UP Naming Mahal

UP (University of the Philippines) is celebrating its Centennial year.I went to UP Diliman because I needed to watch and participate in a symposium. I was a bit flustered since I didn't know my way around. I almost got lost (my campus is actually in UP Manila) only to realize that the venue (NISMED) is just behind Palma Hall.

The theme of the speech given by Prof. Cecilia Florencio was "UP at the Advent of its Centennial: Struggles, Directions and Role Amidst a Nation of Crisis". The focus of the speech was to rekindle the spirit of UP's orientation; that is to serve society as a community. Listening to her speech, I was humbly reminded that yes, being an "iskolar ng bayan" entails not only the rights to study in a prestigious university but also the responsibility to give something back to society and the nation.

Looking back, I do remember that many of my "batchmates" were now distinguished individuals in their chosen fields, working for the big companies here and abroad, earning huge money, and getting the payoffs for their difficult (even tortuous) studies in the university. Yes, thumbs up for them. Giving glory and recognition to Filipinos as engineers, doctors, managers, nurses, teachers, senators, etc.

But what I admire most are those who we do not always recognize... the nameless individuals who have chosen to live and struggle with the masses. Those who sacrificed their privileged lives and status by working with the common people... those who are with the labor unions, the urban poor communities, the NGOs, the human rights organizations, and those who are so selfless that they wage other forms of struggle.

Hands up, to you all "iskolar ng bayans". Our stay in UP may have been a part of the past. But let us all be reminded of our orientation of serving the people... the essence of being part of a state u.