UP Diliman (UPD) once again held a face-to-face Chancellor’s International Reception (CIR) on June 22 at the Arts and Design West Hall of the UPD College of Fine Arts (CFA).

The CIR was part of the Linggo ng Parangal 2022 and the first face-to-face international reception under Chancellor Fidel R. Nemenzo.

Among those who attended were dignitaries and special envoys from Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, and Vietnam.

Also present were international faculty, staff, students, and UP System and UPD officials.

In his message, Nemenzo thanked the UPD’s international academic partners for their contributions to the growth of the members of the UPD community as global citizens, while keeping in mind their firm roots as Filipinos.

“We hope that through our internationalization efforts, we can continue to strengthen the vibrant academic and cultural exchange in research and creative work among our undergraduate and graduate students, research staff, and faculty in the years to come,” said Nemenzo.

Nemenzo and Hector Danny Uy, vice president for legal affairs of the UP System, presented the members of the diplomatic corps with tessellation coasters as souvenirs. The tessellation coasters, inspired by the UP Sablay, were crafted by the CFA.

Providing musical performances and serenading the audience during the event were Gregory Cheong and the UP Singing Ambassadors.

Ambassador Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe from the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa capped the evening celebration with a ceremonial toast.