A festive mood filled the Atencio-Libunao Hall as the UP Population Institute (UPPI) celebrated its 60th anniversary on Nov. 8 with a grand celebration.
Established in 1964, UPPI is 鈥渢he only academic institution in the Philippines offering graduate-level programs in demography and population studies.鈥 Currently a unit under the UPD College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, UPPI 鈥減lays a crucial role in analyzing population-related issues in collaboration with government and international partners.鈥
The day began with a thanksgiving mass at Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, followed by the main festivities at the nearby Atencio-Libunao Hall with the theme From Counting People to Making People Count.
UPPI Director Elma P. Laguna delivered a message titled 鈥淪tate of Demography鈥, where she emphasized the need to 鈥渃ontinuously invest in our human capital, meaning education and health and our economy to ensure that there will be jobs waiting for this next generation of Filipino workers.鈥
Laguna added that since UPPI was created, 鈥渢here is better appreciation of demographic and population data studies now, more innovative research methodologies and approaches as well as interdisciplinary collaboration.鈥 Our work is still not done, we are facing new demographic challenges. We are ready鈥,鈥 she said.
Present at the event were UPPI former faculty members, staff, and students. The highlight of the celebration was a tribute to the institute鈥檚 pioneering members: National Scientist Mercedes B. Concepcion, Corazon M. Raymundo, Zelda C. Zablan, Aurora E. Perez, Imelda Zosa-Feranil, Lita J. Domingo, Eliseo A. de Guzman, the late Josefina V. Cabigon, professors emeriti Josefina N. Natividad, and Nimfa B. Ogena. Each awardee received a commemorative token during the celebration. Notably present to receive their tokens were Raymundo herself and the family of Cabigon.
This was followed by a friendly roll call acknowledging the presence of attendees from every period of UPPI鈥檚 history.
The program transitioned from reflecting on its rich history to recognizing its promising future as UPPI expressed gratitude to individual supporters and donors who generously contributed their time and resources to the Institute. Acknowledgement was also given to partner institutions, such as the Philippine Statistics Authority, for their vital role in facilitating access to UPPI鈥檚 extensive research endeavors.
The celebration concluded with a toast to the past and future of the Institute.
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