Professor Emeritus Francisco "Dodong" Nemenzo, Jr. was one of 12 Centennial Fellows when the University of the Philippines celebrated its 100th Foundation Day in 2008. His lecture carried the title Beyond the Classroom: UP's Responsibility in Rebuilding a Damaged Nation. In this lecture, Dodong encourages us in UP to raise the level of political discourse in the nation and to counter "intellectual stupor, apathy, cynicism, and self-centeredness" that pervades public dialogue. He also spoke of the role of mass media in educating the citizens of the nation and therefore mass media should become an integral part of the educational system.

UP celebrates its 105th Foundation Day today! The UP General Alumni-Faculty Homecoming and Reunion will be held on June 22 at Ang Bahay ng Alumni at the Diliman Campus.

To celebrate Philippine Independence Day 2013, I suggest a visit to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Read the essay written by Ian Christopher B. Alfonso entitled Bonifacio, the Katipunan, and the Philippine Independence Day. Alfonso argues that understanding the stories behind the series of events that led to the declaration of independence in Kawit until full sovereignty in 1946 necessarily entails that we look back to the origins of the Filipino nation.

Tracing the Filipinos' struggle for independence undeniably forces us to go back to our origins as a nation. The Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan was the spark that lit the fires of freedom in the heart of the Filipinos--spreading the cause of independence from Luzon to the Visayas and up to Mindanao. Although Bonifacio did not live to witness the realization of his dreams, he remains in his exalted place as the "Father of the Philippine Revolution" without which we would not be celebrating Araw ng Kalayaan every 12th of June.

You can also read Alfonso's other article Si Maypagasa at ang Bayang Malaya.

For more on Bonifacio, we don't have to go too far. Take a walk around the academic oval and check out the art banners. You can see the originals at the UP Vargas Museum until 18 June 2013. The banners were put up by Art-NGO CANVAS as part of their Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Project.  Below is work by Jef Carnay entitled Grab Your Bolo. Share a pic of the art work that captured your attention.