Carillon Tower

Former name: The Rizal Centenary Carillon

Designer: The only non-traditional Carillon and was designed by Leandro Locsin.

Date of construction: It was built in 1996 through the efforts of the UP alumni members.

Technical Details:

1. It has 37 bells each having a different note. The heaviest note, F1, is 1.13 meter in diameter and
weighs 897 kg. The lightest note, G4, has a mere 225 mm diameter and weighs a puny 13.5 g.
2. The bells range from F three octaves below middle C up to G above middle C, making it the second
largest non-traditional carillon in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of number of bells.
3. The UPLB Carillion tower has a height of 0.04 kilometers.
4. Specifics:
o Electric-automatic carillon of 37 bells
o Pitch of heaviest bell is G in the middle octave
o Transposition is up 14 semitone(s)
o Keyboard range: F G / NONE
o There are two missing bass semitones
o The whole instrument was installed in 1996
o with bells made by an unknown maker
o Year of latest technical information source is 2008
Trivial Details:

1. It is named after Philippine National Hero José Rizal.

2. It is one of only two non-traditional carillons in the Philippines.
3. It is a historical structure in the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines it is
used as a watch and alarm tower during the world war 2.
4. The Carillion Tower is considered as the tallest building in UPLB.
5. The tower symbolizes humility. Even if it's the tallest building in the campus, it stands proudly at
the back of the Freedom back and the Fertility tree.
6. Going to the top just is not possible due to restricted access.
7. Other carillon towers built have 23 bells only while the carillon tower in UPLB has 37 bells.
8. Remember that Pinoy horror movie White Lady? This is where the character of Angelica
Panganiban committed suicide. In connection to this, the tower is actually open to the public
during its early days but is now closed for safety reasons.
9. Unless there is a major event, it will ring but if not it won’t.
10. Placed near the UPLB Freedom Park
11. It was built to commemorate the 100th year death anniversary of Jose Rizal, in 1996.
12. Long before there was a Carillon Tower. Back then, the fertility tree was the corner of the Oval.
Before, behind the tree was all bushes. So it was all secluded and very dark at night, perfect for
couples wanting to spend some private moments. At night at UPLB, especially midnight whenever
it is not full moon, the oval field is all pitch-black. Making it possible for the stories of miracles
near Fertility Tree.
13. The reason it was closed because students say that it encourages suicide and may cause accidents.
14. Due to reports of misconducts around the area, CCTV cameras is now located near the tree and
lights are also everywhere.
15. 1 out of the 3 carillons here in the Philippines. The others are from Quezon City (Diliman), Luzon:
'The Bells of Diliman' in the Andres Bonifacio Centennial Carillon Tower at the University of the
Philippines Diliman and Malolos, Bulacan, Luzon: In front of the Malolos Cathedral.