UP Diliman (UPD) feted its international community and partners in a night of fellowship at the Chancellor’s International Reception 2023 (CIR 2023) on June 21 at the University Theater Lobby.

Organized by the UPD Office of International Linkages (OIL-D) for the Office of the Chancellor, the annual CIR is where the chancellor recognizes UPD’s embassy partners, including international academic institutions, faculty, and students that have enriched the university’s academic environment.

This is Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II’s first CIR.

Vistan thanked everyone who stood by UPD through the years, most especially during the pandemic, and who committed to be with UPD in the coming years.

“Now that we are freer and there is much more room to move, I’m happy to discuss and build further collaborations with UPD’s international partners,” he added.

Vistan, Percival F. Almoro, vice chancellor for academic affairs officer-in-charge, and Carlene Perpetua Pilar-Arceo, OIL-D director, presented the members of the diplomatic corps with a miniature Ikot/Toki jeepney. The miniature jeepneys were crafted by UPD College of Fine Arts FabLab and BalaiKamay.

UPD also paid tribute to the late international student-athlete Yoro Sangare of the Republic of Mali.

Described as cheerful and very friendly, Sangare at the time of his passing on May 4 was a third-year student of the physical education program of the UPD College of Human Kinetics (CHK). He was a member of the UP Men’s (UPMFT) Football Team. At the event to represent CHK and UPFMT was CHK Dean Francis Carlos B. Diaz.

The string quartet of the UP Symphony Orchestra performed for the CIR guests played jazz, rock and roll, and funky Manila sound of the 1970s.

The evening was then capped with a ceremonial toast led by Finnish ambassador to the Philippines, Juha Pyykkö.

The CIR 2023 is part of the UPD Linggo ng Parangal, a weeklong series of events to honor UPD’s exemplary constituents.