After two and a half years of remote learning due to the pandemic, the students of UP High School in Iloilo (UPHSI) were finally able to physically gather again to welcome the new school year during the Opening Exercises held on 06 Sept. 2022, at the Auditorium in the Iloilo City campus.
A total of 521 students, 316 of which are in Junior High School, attended the Opening Exercises. The program was also attended by University officials Chancellor Clement C. Camposano, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Philip Ian P. Padilla, Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Dr. Rhodella A. Ibabao, CAS Dean Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer, Associate Dean Prof. Nilo C. Araneta, and Division of Professional Education Chairperson Prof. Pepito R. Fernandez, Jr.
Prof. Alfredo B. Diaz, the Principal, introduced UPHSI alumna Dr. Marovi Ascalon-Celis as the guest speaker. Celis, who was recently awarded UP Alumni Association - Iloilo Chapter (UPAA) Outstanding Professional and 2022 UPV Pandemic Hero, shared her practical tips on how to survive UPHSI.
She recalled her time as a freshman in UPHSI and described her journey, her teachers, and the friendships she developed along the way.
“You are competing with the cream of the crop, and our faculty back then had high standards to meet. I was not that academically gifted when I was in UP High, but I managed o maintain my Section A because I studied,” Celis shared. “Grades are not everything and not even a reflection of who you are as a person someday,” she added.
This SY 2022-2023, UPHSI will have Grade 7 students coming from different provinces outside of Iloilo, which include Aklan, Antique, Cadiz, Guimaras, and Masbate. Among the 78 freshmen students, 52 come from public schools, while 26 finished in private educational institutions. The batch is composed of one valedictorian and three salutatorians. Forty-three finished with honors, 24 with high honors, and two with highest honors. Nine of them are UP dependents.
The Grade 11 students are made up of 71 continuing students or those who finished their Junior High School in UPHSI. Thirty-three of them are new students coming from Iloilo City, the Province of Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental. Among the 33, 20 come from public schools, while 13 graduated from private schools. Four of them finished with high honors, 24 with high honors, and two with highest honors. Six of them are UPV dependents, while one is a dependent of an employee at the National Institute of Health in UP Manila.
Earlier that day, an orientation program was held in the same venue, which was attended by Grade 7 and Grade 11 students together with their parents. Key topics were discussed by different members of the faculty to orient students on what to anticipate during their time at UPHSI.
Prof. Jose R. Taton, Assistant to the Principal, discussed academic policies and information. Prof. Diaz explained the various modes of learning that UPHSI will implement to guarantee the safe and smooth return of students to the campus. Prof. Donne Jone P. Sodusta, Chairperson of the Discipline Committee, talked about discipline and the expected conduct of UPHSI students. Meanwhile, Prof. Jeena A. Amoto, Co-Adviser of the UPHSI Student Council, enumerated the different kinds of clubs and organizations available to the students.
The scholarship opportunities available in UPHSI were discussed by Mr. Rey Alexander Palmares, Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee. The guidance and counseling services were explained by Ms. Helen Grace Concepcion Q. Fernandez, the Guidance Services Specialist assigned to UPHSI. Parents and students were given the opportunity to ask their questions during the open forum.
The in-person component of the blended mode of learning will begin on 3 Oct. 2022, Monday.
