The University of Nueva Caceres is now a Diamond University

The great, grand, and glorious Diamond Jubilee of the University of Nueva Caceres has finally come. February 14, 2023, was the day that UNC turned into a Diamond. Seventy-five years and counting, brightly shining in Bicolandia and beyond. In this historic happening, in the celebrating campus, before the entire community, the Word of God was declared. Psalm 118:24: This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

UNC at 75, and all the glory belongs to God, now and forever. The UNC community stood strong and tall, united in offering thanksgiving to God Almighty, Whose hand has been upon our Institution since its birth in 1948. The Doxology so well expressed UNC’s overwhelming rejoicing, a sacred and sincere gesture of dedicating our 75th Foundation Anniversary with the theme: Celebrating with Gratefulness and Hope.

Ushering the Diamond Era

The University of Nueva Caceres, the First University in Bicol and Southern Luzon is founded on February 14, 1948. Hearts’ Day is UNC’s birthday. 75 years ago, one of the finest sons of Bicol and UNC’s Founding Father and First President, Dr. Jaime Hernandez Sr., established the University of Nueva Caceres - his gift to Bicol. As we welcome our Diamond Jubilee, UNC’s Captain and Commander-in-Chief, our beloved University President Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, opened a new chapter, marked a new milestone, and ushered the new Diamond Era.

Monumental Moment

On our 75th Foundation Day, UNC turned into a Diamond. Like one of the strongest substances and most stylish stones known to man - the precious and priceless diamond, UNC is built to last. Being the first University in Bicol, the University of Nueva Caceres’ great, grand, and glorious Diamond Jubilee is a monumental moment for the entire Bicolandia. This is the greatest moment that tells about our purposeful past, prominent present, and promising future. Indeed, This Is The Moment, to share and sing. And who shall best give the rendition of this song than UNC Vice President for Academic Affairs, the brilliant Dr. Romeo M. Sumayo Jr.

Dance for the Diamond

For 75 years, we have shifted gears to dance to the tunes of tides and trends, trials and testings. We have maneuvered and made our moves with the music, in stride and in style. We press on, persist, and prevail every single time. During the Grand Opening Night, we showcased the winning UNCean spirit and solidarity through the historic mass demonstration, UNC Diamond Jubilee Indak 2023. On that same night, we traveled back in time and down memory lane. We relived the dance craze that reigned supreme, the songs and sounds that define the decades. We put a spotlight on another spectacle to behold, worthy of UNC’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, the Retro Dance Zumba Party - the UNCean way.

A Homage to Our Heroes

On the Grand Opening Night, we happily honored and hailed UNC’s homegrown heroes who gifted their life of service to UNC, spanning over seven decades. The Voice Philippines Kids, 1st Runner Up and Gold Medalist in World Championship Performing Arts in America, the pride of the Philippines, Ms. Carmelle Collado, dedicated a rendition of the song Hero, a fitting homage to our heroes and the heroes in all of us.

UNC Diamond Jubilee Song: Awit ng Pasasalamat

The 75 years of this University are filled with UNCeans who are touching lives, nurturing dreams, bettering tomorrows, making memories, leaving legacies, changing the future, and making the world a brighter place. As we embrace the great, grand, and glorious Diamond Jubilee of UNC, we place in our hearts the theme: Celebrating with Gratefulness and Hope. A song masterpiece brought home to us a message - beyond the words and melody, the strong spirit of gratitude. On that elegant and enchanting evening of February 14, we launched the UNC Diamond Jubilee Song, Awit ng Pasasalamat.

Many Magnificent Memories

Excitement has steadily grown since the UNC Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Diamond Jubilee Foundation Celebration Chairperson, Dr. Romeo M. Sumayo, Jr., set in motion the brilliantly themed ensemble of activities lined up for our year-long festivity leading to our Diamond Jubilee this 2023. The Dean of UNC College of Arts and Sciences, Prof. Kenjie E. Jimenea, a political analyst, and the radio program host of UNC On Air, splendidly orchestrated the Diamond Jubilee Opening Activities on February 14. UNC’s 75th Foundation Week witnessed so many memorable moments, meaningful milestones, and magnificent memories.

Finesse Fireworks

As members of this illustrious Institution – UNC, God lights and leads the way – from one milestone to another, from one generation to the next. To symbolize this on Feb. 14, 2023, we light up the night sky over UNC, a spectacular way to mark the first evening when our ever-mighty Institution, our home, our beloved University of Nueva Caceres finally turned into a Diamond. The UNC community enjoyed the Grand Diamond Jubilee Finale Fireworks Display. On the historic night when UNC turned into a Diamond, oh how sweet was it to once again host and say my custom closing piece: I am Faye Tablizo-Natividad, your proud UNC ambassador. To God be all the glory! This I will always cherish.