In celebration of the 118th Foundation Day of the University of the Philippines, the University Archives, through the assistance of the Main Library Sections and Unit Libraries, presents an online exhibit honoring the prominent personalities and their meaningful contributions for whom the Halls surrounding the UP Academic Oval are named.
Exhibit Content:
Introduction
The University’s identity is reflected in its edifices, whose hallowed halls embody the values and historical legacy of the institutional units within them. But the true sanctity of these structures lies in the names they bear and the contributions that earned such distinction.
The process of formalizing the University’s institutional identity was initiated in 1962, driven by the efforts of then University of the Philippines President Carlos P. Romulo to transform the University into a center for Philippine nationalism. By establishing these structures as symbols of nationalistic ideals, Romulo instilled a foundational philosophy for the University’s various academic pursuits. Approved on 27 July 2004, the University guidelines for naming buildings, structures, streets, parks, and other places ensure that the names etched on UP Diliman’s landmarks reflect the University’s ideals. Naming a space after a living person or juridical persons is a rare honor reserved for those whose exemplary achievements or significant contributions to the University or the Filipino people merit lasting recognition.
The first installment of this three-part exhibit centers on the prominent figures associated with the names of the edifices surrounding the UP Academic Oval, the core of the campus. These buildings stand as enduring testaments to individuals whose integrity, excellence, and service have earned them a perpetual place of honor in the University’s intellectual landscape, necessitating their commemoration to preserve the institutional memory in stone.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Alfonso, O. M. (Ed.). (1985). University of the Philippines: The first 75 years (1908-1983). University of the Philippines Press.
Cañete, R. R., & Flores, P. D. (2004). Pasyal: Walking around U.P. Diliman. Office for Initiatives for Culture and the Arts.
Office of the Secretary of the University. (2004). University of the Philippines Gazette. University of the Philippines.
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Benitez Hall
About the building
Benitez Hall, the current home of the College of Education, is situated at the intersection of Roxas Avenue and Regidor Street. Completed in 1940, it is one of the two oldest buildings on the campus, designed by Juan Arellano as a mirror image of Malcolm Hall. The 3-storey concrete building stands as a premier example of Beaux-Arts architecture that overlays neo-classical purity and monumentality with Renaissance architectural elements.
In 1964, the College of Education building was officially renamed Benitez Hall during a dedication ceremony on 10 October, which coincided with the final session of that year’s Benitez Memorial Lectures. Prior to the formal naming of the entire building, the title “Benitez Hall” referred only to the building’s auditorium, as approved by the Board of Regents during its 551st meeting on 13 October 1951.
Francisco Francia Benitez
Francisco Francia Benitez, distinguished as one of the greatest educational leaders of the Philippines, was the inaugural dean of the College of Education and the namesake of Benitez Hall. Upon the founding of the College of Education in 1918, he assumed the role of dean, serving in this capacity until his passing on 30 June 1951. He established the college as a premier teacher-training institution and laid the structural foundations of Philippine education, enhancing the nation’s international cultural standing. Education was his life and abiding passion, and it was often remarked that “Dean Benitez was the College; the College was Dean Benitez”.
In a tribute to his profound legacy, former UP President Vidal Tan noted during Dean Benitez’s necrological rites that “the history of the University of the Philippines is, in a way, the history of Dean Benitez… for Dean Benitez was intimately connected with the students, the Faculty, and the Administration. He was part of the University just as these buildings and these trees on this campus are…”
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Alfonso, O. M., Defeo, R. D., & Roman, E. R. (2005). Sites & symbols 2: UP Diliman landmarks. Office of the Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Benitez Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHU 24-01). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Cañete, R. R., & Flores, P. D. (2004). Pasyal: Walking around U.P. Diliman. Office for Initiatives for Culture and the Arts.
College of Education Alumni Homecoming [Photograph]. (1991, June 23). Pang-alaala ’91 Memorial Issue (p. 8). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
(1951). Tribute paid to late Dean Benitez in necrological rites. Philippine Collegian.
(1964 December). Education alumni honor Romulos. UP Education Alumni Newsette, 4(1), 4.
