“Ako’y walang tigil sa pagtulong sa ating mahal na UP. Ang aking dedikasyon at pagtingin sa ating pamantasan ay hindi humihina, lalo pang lumakas. I am very happy to turn over this vehicle to your hands,” said Francis C. Laurel, former UP regent and current president of Toyota Batangas City, Inc. (Toyota Batangas).

Laurel gifted UP, through the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Human Kinetics (CHK), a brand new Toyota coaster on May 19 at the Oblation Plaza.

The 30-seater coaster, which was blessed by Father DJ Garcia of the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, is for the use of the UP varsity teams.

Laurel added that the coaster’s care and maintenance will be shouldered by Toyota Batangas.

“Huwag kayong mag-alala Dean Kiko (Francis Diaz of CHK) at [UPD] Chancellor Vistan (Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II), sagot namin po kayo. Kung anong maging diperensya, eh isang tawag lang ‘yan,” he said.

UP President Angelo A. Jimenez thanked Laurel for his continued support to the University.

“Let us take good care of it [the coaster] so that we can truly maximize the use of this donation,” Jimenez said.

Meanwhile, Vistan underscored the donation’s importance in the total development of the UPD student-athletes. He said the new coaster would be of big help to UP varsity teams during their commute to training and game venues.

In appreciation, the CHK, through the baseball and softball teams, presented Laurel, Jimenez, and Vistan with some gifts.

The simple turn-over ceremony was followed by the ceremonial signing of the deed of donation at the UP Board Room.

Also present at the event were UPD and UP System officials, the coaching staff of the UPD baseball and softball teams, representatives from Toyota Batangas, and some members of the UPD varsity teams (baseball, softball, street dance, Filipiniana Dance Group, badminton, and volleyball).