University News

Student, Faculty, Unite to Remember Dr. Prudente's Legacy

Jan Vincent Lanuza, News, Communication Management Office

SDG 4 SDG 11 SDG 16 SDG 17

In celebration of the centenary year of former PUP President Dr. Nemesio “NEP” E. Prudente, a distinguished Filipino educator and visionary university leader regarded as one of the key figures in shaping PUP’s progressive identity, Sintang Paaralan held the “Project #100Doc Prudente” Archive and Print Exhibit at the University Library (UL) and the Laboratory High School (LHS) on October 15 and 21, 2026.

Dr. Prudente, who led the Philippine College of Commerce (PCC) from 1962 to 1972 and later served as PUP President from 1986 to 1992, championed education as an equalizing instrument and advanced reforms that strengthened the University's commitment to accessible and socially responsive education. His leadership helped shape PUP's institutional identity, fostering progressive education, student participation, activism, and public service.

Organized by PUP Padayon, PUP LIKHA, the University Center for Culture and the Arts (UCCA), College of Arts and Letters (CAL), UL, LHS, and the PUP Heritage Committee – Sub-Committee on Visual Arts, the exhibit featured artworks, research papers, published articles, letters, messages, and other memorabilia that showcased Dr. Prudente's enduring legacy and contributions to the University's continuing development.

“Project #100Doc Prudente” Archive and Print Exhibit organizer, Assoc. Prof. Leonardo “Boyet De Mesa” R. Dela Cruz, stated that the objective of the occasion was to preserve the former president’s legacy towards the entire PUP Community and recognize his contributions to making the University what it is today.

“Nais namin, bilang bahagi ng layunin, na makipagdiskurso sa komunidad: Naalala ba natin? Inaalala ba natin? At alalahanin si Doc Prudente bilang bahagi ng institusyon na may malaking naiambag sa kaunlaran ng PUP.” Dela Cruz said.

(“As part of our objective, we want to engage the community in a discourse: Do we remember? Do we care? Let us remember Doc Prudente as a vital part of this institution who made immense contributions to PUP's development.”)

He added: “May usaping pagkalimot, may usaping pagkawala kaya nais namin maging behikulo ang mga activity na ito para mag-usap, magdiskurso, umalala, at muli ay ibalik at ipagtagumpay ang legasiya ni Doc Prudente.”

(There is the issue of forgetting and loss, which is why we want these activities to serve as a vehicle for us to talk, engage in dialogue, remember, and ultimately revive and champion Doc Prudente’s legacy.)

De Mesa then emphasized the importance of remembering Prudente’s impact, particularly regarding collective action and unity within the PUP Community, to help the institution grow in the current age.

“Si Doc Prudente ay naniniwala sa sama-samang pagkilos na hindi pwedeng mawala ang pinakamarami. Iyon ang mga estudyante. Gusto nating i-impart na ipagpatuloy natin ang pagsasama-sama, ang kolektibong paglikha, kolektibong paggawa, sama-samang pagkilos para abutin o anumang nais nating pangarapin dahil tayo ay isang komunidad.

(Doc Prudente believed in collective action, where the majority cannot be left behind. That majority is the students. We want to impart the importance of continuing to unite, engaging in collective creation and work, and taking collective action to achieve our shared dreams, because we are one community.)

Meanwhile, Lara Tinos, a member of PUP LIKHA, a group of PUP student visual artists, noted that remembering Prudente’s influence is important to ensuring that the Iskolar ng Bayan recognize the origins of the Sintang Paaralan’s student activism culture and its strong ties to socio-political awareness.

“Tinuro sa atin ni Doc Prudente na ang pag-aaral ay hindi lamang nakukulong sa apat na sulok ng silid-aralan. Kailangan din natin na lumabas at magsilbi sa Bayan dahil porma rin iyon ng pag-alala at pagpapaunlad ng ating karunungan.” Tinos remarked.

(Doc Prudente taught us that learning is not confined to the four corners of a classroom. We must also step outside and serve the nation, as this is another form of honoring his memory and enriching our knowledge.)

“Bilang isang Iskolar ng Bayan na naga-aral sa Sintang Paaralan, mahalaga na maalala natin ang kasaysayan niya pinapakita niya sa atin kung ano ang paninindigan at karunungan na kinakailangan sa isang Iskolar ng Bayan upang magsilbi sa bayan.”

(As an Iskolar ng Bayan studying at the Sintang Paaralan, it is important that we remember his history. He showed us the principles and wisdom required of an Iskolar ng Bayan to serve the nation.)

Through the showcase of archival documents and visual arts, the “Project #100Doc Prudente” Archive and Print Exhibit serves as a celebration of one of PUP’s most impactful presidents, progressive education, and public service, while demonstrating that remembering an institution's history is vital to its march toward the future.

This initiative actively aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education) through arts education, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) as a community-based event, SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening social cohesion within the Sintang Paaralan.