(1991, June 23). Tribute to a great educator. Pang-alaala ’91 memorial issue: College of Education alumni homecoming. Biography files (Francisco Benitez folder). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Malcolm Hall
About the building
Malcolm Hall, originally called the North Tower, was one of the first two buildings constructed in UP Diliman in 1940. Designed by Juan Arellano as the counterpart of Benitez Hall across the Sunken Garden, the building features neoclassical architecture marked by symmetry, formal massing, and high-ceiling corridors. In 1963, it was officially renamed in George Arthur Malcolm’s honor, recognizing his role in shaping legal education in the country.
Today, Malcolm Hall serves as the heart of the UP Law Complex, continuing to embody the ideals of academic excellence, public service, and the pursuit of justice.
George Arthur Malcolm
George Arthur Malcolm was a jurist and educator whose vision helped establish law education in the Philippines. He came to the Philippines as a twenty-five-year-old fresh graduate of the University of Michigan, where he earned his law degree in 1906. He held several government positions in the country. Recognizing the need to train Filipino students educated in English who had no law school to enter because legal instruction was still conducted in Spanish, Malcolm helped establish the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Law School in 1910, the country’s first English-speaking law school and the forerunner of the UP College of Law.
On 12 January 1911, the University of the Philippines formally established the UP College of Law. In 1914, Malcolm became the college’s first dean, guiding the institution in producing generations of lawyers, judges, and public servants dedicated to justice and national development. His contributions to Philippine jurisprudence and education remain deeply influential today.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Alfonso, O. M., Defeo, R. D., & Roman, E. R. (2005). Sites & symbols 2: UP Diliman landmarks. Office of the Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Cañete, R. R., & Flores, P. D. (2004). Pasyal: Walking around U.P. Diliman. Office for Initiatives for Culture and the Arts.
George Arthur Malcolm [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHS 216). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
George A. Malcolm [Photograph]. (1917). The Philippinensian, 1917. University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Malcolm Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). The University for Filipinos (p. 86). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
University of the Philippines. (n.d.). The Diliman campus
[History of the UP College of Law]. Facts on File College of Law Folder (Box C). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Palma Hall
About the building
Constructed during the University’s transfer to Diliman in 1948-1949, Palma Hall was among the first and largest academic buildings on campus. Originally known as the College of Liberal Arts Building, it later housed the College of Arts and Sciences and eventually became home to the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy and classrooms of the College of Arts and Letters. For generations of students, it served as the University’s “cradle college,” where many freshmen attended their general education courses. The building is particularly known for the AS Steps, a landmark venue for rallies, teach-ins, concerts, and public discussions, especially during the politically active decades of the 1960s and 1970s. Palma Hall became a space where intellectual inquiry, artistic expression, and political engagement intersected. Throughout its history, it has been known by several names and abbreviations, including LA, AS, UC, and PH, reflecting different periods in the University’s institutional development.
Rafael Palma
Palma Hall is named after Rafael Palma, a statesman, journalist, scholar, and nationalist who served as UP President from 1925 to 1933. Palma received his early education at the Escuela Municipal de Tondo before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ateneo Municipal. He later pursued law studies at the University of Santo Tomas, although he was unable to complete his degree due to the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution in 1896. When he assumed office in 1925, he had already distinguished himself in the government service and was highly regarded as a man of learning and culture. He championed Filipinism in education and public life, promoting intellectual freedom, national consciousness, and civic engagement among students and faculty. Before entering public service, Palma worked as a writer and editor for nationalist newspapers, including El Renacimiento, El Nuevo Día, and La Independencia. He later served in the Philippine Assembly, the Philippine Commission, and the Senate, while participating in missions advocating Philippine independence. Palma’s contributions to education, public service, and Philippine nation-building earned him widespread recognition. Towards the end of his career, he received honorary doctoral degrees from both the University of the Philippines and the University of Manila. He was also acclaimed for his award-winning biography of José Rizal, published shortly before his death on May 24, 1939.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Alfonso, O. M., Defeo, R. D., & Roman, E. R. (2005). Sites & symbols 2: UP Diliman landmarks. Office of the Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Palma Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHU 03–03). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Palma Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Diamond Jubilee Exhibit (DJE-1 3.1, 1.3.3.3). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Rafael Palma, [Philippinensian 1929], University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman
University of the Philippines. (n.d.). The Diliman campus
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Gonzalez Hall
About the building
Sitting at the heart of the academic oval, the Main Library building bears the name of the UP President who is famously known for effecting the University’s transfer from Padre Faura to Diliman. Designed by Juan F. Nakpil, the building was dedicated in honor of President Bienvenido Ma. Sioco Gonzalez during the inauguration of President Carlos P. Romulo on 7 April 1953.
