The University of the Philippines "Oblation" 100 Bill

The University of the Philippines, the home of the “Iskolar Ng Bayan” is celebrating its 100th Year Anniversary. As part of its celebration, the Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas released a commemorative note in the form of a 100 - peso bill. The note is printed with no other than the “UP Oblation”.

The Oblation, is a masterpiece of Filipino sculptor Guillermo E. Tolentino, was commissioned in 1935 by President Rafael Palma, first Filipino president of the University. His order was for professor Tolentino to translate the second stanza of Rizal's "Last Farewell" into a monument, which has now become the symbol of the University. In modern times, the “UP Oblation” symbolizes academic freedom, excellence, and equality.

BSP Gov. Armando M. Tetanco Jr. handing over to UP President Ermerlinda R. Roman , the sheet of 100-bill printed with the UP Oblation

“The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has issued 100-piso banknotes with an overprint of the iconic UP Oblation to commemorate the centennial of the University of the Philippines. The oblation, a sculpture of a naked young man in symbolic offering of service to country and humanity, is a masterpiece of Filipino artist Guillermo Tolentino. Bangko Sentral printed 10 million pieces of the 100-piso banknotes with the oblation overprint. At its launching, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr. presented to UP President Emerlinda Roman a whole sheet with 32 pieces of the 100-piso UP centennial banknotes. The BSP also launched the BSP-UP Centennial Professorial Chairs for agriculture, accounting, banking & finance, foreign trade, money & banking, statistics, business administration, monetary & banking economics, and government & official statistics.” – Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas

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