written by Thea Claudette Castañeda
Agriculture-inspired motifs decorated the stage as UP alumni topnotchers from 2025 licensure examinations are recognized in the third year of “Pagkilala sa mga Natatanging Alumni na Nagkamit ng Pinakamatataas na Marka sa Licensure Exam” held last 5 June 2026 at the GT Toyota Auditorium in UP Diliman. This year, 265 topnotchers across 53 licensure exams are celebrated in this reception dinner.
The guests were serenaded by the UP Concert Chorus over dinner, who performed medleys varying from 70s disco hits to songs by Itchyworms and Gloc-9. UP Streetdance Club also lit up the stage with their electrifying intermission number.
The highlight of the event is a series of photo opportunities, where topnotchers grouped by their licensure exams line up on stage with their certificates of recognition, accompanied by UP officials and respective deans for each corresponding topnotchers group.
Aira Joy Anyayahan, the November 2025 Agriculturists Licensure Examination 1st placer, was chosen to represent the batch and delivered a speech for the evening.
“Ang pagdiriwang na ito ay isang pagpapaalala na bayan ang pinagmulan at bayan ang patutunguhan–na walang katuturan ang saganang ani na pinakikinabangan nang may kaimbutan, at walang tunay na tagumpay kung ang kapalit ay pagtalikod sa pananagutan. (This celebration is a reminder that the nation is one’s origin as well as one’s destination–that a bountiful harvest only enjoyed by the greedy is pointless, as there is no real triumph if it entails turning a blind eye to one’s duty.)” Anyayahan reminded her fellow topnotchers in her speech.
The dinner reception, led by the UP Office of Alumni Relations in partnership with TVUP, is one of the events of this year’s Buwan ng Unibersidad, which celebrated the University’s 118th Founding Anniversary, with the theme “Ani at Alay: Tumutugon. Naglilingkod. Para sa Bayan”.
More photos of the event may be browsed through the OAR official FB page.