“In barricades embattled, fighting in delirium,
Others give you their lives without doubts, without gloom.
The site naught matters: cypress, laurel, or lily:
Gibbet or open field: combat or cruel martyrdom
Are equal if demanded by country and home.”
University of the Philippines President Angelo Jimenez, at the reception he hosted for the 2025 Oblation Scholars, emphatically quoted the second stanza of Dr. Jose Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios” to remind them of the significance behind the scholarship program and the meaning of the UP Oblation.
He explained that the Oblation, created by National Artist for Sculpture Guillermo Tolentino, transcends mere symbolism for UP. He declared, “He is a call. A challenge. An elevation of sacrifice upon a pedestal, a rallying point for selfless action in the service of humanity. Above all, the Oblation serves as a powerful reminder of what this university stands for, and what it hopes you will embody as well.”
The event was both celebratory and serious, bringing together the scholars, their parents, and UP officials to honor academic excellence, individual achievement, and the shared responsibilities that come with them.
Justine Reimon Villanueva, the top Oblation Scholar and incoming BS Public Health student at UP Manila, led the Pledge of Commitment on behalf of his fellow scholars. In a brief interview, he shared why the recognition was important to him, “Nagkakaroon kami ng driving force para ipagpatuloy ang kahusayan. Ang tinatalakay sa pagkilalang ito ay hindi lamang ang karangalan, kundi pati ang responsibilidad naming mga iskolar. Sa UP, hindi lamang libre at de kalidad ang edukasyon, ito ay nakaugat sa kalagayan ng mamamayan — mulat at tumutugon sa kondisyon ng madla.”
Dr. Percival Almoro, UP assistant vice president for academic affairs (research), closed the program with three important points about what defines a national university: “(1) Bilang national graduate university, ang inyong pagkatuto ay hindi lang pagsalin ng kaalaman kundi paglikha ng bagong kaalaman; (2) bilang national research university, dapat gamitin ninyo ang talino, magtanong ng may tapang, at makipagtulungan sa komunidad upang tumuklas ng mga orihinal na ideya tungo sa inobasyon; at (3) bilang national public service university, gamitin ang talino at tapang upang mapataas ang kalidad ng buhay ng mga Pilipino.”
The UP Oblation Scholarship is a government-funded grant given to the top 50 qualifiers of the UP College Admission Test. They are identified according to UPCAT scores and University Predicted Grades. Among the benefits of being an Oblation Scholar are free tuition, miscellaneous fees, and laboratory fees. They are also entitled to a book allowance worth P2,250 per semester and a special incentive allowance of P3,000 per month.
