Last February 7, 2017, the University of the Philippines conferred the first ever Gawad Oblation awards on distinguished alumni who excelled in their own fields. I was fortunate enough to be included in its first batch of awardees.
I wish to share with my readers the speech I gave on behalf of the awardees. Especially so because graduation season is fast approaching and new graduates will venture out into the world and hopefully make their alma mater proud.
I am deeply honored to receive today from my beloved alma mater this 1st Gawad Oblation. I am also humbled to be a recipient of this award together with an illustrious group of individuals who have made their mark in their own fields.
A number of them are dedicated public servants with whom I have had the honor of working with at some point in my 21 years of public service. Some of them are captains of industry and educators who helped shape the future of our nation, but all have rendered ‘extraordinary service and service to the University of the Philippines.’
“Binabati ko po kayong lahat at maraming, maraming salamat sa UP naming mahal!
“In particular, let me express my thanks to the outgoing University President Alfredo Pascual, the incoming UP President Attorney Danilo Concepcion, and Professor Edna Co, vice president for public affairs.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate President Pascual for a job well done steering UP to new heights during his presidency. I am particularly grateful for his openness in partnering with Vista Land. A few days ago we launched the @Lab Innovation Hub in Vista Alabang.
“The awardees of the 1st Gawad Oblation also share another attribute aside from attending the premier state university of the country. In our own way, in our own little corner of the world, we have served our country with dedication and passion.
“From being a young graduate who is just beginning to gain a footing in the real world, and to which patriotism and service to the country might just be abstract concepts, to becoming leaders who, at some point in our lives, began asking how we can give back to the University and the country.
“This, I believe, is the real historic role of the University of the Philippines. As the premier state university, its role is to educate young Filipinos, not just to become good employees or good businesspersons, but also to become good Filipinos.
“In a way, this award from the University that taught us to become good Filipinos, represents our lives coming full circle. That is certainly how I feel. As I accept this Gawad Oblation tonight, I feel that my life has come full circle. You see, when I entered the University of the Philippines, I was just a simple kid from Tondo with simple dreams of making the life of my family a little better.
“Even when I was growing up, my dreams were simple: a better life, a bright future. I had no interest in politics and government. I never dreamed of becoming a congressman or a senator or a president.
That all changed when I entered UP in 1966. The years I spent in UP, particularly at the College of Business Administration, were a turning point in my life as they gave me the opportunity to dream big.
“I met young people my age who had dreams larger than they are. Many of my classmates at that time wanted to change the world. I said to myself, ‘gusto ko lang baguhin ang kalagayan namin sa buhay, tapos itong mga kaklase ko gustong baguhin ang mundo!’
“It was my encounter with the best and the brightest in the country that allowed me to dream big. Sure, I still want to give my family a better life but I realized that as I work on this, I can also fight for better lives for my neighbors, my community, my country.
“I am sure that all the awardees of the 1st Gawad Oblation have been profoundly affected by their stay in UP. Whether in clarifying our life direction, raising our social and political consciousness, developing our character, or honing our skills, UP has helped shape what we have become today.
“In my case, I have had the fortune of achieving success in both the private and public spheres. I was a struggling businessman who became successful in the real estate industry. I was a reluctant politician who ran for Congress in 1992 and became Speaker of the House, and later, Senate president.
“After my last term in the Senate, I went back to managing my business with the enthusiasm and trepidation of a freshman on his first day of school in a big university.
“When we advance in age and experience, we frequently find ourselves looking back, remembering the people, institutions, and circumstances that paved the path we took. I am glad and thankful that I always see UP in my rearview mirror as the institution that made me realize I matter in this world and that I can have an impact beyond the familiarities of my existential reality.
“On behalf of all the awardees, I accept this award as an affirmation of UP’s important role in molding individuals like us to becoming leaders.
“I accept this award as a testament to UP’s role in shaping our history and in building our great nation.
“Muli, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat at Mabuhay ang UP naming mahal!
(For comments/ feedback email to:mbv.secretariat@gmail or visit www.mannyvillar.com.ph.) (Senator Manny Villar)