University of the Philippines conducts roadshow in Butuan City
Some 300 Grade 11 students underwent a mock version of the University
of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) at Father
Saturnino Urios University on May 18, 2024. Photo courtesy of the University of
the Philippines.
BUTUAN CITY – Simultaneous with the Balangay Festival 2024 celebration in Butuan City, volunteers and officials from the University of the Philippines (UP), including its President Angelo “Jijil” Jimenez, conducted a roadshow in Father Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City where some 300 students attended the activity.
The roadshow thoroughly orientated the Grade 11 students on UP life and conducted a dry-run through a mock version of the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT).
Jimenez, the 22nd president of the UP and also the first president from Butuan City and Mindanao, delivered a motivational talk to the students and invited them to take the annual UP entrance test on August 10-11, 2024 where four subtests in language proficiency (in English and Filipino), reading comprehension (in English and Filipino), science, and mathematics will be administered in over 100 test centers nationwide.
He strongly advised them to adopt a “growth mindset” which he described as a firm belief in the power of hard work and determination to bring about tremendous self-improvement and achievement of greater things.
“Don’t be discouraged if your UPCAT score doesn’t qualify in the UP campus or program of your choice,” said Jimenez during the roadshow.
He added that a UP education is an invitation to leadership and enumerated some of the university’s “contributions to society” through their alumni who became the country’s leaders in education, health professions, politics and governance, business, law, sciences, the arts, and other disciplines.
He also explained the different alternative admission routes such as pursuing a two-year associate degree offered by the university in several disciplines, online programs of the UP Open University, and the tryouts of the Varsity Athlete Admission System. An additional support this year for up to 300 financially strapped UPCAT passers will also be given.
“If you can hack it out for two years and do well, the associate degree can be your stepping stone to obtaining a four-year UP degree.” Jimenez also added.
“We have produced 15 of 27 Supreme Court chief justices, 13 of 24 senate presidents, 11 of 26 speakers of the House of Representatives, 39 of 42 national scientists, 50 of 81 national artists, and 9 out of 9 national social scientists,” he proudly shared.
University of the
Philippines President Atty. Angelo Jimenez with the Butuan Alumni Officers.
L-to-R: UP Alumni Association (UPAA) trustee Dennis Gelacio; UPAA Vice
President Fernando Sanchez Jr., UPAA president Robert Lester Aranton, UP president Angelo Jimenez,
UPAA-Butuan Chapter president Robert “Biboy” Solidum, public information
officer Dr. Antonette “Tonette” S. Montalban; VP-internal Atty. Josefe “Jojo”
Sorrera-Ty, VP-External Atty. Rema Erigbuagas-Burdeos; treasurer Dr. Antonio
“Anton” S. Montalban, Jr., and auditor Patrick “Pat” NaΓ―ve. The Montalban
couple hosted the meeting-fellowship in honor of Jimenez and the visiting UPAA
national officers at their Butuan residence.
The president also met with the UP Alumni Association-Butuan Chapter, whose leaders pledged to support his policy thrust on inclusive admissions by sponsoring free UPCAT review classes in the city.
He expressed gratitude to the Butuanon Alumni for setting up a good example through honor and excellence in the service of the nation.
Through the series of roadshows conducted in the different areas in the country, they have been reaching out to students from remote provinces and areas to enjoy the free high-quality college education offered by the nine UP campuses nationwide. (UP/PIA-Caraga)
