SAM-UP in its 38th Year of Prestige, Leadership, and Service

Since 1984, the Society of Applied Mathematics of UPLB continues to transcend time with its prestige, leadership, and service. It has been two long years since the pandemic hit the country, and the transition from a virtual to a face-to-face set-up felt like a millennium. But the Organization stands still and did not budge in upholding its objectives and principles for 38 wonderful years.

With the theme “AUTOMATHIK: Mathematics in the New Millennium”, the Society of Applied Mathematics of UPLB blasts off its 38th Anniversary Week celebration with three successful events.

Open Tambayan and Exhibit Opening

It was November 22, 2022 when SAM-UP kick-started their Anniv Week with the Open Tambayan, an annual event where everyone is invited to celebrate with SAM-UP over foods, drinks, games, raffle draws, and performances. Known colloquially as Open Tamb, this event is a way of giving back to the UPLB community for their never-ending support to the Organization and its events.

Hosts Alex Dela Cruz and Jet Ocampo started off the night feeling elated that it was the first Open Tamb after two years of online schooling and virtual interactions with peers. Before digging into the feast and festivities, a prayer was led by the Sports and Socials Committee Head, Mary Ann Llaguno, which was followed by the welcoming remarks of Antiquarian and Executive-in-Charge for Open Tambayan, Lian Malacoco.

Another highlight of the event is Exhibit Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting. Senior Executive, Alyssa Gabrielle Salazar did the honors, and along with her is Executive-in-Charge and Event Head for Exhibit, Carlo Cuevas. This is also SAM-UP’s first time in two years to once again hold a physical exhibit showcasing its history and milestones. Another highlight of the Exhibit is the annual Photoshoot event which launched to the public the crowning jewel of the Organization, the resident and affiliate members. Also headed by EIC Carlo, the Photoshoot also became an avenue for the members to express their artistic, photographic, graphic design skills. It was a staggering success, all thanks to the Photoshoot Team who also took the lead in planning and setting up the exhibit. 

In Photo: Photoshoot/Exhibit Event Team led by Carlo Cuevas

While dinner was being served, the guests were entertained by amazing performances. First off, UPLB Sandayaw Cultural Group performed a T’boli dance called Madal B’lelah. Nathaniel Cabanatuan and Louis Kevin Amita serenaded us with songs from the heart, while our very own Prince June Pugoy and Rhaiza Enriquez delivered a riveting spoken word poem. There was also another song performance by SAM-UP’s Eunice Bolaton and Marcus Manzano, also accompanied Koi Amita on guitar. Topping this repertoire off are the dance performance of Chad Libera and Kim Cañada, and another series of acoustic sessions by Iya Japay and by Paula Villarete and Michael Rei Argañosa, both with special participation of Koi Amita.  

In between these performances were games and raffle draws facilitated by Allen Dela Cruz. Winners received different gift certificates from Goto Have It!, Wings Ave, Tropic Bowls, and Eatsumo.

Event Head, Jane Rodriguez gave her closing remarks, thanking everyone who made the event possible – the Open Tambayan Event Team, the Photoshoot/Exhibit Team, the sponsors and partners, the rest of the SAM-UP members and, of course, the UPLB community. With over 170 people who joined the Open Tamb, SAM-UP is 170 times grateful for the love and support it has received from the people in the last 38 years. 

In Photo: Open Tambayan Event Team led by Jane Rodriguez

Alumni Homecoming

The last leg of the event is the much-awaited Alumni Homecoming held last November 26, 2022 since the onset of the pandemic. The event took place at the Aquaville Resort and Events Place and was captured in a Facebook live for the members that are unable to attend the event. The event commenced with an opening prayer, recital of the SAM-UP Preamble, and opening remarks. This was, yet again, the first time since the pandemic that the members — the body and alumni — have recited the preamble of the Organization. The main AVP of the event was also played and was followed by the introduction of the last two “online batches” — Semper ad Meliora and Auratus Victoribus. Fun and interactive games were also conducted that channeled the competitive spirit among the batches, and between the body and the alumni. 

Of course, what is an Alumni Homecoming night without recognizing the alumni who graced us with their presence and have been actively helping the organization with its events during the semester? So, the Alumni Appreciation Awarding took place at the latter half of the dinner which was followed by the organizational report of the Executive Committee A.Y. 2022-2023. The event was then concluded with a closing remark and was officially sealed off by a photo opportunity. This was, again, the first non-virtual photo of the body and alumni altogether. 

As a closing event for the celebration of the anniversary week, the Society of Applied Mathematics of UPLB welcomes its anniversary on November 27, 2022, at 12 midnight with a proud and loud SAM-UP cheer. It feels like it has been a millennium since we gathered like this to take a trip down memory lane together while facing each other in person. With a programmed sense like artificial intelligence, connecting with the members feels innate and does not seem as if we have only seen each other that night. The bond that we shared and the network that we created will surely be locked in our hearts and minds. 

Like how artificial intelligence paved the way for the advancement of human technology, the Society of Applied Mathematics of UPLB will continue to make an avenue where the relevance of Applied Mathematics in the advancement of Philippine society could be promoted.

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