The University of the Philippines honored the people behind the UP College Admission Test in a ceremony held Oct. 27 at the Institute of Civil Engineering, UP Diliman.
“Pagpupugay at Pasasalamat 2025: Gawad Pagkilala sa Dedikasyon at Paglilingkod para sa UPCAT” recognized the invaluable contributions of UPCAT volunteers, test personnel, staff, and partner institutions of the UP Office of Admissions.
It also served as OAdms’ thanksgiving ceremony for having received the Gawad Pangulo para sa Natatanging Administratibong Institusyon in June, at this year’s Linggo ng Unibersidad. The award recognized OAdms “for its innovations and utilization of technology attuned to the University’s digital transformation initiatives in making access to UP education more inclusive.”
Speaking to the attendees, OAdms Director Francisco De Los Reyes shared the office’s contribution to UPCAT. “Mula 1968, nang nagsimula ang UPCAT na kilala natin ngayon, umunlad itong pagbibigay natin ng exam at naging napakalawak nito.” (Since 1968, when the UPCAT as we know it today began, the administration of the exam has developed and expanded significantly.) He added that OAdms has established 117 test centers across the Philippines and has distributed 140,000 test permits to exam takers for the previous examination.
“Ito po ay hindi lamang para sa amin na nasa opisina. Ito po ay para doon sa mga tumulong kung ano ang UPCAT ngayon,” said De Los Reyes on the recognition OAdms received. (This is not only for us in the office. This is also for those who helped make the UPCAT what it is today.)
De Los Reyes also thanked his staff and personnel. “Maraming salamat na sa loob ng lima’t kalahating taon na ako ‘yong director, naramdaman ko ‘yong tulong, ‘yong dedikasyon, ‘yong selflessness na ibinibigay ninyo para sa UPCAT.” (Thank you, because in the five and a half years that I have served as your director, I have felt your help, dedication, and selflessness in administering the UPCAT.)
UP President Angelo Jimenez, in a message delivered by UP Vice President for Research and Innovation Joel Joseph Marciano, recognized the contribution of the “Lingkod-UPCAT” in the successful conduct of the examinations. “Through your hard work, we reaffirm that UP belongs to every Filipino student with the talent, the passion, and the drive to serve the nation.”
“Kaya naman sa araw na ito, kikilalanin namin ang inyong kabayanihan, hindi lamang bilang mga tagapagpatupad ng isang eksaminasyon, kung ‘di bilang mga tagapangalaga ng misyon ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas na maglingkod sa sambayanan. Kayo ang tunay na bayani sa likod ng UPCAT.” (That is why today, we honor your heroism, not only as administrators of the examination, but as stewards of the University of the Philippines’ mission to serve the Filipino people. You are the real heroes behind the UPCAT.)
Following the speeches, the honorees were given certificates of recognition. Among those recognized were student volunteers, staff who have served for more than 25 years (Mga Haligi ng UPCAT), staff who have served for more than 30 years (Mga Bantayog ng UPCAT), and OAdms’ partner individuals and institutions (Mga Natatanging Katuwang and Mga Natatanging Kaagapay.)
The UP CMu Staff Shakers and Gitara at Awit were musical performers in the program.
UP Vice President for Academic Affairs Lorraine Pe-Symaco closed the event with a message: “The access that you give to students just having an UPCAT center makes a difference in their lives.”
Below is the list of awardees, courtesy of Alisa Alzona of OAdms.
Scenes from the event:
