LEAVES OF GRACE: U.P. Beloved and Ateneo Go PINK

5/05/2022

U.P. Beloved and Ateneo Go PINK

For one whole day (but ad infinitum for sports enthusiasts) on May 1, this rare occurence in sports was the talk of the town.

“U.P.,” sports pages screamed, “pulled off the biggest upset of the season. The fighting maroons spoiled the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ sweep bid on the last day of the UAAP men’s basketball eliminations.”

UP alumni and students cheered. Son #3 and wife of son #2 from Ateneo must have moped.

I sang "UP Beloved!"*

What’s that?!

"UP Beloved" was the original hymn of the university, circa 1917. It was composed by Nicanor Abelardo, considered one of the country’s greatest musicians, and written by Teogenes Velez, then a Liberal Arts student.

Sometime after I graduated from UP, the hymn was translated to Filipino: “UP Naming Mahal.” So now, when I blurt it out, UP students and young alumni ask, “UP Beloved?!”

But I insist. Whenever there is something to celebrate about UP, I still sing the original hymn. After all, it was four years of my life on campus. I liken it to grace that never leaves you.

This basketball bout, however, was not the only beloved factor of the event. The coming together of two rival universities as one, undivided by school loyalties, needs to be celebrated ad infinitum as well.

Instead of donning their colors of maroon and blue, the crowd trooped to the SM MOA Arena in PINK. And as though on cue, at half time, those in PINK chanted: “Leni Robredo! Kiko Pangilinan!” (popularized by Gab Valenciano in his electrifying song/dance numbers in Leni-Kiko rallies.)

Turning UAAP into PINK this season is a first in the history of Philippine sports.

Wishful thinking:

If only we could, as a people, disregard our differences and unite in our love for a decent, competent, and honest government dedicated to our children, what a good, beloved place this would be!