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 “the only academic institution in the Philippines offering graduate-level programs in demography and population studies.” Currently a unit under the UPD College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, UPPI “plays a crucial role in analyzing population-related issues in collaboration with government and international partners.”
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 “State of Demography”, where she emphasized the need to “continuously 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.”
Laguna added that since UPPI was created, “there is better appreciation of demographic and population data studies now, more innovative research methodologies and approaches as well as interdisciplinary collaboration.… Our work is still not done, we are facing new demographic challenges. We are ready…,” 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’s 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’s 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’s extensive research endeavors.
The celebration concluded with a toast to the past and future of the Institute.
