The University of the Philippines (UP) life is characterized by several annual events, such as the lantern parade, university run, February fair, concerts, intramurals, participation in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), and other events that make life in the university unique and memorable. The university is also renowned for its iconic structures, landmarks, and vibrant daily life. These include the Oblation, the Carillon, academic oval, lagoon, and the

amphitheater. Students often enjoy riding the Ikot and Katipunan jeepneys, indulging in tapsilog at Rodic’s restaurant, savoring street food at Mang Larry’s, and relishing meals at Area 2 Lutong Bahay. 

Through the years, daily life in the university has evolved into a mixture of activities and new places to explore. This includes the food haven of J.P. Laurel Street at Area 2 of the UP Diliman campus and Maginhawa Street, which is located at the border of UP Village and Cruz na Ligas along C.P. Garcia Avenue. After the UP Town Center, we now have the newly renovated Vinzon’s Hall and soon-to-open university Shopping Center. 

However, some alumni wish that certain places they used to frequent, which are considered by many as their old hangouts (“tambayans”) and also known for serving great food, would continue to operate and serve their specialty dishes. Some of the places they usually visit are Pampangena’s along Katipunan Avenue, which serves liempo, giniling, dinuguan, and other familiar Filipino dishes, and Nanette’s along Maginhawa Street, which has the best barbecue, chicharron, and balut. We are fortunate enough that the popular Trellis restaurant, located along Kalayaan Avenue at the corner of Matalino Street, is still open and serving a variety of delicious Filipino dishes. Some of their specialties include chicken, sizzling pusit, kangkong with oyster sauce, and the famous sisig. 

One of the most anticipated annual events back then, which was part of UP life, was the Latagaw Cup. For the new generations and those who are not interested in football (soccer), they have no idea what the Latagaw Cup is. But what is the Latagaw Cup, and why is it missed by the UP alumni community and even non-football enthusiasts, who are now commonly referred to as “followers”?

The Latagaw Brotherhood is a college-level organization based in the UP. The organization hosted and organized the UP Latagaw Cup, an annual football competition among teams representing organizations, colleges, or groups initially from the UP. Over time, the event expanded to include teams from other universities. 

The UP Latagaw Cup is a highly anticipated and celebrated annual event as part of UP life. It coincides with the annual university fair. The success of the UP Latagaw Cup can be attributed to the popularity of the sport among “aficionados” – those who passionately follow the sport international players, European and regional leagues, and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. 

The support and cheers from the fans of each team, well-known rivalries, spectacular and unexpected goals, higher level of skills, the presence of popular students, artists, and rockstars, as well as the unexpected visits from celebrities and national athletes, all contributed to the highlights of this highly anticipated event.

The good times, stories, friendships, sportsmanship, celebrations, months-long festive mood, as well as the athleticism, are still reminisced among those who participated and by the organizers of the estimated 15 very memorable years of the UP Latagaw Cup. There is a great demand to revive the annual event, but the organizers continue to face the usual concern of a lack of students or individuals to host and organize the event.

In June 2022, the author was interviewed by a panel of faculty and academic managers from a leading university in Cebu City. It was a coincidence and a very surprising experience for two of the former organizers of the UP Latagaw Cup to meet, along with the author who is a former UP Latagaw Cup player and/or manager for four seasons. It was an online mini-reunion. There were “pockets” of very friendly casual conversations, where alumni of the UP Latagaw Cup discovered the benefits they gained, in addition to the natural joy and love for the game. 

It was observed that the alumni, particularly a host and organizer, developed initiative and organizational skills, while the players developed discipline, determination, and willpower to excel in academics and athletics. Some of the alumni from the UP Latagaw Cup are now highly recognized professionals, experts, specialists, managers, national and/or local officials, and global leaders in various disciplines, fields, and organizations. Some individuals have made significant contributions to socioeconomic development and nation building, and have also gained recognition internationally. The “love of the game” developed among the former host, organizer, and players created a sense of camaraderie. 

This is manifested by the UP Latagaw Cup alumni through an activity that begins with reminiscing about the UP Latagaw Cup, UP life, and their common classmates and acquaintances. They then plan to have another meeting or collaborate in the future for a program, project, or activity. Their camaraderie can also be observed through their gestures, such as simply greeting a former rival in football anywhere they meet. The UP Latagaw Cup, although less known to other alumni, had played a significant role in the transition of several players to become part of the UAAP Men’s Football Team, which represented the university in the UAAP. Partly through the UP Latagaw Cup and its contribution to the UAAP Men’s Football Team, the team has won 18 championships, making it one of the most successful teams in the university.

The UP Latagaw Cup played a significant role in UP life, benefitted the alumni, and contributed to the development of student-athletes for the UAAP. These are the main reasons why we are eager to revive this much awaited and celebrated annual event. College-based teams who play football at the sunken garden or indoors, as well as other students may consider collaborating to host and organize the UP Latagaw Cup, in order to revive the culture of football as part of the annual UP life. For the love of the UP life and the game, the UP Alumni Men’s Football Team, along with other alumni groups will be delighted to volunteer and donate resources to revive one of the most celebrated annual events at UP Diliman.