NU rises in the East for affordable education

SINCE the SM Group acquired National University (NU) in 2008, improvement and expansion have gone leaps and bounds.

In 2019, NU Mall of Asia, NU Laguna and Inspire Sports Academy, NU Fairview and NU Baliwag started operations, followed by NU Dasmariñas in 2021, NU Lipa in 2022, NU Clark in 2023, NU Mendiola College of Business and Accountancy, and NU Bacolod in 2024.

On Monday, October 21, NU Philippines officials led by the chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime, Hans Sy, gathered for the blessing and inauguration of NU East Ortigas.

National University Philippines Chairman and SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy, PhD, (third from right) with (from left) SM Engineering Design and Development Corp. President Hans Sy Jr., National University East Ortigas Executive Director Lee Tajonera, NU Philippines Board Vice Chairman Teodoro Ocampo, NU Philippines President and CEO Renato Carlos Ermita Jr. and NU Philippines Vice President for Administrative Services Jose Nilo Ocampo. PHOTO BY ARLO CUSTODIO

The ceremony began with a solemn Mass celebrated by the Vicar of Clergy, Fr. Mandy Litana, along with Fathers Joeffrey Brian Catuiran, Rodifel de Leon, Robi Okol and Hernandez Mendoza.

The Mass invoked wisdom, prosperity and harmony for the students, faculty and non-teaching staff of NU East Ortigas.

The liturgy was followed by a campus blessing, in which the Bulldogs Exchange, hallways, classrooms and other facilities were anointed with holy water to represent a new beginning for the entire Nationalian community.

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After the Mass and benediction, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with NU executives, distinguished guests and local dignitaries.

Among the notable attendees were Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Vice Mayor Robert Jaworski Jr., Hans Sy Jr., Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworksi, NU East Ortigas Executive Director Lee Tajonera, and NU President and CEO Renato Carlos Ermita Jr., whose participation highlighted the importance of the historic event.

College students from various programs showcased their student-centric initiatives, highlighting NU East Ortigas students' innovative spirit and creativity.

Sy and Ermita Jr. extended their greetings and