Carillon is published by the
University of the Philippines
Office of Alumni Relations
UP Visayas:
The September Affair Returns
By GC T. Castro
Since its opening in 1947, University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), then called UP Iloilo College (UPIC), has been providing a good mix of academics and socials for its students. It has held events such as acquaintance parties, sportsfests, Christmas parades, oratorical contests, musicals, theater plays, proms, and dances. It has held monthly socials to have the students get acquainted. But the bigger and more sought-after of the socials has always been the September Affair.
The September Affair was a binayle (dance/ball) originally organized by the student council of UPIC’s Lower Division (high school) and Upper Division (college). This was held until the late 60s.
Students would come to the Main Building all dressed up for the dance. During the event, young girls would sit at chairs around the dance floor, and young boys would approach and ask their female classmates for a dance. Music played included sweet music, cha-cha, twist, boogie, and other dances of the decade. It was a time when phonographs and vinyl records were used to bring the music throughout the venue.
In the 80s, a revival was organized by the UPCI High School at one point, and the College of Arts and Sciences at another. For a couple of years, these were held at the UPV Little Theater (LT). Students now came in more casual attire.
A more modern set of music was now being played in the hall like disco and swing.
More than three decades later, the September Affair had another revival in September of 2023. It was held at the UPV LT after a donor recognition program. This incarnation of the famed event now featured a DJ, playing more energetic dance music alongside the older dance classics like cha-cha, disco, and swing.
Dance instructors from UPV Department of Physical Education were also present to lead a Zumba-style dance. Enjoying the dance were
alumni guests, students, faculty ,and staff.
During the event, Prof. Melanie J. Padilla (HS 1965, BSEd 1970, MEd 1983) shared her experience on how the September Affair was when she was a student in the 60s. She hopes that this tradition will be relieved a couple more times during this modern time.
