later studied architecture at the Fontainebleau School of Fine Arts, in France. After working for several architectural firms, Nakpil eventually opening his own architectural firm in 1930.Nakpil's most noted works are San Carlos Seminary, Iglesia ni Cristo Riverside Locale (Now F. Manalo, San Juan), Capitol Theater, Captain Pepe Building, Manila Jockey Club, Rufino Building, Philippine Village Hotel, the Quezon Hall and Gonzales Halls of the U.P., and the Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna. Nakpil was given the honor of National Artist for Architecture in 1973.

Napoleón Isabelo “Billy” Veloso Abueva (1930-2018) studied at the U.P. School of Fine Arts, under National Artist, Guillermo Estrella Tolentino (1890-1976), who was then the director of the school. Although trained in the classical style of sculpting, Abueva broke from its mold and began experimenting on modernist styles and techniques. Soon he became known as and Godfather of Philippine Modern Sculpture. Aside from the many historical monuments that are found all over the Philippines, Abueva has also been commissioned to create sculptures around the world. In his youth, he was awarded the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM) award; which would herald more awards and distinctions in his life. He was proclaimed National Artist for Sculpture in 1976, making him the youngest recipient of this distinction. And just like his mentor, Abueva also served as dean of the U.P. College of Fine Arts.

ROTC classfie

When I entered the UP College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines Dilimán (UP) in Quezón City, I thought that my collegiate life would be about art making, partying and chasing skirts. Little would I know that my life would be flipped on its head when I was randomly drafted into the COCC (Cadet Officers Train Course) of the UP ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Course), and here I am with my COCC batchmates celebrating our graduation into full-fledged Cadet Officers.

From them of our lives were dictated by a barrack schedule, PTs (Physical Training), and weekend TDs (training days) of studying military tactics and marching; while balancing our regular academic loads. Later on we would be initiated into the UP Vanguard, the fraternity of the members of the UP ROTC; while would lead to a lifetime of mayhem, mirth and madness.

So yes, I am a fratman, but the typical Greek letter type.

This photo was taken in 1988, when my UP ROTC COCC batchmates celebrated our graduation in my home in Barangay Socorro of the Cubáo District of Quezón City.

Postscript Trivia:

For more information on the UP Vanguard, I wrote the blog articles:

“University of the Philippines, Quezon City: Duty, Honor, Country – The U.P. Vanguard” (https://lakansining.wordpress.com/2016/11/22/university-of-the-philippines-quezon-city-honor-duty-country-the-u-p-vanguard/)

“The U.P. Vanguard: Roll Call” (https://lakansining.wordpress.com/2016/11/30/the-u-p-vanguard-roll-call/)

Iskolar ng Bayan artists collegefie

This is a photo of the students, staff and teachers of the UP College of Fine Arts (CFA) after completing an Egyptian themed Lantern Parade at the University of the Philippines Dilimán (UP) in Quezón City.

This picture was taken circa 1990 in February, as the annual UP Lantern Parade was postponed from December 1989 and moved to February 1990, because of the failed military coup d'état against the government put an end to the plans for that previous year.