Madayaw na hinaat kaniyo na tanan. Good morning to everyone. Congratulations to the University of the Philippines Mindanao on your 29th founding anniversary with the theme “Duyog sa pag-alagad. Sustainable partnerships in the service to the people.”

Almost three decades ago, when UP Mindanao was established, I was a young lawyer who had just passed the bar and was eagerly looking forward to a future in the service of justice, peace, and prosperity for our people. Like many idealistic youths, I would soon realize that the road to fulfilling our dreams is more torturous than we can imagine. Full of twists and turns, potholes, and steep ravines. But, I also discovered that if we keep true to our vision and hard work to achieve, great things can happen, whatever the odds. It was thus no coincidence that when I held my investiture last year as the 22nd president of our beloved university, I chose for it to happen at none other than UP Mindanao. As UP’s first president with lumad roots in Mindanao, I felt that our destinies were intertwined. I have a personal stake in your success and in the hopes and aspirations of the many thousands of Mindanaoan students you have graduated.

Seated, left to right, are Dean Cleto Nanola, Dr. Irene Villasenor, Dr. Amelia Guevara, and VCAA Annabelle Novero, flanked by faculty members of the DBSES and DMPCS

UPMin QA lead Assoc. Prof. Ritchie Mae Gamot (right) facilitates the discussion with EQA experts Dr. Guevara and Dr. Villasenor

UP System Quality Assurance assessors Dr. Amelia Guevara and Dr. Irene Villaseñor tested the compliance of the BS Biology and BS Computer Science programs through an External Quality Assurance review on February 19-24, 2024.

The self-assessment report (SAR) writers, faculty members, students, support staff, alumni, and employees of the two academic degree programs were subjected to a series of interviews to simulate the ASEAN Universities Network QA assessment process.

The assessors also inspected the facilities and services of the support units: the Office of Student Affairs, the Information Technology Office, the University Library, the Learning Resource Center, and the facilities of the CSM.

The assessors were welcomed upon their arrival by Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and UPMin QA Officer Prof. Annabelle Novero, VC for Administration Leo Manuel Estaña, deans Prof. Cleto Nanola Jr. of the College of Science and Mathematics and Prof. Jhoanna Lynn Cruz of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

Assoc. Prof. Junaldo Mantiquilla, chairperson of the Department of Biological Science and Environmental Studies, and Assoc. Prof. Cimnayii Manliguez, chair of the Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science, led their faculty panels, facilitated by CSM QA officer Assoc. Prof. Ritchie Mae Gamot.

The Quality Assurance efforts address Sustainable Development Goal #4 on Quality Education.

The UP Mindanao Dance Ensemble

Chairperson Maria Belen Acosta

Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao

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Esteemed Guest Speaker Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Maria Belen Sunga-Acosta, UP Mindanao officials, faculty, staff, and students, beloved alumni, distinguished guests, awardees, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to this momentous occasion as we celebrate UP Mindanao's Foundation Anniversary. It is with pride and joy that we commemorate 29 years of honor, excellence, and service.

Reflecting on that journey evokes wonderful memories and invaluable lessons.

The alumni fought a long 19 years for a UP in Mindanao. We are honored to have here with us this morning alumni Mr. Sebastian "Anggie" Angliongto, Mr. John Gaisano, and Mr. Danny Guillen. These were among the brave and at the forefront of that battle. We are also honored to have in our presence officers and members of the different alumni associations of UP. Salamat, po, sa inyong pagsama sa aming selebrasyon ngayong umaga. They and many others are now the silent stalwarts of UP Mindanao.

A number of you have been with the university since we started from the ground up, including the early batches of students. I'm sure the habal-habal days with the abortion road are still fresh in our recollection. How can it not be when several of us have fallen victim to that road?

Yet none of those difficulties and dangers had stopped us from doing our mandate and mission. Indeed, we have literally and figuratively blazed the trail of bringing education closer to the farthest south, the marginalized, and the underserved. At the end of that trail is a small beacon of light called UP Mindanao.

Those who have gone before us fought for that light and carried it to places where it is needed. I would like to recognize the presence of our former chancellor, Larry Digal. Thank you, sir, for being with us this morning.

Kita naman ang bag-ong henerasyon nga tinugyanan sa Unibersidad, the new-generation stewards of that light. How we nurture that light will define our legacy.