The University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo (UPHSI) held its Opening Exercises to usher in the Academic Year 2023-2024, on Sept. 4, at the UP Visayas (UPV) Auditorium, Iloilo City campus.
More than 500 new and returning UPHSI students were officially welcomed to the campus by Chancellor Clement Camposano, Associate Dean Nilo Araneta of the College of Arts and Sciences, UPHSI Principal Edelia Braga, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Philip Ian Padilla, and Division of Professional Education Chair Pepito Fernandez, Jr., together with the UPHSI faculty and staff.
Dr. Resurreccion Sadaba, faculty member of the Division of Biological Sciences, UPV Project Development Assistant for Biodiversity, and UPHSI alumnus was the guest speaker of the event and spoke of making the most of the students’ high school journey at UPHSI.
“Your mission will not just be to acquire knowledge… what’s more important is that you learn how to learn – that you keep yourself open to new ideas and be willing to extend yourselves. You must constantly test the boundaries of what you can do and challenge yourself to explore new horizons,” Sadaba said.
“Education is not just about absorbing facts and figures; it should be learning how to think, how to question – and that’s how to make the world a better place,” he added.
Sadaba also noted that the opening of the academic year “signifies more than just the turning of the calendar – it symbolizes the moment of renaissance, a celebration of the human spirit, and a testament to our unwavering pursuit of knowledge amidst the trials and tribulations we have faced.”
Meanwhile, Braga talked about how UPHSI hones and transforms its students to prepare them for their eventual career paths.
She said that alumni from various batches consider UPHSI their second home – returning to the campus and even helping the UP community through their respective capacities.
“I hope that as we start our journey this academic year, not only will we learn to achieve excellence, but also, we learn how to show care for others. Let us remember to continue to strengthen and uplift each other with respect and dignity,” the Principal said.
As part of the program, UPHSI students Jeareene Therese Loredo and Aeryn Tuesday Chavez also gave their messages on behalf of the UPHSI Student Council and grade 7 students, respectively.
