The newly-established Honor Society of the Philippines held its inaugural induction of pioneer members and general assembly, Jan. 30 at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Pioneer members, consisting of distinguished alumni and faculty, as well as students from UP Diliman, UP Los Baños, UP Manila, UP Visayas, and UP Baguio, were inducted into the society.
Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco Lagmay, HSP’s co-founder and charter member, introduced the society. He noted that it was formed in response to “division… and rising intolerance” in the country. Lagmay added that the society is “not merely academic; it is moral.” Adding, “It must remind us of what scholarship is for — not for ego, not for prestige, not for applause, but for service to the Filipino people.”
View scenes from the event:
UP President Angelo Jimenez referred to the society’s establishment as a “very important break from the past.” Reflecting on the event, Jimenez spoke of having an institution “that honors our achievement, our values, our aspirations…. that is founded on the solid ground of our identity as Filipinos.” He then called on HSP to continue fulfilling the university’s mission of leadership. “Our job is to keep this nation together for the next 100 years.”
HSP traces its roots to the UP Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 045, which was established in 1993. In May 2025, founding members of HSP met with UP President Angelo Jimenez to propose the organization of “our own honor society unhampered by foreign administration and rules.”