GeneSoc takes part in 101st Loyalty Day Parade

by John Nicolas Olitin (Isochore)

(Photo retrieved from: http://www.loyaltyday.uplb.edu.ph/)

UPLB, LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA – October 10, 2019 marks 101 years since October 10, 1918, during the rage of World War I, when 193 out of 300 students and 27 out of 32 faculty members from the UP College of Agriculture (UPCA) volunteered to serve in the Philippine National Guard to fight for the country and be part of one of the world’s historical conflicts. Even though the war was mainly centered in Europe, The Allies, including the USA, needed to obtain more manpower wherever they could, and so a call for volunteers was issued by the Philippine government.

The bravery and honor of these young men and women is remembered and recognized through the celebration of Loyalty Day.  Every year, UPLB celebrates the Loyalty Day and Alumni Homecoming in order to honor the spirit of volunteerism within students, through a host of activities such as the famous Loyalty Day Parade. The spirit of volunteerism may be celebrated during this day, but it is practiced by UPLB constituents throughout the whole academic year. For this year, the members of The UPLB Genetics Society (GeneSoc) were able to take part in the parade. The Loyalty Day also functions as a platform for the current UPLB administration and its constituents to reconnect with the alumni.

Last year, 2018, marks a century since then, and so the celebration was more special than others. The theme was “100 years of Uplifting People’s Lives and Beyond”. Class 1968, the Golden Jubilarians, along with other jubilarians and alumni were present at the event.

(View the full schedule of activities for this year’s Loyalty Day Celebration here.)