Bienvenido Ma. Sioco Gonzalez
Bienvenido Ma. Sioco Gonzalez (1893–1953) was a distinguished educator, scholar, and leader whose illustrious career at the University of the Philippines spanned nearly four decades. Born in Apalit, Pampanga, on 22 March 1893, Gonzalez earned his Bachelor of Agriculture degree in 1913, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to agricultural education and institutional leadership. Gonzalez pursued further studies abroad, becoming a Fellow at the University of Wisconsin from 1914 to 1916, where he earned his Master of Science degree, and later at Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a Doctor of Science in 1923. His scholarly achievements earned him recognition, including election to the University of Wisconsin “Hall of Fame” in 1929.
Within the University, Gonzalez steadily rose through the ranks: Instructor (1916), Assistant Professor (1917), Associate Professor (1919), and eventually Professor of Animal Husbandry (1920). He served as Head of the Department of Animal Husbandry from 1923 to 1939, and as Dean of the College of Agriculture from 1928 to 1939. His leadership culminated in his appointment as President of the University of the Philippines, serving two terms—first from 1939 to 1943, and again from 1945 to 1951. His presidency was marked by resilience, guiding the institution through the challenges of World War II and the postwar reconstruction period.
Gonzalez holds the following distinctions in the University: as the first alumni regent in 1918; as the youngest and first alumni President, and as the only UP President to hold two terms of office. His achievements were recognized with numerous honors, including the Gold Medal of Merit and Diploma of Honor from the U.P. Alumni Association in 1940. Posthumously, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in 1959.
Bienvenido Ma. Sioco Gonzalez passed away on 30 December 1953, but his name remains etched in the history of the University of the Philippines as an “Adamant Visionary” and the “Architect of UP’s expansion.”
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Bienvenido Gonzales [Photograph]. (1949). The Philippinensian, 1949. University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Bienvenido Gonzales [Photograph]. Bienvenido M. Gonzalez Papers (Box 20). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Gonzalez Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHU 77-22). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Gonzalez Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHU 123). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Lazaro, G. R. (1985). “Gonzalez as an Adamant Visionary (1939-43, 1945-51).” IN O. M. Alfonso (Ed.), University of the Philippines: The first 75 years (1908-1983), (pp. 259-337). University of the Philippines Press.
Lopez, H. E. (1999). At the helm of U.P: Presidential accents. Office of the Secretary of the University of the Philippines, University of the Philippines System.
Uichanco, L. B. (1939). “President Gonzalez.” The Philippine Agriculturist, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, July 1939, pp. 75-78.
University Archives, University of the Philippines Library. (1977). Guide to the Bienvenido M. Gonzalez Papers, 1872-1971, at the University of the Philippines Library.
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Quezon Hall
About the building
Completed in 1950, Quezon Hall was among the first major structures built on the Diliman campus. Designed in an American colonial style characterized by its imposing doric columns, it serves as the administrative center of the University. The building houses the offices of the University President and the UP Diliman Chancellor, making it a symbol of institutional leadership and governance. Beyond its administrative function, Quezon Hall has witnessed important moments in the University’s history. Its lobby and the Oblation Plaza in front of it have long served as venues for protests, assemblies, and public discussions on issues affecting both the University and the nation. The building has therefore become associated not only with governance but also with democratic participation and civic engagement.
Manuel Luis Quezon
Quezon Hall is named after Manuel Luis Quezon, a leading figure in the Philippine struggle for independence and the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Quezon advocated social justice, labor rights, and self-governance, and played a key role in advancing Philippine independence through diplomatic efforts in the United States.
Born in Baler, Quezon served as provincial governor, assemblyman, Senate President, and eventually President of the Commonwealth. During the Second World War, he led the Philippine government-in-exile in Washington, D.C., becoming a symbol of national resilience and democratic governance.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Alfonso, O. M., Defeo, R. D., & Roman, E. R. (2005). Sites & symbols 2: UP Diliman landmarks. Office of the Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Manuel L. Quezon [Photograph]. (1929). The Philippinensian, 1929. University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Manuel L. Quezon. (1934, September 24). The Philippine Yearbook (Vol. 1, p. 27). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Quezon Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHS 273-01). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
University of the Philippines. (n.d.). The Diliman campus
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Melchor Hall
About the building
Melchor Hall is the mirror image of Palma Hall. It is home to the College of Engineering, the largest degree-granting unit in UP Diliman in terms of student population. Constructed in 1952, it was designed by Cesar H. Concio Sr., the first University Architect. The building was dedicated in honor of the late Col. Alejandro Melchor on 6 April 1963, during the UP College of Engineering alumni reunion.
