Tao Rin Pala (TRP) is an annual end-of-year event organized by the UP Medical Students’ Society (UP MSS). Now on its 45th year, TRP continues to be the biggest and most anticipated event in the UP College of Medicine-Philippine General Hospital (UPCM-PGH) community. Whether through singing, dancing, acting, or spoken word, TRP is an avenue for medical students, clerks, interns, residents, fellows, consultants, and other members of the UPCM-PGH community to break down the medical hierarchy, forge bonds outside the hospital setting, and show that our talents extend far beyond the hospital walls.
The event is known for the esteemed Choral Competition among batches of medical students in the UP College of Medicine, where the different classes sing their hearts out to the tune of their original compositions in the hopes of winning the highly coveted title of the year’s TRP Choral Champion.
TRP also showcases performing arts exhibitions from the various classes, UPCM and PGH departments, organizations, fraternities, and sororities.
TRP is also an opportunity for our organization to be of service to the community, as part of the money that is raised from the sponsors and merchandise will go to the MSS Scholarship Fund.
History of Tao Rin Pala
TRP started out in the year 1973 as a humble gathering for medical students and medical professionals to come together and express their stands on existing political and social issues during Martial Law when censorship and political agitation was prevalent. It was christened “Tao Rin Pala” by Dr. Remberto “Bobby” dela Paz the following year. Since then, TRP has blossomed into an event of such a scale as to be considered a hallmark activity of UP Manila.
This Year’s Theme: ROUTES
You look out the window of a cab at one in the morning and see the sprawls of lights from scattered street lamps and condominium buildings. You gaze upwards from the asphalt of the sidewalk during your usual morning jog and notice the play of sunlight and shadow against brick walls and foliage and faces of people. You observe the usual afternoon traffic — the commuters, the street vendors, the honks and sirens — and marvel at how all these seemingly disorderly pieces seem to fit together.
That’s when it hits you. There is beauty in the usual, the everyday, the rough-and-tumble, the nine-to-five, when you zoom out and look farther in at the same time.
Now on its 45th run, this year’s Tao Rin Pala takes us to the urban jungle that is Metro Manila, where the roads are paved with vehicle smoke, shades of sepia, and the constant threat of flood, but also romance and charm and the elegance of old and the desire to explore.
With the theme ROUTES, allow us to take you on a ride through the neon-studded streets of Mabini and Jupiter, the vintage theatres of Rizal Avenue, and even the fiery red lanterns of Ongpin. Because in these streets with the flickering lights and the majestic building facades that we call home, everyone has a story to tell.
#TaoRinPala
#TRP45Routes
#ThisCityIsOurs
