“They say you can never go back to the same river twice, for the water is always moving. But what if you were the one who helped carve the riverbed?”
Think of a place that knew you before you knew yourself. Maybe it’s the scent of a specific hallway, the heavy weight of a wooden door, or the way the morning sun hits a certain courtyard at exactly 8:00 AM. For most, these are just stops on a journey. But for a rare few, these landmarks are home.
As the University of Batangas celebrates its 80th year of weaving excellence into the fabric of the province, we turn our gaze toward a younger, yet equally vibrant chapter: the 15th anniversary of UB Lipa City (UBLC). This is not just a story of bricks and mortar; it is a story of the heartbeat that stayed.
Fifteen years ago, it started with a vision that sought a new home to thrive and fulfill the promise of tomorrow. Born from a founder’s leap of faith to build a structural legacy of excellence for every Batangueño, UBLC’s birth became a pivotal moment in the university’s history. Through the calculated and courageous leadership of President Emeritus Dr. Hernando B. Perez, this legacy of greatness found its new soil. What began as a community built from scratch has since blossomed into a vital part of the collective mission. Our founders first envisioned a social mobility in which dreams are not just born but realized.
Those Who Yielded the Way
But how does a vision survive the passage of time? It happens through the people who saw the first stone laid and chose to never walk away. Behind UBLC’s 15-year success is a living foundation – a dedicated hierarchy of dreamers and doers who ensured that the Westernian Way was not just a philosophy, but a reality in every classroom and corridor.
To truly understand the UBLC story of growth and legacy, one must listen to the echoes of those who were there when the hallways were still silent and the dreams were still sketches on a desk. They are our Deans who shaped the curriculum from the ground up and the Faculty who turned empty rooms into cathedrals of learning. They are the pioneers who didn’t just witness history – they authored it.
The Leadership Behind the Expansion
At the summit of this journey is President Emeritus Dr. Hernando B. Perez. His leadership provided the steady hand and the stability that allowed UBLC to grow from a fledgling campus into a dominant educational force in Lipa.
Yet, this monumental feat was never a solo endeavor. This vision was breathed into life through the unwavering support and collective wisdom of the Board of Regents. They were the author of the expansion of the “Westernian Way” in Lipa City.
This success stands on the shoulders of the men and women who solidified the very foundation of our institution. Their shared commitment to elevate our status to that of a university gave UBLC its blueprint for excellence. They didn’t just change a name; they forged a new identity. By anchoring the Lipa campus to the 80-year heritage of the Westernian way, the Board and the pioneers of the WPC-to-UB transition ensured that the new campus wasn’t just a branch, but a continuation of a grand, scholarly tradition. The growth of UBLC is the fruit of that synergy where visionary leadership met a board that dared to dream as big as the province itself.
A Tribute to the UB Family
Behind the institution’s master plan lies its most vital asset: the “people”. Whether it is during the solemnity of Service Awards, the vibrant energy of the President’s Cup and Bestination, or the camaraderie of institutional parties, the Administration never misses an opportunity to voice a fundamental truth: that human resources are the heartbeat of the university. At every institutional milestone, the message from the leadership remains consistent from one generation to the next: “the UB Family is the most important and vital cornerstone of our shared success.“
Leading the Next Chapter
This success was built by pioneering deans who provided the academic map, crafting curricula from the ground up to ensure a UBLC degree carries the full weight and prestige of our 80-year heritage. Alongside them stood the Faculty, the heartbeat in the classroom, who turned empty rooms into cathedrals of learning. They did more than teach; they mentored the first pioneer batch with a unique passion, instilling the Westernian Way from the very first lecture.
Completing this foundation are the unsung anchors, our Administrative Staff and Employees. They are the grit of the campus, from those who meticulously organized the very first student files to the teams who keep our “home” safe and welcoming. They are the familiar faces representing the continuity and stability that define us. Together, these groups represent the “pioneer who never leaves” – the dedicated professionals who the Administration honors not just as employees, but as the living legacy that makes the University of Batangas a home for every Batangueño dream.
A Glimpse into the Pioneer Spirit
To truly understand the 15-year journey of UBLC, one must listen to the echoes of those who were there when the hallways were still silent, and the dreams were still sketches on a desk. They are the pioneers who didn’t just witness history, they authored it.
What happens when a pioneer never leaves? The institution gains a soul. It stops being a mere set of buildings and becomes a sanctuary of continuity. We honor the “anchors” who turned a “leap of faith” into a steady walk of excellence.
As UBLC marks its 15th year within the grand 80-year tapestry of the University of Batangas, we realize that the greatest legacy isn’t just the name on the gate—it is the people who stayed to make sure the gate remained open for everyone else.