Alejandro Melchor
Alejandro Melchor was a distinguished engineer, educator, and military officer whose career left a lasting mark on both the University of the Philippines and the nation. He graduated with highest honors in Civil Engineering from UP in 1924 and later earned his master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1941. At UP, Melchor quickly rose through the academic ranks, teaching civil engineering subjects and serving as secretary of the College of Engineering. He organized the Beta Epsilon Fraternity and the Astronomical Society, reflecting his commitment to student life and scientific inquiry. His technical expertise was evident in projects such as the design of a 16-foot floral sundial and the supervision of construction for Palma Hall and the Engineering Building at the Padre Faura campus.
In 1936, Melchor was chosen to head the Department of Engineering at the newly established Philippine Military Academy in Baguio. He later became acting head of the Department of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, with the rank of Major in the Philippine Army. His leadership extended to international service: after completing his studies at MIT, he undertook assignments at West Point and Annapolis, and his work with the Engineer Board at Fort Belvoir earned him the Legion of Merit from the United States in 1945.
Melchor also served the university community in leadership roles: Member of the Board of Regents (1945–47), Member of the Committee on Reconstruction of the UP Alumni Hall, Director of the UP Alumni Engineers, and Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Directors of the UP Alumni Association. He was active in professional and scientific societies, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Society of American Military Engineers, and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Star in 1948, and in 1949, the UP Alumni Association recognized him as a Distinguished Alumnus. His legacy is honored in several institutions: the Alejandro Melchor Memorial Academy in Aklan, the main academic building at the Philippine Military Academy, and most notably, Melchor Hall at the University of the Philippines Diliman. The naming of the Engineering building in his honor, formally dedicated in 1963, reflects his enduring contributions to education, engineering, and national service. He passed away on 5 September 1947.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Alejandro Melchor with fellow members of the UP Board of Regents [Photograph]. (1947). The Philippinensian, 1947 (p. 20). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Melchor Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHU 28). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
The UP Alumni Engineers newsletter, 1(1), 2. (1963, August).
(1942-1948). Phoenix. University of the Philippines.
(1999). Beta Epsilon: The Betan yearbook, 1929-1999. Beta Epsilon Fraternity, University of the Philippines.
(2000). Alejandro Melchor centennial book. College of Engineering.
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Vinzons Hall
About the building
Originally known as the Student Union Building or Student Center, Vinzons Hall was designed by Cesar H. Concio Sr. and completed in 1957. It was established through a proposal from the University Student Council (USC) to create a student-managed space where leadership and organizational skills could be developed. Funded through university support and student contributions, the hall became a center of student life, governance, and activism. It also houses the University Student Council and the Philippine Collegian, two student-led institutions that have long contributed to campus discourse and advocacy.
Wenceslao Quinito Vinzons
Wenceslao Quinito Vinzons, the “Father of Student Activism in the Philippines,” was a prominent UP student leader who served as Student Council President and Philippine Collegian Editor-in-Chief from 1931 to 1932. A visionary advocate for regional unity, he founded the Pan-Malayan People’s Union and won the Manuel L. Quezon Medal for his speech, “Malaysia Irredenta.” After graduating in 1933, he co-organized the Young Philippines movement, entered the National Assembly in 1939, and was elected Governor of Camarines Norte in 1940, earning the title “Most Outstanding Young Man in Philippine Politics” by the Recto Jury. During World War II, Vinzons led a successful guerrilla resistance against the Japanese occupation in the Bicol region until his capture and execution for his patriotism in 1942. Today, he remains an enduring historical symbol of courage, youth leadership, and national defiance.
In 1962, the Student Union Building was renamed Vinzons Hall in honor of Wenceslao Quinito Vinzons and his legacy of student leadership. The dedication ceremony included the unveiling of a memorial plaque by his surviving children and a convocation attended by students. Today, the hall remains a symbol of leadership, civic engagement, and student empowerment within the university.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Elizes, J. G. (2004). Bintao: Wenceslao Q. Vinzons biographical sketches (First Edition).
