The UPDEPPO community mourns the loss of beloved former professor and Clark Museum Curator Ms. Ceferina “Cefy” Yepez.
Dr. F. Charito Imperial-Sebastian, former UPDEPPO Director, writes:
“I am sure no one could beat Ms. Yepez in the knowledge of the history of Clark. She served Clark earlier than most of us‐-mingled with the Americans in the early years of the military base, taught them in UP when the unit in Clark was officially named UP Clark Air Base and then served CDC Museum as curator from the time it was established up to the time she passed on.
She knew all the Ayta tribes in and around the area, helped UPDEPP organize its Ayta Studies Center and depicted the Aytas’ life and culture in a dedicated corner of CDC Museum. She helped me develop the Music, Literature and Physical Education part of the integrated Ayta alternative learning curriculum from her wealth of knowledge of the Central Luzon Aytas.
Ms. Yepez helped all the administrators of UP in Clark–from UP Clark to UPDEPPO days– as they managed the unit here, especially in organizing the alumni, preparing for recognition rites, and linking with CDC in regard to UP’s status as locator in the special economic zone. The most touching of all her efforts was when she patiently waited, along with many constituents, for the governor in the provincial capitol to follow up on UPDEPP’s request for a shuttle bus (used to carry faculty from Diliman to Clark and back). According to those who witnessed the scene, the governor was so surprised that in her frail and late senior stage, Ms. Yepez waited in line to beg her to expedite the granting of the vehicle as the old van of UPDEPP was already endangering the lives of the faculty in their daily travel to and from Diliman.
As CDC was surely aware that no one could surpass Ms. Yepez’s deep knowledge of the history of Clark and the multi-cultural facets of its spaces in the last century, the government corporation let her serve as CDC Museum curator beyond retirement age and until her last breath.”
Paalam, Ma’am Cefy. Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagmamahal sa UPDEPPO. Hinding-hindi po namin kayo malilimutan.
Ms. Yepez’s remains will be brought to the St. Peter’s Chapel at Cut-Cut, Angeles City for the wake starting on July 24 (5 PM) until July 26, 2021.
Source: UP Clark FB page