UP Ibalon

Founded in 1974, the UP Ibalon is an organization of Bicolano students at the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus. It accepts as members students who trace their family roots to Bicol Region, Philippines. The term Ibalon is the ancient name of the Bicol, a region south of Manila in Luzon Island. The place is the setting of the Bicol epic of the same title.
In the humble atmosphere of the Parks and Wildlife Nature Center Quezon City, three Manila-based and seventeen provincial Bicolano students ratified the organization's constitution on December 1, 1974.
UP Ibalon aims to promote in its members academic excellence, leadership, and deep awareness of Bicol culture, history and identity. Born during the martial rule of President Ferdinand Marcos, the organization became an instrument of developing social and political consciousness among its members, as UP Ibalon joined the University of the Philippines community in its struggle to keep the university free from Marcos control and retain its academic and political independence as the country's premier state university.
Some of UP Ibalon's early officers, notably Apolonio Baylon (the organization's founding President) and Floro Balce, were members of larger movements aiming to liberate the country from Marcos' martial rule and fight inequities in Philippine society. Some members had their own experiences of detention by Marcos military. Most UP Ibalon members, however, remained politically moderate and were active in cultural projects and youth oriented activities.
In its more than 30 years of existence, UP Ibalon could count among its alumni numerous successful individuals in various areas of business and profession. Scattered all over the world, former members of UP Ibalon banded themselves in February 2008 to form the UP Ibalon Bicol. With Naga City Philippines as its control center, UP Ibalon Bicol is now a growing Web community that helps Bicolano high school students get admitted at the University of the Philippines.
The website which aims to bring diverse news, opinions, and information is maintained mainly by Andy Gimpaya, M.D., a UP computer buff and practising physician of Naga City, Philippines, Augusto F. Mesia, M.D. (mesiamd; Totie Mesia), an anatomic and clinical pathologist (AP/CP, Obstetrical and Gynecological Pathology) based in New York City and other members of the organization.
UP Ibalon Bicol encourages its members, supporters and friends to share to the community---part of its commitment to better society and its people, regardless of color, religion, gender, age, nationality, and political persuasion. In its ranks, the organization has Dr. Josephine Robredo-Bundoc, a UP-PGH Rehabiliation Medicine specialist who leads periodic medical missions in Bicol to benefit the infirmed and the disabled.

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