INTRODUCTION
At the university of the Philippines (UP) Campus in Diliman, Quezon City, the bell tower popularly known as the UP Carillon has served not only as a timekeeper — reminding everyone of the hour of the day — but also as a perpetual bond linking the university, its students and its alumni.

Four decades after that first carillon was built, another one has risen — this time in UP Los Baños (UPLB) — which we are inaugurating today. To be known as the Rizal centenary carillon and originally conceived by the late national artist for architecture, Leandro V. Locsin, this tower signifies UPLB’s oneness with its community, with other UP campuses, and with other universities strong in culture and the arts.
SYMBOL OF THE YOUTH’S ASPIRATIONS
Like its counterpart in UP Diliman, this carillon is another testament to the immutable alumni spirit and symbiotic alumni-university relationship. This 45-meter tower is a fulfillment of a three-decade dream dating back to the 1970s, revived in 1995 and finally realized through the participation and contributions of alumni, friends and benefactors in government and the private sector.

More than this, the tower is symbolic of a university serving as a national instrument for the improvement of the quality of life of the Filipino people through the development of natural and human resources and the promotion of science and technology.

It represents the towering aspirations of the youth of our land. It stands today as a tower of dreams — dreams that date back to the time of Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, Aguinaldo and our entire pantheon of heroes; dreams that the youth of the past, the present and the future will always aspire for and seek to fulfill.

Such dreams constitute our longing for respect and dignity in the community of nations; our struggle for independence and national sovereignty; our striving for democracy and human rights; and our efforts for peace and development.

These dreams did not die with the death of Jose Rizal a hundred years ago. They lived on with the many more Filipinos who later sacrificed their lives in the quest for freedom. They now live on with our pursuit of knowledge that will help liberate our people from poverty and bring them the benefits of prosperity.
THE RIZAL IN EACH FILIPINO
It was Jose Rizal who first impressed upon us the fact that the Filipino was worth dying for. He had every reason and the means to indulge in purely personal pursuits but he dedicated his life advocating justice for his oppressed countrymen and countrywomen. Such was the character of Rizal that he chose the noble path which eventually led to his execution.

One aspect of Rizal’s spirit that the youth of today must imbibe was his burning desire to seek knowledge and unmask the truth behind issues. If we are to achieve our national goals and attain for the country its destined greatness, this spirit of Rizal must live in every Filipino.

Ten months from now, we shall be celebrating the centennial of our nationhood and Rizal’s message to us is as relevant now as then — to secure for our nation and people a free, just and prosperous society.

We can only do this through a unity of spirit and effort, of solidarity and teamwork. Let us seize the opportunity presented by our collective gains achieved in the last five years to elevate our country to a position of respect in the community of nations.
A MEMORIAL TO THE FILIPINO SPIRIT
The carillon that stands today here in UP Los Baños is not just a testament to the nobility of Rizal and the generosity of the university’s alumni. It is a memorial to the Filipino spirit that this prestigious institution at the foothills of Mount Makiling glorifies.

Each Filipino must lead a life devoted to the pursuit of freedom and development. May the carillon remind us that we must not cease being hungry for learning nor desist from contributing our share for the common good.

We have just launched the first Philippine telecommunications satellite into space. Named after our national bird — the Agila — it represents both the capabilities of present-day Filipinos and the brighter future that is out there for our younger generations to seize!

This carillon in this center of education, science and technology and the Agila Satellite in the heavens represent the whole broad spectrum of Philippine achievement and potential.

Each time the Rizal Centenary Carillon rings out its wondrous chimes, may we be reminded that each of us has a responsibility to win the future for ourselves, for our country, and for our people.

Maraming salamat at mabuhay tayong lahat!