Office of the President, University of the Philippines. (1962). Memorandum no. 246: Renaming of the Student Union Building to Wenceslao Vinzons Hall.
Sites and symbols: UP Diliman landmarks (p. 60). (2000). Office of the Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman.
University of the Philippines. (n.d.). The Diliman campus (p.23).
Vinzons Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHS 366-01). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Wenceslao Q. Vinzons [Photograph]. (1933). The Philippinensian, 1933. University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Benton Hall
About the building
Situated along Roxas Avenue, Benton Hall originally housed the College of Business Administration and subsequently the Office of the University Registrar. The structure was designed by Juan F. Nakpil and formally inaugurated on 20 February 1959. A significant grant of $100,000 was provided by the Rockefeller Foundation to the College of Business Administration, designated for building the library wing of the Institute of Economic Development and Research (currently the Economic Research Center). The University, for its part, granted a Php 400,000 counterpart for the construction of a College building, supplemented by Php 100,000 from the UP Business Alumni Association. Today, Benton Hall facilitates diverse academic and administrative functions, housing the Center for International Studies, the Gender Office, and the Naomi “Shoko” Matsumoto Technical Library and Archives.
Guy Potter Benton
Benton Hall is named after Guy Potter Benton, who presided over the University as its third president from 1921 to 1923. He holds the distinction of being the second and last American to lead the institution. Born in Kenton, Ohio, on 26 May 1865, Benton’s academic journey began at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he graduated in 1886, followed by further studies in Berlin. Before his tenure in the Philippines, Benton established a significant career in academia and public service.
Benton was the first to conceive a development plan for university growth and expansion. He envisioned a University where “narrow-minded sectarianism” would have no place; where everybody is “guaranteed the right to think and act as his own conscience dictates”; where the streets literally run through the campus “and out upon highways that reach to the doorsteps of the remotest and humblest citizens.”
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Benton Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHU 17-02). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Guy Potter Benton [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHU-119). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
University of the Philippines. (n.d.). The Diliman campus
(1957-1958). Forty-fifth annual report of the President of the University of the Philippines to the Board of Regents. Quezon City: University of the Philippines.
(1963 July). In fifty-two years, U.P has had eight presidents. UP Today, 1(4).
[Information sheet on UP Diliman Buildings]. Facts on File Buildings Folder (Box 2). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Lagmay Hall
About the building
Originally the College of Business Administration building and named after UP President Guy Potter Benton, Palma Hall Annex (PHAN) was inaugurated on 20 February 1959. Presently, PHAN is home to the UP Department of Psychology. At its 1301st Meeting, the UP Board of Regents approved the renaming of Palma Hall Annex (PHAN) to Alfredo V. Lagmay Hall, who was the Department’s longest-serving chair. It was formally inaugurated on 4 May 2014.
Alfredo Villagracia Lagmay
Alfredo Villagracia Lagmay earned his Bachelor’s in Philosophy, cum laude (1947) and Master’s in Philosophy (1951) degrees in UP, and his PhD. in Experimental Psychology (1955) at Harvard University, where he was mentored by the behaviorist B.F. Skinner. Lagmay was appointed officer-in-charge (1955-57), acting head (1957-59), and Chair (1959-1977) of the UP Department of Psychology. He was responsible for developing the curricula, recruiting the faculty, and steering the course of the Department.
Lagmay founded the Psychological Association of the Philippines in 1962. He also chaired the Philippine Social Sciences Council (1972-1973) and the National Research Council of the Philippines (1979-1982). He was a member of prestigious societies here and abroad, including the National Academy of Science and Technology, International Council of Psychologists, American Psychological Association, and the International Association of Applied Psychology.
Lagmay received numerous awards and recognition, local and international, including: the UPAA Research Professor of Psychology Professorial Chair (1973-1975); Honorary Member Scientist, Pacific Science Association (1975); Award of Distinction in Psychology from the U.P. College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association (1985). In 1988, he was conferred the distinction of National Scientist. He was appointed UP Professor Emeritus in 1990, was awarded the Gawad Sikolohiyang Pilipino in 1996, and the UP Centennial Award in 2008.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Encarnacion, A. (2012). “On the shoulders of giants: remembering the fathers of psychology in UP.” UP Forum, Volume 13, No. 6, November-December.
