University of the Philippines honors jubilarians at general alumni homecoming

It was a night filled with honor, memories and camaraderie among jubilarians of the University of the Philippines Diliman as they all gathered for the general alumni homecoming at the UP Bahay ng Alumni on Sunday.

With the theme of “One UP: From vision to reality,” the homecoming celebration was the perfect opportunity for Iskas and Iskos of the Silver Class of 1999 all the way to the Royal Diamond Class of 1959 to catch up with old friends and take a trip down memory lane. 

Along with the UP Concert Chorus, the celebrating jubilarians also showcased their talents with performances for a fun-filled show.

Among the jubilarians who graced the homecoming was Carolina “Kay” Gozon-Jimenez, a loud and proud Royal Diamond Jubilarian, who performed together with her fellow batchmates of UP Class of 1959, which included Marcello Casillan Jr, Linda Ver-Delos Reyes, Erlinda Enriquez, Elnora Duque, Maria Fe Fernando, Eva Marie Labadan-Navarro, Eloisa Miranda, Quirico Monje, Remedios Monje, Winnie Monsod, Francisco Nemenzo, Ana Maria Nemenzo, Priscilla Pacheco, Carmelita Salgado, Apalit Zaida Vite.

In her speech, economist Winnie Monsod, a Royal Diamond Jubilarian herself, noted that the Class of 1959 is the first batch to celebrate 65 years of alumnihood.   

Members of class of 1959, which is the first batch of UP to celebrate 65 years of alumnihood. Photo: Jade Veronique Yap/GMA Integrated News

Gozon-Jimenez attended the alumni homecoming with her husband, businessman and former GMA President and Chief Executive Officer Menardo Jimenez, their children Butch, Joel, Laura, and grandchildren.

In an interview with Jamie Santos, Gozon-Jimenez said reuniting with her fellow Iskas and Iskos made her feel like “18 years-old” again.

“Masayang-masaya ako kasi I have not seen them for a long time. Saka I feel like I’m 18 years old, like what we used to be before, when we were in the campus,” she told GMA Integrated News. 

The entrepreneur and environmentalist also looked back at her fondest memories in the Diliman campus such as going to “Little Quiapo” to eat halo-halo. 

“Hindi puro study, meron din namang fun,” Gozon-Jimenez said.

The Gozon-Jimenez family accompanied Royal Diamond jubilarian Carolina at the UP general alumni homecoming on Sunday at the UP Bahay ng Alumni. Photo: Jade Veronique Yap/GMA Integrated News

 If there’s one piece of advice Gozon-Jimenez has for the youth and the new batches of Iskolar ng Bayan, it is always to “serve” especially the country. 

Gozon-Jimenez, a Business Administration graduate, is the founder and owner of Antipolo's Carolina Bamboo Garden. 

The UP general alumni homecoming honored the Royal Diamond Class of 1959, the Diamond Class of 1964, the Golden Class of 1974, the Ruby Class of 1984, and Silver Class of 1999. 

Each jubilarian was given a medallion by the UP Alumni Association. 

— LA, GMA Integrated News