By Juliane Judilla
The newly refurbished Woman’s Club and Old High School buildings of the UP High School Iloilo were officially turned over during a ceremony held at the UPV Little Theatre in Iloilo City on September 26, 2024.
Through the Handumanan Project, these heritage structures were restored to preserve UPV’s tradition of excellence while adapting to the needs of modern students. The project aims to ensure these historic buildings endure for future generations.
The ceremony opened with remarks from UP Visayas Chancellor Clement Camposano, who emphasized the significance of these buildings in shaping prominent figures in Philippine history.
Camposano acknowledged former Senate President Franklin Drilon and retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardaleza, both of whom played vital roles in the project. The late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, another illustrious alumna, was also acknowledged.
“These are no ordinary buildings. They cradled Iloilo’s finest, who once walked these halls,” Camposano said. “Material objects, like these buildings, shape us as much as we shape them. Beyond their historical value, these buildings are entwined with the ways we have crafted ourselves over the years. These buildings don’t just hold history—they create it.”
Drilon recognized the importance of preserving and restoring UPV’s iconic buildings and other historical sites across Iloilo City.
Jardaleza expressed his gratitude to the stakeholders and alumni who made the project possible. He also surprised Drilon with a portrait painted by a UP High School Iloilo student as a token of appreciation for his generosity and contributions.
The program concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the unveiling of commemorative markers for the two buildings, and a walking tour.
The Woman’s Club Building now houses a gallery hall, a UPV merchandise store, a lounge and alumni heritage café, and an office.
The Old High School Building features an alumni heritage gallery, a function hall, a mock-up of a traditional classroom, an audio-visual room, and an information desk.