Lagmay Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHU 17-02). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Lagmay Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHS 190). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Lagmay, A. V. [Photograph]. (n.d.). National Scientist. National Academy of Science and Technology. https://members.nast.ph/index.php/list-of-national-scientist/details/3/25
National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines. (n.d.). List of national scientists: Details (ID 3/25). https://members.nast.ph/index.php/list-of-national-scientist/details/3/25
Office of the Secretary of the University (2014). University of the Philippines Gazette, Volume XLV, Number 7. (https://osu.up.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/September-2014.pdf)
San Diego, R. (1990). “BOR appoints 3 new professors emeriti.” U.P. Newsletter 14(3), 15 February : 5.
University of the Philippines. (2008). Parangal sentenyal Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. University of the Philippines.
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Abelardo Hall
About the building
Abelardo Hall is the home of the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music, now the College of Music. Designed by Roberto Novenario in 1963, the building is an example of 1960s modern architecture, characterized by clean lines, simplified forms, and minimal ornamentation. Its design incorporates rectangular windows, plain concrete balustrades, and unadorned pilasters that emphasize functionality over decoration. A distinctive feature of the structure is the honeycomb-patterned concrete brise-soleil on the facade of the Abelardo Theater facing the Academic Oval, which helps screen sunlight while allowing light and air to pass through. It was formally inaugurated on 24 September 1963 through the joint efforts of UP and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The hall serves as a major venue for concerts, recitals, and cultural events by College of Music students and renowned UP-based musical groups such as the Philippine Madrigal Singers, UP Concert Chorus, UP Jazz Ensemble, UP Singing Ambassadors, and UP Cherubims and Seraphims.
Nicanor Abelardo
Nicanor Abelardo was one of the most celebrated Filipino composers and a professor at the UP Conservatory of Music. Born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan, he studied violin, piano, and voice in UP beginning in 1916. He earned his teacher’s certificate in 1921, completed graduate studies in 1923, and later obtained a master’s degree in the United States. He is known for pioneering the Filipino kundiman art song and elevating it into a classical music form. His notable works include Nasaan Ka Irog?, Mutya ng Pasig, Bituing Marikit, and Kundiman ng Luha. He also composed the university hymn, U.P. Beloved, which remains a symbol of UP identity. Beyond composing, he contributed as an educator, shaping early formal music training in the Philippines.
Abelardo Hall was named in honor of Nicanor Abelardo as a memorial to his invaluable contributions to Philippine music and music education. The hall stands as a lasting tribute to his legacy, continuing his mission of nurturing musical excellence through performance, learning, and cultural enrichment.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Abelardo hall: Celebrating 50 years, 1963-2013 (pp. 18–20). (2013). UP College of Music.
Abelardo Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). The Diliman Campus. University of the Philippines.
Bust Unveiling [Photograph]. (1963, September 18). Philippine Collegian, 17(14). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Eufracio, A., & Flores, P. (Eds.). (2004). Pasyal: Walking around U.P. Diliman (p. 55). Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts.
Nicanor Abelardo [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection. UP Diliman College of Music Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
The Diliman campus (p. 10). (n.d.). University of the Philippines Library.
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Plaridel Hall
About the building
Constructed in 1969 and expanded in 1975, Plaridel Hall became the home of the UP College of Mass Communication, now the UP College of Media and Communication. The building reflects the dynamic character of communication education through its classrooms, studios, exhibit spaces, and student gathering areas. Plaridel Hall represents the development of communication education in the Philippines. Following the establishment of the Institute of Mass Communication in 1965 under the leadership of Gloria D. Feliciano, the building became a center for programs in journalism, broadcasting, communication research, and film, helping train generations of media practitioners, scholars, and storytellers. Beyond its architecture, the hall has long been associated with student activism, freedom of speech, and critical engagement. During and after the Martial Law period, it served as a venue for discussions, mobilizations, and campaigns advocating academic freedom and social responsibility.
