鈥淭hank you, everyone. Farewell, my beloved University. I have done my best for you.鈥�
鈥� Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo Jr., Farewell Speech, 2005
Dr. Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo, who served as the 18th president of the 天美视频 (UP) from 1999 to 2005, passed away on Dec. 19, 2024, at age 89. This was announced.
Born in Cebu City on February 9, 1935, UP President Nemenzo, fondly known as 鈥淒odong,鈥� lived a life rich in thought, action, and impact. A political scientist, professor, and radical educator, he was known for his strong nationalist and anti-imperialist views, as well as his lifelong commitment to the University.
An academic and activist
Nemenzo spent his entire academic career in UP, earning both his Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 degrees in Public Administration before obtaining a PhD in Political Science from the University of Manchester. He joined UP as a research assistant and later became a professor of political science. A charismatic teacher and Marxist thinker, Nemenzo was imprisoned during the Marcos dictatorship for his involvement in the resistance. Upon his release, he returned to UP, where he rose to become Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and later, Chancellor of UP Visayas.
Visionary leadership
Nemenzo鈥檚 presidency came at a time of national optimism as the Philippines entered the 21st century. The times coincided with the centennial celebration of the Philippine Revolution and a period of great anticipation, as both the country and the world looked forward to a fresh start following the economic crises of the 1990s.
His administration faced numerous challenges, from deteriorating facilities and low faculty pay, to the brain drain and globalization pressures affecting the University鈥檚 standing.
He believed a UP president should be an academic leader, not a businessman, and focused on modernizing the University to make it competitive in the new millennium. His administration prioritized upgrading UP鈥檚 infrastructure, acquiring new equipment, improving libraries and laboratories, and promoting the use of technology, including computers and internet connectivity across campuses.
Key reforms and achievements
Nemenzo worked to strengthen UP鈥檚 academic programs by encouraging faculty to pursue post-graduate and PhD studies. He also streamlined the University bureaucracy to improve efficiency and raised funds to support modernization efforts. His administration is credited with renovating facilities across UP campuses, launching new buildings, and improving faculty and staff welfare through salary increases and merit promotions.
He also pushed for the expansion of the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) centers and introduced new awards to encourage academic excellence, including the Academic Distinction Awards and the President鈥檚 Award for Innovation in Teaching.
Lasting legacy
Nemenzo鈥檚 term saw the revival of the UP Newsletter and the launch of the Forum, a broadsheet for the UP community, where he would also regularly publish his ideas on national and local issues. He also institutionalized the use of the UP Sablay in graduation ceremonies starting in 2003, replacing the traditional toga to reflect UP鈥檚 unique identity and nationalism.
His administration supported a new UP Charter to strengthen the University鈥檚 role as the premier national institution. Nemenzo also implemented the Revised General Education Program (RGEP) to foster critical thinking, nationalism, and skills necessary for the globalized world. He promoted industry-academia partnerships through the Science and Technology Parks program; and he elevated UP College Baguio to a full constituent university. Long after his presidency, he would continue to attend conferences or share his ideas in events such as the centennial celebration of the UPD Political Science Department in 2015.
Through his leadership, Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo Jr. left a lasting impact on the University, guiding it through modernization while preserving its activist spirit.
UP President Nemenzo is survived by his wife, Ana Maria “Princess” Nemenzo, their children and their spouses鈥擠r. Fidel Nemenzo and Dr. Marivic Raquiza, Dr. Leonid Nemenzo and Ruvelyn Lim Nemenzo, Lian Nemenzo-Hernandez, and Von Hernandez鈥攖heir six grandchildren (Alaya, Miguel, Annika, Rafael, Anton, and Luiz), two great-grandchildren (Mila and Rafa), and his youngest sister, Gemma Nemenzo-Ver.
According to former UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, .
