UP Diliman (UPD) once again formally recognized and honored its international community and partners during the Chancellor’s International Reception 2026 (CIR 2026).
At the event organized by the Office of International Linkages Diliman (OILD), UPD Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II expressed his gratitude to UPD’s international partners.
Vistan stressed that UPD continues to strengthen its global presence; he particularly mentioned the longstanding partnership between the University and Japan as an example of enduring international cooperation.
“Today, UPD is home to 95 international faculty members and 150 international students. We manage over 300 active agreements with a network that spans the globe. Among these, our relationship with Japan stands as a testament to the power of institutional patience. Our first formal record of cooperation with Japan dates back to 1991. For over 35 years, that bridge has remained open, supporting our largest annual student delegation and reminding us that the most resilient partnerships are those built across decades, not fiscal quarters,” Vistan said.
Dignitaries and special envoys who graced the event were from Bangladesh, Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Qatar, Romania, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
Representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration, SEAMEO INNOTECH, and the Quezon City Mayor’s Office; UPD international students; faculty; and officials of the University were also in attendance.
Meanwhile, the traditional ceremonial toast was led by Bangladesh Ambassador Sarwar Mahmood, Japan Minister for Economic Affairs Naobumi Yokota, UP President Angelo A. Jimenez, Vistan, UPD Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Maria Vanessa Lusung-Oyzon, OILD Director Carlene Pepetua Pilar-Arceo, School of Archaeology professor and President of the UP International Faculty Alliance Juan C. Rofes, and students Jiyu Yun (an international regular student at the College of Fine Arts), and Miwa Takaoka (an exchange student from Chuo University).
This year’s token is a catchall tray made of handwoven T’nalak by the T’boli community of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. According to OILD, the token reflects UPD’s commitment to fostering global connections grounded in local heritage and indigenous knowledge, where cultural and academic exchanges uphold both collaboration and community. The piece was paired with repurposed hardwood offcuts sourced from the furniture makers of Antipolo City.
The token was presented to the members of the diplomatic corps and Philippine government agency partners.
The evening celebration ended with lively and upbeat musical performances by Baihana.
A part of the UPD Linggo ng Parangal 2026 celebration, CIR 2026 elegantly transformed the UP Theater stage area on May 7 by using local fabrics as adornment.