Marcelo H. del Pilar
Plaridel Hall is named after Marcelo H. del Pilar, one of the foremost leaders of the Philippine Propaganda Movement during the late Spanish colonial period. Known by his pen name Plaridel, del Pilar was a journalist, lawyer, and reform advocate who used his writings to campaign for political reforms, civil liberties, and greater representation for Filipinos under Spanish rule. He served as editor of the reformist newspaper La Solidaridad, where he published articles criticizing colonial abuses and promoting freedom of expression, secularization, and social justice. Through his intellectual leadership and powerful journalism, del Pilar helped foster Filipino national consciousness and inspired future generations in the struggle for independence. His commitment to critical inquiry, responsible communication, and the pursuit of truth makes him a fitting namesake for Plaridel Hall, the home of communication and media studies at the University.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Alfonso, O. M., Defeo, R. D., & Roman, E. R. (2005). Sites & symbols 2: UP Diliman landmarks. Office of the Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Marcelo H. del Pilar [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection. Filipiniana Collection Section, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Marcelo H. del Pilar [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection. Special Collection Section, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Plaridel Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHU 43-02). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
University of the Philippines. (n.d.). The Diliman campus
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Encarnacion Hall
About the building
Encarnacion Hall, designed by Carlos D. Arguelles, serves as the main building of the UP School of Economics. Established in 1965, the School of Economics was formed by the consolidation of the faculty and staff of the Department of Economics—then under the College of Business Administration—and the former Institute of Economic Development and Research, which used to operate as an independent university unit. In 1974, the government created the Philippine Center for Economic Development (PCED), a corporate body which helps provide financial support to the research, teaching, training, and other programs of the School. Through this support, the structure was completed in 1977 and originally named the PCED Main Building.
On 17 November 2008, marking Jose Encarnacion Jr.’s 80th birth anniversary, the building was officially renamed Encarnacion Hall. This dedication stands as a lasting tribute to the National Scientist and longest-serving dean who defined the excellence, shape, and future direction of the School of Economics.
Jose Encarnacion Jr.
Jose Encarnacion Jr. was a distinguished Filipino economist, educator, university professor, and national scientist. After earning his economics degrees from the University of the Philippines and Princeton University, he devoted his career to teaching, research, and institution-building. As the longest-serving dean of the UP School of Economics from 1974 to 1994, he helped shape the school’s academic direction and establish its reputation as a leading center for economics education and research in the Philippines. He was also recognized internationally for his scholarly contributions to economic theory and became the first Filipino economist to publish in major international economics journals.
The naming of Encarnacion Hall honors Jose Encarnacion Jr.’s enduring legacy and his lifelong commitment to academic excellence, public service, and economics education. Dedicating the very structure he closely led celebrates both his remarkable contributions and the noble ideals he championed throughout his career.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
2004-2010 General Catalogue: University of the Philippines Diliman (p. 132). (2010).
University of the Philippines. (1962). Minutes of the 949th Meeting of the Board of Regents (p. 8).
Encarnacion Hall [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHS 906-02). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
University of the Philippines. (2008). Minutes of the 1232nd Meeting of the Board of Regents.
University of the Philippines, University Archives. (n.d.). Biography file of Jose Encarnacion, Jr. [Archival Document].
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
UP Cesar E.A Virata School of Business
About the building
The UP Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business building, designed by Victor N. Tiotuyco with Juan B. Uy as technical consultant, is located along Guerrero Street at the eastern section of UP Diliman. This five-storey building was constructed in 1978 through the combined support of the national government and the UP Business Alumni Association. Its multi-tiered design reflects the designation of each floor for specific academic and administrative functions.
Originally named the College of Business Administration, the unit and its building were officially renamed in 2013 by the UP Board of Regents as the UP Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business, in honor of Cesar E.A. Virata. Today, it serves as the home of one of the country’s leading schools of business, management, and leadership.
Cesar E.A. Virata
Cesar E.A. Virata, a distinguished alumnus, professor, dean, and public servant, was born in Manila on 12 December 1930. He is a cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippines with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration, and obtained his Master of Business Administration (Industrial Management) from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. As dean of the College of Business Administration from 1960 to 1967, Virata introduced the Master of Business Administration program, strengthened faculty development by supporting advanced studies abroad, and expanded the college’s role in national development.
