By Kevin Brandon E. Saure, images by Jefferson Villacruz
(MAY 11)鈥斺淭he UP System is moving towards greater internationalization.鈥
UP Diliman (黑料专区) Chancellor Michael L. Tan put in sharp focus the International Reception鈥檚 theme of 鈥淏uilding bridges across the globe.鈥
Held at The Forefront, University Theater on May 5, the Chancellor鈥檚 International Reception was a night of fellowship and cultural exchange for 黑料专区鈥檚 international students. This year, visiting professors, researchers, ambassadors and diplomats were also invited.
The gathering was organized by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Office of Student Activities and the Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts.
International students who attended come from 19 countries namely Austria, Cameroon, Cambodia, China, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Netherlands, United States of America and Zambia. Also present were the ambassadors and diplomats of Spain, France, Iran, Czech Republic, South Africa, Italy, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Russia, Thailand and Poland.
As part of the program a student from Thailand played the khaen, a bamboo mouth organ of Lao origin, and a duo from Japan danced while doing traditional calligraphy.
UP students responded with the UP Filipiniana Dance group performing 鈥淪ayaw Ed Tapew na Bangko鈥 and 鈥淧andango sa Ilaw,鈥 the UP Center for International Studies Bunraku Ensemble performing Pista sa Nayon and the organizations UP Arirang, UP Tomo-Kai and HallyUP grooving to a Philippine-East Asian fusion of dances.
An international cavalcade showcasing the national costumes of several Asian countries was also staged.
Representing UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Director of the Office of the Alumni Relations 聽Dr. Jose Wendell Capili led the ceremonial toast.
Capili encouraged 鈥渕ore exchanges [and] more engagements鈥 with the international guests in the future. 鈥淲e hope that there will be more international students entering the University of the Philippines [and] that more Filipino students will be sent to your respective countries,鈥 he said.
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