Furthermore, he served with distinction as Secretary of Finance, Governor to the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, and Prime Minister of the Philippines from 1981 to 1986. Recognizing these achievements, the UP Board of Regents approved the renaming of the College of Business Administration to the UP Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business in 2013.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Alfonso, O. M., Defeo, R. D., & Roman, E. R. (2005). Sites & symbols 2: UP Diliman landmarks. Office of the Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business Building [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHS 908-03). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Cesar E.A. Virata [Photograph]. (1974). Biography Files (Cesar E. A. Virata Folder). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Office of the Secretary of the University (2013). University of the Philippines Gazette, Volume XLIV, Number 3. (https://osu.up.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/gazette/2013-APR.pdf)
UP College of Business Administration. (n.d.). The 1990 Guilder Annual. University of the Philippines Diliman
U.P. Today. (1963, January). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines Diliman.
(1974). Most Distinguished UP Alumnus. Biography files (Cesar E.A. Virata Folder). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
UP Vargas Museum
About the building
Situated along Roxas Avenue, the UP Vargas Museum features a late modern architectural style. Its design references a classical temple with a wrap-around terrace and colonnade, yet these elements are refined through geometric planes, straight lines, and the integration of glass and concrete. Established in March 1978 following a historic bequest of a private collection from distinguished UP alumnus, Jorge B. Vargas, the building was finished in 1983 and inaugurated on 22 February 1987. The Museum’s collection is anchored in two main strengths: Philippine history during the Commonwealth and Japanese eras, and Philippine art history spanning the late 19th to the mid-20th century. At present, the museum operates under the College of Arts and Letters, a transition approved during the 1080th Board of Regents meeting on 17 November 1994.
Jorge Bartolome Vargas
Jorge Bartolome Vargas was a highly distinguished government official in the 1930s, lauded by biographer Alfredo B. Saulo as an “efficient, patriotic, and cultured government official” and a “jewel of a man”. He served as the Secretary to President Manuel L. Quezon from the Commonwealth inauguration until the Second World War. Vargas earned two degrees from UP: Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1911 and Bachelor of Laws in 1914 with honors, subsequently topping the bar exam. He was also an art collector, sportsman, philanthropist, and the founder of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.
During the war, Vargas followed President Quezon’s directives to provide refuge and safety for prisoners of war, including numerous U.P. graduates. Together with Professor Pedro Franco from the U.P. College of Law, he founded the Marina Institute across from the Philippine General Hospital. This facility was personally funded by the Secretary and his late wife, Marina Vargas, specifically to assist U.P. students—primarily women—who were stranded in Manila by the conflict. Furthermore, the Marina Institute offered sanctuary to U.P. alumni who had been released from the Capas concentration camp and subsequently joined the guerrilla resistance. Vargas was honored in 1986 for his exceptional contributions, having previously been named an Outstanding Service to the UPAA Awardee in 1968.
References: (Click to expand the full list of references)
Cañete, R. R., & Flores, P. D. (2004). Pasyal: Walking around U.P. Diliman. Office for Initiatives for Culture and the Arts.
Del Rosario, J. (1992). The Vargas legacy. Philippine Collegian.
University of the Philippines Alumni Association. (1968) The U.P. alumni yearbook.
University of the Philippines Board of Regents (1994). Minutes of the 1079th Board of Regents meeting, 28 July 1994, Quezon City: University of the Philippines.
University of the Philippines Board of Regents (1994). Minutes of the 1080th Board of Regents meeting, 17 November 1994, Quezon City: University of the Philippines.
Vargas Museum [Photograph]. (n.d.). Photograph Collection (PHS 365-01). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
Vargas Museum [Photograph]. (n.d.). Diamond Jubilee Exhibit (DJE-1 3.4; 1.4.5.17). University Archives Division, University Library, University of the Philippines.
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Acknowledgement
The University Archives Division gratefully acknowledges the following for their contributions:
- Filipiniana Books Section, University Library, UP Diliman
- Information Technology Division, University Library, UP Diliman
- Special Collections Section, University Library, UP Diliman
- Strategic Communication, Marketing and Research Section, University Library, UP Diliman
- UP Diliman College of Engineering Library
- UP Diliman College of Music Library
» Return to Institutional Memory in Stone index
Feedback
Thank you for visiting the online exhibit!
We hope that through this exhibit, you gain valuable insights to the prominent figures associated with the names of the buildings surrounding the UP Diliman Academic Oval.
In order to improve the next online exhibit and other events organized by the University Archives Division, we appreciate your time filling out the feedback form through this link: bit.ly/InstitutionalMemoryinStoneFeedbackForm. You may also scan the QR code provided below:
